jtmc33

November 16th, 2012 at 2:16 PM ^

Hopefully the 2013 Puerto Rico FInals will be a rematch of this year's pre-season NIT final --- UM v. K-St.

 

I'd like Georgetown in the semis... they beat UM a couple years ago (IIRC - one of our early season losses for our pre-season #15 team that tanked and missed the tourney)

Needs

November 16th, 2012 at 2:48 PM ^

The numbers I could find were from 2011 and calculated the six year graduation rate for basketball players entering in 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04. 

G'town had a 78% graduation rate for its basketball players and 75% for its Af-Am players, which is on the high end of the NCAA tournament field. On another site I found their APR, which ranges between 936 and 970 between 2004 and 2011. In short, they're nowhere near in danger of receiving the academic sanctions that UConn did.

Michigan, by comparison, was at 36% and 33%, (the numbers are for the Ellerbe's last class and Amaker's first three). Michigan's basketball APR has steadily improved from its nadir in 2006-7 to 1000 in 2010-11. Full credit to Amaker and Belein for turning around a pretty poor academic culture in the basketball program.

The overall bottom in the 2011 study was UAB, with 25% overall and 18% for its black players. Notable, though was Akron, for graduating all of its white players and none of its black players, for an overall rate of 38%.

http://www.tidesport.org/grad%20rates/2011_mens_bball_final.pdf

APR numbers can be found here

http://web1.ncaa.org/maps/aprRelease.jsp

 

Rico616

November 16th, 2012 at 4:24 PM ^

Im Puerto Rican and you may think my opinion is biased but its worth it! You can usually find a roundtrip ticket for a few hundred $ from Chicago, not sure how much it would be from Detroit. Either way being in PR, temp in the mid 80s, sun, beautiful women, great drinks/food, and plenty to do. Theres obviously the beaches and golf resorts but also the rain forest, bioluminescent bay, Old San Juan, El Morro, Vieques/Culebra islands, Arecibo Space Observatory, Bacardi factory, shopping, and tons of sites to see.

A plus side...no passport needed, they use US money, and most of the residents especially the younger ones speak Spanish and English.

I might have to think about hitting up the 2013 PR tip off and visit some family while I'm down there.

tasnyder01

November 16th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^

It helps if you speak Spanish (obviously) but most people there can speak English. 

They have America's only rainforest, you can eat iguanas (!), great tropical weather, interesting latino culture which is decidedly different from Mexico, snorkeling, and loads of historical stuff (Founded in the 1500s, yo).

IE, 'tis a cool place to go. Also, The Babes Man.

Buck Killer

November 16th, 2012 at 5:34 PM ^

Hot pussy, good drugs, and good weather. Oops, I meant don't let the language play any factor in your decision. My aunt is from there and it is a great fun place. English is taught in grade schools.

gopoohgo

November 16th, 2012 at 11:27 PM ^

Yeah it's worth it.

I'm a Starwood junkie, so stayed at the Sheraton Convention Center for a night, then a long weekend at the W Vieques over July 4th.  

Old town is great; very picturesque 1500s fort overlooking both the city, in addition to the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic.  Casinos, rum, friendly people, what's not to love?  Si puede hablar espanol ayurdarlo.

Great food, mofongo is delicious (mashed fried plantains topped with stewed pork).

Vieques reminded me of Belize; very laid back, much more isolated, friendly people, great food.  Some beautiful beaches (supposedly some of the best in the Carribean) but we were too busy diving to hit them.  You need to take a 30 minute puddle-jumper from San Juan to get there, tho.

 

Wolverine Devotee

November 16th, 2012 at 3:35 PM ^

Last time Michigan was in a Early Season tournament in Puerto Rico was in 1997*. Michigan won the tournament with ease. Beat murray state 76-53*, American Puerto Rico 94-49* and Syracuse 93-61* in the final.