Tim Floyd's Worst Nightmare

There was some buzz on the Internet message boards surrounding this quote in a recent story by Ben Bolch in the L.A. Times:

Floyd said before the Trojans' 80-67 loss to Kansas State in the first round of the NCAA Midwest Regional on Thursday that he might reconsider the benefits of one-year players if they harm the team's Academic Progress Rate.

"It will be a detriment if and when O.J. leaves if he's not academically eligible and costs us a scholarship," Floyd said. "That would be something that would make me review whether or not to give another guy like this an opportunity at some point."

So what's this Academic Progress Rate (APR) about, and why should Floyd be concerned? There's a pretty good explanation here, but in short USC needs to maintain a certain academic standard (based on eligibility and retention), otherwise they stand to lose scholarships.

Let's say O.J. Mayo, Davon Jefferson and/or Taj Gibson decided to leave for the NBA and don't finish the academic semester -- nullifying both their eligibility and retention. That would do some serious damage to the team's APR. Each departure is worse for basketball compared with large sports like football or baseball since it's based on percentages and hoops has one of the smallest rosters of any sport.

These comments take me back to a scene in the Galen Center hallways on the Wednesday before USC's final Pac-10 games against Cal and Stanford. Mayo was being interviewed by a group of reporters and Floyd poked his head in through the door:

Floyd: Tell 'em what you told me yesterday.
Mayo: I've gotta' finish out school after this year -- finish out this semester.
Floyd: Why?
Mayo: It's the right thing to do.

In other words, dropping out of school mid-semester would stab the program in the back. A few minutes later Floyd told the same reporters, "I heard him tell you guys that regardless of what he does, he feels obligated to finish this semester academically. I respect that and hope he'll stay true to that."

Considering Mayo's toughest academic challenge this semester is a nutrition course he described as a "culture/lifestyle/health class," it shouldn't be too hard for him to keep his word.

The NCAA will release its next APR report in May.

Photo by Dino Vournas / AP

Comments

[SCRay]

As to the Pros,

I am certain turning pro, or not, is a difficult decision for the very talented Trojans. With that said, I reflect back to Cliff Robinson's early departure into the pros and feel sorry for him and SC. He was emerging as an excellent college ballplayer, perhpas All American. Without a long history, he decided to go pro early and had an average to below no name pro career. I wonder from time to time how another year of college ball, education and maturity might have made him a better pro. We will never know.

Notwithstanding all of that, I can certainly understand why Mayo would consider going early and he will probably do fine. I felt the same way about Harold Miner. Even so, with Mayo's good character, to the extent that we can understand it, he may choose to stay another year. I would love to see that for both him and SC. Either way, he has been good for SC and SC has been good for him.

Taj has been a wonderful addition to the Trojan family. Hopefullly, he will stay in school. Another year would be immnesely helpful in the development of his game. And it is no understatement that his presence would be immensely helpful to the team. So, while I would take the time to explore the Pro option if I were him. I would keep studying and enjoy the time and experience at SC. It ain't a bad place to hang.

Davon has been a nice addition as well. He has tremendous "potential" and that is where he is at. Without a great deal of explanation he should study, continue to grow and mature, and work on what looks to be a developing excellent game.

I am very fond of Hackett's play and work. He is teriffic and appears to be the heart and guts of the team . Hopefully, he will have a pro career someday if he wants it. If not, I would imagine he would make a great coach.

Coach Floyd, his Assistants and the rest of the players had a very fine year. They achieved a great deal more than I expected. I love the respectability and competitiveness they have brought to the progaram.

Thank All of You and keep Up the Nice work.