OT - Top recruit to Harvard?

[srru86]

Boston Globe
Parents want top college basketball recruit to pick Harvard

 

[Mr_Twister]

Does success of athletic programs ("sports excellence") serve as one of the criteria in US News college rankings? Kid was probably told he could become a Supreme Court justice if the NBA did not work out.

 

[MadRU]

What? Couldn't he get into Yale? JK, apparently the kid has a good head on his shoulders. Wish him well.

 

[Bdodger2]

The article is nice, but is not particularly accurate. Both Carter and Mohammed Bamba (who is even more highly rated) have shown interest in attending Harvard. The reality, however, is that Bamba is a one and done and projected high lottery pick. Carter is not that far behind. Professional basketball is their future career and they are likely a short time away from that happening. If these were top 50 type kids who would likely spend 3/4 years in college it would be a very wise decision to attend Harvard. As neither expects to be in college more than a year (perhaps 2 in Carter's case), it does not make sense to forego playing against elite competition to get prepared for the pros. Even if Harvard or another Ivy has a strong squad their schedule can not be dramatically improved, nor can their facilities, to compete with traditional schools.

Don't get me wrong. I think the top tier Ivy teams are good. I also think this would be a wonderful situation. I simply do not see it as a realistic scenario.

 

[Plum Street]

That would be pretty cool. I always root for the ivy's in March.
Another note, Amaker has had a nice run at Harvard . Did they relax admission standards there as part of the deal when he took the job?

 

[Bdodger2]

Plum Street - there had been a fair amount of rumors regarding academic issues and the Harvard basketball program. It was discussed and addressed to the satisfaction of the schools. The Ivy League has extremely strict rules which are covered by a binding contract between all the member schools. The rules cover both academic requirements for individual athletes, each team, as well as the overall athletic programs. Yes, there are individuals who are admitted that would not ordinarily be accepted at an Ivy. Those with lower admission credentials need to be offset by other athletes. The standards are generally set forth by the Ivy League A-1 Index. The presidents of each institution are the decision makers for these issues - not the athletic directors. So, while you will see individual athletes at Ivy schools who generally would not be admitted, they still must meet reasonably high academic standards. Many years ago it was more of a "gentleman's agreement" between the Ivy schools. That was changed and there would be serious consequences if any member school was caught violating the current contractual agreements. Since the Presidents are actively involved this is not realistically a problem.

Both Bamba and Carter are good students who would not have any issue qualifying pursuant to the A-1 Index.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Were these kind of comments made when Pete Carril's Princeton teams dominated the Ivy League? Maybe Amaker is a better coach than we want to admit to.

 

[MADHAT1]

I believe the impression that Harvard is taking less qualified players started a little after Amaker was hired and it was rumored he asked to have admission standards lowered so some of his recruits could get in Harvard.
But from what I could find out, the standards he wanted lowered was to make Harvard have the same admission policy for his recruits as most of the other Ivy schools have for theirs, not lower . Seems Frank Sullivan ( who Amaker replaced) was saddled with higher standards than the rest of the Ivy MBB programs and Tommy only wanted to have his program's admission standards for recruits the same as every other MBB program in the Ivy.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Ivy schools use an academic index that looks at SATs and GPAs. I believe athletes can not be 1 standard deviation under the average student at that school.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Plum Street - there had been a fair amount of rumors regarding academic issues and the Harvard basketball program. It was discussed and addressed to the satisfaction of the schools. The Ivy League has extremely strict rules which are covered by a binding contract between all the member schools. The rules cover both academic requirements for individual athletes, each team, as well as the overall athletic programs. Yes, there are individuals who are admitted that would not ordinarily be accepted at an Ivy. Those with lower admission credentials need to be offset by other athletes. The standards are generally set forth by the Ivy League A-1 Index. The presidents of each institution are the decision makers for these issues - not the athletic directors. So, while you will see individual athletes at Ivy schools who generally would not be admitted, they still must meet reasonably high academic standards. Many years ago it was more of a "gentleman's agreement" between the Ivy schools. That was changed and there would be serious consequences if any member school was caught violating the current contractual agreements. Since the Presidents are actively involved this is not realistically a problem.

Both Bamba and Carter are good students who would not have any issue qualifying pursuant to the A-1 Index.

Bdodger2, I always enjoy reading your insights.

 

[Bdodger2]

Piscataway Mike - thanks for the comment. Like many others I am frequently incorrect regarding my recruiting predictions, but I try to pass along the best information and insight I possess.

 

[ho26rus]

Piscataway Mike - thanks for the comment. Like many others I am frequently incorrect regarding my recruiting predictions, but I try to pass along the best information and insight I possess.

i enjoy your posts keep them coming

 

[e5fdny]

Were these kind of comments made when Pete Carril's Princeton teams dominated the Ivy League? Maybe Amaker is a better coach than we want to admit to.

Right school. Wrong coach/sport.