Dave Sez

Graduation Rates Released

The NCAA released its latest graduation rates, with numbers from the class that entered in 1997-98. I really don't put too much weight in these numbers, because they are so flawed. Transfers and players who turn pro early count against schools, which really isn't fair. For this reason, basketball numbers in particular are flawed, because it only takes a couple of transfers or early departures to torpedo rates.

The News & Observer runs down the numbers for the local ACC schools here.

One thing I do want to point out is State's embarrasingly low numbers. Now, I understand that they went through a football coaching change around that time, so they had higher than normal transfers. Still, that doesn't completely make up the difference. Even if every transferee stayed and graduated, they would be at best tied with UNC and still behind Duke and Wake.

Even more disturbing was this quote from Chuck Amato, "They were all guys I did not recruit. This is my fifth year. How else can I address it? That's the truth." Nice, coach. Yeah, you have no obligation whatsoever to make sure they go to class and get an education just because you didn't recruit them. Is he saying that he recruits smarter players than Mike O'Cain did?

Anyway, like I said, the numbers are flawed, so don't give them too much credence. At the same time, I am very concerned about whether or not players get educations. I just don't think this is a good way to measure that.