Calhoun defends Connecticut's low graduation rate

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun is defending his program's low graduation rate, saying it reflects the number of players who have left UConn early for pro careers.

The NCAA released its annual Graduation Success Rate figures on Wednesday. According to the report, the UConn men's program graduated just 31 percent of players who entered school in 2003-04 within six years.

Calhoun said he could have done a better job as a coach motivating some kids to graduate. But he says the school also had more players leave for the NBA and other pro leagues than almost any other program in the country.

The UConn women's basketball program had a graduation rate of 92 percent, and the men's football team's rate was 77 percent. The athletic program's average was 83 percent.