Like it or not, Coach Cal is taking advantage of the current system brilliantly. Memphis is in a conference that they will dominate every year. He has created a program tailored to the one and done kids. This will attract many top 10 prospects each year. As long as the rules stay as they are, Memphis will be a powerful fixture in the polls, and NCAA tournament. Young men who decide to go this route are not flawed at all. It is seen as a reasonable means to a desired end with national exposure to boot.
Unfortunately, success breeds imitation, so this strategy will crop up in other programs. As stated many times before, the NCAA, NBA, and the Union really need to get together and make a new plan. It is in everyone’s best interest to let kids go pro out of high school, but if they commit to a University, it should be for at least two years. Rules can be adapted for those who declare for the NBA, but don’t get drafted, or 18 year olds can be treated like the adults that they are legally supposed to be and just deal with the consequences.
Until/unless this happens, the
spirit of collegiate athletics will be tarnished. A major factor in being a fan of a place like Duke, and many other fine programs, is the underlying belief that there is yet
some “purity” left in competition. I am not naďve. I am just saying that collegiate sports may be the last bastion capable of taking the high road. Cooperation is needed from the Association though, and didn’t Stern and most of the player reps get degrees? Come on guys – make it happen! Meanwhile, check out Duke Mr. Wall, you just may fall in love with the place.