18 McD's in Final Four This Year

[jibsey]

And 17 belong to Duke and Kentucky. This seems a bit out of control when you stop to think that the other 2 schools are very prominent P5 members and only have 1 between them. (This of course doesn't mean they don't have good players) The sports media are about to go all in on a love fest for all of the coaches and Calipari and K have stacked decks.
Pro sports are not allowed to hoard talent this way so drafts were instituted and the argument is that this is college an amateur sport so it's different, all colleges have equal chance to recruit players. But if the P5 schools get more money, prime tv exposure and contracts that's not really true. Funneling talent does not guarantee championships but it sure makes the laws of probability work better for you to get to the final 4. The billion dollar NCAA contract wants to continue this because Duke and Kentucky mean big ratings and more money for advertisers. It's in their interest to have just a few loaded powerhouses in the final 4, name brands every year. My question is this, can anything be done to fix this?

 

[Huskyforlife]

Did I read that Matt jones was an all amarican?

 

[David 76]

Something could be done and it won't be.

 

[storrsroars]

Duke could've had 10, but dismissed Sulaimon while Ojeleye transferred. So yes, at one point ALL 10 of Duke's schollies were McD AAs.

 

[Devland]

But if I remember correctly Kentucky or Duke did not win a NC last year.

 

[Ts5034]

It just goes to show how impressive our success has been over the last 25 years. UConn has done more with less compared to any other program. UConn has had less than 10 McD All Americans in the history of the program. It just makes me mad that nobody in the media points this out. Its always a love fest over Calipari and Coach K but its a heck of a lot easier to coach when you constantly have the best players coming out of high school like they do.

 

[Kitaman]

^^ How many of our AAs were McDs? Kemba and ?

We certainly have a history of player development and successful talent scouting.

 

[CTMike]

 

[pnow15]

Yes, either you force kids to stay a until they earn at least a two year degree or take away scholarships or let them go into the NBA straight from high school..
These schools stockpile talent because most of the talent is expected to leave after year one thus opening slots for new talent .In Kentucky's case, the Harrisons were not good enough to go pro, another player got injured, etc. So, there was a bit of a backlog.
The intelligence factor plays a huge part. With so many schools out there, why would any one and done pick a college where he gets only partial playing time. Kentucky is now a well oiled farm team with fake summer classes and fake online classes.

 

[UconnFanDC]

Uconn won 2 of their 4 titles w/o MacDonalds leading the way. VCU, Butler (twice) also made final fours without MacDonalds. Kentucky has won how many tiltles in last 10 years with Macdonalds? Some times egos cant mess

 

[CAHUSKY]

Uconn won 2 of their 4 titles w/o MacDonalds leading the way. VCU, Butler (twice) also made final fours without MacDonalds. Kentucky has won how many tiltles in last 10 years with Macdonalds? Some times egos cant mess

Actually just one depending on your definition of leading the way. 2014 was our only title without a McDonalds all america on the roster. Actually , Purvis was technically on the roster but redshirting

 

[raf46]

And 17 belong to Duke and Kentucky. This seems a bit out of control when you stop to think that the other 2 schools are very prominent P5 members and only have 1 between them. (This of course doesn't mean they don't have good players) The sports media are about to go all in on a love fest for all of the coaches and Calipari and K have stacked decks.
Pro sports are not allowed to hoard talent this way so drafts were instituted and the argument is that this is college an amateur sport so it's different, all colleges have equal chance to recruit players. But if the P5 schools get more money, prime tv exposure and contracts that's not really true. Funneling talent does not guarantee championships but it sure makes the laws of probability work better for you to get to the final 4. The billion dollar NCAA contract wants to continue this because Duke and Kentucky mean big ratings and more money for advertisers. It's in their interest to have just a few loaded powerhouses in the final 4, name brands every year. My question is this, can anything be done to fix this?

UK better enjoy themselves. Calipari has a history of haveing wins vacated.

 

[BRS24]

In Kentucky's case, the Harrisons were not good enough to go pro, another player got injured, etc. So, there was a bit of a backlog.

For all you mcbb experts, what do you think of the Harrison twins this season? What big changes from last year? I remember some dialogue about them being exposed after last year's tourney, so am curious.

 

[Brochacho]

For all you mcbb experts, what do you think of the Harrison twins this season? What big changes from last year? I remember some dialogue about them being exposed after last year's tourney, so am curious.

As good as they are, they have the bodies and athleticism of a 2/3 in the college game and had to spend the NCG chasing around two 5'11 quick and crafty PGs.

 

[UconnFanDC]

Actually just one depending on your definition of leading the way. 2014 was our only title without a McDonalds all america on the roster. Actually , Purvis was technically on the roster but redshirting

Purvis did not play so that does not count. And 2004 there was just one. But the point is looking at Butler and VCU, Macdonalds does not deternine the best team.

 

[Tenspro2002]

View attachment 9015

This graphic cannot be posted enough -- so many takeaways:

1) We and MSU (and, arguably, Wisconsin) win the "doing more with less" sweepstakes.
2) At the same time, those programs with more McD AAs also win more.

Why can't we strive to "do more with more" instead of trying to convince ourselves we can get by with subpar recruiting?

 

[Kitaman]

For all you mcbb experts, what do you think of the Harrison twins this season? What big changes from last year? I remember some dialogue about them being exposed after last year's tourney, so am curious.

Quite honestly if both stayed they could create quite a legacy/name at uk over their 4 years. But that ain't happening. Not sure what anyone one of the two do well, and how their game will translate on the next level.

What I see though are two good college guards, not AA but just good. Sad that cal won't build a dynasty behind both as Briscoe is seemingly coming in with more potential and not to sit on the bench.

 

[Paesano]

This graphic cannot be posted enough -- so many takeaways:

1) We and MSU (and, arguably, Wisconsin) win the "doing more with less" sweepstakes.
2) At the same time, those programs with more McD AAs also win more.

Why can't we strive to "do more with more" instead of trying to convince ourselves we can get by with subpar recruiting?

It amazes me that such logic is so foreign to many people here. More talent means more wins, period. Good coaching and digging up underrated talent helps and, yes, UConn has been one of the best. But one still has to wonder how much more we would have won with Duke, UNC or Kentucky's talent. People say Geno wins because he has a talent advantage. Kentucky, Duke and UNC have had a bigger talent advantage in the men's game. Coach K has done a lot with it but, the squid, not so much. Why aren't people screaming about the lack of parity in the men's game? It is pretty strongly on display in this final four. The real reason is that there aren't coaches like Izzo, Calhoun, Ollie or Ryan coaching disadvantaged teams on the women's side. There are a lot of very good men's coaches who find a way to win even though they are badly disadvantaged, talentwise. While that is great and admirable, it still sucks how unevenly the talent is distributed.

 

[pnow15]

For all you mcbb experts, what do you think of the Harrison twins this season? What big changes from last year? I remember some dialogue about them being exposed after last year's tourney, so am curious.

Ask me again on Tuesday morning?

 

[CTMike]

This graphic cannot be posted enough -- so many takeaways:

1) We and MSU (and, arguably, Wisconsin) win the "doing more with less" sweepstakes.
2) At the same time, those programs with more McD AAs also win more.

Why can't we strive to "do more with more" instead of trying to convince ourselves we can get by with subpar recruiting?

Agree with most everything, though on point 2, I think it shows diminishing returns. But you are exactly right- do more with more!

 

[tcf15]

Marshall Plumlee is a prime example of Duke commits becoming McDAA no matter the ranking (he was top 60): http://statsheet.com/bhsb/players/marshall-plumlee

 

[Tenspro2002]

Agree with most everything, though on point 2, I think it shows diminishing returns. But you are exactly right- do more with more!

Yes, but we have to be pretty far to the right to get into the "diminishing returns" regime.

The way our recruiting is going, we're sliding precipitously to the left, more into the realm of Wisconsin or Maryland (or any of those nameless points in the low single digits).

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Marshall Plumlee is a prime example of Duke commits becoming McDAA no matter the ranking (he was top 60): http://statsheet.com/bhsb/players/marshall-plumlee

Joey Beard, Taymon Domzalski, there have been a few...

 

[CAHUSKY]

Purvis did not play so that does not count. And 2004 there was just one. But the point is looking at Butler and VCU, Macdonalds does not deternine the best team.

We had two in 2004 (Taliek and CV) and two in 2011 (Kemba and AO).