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 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (left) and guard De’Aaron Fox speak at a press conference after defeating the UCLA Bruins during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Kentucky won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (left) and guard De’Aaron Fox speak at a press conference after defeating the UCLA Bruins during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Kentucky won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pros

Lots of Wins

The biggest pro is the one most easily identified, wins. If the one-and-done programs weren’t winning games, the idea would fizzle. Multiple top recruits wouldn’t join forces and instead would join other schools in being support or additions to already established rosters.

The 21 programs have combined to win 573 games since 2006. That’s an average of about 27 wins a season, a number great programs would love to average.

They also have had success in the tournament too. The 21 squads have won 45 tournament games over that stretch. They have combined to reach 10 sweet sixteens, eight elite eights, six final fours, and four national championships.

Additionally, those schools have won nine regular season championships, eight conference championships, and two national championships.

Preseason Buzz and Media Hype

All this talent also brings a lot of buzz and hype.

Despite the greenness of the players, the AP poll has ranked 16 of those 21 schools in their Top 25 preseason poll with 12 being ranked in the top five and three being ranked number one.

Again these are teams filled with players who played zero minutes in a college game the season before.

The Media also loves these teams. This past season there were more articles about what was wrong with Duke than there were about what was good about UNC or Gonzaga.

John Calipari just got a 30-for-30 done about him for ESPN. Roy Williams didn’t get one, neither did Dana Altman with Oregon.

A lot of the kids want to be NBA players, seeing schools get hype like this, even when they aren’t at the top of their game, appeals to them.

More NBA first round picks

Again these kids want to play in the NBA. The more guys who go in the first round, the easier it is for coaches to sell what they are offering.

It is also a nice thing for a fan base to lord over another.

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