Flagrant Fouls

25. IOWA (22-11) From the Grass-Isn't-Always-Greener Department: Hawk- eyes headman Steve Alford shocked the hoops world last fall when he said he wouldn't be interested in succeeding his former coach Bobby Knight at his alma mater Indiana. Truth is, he could never match his current deal elsewhere. His contract, which runs through 2004, reportedly pays him a base salary of $585,000, plus $950,000 in incentives based on regular-season wins (minimum 22), Big Ten regular-season and tournament championships (the latter of which Iowa won on Sunday), NCAA championships, and graduation rates (at least 70 %). That's a possible $1.535 million per annum for those of you scoring at home. (Graduation rate, all students: 63 %; basketball players: 42 %; black players: 50 %.)

This poll combines the ESPN/USA Today rankings with NCAA findings on institutional ethical conduct, graduation rates, and exploitation of African American athletes. Graduation rates and enrollment data cover entering freshmen from '90-'91 through '93-'94, all given six years to get degrees.