By Paul Gotham
The hits just keep coming for the Golden Arches. It was bad enough when Morgan Spurlock released his documentary exposing the ills of fast food. Like any of us needed a movie to prove that a steady diet of Big Macs, fries, and Coke would lead to poor health. Did Spurlock really need to put himself through 30 days of three meals a day from McDonald’s? Wouldn’t fifteen have sufficed? Has anybody heard from Spurlock since the 2004 release? What kind of detox did he have to endure?
Back to the subject.
Yeah, we knew McDonald’s food was suspect, but now it looks like McDonald’s All-Americans are not all they are cracked up to be.
Once was a time when McDonald’s All-American on a resume meant a freshman was ready to contribute. Of recent years, if a program was honored enough to keep a McDonald’s All-American for a sophomore or junior season, it meant multiple wins in the NCAA Tournament. After this season’s results, a few teams might modify their recruiting channels.
A quartet of McDonald’s nominees couldn’t keep the long running Arizona Wildcat streak intact. The last time Arizona didn’t get an invite to The Dance, Ronald Reagan ruled the Oval Office. The Wildcats were to the NCAA Tournament what The Guiding Light was to day time television. Not that I am trying to compare the Wildcats to a soap opera. Or, am I? After all, there was that whole escapade with Lute Olson and Kevin O’Neill. Then came Olson’s recruiting gaffe.
Sean Miller walked into a tough situation in the desert. Maybe that’s why he could only get McDonald’s nominees Jamelle Horne, Lamont Jones, Kevin Parron, and D.J. Shumpert. Maybe that’s why Arizona finished 16-15 and 10-8 in the Pac 10 and out of the NCAA Tournament.
A coaching change and McDonald’s All-Americans nominees might not be the best example.
The UConn Huskies had their own share of problems this season. Health issues caused Coach Jim Calhoun to take a leave of absence. Upon his return, the Huskies looked ready to make a run. UConn bonked, and Kemba Walker and Alex Oriakhi could not do enough to merit their high school status. Jonathan Mandeldove is still getting a scholarship at Connecticut. That’s about it.UConn finished 17-15 and 7-11 in the Big East.
Is UConn going to the NIT?
UCLA and the NCAA Tournament go together like hamburger and cheese. Along with that comes the Bruins pick of the west coast crop – guys like Malcolm Lee, Jerime Anderson, and James Keefe. UCLA went 14-18 and 8-10. UCLA did not receive a mercy at-large bid like they did last year.
Arizona, UConn, and UCLA all pale in comparison to another school that has a stable of McDonald’s All-Americans.
North Carolina’s roster is loaded down with not one, not two, not three, four, five, or six. No, seven, count them seven Tar Heels have Ronald McDonald’s on the resume.
Ed Davis, Larry Drew II, John Henson, Dexter Strickland, David Wear, Travis Wear, and Tyler Zeller could not save the Heels from a 16-16 ledger.
Common logic says fast food lacks nutrition. Maybe it is time to consider that student-athletes who achieve early success aren’t necessarily ready to compete at a high level.
How many Big Macs are on Kentucky’s current roster?
I still think poor FT shooting will be their undoing between now and Apr 5. The kids are pretty good though. Too bad Wall is leaving for NBA after this season … they could win 2 titles 2011-12. Is his departure a certainty?
On the note of leaving early… I saw something this weekend on Tim Duncan and he was talking about how he stayed his four years to earn his degree at Wake. He was incredibly proud of this accomplishment and said that he loved his time there and was happy and proud that he didn’t leave early.
This staying in school did not affect his draft status and it certainly has not negatively affected his success at the next level.
Which brings up the question, “Why don’t more guys stay?” The money will be there, the lifestyle will be there. Are you not confident enough in your abilities to assure yourself another solid year in college? Are you that scared that your value will drop? If you are, are you really good enough to make the leap early?
During the ACC final, they were talking about Singler and Dicky V made a good point (few and far between as they are) about him staying. He brought up the name Josh McRoberts. It was a great point, and there are so many other players out there that this applies to. When you’re at a school like Duke or Kentucky (like Wall), why would you want to leave? You are a god on campus and the whole nation talks about you. You will probably never be as important and big and “happy” and “care-free” as you are now.
Remember your college days…the freedom, the lack of bills, the ladies, the fun, the take risk/care-free attitude. How many of us wouldn’t want to go back to those days? These guys don’t know what they’ll miss until it is gone…
Just ask that bald kid from UCONN or that NBA bust from Duke, or, or, or…(what’s his name again??)
sooo fake 😉
Great post can you recommend any forums to join?