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I like Pearl. He seem like a nice guy. But the rules exist to keep colleges from trying to exploit these young athletes. If they didn't exist, some programs would recruit solely on talent, and not even try and help the kid get an education, then if they flunk out, who cares.

I understand that there are kids that will be one-and-done, and are there because they can't go straight into the NBA, but this rule also makes sure that the colleges attempt to make them student athletes and not simply use them to just further their program (hey kid - no need to go to classes since you're only here for one season).

The colleges are all on the same level here - they recruit knowing the rules and penalties, so either don't recruit kids that can't hack it in your program, or be bold and actually try and teach them.

GoPSULions | 05/16/08, 06:48 AM

The NCAA and it's idiotic rules already take advantage of athletes and will continue to do so. All the NCAA really cares about is $$$$.

The Warden | 05/16/08, 09:36 AM

"But the rules exist to keep colleges from trying to exploit these young athletes. If they didn't exist, some programs would recruit solely on talent, and not even try and help the kid get an education, then if they flunk out, who cares. "

Do you live in a vacuum?
it is 100% a BUSINESS
Days of 'amature' athletics are long since over.

These 'kids' (and they are over 18) make MILLIONS for the universities
The reason you go to college is NOT to get an 'education' it is to get a GOOD JOB........why shouldn't these kids be able to USE the university in ANY WAY that they see fit

If the kid isn't good enough to go pro- and has jerked around & flunk out - that's his problem. There are PLENTY of kids that realize this and if they are dumb enough to waste it thats on THEM- they are over 18

jgb | 05/16/08, 10:31 AM

I don't like Pearl. He seems like an egotistical **** to me.......

TenRingsSTL | 05/16/08, 10:36 AM

So if the NCAA is only in it for $$, then WHY would they have these rules? Why not simply let them do what they want? I think its you that live somewhere else.

GoPSULions | 05/16/08, 11:38 AM

What Bruce Pearl is saying is that if he wants to kick kids off the team for whatever reason (drugs, academics, or violating rules) this rule punishes him twice. He loses the players and then could lose scholarships. This will lead to coaches giving second and third chances to players who should have been immediately kicked off the team. Bad for the team and bad for the sport.

Bruce has just had to do this with two players. Should he be punished for running a tight/clean ship?

K2what16 | 05/16/08, 12:57 PM

Bruce has just had to do this with two players. Should he be punished for running a tight/clean ship?
K2what16 Ye
Yes he should....he signed them....he offered the scholarship....he should've down a background check....all the way to the 1st grade.....

MrMykel_Angelo | 05/16/08, 02:49 PM

Right now the NCAA punishes schools for players leaving early under ANY circumstances. Right now it purnishes schools who get the best players because these are the ones that will leave early for the draft.

And I don't care if you are the freaken FBI, you can't always know how a kid is going to act. I like the idea of giving a kid a chance. I am not sure why school sports are punished at all for kids not graduating. How the heck is it their fault??? Lord knows any decent coach is going to encourage his kids to make good grades and try to keep them in school, taking away scholarships isn't going to help that. There is already a standard grade they kids have to make to play. The university is paying their way through school the rest should be in their lap. Make the grades or don't play. That is sufficient.

Please educate yourself before posting!!

volqueen | 05/16/08, 02:59 PM

As a UT Fan, I obviously support Bruce Pearl, especially in light of the he runs things at this university. And no, tenrings, Pearl is not an ****. It is unfair to punish the team by taking away a scholorship, **** does the NCAA care- they are already losing a player! However in this case the two player lost were Ramar Smith and Duke Crews- 2 mediocre players which never lived up to their potential. Pearl had given them both a second chance after suspending them in the off-season, and they decided to smoke mary jane together, so good riddance. Tennesee is a better team for it. But for all this UT gets f'd out of a scholorship when what Bruce Pearl did was the right thing.

scroungy | 05/16/08, 03:45 PM

I like Pearl...good coach, good personality

I'll pull for UT when they're not playing us

BruinsWin! | 05/16/08, 03:57 PM

Gotta say i agree with everything he is arguing for. Pearl is certainly a character....

LSUDYNASTY | 05/16/08, 06:01 PM

I'm w/ Pearl, that's a dumb rule. There are lot of rules in NCAA which are dumb most of which hurt the players not the coaches. As the Boz once said, LOL, Nat'l Communists Against Athletes.

rhymeister | 05/16/08, 08:04 PM

I concur with Pearl.. we are actingly like these young men are infants or crippeld somehow. They need to make a decision about what education means to them and follow thru on it. Pearl and his staff provide tutors and access for the players.. if they choose not to use any initiative why is it Coach Pearl's fault??

Chicagojeff | 05/16/08, 09:19 PM

But the rules exist to keep colleges from trying to exploit these young athletes. If they didn't exist, some programs would recruit solely on talent, and not even try and help the kid get an education, then if they flunk out, who cares.

I understand that there are kids that will be one-and-done, and are there because they can't go straight into the NBA, but this rule also makes sure that the colleges attempt to make them student athletes and not simply use them to just further their program (hey kid - no need to go to classes since you're only here for one season).
GoPSULions | 05/16/08, 06:48 AM

If the kid is only going to be there for one year, and the school knowingly recruits him anyway, how is the kid's attending class going to help the school? They already know they're going to take a hit on their stats, but they've decided the financial gain is worth the cost, especially if it helps them to attract more studs to generate more money!!

pwings | 05/16/08, 09:41 PM

So if the NCAA is only in it for $$, then WHY would they have these rules? Why not simply let them do what they want? I think its you that live somewhere else.
GoPSULions | 05/16/08, 11:38 AM

Because one year is better than NONE! How much money did Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James make for the NCAA? NONE. And believe me, Myles Brand knows that!!

pwings | 05/16/08, 09:41 PM

As the Boz once said, LOL, Nat'l Communists Against Athletes.
rhymeister | 05/16/08, 08:04 PM

If the Boz had gone to economics class, he would've known that the "C" in NCAA doesn't stand for Communists. It stands for CARTEL.

pwings | 05/16/08, 09:43 PM

Does Tennesee have a bb team???? Seems I remember when they had a football team..

golfwacko | 05/16/08, 09:48 PM

"So if the NCAA is only in it for $$, then WHY would they have these rules? Why not simply let them do what they want?"

Listen- rules are meant to be followed so there isn't chaos. They are a general guideline. I'm not saying not to follow the rules- but bending the rules goes on ALL THE TIME.
Haven't you ever gone above the speeding limit? of course....or crossed the street not on a crosswalk......of course. It's not like the kids are committing murder... ...
Their window of earning potential is very short....so if someone wants to give them an 'incentive' go to their school, so they can make their school lots of $.....so be it

jgb | 05/17/08, 08:26 AM

what everybody seems to forget is that there is no penality if they leave in good academic standing.. BP knows his guys won't leave in good standing so it hurts his team, if he and his team did it right way he wouldn't have to worry-

This year in Memphis both CDR and Rose left early but it won't hurt Cal b/c they are both in good academic standing- even Rose a one and done Cal made sure we finished the semester-

Blue&Grey | 05/18/08, 12:45 PM

Derek Rose is in good academic standing at Memphis? Goes to show how important academics are at Memphis.

mike123 | 05/19/08, 10:44 AM