FIU Banned From Postseason Men's Basketball Play For Poor Academics
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Florida International University's men's basketball team will not be eligible for the postseason next year because of poor academic performance based on the new academic progress reports released by the NCAA Tuesday afternoon.
A minimum score of 930 over the last two years is required for postseason participation and FIU scored a 909 in the 2010-2011 academic year and an 858 in the 2011-2012 academic year for an average of 883.5, well below the level needed for postseason participation.
FIU's men's basketball team has never scored above 910 on the APR since the 2004-2005 season.
The overall four-year APR score across Division 1 is 974, a one-point increase from last year. Scores are calculated by individual D-I teams based on eligibility and graduation and retention rates. The minimum required APR scores will increase to 930 over four years or 940 over two years, starting with the 2014-15 postseason.
The failure of FIU's program with the men's basketball APR is one of the final nails in the coffin of the ill-fated hire of Isiah Thomas as the program's head coach. Thomas had a checkered history in coaching and front office jobs dating back to his days with the New York Knicks and even the CBA.
Still, FIU athletic director Pete Garcia heralded Thomas' arrival as a new era for FIU basketball and a huge step forward. Instead, Thomas is long gone from the school after being fired and now FIU's team will not be eligible for postseason play next year.
Since Garcia took over at FIU in 2006, the football team, men's basketball team, men's soccer, men's track and field, women's cross country, and women's indoor and outdoor track have all been hit by the NCAA for poor academic performance at least once.
