In Defense of One and Done (sort of)

Big name college basketball programs will always thrive.  Programs like Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, Kentucky are always going to be able to draw the big name recruits.  No matter how well or poorly they are doing.  They are going to draw those big name recruits because they have what it takes to play at the next level.  And good for them.  Not everyone has the skill to play a professional sport.  And for some, it is a way to get out of a bad situation.

Several years ago, in an effort to prevent high school players from skipping college and going right to the NBA, the 'one and done rule' was put into effect.  Essentially, all high school basketball players must have played one year of college basketball before entering the draft.  So, these big name college programs recruit top players even harder because they know they will have them for just that one year.  So while they thrive on having these top tier players, smaller mid-major programs are left in the dust when it comes to recruitment.  But that helps them out.  

This year, college basketball watched Wichita State University run the table.  They entered the NCAA tournament undefeated.  They lost yesterday to Kentucky.  One of those one and done top tier college basketball programs.  The slight on Wichita State was that they didn't play anyone tough.  Well, after last year's run to the Final Four, instate rivals Kansas and Kansas State wouldn't schedule them.  And why not?  Because the coaching staff has developed the players.  They have developed a group of young men to play basketball at a higher level than what is expected of them.  And while the big schools will get the better players, the smaller schools can be the better team because of maturity and cohesion.

Because these smaller schools can make names for themselves in the tournament, this is the only reason I am in favor of the one and done rule.  As historic as it would be to see the top tier schools put out back to back to back championship type seasons, it's always fun to see the small schools step into the spotlight.  Who remembers George Mason?  What about Virgina Commonwealth?  How about Florida Gulf Coast last year?  They were just kids having fun playing the game they love.  The list goes on and on.  Eventually, one of these smaller schools is going to get on a run at the right time and shock the world and win it all.  Everyone will yell and cheer.  And granted, the big name schools are still going to make it to the tournament every year, but I like the Cinderella stories that come up every March.  Even if they do destroy the brackets of every single person.  


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