2008 Woodie Awards
NCAA basketball juggernauts suffering from lack of retention
Pat Nemuth
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Sports
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We are getting a taste of what March Madness has in store for us, and it is only November.
Some of the most storied college programs in America have already been upset by small schools.
Kentucky has the most wins in college basketball history, but all of those wins couldn't help them beat Gardner-Webb. New head coach Billy Gillispie took all the blame, which shows character on his part.
Even though Kentucky was over-ranked coming into the season, they shouldn't be losing to a team like Gardner-Webb.
Especially at home.
The other O.J. in the news, O.J. Mayo, made headlines in his first game at USC. In USC's 15-point loss to Mercer, Mayo played the entire game and scored 32 points.
However, Mayo's heroics couldn't deliver a win for the Trojans. Consequently, USC, like Kentucky, got bounced from the top-25 with an embarrassing loss.
Michigan State, ranked No. 8 in preseason, slipped to No. 12 after a loss to Grand Valley State, a Div. II team, in an exhibition game.
The double-overtime loss isn't on their record, but coach Tom Izzo temporarily kicked his team out of their new locker room because of it.
Ohio State was another victim to a Div. II upset, losing to the University of Findlay 70-68 in an exhibition game.
If you forgot, Ohio State was in the national championship game just last year.
I know this year's team looks much different than last years, but the reason they play the University of Findlay early in the season is to beat up on them and to gain confidence.
But the bigger question to ask is why is this happening?
The reason is there is too much parity in college basketball.
The smaller schools are getting players with good talent.
In the past couple years, small schools have been making an impact on major tournaments.
It is not just George Mason, Butler or the Missouri Valley Conference handing out the upsets.
Seniors and great guard play lead these smaller teams past the juggernauts. The smaller schools' players stay together for four years and play as a team.
Some of the most storied college programs in America have already been upset by small schools.
Kentucky has the most wins in college basketball history, but all of those wins couldn't help them beat Gardner-Webb. New head coach Billy Gillispie took all the blame, which shows character on his part.
Even though Kentucky was over-ranked coming into the season, they shouldn't be losing to a team like Gardner-Webb.
Especially at home.
The other O.J. in the news, O.J. Mayo, made headlines in his first game at USC. In USC's 15-point loss to Mercer, Mayo played the entire game and scored 32 points.
However, Mayo's heroics couldn't deliver a win for the Trojans. Consequently, USC, like Kentucky, got bounced from the top-25 with an embarrassing loss.
Michigan State, ranked No. 8 in preseason, slipped to No. 12 after a loss to Grand Valley State, a Div. II team, in an exhibition game.
The double-overtime loss isn't on their record, but coach Tom Izzo temporarily kicked his team out of their new locker room because of it.
Ohio State was another victim to a Div. II upset, losing to the University of Findlay 70-68 in an exhibition game.
If you forgot, Ohio State was in the national championship game just last year.
I know this year's team looks much different than last years, but the reason they play the University of Findlay early in the season is to beat up on them and to gain confidence.
But the bigger question to ask is why is this happening?
The reason is there is too much parity in college basketball.
The smaller schools are getting players with good talent.
In the past couple years, small schools have been making an impact on major tournaments.
It is not just George Mason, Butler or the Missouri Valley Conference handing out the upsets.
Seniors and great guard play lead these smaller teams past the juggernauts. The smaller schools' players stay together for four years and play as a team.