Could there be a change in that 5/8 rule?

[ACE]

A couple of posters had mentioned that this 5/8 rule might be changed shortly. Could this potentially give us one more scholarship to use this spring? In an ideal world, we could get the power forward AND a wing scorer (perhaps the two kids at the juco in Florida)- then the Tommie thing could play out with less urgency. If he becomes eligible, that would just be gravy. Under the current rules, if he doesn't, it could be devastating and really leave us scrambling. Things don't usually seem to break just right for us, but maybe this will be different.

Is there going to be a vote on this issue? How does one follow it?

[billiken_roy]

in the past, there have been ncaa meetings at the final four. so maybe something will shake next week.

[3star_recruit]

http://www.collegesports.com/sports/m-bask.../021004aat.html

Excerpts:

"College basketball coaches will know the fate of the unpopular 5/8 rule in April. The NCAA is reviewing the rule, put into effect in 2001, that only allows college basketball coaches to give a total of eight scholarships in two years and no more than five per year."

"NCAA President Myles Brand said the rule would be inspected and adjustments will possibly be made after a vote this April. Although the rule seemed like a good idea, it has hampered several programs and is continuing to cause problems for some schools. The rule makes scholarships a precious commodity. If a coach recruits a player and that player transfers, leaves early for the NBA or suffers a career-ending injury, the coach does not get to fill the vacancy."

"During the summer, Brand said the rule would be inspected because of the constant complaints about it. He did not promise change right away, but said changes to the rule could be made. Recently, Brand announced that the NCAA would continue to inspect the rule and would vote on any changes in April, after the current basketball season ends."

[ACE]

Thanks for the quick response. Interesting stuff. Are we limited because of McClain or Morris? Doesn't seem fair that we'd be unable to use a scholarship in either case.

[tseugnekillib]

There will be a change in the 5/8 rule. The question is....when does it take effect, immediately, or in six months or in twelve months.

Just think, with the current 5/8 rule, a player could leave SLU to become a Jesuit priest and we could not immediately replace his scholarship!

[willie]

What about a rabbi?

[tseugnekillib]

.

[kshoe]

In my opinion the 5/8 rule is unfairly biased against JUCO players (maybe that is the true intention of it, however).

Consider a team that recruits only JUCO players. Over any two year period a team is only allowed to recruit 8 players, and with JUCOS graduating every 2 years the maximum number of scholarships that will be used is 8. You are allowed 13. The number of players allowed will obviously rise as high school players are introduced. If the average recruiting class was 1 highschool and 3 JUCO players you would expect a roster of 10 players. If you were 2 highschool and 2 JUCO (without any transfers or early NBA) you would have a roster of only 12.

Now I’m not suggesting that having a roster of all JUCOs is ideal but if there is one party that is hit particularly hard its not teams like Arizona, but rather the players themselves. The NCAA needs to change the rules, and for the Billikens benefit, hopefully soon.

[cheesycow]

I can understand why it was put in place, sort of. It's really hurt Mizzou and SLU the past couple years, so it obviously irks the crap out of me. Here's hoping they change it this year.