Rivers and NCAA Graduation

[Goose85]

Ok, Austin Rivers is going pro after one year at Duke. He is expected to be a mid range round 1 pick so he might not have to work as hard as others to solidify a draft spot (Jae / DJO may go to Portsmouth and may have to work out for more teams).

How does Rivers affect Duke and their academic rating with the NCAA. He won't graduate like many who go to the NBA. Kentucky may have 5 guys that have been there only 1 or 2 years. In a year or so will that affect them like UConn?

I can't keep track.
Is the NCAA more concerned about being on pace to graduate or the actual completion of graduation?
At one point back in the day you had to carry a full time student course load to play. That changed to being on pace to graduate (some football players would take 1 class in the fall semester but summer school, etc kept them on pace).

What is the main focus of the NCAA now toward academics? Do you get dinged if a guy goes pro but still works on his degree and finishes it in what would be his 5th year or 6th year? Does a player (like Mbakwe or Otule) count as graduated for their school if they stay for the 6th year and graduate in either year 5 or 6?

Just curious as to how all of this is looked upon these days.

[Djgoldnboy]

Ok, Austin Rivers is going pro after one year at Duke. He is expected to be a mid range round 1 pick so he might not have to work as hard as others to solidify a draft spot (Jae / DJO may go to Portsmouth and may have to work out for more teams).

How does Rivers affect Duke and their academic rating with the NCAA. He won't graduate like many who go to the NBA. Kentucky may have 5 guys that have been there only 1 or 2 years. In a year or so will that affect them like UConn?

I can't keep track.
Is the NCAA more concerned about being on pace to graduate or the actual completion of graduation?
At one point back in the day you had to carry a full time student course load to play. That changed to being on pace to graduate (some football players would take 1 class in the fall semester but summer school, etc kept them on pace).

What is the main focus of the NCAA now toward academics? Do you get dinged if a guy goes pro but still works on his degree and finishes it in what would be his 5th year or 6th year? Does a player (like Mbakwe or Otule) count as graduated for their school if they stay for the 6th year and graduate in either year 5 or 6?

Just curious as to how all of this is looked upon these days.

My understanding is that as long as the players leave in good academic standing (ie they are passing all the classes they are in at time of departure)...the university will not get dinged.