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Message: [QUOTE="73CAV, post: 1767328, member: 3916"] I get that Syracuse fans are upset at the loss of another underclassman to the NBA. Additionally, I think that since the NBA began drafting first and second year players so indiscriminately, the game isn't at quite the same level (or, at least, the elite of college basketball) as it was in the 80's and 90's. On the other hand, it is hardly 'broken', either. There is more parity than ever, which is a good thing, IMO. Furthermore, while Duke and Kentucky have won championships in the last decade using the 'one & done' approach to recruiting, they haven't been all that successful. Both have also lost in the first round (or, more precisely, the round of 64) in recent years with their elite frosh. Of the 2016 Final Four participants, only Syracuse had a 'one & done' player on the roster. I agree with the above poster that it would be better if the NBA changed their rules and allowed high schoolers to enter the draft. However, the real solution to the problem has to do with the way teams recruit, and the players that they pursue. Recruiting players just a level below the the very elite of any class of prep players, with the prospects of retaining and developing those players, seems to be a better strategy than trying to replace elite frosh every year. Furthermore, for the last half dozen years, at least, the best of the ACC has been dominated by upperclassmen. It was true of FSU in 2012, Miami in 2013, UVa in 2014, and UNC in 2016. Even Duke in 2015, who did feature a trio of 'one & dones', was really led by a few upperclassmen. There are more than a few college coaches that need to adjust their respective recruiting strategies. Among others, Jamie Dixon's Pitt program began to slip when he went from developing players in the long term to pursuing those that stayed just a year. Also, how has UCLA benefitted from all their fantastic recruiting? Then there is Gottfried at State; lots of elite talent with little to show for it. IMO, it all goes to suggest that continuity and development trump ephemeral elite talent. [/QUOTE]

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