Top on the courts, but Wisconsin at bottom of graduation rates

[VegasWarrior77]

By Derrick Z. Jackson  MARCH 24, 2015

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2015/03/24/march-madness-top-courts-but-wisconsin-badgers-bottom-graduation-rates/I8LIg6FKwrz1nK250NKaJJ/story.html?hootPostID=247aca690a7d0d9faaf0bbd5def55d41#

As a born-and-raised Cheesehead, I would love to chant “On Wisconsin” with a straight face as the Big Ten champion Wisconsin Badgers are a top seed in the NCAA’s men’s basketball tournament. But the honest tune is, “Off Wisconsin.”

If the 68 teams were seeded by graduation rates, the Badgers would be a bottom seed. They have the lowest Graduation Success Rate for black men of zero and the third-lowest overall at 40 percent. They were one of 16 teams that should be disqualified for historically graduating less than 50 percent of either black or white players or having an overall rate under 50 percent.

Now I know precisely what’s coming from Badger boosters. In my 19 years of following college football grad rates and the 18 I have tracked basketball’s, fans of flagrantly bad teams traditionally whine that the National Collegiate Athletic Association graduation rates are long-term data that do not necessarily reflect the men who are on the court at this very moment.

In fact last season, a New York Times story centered how the Badgers studied Italian, accounting, business and Plessy v. Ferguson during the tournament. A recent Forbes writer said a Badgers national championship would be “good for college basketball,” because their star senior players “prioritized academics,” without the “one-and-done stigma” displayed by para-professional programs such as No. 1 ranked and undefeated Kentucky. Ironically, Kentucky deserves a lot more credit than Wisconsin on this score as, of the players who don’t bolt for the pros, 89 percent of them graduate.

Long-term data still remain the best way to gauge a university’s sustained commitment to the model of student athlete. The current data accounts for the freshman scholarship athletes who entered school in either 2004-’05, 2005-’06, 2006-’07 or 2007-’08, with each athlete getting a federal-standard six years to graduate. The last possible freshman class that had six years to graduate by 2014 was the 2007-08 class. The NCAA says its data for each school is “provided by the institution.”

Four years of data tell you a lot more than one. And the Badgers aside, the public pressure to meet higher graduation rates continues to bear greatly-improved fruit. Both black and white male players set new respective Graduation Success Rate records of 68 percent and 95 percent. White male players are now on par with white women basketball players, who have a 96 percent graduation rate. Black women are at 83 percent.

Of the New England teams in the tournament, the Harvard and Northeastern men and the Connecticut and Quinnipiac women were 100 percent across the board. Work of course remains to be done on the major disparities remaining between black and white men. Those gaps can close quickly if programs like Wisconsin’s prove that this year is not a fluke, the academic version of one and done.

Derrick Z. Jackson can be reached at jackson@globe.com.

[Groin_pull]

Gosh, that hardly jives with their endless 'Harvard of the West" bullish*t.

Could it be that UW is just a...gasp...basketball factory???

[Dawson Rental]

Gosh, that hardly jives with their endless 'Harvard of the West" bullish*t.

Could it be that UW is just a...gasp...basketball factory???

No, no you misunderstand.  They recruit great students, it's just really hard for even great students to graduate from such a challenging university.

[Badgerhater]

Gosh, that hardly jives with their endless 'Harvard of the West" bullish*t.

Could it be that UW is just a...gasp...basketball factory???

A factory that has very few NBA buyers of its product.

[ChuckyChip]

Gosh, that hardly jives with their endless 'Harvard of the West" bullish*t.

C'mon man, the correct word is "jibes" not "jives".  Sheesh, did you attend the University of Wisconsin or something???

[ecompt]

Diamond will fit right in at Madison.

[Groin_pull]

C'mon man, the correct word is "jibes" not "jives".  Sheesh, did you attend the University of Wisconsin or something???

Thanks for the lesson, douchebag. Hope I spelled it correctly.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Breadtree is on the case

http://buckyville.yuku.com/topic/79217/Total-hit-piece-Boston-Globe-UW-Basketball-academics

[MarquetteDano]

Gosh, that hardly jives with their endless 'Harvard of the West" bullish*t.

Coincidentally the writer, Jackson, got is graduate degree at Haaavard.

[Litehouse]

Breadtree is on the case

http://buckyville.yuku.com/topic/79217/Total-hit-piece-Boston-Globe-UW-Basketball-academics

They managed to get in several derogatory comments on Marquette on the first page of that thread, despite the topic having nothing to do with us.  They just can't help themselves over there.

[Skitch]

Coincidentally the writer, Jackson, got is graduate degree at Haaavard.

and his undergrad at UW-Milwaukee

[Warrior Code]

I simply do not understand how this is true. 68th out of 68? That is shocking, particularly for a program that seems to buck the transfer tend pretty well.

[Tugg Speedman]

I simply do not understand how this is true. 68th out of 68? That is shocking, particularly for a program that seems to buck the transfer tend pretty well.

"I drank the Kool-aid, you mean it does not work?  How can this be???"

[Litehouse]

I'm sure Potrykus will have an article out today to correct all these misunderstandings.

[Warrior Code]

"I drank the Kool-aid, you mean it does not work?  How can this be???"

Come on now. I enjoy a bit of schadenfreude when it comes to Wisconsin as much as any other red-blooded American, but the fact that they're dead last is pretty surprising.

[GOO]

Come on now. I enjoy a bit of schadenfreude when it comes to Wisconsin as much as any other red-blooded American, but the fact that they're dead last is pretty surprising.

There have been a number of articles out over the years about how poor their graduation rate is in basketball.  It is really bad, no way around it.  I find it odd given the number of redshirts and the supposedly high standards that UW has (which we know is not true, and I suppose will be confirmed if they get a commit from one particular big fella this spring).

If I have time later, I'll find an article that went into great detail on this last year and just how bad UW has been.

[Warrior Code]

There have been a number of articles out over the years about how poor their graduation rate is in basketball.  It is really bad, no way around it.  I find it odd given the number of redshirts and the supposedly high standards that UW has (which we know is not true, and I suppose will be confirmed if they get a commit from one particular big fella this spring).

If I have time later, I'll find an article that went into great detail on this last year and just how bad UW has been.

Hmm. Well this is the first I remember hearing about it, so I was pretty surprised. I may be the only one who was.

[Benny B]

Hmm. Well this is the first I remember hearing about it, so I was pretty surprised. I may be the only one who was.

That's because evidently, you're still red-blooded; unlike us true Warriors who are blue-blooded.

[brandx]

They managed to get in several derogatory comments on Marquette on the first page of that thread, despite the topic having nothing to do with us.  They just can't help themselves over there.

Or.. over here.

I can't believe the silliness and petty attitude about another school's forum. Of course they will say good things about their team and disparage others.

It is what fans do everywhere - including all of the time on this board. Anytime UW is mentioned, we hear from the same people with the same type of comments. And, that is fine. It is what fans (should) do. Here, There, and Everywhere.

[GOO]

I just did a quick search and pulled an article with graduation rates.  Go down about 1/2 way for the basketball graduation rates.  It is broken down by conference.  You'll see who is last in the Big 10 in basketball.  This article was from 2013, but there are plenty out there from different years, etc.  It isn't a quirk, it is a consistent pattern.

Being totally serious here, UW has to step this up.  They keep it quiet, but at some point if they are not winning, someone will get attention at UW for making a stink about it. 

http://stanford.scout.com/story/1273612-the-bootleg-s-2013-graduation-rate-analysis

[chapman]

Hope they focus on improving internally, even if the bulk of the fans (not all) are trying to excuse it.  Heck, I even hope we improve and strive for the 100% figures we often had in the past.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I just did a quick search and pulled an article with graduation rates.  Go down about 1/2 way for the basketball graduation rates.  It is broken down by conference.  You'll see who is last in the Big 10 in basketball.  This article was from 2013, but there are plenty out there from different years, etc.  It isn't a quirk, it is a consistent pattern.

Being totally serious here, UW has to step this up.  They keep it quiet, but at some point if they are not winning, someone will get attention at UW for making a stink about it. 

http://stanford.scout.com/story/1273612-the-bootleg-s-2013-graduation-rate-analysis

That is abysmal and high on the Squirm-O-Meter, especially considering that those graduation numbers include the cadre of walk-ons under aid sitting at the end of Bucky's bench and all those redshirted freshmen.  St. Bo: "Just Win, baby".

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/research/graduation-rates

[ChicosBailBonds]

The NCAA doesn't typically let any signs in to the NCAA tournament games, or at least they try to prevent them.

I'm going to get one created up today and try to sneak it in.  Seats are behind the basket, but off to the side (not directly behind).



BADGERATION RATES
#64 out of #64

Cinderella Story

[Blackhat]

Personally I'd go with


UW Vadguation Rates

[wadesworld]

Hope they focus on improving internally, even if the bulk of the fans (not all) are trying to excuse it.  Heck, I even hope we improve and strive for the 100% figures we often had in the past.

With Wojo we will strive for that.  We will probably see at least 1 player not make it to graduation before getting paid to play basketball though.

[Warrior Code]

With Wojo we will strive for that.  We will probably see at least 1 player not make it to graduation before getting paid to play basketball though.

Probably one of the Maches, but the question is which one?

[tower912]

With the poor graduation rates, how do they avoid losing scholarships?

[brewcity77]

With the poor graduation rates, how do they avoid losing scholarships?

I was wondering the same. Scholarship reductions or a postseason ban. Though to be fair, when UConn got that ban, their numbers were really, really bad. Made UW look like a bunch of Einsteins.

[Let's Go Warriors]

I was wondering the same. Scholarship reductions or a postseason ban. Though to be fair, when UConn got that ban, their numbers were really, really bad. Made UW look like a bunch of Einsteins.

Im pretty sure the ncaa rules for this kind of thing have nothing to do with graduation rates.  Some sort of PPA or something like that.  I believe it amounts to credits earned per semester while on the bball team.  Otherwise the Kentucky's or the world would continuously be on probation.

[brewcity77]

Im pretty sure the ncaa rules for this kind of thing have nothing to do with graduation rates.  Some sort of PPA or something like that.  I believe it amounts to credits earned per semester while on the bball team.  Otherwise the Kentucky's or the world would continuously be on probation.

I guess the question would be if their guys are in good academic standing. If so many are staying there for 4+ years (Bo likes his redshirts) and not graduating, it seems like there might be some questions as to whether they're earning enough credits.

[Litehouse]

Maybe they're just taking the minimum number of credits to stay eligible, or loading up on easier classes and not doing a good job of selecting courses that advance them toward graduating.

[GGGG]

I guess the question would be if their guys are in good academic standing. If so many are staying there for 4+ years (Bo likes his redshirts) and not graduating, it seems like there might be some questions as to whether they're earning enough credits.

Let's say that they have a typical, 120 degree program.

A student athlete has to be at 40% of that total by the end of the their sophomore year - 48 credits.  That's an average of 12 credits a semester.  No problem right?  Especially if you take a class or two during the summer.

Well, unless they have to take remedial classes.  Which my guess is that some players have to take.  I think *that * is probably the issue.

I read somewhere that Kaminsky is only taking one course this spring.  No doubt that many players can accomplish that easily if they are good students.

[jesmu84]

Let's say that they have a typical, 120 degree program.

A student athlete has to be at 40% of that total by the end of the their sophomore year - 48 credits.  That's an average of 12 credits a semester.  No problem right?  Especially if you take a class or two during the summer.

Well, unless they have to take remedial classes.  Which my guess is that some players have to take.  I think *that * is probably the issue.

I read somewhere that Kaminsky is only taking one course this spring.  No doubt that many players can accomplish that easily if they are good students.

You don't have to be a full-time student to participate in athletics?

[brewcity77]

You don't have to be a full-time student to participate in athletics?

I thought the same...I thought 7 credits was the minimum for a student-athlete, other than grad students.

[MUDPT]

You don't have to be a full-time student to participate in athletics?

Wasn't it Jerel that was taking Ballroom Dancing and only Ballroom Dancing his last semester?

[GGGG]

You don't have to be a full-time student to participate in athletics?

I believe it is six credits per term, and have to get 40% of their program done after two years, 60% after three and 80% after four.

I think Kaminsky gets a pass because he only needed on additional class.

Jaybee could help here.

[GOO]

Let's say that they have a typical, 120 degree program.

A student athlete has to be at 40% of that total by the end of the their sophomore year - 48 credits.  That's an average of 12 credits a semester.  No problem right?  Especially if you take a class or two during the summer.

Well, unless they have to take remedial classes.  Which my guess is that some players have to take.  I think *that * is probably the issue.

I read somewhere that Kaminsky is only taking one course this spring.  No doubt that many players can accomplish that easily if they are good students.

They have six years to complete their degrees, so even if they take remedial courses they should be covered.  But staying eligible doesn't get you to a degree.  You probably need an extra 1.5 years to get a degree if you take just enough to get by per the NCAA.  

Also, they may take easy courses and not take advanced courses (most colleges require a certain amount of upper level courses) needed to graduate?

[Benny B]

I believe it is six credits per term, and have to get 40% of their program done after two years, 60% after three and 80% after four.

I think Kaminsky gets a pass because he only needed on additional class.

Jaybee could help here.

Why?  Did Jaybee only take one class his senior year, too?

[wadesworld]

The latest GSR scores are out now that college graduations have come and past, and Bucky's score of 44 is now...down to 40%?  Uh-oh...

[Lennys Tap]

The latest GSR scores are out now that college graduations have come and past, and Bucky's score of 44 is now...down to 40%?  Uh-oh...

Too many traditionals - need more Jucos. Seriously, you would think a program that has so many 4 and 5 (red shirt) year players would do better.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Wasn't it Jerel that was taking Ballroom Dancing and only Ballroom Dancing his last semester?

Pretty sure you're thinking of Matt LI have a toothachert not Jerel McNeal... I could see how someone could confuse the two. Does MU even offer ballroom dancing?

http://sportsprof.blogspot.com/2005/10/matt-lI have a toothacherts-class-schedule-is.html