What college produces the worst pros?

[Guest Redhawk]

One of my friends recently pointed out to me that everyone on UCLA's 1995 NCAA championship basketball team was a bust in the NBA. Ed O'Bannon was a No. 9 overall pick who never made it; Charles O'Bannon was a late lottery pick; Tyus Edney had one good year; Cameron Dollar never made it; George Zidek got drafted but soon was cut; and Toby Bailey was drafted but never did anything.

 

So that got me to thinking, which college programs produce the worst pros, and/or the most pro busts? Just a few I came up with...

 

Basketball: UCLA, Arkansas (Scotty Thurman), Syracuse (Derrick Coleman, John Wallace, Lawrence Moten)

Football: USC (Todd Marinovich, Ricky Ervins), Nebraska (Eric Crouch, Lawrence Phillips), UCLA (Cade McNown, JJ Stokes, Freddie Mitchell).

[Guest Will Scarlet]

I would agree with Nebraska being pretty bad. I would also add Penn State. Off the top of my head, I can think of Blair Thomas and Ki-Jana Carter who were busts. I believe I heard Courtney Brown is getting close to bust status. Kerry Collins seems decent, but not as good as everyone expected. I am sure there is probably more I am missing.

[Guest starvenger]

UCLA produced Lew Alcindor. That pretty much balances out the busts, I think.

[Guest bob_barron]

and Bill Walton AND Reggie Miller

[Guest Bricks]

and Baron Davis

[Guest Redhawk]

AND Jaron Rush...oh wait.

[Guest Bricks]

Anyways, before Antoine Walker came, it seemed like Kentucky had bad luck turning out good pros despite being one of the great basketball programs. Or am I forgetting someone.

[Guest Redhawk]

Jamal Mashburn went to Kentucky, but other than that I think you're right. Before that championship team that produced Walker, Jamaal Magloire, Tony Delk and Ron Mercer, they had guys like Rex Walters.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

In defense of Nebraska their players where college type players, schools like Miami and Ohio St. have players that are more suited to play at the next level.

[Guest bravesfan]

I would also add Penn State. Off the top of my head, I can think of Blair Thomas and Ki-Jana Carter who were busts. I believe I heard Courtney Brown is getting close to bust status. Kerry Collins seems decent, but not as good as everyone expected. I am sure there is probably more I am missing.

Curtis friggen' Enis. Now THAT's a bust.

[Guest RobJohnstone]

One of my friends recently pointed out to me that everyone on UCLA's 1995 NCAA championship basketball team was a bust in the NBA. Ed O'Bannon was a No. 9 overall pick who never made it; Charles O'Bannon was a late lottery pick; Tyus Edney had one good year; Cameron Dollar never made it; George Zidek got drafted but soon was cut; and Toby Bailey was drafted but never did anything.

 

So that got me to thinking, which college programs produce the worst pros, and/or the most pro busts? Just a few I came up with...

 

Basketball: UCLA, Arkansas (Scotty Thurman), Syracuse (Derrick Coleman, John Wallace, Lawrence Moten)

Football: USC (Todd Marinovich, Ricky Ervins), Nebraska (Eric Crouch, Lawrence Phillips), UCLA (Cade McNown, JJ Stokes, Freddie Mitchell).

Arkansas, you mention thurman, come on what about big nasty? Corliss is the man. Coleman is still the man, injury and age have slowed him but I dunno, he was on dream team II. Since when has JJ Stokes sucked? He is no pro bowler but he is a consistent wide out. In the nfl with all the roster moves, he is solid, that's all you can ask for. For every name you throw out there is a guy who is good. Penn Stae =Arrington baby. And UCLA busts out so many good players I can't name them all. YOu wanna talk busts, let's talk duke basketball. Coack K trains his boys to play college ball, laetner,avery, battier and god knows who else sucks. Grant hill was one of the best in his days but he's done now. Brand is going to be good but if you really want to talk about failing prospects year after year, think DUKE.

 

--Rob

[Guest Will Scarlet]

Ah, yes, Enis. I knew I was missing a running back bust. Not to mention, Todd Blackledge who was a bust during the Marino/Elway/Jim Kelly draft. They also had a running back named Curt Warner drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of that draft. The name rings a bell, but did he ever do anything in the NFL? Or was he another Penn St. running back bust? On a side note, I feel bad for the Penn St. running back who was up for the Heisman. I am thinking the curse of Penn St. running backs will continue.

[Guest bravesfan]

Corliss is the man.

 

Corliss Williamson blew HARD for at least 5 years, before he even got into any groove. And yet, his best play is at 6th man. Williamson does not save Arkansas from mention.

 

For every name you throw out there is a guy who is good.  Penn Stae =Arrington baby

 

Is that it? Penn State has 3 adequate NFL players in the league right now, the rest are crap. And yes, I'll make that list: Courtney Brown, Lavar Arrington, Kyle Brady. Brown still is not playing worthy of his contract, so Arrington alone cannot erase the blemishes of Ki-Jana Carter, Kerry Collins ("the next John Elway") and Curtis Enis.

 

And UCLA busts out so many good players I can't name them all.

 

All of the players you're thinking of are from the "Wooden Era". Since that time, with the exception of Reggie Miller, UCLA has groomed overrated players and NBA rejects.

 

Grant hill was one of the best in his days but he's done now.

 

Read the thread title...What college produces the worst pros? Not including his 19, 6 and 5 rookie year in 1994, Hill, averaged 20+ points, 7+ rebounds and 5+ assists in the ensuing 5 YEARS of play.

 

How many years do you want to define a professional athlete?

 

Brand is going to be good but if you really want to talk about failing prospects year after year, think DUKE.

 

Yes, soon that young buck will be averaging 20+ points and 10+ rebounds a game ...oh wait, he's doing that right now!

[Guest bob_barron]

Was Scotty Thurman even drafted??