It’s Cool to Stay in School

Forget Draft Day. Who wants to deal with the hype, the speculation, the money… the hat lady? You just made the best decision of your life. You, my collegiate friend, get to play another season in an arena that presents some of the most exciting and memorable competition in sport.  Welcome back to the world of college basketball.
As one handful of players decided to throw away their remaining years of college eligibility and jump ship for the draft, another handful of players decided that another year of playing college basketball couldn’t hurt.  The sport will be better for their choice.

One impact player that withdrew from the NBA draft is Eric Williams. Williams, a member of the 2005 ACC’s fearsome threesome that also includes Shelden Williams and Sean May, decided to return for his senior season at Wake Forest., Already reeling from the loss of playmaker extrodainare Chris Paul, Deacons fans were relieved when Williams pulled out. Even though the “Mayor” left town, Williams, an Honorable mention All-America last year, will team up with sharpshooter Justin Gray in hopes of bringing and ACC Championship back to Winston-Salem.

Carl Krauser took all the time the NBA allotted him for making the decision whether to stay in or withdraw from the draft. Krauser sent a fax to the NBA’s New York office 5 minutes before 5 p.m. ET deadline telling them he had decided to return to Pittsburgh. Krauser, who led the Panthers with 16 points a game last season, will have to lead a Panther’s team which loses Chris Taft to the NBA draft and graduates a bona fide scorer in Chevon Troutman. However, Jamie Dixon informed the media that Krauser would have to get himself academically eligible in order to return and would have to attend summer school to ensure he could play for the Panthers. If Krauser is able to put his academic troubles behind him, the Panthers have a real shot to stay competitive for an NCAA berth.

A team that got absolutely jobbed in its NCAA tournament draw last year was the Colonials of George Washington. They had the unlucky task of dealing with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets who were finally getting hot after a run to the ACC title game. Pops Mensah Bonsu and Mike Hall wanted to make sure they left on their own terms. Both players withdrew their name from the NBA Draft and will lead a Colonial team that could be dangerous come tournament time and will be an overwhelming favorite in the A-10. Pops, who swatted 46 shots while averaging 12.6 points per game, garnered the A-10 most improved player of the year in 2004. Hall averaged 8 rebounds per game to go along with 10.6 points to make him a force to be reckoned with when teamed up with Pops. On a team that only loses one senior, George Washington could be a big sleeper team when it comes tournament time next year.

Finally, there is Dee Brown. A lightening bolt on the court, and maestro of the Fighting Illini, it was no surprise that he declared himself for the NBA draft. However, his world came to a screeching halt. The 6-foot guard, who averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists and led the Illini with 70 steals in his junior season, had to withdraw his name from the draft after breaking his foot at a pre-draft camp in Chicago. Despite the devastating injury, Brown tried to remain upbeat saying, “Everything happens in life for a reason.” Weber will be glad to see Brown’s face back in Champaign come this fall, especially after the departure of Luther Head and Deron Williams. With a bunch of freshman filling in, Brown will have to play spectacularly if he hopes to lead a group of relative unknowns back to the NCAA tournament.

Even if they want to go pro, one reason for players to return to college hoops is to build a fan base. Loyal, wild, and passionate, there are more true fans of college basketball than the pro game. Need proof? Look at the numbers. ABC got an 11.9 rating with a 22 share for the Spurs’ title-clinching win Thursday night. The average for the series was down 29 percent from last year. On the other hand ,the 2005 NCAA championship between North Carolina and Illinois was viewed in 15 percent of U.S. households, an increase of 36 percent from the previous year’s final.