OSU graduates 10% of their Basketball players

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:20 pm

Ten percent of Buckeyes got degrees
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Posted: March 12, 2007

Associated Press

Just 10 percent of Ohio State's basketball players received degrees at the school, according to a study that examined the freshman classes entering from 1996-99.

Taking into account players who transfer, enter from junior colleges and are graduated late, 38 percent of Buckeyes basketball players earned degrees during that period, Richard Lapchick, director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports, said Monday.

Ohio State enters this year's NCAA tournament as the nation's top-ranked team.

"The supposed Final Four, the top seeds are a real disparity there. Two of the schools, Florida and North Carolina, have really good graduation rates and Kansas and Ohio State don't have such good graduation rates," Lapchick said. "That's certainly an issue."

John Bruno, Ohio State's faculty representative for athletics, said there had been substantial turnover of staff, support personnel and coaches since Randy Ayers (1990-97) and Jim O'Brien (1998-04) coached the team. Bruno added that player academic support has improved.

"My intent is not to apologize for numbers that I as a faculty member think are not high enough," Bruno said. "We're not happy with these numbers, but we've got programs in place that are going to ensure that those numbers rise over time."

Under the formula of Federal Graduation Rates, no basketball player from NCAA-bound Florida A&M, Eastern Kentucky or Oregon received a degree from those four freshman classes, Lapchick's study said.

Using the yardstick Graduation Success Rates -- which accounts for players who transfer to other schools and receive degrees, players entering from junior colleges and those who receive degrees more than six years after enrollment -- 9 percent of Florida A&M players, 19 percent of Eastern Kentucky and 50 percent of Oregon players were graduated, according to the study, written by Lapchick and Maria Bustamante.

Lapchick said the study found that while graduation rates are improving, there remains a huge gap between the figures for black and white basketball players.

Other NCAA tournament-bound programs with low FGRs were: Tennessee (8 percent), UNLV (10 percent), Maryland (13 percent), Texas A&M (15 percent), Virginia Tech (17 percent), Gonzaga and Louisville (22 percent), Georgia Tech, Kentucky and Oral Roberts (23 percent), Memphis and North Texas and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (25 percent).

Based on the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate scores from last year, Lapchick said Florida A&M, New Mexico State, and Texas A&M could be subject to loss of basketball scholarships next year.

At the other end, the schools with the highest FGRs were Holy Cross (86 percent), Butler (82 percent), Creighton (78 percent), Davidson and Michigan State (75 percent). Penn and Air Force didn't report FGRs.

Lapchick's study said that based on the GSR formula, 68 percent of teams bound for the NCAA men's basketball tournament graduated 70 percent or more of their white players, but just 30 percent graduated 70 percent or more of black players. While 76 percent of white basketball players receive degrees, just 51 percent of black players do.

"I think that the goal had been 50 percent. That was considered a good graduation rate. But I think there are so many schools that have a 60, 70 percent rate, that I would recommend that we raise it, the 60-to-70 percent rate be considered the new standard of what's good."

Lapchick said 41 Division I schools, including seven headed to the tournament, didn't graduate any black players. Twenty-one schools, including tournament-bound Eastern Kentucky, didn't graduate any white players.

tekekini · Post by **tekekini** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:16 pm

Oh my god where have you been? We have been over this and it didnt get much mention on here and do you know why?

Because when people leave early to the NBA, or when you have numerous players transfer they count against your rate.

it didnt get much mention on here probably because everyone but yourself knows this and is smart enough to realize that it is hard to graduate a lot of players when this happens. when you have just a handful of players on a basketball team and they transfer or leave at a high rate, your grad. rate will decline dramaticly. guess what..OSU's graduation rate for this years Freshman will be 2 % after Oden, Conley and Cook leave early.

Think about it.

It is a bogus stat.

It's the Journey... · Post by **It's the Journey...** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:24 pm

It is tragic that is the way so many think about it. I am supportive of those who have the balls to at least play a year of college ball before leaving early. But I would love to see the NCAA require ANY athlete who leaves school early to play professionally be required to repay the cost of their scholarship used within 10 years of leaving. If they are good enough to go then they will be making enough money to give back. I think this would prevent some who are not ready from leaving early just to try. Athletes enter a contract with the school they sign with and there should be a penalty for leaving early.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:40 pm

It's the Journey... wrote:I am supportive of those who have the balls to at least play a year of college ball before leaving early.

Aside from the "prep school" or Euro route for a year, they have no choice now, the NBA mandates you be one year removed from your HS graduation. (Or some words to that effect.) No balls about it, just rules.

Though I do agree with the paying back scholarship money idea.

As for the grad rates, it's true that we discussed the 10% not dealing with NBA-bound players, but when those were figured in, it was still only 38%.

Congrats on topping 1/3.

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:52 pm

tekekini wrote:Oh my god where have you been? We have been over this and it didnt get much mention on here and do you know why?

Because when people leave early to the NBA, or when you have numerous players transfer they count against your rate.

it didnt get much mention on here probably because everyone but yourself knows this and is smart enough to realize that it is hard to graduate a lot of players when this happens. when you have just a handful of players on a basketball team and they transfer or leave at a high rate, your grad. rate will decline dramaticly. guess what..OSU's graduation rate for this years Freshman will be 2 % after Oden, Conley and Cook leave early.

Think about it.

It is a bogus stat.

How many of OSUs players during that time left early for the draft? Please tell me. I would be interested in hearing it. Seeing as BG has more current NBA players then OSU....your argument is poor. Now if you want to talk about next year then you would have a point.

tekekini · Post by **tekekini** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:50 pm

not jsut those who left early..those who transferred out also count against you.

1460 ran down a whole list of players when they talked about this on the radio, of players who left early or transferred. There were several on the list. I do not have the list i do not care to have the list. They ran down it. If you want to know, go to 1460's website and send Bruce Hooly or Mike Rigardatti an e-mail and ask him.

ALSO all of those classes were Randy Ayers except for one, the 99 class.

None of those reflect Matta, even though Matta is going to take a hit this year when he loses three freshman to the NBA.

Oh well this is what happens when the NBA used to have no restrictions on when you can enter the draft after high school.. It hurts even more now they have a 1 year rule because they have to go somewhere.

It is not OSU's fault, it is the fault of the system.

They should make them go atleast two years and offer 2 year degrees so they atleast have something and then they can always go back if they wish for the 4 year degree.

tekekini · Post by **tekekini** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:52 pm

Globetrotter wrote:
tekekini wrote:Oh my god where have you been? We have been over this and it didnt get much mention on here and do you know why?

Because when people leave early to the NBA, or when you have numerous players transfer they count against your rate.

it didnt get much mention on here probably because everyone but yourself knows this and is smart enough to realize that it is hard to graduate a lot of players when this happens. when you have just a handful of players on a basketball team and they transfer or leave at a high rate, your grad. rate will decline dramaticly. guess what..OSU's graduation rate for this years Freshman will be 2 % after Oden, Conley and Cook leave early.

Think about it.

It is a bogus stat.
How many of OSUs players during that time left early for the draft? Please tell me. I would be interested in hearing it. Seeing as BG has more current NBA players then OSU....your argument is poor. Now if you want to talk about next year then you would have a point.

BG's players are not well known until later in their careers where OSU's are noticed from year 1. BG will never have a player leave early in basketball for the NBA.

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:28 pm

tekekini wrote:
Globetrotter wrote:
tekekini wrote:Oh my god where have you been? We have been over this and it didnt get much mention on here and do you know why?

Because when people leave early to the NBA, or when you have numerous players transfer they count against your rate.

it didnt get much mention on here probably because everyone but yourself knows this and is smart enough to realize that it is hard to graduate a lot of players when this happens. when you have just a handful of players on a basketball team and they transfer or leave at a high rate, your grad. rate will decline dramaticly. guess what..OSU's graduation rate for this years Freshman will be 2 % after Oden, Conley and Cook leave early.

Think about it.

It is a bogus stat.
How many of OSUs players during that time left early for the draft? Please tell me. I would be interested in hearing it. Seeing as BG has more current NBA players then OSU....your argument is poor. Now if you want to talk about next year then you would have a point.
BG's players are not well known until later in their careers where OSU's are noticed from year 1. BG will never have a player leave early in basketball for the NBA.

BG currenty has more players in the NBA then OSU....and you say such drivel.

redskins4ever · Post by **redskins4ever** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:31 pm

BG players are smart enough to realize a college education is important.

bgsukid · Post by **bgsukid** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:51 pm

redskins4ever wrote:BG players are smart enough to realize a college education is important.

Is that why we've had so many of our basketball players transfer recently? Because they were not satisfied with the academics?

tekekini · Post by **tekekini** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:53 pm

Globetrotter wrote:
tekekini wrote:
Globetrotter wrote:
tekekini wrote:Oh my god where have you been? We have been over this and it didnt get much mention on here and do you know why?

Because when people leave early to the NBA, or when you have numerous players transfer they count against your rate.

it didnt get much mention on here probably because everyone but yourself knows this and is smart enough to realize that it is hard to graduate a lot of players when this happens. when you have just a handful of players on a basketball team and they transfer or leave at a high rate, your grad. rate will decline dramaticly. guess what..OSU's graduation rate for this years Freshman will be 2 % after Oden, Conley and Cook leave early.

Think about it.

It is a bogus stat.
How many of OSUs players during that time left early for the draft? Please tell me. I would be interested in hearing it. Seeing as BG has more current NBA players then OSU....your argument is poor. Now if you want to talk about next year then you would have a point.
BG's players are not well known until later in their careers where OSU's are noticed from year 1. BG will never have a player leave early in basketball for the NBA.
BG currenty has more players in the NBA then OSU....and you say such drivel.

BG has two Osu has two (that I know of and I do not give a damn about the NBA) but last time that I checked two = two

Oh and next year this argument would not be valid even if it was valid this year.

so you better start working on something else.

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:03 am

name the two for OSU....

And if you are lucky next year it will be 2-2.

bgsuman · Post by **bgsuman** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:12 pm

Globetrotter wrote:name the two for OSU....

And if you are lucky next year it will be 2-2.

Derek Anderson
Jim Jackson
Michael Redd

3?

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:17 pm

bgsuman wrote:
Globetrotter wrote:name the two for OSU....

And if you are lucky next year it will be 2-2.
Derek Anderson
Jim Jackson
Michael Redd

3?

Who does Jim Jackson play for? and Derek Anderson went to Kentucky.

bgsuman · Post by **bgsuman** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:45 pm

Globetrotter wrote:
bgsuman wrote:
Globetrotter wrote:name the two for OSU....

And if you are lucky next year it will be 2-2.
Derek Anderson
Jim Jackson
Michael Redd

3?
Who does Jim Jackson play for? and Derek Anderson went to Kentucky.

lakers

oh and Derek Anderson transferred to KY, just saw that..