Thursday, October 25, 2001
Huggins, Matta back plan to add scholarship
By Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A modified rule regarding the allotment of men's basketball scholarships could allow the University of Cincinnati to award an extra scholarship for its next recruiting class — if the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approves the modification Nov.1.
The “5/8” bylaw limits the number of scholarships that can be awarded to eight over a two-year period with no more than five in one of those years.
The NCAA Division I Management Council on Tuesday agreed to recommend a proposal that would increase the total number of scholarships to nine in 2001-02 and 2002-03.
Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski, a member of the Management Council, said it's no guarantee the Board of Directors will approve the modification.
“It's a big "if,'” he said Wednesday. “It's a rule that originated from them. Whether or not they'll agree with this solution is up for grabs. They may have an entirely different approach. I think they'll definitely take some action.”
A change would not mean anything for Xavier short-term, Bobinski said.
The Musketeers have three new players and have five oral commitments from recruits expected to sign in November. They would not be allowed to sign a sixth regardless.
“I like 5-4 better than 5-3,” XU coach Thad Matta said. “Not being able to sign more than five is tough in itself. If we have a guy transfer, we're done (recruiting).”
UC has four first-year players and was going to be able to offer only four scholarships for this recruiting class. If the modification is approved, the Bearcats would be able to sign a fifth player.
“It's better, but it's not far enough,” UC coach Bob Huggins said. “I mean, I don't understand it to start with. I think one, it says that whoever's doing this doesn't trust basketball coaches ... and I think it goes further than that.
“I would like for somebody to really stand up and explain how it's fair to have programs where they have eight kids on scholarship because of this rule. ... I don't think there's any question they recognize it's not right.”
Bobinski said the intent of the rule was to discourage coaches from “running off” players deemed not good enough. It also was to encourage coaches to recruit players who would remain in school long enough to graduate.
But what it has done, in effect, is penalize programs for signing McDonald's All-American-caliber players who are likely to leave early for the NBA. Arizona, for instance, had three players leave early for the NBA last spring and was left low on numbers. It filed an appeal with the NCAA but was rejected.
“I think what really has caused us to propose a relook at the rule is there were consequences that were not envisioned,” Bobinski said. “People legitimately had hardships placed upon them because they were unable to fill out their rosters.
“Lo and behold, now you've got circumstances where kids have legitimately transfered to other institutions ... as well as kids who leave early to go the profes sional ranks; that's a reality. We have determined institutions should not be penalized for that.”
The proposal from the Management Council calls for the “5/8” rule to go into effect in 2003-04 with an allowance: When the number of players who graduate in any given year combined with the number of players who are on track to graduate within five years but leave early is more than the number of scholarships provided that year, the school would be permitted an additional scholarship to be used within two years.
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Huggins, Matta back plan to add scholarship
