Derek Anderson calls out Calipari

[Muskie]

Link (http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/30/derek-anderson-could-not-have-been-more-wrong-in-his-calipari-critique/)
Former Kentucky star Derek Anderson had some harsh words for John Calipari earlier this week when he joined The Drew Deener Show on 680 AM in Louisville.
“Last year, when we went to the Final Four with (Julius) Randle and them, it was because of pure talent,”Anderson told Deener (http://tunein.com/radio/The-Deener-Show-p595133/). “The reason we lost? Coaching. Why did Louisville beat [UConn] by 30? They pressured their guards. We let the kid Shabazz Napier – he walked the ball up and just shot in our face the whole night. I’m like, did you not watch the tape of Louisville beating them? They pressured these guys.”
“If Coach Cal wanted to keep these kids and develop them, he should tell them that,” Anderson added. “He’s just running them in and out. It’s not him, it’s not just him, it’s the parents. If my son is supposed to go second round, ‘Son, you need to stay in school, get your degree in case something happens, and also finish the job. Make sure you make these people know you can actually play.’ They’re just running them out of here. Like Dakari Johnson. I hope he makes it, but he’s a 7-footer who can’t jump. What’s he going to do with no degree when he’s done in two years?”
Yeah, there’s a lot there.
Too bad the majority of it is wrong.

[DoubleD86]

Link (http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/30/derek-anderson-could-not-have-been-more-wrong-in-his-calipari-critique/)
Former Kentucky star Derek Anderson had some harsh words for John Calipari earlier this week when he joined The Drew Deener Show on 680 AM in Louisville.
“Last year, when we went to the Final Four with (Julius) Randle and them, it was because of pure talent,”Anderson told Deener (http://tunein.com/radio/The-Deener-Show-p595133/). “The reason we lost? Coaching. Why did Louisville beat [UConn] by 30? They pressured their guards. We let the kid Shabazz Napier – he walked the ball up and just shot in our face the whole night. I’m like, did you not watch the tape of Louisville beating them? They pressured these guys.”
“If Coach Cal wanted to keep these kids and develop them, he should tell them that,” Anderson added. “He’s just running them in and out. It’s not him, it’s not just him, it’s the parents. If my son is supposed to go second round, ‘Son, you need to stay in school, get your degree in case something happens, and also finish the job. Make sure you make these people know you can actually play.’ They’re just running them out of here. Like Dakari Johnson. I hope he makes it, but he’s a 7-footer who can’t jump. What’s he going to do with no degree when he’s done in two years?”
Yeah, there’s a lot there.
Too bad the majority of it is wrong.



The bolded is such a common argument against a kid leaving early, and I just don't get it. What's he going to do when he is done playing and no degree? Maybe go get a degree, since you know, there is no shelf life on doing that. You know what does have a shelf life? Being a professional athlete. Figure out the degree afterward.

[X-band '01]

In most cases, guys go to play overseas if they're good enough to test the NBA waters but miss out. If they really want to go back to school down the road, it's up to them.

[RoseyMuskie]

The bolded is such a common argument against a kid leaving early, and I just don't get it. What's he going to do when he is done playing and no degree? Maybe go get a degree, since you know, there is no shelf life on doing that. You know what does have a shelf life? Being a professional athlete. Figure out the degree afterward.

In theory, you're right. But how many former professional basketball players go back to school, or have any semblance of motivation to do so? I'd venture to guess less than 10%, although we will never officially know.

[xubrew]

In theory, you're right. But how many former professional basketball players go back to school, or have any semblance of motivation to do so? I'd venture to guess less than 10%, although we will never officially know.

I don't know the exact figure, but I think it's A LOT more than that. Players who have exhausted their eligibility, and signing a pro contract exhausts their eligibility, can come back and finish their degree free of charge (so long as the school allows it). It doesn't count as a scholarship against the team. That's true of any sport, and it is something that a lot of players do. You just don't hear about it, but they do. It's generally the best option they have once their playing days are done, so if for no other reason than that it's what a lot of them do.

I think they have quite a bit of motivation if their playing days are done and they have no other employment options. They can go back to school, have their tuition paid, and even their housing and food paid for. That's quite a bit of motivation if you ask me.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I don't know the exact figure, but I think it's A LOT more than that. Players who have exhausted their eligibility, and signing a pro contract exhausts their eligibility, can come back and finish their degree free of charge (so long as the school allows it). It doesn't count as a scholarship against the team. That's true of any sport, and it is something that a lot of players do. You just don't hear about it, but they do. It's generally the best option they have once their playing days are done, so if for no other reason than that it's what a lot of them do.

I think they have quite a bit of motivation if their playing days are done and they have no other employment options. They can go back to school, have their tuition paid, and even their housing and food paid for. That's quite a bit of motivation if you ask me.

How sure are you of the bolded part? If Jordan Crawford came wanted to come back to XU to finish his degree not only his tuition would be paid for but housing and food too? I didnt even know the schools let them come back and get free tuition let alone free housing and food.

[xubrew]

How sure are you of the bolded part? If Jordan Crawford came wanted to come back to XU to finish his degree not only his tuition would be paid for but housing and food too? I didnt even know the schools let them come back and get free tuition let alone free housing and food.

I am as sure of it as I am that Xavier is in the Big East.

Yes, he could come back to school, and get a check each month to cover his food and housing just as if he were a current player who was living off campus. The schools don't HAVE to let them, but they can if they want to. If they want to, the schools could do that for anyone whether they were a former player or not.

[LA Muskie]

I am as sure of it as I am that Xavier is in the Big East.

Yes, he could come back to school, and get a check each month to cover his food and housing just as if he were a current player who was living off campus. The schools don't HAVE to let them, but they can if they want to. If they want to, the schools could do that for anyone whether they were a former player or not.
Sure, the schools CAN do that. And I feel like I've heard about schools that DO do that (although I can't recall which ones off the top of my head). But how common is it? Are there any particular schools that have policies in that regard?

[xubrew]

Sure, the schools CAN do that. And I feel like I've heard about schools that DO do that (although I can't recall which ones off the top of my head). But how common is it? Are there any particular schools that have policies in that regard?

It's very common. I don't know of a school that doesn't have some sort of degree completion program for former athletes. I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm familiar with how all 351 div1 schools operate, but the ones that I am familiar with all have this to some degree. And, why wouldn't they?? Even from a completely selfish standpoint, it's good for business if your former players like you and go on to graduate, especially if they've played in the pros.

[LA Muskie]

It's very common. I don't know of a school that doesn't have some sort of degree completion program for former athletes. I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm familiar with how all 351 div1 schools operate, but the ones that I am familiar with all have this to some degree. And, why wouldn't they?? Even from a completely selfish standpoint, it's good for business if your former players like you and go on to graduate, especially if they've played in the pros.
I agree it seemingly would be good for business. Just didn't know the scope of it. Do you know if Xavier offers it to its athletes?

[xubrew]

I agree it seemingly would be good for business. Just didn't know the scope of it. Do you know if Xavier offers it to its athletes?

No, I do not know.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Sure, the schools CAN do that. And I feel like I've heard about schools that DO do that (although I can't recall which ones off the top of my head). But how common is it? Are there any particular schools that have policies in that regard?

Yeah this is my question. Schools could do that for anyone. The question is do they? Is it common? Would XU do it? It seems so strange to hear people talk about players who maybe shouldnt have left early and how they will regret not getting their degrees if it is so common for their former schools to just let them come back and do it for free and also pay for their food and housing.

[DoubleD86]

Yeah this is my question. Schools could do that for anyone. The question is do they? Is it common? Would XU do it? It seems so strange to hear people talk about players who maybe shouldnt have left early and how they will regret not getting their degrees if it is so common for their former schools to just let them come back and do it for free and also pay for their food and housing.

I agree, but everyone who says anything close to this has a selfish reason for wanting that team or the college game to be better. No one truly says it out of concern for the athlete.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I agree, but everyone who says anything close to this has a selfish reason for wanting that team or the college game to be better. No one truly says it out of concern for the athlete.

I think there are neutral commentators who say that about kids who declare early all the time. What selfish reason would they have? And it seems strange to say it if it is so easy for any former athlete to go back and finish their degree while also getting free food and housing.

[blobfan]

It's very common. I don't know of a school that doesn't have some sort of degree completion program for former athletes. I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm familiar with how all 351 div1 schools operate, but the ones that I am familiar with all have this to some degree. And, why wouldn't they?? Even from a completely selfish standpoint, it's good for business if your former players like you and go on to graduate, especially if they've played in the pros.

How is it good for business? Most graduation stats only cover people that graduate within I think 6 years of enrollment so letting them come back doesn't help that number. And in general, student athletes donate to their former schools at a lower rate than non-Athletes, at least those in the big sports. How would it be good business to offer free tuition, room and board to players that leave early without completing their degree?

[DoubleD86]

I think there are neutral commentators who say that about kids who declare early all the time. What selfish reason would they have? And it seems strange to say it if it is so easy for any former athlete to go back and finish their degree while also getting free food and housing.

Most of those commentators at least cover the sport being discussed. They benefit from a better product because it makes their position more valuable and more desirable. They also may have the desire of getting the fans/readers on their side to build a following.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Most of those commentators at least cover the sport being discussed. They benefit from a better product because it makes their position more valuable and more desirable. They also may have the desire of getting the fans/readers on their side to build a following.

Maybe, I dont know what they get out of that though. The players have already left and who care if the fan/reader is on their side if it wont change anything? And again if it isnt true is seems dumb to say. I am not convinced however that many schools are really doing what Brew states so that would mean the commentators are right on certain kids.