I guess I have become a full blown Cal apologist.   Will Barton - a great kid on all accounts - will not be allowed to play because he took 2 months longer than the required 8 semesters to graduate HS.  The rule is the rule and Barton got some bad advice somewhere.  To me that is partly Memphis' fault as once he committed (and he committed early) they should have worked with him. 

However, Calkins has this nugget buried in the article (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/aug/08/ncaa-blows-the-call-on-this-tiger-player/):

Tell me: If you were on an NCAA committee, and a player asked for a waiver, wouldn't you find it easier to say "no" if you knew the player was headed for Memphis?

"I don't believe that," said Pastner, but what was he going to say? That he's suffering because of the sins of John Calipari, because Memphis used to be the academic Wild West? Or that the whole system is bogus, starting with the rule that forces kids like Barton to go to college in the first place?

Got to admire Barton for taking some personal responsibility (he admits not taking care of business in his early years).

Most importantly, Calkins forgets Cal had great APR scores while at Memphis.  Not sure why I keep reading him.  Guess I ought to cancel my Memphis Commercal Appeal subscription and get one to the Chicago Sun-Times.....