NCAA Lifts Postseason Ban on UConn Men's Basketball Team

by Fitzgerald Cecilio

Storrs, CT

The NCAA has declared UConn men's basketball eligible for postseason play in the 2014 season after scoring 947 in its annual academic progress rating (APR) in 2011-12, well above the required 930.

Prior to the 2012-2013 season, the NCAA banned the Huskies from postseason play for failing to meet the NCAA requirements after a four-year APR of 897 that fell below the minimum of 900.

In 2012, UConn went 20-10, under new coach Kevin Ollie.

"Our men's basketball team again had an outstanding APR score for the second-straight season and I want to congratulate the student-athletes, coach Calhoun, coach Ollie and the rest of the coaching staff for that accomplishment," said UConn Athletic Director Warde Manuel.

"I think it is particularly noteworthy that they earned these scores during a time in which they were playing incredibly competitive basketball, particularly in their great run to the national championship in 2011," Manuel added.

The NCAA reformed its academic standards in August 2011, resulting in new benchmarks for tournament eligibility. Schools can qualify for the 2014 NCAA tournament with a 930 two-year average or a 900 four-year average.

By 2015, tournament eligibility will be based on a four-year APR of 930 or a two-year score of 940. Beginning in 2016, all teams must clear the four-year standard of 930.

Manuel also announced that 20 of the 24 athletic programs at UConn achieved a score of 970 or better, out of a possible 1000, in the multi-year APRwhile 16 of 24 had scores over 970 for the 2011-12 academic year.

A total of three Husky teams had perfect 1000 multi-year scores while nine had perfect single-year scores, he added.

"NCAA Lifts Postseason Ban on UConn Men's Basketball Team"