To give a little more perspective on this year alone. Of the 3 Seniors that regularly play, 2 of them are
2008 Academic All-Big 12 players. Both of which have started many games. Although they did have 3 seniors selected with that designation, although you do not hear much about the third, nor do I see much of their other 2 Seniors on their team that will likely get degrees and do quite well outside of the NBA. Although they could likely have 8 players that if they left next year, would likely be drafted in the NBA. 2 of their underclassmen considered leaving last year with the one they did lose, one as a sophmore and one as a freshman.
So again, if these 2 of 3 All-Big 12 Academic seniors get drafted by the NBA and fall just short of their degree this year, I am sure that ESPN will be jumping to point out they were simply among the vast list of players at KU that did not graduate.
Let me add, that is 3 of the 20 All-Big 12 players, representing
12 decent University. To go even further, Texas, who was at the top of the ESPN Shite list led in selections with 6 players that were All Big 12. "Two of the No. 2 seeds, Tennessee and Texas, graduated only 33 percent of their players for the period studied. "
2008 Academic All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Team Announced
So to be clear, of the 2 Big 12 teams mentioned in ESPN's list, they accounted for almost 1/2 of the All Big12 Academic Team.