2025 Transfer Portal

[Pakuni]

Counterpoint: the system is fine.

Fine is subjective, I suppose.
A system in which teams have to bail on games because too many players are in the portal; or in which players are being bought away from a program while their team is still playing meaningful games; or when players leave midseason because of an NIL dispute, isn't fine. It's broken.

Again, 100% for the players getting paid. But the system right now is a mess.

[wadesworld]

Somehow CFB is thriving and the NCAA Tournament is still massive.

[wadesworld]

Pitino is totally right, why recruit high school kids, all about money

That may be right for Pitino. It may not be right for other coaches. Just like there were more ways than one to win big prior to NIL and no sit transfers (one and done freshman at Duke, get old and stay old at Nova), there will be multiple ways to win now. Pitino is winning with transfers. MU is winning without transfers. UConn has won the last 2 titles mainly by recruiting high school athletes and developing them, and then adding a high level transfer to fill a need.

Every player with a pulse should go into the portal to see the schools NIL program, NCAA has ruined college ball or get some guidelines on what is going on. Every decent mid major will be in the portal for sure!

Or they can get money where they are, and like where they are. Kids have different motivations, and should do what they feel is best for themselves.

[Pakuni]

Somehow CFB is thriving and the NCAA Tournament is still massive.

A bad system of player movement and good TV ratings aren't mutually exclusive.

[The Sultan]

Fine is subjective, I suppose.
A system in which teams have to bail on games because too many players are in the portal; or in which players are being bought away from a program while their team is still playing meaningful games; or when players leave midseason because of an NIL dispute, isn't fine. It's broken.

Again, 100% for the players getting paid. But the system right now is a mess.

It's largely fine. You're being swayed by the outliers.

[GB Warrior]

Why can't we have these be multiple year contracts where both parties are forced to commit for more in years and dollars

[The Sultan]

Why can't we have these be multiple year contracts where both parties are forced to commit for more in years and dollars

They're not employees.

[WhiteTrash]

They're not employees.

Don't have to be an employee to enter into a contract.

[Newsdreams]

Pitino is totally right, why recruit high school kids, all about money

Because he is lazy

[Newsdreams]

Don't have to be an employee to enter into a contract.

I guess you didn't really read courts decisions, and I'm sure schools don't want them as employees

[MU82]

Why can't we have these be multiple year contracts where both parties are forced to commit for more in years and dollars

As soon as coaches stick to their 3-year or 5-year or 10-year or lifetime contracts, we can talk about rules to limit the mobility of players who finally won the right to freedom of movement.

players are being bought away from a program while their team is still playing meaningful games

The McNeese State coach was bought away while his team is in the NCAA Tournament.

[JWags85]

Fine is subjective, I suppose.
A system in which teams have to bail on games because too many players are in the portal; or in which players are being bought away from a program while their team is still playing meaningful games; or when players leave midseason because of an NIL dispute, isn't fine. It's broken.

Again, 100% for the players getting paid. But the system right now is a mess.

I think it absolutely is a sliding scale of subjectivity.  I think too many people, some in the media and some in the social media space, anchor completely on "ITS GOOD THAT KIDS ARE GETTING PAID" and few any critiques of the system as some Boomer BACK IN MY DAY hating on the new NIL world.  Multiple coaches (Kiffin, a west coast guy I don't recall) have said its good but the way its shaken out is a disaster and people jumped to "rich coaches don't like not having power" which is stupid and myopic.

I think you can say its chaos and Sultan can say its "fine but needs improvement" and both are correct and on the same general page.  I mean, NIL in theory wasn't intended to be schools paying players a package to come play, though anyone with a brain could see it coming that way in the near future.  But the NCAA/powers that be didn't have the forethought so now its a mess.  Its not just outliers, there are numerous examples of schools not fulfilling financial promises and players feeling mislead by offers.  Not to mention the "NIL agents" who are just leeching off of guys.

[WhiteTrash]

I guess you didn't really read courts decisions, and I'm sure schools don't want them as employees

You are correct, I have not and will not read the ruling. Not important enough to me. But, I will take your word for it, so admit my comment was not valid.

I was speaking in general, there is nothing to preclude any 18 year old from entering into a contract with Marquette University for services.

[The Sultan]

I think it absolutely is a sliding scale of subjectivity.  I think too many people, some in the media and some in the social media space, anchor completely on "ITS GOOD THAT KIDS ARE GETTING PAID" and few any critiques of the system as some Boomer BACK IN MY DAY hating on the new NIL world.  Multiple coaches (Kiffin, a west coast guy I don't recall) have said its good but the way its shaken out is a disaster and people jumped to "rich coaches don't like not having power" which is stupid and myopic.

I think you can say its chaos and Sultan can say its "fine but needs improvement" and both are correct and on the same general page.  I mean, NIL in theory wasn't intended to be schools paying players a package to come play, though anyone with a brain could see it coming that way in the near future.  But the NCAA/powers that be didn't have the forethought so now its a mess.  Its not just outliers, there are numerous examples of schools not fulfilling financial promises and players feeling mislead by offers.  Not to mention the "NIL agents" who are just leeching off of guys.

There are thousands of basketball players in D1, and you say there are "numerous" examples?

In other words...outliers.

Look I'm not saying it can't be improved but by and large the system is working. It's certainly not "chaos."

[Newsdreams]

You are correct, I have not and will not read the ruling. Not important enough to me. But, I will take your word for it, so admit my comment was not valid.

I was speaking in general, there is nothing to preclude any 18 year old from entering into a contract with Marquette University for services.

Yes but then schools will be responsible for SS %, depending on State vacation time, and other issues maybe medical at some States, way too complicated. Think about football teams, 50 contracts minimum probably, I know we don't worry about that but most schools would have to deal with it.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Pitino is totally right, why recruit high school kids, all about money

Pitino's comment reminds me of the 1 and Done approach. It might work for some. 

[MU82]

Pitino's comment reminds me of the 1 and Done approach. It might work for some.

Yep.

When freshmen were allowed to play, it was gonna ruin college basketball.

When players started leaving early due to "hardship," it was gonna ruin college basketball.

When the best players were going straight from HS to the NBA, it was gonna ruin college basketball.

When it seemed every good player was a 1-and-done, it was gonna ruin college basketball.

Now, the fact that players can get paid and have freedom of movement, it's gonna ruin college basketball.

But here we all are, watching college basketball fanatically.

[forgetful]

Why can't we have these be multiple year contracts where both parties are forced to commit for more in years and dollars

See Xavier Lucas and Wisconsin. Signed a multi-year NIL deal, and they are trying to block his transfer and accused Miami of tampering. So it can be done.

[Newsdreams]

See Xavier Lucas and Wisconsin. Signed a multi-year NIL deal, and they are trying to block his transfer and accused Miami of tampering. So it can be done.

"On Jan. 7, Lucas and his family hired Heitner to represent Lucas in his battle against Wisconsin. Heitner also serves as an adjunct professor of NIL at the University of Miami School of Law. He argued that Wisconsin was violating NCAA rules by not putting Lucas into the transfer portal, calling it "an illegal restraint.""

[forgetful]

"On Jan. 7, Lucas and his family hired Heitner to represent Lucas in his battle against Wisconsin. Heitner also serves as an adjunct professor of NIL at the University of Miami School of Law. He argued that Wisconsin was violating NCAA rules by not putting Lucas into the transfer portal, calling it "an illegal restraint.""

Lucas also voluntarily signed a legally binding contract requiring him to stay at Wisconsin.

[tower912]

Hunter Dickinson and AJ Storr proved to be a good investment.  Would they be classified as a banger and a mid range and 3 pt shooter?   Almost as if using the portal does not guarantee success.

I freely acknowledge that Shaka's method does not guarantee success, either.

But going forward, whenever I read someone say MU has to spend huge on an aircraft carrier, I will think of Ballo at IU and Dickinson at Kansas and how they made the team and program better.

[Pakuni]

The McNeese State coach was bought away while his team is in the NCAA Tournament.

This isn't the defense of the system you think it is.

[Newsdreams]

Lucas also voluntarily signed a legally binding contract requiring him to stay at Wisconsin.

Contracts can be illegal or non binding.

[The Sultan]

Lucas also voluntarily signed a legally binding contract requiring him to stay at Wisconsin.

Yeah, I guess we will see how "legally binding" this contract actually is.

[Big Papi]

Hunter Dickinson and AJ Storr proved to be a good investment.  Would they be classified as a banger and a mid range and 3 pt shooter?   Almost as if using the portal does not guarantee success.

I freely acknowledge that Shaka's method does not guarantee success, either.

But going forward, whenever I read someone say MU has to spend huge on an aircraft carrier, I will think of Ballo at IU and Dickinson at Kansas and how they made the team and program better.

Come on now Tower.  Those are the 2 examples you want to use?  All they cared about was the money.  Two of the most selfish collegiate players in the game.  You can throw in Hawkins in your example as well and I am sure quite a few more.

How about LJ Cryer and JT Toppin as examples.  Both look like great investments.  I think both would have made us significantly better.

Do transfers guarantee success?  No but with Shaka's hard stance on the matter, he is either going to look like a genius or a stubborn coach that game has passed by. 

I like his philosophy as a fan.  I prefer players who are around 3-4 years instead of having a huge roster turnover every year.  But to completely ignore the portal when you have an opportunity to make your team better could a foolish decision on his part.  Next year will be very telling.