Keeping It Heel
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NCAA Basketball: Pros and Cons of ‘one-and-done’ programs

By Brandon Griffin

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) is defended by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) in the first half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) is defended by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) in the first half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari walks off the court after losing to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari walks off the court after losing to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

The Teams

Before we get into the pros and cons lets take a quick look at the 21 one-and-done programs.

2006-07 Ohio State Buckeyes

Head Coach: Thad Matta

One-and-done players: Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Daequan Cook

Season: The Buckeyes were the original one-and-done team. They made it all the way to the National Championship before losing to defending champ Florida 84-75.

2006-07 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Apr 8, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) goes up for a shot in the first quarter as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) goes up for a shot in the first quarter as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Head Coach: Paul Hewitt

One-and-done players: Thaddeus Young, Javaris Crittenton

Season: Before Josh Pastner made Georgia Tech a school to reckon with, Paul Hewitt was also trying to re-brand Georgia Tech. In his only one-and-done season, Hewitt led the Jackets to a opening round loss to UNLV in the NCAA tournament.

2009-10 Kentucky Wildcats

Head Coach: John Calipari

One-and-done players:: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, Daniel Orton

Season: In Calipari’s first season at Kentucky, he wasted no time putting the one-and-done philosophy to effect. Aided by the late additions of Cousins and Wall, Kentucky made it to Elite Eight where they lost to West Virginia 73-66.

2010-11 Kentucky Wildcats

Head Coach: John Calipari

One-and-done players: Enes Kanter, Brandon Knight

Season: Calipari’s second season was even more successful. With a full season to recruit, he was able to bring in even a better class, though Kanter was never eligible for the Wildcats. This team eventually lost to UConn there 56-55 in the Final Four.

2010-11 Texas Longhorns

Head Coach: Rick Barnes

One-and-done players: Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph

Season: Texas has produced some great players, Kevin Durant anyone? It has also led to some good Longhorn squads. In one of Rick Barnes best recruiting classes, he saw his team fall down to Arizona in the second round.

2011-12 Kentucky Wildcats

Apr 2, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) and forward Anthony Davis (23) react during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the Smoothie King Center. The Bulls defeated the Pelicans 117-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) and forward Anthony Davis (23) react during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the Smoothie King Center. The Bulls defeated the Pelicans 117-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Head Coach: John Calipari

One-and-done players: Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague.

Season: In a rarity for Calipari, he had several holdovers from his previous recruiting class. The combination gave him depth and experience which he rode to his first national title, a 67-59 victory over Kansas.

2012-13 Kentucky Wildcats

Head Coach: John Calipari

One-and-done players: Nerlens Noel, Archie Goodwin.

Season: Calipari’s fourth season was a bit of a disaster. Despite yet another top five recruiting class, this national title defending team failed to make the NCAA tournament. Instead they lost on their home floor to Robert Morris in the opening round of the NIT.

2013-14 Kentucky Wildcats

Head Coach: John Calipari

One-and-done players: Julius Randle, James Young

Season: Looking like yet another Calipari bust, this team snuck into the NCAA tournament as an eight seed. Five wins later they were in the National Championship game for the second time in three seasons, though this time they lost 60-54 to UConn.

2013-14 Kansas Jayhawks

Apr 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

Head Coach: Bill Self

One-and-done players: Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid

Season: After years of doing it like his predecessor, Roy Williams, Self finally joined the one-and-done system. Despite getting the best player in the class and eventual number one pick, Self couldn’t make it work and fell in the second round to Stanford.

2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats

Head Coach: John Calipari

One-and-done players: Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles, Devin Booker

Season: Considered by most to be one of the greatest teams ever assembled, this Wildcat squad featured multiple players from back to back top ranked recruiting classes. The team won their first 38 games before losing to Wisconsin in the Final Four.

Kentucky Fans still celebrate the undefeated regular season, they just chose to forget it didn’t end in a championship.

2014-15 Duke Blue Devils

Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski

One-and-done players: Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones

Season: The reason Kentucky’s season didn’t end in a championship is because Duke won it instead. Coach K had brought in the occasional one-and-done player in the past but this season went all out.

The media loved the team despite it failing to win either a regular season or conference championship. Nonetheless it was rewarded with a one seed and the schools fifth title.

2014-15 Kansas Jayhawks

Apr 30, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) react to a foul called against them during the second quarter in game one of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) react to a foul called against them during the second quarter in game one of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Head Coach: Bill Self

One-and-done players: Kelly Oubre Jr, Cliff Alexander

Season: Self’s second run at a one-and-done season was just as successful as his first. Again, his team lost in the second round but this time to Wichita State.

2015-16 Kentucky Wildcats

Head Coach: John Calipari

One-and-done players: Jamal Murray, Skal Labissiere

Season: How does one follow up an almost 40-0 greatest season of all time? By falling out in the second round to Indiana of course.

2015-16 Washington Huskies

Head Coach: Lorenzo Romar

One-and-done players: Marquese Chriss, Dejounte Murray

Season: Romar came out of nowhere to join the one-and-done programs like Kentucky, Kansas and Duke. However unlike those three schools, the talent couldn’t overcome the limitations. The Huskies lost in the NIT second round and Romar was fired a season later.

2015-16 UNLV Running Rebels

Head Coach: Dave Rice and Todd Simon

One-and-done players: Stephen Zimmerman, Derrick Jones Jr.

Season: Rice brought in the talent but due to a slow start was fired just three games into the conference season. Simon took over but the damage was done. UNLV became the first one-and-done team to not play in the post season.

2016-17 Kentucky Wildcats

Head Coach: John Calipari

One-and-done players: Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, Edrice “Bam” Adebayo

Season: This past season was considered another loaded Kentucky group. However like most loaded Kentucky groups, this one too fell short. This time to UNC on a last second shot by Luke Maye in the Elite Eight.

2016-17 Duke Blue Devils

Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski

One-and-done players: Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum, Frank Jackson*

Season: Coach K’s second endeavor into the one-and-done was received with great praise. The team was most highly spoke of since Calipari’s juggernaut two seasons prior.

However, like that team, Coach K’s team came up short. Real short. Due to injuries and suspensions, the team never gelled and fell in the second round to South Carolina.

2016-17 UCLA Bruins

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) drives to the basket past Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) drives to the basket past Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Head Coach: Steve Alford

One-and-done players: Lonzo Ball, TJ Leaf, Ike Anigbogu

Season: In Alford’s fourth season in Los Angeles, the former Indiana guard got off the hot seat with a great class. However, the class also introduced the world to LaVar Ball. The team tripped up against Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen.

2016-17 Arizona Wildcats

Head Coach: Sean Miller

One-and-done players: Rawle Alkins*, Lauri Markkanen, Kobi Simmons

Season: Miller’s first foray into the one-and-done system also saw mixed results. The team won the PAC-12 but couldn’t get past Xavier in the Sweet Sixteen.

2016-17 Texas Longhorns

Head Coach: Shaka Smart

One-and-done players: Jarrett Allen, Andrew Jones*

Season: Smart’s second season with Texas saw Smart take advantage of a talented state and a surprising first season. However if Jones stays in the draft the 11-22 season Texas had will rate as the worst ever for a one-and-done program.

2016-17 NC State Wolfpack

Head Coach: Mark Gottfried

One-and-done players: Dennis Smith Jr, Omer Yurtseven*

Season: Gottfried started off hot at NC State. He then sizzled out. With a class that included the best point guard in the class, this was suppose to be a bounce back year for the Wolfpack. Instead it was a second consecutive losing season and a pink slip for Gottfried.

(An * indicates the player has not signed with an agent and may return to school)

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