It wasn't supposed to be revealed publicly until Tuesday, but thanks to a glitch on the part of the NCAA, the APR scores of college teams from across the country became public knowledge this morning.
And, as expected, the UConn men's team will be docked two scholarships next season for its failure to meet APR standards. The Huskies' four-year rolling average APR score, from 2006-2010, is 893 -- below the standard score of 925.
UConn is a first-time APR violator, so it is subject simply to "public notice." So why are the Huskies being docked two skollies? Because while teams aren't penalized solely for falling short on APR the first time, they lose scholarships for every "0-for-2" player on the most recent academic year's team roster. The Huskies had two players from last year's team leave school while not in good academic standing (i.e., they flunked out), so they lose two scholarships.
It will likely get worse next year, too. Teams falling short on APR for a second time lose a scholarship (on top of any "0-for-2's") as well as practice time. The Huskies' APR for the 2009-10 team was a grisly 826, and all signs point to the Huskies falling short on their four-year average at this time next year.
Fall short a third time and the Huskies would be ineligible for postseason play. The good news for Husky fans is that they look to be in pretty good shape in two years, since the classes from 2008-12 appear to be in decent academic standing.
(Here's my story in today's Register)
The program has already been docked a scholarship by the NCAA for violations in the recruitment of Nate Miles and the defending national champions will have just 10 scholarships for next season. UConn has eight returning scholarship players and one incoming freshman (Ryan Boatright of Aurora, Ill.), meaning it currently has just one to give out to a prospective recruit for next season.
Failing to meet APR standards will hurt Jim Calhoun in his checkbook, too. Per his contract, his bonus for winning the national championship (about $87,500) would only be paid if the team meets APR standards. Also, he must donate $100,000 to the school’s general scholarship fund, meaning UConn’s APR shortcomings could cost the Hall of Fame coach about $187,500.
Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteQuick question. If a player who left early or was a couple classes short for graduation were to come back and finish up to graduate, would that have a retroactive impact on the APR?
Do you think UConn would reach out to some of the players from last year (like Gavin Edwards and Jerome Dyson) to come back and finish up their coursework to graduate?
By my math the two 'unknown' years average 951 a year. The figures for 2008 were trending down meaning it's likely the 2008 figure was below 951 and 2007 higher. If 2008 was 927 or lower then it's mathematicaly impossible for UConn to avoid a sub-900 score for next May which is another set of problems for a new NCAA head who says he is commited to punishing teams that fit UConn's profile.
ReplyDeleteAny chance Hathaway answers these questions directly? He can the press the 2008 number as it currently stands. Surely he knows it. Would it require an FOI request?