This is NOT a complex issue. Until significant changes are made, recruits at Iowa must show that they "predict" for achievement of a degree. A high school diploma, rank in class, GPA in high school, and ACT scores are the measurement tools typically used to make that prediction.
Graduation rates for any incoming freshmen at 4 year colleges and universities are actually abysmal. The most recent data I have seen is that fewer than 50% of students who enroll as freshman will achieve a BA/BS within a six year period.
At Iowa, the graduation rate within the 4-5 year range for scholarship athletes is far above that 50% figure. When we take into consideration that Iowa's athletes on scholarship receive every opportunity to get their degree within a reasonable time (5-6 years), they have only themselves to blame if they don't get the job done...or, somehow, they have slipped into the system and simply do not have the ability to complete a bachelors degree.
Iowa is typical: We can compare the data at Iowa to any Division 1 school and get an absolutely fair comparison. If it is true that ISU basketball players have a 14% graduation rate (I have no idea if that data is confirmed), there is NO excuse and ISU and Fred H. should be absolutely ashamed. I am not singling out ISU: ANY university that does not graduate athletes at the NCAA required rate should be immediately placed on probation.
Finally, any of you who believe that graduation rates are not important should start following the NBA, the NFL and the other professional sports, and stay out of the college sports arena. Division 1 athletes, regardless of sport, know perfectly well that their chances of making a living playing professionally are minimal. Give them credit for having a dream but also for having a brain.