Oregon basketball team scores with academic success

When it comes to the Academic Progress Report, the NCAA's vital measurement tying scholarships to academic performance, the Oregon men's basketball team ranks in the top 10%. Coach Ernie Kent has been severely criticized, but he shines when it comes to the academic performance of his team.

Writes John Canzano, who typically has negative things to say about Kent:

It's not lost here that the announcement of Kent's success comes while Oregon is building a $20 million academic center for its athletes that will be off-limits to the rest of the student body. As if 325 computers and dozens of employees and a prominent campus building that will be surrounded by a moat-like body of water was what's missing, when all the rest of the coaches in Eugene need to do is save the money, and instead, study Kent.

The lesson, I hope, is that a head coach who cares about the academic success of his players is best investment an athletic department can make. Step one: Recruit guys who get it done on and off the court. I would like to think guys like Bryce Taylor, Malik Hairston and Maarty Leunen are the rule, not the exception in college basketball, but, in reality, they are pretty special. Three seniors, all graduating, and all going pro in their sport.

--Marc Isenberg