One and Done

The phrase usually lends itself to a negative connotation.  For example, when the Twins play the Yankees in the playoffs, they are usually "one and done".  Same goes for most of Denny Green's playoff appearances that didn't involve an ill-timed knee or a complete no show in the NFC Title game.

But much like every stupid Jeremy Lin pun to which the media has subjected us, this now overused, worn-out phrase is synonymous with what is becoming John Calipari's legacy at Kentucky.  It basically refers to the tendency of his recruits to do their "year of hard time" in college in his program knowing full damn well they have no intention of seeing Sophomore year in blue and white.  Lexington is merely a one-year pause on their way to the NBA.

Keeping in mind that Calipari is the only coach in NCAA history to have TWO final four appearances vacated due to NCAA violations, "Slick John" may just be a mad genius.  By taking advantage of the NBA's requirement for one-year of college play or the age of 19 (also referred to as the "One and Done" rule), John has found a way to gather players in a "Fab Five" way (see also Michigan circa 1991) without having to violate NCAA rules.  Yes, I realize he wasn't implicated in either the UMass or the Memphis vacancies.  But anyone who believes a college coach at that level, with that "intelligence", is so removed from his players that he has no idea when they are offered/taking payments or cheating on a test, I believe Barry Bonds is looking for an assistant and they should apply early and often for their "perfect job".  Just because they turn their head doesn't mean they are innocent.  It's called "plausible deniability" and college coaches have been practicing it for years.  Ask Jim Tressel at Ohio State.

Now before you start playing the "Artie just turned 43 and is longing for the old days" card, just let me say this.

You're damn right I miss the old days.

When I was a young Reg-ling in the great state of Iowa, I used to count down the days until Iowa's home opener exhibition against "Athletes in Action" or some obscure foreign travel school.  That first game was our first look at the new Freshmen, returning Sophomores or that band of Seniors we had followed through the past four years.

We got to see average players develop (yes, it is actually possible for players to develop--see Lohaus, Brad) and good players become great (B J Armstrong anyone?). But it was the allure of watching a TEAM of players making the final four (1980--tell me you remember Steve Waite, Steve Krafcisin, and Vince Brookins...you don't) or almost make the Final Four (1987--Armstrong, Lohaus, and some guy named Roy Marble) that brought me back for more.  Granted, I was a pretty naive young Reg-ling so I could have easily romaticized the whole scenario to be greater than it was.

But I don't think so.

If Kentucky wins three in a row with players who continually jump to the NBA the year after a title, will their fans really look back with fondness and pride on the "dynasty"?  I mean, this isn't Patrick Ewing at Georgetown or Akeem Olajuwon at Houston--this is a different band of players each year, barely there long enough for a booster to make overtures, much less long enough for them to sit down to take an actual college class.

If the boosters and fans of Kentucky would prefer titles to three and four year players who graduate as Kentucky alums, as well as provide exciting basketball moments, then that is their perogative and, as they stand right now, certainly within the rules.  But my guess is that even the greedy ones will eventually figure out how hollow those "Kentucky" victories really are without actual, serious Kentucky students playing the games.

In fact, have you heard anything about that game in the past 24 hours?  Yet, the greatest game that still gets mentioned to this day occurred almost thirty years ago when the highest seed to ever win the NCAA tournament, Villanova, upset heavily-favored Georgetown.  Three seniors, a junior, and a sophomore.  NC State from 1983--three seniors and two sophomores.

The point is that if college basketball becomes like pro sports where colleges "buy" their championships by becoming one year stepping stones to the NBA, college basketball will lose its allure as the "alternative" to the money, "no defense" in the NBA.  The TEAM concept will diminish at the major colleges as coaches clamor for a "one and done" to get that elusive title and extend their coaching careers.

And mid-majors will become our only hope to save the team concept of college basketball. 

Let's hope the money doesn't choke them too.

Peace,
Reg