It is REALLY hard to graduate basketball players.

It doesn’t matter if you’re Gary Williams, Fang Mitchell, Jim Boeheim, or even Herb Sendek out here in Arizona (who I’ve asked about this many times); it is just plain HARD to graduate basketball players.

There are only two sports where even mid-level athletes can make significant money playing professionally. One is football-where practice squads, an Arena League, and Canada provide the opportunity for athletes to make money even if they are not particularly superior.

In Basketball, athletes have a chance in the NBDL or overseas to make significant money (Drew Nicholas is living a HECK of a life); even if the NBA Draft isn’t an option at all.

(As a note-Soccer, Hockey, and Baseball have all seen early defections-but they are much less common. Even Women’s Basketball had Candace Parker give up a year of eligibility this year.)

But with Basketball; there are no redshirts (for the most part). The season stretches over BOTH semesters; with the 2^nd semester opening during the most trying part of the season. For players whose Draft statue is much less guaranteed; the final semester before the Draft is almost assuredly going to be spent preparing.

But; as Rick Maese says so well today; Gary Williams is not the only Coach having troubles graduating basketball players. Every other school in the country is dealing with the same issues.

The bottom line is that Gary Williams is still in the transition period of a very bad streak in Maryland hoops. In many instances, players were not only bad on the court; they were no better anywhere else. I don’t think this is breaking news.

Mike Grinnon was a model citizen for the Maryland basketball program; but even he couldn’t have known what kind of trouble his close friend Chris McCray would leave the program in during McCray’s senior campaign. John Gilchrist’s issues didn’t help either. But the truth is; of the players that I consider to be the 4 most significant since 2000-Juan Dixon, Drew Nicholas, Steve Blake, and DJ Strawberry-NONE have degrees.

Gary IS right about players who go on to play professionally, no matter where they play. Players SHOULD work hard to make a living this way. And Gary also knows that the academics issue must improve. In a funny way; players who we might not have thought deserved scholarships may help most in this area (Dave Neal, Parrish Brown, etc.)

When I look back on the last ten years of Maryland basketball players; I DO get the feeling that a significant group of the young men who came to College Park left the school as better people. Unfortunately for basketball players and coaches; the head coach/player relationship is much more significant because teams are smaller. If something goes wrong in JUST ONE of these individual relationships; it can hurt the entire program for years to come.

But when I compare where a group of athletes were getting here to where they left, I see many of them as being better people. Looking at Dixon, Blake, Nicholas, and Strawberry; I get the feeling that more than one of them will probably come back for degrees (much like Keith Booth, Tahj Holden, Kevin McClinton, LaRon Profit, Duane Simpkins, and Terrell Stokes all did). I know that guys like Mike Jones and Chris Wilcox left school as better human beings; much like James Gist and Bambale Osby will.

The on court results have to improve; and the classroom numbers have to improve. Everyone in College Park knows this. Gary is working. If it doesn’t improve over the next few years, Gary won’t be there. I think it’s safe to give that some sort of stone cold lock guarantee.

If I was a betting man, I’d say things will have improved in 2-3 years; but Gary will be facing some sort of other criticisms.

Let’s see what everyone else has to say…..

Mark Suchy will reserve Flacco judgment until after he’s thrown…..you know…..a pass

Casey Willett says Ravens have many similar LB’s on roster

Nestor Aparicio enjoyed watching Baltimore’s Floyd go for no-no

The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says bats quiet again as Birds drop 4^th straight

The Official Site offers numerical evidence of loss

The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Trembley holds team meeting before loss (Obviously the move paid off!)

The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Johnson building confidence

The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Guthrie gets chance to stop slide today vs. Blanton

Athletics Official Site’s Mychael Urban says Duchscherer shines as A’s beat O’s

The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Birds back under .500

The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Olson better thanks to finding strike zone

The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Loewen ready to start rehab today

The Sun’s Childs Walker says Erbe, Spoone trading places on farm

The Sun’s Bill Ordine says slumping O’s lineup, red hot A’s pitchers don’t mix well

The Sun’s Bill Ordine says not replacing Tejada’s bat hurting Birds

The Sun’s Dan Connolly says hotel room wall will keep Birds, Bale from reuniting

The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says Costanzo ‘heating up’ on farm

The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says patience required with Loewen

The Examiner’s Pete Sabatini says Olson looking like ‘reliable big league pitcher’

Washington Post’s Marc Carig says Burres gives up 4 in 5 1/3 of loss

Washington Post’s Marc Carig says Johnson proving he can be used in different spots

Washington Post’s Desmond Bieler wonders where Orioles World Series ranks amongst Maryland sports fantasies

San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser says Athletics use small ball to beat Orioles

San Francisco Chronicle’s Bruce Jenkins says O’s, A’s both ‘believe’

The Sports Network says Casilla gets first save for A’s

San Jose Mercury News’ Joe Stiglich says no fireworks in A’s win

Oriole Central’s “Ben” says Crow not helping hitters

Camden Chat’s Scott Christ thinks things get worse from here

Orioles Hangout’s Paul Folkemer says Birds suffer first four game losing streak of season

Orioles Hangout’s Scott Hoffman says Terrero continues to hit on farm

Orioles Insider’s Michael Ward says Birds have few options but to start Trachsel

Roar From 34’s Matthew Taylor says E. Santana could have helped Birds

The Loss Column’s Neal Shaffer ready to heat up Crowley debate

“The Wayward O” still happy with pitching

The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Sal Pal hearts Stover

The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Washington enjoying ‘fresh start’ with Ravens

The Examiner’s Ron Snyder says Rice has overcome adversity before

Aaron Wilson says safety Leonhard will compete for a job in Camp

New York Post’s Dan Martin says fighting past can help Zbikowski with Ravens’ debut

Ravens Roost’s Mike Brown says O-Line could still be an issue

The Ebony Bird’s Jarrett Carter thinks Rice will be backup RB (BOLD!)

Prince George’s Gazette’s James Peters says Haynos excited for opportunity in Green Bay

Washington Post’s Josh Barr says Terps offer Ross

Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says Terps after another from Good Counsel (must subscribe)

Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh checks in with prospect Goree (must subscribe)

The Official Site says Terps fail to make grade

The Sun’s Rick Maese says Gary not only coach whose players leave early

The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Gary doesn’t begrudge players making basketball living without degree

Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Terps put together Academic Improvement Plan

Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Maryland won’t be penalized because Jones, Strawberry remained eligible

Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter checks in with prospect Latham (must subscribe)

The Official Site says Tigers’ grades strong

The Official Site says Kimener honored by school

Inside Lacrosse’s Terry Foy says Kimener will have to carry Dogs past Cavs

Washington Post’s Christian Swezey says Kimbles has “Academic” past

The Official Site says Eagles don’t make grade either

Inside Lacrosse’s Sean Burns says Rabil amongst Tewaaraton finalists

Inside Lacrosse’s Terry Foy says Hounds need to turn clock back to defensive ’06 win over Duke

The Sun’s Edward Lee says Toomey not complaining about Duke rematch

The Sun’s Matt Bracken says Brown believes success helps recruiting

The Sun’s Sandra McKee says Kentucky Beat will be first of slim Preakness field to arrive in Baltimore tonight

The Examiner’s Adam Meister says slots not answer for Pimlico

Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins says tragedy should show sport’s faults

Washington Post’s John Scheinman says Magna reports major first quarter losses

Washington Post says steroid test ordered for Eight Belles

Washington Times’ Tom Knott says PETA horsing around

-The losses aren’t going to change. The Orioles are terrible. We really have no reason to think the lineup should be producing anything more; but the Crowley rumblings are fair anyway. Crow has had numerous opportunities here-and nothing has changed. The organization can find another use for him.

-I’ve expressed my thoughts on PETA out here on the air over the last couple days; so I don’t think I need to kill myself in going over this; but I will at least share. It is PAINFULLY obvious that this was a selfish publicity stunt made by a group that knows nothing better than how to make selfish publicity stunts. Please make sure these idiots know they are not welcome at Pimlico. Horse racing is NOT a perfect industry; but the abuse claims that are being made are absolutely unfounded and an embarrassment to a group that clearly is okay with being embarrassed.

-What is Gavin Floyd going to have to do to finish off a no-hitter???

-If you haven’t seen “Iron Man” or “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” yet, make sure you do. They’re both outstanding. Also, I’ve been listening to a lot of John Butler Trio recently; if you’re not familiar, you should be.

-If I can echo Such for a second; the message Darren sent about the birth of his son was an absolute classic. I will look forward to sharing a Guinness with Max Rudham on May 5, 2029 (Hey, I’ll only be 45!). Congratulations and Cheers Dad.

Talk to you tomorrow.

-G