Comments on: Memphis’ graduation rates (with updates)

By: I wasn’t going to address Calipari to Kentucky, until I read this | Inside the Hall | An Indiana Hoosiers basketball blog

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:24:23 +0000

[...] there’s also the other side of the coin: awful graduation rates, a possible lack of discipline, a vacated Final Four appearance at UMass and of course, William [...]

By: B

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:04:47 +0000

I want to throw my two cents in here and agree with Jack. I get so annoyed (and always have) when people make it sound like going to the draft as a first round pick before you graduate is a bad decision. You always hear the sob stories about athletes who “wish they had gotten their degree.” Last time I checked you can get a degree anytime you want – so if you’re being offered millions of dollars to go bounce a ball around why would that not be a better idea than finishing your bachelors degree in communications?

You might as well tell Bill Gates his decision to gamble on Microsoft instead of IMMEDIATELY going to college was a bad one.

So what would graduation rates (for ALL coaches – not just Cal) look like when you take everyone who went early to the draft for big money out of the equation?

By: Al

Al — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:54:20 +0000

I think the LHL is doing the right thing by raising questions about Calipari and what has gone on at Memphis while he has been there. Are the fans, Todd, Barnhardt, and the rest of the administration desperate enough to win to not look at the questions posed by Mark Story in his column. Look at the fine job the flagship school did with the last hire. They should be scrutinized. The last thing anyone wants is these shadowy people such as World Wide Wes around the university. Do we want UK to have a shady reputation? Being a Kentuckian, I sure don’t. I don’t want to see UK go on probation either. Just look at Indiana and what UConn is going through right now. Why do they have to rush into this hire? Why not interview Ford if he is interested? I just don’t get how everything has to be so quick and fast paced.

By: Mark Liptak

Mark Liptak — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:17:57 +0000

Here’s the latest from Memphis. John’s sources apparently are right. They aren’t giving him up without a fight.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/mar/30/geoff-calkins-maneuvering-calipari-goes-overtime/

Mark Liptak

By: Winston

Winston — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:15:34 +0000

It’s nothing we aren’t used to from the LHL. If he is the coach, this crap will bounce right off and no one will care a bit. UK fans are finished being pushed around by the national media and the local attack dogs.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:12:29 +0000

John,

I doubt you listen to the naysayers anyway, but bringing up issues prior to a hiring is indeed your role. I hadn’t heard of World Wide Wes until yesterday, and that man scares the hell out of me considering what type of violations he could bring down on a program. If he’s deemed to be the same type of agent that Nochimson was at UConn, then we could be in the same position as them. Fans need to know about this stuff too, not just boosters and the admin.

If we end up with egg on our face because of unsavory characters that are exploiting kids and sending them to Calipari, then at least I want to know that potential existed the whole time. Lets get all the cards on the table this time.

By: John Clay

John Clay — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:58:32 +0000

Tubby’s weren’t good either, if I remember right. Will do some searching.

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:56:47 +0000

So what were Pitino’s and Tubby’s numbers. I mean, those facts are useful for comparison.

By: John Clay

John Clay — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:55:22 +0000

No attack. Just trying to get to the answer to a pertinent question.

By: steveg

steveg — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:46:12 +0000

Wow, I think Winston in the comments above nailed it, time for the LHL to go into attack mode! Please do your research a little more thoroughly first though.