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I've not chimed in much about the APR fiasco. It's just too painful, and what more can I say than what others have already said?
Let's say the worst case scenario plays out that no action gets us into the 2013 NCAA-T and BET. I'm not saying that will be the outcome, but if it turns out that way consider this:
I'd love to see UConn take that us-against-the-world mentality and play every game like it's a one-and-done tournament and win the Big East regular season title. No penalty could take that away!
I also want to see the publishing of UConn's 2011-12 APR score, where combined with the scores from the prior 3 years gives them a postseason qualify 4 year total. Add to that the fact with the departure of AO, there would not be a single player on the team that was responsible for the low APR numbers that are preventing them from playing in the post season. Think about that! You have a team where 100% of its roster has absolutely no culpability, many that are beginning their 3rd year in the program, being penalized for something they didn't do. Now granted the staff that was partly accountable is still there, and we've seen programs punished for the transgressions of a few players that have moved on where the current players are banned from post season play for no fault of their own. The difference here is the 100% of current players and the staff have demonstrated for 2 years high achievement in the area that they are being penalized.
I'm also hoping the program is on track to put up another solid APR # for the 2012-13 season as they near tournament time next spring. Now think about this. By next March, you might have a team where the majority of the players have met Academic Progress for 2 or 3 years, most being 3 but are prevented from playing in the post season.
With the above in mind, consider the black eye the NCAA is going to get for this, if UConn can find a way to get the attention at a national level. I understand that the program has avoided poking the bear, so to speak, hoping the appeal process would get it done. Now it's time for them to take whatever action possible which includes pointing out the above to the national media as much as possible. By staying near or at the top of the BE standings, you know that the media will keep bringing this up and hopefully give folks at UConn a chance to chime in and/or make note of the above mentioned facts.
Sadly, all this might not have any impact other than a wave of disdain toward the NCAA. I have a feeling that unless the NCAA reverses its decision, UConn will miss the NCAA-T and BET, though could end up winning a boat load of money via litigation for financial and reputation damages due to a number of factors such as: missing out on post season money, impact on recruiting which impacts winning which impacts corporate sponsors, money at the gate, and possibly future post season inclusion and achievement.
I can see a situation where the worst case scenario doesn't play out but is equally damaging. I would not be shocked if the NCAA continues to draw this out well after the 2012 recruiting class has chosen their schools and waits to see how UConn is performing on the court and if it looks like they wouldn't even make the tournament, then declare that they are eligible if selected as an at-large team. Now if they really want to be duplicity, they would do so after the BET begins where there is absolutely no chance they could get in. Even if sued, the NCAA could try to delay the court process and then by taking the measures I just described to show the courts that in the end they allowed UConn to be eligible for the NCAAs. With this as a possibility, UConn needs to make sure they construct a court complaint that does not simply rest on the post season eligibility issue, but more about financial and reputation damages. With that being a big part of the litigation, they might still have a case that the NCAA by its actions were still culpable for such short term and long term damages, but still that would not get UConn into the 2012 tournament and would not help the adverse impact that the program would experience with the 2012 and probably 13 recruiting.
Maybe most of the team returns with the exception of Alex and Lamb. I still think it's going to be hard for Andre and his family to leave the 2012/13 NBA money on the table. Maybe the program will add a couple more good recruits in addition to Omar. Maybe the team will do well this upcoming season and with the knowledge that the program would be eligible for the 2014 post season, recruiting will continue strong without missing a beat.
We all wish that UConn will be allowed to play in the 2013 post season and find out sooner than later that that will be the case. But if the worst case scenario plays out, I hope UConn at least goes down swinging, taking a huge bit out of the NCAA's reputation and their wallet in the process. I don't know if they have a strong enough case to get it into the courts and win a big chunk of money. At a minimum it would seem that they have enough to eventually sway popular opinion if they can get the focus on the injustice against the current players who are excelling at the exact area they are being punished for and how vindictive the NCAA appears to be coming down on one single program.
Let's say the worst case scenario plays out that no action gets us into the 2013 NCAA-T and BET. I'm not saying that will be the outcome, but if it turns out that way consider this:
I'd love to see UConn take that us-against-the-world mentality and play every game like it's a one-and-done tournament and win the Big East regular season title. No penalty could take that away!
I also want to see the publishing of UConn's 2011-12 APR score, where combined with the scores from the prior 3 years gives them a postseason qualify 4 year total. Add to that the fact with the departure of AO, there would not be a single player on the team that was responsible for the low APR numbers that are preventing them from playing in the post season. Think about that! You have a team where 100% of its roster has absolutely no culpability, many that are beginning their 3rd year in the program, being penalized for something they didn't do. Now granted the staff that was partly accountable is still there, and we've seen programs punished for the transgressions of a few players that have moved on where the current players are banned from post season play for no fault of their own. The difference here is the 100% of current players and the staff have demonstrated for 2 years high achievement in the area that they are being penalized.
I'm also hoping the program is on track to put up another solid APR # for the 2012-13 season as they near tournament time next spring. Now think about this. By next March, you might have a team where the majority of the players have met Academic Progress for 2 or 3 years, most being 3 but are prevented from playing in the post season.
With the above in mind, consider the black eye the NCAA is going to get for this, if UConn can find a way to get the attention at a national level. I understand that the program has avoided poking the bear, so to speak, hoping the appeal process would get it done. Now it's time for them to take whatever action possible which includes pointing out the above to the national media as much as possible. By staying near or at the top of the BE standings, you know that the media will keep bringing this up and hopefully give folks at UConn a chance to chime in and/or make note of the above mentioned facts.
Sadly, all this might not have any impact other than a wave of disdain toward the NCAA. I have a feeling that unless the NCAA reverses its decision, UConn will miss the NCAA-T and BET, though could end up winning a boat load of money via litigation for financial and reputation damages due to a number of factors such as: missing out on post season money, impact on recruiting which impacts winning which impacts corporate sponsors, money at the gate, and possibly future post season inclusion and achievement.
I can see a situation where the worst case scenario doesn't play out but is equally damaging. I would not be shocked if the NCAA continues to draw this out well after the 2012 recruiting class has chosen their schools and waits to see how UConn is performing on the court and if it looks like they wouldn't even make the tournament, then declare that they are eligible if selected as an at-large team. Now if they really want to be duplicity, they would do so after the BET begins where there is absolutely no chance they could get in. Even if sued, the NCAA could try to delay the court process and then by taking the measures I just described to show the courts that in the end they allowed UConn to be eligible for the NCAAs. With this as a possibility, UConn needs to make sure they construct a court complaint that does not simply rest on the post season eligibility issue, but more about financial and reputation damages. With that being a big part of the litigation, they might still have a case that the NCAA by its actions were still culpable for such short term and long term damages, but still that would not get UConn into the 2012 tournament and would not help the adverse impact that the program would experience with the 2012 and probably 13 recruiting.
Maybe most of the team returns with the exception of Alex and Lamb. I still think it's going to be hard for Andre and his family to leave the 2012/13 NBA money on the table. Maybe the program will add a couple more good recruits in addition to Omar. Maybe the team will do well this upcoming season and with the knowledge that the program would be eligible for the 2014 post season, recruiting will continue strong without missing a beat.
We all wish that UConn will be allowed to play in the 2013 post season and find out sooner than later that that will be the case. But if the worst case scenario plays out, I hope UConn at least goes down swinging, taking a huge bit out of the NCAA's reputation and their wallet in the process. I don't know if they have a strong enough case to get it into the courts and win a big chunk of money. At a minimum it would seem that they have enough to eventually sway popular opinion if they can get the focus on the injustice against the current players who are excelling at the exact area they are being punished for and how vindictive the NCAA appears to be coming down on one single program.
, but I am very interested on how others would answer the question I posed. Writing these long posts helps me get my frustration out. I'm just bat crazy mad, or how ever that saying goes.
