Category Archives: Basketball

On July 1, 2011, NBA owners locked out NBA players.  The lockout was the result of the parties’ inability to reach a new collective bargaining agreement prior to the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement most recently reached between them.  The parties continued negotiating until November 7, 2011.  On that date, the players’ collective bargaining entity, the NBPA, disclaimed its interest as a union.  This move meant that if players want to see the basketball court again, they will have to pursue remedies in the court of law.

Given that the lockout began less than ten days after the 2011 NBA Draft, did the lockout effect college players’ decision to enter the draft?

The NBA allows those interested in being drafted by a team to declare for the draft.  Players without any college eligibility remaining are automatically eligible for the draft.  Those with college eligibility remaining, may declare early for the draft.  However, a college player’s declaration for the draft in and of itself does not jeopardize his future eligibility should he decide to return to college and continue competing at the NCAA level.  The NCAA sets a deadline which players can withdraw their declaration for the draft and still maintain their NCAA eligibility.  However, in order to maintain this eligibility, the player could not have hired an agent to assist him with the draft process.  The hiring of an agent immediately forfeits the player’s NCAA eligibility.

A brief review of the players drafted in the top-10 of the 2011 NBA Draft, along with some historical data related to early withdrawals demonstrates interesting trends related to the draft process and college players’ draft decisions.

In 2011, players had until May 8, 2011 to withdraw from the draft.  This was nearly six-weeks before the date of the 2011 NBA Draft.  News of the NBA and NBPA’s inability to reach a new collective bargaining agreement had been circulating for some time.  The NBA ultimately locked out its players less than two-months after the date upon which college players could withdraw from the draft.

The 2011 NBA Draft was unusual in the sense of the number of players drafted in the top-10 who did not play NCAA Division-I basketball, but rather, came to the NBA by way of playing for teams overseas.  Four of the players drafted in the top-10 in 2011 came from overseas teams.  In contrast, in 2010, no players from foreign teams were drafted in the first ten spots.  In fact, the first foreign-based player was not drafted in 2010 until the Chicago Bulls drafted Kevin Seraphin in the number 17 spot.

As noted above, college players can withdraw their declaration for the draft yet maintain their eligibility.  Arguably, this allows players to test the draft waters to determine whether making the leap to the NBA would be more beneficial than remaining in college.  However, in years when a labor dispute is imminent, it also allows for them to declare early, see if the labor dispute will be settled before the draft, and if not, withdraw their declaration six weeks before the draft then subsequently return to college.

Tracking draft withdrawal data for the five years leading to the 2011 Draft and the 1998 Draft (the year of the last NBA lockout) demonstrates that the possibility of a labor dispute between the NBA and NBPA arguably does not sway a college player’s decision to go pro.

It appears that the trend of declaring early and then withdrawing hit a peak after the 1998 NBA lockout.  Interestingly, the highest percentage of withdrawals came in the 2009 NBA Draft.  The NBA and NBPA assert that they have been attempting to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement for some two years.  Thus, it is possible that word of this may have affected some college players’ decisions in 2009.  However, that seems fairly unlikely given the length of time between the 2009 NBA Draft and the current lockout.

However, the fact that the NBA and NBPA have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement for two years arguably explains the consistent percentage of withdrawals in 2010 and 2011, with approximately 36 percent of college players who declared early deciding to return to college.

If the NBA lockout is resolved in time for the 2012 NBA Draft, it will be interesting to see if the percentage of withdrawals increases or decreases from 2010 and 2011.

The pay-for-play debate has been raging amongst NCAA fans for some time.  In the wake of stories of recruits and players accepting improper benefits, like cars, tattoos and housing for their family, many question whether NCAA student-athletes should receive more for their athletic services to their respective university than a scholarship.

Recently, the NCAA voted to allow schools the option to provide their student-athletes with a $2,000.00 “cost of attendance” stipend.  The rationale behind this move, is that the extra $2,000.00 allotted to student-athletes will assist them in paying for the items that a scholarship doesn’t cover–like laundry, taking a date to the movies and maybe even a dinner outside of the cafeteria.

As the pay-for-play debate rages on, one voice that is not often heard, is that of the walk-on.

Each year, athletically talented young men and women walk-on to some of this country’s most prestigious college sports teams.

They attend every training session with the team.  They participate in every practice.  They watch every minute of film.  They are present on the bench for every home game.  And some even travel to every away game.

They take, at a minimum, the number of credits required by the NCAA to maintain eligibility.  They obtain, at a minimum, the grade point average required by the NCAA to maintain eligibility.

And they don’t get paid a dime for any of it.

In an age where sides are clearly divided over whether student-athletes should receive more monetary support for their athletic performance, the story of the walk-on is overshadowed.

Yet, it is the story of the walk-on that in a sense, provides the innocence and true amateur spirit of NCAA athletics, that many hope to see restored to the collegiate athletics landscape.

The walk-on is a man or woman, whose passion and love for a sport is so great, that he or she will sacrifice all free time to pursue other collegiate follies for the chance to participate in the sport for four more years.

David Bagga walked on to the University of Arizona Men’s Basketball team in 2005.  He played for the Wildcats from 2005-2009.

Former University of Arizona walk-on David Bagga

Bagga’s story of becoming a member of the University of Arizona Men’s Basketball team is one of determination and a love of the game.

In 2005, the Wildcats were coming off of an impressive NCAA Tournament run, which ended in a loss against Illinois during the Elite Eight.

During that same time, Bagga was working hard to further his dream of playing basketball at a Division I institution.

“I basically called over 200 Division I schools to see if I could walk-on.  Ironically, Arizona was one of the only ones I heard back from.  Jack Murphy, who is now an assistant at Memphis with Josh Pastner, said, ‘We have three walk-on’s leaving.  We need a practice player,’” said Bagga.

Bagga realized the underlying opportunity residing in Murphy’s statement that Arizona was losing three walk-on’s.  “I said, ‘I’m like 6’5”, 6’6″, I can play different positions.”

At the time, Bagga was a high school senior at Mater Dei High School in California, a well-respected private high school that is also recognized for developing the athletic talent of its students.

“Murphy said, ‘Coach [Lute] Olson [former head coach of the University of Arizona Men's Basketball team] is going to come out to your practice.’  So he came out to Mater Dei High School and was recruiting a kid who went to Duke and later Villanova named Taylor King.  He was looking at Taylor and then he found me.  That day, Coach Olson called his coaches and said, ‘This kid can walk-on.’  During practice, my high school coach wouldn’t let me meet him.  He let fourteen players meet him.  I was the only one who didn’t get to meet him.  And I was the one trying to walk-on,” said Bagga.

Although Bagga did not get to meet Coach Olson during that practice, the coaching legend clearly saw something special in Bagga’s playing ability and made the decision to grant the young man’s wish of playing Division I basketball.

“I got the phone call that night saying that I could walk-on and that they just needed my transcripts.  I heard back after our [high school] season ended and they said, ‘Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the ‘U,’ and you can walk-on,’” explained Bagga.

There were high expectations coming into the 2005-2006 season for the Wildcats, given their impressive NCAA Tournament run earlier that year, along with the fact that the team largely returned, save for starters Channing Frye and Salim Stoudamire.  “Everyone was calling and texting me from home saying, ‘You’re going to win a National Championship your first year,’” noted Bagga.

Yet, excitement aside, the young player recognized the importance that key relationships would play to his success as a player.

“I started building relationships with Coach Olson and with my teammates.  Two highlights from that year, were the first time I scored in front of 15,000 people at McKale [the McKale Center, where the University of Arizona plays its basketball games] and then the first meeting I ever had with Coach Olson,” said Bagga.

Arguably, it was that first meeting with Olson which set Bagga on proper footing to begin his role as a walk-on on with an NCAA Division I powerhouse basketball team.  Bagga explains,

“It was supposed to be a five-minute meeting.  It lasted 35 or 40 minutes.  He said, ‘I get where you’re coming from [with being a walk-on], but this experience can do two things for you.  It’s either going to play with your head and make you believe all these things aren’t true.  Or, if you embrace the experience, you are going to have a lot of fun here, and the experience will embrace you back.’  And that’s what it did.  So, from that day forward, in early September, I had a different outlook on everything and life.  I learned to be positive about things.  I learned to never think, ‘Me, me, me.’  It was always, ‘Team, team, team.’  That’s why a lot of students rallied behind me.  A lot of regular students would support me even though I didn’t play, because, that’s really what a walk-on is:  a regular student that puts on a jersey that gets to play for one minute a game.  It was fun.  I wouldn’t change anything, how it happened.”

Although he didn’t receive extensive playing  or a scholarship to begin with, Bagga received everything else that came along with being a Division-I athlete.

“Because I was a walk-on, I basically got shafted on everything [schedule-wise].  Weight lifting times, conditioning times, I had the earliest times for everything.  Conditioning and weight lifting was at 5:00 a.m.  The starters got to go at 2:00 p.m.  My first class was at 7:30 a.m.  The starters had their first class at 11:30 a.m.  When I didn’t have class, even though I didn’t have much game film of my own to watch, I would still have to go in and watch game film and take notes about what could be done better.  I would get quizzed on it by one of the coaches.  If I would get it wrong, they would quiz me in front of the whole team at practice.  If I missed it then, the team would have to run.  So, you had to know everything.  You had to be on-point,” said Bagga.

Along with training, weight lifting, watching film, attending classes and completing homework assignments, during the pre-season, players would host recruits, engage in evening workouts and play pick-up basketball.  Sometime during the day, they’d also sleep.

In October, practices began and the season truly ramped up in early November.

“During the season, there’s three-hour practices for the first month of practice.  It’s a lot of work.  It’s more a mental thing than anything else.  You tell yourself, ‘I’m going to go into class and bust my butt for 50 minutes, get the assignment and get the homework done.’  Then bam!  You’re onto the next thing.  There’s no time to mess around.  I used turn my phone off, because I had so much to do.  I was always in the front row in class, paying attention.  In four years, excluding basketball reasons, I missed one day of class,” explained Bagga.

Ultimately, Bagga’s perseverance and dedication paid off.  Not only did he obtain his dream of playing Division-I basketball, but his efforts were rewarded with a scholarship his senior year.

“It was a lot of weight off of my shoulders.  I [previously] had financial aid and a grant for being all-academic in the Pac-10.  Getting that scholarship, though, proved to everyone that I earned it.  I proved to everyone at the university—the students, players, whoever—that I could compete and be a part of that team.  Not only compete on that team, but play on it.  It felt great,” Bagga reminisced.

Not only did Bagga’s experience at the University of Arizona allow him to play Division-I basketball and graduate with a degree, but it provided him with a story to tell–that of a walk-on.  Bagga developed that story into a book, appropriately titled “The Walk-On.”  You can learn more about the book and purchase a copy here.

Friday marks the start of college basketball season, as it is the day teams are allowed to begin practicing in preparation for the upcoming 2011-2012 NCAA basketball season.  BusinessofCollegeSports.com reached out to some of the Division I Men’s Basketball pre-season favorites to learn what their plans are for Midnight Madness.  The following is one of the most comprehensive guides available online detailing the exciting events hosted by perennial NCAA basketball powerhouses and includes insider details!

CONNECTICUT

What:  “First Night” sponsored by People’s United Bank

When:  Friday, October 14, 2011 beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Details:  Admission is free.  Events include “FanFest,” which will entail inflatable games, food and music.  An autograph session will follow with the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams.  The band, cheer and dance squads will perform.  Players and coaches will be introduced and dunk and three-point contests will be held.  Simon Sez will perform at 8:00 p.m.

BusinessofCollegeSports.com Confidential:  Coming off of winning the 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game, UConn’s Midnight Madness event will be televised live on ESPN3.

DUKE

What:  “Countdown to Craziness”

When:  Friday, October 14, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Details:  A carnival events begin at 5:30 p.m., while arena doors open at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are sold for the event.  Along with a carnival-type atmosphere, the event includes student performances, a Blue-White scrimmage and dunk contest.  ESPNU will air portions of the event.

BusinessofCollegeSports.com Confidential:  This is the third year “Countdown to Craziness” has been held and the university expects that tickets will be sold out for the event.

Duke University fans at last year's "Countdown to Craziness" Blue v. White scrimmage. (Photo courtesy of Jon Gardiner/Duke Photography)

NORTH CAROLINA

What:  “Late Night with Roy”

When:  Friday, October 14, 2011 beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Details:  The event’s festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. when the UNC volleyball team takes on Virginia.  Following the volleyball game, fans will get their first glimpse at the 2012 UNC basketball team and the event will be streamed on ESPN3.

BusinessofCollegeSports.com Confidential:  The event is named after Roy Williams, head coach of the UNC men’s basketball team.

SYRACUSE

What:  Americu Credit Midnight Madness

When:  Friday, October 14, 2011 beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Details:  Doors open at 7:00 p.m.  and admission is free, but a general admission ticket must be obtained.  Attendees will enjoy performances by rapper Meek Mill and acrobatic group Russian Bar Trio and will be introduced to the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

BusinessofCollegeSports.com Confidential:  Rapper Tone Loc was set to perform at Syracuse’s Midnight Madness event, but was scrapped for Meek Mill in recent days.

KANSAS

What:  27th annual “Late Night in the Phog”

When:  Friday, October 14, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to approximately 9:30 p.m.

Details:  Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free.  Along with scrimmages by the Jayhawks men’s and women’s teams, the event includes music by the KU pep band, video highlights, coach and player introductions and skits by both teams.  A food drive for Just Food of Douglas County will also be held.

BusinessofCollegeSports.com Confidential:  Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony tells BusinessofCollegeSports.com, “We fill Allen Fieldhouse with 16,300 fans each year for this event.”

LOUISVILLE

What:  Midnight Madness Red-White Men’s Basketball Scrimmage

When:  Friday, October 14, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Details:  Tickets for lower level seating at the KFC Yum! Center are $10.00, while upper arena seating is $5.00.  The scrimmage will be televised locally, as well as on ESPN3.

Businessof CollegeSports.com Confidential:  Senior Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations tells BusinessofCollegeSports.com, “We expect to have about 10,000 for our scrimmage on Friday.  We already have over 8,000 tickets out, and our students are allowed in free by showing their student IDs at the door.  We did not have an event on the first night of practice last year; we had one intrasquad scrimmage a week into practice that was the first opportunity for our fans to see the KFC Yum! Center in a basketball setting (Oct. 24, 2010).  We had 21,218 for that event.”

Fans filled the KFC Yum! Center during Louisville's 2011 Red-White Scrimmage. (Photo courtesy of Kenny Klein of Louisville Athletics)

CINCINNATI

What:  “Meet the Bearcats” event

When:  Friday, October 21, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Details:  The event is free and open to the public.  The event includes a scrimmage and autograph session, as well as a three-point competition where Cincinnati students can face off against members of the men’s basketball team.

BusinessofCollegeSports.com Confidential:  While this is the first time Cincinnati has held an event in this format, Andre Foushee of the athletics department believes it will be highly attended, given the Bearcats’ performance in the most recent NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.

PITTSBURGH

What:  Fan Fest and Maggie Dixon Heart Health Fair

When:  Saturday, October 22, 2011 beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Details:  While Pitt isn’t hosting a Midnight Madness event, they will host a Fan Fest and heart health fair in honor of coach Jamie Dixon’s late sister, Maggie.  Doors open to the health fair at 2:30 p.m. and all of the events are free.  The event includes a scrimmage which will tipoff at 5:00 p.m., and a dunk contest.

BusinessofCollegeSports.com Confidential:  Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon is a successful coach in his own right.  Likewise, his sister, Maggie, was a vibrant young coach of the Army Black Knights women’s basketball team.  At age 28, and weeks after guiding Army to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, Maggie passed away suddenly due to an arrhythmia.