This debate was extremely interesting to say the least, to hear from current coaches, former players collegiate as well as professional, conference commissioners and broadcasters was quite insightful.

I don’t think that much was really resolved, but the first step in resolution is always conversation. As a former collegiate and professional football player I could relate to all sides of the argument.

I’m of the opinion that the coaches and colleges face many problems and issues, but at the end of the day things always boil down to the all mighty dollar. The argument with regards to education is thoroughly agreed upon, but the reason we encourage kids to go to college and get a degree is for the future betterment of themselves to be good people and beneficial to society. And yet the prize is always to make money in the end.

All of their goals and hopes point to money, that’s what is assumed a good education will provide for the person who attains it. For the lion share of collegiate athletes, turning pro and getting a handsome contract is the fulfillment of going through four years of college. We do live in a new world as it pertains to collegiate sports, and as old school as some of the panelists claim to be, the old world of college sports they knew has drastically changed forever and no longer exists.

The money has grown immensely and the marketing of star players has contributed to that growth. The players now realize their worth to universities and their revenues, and rightfully want a share, legally or illegally. Why should the universities and the BCS make millions, if not billions while the players who create the wealth, live in virtual poverty. I realize that it is a difficult problem to solve, but a scholarship-ed athlete according to NCAA rules is not allowed to work, so how are they to attain money for the basic needs of life? As long as there are alum who will offer them the money, they will take it.

I can remember being a college athlete and never having money for a thing. I took deodorant and soap from the locker room for my needs at the dorm. Yes we got room and board, paid tuition and 3 square meal per day, at 7 AM, 12 PM and 7 PM, by 9 PM I was hungry again. I was 17 yrs old with no option or money for a snack or additional meals between that 12 hour window until breakfast. And while the coaches and those who oppose paying these college kids are sitting at home in their cushy million dollar homes, with refrigerators fill to the brim, I was starving in my 10 x 10 dorm room.

Much talk has gone on about the cost of attendance, and while that would be a start, some schools would be at a greater advantage than others. $2000-$3000 per year, divided by 40 weeks, comes out to $75 per week or $10 per day. Hardly enough to make a difference or stop a kid from accepting money from a willing alum.

Clearly something needs to be done, it is an issue that will not go away and has come to a head in college athletics. I’m not saying that we should make these kids millionaires in college. But a sufficient stipend that allows them to take care of their basic needs, go see a movie or take a young lady or gentleman out on a date would go a long way in rectifying this problem.

Seth Joyner

When you think about Kentucky basketball and the mass exodus of players to the NBA each year what this year’s team is doing is nothing short of miraculous.

Granted, VCU and head coach Shaka Smart and Butler’s return to the Final four are Cinderella stories worthy of all the attention that they are getting. But with the way the season began for the Wildcats and the youth on this team, what they have accomplished is amazing.

Coach Cal is an anomaly in regards to his approach, and this approach will continue to net him the best talent that the country has to offer. The ultimate goal of most young college basketball players is to play at the elite level, the NBA.

Coach Cal’s approach is to prepare his players for the NBA and the fact that he embraces the one and done thought of the top level players has allowed him to garner some of the nation’s top talent. Although his commitment to the University of Kentucky is to win and chase National Championships, he realizes that if he can ensure the development and preparation of his players for the NBA he will continuously retool year after year.

Last year’s departure of freshmen and first round picks, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins is proof of his success. Most coaches don’t relish the one and done rule, it can be detrimental to most programs success and future, but being what it is, all coaches must deal with it.

Coach Cal isn’t just a master recruiter, but his ability to get his young players to develop individually and to play as a team from the beginning of the year to tournament time is remarkable.

With 2 freshman starters in Brandon Knight and Terrance Jones, 2 junior starters in DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller and senior Josh Harrellson and 6th man frosh Doron Lamb it is worth contemplating how this team came together like they have.

Freshman point guard Brandon Knight clearly is the facilitator of the team, but the development of Josh Harrellson is the wild-card. At 6′ 11″ 275 lbs his physical presence and gritty play allows for an inside out game that opens the floor up for the play making skills of knight, Liggins and Lamb.

All of these players possess the ability to create and penetrate, but their willingness to play unselfishly is the thing to be noted. They are tough to guard because they can go to the rack and get their own shot, while seeing the floor well enough to see help coming and find the open man to knock down the 3 ball.

If they can keep hitting the 3 ball they will be hard to beat, and with help side defense necessary to defend, Harrellson is the recipient of a lot of offensive rebounds. The other thing that makes Harrellson tough is he runs the floor well for a player his size and he can hit the mid range jump shot requiring his man to play him close, further opening the lane for the penetrators.

They are long and defend extremely well, and they rebound well as a team from the back court to the front court. This team is peaking at the right time, and with tournament wins versus Princeton, West Virginia, Ohio State and North Carolina this team is battle tested and seems poised to claim the National title.

- Seth Joyner