UConn Men’s NCAA Waiver Rejected

Unless something changes with an appeal or the NCAA changes the way it computes the APR for 2013, the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team will find itself ineligible for postseason play after having their waiver denied.

Here’s the release from UConn:

STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut was informed on Friday by the NCAA that its waiver request to participate in men’s basketball postseason competition for the 2012-13 season, including the 2013 NCAA Tournament, has been denied.

Connecticut will now appeal the decision to the NCAA Division I Committee on Academic Performance Subcommittee on Appeals.

The waiver was submitted to the NCAA as a result of the UConn men’s basketball team’s performance in the Academic Progress Rate (APR).

“We are deeply disappointed that our request for a waiver was denied, but we look forward to continuing in the process,” said UConn President Susan Herbst. “We continue to believe that we have made a very compelling case in our waiver to the NCAA and we are pleased with the recent outstanding academic success of our men’s basketball student-athletes.

“I want to be clear that during my entire career as a scholar and a teacher, I have been in full support of high academic standards in collegiate athletics. However, in this case, there are good students who could be penalized for the problematic behavior of students who have not been enrolled for years.

“Educators and parents need to do what is right for their students, and not allow them to be caught in the dynamics of public relations.”

This decision is huge right now because it will affect a few of the student-athletes on the team now and their decision to go pro.

If there is no NCAA Tournament next year, what reasons would say, Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb, have to stay in Storrs when they could be making millions. Then by them leaving early, they are affecting the future APR and the cycle repeats itself.

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