The academic reputation of Tiger basketball took a huge black eye Sunday with the announcement that forward Sean Banks's failing grades will keep him from playing the rest of the season.
He could become eligible to play again next season. He could also graduate at some point. But, for now, the declaration of his ineligibility is another blow for a program with the historic problem of graduating too few of its players.
Not one male basketball player graduated during the 1992-95 seasons, for example, and Sports Illustrated slapped The U of M with a grade of "F" for its dismal player graduation rate among the nation's top hoops programs.
Despite Banks's possible negative contribution to the history of Tiger basketball, some of his teammates are doing their jobs in the classroo,m as well as on the court. All three senior-forward, Duane Erwin, Anthony Rice and Arthur Barclay are on pace to graduate in 2005. Five of Coach John Calipari's seven seniors prior to this season have earned their degrees. Antonio Burks joined the NBA's Grizzlies and Chris Massey plays pro basketball in Europe.
In terms of hoping for a Banks return next season, the Tiger faithful may find solace in Barclay's return to the roster after academic shortcomings.
Barclay left The U of M after his sophomore year from a combination of skipping classes and nursing an injured knee. After living with his uncle in Michigan, shoveling heaps of snow and reassessing his value structure, Barclay returned to Memphis after getting re-admitted.
"I'm not making excuses for what happened," said Barclay, who learned a valuable lesson from his hiatus with the team.
"I'm (a) way better (student) than I used to be," Barclay said. "I'm actually glad (the departure) happened. I'm not glad about the struggles it caused for me and my family, but it made me, well, it made me grow up fast."
Barclay said he has just 13 more credit hours to complete before he graduates in May.
Barclay isn't the only one who realizes the importance of making the grade. The whole Tiger club knows what is expected, and they all point to one person pushing them the whole time: Coach Cal.
"Coach really emphasizes academics," said Rice, an art major. "He emphasizes how important it is to get a degree because basketball isn't always gonna be there."
Junior forward Waki Williams agrees."He stresses tutoring, study hall and not just passing, but doing well," Williams said.
The Tigers have been through a lot this season: a scuffle between Banks and Barclay after their team's narrow loss to Texas, a disappointing win-loss record, Jeremy Hunt's suspension from the team and now the Banks debacle.
"We know he's not going to be here, so we just have to move on," Rice told The Commercial Appeal. "I think we've already adjusted to that."
