ACC Elite to benefit from 5/8 Ruling

Story from NCST site. There is something people are missing in this 5/8 ruling. Look at this statement from the article:

In fact, what the rule actually did was deprive several deserving athletes a chance to attend their college of choice on a basketball scholarship. Reggie Minton of the National Association of Basketball Coaches stated at least 200 scholarships from 160 Division I programs went unused last season. That’s just criminal.

I am sorry, but imo the 5/8 was only a small part of the reason all those 'ships went unused. Let's look at Duke. Take the paragraph later in the article:

As for Duke, Mike Krzyzewski rarely goes into a season with a full allotment of scholarship athletes on the roster, but the end of the 5/8 rule limitations will allow him more flexibility on the recruiting trail than ever before. With the likelihood of Luol Deng and Shaun Livingston staying in this year’s NBA draft, the Blue Devils will only have eight players on scholarship next season. With Daniel Ewing graduating and the possibility of Shelden Williams (and maybe a couple of other players) leaving early for the pros, Coach K will have anywhere from five to seven scholarships to offer.

So Duke will only have 8 players on 'ship next season, but guess what - the 5/8 rule is GONE!!! Coach K is free to sign more players RIGHT NOW. He can even leave room for Deng / Livingston should frogs grow wings. But guess what - he isn't going to sign anyone. Don't blame the 5/8 rule. Blame it on the fact that Coach K is deliberately deciding to withhold his remaining 'ships in order to get higher quality players next recruiting class. Oh, there are some talented players he could sign right now. But not "Duke" talented. So his 'ships will go unused.

Look, I don't like the 5/8 rule either, but don't use it as a crutch and make it sound like all these inner-city kids are being deprived BECAUSE of the rule. Call a spade a spade.

By the way, GT is mentioned later in the piece:

Of course, this year’s NCAA runner-up Georgia Tech also will benefit from the rule since head coach Paul Hewitt will have at least six open scholarships to fill after this season (seven, if point guard Jarrett Jack leaves early). But expect the Heels and the Devils to reap the most benefit since they continually appear on the wish lists of most blue-chip prospects.