College Basketball Transfer Portal 2024-2025

[Xavier]

Just saw that FedEx has pledged 25M for the Memphis NIL. Didn’t read the details, probably over many years and covering many sports.

Another huge advantage to not having football. What a nightmare having to deal with both right now

[Xville]

Claude in the portal

Really really sucks. Too bad all of mors money couldn’t keep him

[Xville]

I agree. We may have 9 guys that have started at D1. Hope we run a system to exploit that. If we do, and it works, it could lead to X becoming an attractive destination.

Welp there goes the des plan. Guessing Conwell is definitely ours, and probably means green stays.

[Xavier]

Claude in the portal

Wonder if that money gets opened up for a solid center now?

[xu82]

Wonder if that money gets opened up for a solid center now?

Sounds like the NFL salary cap.

I miss the days when I knew who was on our team.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Wonder if that money gets opened up for a solid center now?

Honestly with the talent at guard we brought in, wouldn't be a terrible trade.

[MHettel]

Welp there goes the des plan. Guessing Conwell is definitely ours, and probably means green stays.

Predictable, actually. I’m guessing he will be ranked in the top 25 (maybe higher) and will wind up at a blue blood type school after having chased the bag.

[Xville]

Predictable, actually. I’m guessing he will be ranked in the top 25 (maybe higher) and will wind up at a blue blood type school after having chased the bag.

From all I heard it’s more about playing the 1. Not that he won’t be getting money, but showing he can play the 1 is the deciding factor. Just really hope it’s not UConn. I don’t want to hate him.

Get Conwell and get a solid big man. Will still be good but x could have been in preseason elite company.

[muskiefan82]

Des doesn't have the handle or the shot (hoping for him that elbow injury was the only reason it looked so bad) to be the 1. He was a heck of a slasher and had great moments, but best of luck to him.

[Xavier]

Illinois board says he had been back channeling with Alabama and Illinois. Bama doesn’t make any sense unless he develops a significantly better 3pt shot

[Xavier]

I think this all but guarantees conwell to commit. Will be interesting to see Swains development. Opens the door for a lot more playing time for him

[Xville]

So to reset here is where we stand. I'm gonna assume Conwell is coming...seems all but official.

PG: Mcknight, Maddox
SG: Conwell, Maddox
SF: Foster, Swain
PF: Free, Rome
C: Hugley

Other Bench:

Green
Powell


Wonder if Sean and co will go after another slasher/finisher type or if they believe Foster/Swain can hold it down. Regardless, need one big and still feel really good about the team.

[XU-PA]

Ugh.
I wonder if the Dante Maddox signing was in response to Des leaving, or the other way around.

[XU-PA]

Sounds big, but wondering what big men might be looking out way.

[MHettel]

So to reset here is where we stand. I'm gonna assume Conwell is coming...seems all but official.

PG: Mcknight, Maddox
SG: Conwell, Maddox
SF: Foster, Swain
PF: Free, Rome
C: Hugley

Other Bench:

Green
Powell


Wonder if Sean and co will go after another slasher/finisher type or if they believe Foster/Swain can hold it down. Regardless, need one big and still feel really good about the team.

Need another Center. Either a starter or a guy that can split time with Hugley. Garrison or the guy from App State would be perfect.

Thinking we might also need another 4 in that 6'7" to 6'9" size range. Free and Hunter need insurance. I think we need a your transfer that would understand he's on a 2-3 year plan to get serious PT. I dont know how realistic that is to think those guys are out there. Maybe towards the end of the portal window when there are some guys left over (and potentially left OUT), we just grab someone????

[XUBison]

Really really sucks. Too bad all of mors money couldn’t keep him

LOL. Public reps.

[XUBison]

Sad Des is gone. I will not get used to this element of things. Count me as one who thought he stepped up for us big time this past season. That said, he can’t say he didn’t get his opportunity here. Steele recruited him, right? Maybe he can go play PG for Miami— and miss a hundred threes per game.

Sean is obviously going hard to rectify last year’s weaknesses. It’s so nice to have a coach who recognizes the obvious. It’s even better to have a coach who can execute on his plan.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Predictable, actually. I’m guessing he will be ranked in the top 25 (maybe higher) and will wind up at a blue blood type school after having chased the bag.

I think he is looking at best a lateral move because of his desire to play the PG spot.

If he is willing to play the same spot he played for us he could go almost anywhere. Not if he wants the 1. I'll be shocked if he plays PG for an elite team next year.

[MHettel]

I think he is looking at best a lateral move because of his desire to play the PG spot.

If he is willing to play the same spot he played for us he could go almost anywhere. Not if he wants the 1. I'll be shocked if he plays PG for an elite team next year.

Well I agree actually. I just think the money that might be offered to him will be alot higher from a school that wants him as a 2/3 slasher instead of PG. There will certainly be some PG money out there as well, at a number of solid middle-of-the-pack big 6 schools.

I just think hes gonna take the money.

It was noted by someone that he didn't want to transfer. is that where we are now? Guys transferring even though they dont want to?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Well I agree actually. I just think the money that might be offered to him will be alot higher from a school that wants him as a 2/3 slasher instead of PG. There will certainly be some PG money out there as well, at a number of solid middle-of-the-pack big 6 schools.

I just think hes gonna take the money.

It was noted by someone that he didn't want to transfer. is that where we are now? Guys transferring even though they dont want to?

He mentioned in his farewell it was after "careful consideration with my inner circle".

Guys have always been influenced by their "inner circles" nothing different here.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Des is leaving and Sean Miller is tweeting about turkeys???? What a bad look for our head coach. Just a bad bad look..........


(sarcasm font on)


Miller is a fucking legend. Love him.

[Xville]

Des is leaving and Sean Miller is tweeting about turkeys???? What a bad look for our head coach. Just a bad bad look..........


(sarcasm font on)


Miller is a fucking legend. Love him.

What if he’s on vacation and tweeting about turkeys? Double secret probation!!

[D-West & PO-Z]

What if he’s on vacation and tweeting about turkeys? Double secret probation!!

Fired..

But he said it was in his backyard so as long as it isn't a vacation home, he gets to keep his job!

[paulxu]

This is all so confusing I can't keep up.
Where did Hunter go?

[A Fan]

“Good luck to Dez! Without him, last season’s disaster would have been cataclysmic. I wish him well. If I were a GM, I would never trade Dez for Maddox. The difference in getting shots off in the Big East compared to the MAC is incomparable. If Conwell commits, it will be a good trade.” ����

[flatspat]

Any Conwell updates

[flatspat]

Any Conwell updates
Conwell is X according to on3

[FlagshipX10]

Bang! Conwell has committed!

[Xavier]

Yep it’s official conwell committed. That’s a big get.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Shooters should not be an issue next year.

[Xville]

Awesome! one more big dog and if anything happens after that, it'll be gravy.

Man I just wish Miler had not taken that vacation!

[MHettel]

Shooters should not be an issue next year.

Yup. If this were a Big league sport and we just traded Q and Des for Foster, Maddox and Conwell i would say we probably got the better end of that trade. Hard to say which of teh 5 players invovled is the "best", but I do think highly of both Q and Des. Its the 3 for 2 aspect that I think works in our favor. And I believe the shooting issues we had are widely addressed. Could still use a stretch shooter.

[noteggs]

Conwell went from 30% 3 point shooter freshman to 40% sophomore year. If Green sticks, think he could get to high 30’s next year off the bench. So yeah, we have the shooters!!!

[Xavier]

Yup. If this were a Big league sport and we just traded Q and Des for Foster, Maddox and Conwell i would say we probably got the better end of that trade. Hard to say which of teh 5 players invovled is the "best", but I do think highly of both Q and Des. Its the 3 for 2 aspect that I think works in our favor. And I believe the shooting issues we had are widely addressed. Could still use a stretch shooter.

Yep. Completely agree. IF Claude was able to get the shooting numbers up next year, it could be different. But for now I think X improved the backcourt. I think a rim protector will be nice. But if they went with a legit stretch 5, the offense would have the potential of being one of the best in the country again. Defense is another story lol

[Xville]

Yeah agreed. My only concern right now is D. Need a rim Protector like the App State dude.

[MHettel]

Yeah agreed. My only concern right now is D. Need a rim Protector like the App State dude.

given the current makup of the team, he's my #1 choice. Garrison from OK St a close #2. top 20 team with either of them plus a healthy Free / Hunter

[MHettel]

Looking at some stats...

Conwell (33.9), Maddox(33.1), and Foster (31.1) combined to play 98.1 minutes a game last year. I think we can assume these 3 guys will lock down the SG and SF positions next year. To do so, they will have to give up 18 minutes a game between them or maybe one of them can also be the backup PG when McKnight is out.

If that is the case, Green is squeezed out. It also puts a little pressure on Swain's minutes too. Although he would seem ideal when we need a little more defense and size at the 3. Swain can also play the 4 if we go small ball, but Hunter and Free are there as well.

There are only 200 minutes in a game. In order to keep guys around in this day and age, I think they have to see a clear path to minutes available. I'd like to see something like this...

McKnight, Conwell, Maddox- 25 each (75)

Hughly, Unknow backup Center, Freemantle- 20 each (60)

Swain, Hunter, Foster- 15 each (45)

Green, Powell- 10 each (20)

Thats it. 200 minutes with nobody playing more than 25 per game. need alot of team chemistry and wins to keep everyone happy.

Not related to minutes, but we just brought in 49.2 Points per game between Foster, Maddox & Conwell. and 17.6 rebounds a game. Pretty insane

[noteggs]

I sure many have watched this, but I can’t stop every time someone posts. Maybe this was Sean on vacation?

https://x.com/xaviergrit/status/1781036291049636135?s=42&t=U5TyKr_wshJKowj_nNzfHg

[bobbiemcgee]

Too funny

[Xavier]

Not related to minutes, but we just brought in 49.2 Points per game between Foster, Maddox & Conwell. and 17.6 rebounds a game. Pretty insane

It’s pretty wild the amount of scoring brought in. Threats all over the court. If the kid from Oklahoma plays like his Pitt days, it could be the best offense X has ever had. Who knows, there’s a lot to be excited about.

[IM4X]

Looking at some stats...

Conwell (33.9), Maddox(33.1), and Foster (31.1) combined to play 98.1 minutes a game last year. I think we can assume these 3 guys will lock down the SG and SF positions next year. To do so, they will have to give up 18 minutes a game between them or maybe one of them can also be the backup PG when McKnight is out.

If that is the case, Green is squeezed out. It also puts a little pressure on Swain's minutes too. Although he would seem ideal when we need a little more defense and size at the 3. Swain can also play the 4 if we go small ball, but Hunter and Free are there as well.

There are only 200 minutes in a game. In order to keep guys around in this day and age, I think they have to see a clear path to minutes available. I'd like to see something like this...

McKnight, Conwell, Maddox- 25 each (75)

Hughly, Unknow backup Center, Freemantle- 20 each (60)

Swain, Hunter, Foster- 15 each (45)

Green, Powell- 10 each (20)

Thats it. 200 minutes with nobody playing more than 25 per game. need alot of team chemistry and wins to keep everyone happy.

I would be surprised to see a healthy Hunter playing only 15 minutes and a healthy Freemantle playing only 20. I’d imagine you’d have to bump up each at least another 5 minutes. Maybe the three guards you have down for 25 mpg end up with closer to 22 a piece.

[muskiefan82]

Any idea when we might hear about another frontcourt transfer?

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

There are only 200 minutes in a game. In order to keep guys around in this day and age, I think they have to see a clear path to minutes available. I'd like to see something like this...

McKnight, Conwell, Maddox- 25 each (75)

Hughly, Unknow backup Center, Freemantle- 20 each (60)

Swain, Hunter, Foster- 15 each (45)

Green, Powell- 10 each (20)

Thats it. 200 minutes with nobody playing more than 25 per game.

Interesting. Math works.

11 deep.

I wonder. What’s the deepest rotation X has used over the years. And how did that turn out?

[xuphan]

Any idea when we might hear about another frontcourt transfer?

Possibly this weekend. We have a forward from Appy State visiting this weekend.

[bleedXblue]

I would be surprised to see a healthy Hunter playing only 15 minutes and a healthy Freemantle playing only 20. I’d imagine you’d have to bump up each at least another 5 minutes. Maybe the three guards you have down for 25 mpg end up with closer to 22 a piece.

i think with Free, its not a matter of "healthy", its preserving him for as long as you can next year to avoid another injury to the foot

[xukeith]

Perhaps Miller is changing is coaching/recruiting philosophy. He often will state X will likely not play more than 9 guys.

I doubt also X will spray those minutes to everyone.

We will see.

[muskiefan82]

Perhaps Miller is changing is coaching/recruiting philosophy. He often will state X will likely not play more than 9 guys.

I doubt also X will spray those minutes to everyone.

We will see.

Maybe X will do the 1996 UK "5 replace 5" strategy and run teams to death

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Maybe X will do the 1996 UK "5 replace 5" strategy and run teams to death

I'm sort of expecting something like this. No question, too many and too frequent substitutions can interrupt the flow of the game. At the same time, Miller (as we all know) has said he never wants to lack depth, like we did last year.

So, how do you address that? You recruit experienced players via the portal. But none of those players are going to sign on unless they feel they will see the floor. That's quite understandable so I think Miller addresses that in two ways. Plays nine of more each game and plays very up tempo. This may be a bit easier if he protects Free and Hunter by limiting their minutes (assuming they are healthy) and now that Claude has left the building.

It will also be interesting to see how the mobility, provided via the portal, affects Miller's recruiting philosophy going forward. Very early at the start of his second stint here, he gave an interview where he discussed recruiting. I'm paraphrasing what he said but basically he stated a desire to recruit the "right fit" rather than the best player. Maybe Claude wasn't the right fit. He understandably is focused on getting to The League next year and that caused his priorities to differ from Miller. So, he's moved on. Claude is a great player for sure but I'm shedding no tears. I trust Miller's ability to put together a team not a group of individuals. Claude was an individual. A good one but his personal priorities were more important to him than being in what Miller feels is best for team priorities.

[Xville]

Unless green transfers. I’d bet Powell gets very little if no time by the time conference play starts. Just the life of a freshman in this period.

[Xville]

Avila announcing today at 5. Sounds like it may not be slu or Goodman is just trying to get people to watch his show

[Blue Blooded-05]

Maybe X will do the 1996 UK "5 replace 5" strategy and run teams to death

I remember Brian Gregory used to do that at VD. I found it strange. These guys are 18-22 years old, not 15-year NBA vets with aging knees. Plus, what future recruit would want to play in a system like that?

I also loved playing against it because it always felt like no one was able to get into a rhythm. I’m sure there are better ways to do it than how he did it, but given how much I liked playing against it I can’t say I’d be excited to see it employed.

[BandAid]

I don't follow the recruiting nearly as much as many of you. I was under the impression that the center from Ok State (Garrison) was visiting this weekend. Is that correct?

[A Fan]

Unless green transfers. I’d bet Powell gets very little if no time by the time conference play starts. Just the life of a freshman in this period.

I agree. I hope the addition of the new guards does not have him reconsider his options. He should have a great future .

[IM4X]

Unless green transfers. I’d bet Powell gets very little if no time by the time conference play starts. Just the life of a freshman in this period.

Who knows. This kind of tall is all speculation. Powell could step in and be a significant contributor right away. It could just come down to how quickly and how well he can adjust to the speed of the college game.

[Xuperman]

Who knows. This kind of tall is all speculation. Powell could step in and be a significant contributor right away. It could just come down to how quickly and how well he can adjust to the speed of the college game.

Ever heard of Derrick Brown? Powell has MASS GAME.

[Xville]

Who knows. This kind of tall is all speculation. Powell could step in and be a significant contributor right away. It could just come down to how quickly and how well he can adjust to the speed of the college game.

Sure. But from the guys who see miller almost if not every day and miller himself, they have basically said in so many words to not expect much contribution this year.

I see xuperman said Derrick brown.. sure but we heard about how incredible brown was for an entire year, just like blueitt. We aren’t hearing that about Powell. I’m sure Powell can be a great player, but I’m going off of what the guys around miller and the team have said.

[XUBison]

Sure. But from the guys who see miller almost if not every day and miller himself, they have basically said in so many words to not expect much contribution this year.

I see xuperman said Derrick brown.. sure but we heard about how incredible brown was for an entire year, just like blueitt. We aren’t hearing that about Powell. I’m sure Powell can be a great player, but I’m going off of what the guys around miller and the team have said.

Wasn’t Brown redshirted, or am I having an episode?

[Xville]

Wasn’t Brown redshirted, or am I having an episode?

Correct and during that whole year I remember hearing almost every day how good he was.

I dunno if it’s really even a thing anymore unless there is an injury but I do wonder what if Powell redshirted? Just curious

[XUBison]

Correct and during that whole year I remember hearing almost every day how good he was.

I dunno if it’s really even a thing anymore unless there is an injury but I do wonder what if Powell redshirted? Just curious

Ahhh, gotcha. I thought you were referring to the year leading up to his arrival on campus.

Incidentally, Aden Holloway is transferring from Auburn to Alabama; former MDAA. That’s gotta sting.

[XU-PA]

Avila to SLU, as expected

[IM4X]

Ever heard of Derrick Brown? Powell has MASS GAME.

Only my favorite X player of all time. A great example of why we fans should be careful not to speculate thst an incoming freshman likely will not be a significant contributor.

Let’s not bet against Powell before he even gets on campus. What if he ends up looking more like D Brown or even Trevon in his first year. Miller will always give minutes to a player who delivers in a game no matter their age or amount of college experience.

[MHettel]

Only my favorite X player of all time. A great example of why we fans should be careful not to speculate thst an incoming freshman likely will not be a significant contributor.

Let’s not bet against Powell before he even gets on campus. What if he ends up looking more like D Brown or even Trevon in his first year. Miller will always give minutes to a player who delivers in a game no matter their age or amount of college experience.

DBrown redshirted. He literally did nothing his first year.

[Xuperman]

Sure. But from the guys who see miller almost if not every day and miller himself, they have basically said in so many words to not expect much contribution this year.

I see xuperman said Derrick brown.. sure but we heard about how incredible brown was for an entire year, just like blueitt. We aren’t hearing that about Powell. I’m sure Powell can be a great player, but I’m going off of what the guys around miller and the team have said.

You MUST post ANY LINK that can corroborate this consistent illusion of your "insider" status. I am guessing that will never happen. I just don't understand why you haven't been harshly admonished.

[Xuperman]

I have been following Powell closely.....in person in fact. This guy has a physical presence that is special....and he has a real wholesome disposition. It is something you can feel is a ++ destination basketball talent.

He destroyed Big Moe....TWICE.

Going to be a STUD.

[Xavier]

Man. I don’t remember Brown having a great freshman year. Feel like I remember thinking he was long and athletic, with a bright future, but really only dunked the ball. His stats don’t jump off the page either. Am I misremembering his freshman year?

[IM4X]

Sure. But from the guys who see miller almost if not every day and miller himself, they have basically said in so many words to not expect much contribution this year.

I see xuperman said Derrick brown.. sure but we heard about how incredible brown was for an entire year, just like blueitt. We aren’t hearing that about Powell. I’m sure Powell can be a great player, but I’m going off of what the guys around miller and the team have said.

I know you didn’t mean ant disrespect to Powell. None of us (not even Sean) really knows how well he will play his first year or how many minutes he will get. That’s kind of my point. Should Powell be reading this tread, I’d rather not make it seem like we’ve already concluded that he’s not going to give us much next year.

Even teams at X that were stacked with a talented bench had freshman get solid minutes. Not just Tre. Naji, Jones and JP are other examples that come to mind. So even with the increase in talent we are projecting to have, Powell might find a nice spot in the rotation.

[IM4X]

DBrown redshirted. He literally did nothing his first year.

Yes, Derrick did redshirt. Then in his redshirted freshman year he averaged 17 minutes a game and more than 6 points.

There are plenty of examples of other freshmen who did not redshirt, found significant minutes and became meaningful contributors that first year. There are also plenty of examples where Sean redshirted a freshman, feeling the player would benefit from a little more development. We shall see which way it goes with Powell. None of us knows.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Perhaps Miller is changing is coaching/recruiting philosophy. He often will state X will likely not play more than 9 guys.

I doubt also X will spray those minutes to everyone.

We will see.

Yep. I posted it either in this thread or another that he's probably unlikely to change his philosophy on that this long into his career.

I think once we are in the meat of the season the bulk of the mins will go to 8 guys and a 9th will be in the rotation.

There are always guys who don't contribute like we are hoping they will (especially thinking Powell here as a freshman).

[Xville]

You MUST post ANY LINK that can corroborate this consistent illusion of your "insider" status. I am guessing that will never happen. I just don't understand why you haven't been harshly admonished.

If it’s “insider” status how would there be a link? Yikes. For the record, I do have a few people that are pretty close to the program but that’s neither here nor there and trust me I could not care less whether you think I have inside info or not. Anyways, This information comes from the very public; fritschner, Baum and the Sean miller podcast. Just chill dude. Not like I’m saying the guy sucks at basketball, just that they have indicated it would be surprising if he were a significant contributor his first year. Anytime someone says non glowing statements about some local kid it’s like they are pissing in your cheerios.

If he does do well his freshman year, great. I was just passing along what they have indicated. Every best player on their high school team looks like a stud. Then, they get to college.

[IM4X]

Man. I don’t remember Brown having a great freshman year. Feel like I remember thinking he was long and athletic, with a bright future, but really only dunked the ball. His stats don’t jump off the page either. Am I misremembering his freshman year?

Brown’s redshirt freshman year certainly was nothing like West’s freshman year, but he did show incredible athleticism and we did get to see flashes of what he could be (similar to Swain). His game was bit more limited his first year.

Brown worked on his outside shot and ended up shooting better than 40% from 3 by his final (junior) season at X. His 13.7 ppg may not jump off the page, but he was on a team with a deep bench that had a lot of capable contributors. Had he stayed one more year, I’m convinced he would have had much more impressive numbers and had a good shot at being a lottery pick.

[Xville]

Yes, Derrick did redshirt. Then in his redshirted freshman year he averaged 17 minutes a game and more than 6 points.

There are plenty of examples of other freshmen who did not redshirt, found significant minutes and became meaningful contributors that first year. There are also plenty of examples where Sean redshirted a freshman, feeling the player would benefit from a little more development. We shall see which way it goes with Powell. None of us knows.

For the record, I understand what you are saying and I get it. I was just passing along what has been indicated by guys who are around it everyday. It may turn out differently.. but just looking at who is now on the roster and minutes available, it’s going to be pretty difficult. I mean here is reality:


Pg McKnight Maddox
Sg Conwell Maddox foster
Sf swain foster hunter
Pf free hunter
C Hugley, whatever other center we get


Other bench:

Green
Powell

He’s probably going to get some early run but at some point, I’d be shocked if miller doesn’t concentrate on an 8-9 man rotation. That’s be tough for Powell to crack.

Now with all that said, it’s a very long time until November. Who knows if free or rome stay/get healthy and if green stays. However, this is just as it stands today

[MHettel]

Yep. I posted it either in this thread or another that he's probably unlikely to change his philosophy on that this long into his career.

I think once we are in the meat of the season the bulk of the mins will go to 8 guys and a 9th will be in the rotation.

There are always guys who don't contribute like we are hoping they will (especially thinking Powell here as a freshman).

In most years, we kind of pencil in unproven guys into roles where they are contributors. But the reality is that those guys really are unproven. Take Dionte Miles. I think he redshirted. Then I expected him to contribute. But he never really played. Same thing the next year. And the next. In my mind he was ready, but really there was no evidence that he was.

What we have here is FAR different. Maddox, Foster, and Conwell has all started for multiple years at a lower level and have excelled. No different than Boum, Quincy, or McKnight. I expect the new guys to be ready and if healthy will contribute .

Add in McKnight and we’ve got 4 for the 1/2/3 positions (if we go small). Free and Hunter will produce at a high level if healthy. Hugley is more like Ben Stanley and Jack Nunge. Both those guys had injuries and 1 of them flourished at this level (Stanley was injured at X, but even before that looked overmatched).

The thing about having a short (7-8 man) rotation is that usually there is a big drop off at #8 or #9. But if the talent goes 10 deep, then why wouldn’t you utilize it? You can push the tempo and wear the opposition out. You can weather foul trouble much better. You can stay a little fresher during the grinding weeks of the conference schedule.

I’ve seen enough of Swain and Green to believe they can and should play at this level.

I think you must find a way to get minutes for everyone or you’ll lose guys like Green Swain and Powell to the portal and never get anything out of them. If that’s what we are gonna do with our recruited young guys, then why even bother with HS players. Just rebuild every year in the portal with 7-8 new guys

[Xville]

In most years, we kind of pencil in unproven guys into roles where they are contributors. But the reality is that those guys really are unproven. Take Dionte Miles. I think he redshirted. Then I expected him to contribute. But he never really played. Same thing the next year. And the next. In my mind he was ready, but really there was no evidence that he was.

What we have here is FAR different. Maddox, Foster, and Conwell has all started for multiple years at a lower level and have excelled. No different than Boum, Quincy, or McKnight. I expect the new guys to be ready and if healthy will contribute .

Add in McKnight and we’ve got 4 for the 1/2/3 positions (if we go small). Free and Hunter will produce at a high level if healthy. Hugley is more like Ben Stanley and Jack Nunge. Both those guys had injuries and 1 of them flourished at this level (Stanley was injured at X, but even before that looked overmatched).

The thing about having a short (7-8 man) rotation is that usually there is a big drop off at #8 or #9. But if the talent goes 10 deep, then why wouldn’t you utilize it? You can push the tempo and wear the opposition out. You can weather foul trouble much better. You can stay a little fresher during the grinding weeks of the conference schedule.

I’ve seen enough of Swain and Green to believe they can and should play at this level.

I think you must find a way to get minutes for everyone or you’ll lose guys like Green Swain and Powell to the portal and never get anything out of them. If that’s what we are gonna do with our recruited young guys, then why even bother with HS players. Just rebuild every year in the portal with 7-8 new guys

So just doing math:


McKnight
Maddox
Foster
Swain
Conwell
Free
Hunter
Hugley
Other center

That’s already 9. Add green that’s 10.


Not speaking for miller, but just thinking out loud do you think miller is concerned with losing the 9th or 10th guy, or is he more concerned with winning as much as possible with the best 7-8 guys that separate themselves from the pack?

[D-West & PO-Z]

In most years, we kind of pencil in unproven guys into roles where they are contributors. But the reality is that those guys really are unproven. Take Dionte Miles. I think he redshirted. Then I expected him to contribute. But he never really played. Same thing the next year. And the next. In my mind he was ready, but really there was no evidence that he was.

What we have here is FAR different. Maddox, Foster, and Conwell has all started for multiple years at a lower level and have excelled. No different than Boum, Quincy, or McKnight. I expect the new guys to be ready and if healthy will contribute .

Add in McKnight and we’ve got 4 for the 1/2/3 positions (if we go small). Free and Hunter will produce at a high level if healthy. Hugley is more like Ben Stanley and Jack Nunge. Both those guys had injuries and 1 of them flourished at this level (Stanley was injured at X, but even before that looked overmatched).

The thing about having a short (7-8 man) rotation is that usually there is a big drop off at #8 or #9. But if the talent goes 10 deep, then why wouldn’t you utilize it? You can push the tempo and wear the opposition out. You can weather foul trouble much better. You can stay a little fresher during the grinding weeks of the conference schedule.

I’ve seen enough of Swain and Green to believe they can and should play at this level.

I think you must find a way to get minutes for everyone or you’ll lose guys like Green Swain and Powell to the portal and never get anything out of them. If that’s what we are gonna do with our recruited young guys, then why even bother with HS players. Just rebuild every year in the portal with 7-8 new guys

I understand what you are saying but I see the following guys getting the bulk of the mins:

McKnight
Conwell
Maddox
Foster
Hunter (if he gets healthy)
Free
Hugely
Swain

We probably add another Center who will need to contribute that will make 9.

I see Green getting mins early but if he doesn't take advantage and prove himself I can see him falling out with all the guard depth we brought in.

Powell (I just don't expect much from freshman).

Then there are many times guys who fall out of favor with Miller or struggle, etc. Hoping that doesn't happen but could similar to a Gytis situation, etc.

I feel really good about 8 guys and a 9th being in the rotation. If a 10th guy forces Miller's hand I trust him to find the right balance but I won't hold my breath that we have a 10 man rotation.

[Xville]

I understand what you are saying but I see the following guys getting the bulk of the mins:

McKnight
Conwell
Maddox
Foster
Hunter (if he gets healthy)
Free
Hugely
Swain

We probably add another Center who will need to contribute that will make 9.

I see Green getting mins early but if he doesn't take advantage and prove himself I can see him falling out with all the guard depth we brought in.

Powell (I just don't expect much from freshman).

Then there are many times guys who fall out of favor with Miller or struggle, etc. Hoping that doesn't happen but could similar to a Gytis situation, etc.

I feel really good about 8 guys and a 9th being in the rotation. If a 10th guy forces Miller's hand I trust him to find the right balance but I won't hold my breath that we have a 10 man rotation.

+1. Yep

[MHettel]

Well, there was a comment earlier about Miller kind of preferring a 7-8 guy rotation, and that at this stage in his career he would be unlikely to change.

That’s a fair point of view, but the reality is that the “game” is now much more different than it was in the prior 50 years. If the coach doesn’t adapt to the new reality because he’s set in the methods that he used under a different reality, then he will get passed by quickly by those who do adapt.

[XUGRAD80]

Well, there was a comment earlier about Miller kind of preferring a 7-8 guy rotation, and that at this stage in his career he would be unlikely to change.

That’s a fair point of view, but the reality is that the “game” is now much more different than it was in the prior 50 years. If the coach doesn’t adapt to the new reality because he’s set in the methods that he used under a different reality, then he will get passed by quickly by those who do adapt.

Maybe the “new reality” is that you only bring in 1-2 freshman every year, and you only bring in the ones that understand that not much is going to be expected of them the 1st year and are OK with that?

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Well, there was a comment earlier about Miller kind of preferring a 7-8 guy rotation, and that at this stage in his career he would be unlikely to change.

That’s a fair point of view, but the reality is that the “game” is now much more different than it was in the prior 50 years. If the coach doesn’t adapt to the new reality because he’s set in the methods that he used under a different reality, then he will get passed by quickly by those who do adapt.

100% agree with this. Recruiting players, at least for now, has completely changed. If we are going to need to materially refill our roster every year by pursuing experienced players and maintain adequate depth, we must offer those new recruits what they seek. More than money, in my opinion, is playing time. No experienced player will sign on if he doesn't expect to see the floor and see it a bunch. If Miller goes out, recruits players and then sits them on the bench, he will absolutely lose the ability to get future players to come to X. That would be the kiss of death. This applies to traditional recruits like Swain, Green and next year, Powell. They also must have playing time.

So no matter how he has managed his roster in past years, I expect to see change next year. And that will be challenging because bringing people in and out can disrupt game rhythm. But Miller will just have to figure it out. I expect up tempo on offense and defense and maybe substituting in combinations of players, rather than one at a time. Perhaps similar to a line change in hockey where you play guys together in games, so they are familiar with each other. I don't know how Miller will do it, but it is going to be interesting to watch.

We will see how it goes but above comment is accurate even prophetic, in my opinion. The game has changed, and Miller will have to adapt. Do not expect the same old, same old.

[JTG]

So just doing math:


McKnight
Maddox
Foster
Swain
Conwell
Free
Hunter
Hugley
Other center

That’s already 9. Add green that’s 10.


Not speaking for miller, but just thinking out loud do you think miller is concerned with losing the 9th or 10th guy, or is he more concerned with winning as much as possible with the best 7-8 guys that separate themselves from the pack?
Winning as much as possible, however he has to get there.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Maybe the “new reality” is that you only bring in 1-2 freshman every year, and you only bring in the ones that understand that not much is going to be expected of them the 1st year and are OK with that?

Absolutely. The new reality is definitely less freshmen and more transfers.

Also some people think coaches need to be hypersensitive to players transferring if they aren’t getting mins etc. I think the opposite. Any year before the portal, Claude transferring would have been a major blow. We’ve picked up so much other talent that many think we are better off.

Miller doesn’t want to lack depth, so he’s going to bring in as much talent as he can and let guys compete for mins and let the chips fall where they may. You still are not going to see 10+ man rotations. He finds a solid 8-9 he trusts and who perform and he goes with those guys.

Again, chances are some of the transfers and Powell aren’t as impactful as we hope. So while we have 10-11 who we hope are contributors, the likely reality is that it will end up being 8-9.

[D-West & PO-Z]

UConn just won back to back championships and everyone goes on and on about their depth.

Hurley played 6 guys double digit mins in the finals and 7 in the semifinals.

[Xavier]

In Sean’s first year back he talked a lot about how he liked playing shorter rotations, having 7 guys play a ton of minutes together. Thought the best way to grow and develop was by playing a ton of minutes together. I think it was somewhat coach speak because at the time we only had 7 guys. When Freemantle went down we only had 6.

In recent interviews he talked about the most impressive part of UConn was how there was a seamless transition when bench guys came in. And he talked about how X asked three guys (Claude/McKnight/Q) to do so much they started to fall apart towards the end. The depth part is important incase of injuries or foul trouble.

I don’t think there’s a minutes guarantee. I don’t think anything is promised. I think Sean wanted to get as much talent as he could and go from there. I expect 9 rotational guys getting playing time in the Non conference and that number dwindling down to 7-8 for conference play and March.

[XUGRAD80]

We seem to go through on the board every off-season, no matter who the coach has been. Every year we have some people talking about how deep the team might be and that they hope that X plays 10 deep, presses, and wears the opposing teams down. And every year we see lots of players get minutes prior to the conference season and then the rotation is whittled down to 7-8 players that get 90% of the minutes. No matter who the coach has been, this is what has happened. While past performance is no guarantee of future events….i expect the same thing to happen in the season to come.

[MHettel]

We seem to go through on the board every off-season, no matter who the coach has been. Every year we have some people talking about how deep the team might be and that they hope that X plays 10 deep, presses, and wears the opposing teams down. And every year we see lots of players get minutes prior to the conference season and then the rotation is whittled down to 7-8 players that get 90% of the minutes. No matter who the coach has been, this is what has happened. While past performance is no guarantee of future events….i expect the same thing to happen in the season to come.

And I disagree based on the fact that in years past the talent drop off has been severe. 2 years ago we had 7 guys play, with Claude getting a dozen minutes of so as #7. The drop off from his was Tandy, Edwards, Miles, and Craft. So yeah, I’m playing Nunge 33+ minutes and Boum is going 36-37 minutes. Jones, Free and skunk all at or near 30 minutes a game. Hunter at 25+.

The talent drop off was dramatic, so we played guys more minutes. Think about the Sweet 16 game against Texas. We had already lost Fremantle. We were going 6 deep and had to use Edwards at times. We got clobbered.

Look at next years 1,2,&3 position. In a 7 man rotation, you’ve got 4 guys to cover those position. In the front court, you’d have 3 bigs to cover the 4&5. If you go 8 man rotation, you generally end up with 3 guys for the 1&2, a starting 3 and a combo forward that can play some 4. Then 3 bigs up front.

Let’s assume we go 8 deep. Mc Knight, Conwell, Maddox, Foster, swain, Free, Hunter, Hugley. Thats 8 and we have only 1 true Center, so we’d get destroyed inside. No Powell, no Green.

Or, assume we bring in a quality 5 to go with Hugley (which by all accounts we plan to do). Now, you slot that guy in as one of the 8, and someone else gets left out. Is it Swain? Is it Foster? Is it Hunter? Swain and Hunter give you some defense. Foster gives you some bully ball at SG. You just keep these guys on the bench because you’re committed to a 8 man rotation max? That makes no sense. If we get a shot blocking center, you wouldn’t want to see him paired up with Hunter and Swain if we need to stop a run or protect a lead when it matters.

You have to play these guys. Back in the day you could sit a kid for an entire year and they couldn’t do much about it. If they transfer, they would sit out ANOTHER year. That the main reason they gutted it out. They could see their spot on the roster the following season so they stayed.

If Green stays, and doesn’t play ( and god forbid Swain too). Then why would they stay again next year. Just to be over recruited again?

You have 2 choices here. Give kids what they want ( some money and some PT) OR be in a state of perpetual annual roster turnover.

[paulxu]

You have 2 choices here. Give kids what they want ( some money and some PT) OR be in a state of perpetual annual roster turnover.

I don't think those are mutually exclusive. You give them the $ and PT, and somebody gives them more $ and PT next year = roster turnover.

[IM4X]

For the record, I understand what you are saying and I get it. I was just passing along what has been indicated by guys who are around it everyday. It may turn out differently.. but just looking at who is now on the roster and minutes available, it’s going to be pretty difficult. I mean here is reality:


Pg McKnight Maddox
Sg Conwell Maddox foster
Sf swain foster hunter
Pf free hunter
C Hugley, whatever other center we get


Other bench:

Green
Powell

He’s probably going to get some early run but at some point, I’d be shocked if miller doesn’t concentrate on an 8-9 man rotation. That’s be tough for Powell to crack.

Now with all that said, it’s a very long time until November. Who knows if free or rome stay/get healthy and if green stays. However, this is just as it stands today

Yes. I think we both understand what the other person is trying to convey. It does appear likely Sean will have more players on the roster deserving of minutes next season. That reality has not been lost on me. At the same time, we are now dealing with the reality of the transfer portal.

If a freshman shows signs that he could be a meaningful contributor to the team, Sean is not going to want to risk losing him to the portal because he didn’t give him time in a game to show what he can do. Sean played Swain, Green and even Nzeh (though it’s possible Nzeh was initially okay with being a redshirt candidate). By playing them, he was able to determine if they were capable of playing well at the high- major level right away and if not, if they looked like they could be ready next year.

It’s not as simple as it used to be when there wasn’t a transfer portal/NIL. I’d imagine Sean will be less hesitant about redshirting a kid and telling him he might get time next year. Most kids today are not going to want to wait around another year for “a chance” to get some playing time next year, when another school will guarantee them playing time along with money.

I hope Powell can at least come in looking similar to the way Swain did this past season, where part of his game is BE ready (like Swain’s defense) and other parts of his game show flashes of elite ability (like Swain’s athleticism. blocking ability and different ways he can score). If not, then he may end up like Nzeh. I just want him to feel X fans believe he COULD BE a meaningful contributor next season.

[XU_Lou]

Is Justin Abson from Appy about to become the newest Muskie?

He posted a photo of himself in a X uni about 3 hours ago. This is presumably post-MI visit.

He's also following Sean and Xavier B-ball.

https://twitter.com/JustinAbson21

[XUGRAD80]

Is Justin Abson from Appy about to become the newest Muskie?

He posted a photo of himself in a X uni about 3 hours ago. This is presumably post-MI visit.

He's also following Sean and Xavier B-ball.

https://twitter.com/JustinAbson21

I suggest not reading to much into that, as it is common practice for kids being recruited to have their picture taken in a uniform before they leave and for the kids to follow the coaches on Twitter. On the other hand, I do think that X is a strong contender for him.

[XUGRAD80]

And I disagree based on the fact that in years past the talent drop off has been severe. 2 years ago we had 7 guys play, with Claude getting a dozen minutes of so as #7. The drop off from his was Tandy, Edwards, Miles, and Craft. So yeah, I’m playing Nunge 33+ minutes and Boum is going 36-37 minutes. Jones, Free and skunk all at or near 30 minutes a game. Hunter at 25+.

The talent drop off was dramatic, so we played guys more minutes. Think about the Sweet 16 game against Texas. We had already lost Fremantle. We were going 6 deep and had to use Edwards at times. We got clobbered.

Look at next years 1,2,&3 position. In a 7 man rotation, you’ve got 4 guys to cover those position. In the front court, you’d have 3 bigs to cover the 4&5. If you go 8 man rotation, you generally end up with 3 guys for the 1&2, a starting 3 and a combo forward that can play some 4. Then 3 bigs up front.

Let’s assume we go 8 deep. Mc Knight, Conwell, Maddox, Foster, swain, Free, Hunter, Hugley. Thats 8 and we have only 1 true Center, so we’d get destroyed inside. No Powell, no Green.

Or, assume we bring in a quality 5 to go with Hugley (which by all accounts we plan to do). Now, you slot that guy in as one of the 8, and someone else gets left out. Is it Swain? Is it Foster? Is it Hunter? Swain and Hunter give you some defense. Foster gives you some bully ball at SG. You just keep these guys on the bench because you’re committed to a 8 man rotation max? That makes no sense. If we get a shot blocking center, you wouldn’t want to see him paired up with Hunter and Swain if we need to stop a run or protect a lead when it matters.

You have to play these guys. Back in the day you could sit a kid for an entire year and they couldn’t do much about it. If they transfer, they would sit out ANOTHER year. That the main reason they gutted it out. They could see their spot on the roster the following season so they stayed.

If Green stays, and doesn’t play ( and god forbid Swain too). Then why would they stay again next year. Just to be over recruited again?

You have 2 choices here. Give kids what they want ( some money and some PT) OR be in a state of perpetual annual roster turnover.

Only time will tell but if I was a betting man I’d like my chances of winning a bet.

[XU_Lou]

I suggest not reading to much into that, as it is common practice for kids being recruited to have their picture taken in a uniform before they leave and for the kids to follow the coaches on Twitter.

For sure, and agree. However, I noticed he didn't post any photos for the other schools he's visited, and it doesn't look like he's following anyone from those schools: GA, Miami and MI yesterday. It looks like he posted that X photo after his MI visit, which seems like a pretty good indicator.

Appears to be a solid addition if it happens. Plus, has 2 years left.

BTW, does anyone have a handle on whether Sean would/is dipping his toes into the international market if a stud center were available?

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Absolutely. The new reality is definitely less freshmen and more transfers.

Also some people think coaches need to be hypersensitive to players transferring if they aren’t getting mins etc. I think the opposite. Any year before the portal, Claude transferring would have been a major blow. We’ve picked up so much other talent that many think we are better off.

Miller doesn’t want to lack depth, so he’s going to bring in as much talent as he can and let guys compete for mins and let the chips fall where they may. You still are not going to see 10+ man rotations. He finds a solid 8-9 he trusts and who perform and he goes with those guys.

Again, chances are some of the transfers and Powell aren’t as impactful as we hope. So while we have 10-11 who we hope are contributors, the likely reality is that it will end up being 8-9.


UConn just won back to back championships and everyone goes on and on about their depth.

Hurley played 6 guys double digit mins in the finals and 7 in the semifinals.

I think you are missing the point and looking at the process from the wrong side. The fans, like us, aren't hypersensitive about playing time. I agree with you that Claude will likely not be missed because it appears we can replace him. In fact, and no knock-on Claude, we may be better off because had he stayed, he would have consumed much of our offensive effort. Now that we are not tied to him, we seem to be more diversified offensively and perhaps defensively as well. Nor do I think Miller is focused on minutes other than keeping players satisfied and motivated is an important component of managing the team. Miller needs depth but not just bodies. He needs depth with talent. It is the process of acquiring that talent that forces the issue of projected playing time.

So the fans and coaching staff are more invested in winning than who specifically is on the floor and how much they play. But you know who is hypersensitive about minutes and role? Players like Claude. And that is the point I think you miss. This is likely the single most important issue to the players in the portal. For many if not most, this is THE ISSUE and when you recruit them. It is inevitable that this subject comes up very early. I will bet dollars to donuts that when the subject arises during the recruiting process, Miller doesn't tell them that he is bringing in as many guys as he can for depth and playing time will all come out in the wash. No way that he communicates that.

It was Maddox, I think, who spoke when he committed that Miller saw a role for him that he had seen for himself. They had a detailed in-depth discussion about where Maddox fit into next year's team. Quincy made a similar comment last year and Souley did the same the year before. These discussions are a critical part of the recruiting process.

There is nobody I know who has ever managed a team of people successfully who isn't continuously forced to be very focused on making sure the team and individual goals are aligned. Anyone who thinks setting and managing individual team member expectations isn't critical to achieving team objectives has never led an organization in a competitive climate. And, if you lie to the people you are trying to sell on coming to X or if they think you lied to them, your reputation is toast. Once the promise is made, you have to find a way to fulfill it.

In regard to UConn, over the course of last season (not just two games) there were NINE players who averaged double figure minutes.

[JTG]

For sure, and agree. However, I noticed he didn't post any photos for the other schools he's visited, and it doesn't look like he's following anyone from those schools: GA, Miami and MI yesterday. It looks like he posted that X photo after his MI visit, which seems like a pretty good indicator.

Appears to be a solid addition if it happens. Plus, has 2 years left.

BTW, does anyone have a handle on whether Sean would/is dipping his toes into the international market if a stud center were available?

The MI visit was cancelled.

[Xavier]

For those who care about transfer rankings, CBS put this out: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-transfer-portal-2024-ranking-top-75-players-as-jeremy-roach-commits-to-baylor/

It has both Maddox and Conwell ahead of Des. Think it’s putting a bit too much weight on Des 25% career 3 pt percentage, though.

[GoMuskies]

It's hard to undervalue how atrocious he's been from 3. Particularly in the modern game. Sounds like there's some chance he can fix his shot if an injury was truly affecting his shot. But that % is brutal.

[Xavier]

No doubt about it. Teams sort of stopped guarding him from 3. Wasn’t quite daring him to shoot but didn’t close out hard or stay too close around the perimeter. Suppose you can look at it in two ways but I think it’s all the more impressive he could score the way he did despite his shot and teams knowing/defending him that way.

[flatspat]

Any updates on Absom visit
Did Garrison visit
Thanks

[Xville]

For those of you who questioned what I said about Duncomb and mental health (hey lou and my other trolls), Fritschner said on the podcast that was released today that that is why he stepped away this past season.

As for Abson..visit went well. I believe he will hear where he has committed today. X is in a good spot, but nothing is official until its official.

I don't believe Garrison visited. It was reported last week that he may, but it never materialized. If Abson commits, that ship will have sailed.

[GoMuskies]

Duncomb was never expected to contribute, though, was he?

[Xville]

Duncomb was never expected to contribute, though, was he?

My best guess is no. Winthrop will be a good spot for him for all things i have heard.

[BandDad]

It seems that everyone is missing that we have two major question marks for next year - Hunter and Free. Both are coming off serious medical situations and I would think Sean is not counting heavily on either one. If he does, he risks having another season like last year. Therefore he is trying to assemble as much talent as possible and will have to sort it out in the end if everyone is health and pans out.

Best case scenario - everyone healthy

C - Hugley, Absom (assuming he is coming)
PF - Free, Hunter
SF - Swain/Foster
SG - Conwell, Maddox/Foster
PG - McKnight, Maddox

Outside looking in - Green and Powell

More realistic with either Free and/or Hunter not able to produce - now we play smaller
C - Hugley, Absom
PF - Free/Hunter, Absom, Swain
SF - Swain, Foster, Powell
SG - Conwell, Maddox, Foster
PG - McKnight, Maddox, Green

I know Sean favors 7-8 guys, but with the pace he wants to play out, more guys are going to need more minutes to keep the top guys from wearing out. Jay Wright could only go 7 deep because he played at a pace that was conducive for that. Sean doesn't.

[Xavier]

I mean. I don’t think the team two years ago got worn out…?

Not to say I don’t appreciate the apparent depth this team will have from the 1-3 position. And I think Sean will gladly use it. But a solid 7 man rotation won’t get worn out IMO. The team two years ago didn’t and they barely had a 7 man rotation with a healthy Freemantle.

[MHettel]

For those who care about transfer rankings, CBS put this out: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-transfer-portal-2024-ranking-top-75-players-as-jeremy-roach-commits-to-baylor/

It has both Maddox and Conwell ahead of Des. Think it’s putting a bit too much weight on Des 25% career 3 pt percentage, though.

24/7 has Des ranked #36 and ESPN has him ranked #39.

[MHettel]

It seems that everyone is missing that we have two major question marks for next year - Hunter and Free. Both are coming off serious medical situations and I would think Sean is not counting heavily on either one. If he does, he risks having another season like last year. Therefore he is trying to assemble as much talent as possible and will have to sort it out in the end if everyone is health and pans out.

Best case scenario - everyone healthy

C - Hugley, Absom (assuming he is coming)
PF - Free, Hunter
SF - Swain/Foster
SG - Conwell, Maddox/Foster
PG - McKnight, Maddox

Outside looking in - Green and Powell

More realistic with either Free and/or Hunter not able to produce - now we play smaller
C - Hugley, Absom
PF - Free/Hunter, Absom, Swain
SF - Swain, Foster, Powell
SG - Conwell, Maddox, Foster
PG - McKnight, Maddox, Green

I know Sean favors 7-8 guys, but with the pace he wants to play out, more guys are going to need more minutes to keep the top guys from wearing out. Jay Wright could only go 7 deep because he played at a pace that was conducive for that. Sean doesn't.

I think last years "fastbreak every time all the time" approach was due mainly becasue our half court offense was garbage. We had no inside scoring presence, and we couldnt pass out of the post. If i team could get us into the halfcourt, all you had to do was defend the 3 ball from Quincy and the drive from Des.

But it also turned out that McKnight and Des were actually really capable of pushing the ball and playing that style, so I think we will see more of it this year. Furman played an even faster style than we did and they were in the top 5 (i think) in 3 point attemps. My guess is that Foster is ideal for this type of system.

The way you use depth is to put constant pressure on the ball. Pick up the ball handler in the backcourt and make him work the entire time getting the ball upcourt. Continue the ball pressure in the halfcourt. All ten players on the court will be winded, and then we bring in fresh guys. The opponent may elect to stick with their guys and run the risk of sloppy hands and slow feet. or they may go to their bench and have to face our "starting quality" backups.

Depth does no good if you dont use it.

[Xavier]

24/7 has Des ranked #36 and ESPN has him ranked #39.

Yeah, The Athletic had Conwell as a top 10 guy when he committed. They are all over the place, it’s why it’s hard to really put stock in portal rankings. As for Claude, Trilly is saying Nova is the favorite to land him….that roster is currently awful. But maybe he’d get a shot at PG?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Depth does no good if you dont use it.

I think some of us probably just have a different ideas of how many guys into the bench constitutes using depth and what using it looks like.

Having good depth to me isn't line changing 5 guys and playing 10-11 15+ mins.

I think anyone who is hoping from that next year from Miller is going to be disappointed.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah, The Athletic had Conwell as a top 10 guy when he committed. They are all over the place, it’s why it’s hard to really put stock in portal rankings. As for Claude, Trilly is saying Nova is the favorite to land him….that roster is currently awful. But maybe he’d get a shot at PG?

Wow, that would be somethin.

Given the state of Nova and their current head coach, I'd call that a lateral move.

[noteggs]

Yeah, The Athletic had Conwell as a top 10 guy when he committed. They are all over the place, it’s why it’s hard to really put stock in portal rankings. As for Claude, Trilly is saying Nova is the favorite to land him….that roster is currently awful. But maybe he’d get a shot at PG?

Agree on their current roster

I saw Armstrong put his name in draft with an option to come back. Honestly, don’t see him getting drafted and just going back to Nova. If that’s the case, Armstrong will be pg.

Hard to imagine someone is telling themselves they would rather play for Neptune over Sean. Oh well

[muskiefan82]

I do want Des to find a good spot, but I do NOT want it to be in the Big East.

[X-band '01]

Hey, if he wants to brick 3s for Nova, let him.

[XU-PA]

No reason to feel bad about the numbers we are losing to the portal.
A 10th player from Duke's roster just declared

[XU-PA]

Hey, if he wants to brick 3s for Nova, let him.

I think you'll be very surprised at his number in the next 2 seasons.

[Xville]

I know Koby brea is a good player and had a phenomenal shooting year but duke, Kansas, UConn, unc and Kentucky are the ones he’s choosing from? A guy that only one season averaged double figures in points? Interesting. Heck of a shooter this year but wow

[xukeith]

No reason to feel bad about the numbers we are losing to the portal.
A 10th player from Duke's roster just declared

I would think most of Duke's roster is top 100 frosh.

[MHettel]

This portal season blows me away.

I always knew that we'd see the best players from the mid-majors moving up to the "big leagues." That would result in a slow, multiyear shift in talent of those mid-major leagues. Their best players move up and the guys that cant hack it in the Big 6 conferences would move down and take their place. So that gap would widen between the top and bottom leagues. And that is happening.

But these guys jumping from one big conference team to another is just astounding to me. 10 guys leave Duke? Its not a playing time issue, cause they dont even have a team at this point. Guys are transferring from Arizona to Indiana? From Alabama to Kansas? Texas to Baylor? Duke to Baylor? UK to Ohio State? Ohio State to Michigan for god sakes!

Alot of these kids were in great spots. many of them starters on quality teams. What is the catalyst? I assume if (Pick a team) is bringing in good players that they must have some NIL, yet they are losing good players as well, so its not as if there wasnt some NIL on the table (Claude is a perfect example).

I dont get this. Its worse than I thought it would be.

Duke doesnt even have a team at this point. I know they have some good freshmen coming in, but the last couple years have shown us (and hopefully TAUGHT us) that you can build a very old, experienced team in the portal and that experience is more valuable than inexperienced Elite talent. Duke will catch on shortly and start mopping up the portal.

[GIMMFD]

This portal season blows me away.

I always knew that we'd see the best players from the mid-majors moving up to the "big leagues." That would result in a slow, multiyear shift in talent of those mid-major leagues. Their best players move up and the guys that cant hack it in the Big 6 conferences would move down and take their place. So that gap would widen between the top and bottom leagues. And that is happening.

But these guys jumping from one big conference team to another is just astounding to me. 10 guys leave Duke? Its not a playing time issue, cause they dont even have a team at this point. Guys are transferring from Arizona to Indiana? From Alabama to Kansas? Texas to Baylor? Duke to Baylor? UK to Ohio State? Ohio State to Michigan for god sakes!

Alot of these kids were in great spots. many of them starters on quality teams. What is the catalyst? I assume if (Pick a team) is bringing in good players that they must have some NIL, yet they are losing good players as well, so its not as if there wasnt some NIL on the table (Claude is a perfect example).

I dont get this. Its worse than I thought it would be.

Duke doesnt even have a team at this point. I know they have some good freshmen coming in, but the last couple years have shown us (and hopefully TAUGHT us) that you can build a very old, experienced team in the portal and that experience is more valuable than inexperienced Elite talent. Duke will catch on shortly and start mopping up the portal.

I think Duke has 5 or 6 incoming Freshman, Proctor and some other guard staying, and they got a Syracuse transfer from the portal and landed Mason Gillis from the portal today for what it's worth.

[Xville]

Georgia picked up a crystal ball for abson. Still looking for that final piece

[muskiefan82]

If the big 6 teams restock from the mid major conferences does it now make it easier to find a good high school recruit since those high major shots are filed with transfers? I'm imagining that outside of the 5 stars there won't be as many spots available at the big 6 schools. I wonder if Miller could pick up another HS recruit with real upside instead of another transfer. Seems like this might be something that starts happening too

[MHettel]

If the big 6 teams restock from the mid major conferences does it now make it easier to find a good high school recruit since those high major shots are filed with transfers? I'm imagining that outside of the 5 stars there won't be as many spots available at the big 6 schools. I wonder if Miller could pick up another HS recruit with real upside instead of another transfer. Seems like this might be something that starts happening too

I would assume a HS player will go where there is PT. A good, productive Freshman season will lead to the Portal and NIL. You have to play to get paid. Nobody is going to sit on the bench for 2 years anymore, waiting for their starting spot to open up.

[MHettel]

Georgia picked up a crystal ball for abson. Still looking for that final piece

Abou for that backup C job? Kinda a good fit….

[muskiefan82]

I would assume a HS player will go where there is PT. A good, productive Freshman season will lead to the Portal and NIL. You have to play to get paid. Nobody is going to sit on the bench for 2 years anymore, waiting for their starting spot to open up.

Good point. Might make it interesting if the mid majors start getting 4 stars that want to play now

[Xavier]

Yeah, you just sort of dive into it as a mid major I’d think. You can get guys you’ve never been able to with that pitch. Guaranteed playing time, 1-2 years to showcase what you have so you can move up. It is what it is, I’m glad it didn’t start 20 years ago, no clue where X would be.

[muskiefan82]

If Abson makes a poor decision and heads to Georgia, anyone have any idea of who else Miller is looking at for the frontcourt?

[xukeith]

If Abson makes a poor decision and heads to Georgia, anyone have any idea of who else Miller is looking at for the frontcourt?

Nobody as good as Apson or Garrison.

Tall rebounding dudes from mid majors are the recent big guys this week.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I think Duke has 5 or 6 incoming Freshman, Proctor and some other guard staying, and they got a Syracuse transfer from the portal and landed Mason Gillis from the portal today for what it's worth.

Pretty sure Cooper Flagg is going to Duke. I know some of you don't pay a ton of attention to guys not being recruited by X, but this guy is the best recruit in a while. Scheyer will most definitely center his offense around this guy. He has been playing as far up as he can and I believe he is still just 17.

[XUGRAD80]

Lots of Twitter action that X may be bringing in somebody, possibly with UK ties of some kind. But no name given and no real direct information. Might just be someone having some fun, but……:popcorn:

[muskiefan82]

Lots of Twitter action that X may be bringing in somebody, possibly with UK ties of some kind. But no name given and no real direct information. Might just be someone having some fun, but……:popcorn:

Onyenso? Thiero? That would be interesting for sure

[muskiefan82]

Ciani to Illinois-Chicago and Ducharme to Siena.

[Xville]

Ducharme ended up at Siena. Recruiting rankings seemed to be way off on that guy.

Ciani to Illinois-Chicago.

[Xville]

Twitter seems to think onyenso. He started to follow Claude which is interesting.

Would be a great get for x. Avg almost 3 blocks a game in 18 mins. Imagine what he could do with coaching.

This is all coming from one dude but Twitter has been pretty spot on when it comes to x in the transfer portal the last month. Haven’t heard anything from x’s camp on this yet though.

[muskiefan82]

Twitter seems to think onyenso. He started to follow Claude which is interesting.

Would be a great get for x. Avg almost 3 blocks a game in 18 mins. Imagine what he could do with coaching.

This is all coming from one dude but Twitter has been pretty spot on when it comes to x in the transfer portal the last month.

If X gets that guy, I'm 100% behind it.

[Xavier]

I’d obviously like him. But apparently Lassina Traore(Long Beach St) was on campus today. But the guy who “broke” the news of a national type get is a Kentucky guy, which is why people think it’s probably a player with Kentucky ties.

[Xville]

I’d obviously like him. But apparently Lassina Traore(Long Beach St) was on campus today. But the guy who “broke” the news of a national type get is a Kentucky guy, which is why people think it’s probably a player with Kentucky ties.

Impressive numbers… can he play d? I know nothing about the guy.

[MHettel]

I might have to go to rehab when the portal season ends. Or start crack to get my fix.

[xuphan]

I might have to go to rehab when the portal season ends. Or start crack to get my fix.
NM

[Xville]

I might have to go to rehab when the portal season ends. Or start crack to get my fix.

I think we pick up 1 today and possibly 2 by the end of the week to keep you off the crack at least for a few more days.

[muskiefan82]

I would love to be a fly on the wall when Coach Miller is talking to these guys. I feel like he is the kind of guy you walk away from a meeting willing to run through a wall for.

[bjf123]

I think we pick up 1 today and possibly 2 by the end of the week to keep you off the crack at least for a few more days.

How many are on the roster for next year at the moment? I’ve lost track.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[muskiefan82]

How many are on the roster for next year at the moment? I’ve lost track.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Let's see....
Returning:
Freemantle
Hunter
Swain
McKnight
Green

New:
Powell
Foster
Conwell
Hugley IV
Maddox Jr.

[muskiefan82]

Hearing BJ Freeman in the rumor mill now.....That could work

[Xavier]

Freeman would just be another awesome weapon on offense. Saw he averaged 21 last year. Would be a good wing to add. I’d expect him to start, with swain off the bench. But could see a lot of minutes with both on the court, too.

[XU-PA]

On BJ Freeman, from the UWM page.
Breaking Larkin's record!!

Named to the Sunshine Slam Ocean Bracket All-Tournament Team ... 2024 Horizon League All-Tournament Team ... Freeman finished with 103 points in the Horizon League postseason (4 games), establishing a new Horizon League record in the event. The former mark of 93 was set by Byron Larkin of Xavier way back in 1987 ...

[Xville]

Abson committed to Georgia. Incredibly bad decision imo but maybe he wanted something closer to home.

[noteggs]

FWIW Kyky back in the portal.

[muskiefan82]

Wilcher is now off to Texas A&M from Nebraska after leaving X

[Xville]

FWIW Kyky back in the portal.

Wonder what kind of attention he will get. Teams sure seem to love shooting this portal year, and he shot almost 39% from 3. Wonder if an A-10 type team like a Slu would be interested?

[MHettel]

FWIW Kyky back in the portal.

How does he have eligibility? Did he get a medical redshirt?

KyKy was FIRST TEAM all CUSA this year.

A year ago, McKnight and Olivari were on the 2nd team. Abou was on the 3rd team.

And a year before that, Boum was on the 2nd team.

How do you calibrate this?

[D-West & PO-Z]

How does he have eligibility? Did he get a medical redshirt?

KyKy was FIRST TEAM all CUSA this year.

A year ago, McKnight and Olivari were on the 2nd team. Abou was on the 3rd team.

And a year before that, Boum was on the 2nd team.

How do you calibrate this?

You are a real champion for the CUSA! I am sure they appreciate your care and concern.

[JTG]

Abson committed to Georgia. Incredibly bad decision imo but maybe he wanted something closer to home.

He stated earlier in his recruitment that he preferred to be close to or in Fla. Makes you wonder why he took the trip to X.

[MHettel]

You are a real champion for the CUSA! I am sure they appreciate your care and concern.

Yeah, one thing is for sure. The portal hasnt resulted in dilution of talent in CUSA.

oh wait, yes it has. just like I said it would.

Dont you have a protest you need to be at?

[Xville]

Yeah, one thing is for sure. The portal hasnt resulted in dilution of talent in CUSA.

oh wait, yes it has. just like I said it would.

Dont you have a protest you need to be at?

So because kyky was a 1st team conference all American that means there is a dilution of talent at the cusa level? That’s a pretty big leap

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah, one thing is for sure. The portal hasnt resulted in dilution of talent in CUSA.

oh wait, yes it has. just like I said it would.

Dont you have a protest you need to be at?

I can't think of one reason you give two shits about the level of talent in the CUSA except you like to have things to complain about. (somehow the CUSA keeps producing guys higher levels want tho?)

Is your brother the CUSA commissioner?

Is your second favorite team Rice?

They are a one bid basketball league so it can't have anything to do with messing up the tournament or anything of that nature.

Xavier has benefited greatly from players in the league who are looking to make a jump.

Where is the problem?

[Xville]

Also probably has nothing to do with cusa losing most of their good teams last year like fau for instance among others. I guess that’s a conference transfer portal problem rather than an individual transfer portal problem.

[MHettel]

So because kyky was a 1st team conference all American that means there is a dilution of talent at the cusa level? That’s a pretty big leap

Well if Quincy or Davion were still in the league, they would have both made the first team dont ya think? So 2 of the 5 guys that DID make 1st team All CUSA would have been on the 2nd team. And so on.

[MHettel]

I can't think of one reason you give two shits about the level of talent in the CUSA except you like to have things to complain about. (somehow the CUSA keeps producing guys higher levels want tho?)

Is your brother the CUSA commissioner?

Is your second favorite team Rice?

They are a one bid basketball league so it can't have anything to do with messing up the tournament or anything of that nature.

Xavier has benefited greatly from players in the league who are looking to make a jump.

Where is the problem?

wow. You really don't get it. These leagues are losing their best players by the truckload. I analyzed the portal impact on CUSA last summer in fact. Of the all league teams (including all defense and all freshmen), something like 2 out of 11 guys that could have come back to CUSA actually did. And most of the guys that transferred went to a "bigger / better" school in a more "powerful" conference (Abou, McKnight, Quincy for instance).

The little cinderella teams that used to make some noise in the dance were always veteran, experienced teams from these smaller leagues. THAT IS WHAT MAKES THE TOURNAMENT GREAT. If you pick these guys off after 1 or 2 years, you never even get a chance for these teams to become Cinderella.

And further, all those good players are now making the ALREADY Strong Conferences stronger.

Think about XU and the portal. We picked up 3 guards / wings from mid major schools. These guys were legit all-league type performers. And now they are on OUR roster. And whos spots did they take? Ciani, Craft, and Ducharme who all ended up at....wait for it.....mid majors!

So we swap the worst talent in the best leagues with the best talent in the lower leagues and you cant connect the dots on what will happen to the competitive landscape?

[Xville]

Well if Quincy or Davion were still in the league, they would have both made the first team dont ya think? So 2 of the 5 guys that DID make 1st team All CUSA would have been on the 2nd team. And so on.

Who knows, Maybe. That’s a lot of ifs and buts, and it’d probably be hard for q since rice isn’t even in the conference anymore. If there is a dilution of talent, probably would have more to do with teams leaving the conference than the transfer portal. Even still im sure the teams that remained in CUSA benefited from the portal as well.

Big conference teams still want cusa players so the talent must be alright.

[Xavier]

Well if Quincy or Davion were still in the league, they would have both made the first team dont ya think? So 2 of the 5 guys that DID make 1st team All CUSA would have been on the 2nd team. And so on.

Jacksonville state also got a player who broke the schools single season points record. I’m assuming they liked that part of the transaction? Having one of the best scorers your program has ever had because of the portal is a nice consolation prize id think.

[D-West & PO-Z]

wow. You really don't get it. These leagues are losing their best players by the truckload. I analyzed the portal impact on CUSA last summer in fact. Of the all league teams (including all defense and all freshmen), something like 2 out of 11 guys that could have come back to CUSA actually did. And most of the guys that transferred went to a "bigger / better" school in a more "powerful" conference (Abou, McKnight, Quincy for instance).

The little cinderella teams that used to make some noise in the dance were always veteran, experienced teams from these smaller leagues. THAT IS WHAT MAKES THE TOURNAMENT GREAT. If you pick these guys off after 1 or 2 years, you never even get a chance for these teams to become Cinderella.

And further, all those good players are now making the ALREADY Strong Conferences stronger.

Think about XU and the portal. We picked up 3 guards / wings from mid major schools. These guys were legit all-league type performers. And now they are on OUR roster. And whos spots did they take? Ciani, Craft, and Ducharme who all ended up at....wait for it.....mid majors!

So we swap the worst talent in the best leagues with the best talent in the lower leagues and you cant connect the dots on what will happen to the competitive landscape?

So your concern is losing Cinderella in the NCAA tournament? I am glad we have that established now. It always takes a while to parse out what your actual concern is about whatever it is you are complaining about.

4 years in on NIL and we still have UK losing to St. Peters and Oakland and Purdue losing to a 16 seed and countless other upsets.

Again, you are complaining to complain.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Jacksonville state also got a player who broke the schools single season points record. I’m assuming they liked that part of the transaction? Having one of the best scorers your program has ever had because of the portal is a nice consolation prize id think.

Impossible, you have to be lying.

[XU-PA]

Wilcher is now off to Texas A&M from Nebraska after leaving X

His PT dwindled as the season went on. I watched a bit in the post season. He was a very short time replacement in an O/F switch

[profson]

Another consequence of the new reality is that the top tier of teams will get better than in the near past and thus you need to get better just to stand still. There are several reasons for this:

- fewer players who are not sure fire NBA picks will risk declaring for the draft when they still have eligibility and can command significant NIL
- the same applies all the more to those who would otherwise go the G League
- the acceleration of top non P5 players going to the top programs with large NIL budgets, without the downside of sitting a year

Thus each year teams with the biggest NIL budgets can more easily stock top players at every position, who will also be old. This is very different from Calipari attracting a bunch of freshmen 5 stars.

[MHettel]

Another consequence of the new reality is that the top tier of teams will get better than in the near past and thus you need to get better just to stand still. There are several reasons for this:

- fewer players who are not sure fire NBA picks will risk declaring for the draft when they still have eligibility and can command significant NIL
- the same applies all the more to those who would otherwise go the G League
- the acceleration of top non P5 players going to the top programs with large NIL budgets, without the downside of sitting a year

Thus each year teams with the biggest NIL budgets can more easily stock top players at every position, who will also be old. This is very different from Calipari attracting a bunch of freshmen 5 stars.

YUP. This was foreseeable before it started happening. just the change in the rules themselves led to the ability to predict these changes in behaviors.

Now, these changes are observable as people in fact have modified their behavior in just the way you described it.

[Xavier]

Yeah. Tell that to Kansas…worst year ever under Self. Didn’t UNC miss the tournament last year? Kentucky gladly let Cal walk after another disappointing flame out. Are these the top tier teams that continue to separate themselves?

[Xville]

All nil has done is create more parity across the landscape. Now instead of just the bluebloods and a few other teams paying players, now everyone does it.

Paying the most for players guarantees zero.

Also, teams aren’t ever going to be this old anymore. The Covid year crap ends this upcoming year

[MHettel]

All nil has done is create more parity across the landscape. Now instead of just the bluebloods and a few other teams paying players, now everyone does it.



I stopped after this doozy. Parity? You are joking or high.

And I love the boogeyman argument about the big programs always paying players. Absolutely ZERO evidence that there was any systemic paying of players. Here and there, on occasion in certain situations? Sure. But this claim that it’s been rampart is just fiction

[Xville]

[QUOTE=MHettel;783283]I stopped after this doozy. Parity? You are joking or high.

And I love the boogeyman argument about the big programs always paying players. Absolutely ZERO evidence that there was any systemic paying of players. Here and there, on occasion in certain situations? Sure. But this claim that it’s been rampart is just fiction[/QUOTE

Yeah you’re right. Alabama and nc state have always been basketball powerhouses. There is a ton of parity across the p6 landscape and in college bb as a whole. Let’s continue to disregard two years ago.

There is no boogeyman argument. It’s been happening since wooden. be my guest about sticking your head in the sand the laat fifty years. Your choice I guess. I guess painter has no clue what he’s talking about… only been a coach for a few decades

[xu82]

I stopped after this doozy. Parity? You are joking or high.

And I love the boogeyman argument about the big programs always paying players. Absolutely ZERO evidence that there was any systemic paying of players. Here and there, on occasion in certain situations? Sure. But this claim that it’s been rampart is just fiction

John Wooden was really that much better as a coach than the other guys.

You want “evidence” for what is common knowledge and former players even joke about now.

[Xville]

John Wooden was really that much better as a coach than the other guys.

You want “evidence” for what is common knowledge and former players even joke about now.

I bet rex Chapman was the only player that ever got paid at Kentucky. Booster decided he was the only one in the history of Kentucky that deserved some cash

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah. Tell that to Kansas…worst year ever under Self. Didn’t UNC miss the tournament last year? Kentucky gladly let Cal walk after another disappointing flame out. Are these the top tier teams that continue to separate themselves?

Lol we go through the same argument disproving their irrational fears every couple weeks. This is like the twilight zone.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I stopped after this doozy. Parity? You are joking or high.

And I love the boogeyman argument about the big programs always paying players. Absolutely ZERO evidence that there was any systemic paying of players. Here and there, on occasion in certain situations? Sure. But this claim that it’s been rampart is just fiction

I posted in here or another thread the final 4 teams since nil/portal and the few years before. It supports xvilles assertion, not yours.

[Xavier]

Lol we go through the same argument disproving their irrational fears every couple weeks. This is like the twilight zone.


Just last year SDST played for a NC. FAU was in the final four all while UNC missed the tournament. Follow that up with Kansas worst year under Self. Duke losing most its team to the portal (after finishing 2nd in the ACC) and Kentucky fans rejoicing Cal leaving….I guess that’s a true sign the blue bloods are separating themselves even more?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Just last year SDST played for a NC. FAU was in the final four all while UNC missed the tournament. Follow that up with Kansas worst year under Self. Duke losing most its team to the portal (after finishing 2nd in the ACC) and Kentucky fans rejoicing Cal leaving….I guess that’s a true sign the blue bloods are separating themselves even more?

Insanity.......

[Xavier]

In there defense, it certainly makes sense that those who are willing to spend the most should separate themselves. My issue is two fold: (long rant below)

1) why is that only limited to blue bloods? It actually opens the field up even more. A rich donor changes everything. IF $ was the key differentiator in success. But…

2) so far, there hasn’t been a correlation between $ spent and post season success. And I don’t think there ever will be. Unless you think NC state just spent more than UNC/Duke last year. And Oakland was more talented and had a higher NIL budget than Kentucky. Could it be the case in the future? Sure. But so far, it hasn’t had an impact.

Again, if you’re worried about the impact it has on Mid Majors, tell me the last time we had a tournament with two mid major teams battling in the final four (FAU VS SDST) for a shot to go to the NC before NIL. I’m not saying it has never happened but nothing jumps out right away?

I just don’t know where the concern is coming from outside of pure speculation. Maybe post season success isn’t how it should be measured but We just had a season where the Big East sent 3 schools to the tournament while the MWC sent 6. So two years ago we had two mid majors battling it out in the final four while last year we had a mid major conference send 6 schools to the tournament while a power conference only sent 3. Absolutely nothing supports the concern so far.

[MHettel]

In there defense, it certainly makes sense that those who are willing to spend the most should separate themselves. My issue is two fold: (long rant below)

1) why is that only limited to blue bloods? It actually opens the field up even more. A rich donor changes everything. IF $ was the key differentiator in success. But…

2) so far, there hasn’t been a correlation between $ spent and post season success. And I don’t think there ever will be. Unless you think NC state just spent more than UNC/Duke last year. And Oakland was more talented and had a higher NIL budget than Kentucky. Could it be the case in the future? Sure. But so far, it hasn’t had an impact.

Again, if you’re worried about the impact it has on Mid Majors, tell me the last time we had a tournament with two mid major teams battling in the final four (FAU VS SDST) for a shot to go to the NC before NIL. I’m not saying it has never happened but nothing jumps out right away?

I just don’t know where the concern is coming from outside of pure speculation. Maybe post season success isn’t how it should be measured but We just had a season where the Big East sent 3 schools to the tournament while the MWC sent 6. So two years ago we had two mid majors battling it out in the final four while last year we had a mid major conference send 6 schools to the tournament while a power conference only sent 3. Absolutely nothing supports the concern so far.

You sound like a Blockbuster investor that wasn’t concerned about Netflix.

We have seen some teams early adopt to the portal and build deep, experienced teams (SDSU) that were successful. They did this just before the “pack” caught on. It’s the baseball “shift”. A novel idea that works and then suddenly everyone is doing it. That’s where we are at.

And at this point we are so far beyond the idea that college kids should be able to get part time jobs to make ends meet. We have portal kids making $1m. We have NIL “budgets” that approach 5M. You don’t think the big, big money won’t step up at the proud blue blood teams and just give them the means to buy the best players every year?

This is baseball free agency in the 80s. The big market teams can just outpay everyone else.

Xavier NEVER reached any level of national prominence if NIL existed in the 80s or 90s. Larkin leaves. Hill, Grant, and Williams leave. Freaking Lenny Brown leaves. Posey, West, Sato. And we never even GET Jordan Crawford, TU, or Trevon.

And I know the easy response would be that XU could have kept those guys by using our NIL, but we wouldn’t have any NIL if it weren’t for those guys in the first place.

The $10 poker table just became $100 table. It’s too rich for many of these teams without a blue blood history or a huge, wealthy alumni base.

[XUGRAD80]

And if X had never reached any level of national prominence in basketball……would they still have fans? Sure they would. Not as many. And maybe they don’t play in front of 10,000 fans every game. Maybe they don’t play in the BEast. Maybe a lot of things along those lines. But they would still have fans. Just like NKU, Wright State, Miami, etc etc etc. Personally, I’m a fan of Xavier BB and I was long before they went to any Sweet 16 or Elite 8. Long before they were ever ranked. It’s been a fun ride and maybe this is as good as it gets. Maybe they never make a F4, let alone win a NC. That doesn’t mean that one can’t enjoy watching and rooting for them. And the same is true for each and every one of those schools that MH fears are going to be nothing but feeder schools for blue bloods.

I KNOW that UC football is NEVER going to win a national championship. It’s NEVER going to happen. 99.9% of the UC fans realize that. Yet they somehow still sell out home games. UD is the same way for their BB team. A NC is never going to happen there. Yet they get 13,000 for every game. Both programs have players transfer in and out on a regular basis. Yet as long as they remain competitive in their LEAGUE and against the teams they play during the regular season, they will continue to get fan support.

It’s not all about “March Madness” for most fans. It’s about supporting their school, team, whatever on a nightly/weekly basis and not just when the tournaments roll around. It’s not about being able to compete for a NC. It’s about much more than that.

[Xavier]

And at this point we are so far beyond the idea that college kids should be able to get part time jobs to make ends meet. We have portal kids making $1m. We have NIL “budgets” that approach 5M. You don’t think the big, big money won’t step up at the proud blue blood teams and just give them the means to buy the best players every year?

.

….why would only blue bloods be able to do that? Memphis with FedEx wouldn’t be able to do it? Or any school that has rich donor base that wants to spend the money on it?

[JTG]

What happens to the general donations to all these schools that now suddenly have $5mil (bball) and say $20mil (football) a year needed for Athletics that previously was donated elsewhere.

[D-West & PO-Z]

We've reached the point of Hett talking about blockbuster and early NIL adopters, time to start this NIL/portal loop over. See you all right back at this point in a few weeks.

[Xville]

What happens to the general donations to all these schools that now suddenly have $5mil (bball) and say $20mil (football) a year needed for Athletics that previously was donated elsewhere.

That to me is something that could be a true concern. No idea how those numbers are looking, but i do wonder if the general donation numbers are down?

[D-West & PO-Z]

What happens to the general donations to all these schools that now suddenly have $5mil (bball) and say $20mil (football) a year needed for Athletics that previously was donated elsewhere.

Are you saying it is your belief that most of the NIL funds are coming from people who used to just donate to the schools general fund but have now stopped that in order to donate to NIL?

I would say that is very unlikely.

If anything, I would say people who want to donate to NIL but need to stop donating somewhere else, are probably stopping their donations that were going directly to the athletic dept (like the AFO) in order to donate to NIL.

[bleedXblue]

What happens to the general donations to all these schools that now suddenly have $5mil (bball) and say $20mil (football) a year needed for Athletics that previously was donated elsewhere.

Great question. Here's what's going to happen. Other sports are going to get cut unless they can be self sustaining. Net tuition amount overrides the expense to operate the sports program. It s inevitable. Goodbye to most tennis, volleyball, swimming, soccer, lacrosse programs etc.

[Xville]

Are you saying it is your belief that most of the NIL funds are coming from people who used to just donate to the schools general fund but have now stopped that in order to donate to NIL?

I would say that is very unlikely.

If anything, I would say people who want to donate to NIL but need to stop donating somewhere else, are probably stopping their donations that were going directly to the athletic dept (like the AFO) in order to donate to NIL.

Maybe I misinterpreted it, but i thought that's what he was saying. Regardless, I think that is one of the concerns I have about this NIL stuff coming from fans.

[Xville]

Great question. Here's what's going to happen. Other sports are going to get cut unless they can be self sustaining. Net tuition amount overrides the expense to operate the sports program. It s inevitable. Goodbye to most tennis, volleyball, swimming, soccer, lacrosse programs etc.

I think a lot of important people see that this is why the collective scheme isn't sustainable. At some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, the school is the one paying the players and that hopefully a few guardrails are put in place. Unfortunately, Congress is probably going to have to get involved, which means its going take longer and get more effed up than it should before things get to a suitable resolution.

[XUGRAD80]

I think a lot of important people see that this is why the collective scheme isn't sustainable. At some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, the school is the one paying the players and that hopefully a few guardrails are put in place. Unfortunately, Congress is probably going to have to get involved, which means its going take longer and get more effed up than it should before things get to a suitable resolution.

Where is the money that the schools are paying the athletes going to come from? I’m not saying that isn’t what is going to happen eventually, but I’m not sure that happening will solve anything. The money still has to come from somewhere.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Where is the money that the schools are paying the athletes going to come from? I’m not saying that isn’t what is going to happen eventually, but I’m not sure that happening will solve anything. The money still has to come from somewhere.

The money is there, the people who make it though don't want to share it.

This is all leading to the athletes becoming paid employees by the schools, it is inevitable.

It's too bad the NCAA was so greedy and shit at adapting. Much more minor concessions years ago could have avoided some of the issues being faced today. NCAA will play the victim but has no one but themselves to blame.

[Xville]

Where is the money that the schools are paying the athletes going to come from? I’m not saying that isn’t what is going to happen eventually, but I’m not sure that happening will solve anything. The money still has to come from somewhere.

Combination is what I envision....Revenue Sharing predominantly along with some kind of service free for tickets, merchandise etc etc. Yes, some of this will be coming from fans like ourselves, but it will be a usage "tax" which seems more appropriate to me.

I'd also envision some kind of a "salary cap" put in place so this doesn't spiral completely.

[XUGRAD80]

Combination is what I envision....Revenue Sharing predominantly along with some kind of service free for tickets, merchandise etc etc. Yes, some of this will be coming from fans like ourselves, but it will be a usage "tax" which seems more appropriate to me.

I'd also envision some kind of a "salary cap" put in place so this doesn't spiral completely.

I don’t think that they will generate enough revenue if they rely on the attendees at the games to make up the bulk of it. There are thousands of fans around the country (and even nearby like myself) that don’t attend games other than occasionally. But many of us are willing to donate to a fund like the Final 2% instead of buying tickets to the games. I also really doubt that revenue sharing or a salary cap will ever take place.

[Xville]

I don’t think that they will generate enough revenue if they rely on the attendees at the games to make up the bulk of it. There are thousands of fans around the country (and even nearby like myself) that don’t attend games other than occasionally. But many of us are willing to donate to a fund like the Final 2% instead of buying tickets to the games. I also really doubt that revenue sharing or a salary cap will ever take place.

I agree. The fans are not where the bulk of the money will come from. I disagree regarding revenue sharing. I think that's the only way any of this is sustainable. Schools and athletic departments have plenty of money, they just don't want to share it, but eventually I think they are going to have to.

I think the collectives will always play a part in the "high priced" guys, but not going to be the only source of nil funds which is about what it is today.

[XUGRAD80]

The money is there, the people who make it though don't want to share it.

This is all leading to the athletes becoming paid employees by the schools, it is inevitable.

It's too bad the NCAA was so greedy and shit at adapting. Much more minor concessions years ago could have avoided some of the issues being faced today. NCAA will play the victim but has no one but themselves to blame.

Who would that be exactly? The NCAA?


https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/5/13/where-does-the-money-go.aspx

[Xville]

Who would that be exactly? The NCAA?


https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/5/13/where-does-the-money-go.aspx

Gee I wonder if the revenue and the expenses equal out to be 0? Wouldn't that be a crazy coincidence? Kind of like "non-profit" school's accounting books.

[XUGRAD80]

I agree. The fans are not where the bulk of the money will come from. I disagree regarding revenue sharing. I think that's the only way any of this is sustainable. Schools and athletic departments have plenty of money, they just don't want to share it, but eventually I think they are going to have to.

I think the collectives will always play a part in the "high priced" guys, but not going to be the only source of nil funds which is about what it is today.

The schools in the B10 and SEC won’t even share revenue among themselves voluntarily. I doubt they would be willing to share any money with say the MAC or anyone else outside the conference either. I don’t think that the collectives are going anywhere either.

[XUGRAD80]

Gee I wonder if the revenue and the expenses equal out to be 0? Wouldn't that be a crazy coincidence? Kind of like "non-profit" school's accounting books.

Red it and see what it says…….but I’ll tell you up front that they do show a gross profit. The NCAA is not a not for profit organization. It’s a business. The executives make very nice salaries. I personally don’t see profit as a bad word and don’t expect the people that work for the NCAA to take salary cuts in order to see that the athletes make millions.

[Xville]

The schools in the B10 and SEC won’t even share revenue among themselves voluntarily. I doubt they would be willing to share any money with say the MAC or anyone else outside the conference either. I don’t think that the collectives are going anywhere either.

By revenue share, I’m speaking to the schools themselves sharing their money with the individuals making them money. I also mean sharing within the conference..tv rights, sponsorships etc. I agree I don’t think the big conferences would ever share with the macs of the world.

[Xville]

Red it and see what it says…….but I’ll tell you up front that they do show a gross profit. The NCAA is not a not for profit organization. It’s a business. The executives make very nice salaries. I personally don’t see profit as a bad word and don’t expect the people that work for the NCAA to take salary cuts in order to see that the athletes make millions.

Do what? The NCAA is 100% a non profit organization.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Who would that be exactly? The NCAA?


https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/5/13/where-does-the-money-go.aspx

The NCAA
The Conferences
The Conference Commisioners
The Schools
The Head Coaches

To name a few

[D-West & PO-Z]

Red it and see what it says…….but I’ll tell you up front that they do show a gross profit. The NCAA is not a not for profit organization. It’s a business. The executives make very nice salaries. I personally don’t see profit as a bad word and don’t expect the people that work for the NCAA to take salary cuts in order to see that the athletes make millions.

You answered your own question to me.

[D-West & PO-Z]

By revenue share, I’m speaking to the schools themselves sharing their money with the individuals making them money. I also mean sharing within the conference..tv rights, sponsorships etc. I agree I don’t think the big conferences would ever share with the macs of the world.

Probably very likely.

Let's be 1000000% honest. The money is there. A lot of people are making a lot of money in college athletics. To pretend like there is none and there is no solution to the inevitable future of players being school employees, is foolish.

I guess college athletics will just cease to exist then?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Do what? The NCAA is 100% a non profit organization.

Correct

[muskiefan82]

Anyone have any portal news or rumors?

[JTG]

Anyone have any portal news or rumors?

That would certainly be much more interesting than the current trend of this thread.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Anyone have any portal news or rumors?

Posh Alexander in the portal......

[bleedXblue]

Posh Alexander in the portal......

Shocker, I thought he was a good fit at Butler and had a good year

[drudy23]

Shocker, I thought he was a good fit at Butler and had a good year

For these guys that have roles on teams and already play valuable minutes, especially upperclassmen, it's 100% about the money.

Also seems like his 10th year of eligibility.

[bleedXblue]

For these guys that have roles on teams and already play valuable minutes, especially upperclassmen, it's 100% about the money.

Also seems like his 10th year of eligibility.

I get it, maybe Butler lowered their NIL deal with him as well

[JTG]

I would be stunned if Butler didn't have the lowest NIL in the BE. They have always operated on a shoestring budget.

[Xville]

Update on kyky… here are schools with interest…

Oklahoma
Auburn
Tulsa
St. John’s
Wvu
Wisconsin
Fau


Good for him. Hope he goes to a program that makes it to the tourney. Been a long road for him and hope he can have a great last year.

[XUGRAD80]

Do what? The NCAA is 100% a non profit organization.

I agree…it’s a NON-profit organization.

I said it was not a NOT FOR PROFIT organization.

There is a difference. (I know this because until this January I served on the board of a NOT FOR PROFIT association as VP and P for the last 7 years.) The NCAA says that after paying their Operating Expenses, that the rest of the money goes back to the member schools. Fine, no problem so far, right? However they don’t tell you what are their Operating Expenses are made up of. It is perfectly legal for them to have investments, cash reserves, certificates of deposits, etc. in their organization's portfolio. (And they do) They don’t have to send ALL of “profits” to the schools if they set it up correctly.

In fact, according to a USA Today story they had $565 MILLION dollars in assets at the end of the 2023 fiscal year.

[XUGRAD80]

The NCAA
The Conferences
The Conference Commisioners
The Schools
The Head Coaches

To name a few

Maybe they should….but I don’t think it ever WILL happen.

[D-West & PO-Z]

For these guys that have roles on teams and already play valuable minutes, especially upperclassmen, it's 100% about the money.

Also seems like his 10th year of eligibility.

I think that is certainly a factor. Making the NCAA tournament for a guy with only a year left is certainly a factor for some as well.

Although, admittedly, I don't have any idea what Butler's roster looks like next year and, if with Posh, they should be any good?

Des, is another example of a different reason upperclassmen with large roles may transfer.

[Xville]

Traore committed to Louisville. Been a quiet week… wondering when and who that big is going to be

[MHettel]

Update on kyky… here are schools with interest…

Oklahoma
Auburn
Tulsa
St. John’s
Wvu
Wisconsin
Fau


Good for him. Hope he goes to a program that makes it to the tourney. Been a long road for him and hope he can have a great last year.

wow. He couldnt get off the bench at XU. He drops down a level, becomes a volume scorer (lots of point on ALOT of shots) and basically puts up no other stats (29 more TOs than assists on the season).

And now he's being recruited by some decent programs again. Will be interesting if he gets another shot at that level. it would be REALLY interesting if he ended up at St. Johns and played for Pitino.

[Xavier]

I’m interested where Claude goes. Outside of the nova rumor it’s very quiet on that front. Haven’t seen anything about visits or interest really.

[Xville]

wow. He couldnt get off the bench at XU. He drops down a level, becomes a volume scorer (lots of point on ALOT of shots) and basically puts up no other stats (29 more TOs than assists on the season).

And now he's being recruited by some decent programs again. Will be interesting if he gets another shot at that level. it would be REALLY interesting if he ended up at St. Johns and played for Pitino.

Well as we all know, Steele is an idiot, and Kyky did have a lot of nagging injuries throughout his time at X. In the sweet 16 year, he was starting at the beginning of the year and playing anywhere from 15-20 minutes a game. Then, another injury.

[JTG]

Traore committed to Louisville. Been a quiet week… wondering when and who that big is going to be

Not the one that visited X. There were 2 Traores @ LBSTATE.

[MHettel]

Well as we all know, Steele is an idiot, and Kyky did have a lot of nagging injuries throughout his time at X. In the sweet 16 year, he was starting at the beginning of the year and playing anywhere from 15-20 minutes a game. Then, another injury.

I just looked at his stats from 2 years ago. He did play a role in the first 8 games, averaging around 20 minutes a game, but he was largely ineffective. In the final 4 games of that stretch he played 74 minutes and went 5-20 shooting with ZERO free throw attempts.

he played his way out of the rotation. And I know he had injury history, but he was still getting 1-5 minutes a game from that point forward, so if he was really injured I would have expected zero minutes. he did not play at all after feb 18th, so I'm thinking that certainly was injury related.

Anyway, the chapter has closed with KyKy and XU, and he just never quite produced for us.

[drudy23]

wow. He couldnt get off the bench at XU. He drops down a level, becomes a volume scorer (lots of point on ALOT of shots) and basically puts up no other stats (29 more TOs than assists on the season).

And now he's being recruited by some decent programs again. Will be interesting if he gets another shot at that level. it would be REALLY interesting if he ended up at St. Johns and played for Pitino.

Anyone with eyes could see the potential in KyKy. He was the microwave off of the bench, he just needed to understand decision making a bit better. But he was one of the most athletic players on the team and when he got hot, could give you 20 on any given night. Steele never was able to mold him into a consistent contributor, but he had the tools and the skills.

His failure at X can be attributed to his head coach, for sure.

[murray87]

Not the one that visited X. There were 2 Traores @ LBSTATE.

Thanks for keeping hope alive!

[Xville]

Not the one that visited X. There were 2 Traores @ LBSTATE.

holy crap. Really? lol. Are they related or just crazy coincidence?

[Olsingledigit]

What happened to the App State big that i thought someone mentioned we were going to get two weeks ago?

[Xville]

What happened to the App State big that i thought someone mentioned we were going to get two weeks ago?

Committed to Georgia. Apparently wanted to be closer to home

[XUGRAD80]

holy crap. Really? lol. Are they related or just crazy coincidence?

Not related

[XUBison]

Not related

How can that be? Weird.

[nickgyp]

And if X had never reached any level of national prominence in basketball……would they still have fans? Sure they would. Not as many. And maybe they don’t play in front of 10,000 fans every game. Maybe they don’t play in the BEast. Maybe a lot of things along those lines. But they would still have fans. Just like NKU, Wright State, Miami, etc etc etc. Personally, I’m a fan of Xavier BB and I was long before they went to any Sweet 16 or Elite 8. Long before they were ever ranked. It’s been a fun ride and maybe this is as good as it gets. Maybe they never make a F4, let alone win a NC. That doesn’t mean that one can’t enjoy watching and rooting for them. And the same is true for each and every one of those schools that MH fears are going to be nothing but feeder schools for blue bloods.

I KNOW that UC football is NEVER going to win a national championship. It’s NEVER going to happen. 99.9% of the UC fans realize that. Yet they somehow still sell out home games. UD is the same way for their BB team. A NC is never going to happen there. Yet they get 13,000 for every game. Both programs have players transfer in and out on a regular basis. Yet as long as they remain competitive in their LEAGUE and against the teams they play during the regular season, they will continue to get fan support.

It’s not all about “March Madness” for most fans. It’s about supporting their school, team, whatever on a nightly/weekly basis and not just when the tournaments roll around. It’s not about being able to compete for a NC. It’s about much more than that.

Agree 100%. I have followed Xavier athletics as a kid in the sixties and from then on. Many of the basketball and football wins over UC, Dayton, Miami and others were satisfying simply because Xavier won. The fact that the opponent wasn’t Ohio State, Norte Dame, Michigan and others was really of no significance. Keeping up with the blue bloods realistically is not possible. I can live with that fact. The mercenary nature of the NIL stuff with the portal transfers leaves with a diminished interest.

Years ago, my brother-in-law asked me if I really cared about these college athletes graduating. I said I did.The price of running with the big dogs is a steep one. The portals do not mention the opportunity to get a degree from a specific school. Cheering for “our” alma mater seems like a quaint notion when the players are likely never to be fellow graduates.

[XU-PA]

Anyone have any portal news or rumors?

Thank you!!!

[MHettel]

Anyone with eyes could see the potential in KyKy. He was the microwave off of the bench, he just needed to understand decision making a bit better. But he was one of the most athletic players on the team and when he got hot, could give you 20 on any given night. Steele never was able to mold him into a consistent contributor, but he had the tools and the skills.

His failure at X can be attributed to his head coach, for sure.

Yeah....but he started off playing 20 minutes a night under Miller and played his way out of that role. in 8 games he was 14-41 shooting (34%) with 24 of those attempts coming from 3 (where he was 8-24). He was 2 for 3 from the line in 8 games. He was ineffective.

Alot of people credit Miller for Hunters improvement (as do I), but he had the same shot to do that with Tandy, but it just never happened. Not blaming Miller. But also not entirely blaming Steele either. I think Tandy was just not quite good enough to play at this level.

btw, Tandy had 20 or more points in a game ONCE while at XU. In his final year he had 1 game over 10.

Will be interesting to see where he ends up and what kind of role he will have.

[XUGRAD80]

How can that be? Weird.

I have a very unique last name. My brothers and I are the only people in the greater Cincinnati area with it. 40 years ago, did meet a girl from Columbus that had the same last name. We worked for the same company. No relation. Both of us remarked that we had never meant anyone else with the same last name that wasn’t a relation. Weird, but it happens.

[webxu]

Just saw Richmond from Seton Hall entered the portal... id take him!

[bleedXblue]

Just saw Richmond from Seton Hall entered the portal... id take him!

wow thats a big loss for them

[JTG]

holy crap. Really? lol. Are they related or just crazy coincidence?

Not related, they are from the same country in Africa where Traore is a common name. They are best buds, so maybe he joins the one in Lou. Or maybe he rethinks X because his best friend would be an hour away instead of 3000 miles away.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Update on kyky… here are schools with interest…

Oklahoma
Auburn
Tulsa
St. John’s
Wvu
Wisconsin
Fau


Good for him. Hope he goes to a program that makes it to the tourney. Been a long road for him and hope he can have a great last year.

Have we already recited the “you know, a lot of people go to college for six years” bit on here?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Just saw Richmond from Seton Hall entered the portal... id take him!

This is a huge loss for them. I wonder what happened there that made him do that.

[Olsingledigit]

Committed to Georgia. Apparently wanted to be closer to home

Damn

[paulxu]

I wonder how many of these guys who transfer multiple times to different schools actually graduate from their last one?

On a related note, I wonder how many players who were drafted last year had a college degree?

[XU_Lou]

John Fanta
@John_Fanta
One high major coach to me on the state of college basketball:

“It’s a f#%king disaster. For us veteran coaches, this is not what we signed up for. I am not mad at the kids one bit. They’re seeking their value and earning money, and I think they should. It’s your right to get paid. I would do the same thing that they’re doing. Anybody mad at the kids is foolish. But shame on the NCAA for not seeing this coming years ago and being proactive. Not having a boundary or a system in place at all, having no regulations to even attempt to find a common playing field is a major miss. These collectives will get coaches fired. We have had no break. Not one coach in the country has had a single day to sit down and breathe. It’s unhealthy. The other issue is you get attrition when you get commitments. Another kid sees someone commit, dislikes the idea of fighting for their role on a team and wants to bolt elsewhere. We can’t do this every single year. Kids should make big dollars. But the way this is set up right now with no contracts or regulations makes it impossible to sustain anything in this sport.”

[waggy]

I think there is a silver lining to this for coaches though. The high school recruit game is greatly reduced. And that was it’s own giant pain in the ass.

[D-West & PO-Z]

John Fanta
@John_Fanta
One high major coach to me on the state of college basketball:

“It’s a f#%king disaster. For us veteran coaches, this is not what we signed up for. I am not mad at the kids one bit. They’re seeking their value and earning money, and I think they should. It’s your right to get paid. I would do the same thing that they’re doing. Anybody mad at the kids is foolish. But shame on the NCAA for not seeing this coming years ago and being proactive. Not having a boundary or a system in place at all, having no regulations to even attempt to find a common playing field is a major miss. These collectives will get coaches fired. We have had no break. Not one coach in the country has had a single day to sit down and breathe. It’s unhealthy. The other issue is you get attrition when you get commitments. Another kid sees someone commit, dislikes the idea of fighting for their role on a team and wants to bolt elsewhere. We can’t do this every single year. Kids should make big dollars. But the way this is set up right now with no contracts or regulations makes it impossible to sustain anything in this sport.”

Actually refreshing to see a coach complaining about the situation, without blaming the players, while admitting he'd be doing the same thing in their position, while saying the NCAA could have avoided this years ago by not being so stubborn/stupid.

[muskiefan82]

What is the BEST transfer portal site?

[UCGRAD4X]

What is the BEST transfer portal site?

xavierhoops.com

[bobbiemcgee]

Have we already recited the “you know, a lot of people go to college for six years” bit on here?

Wish I could have

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Austin Nunez at ASU transferred after his Freshman year to Ole Miss. He played under 10 mins a game, but his minutes were pretty consistent especially for a Freshman. At Ole Miss last year saw a 2-3 min decline and his time was more sporadic.

Now this season, he leave Ole Miss and comes back to ASU.

A booster told me he and some other left for NIL. I know ASU's NIL has not improved so that says he is coming back to a team that is a better fit.

My point is, a lot of these issues could be solved but limiting the types of transfers. E.G. everyone gets a free transfer, you can transfer if a head coach separates for any reason, and eliminate graduate transfers. This would stop this from being a situation where every player is a free agent every summer.

[MHettel]

Austin Nunez at ASU transferred after his Freshman year to Ole Miss. He played under 10 mins a game, but his minutes were pretty consistent especially for a Freshman. At Ole Miss last year saw a 2-3 min decline and his time was more sporadic.

Now this season, he leave Ole Miss and comes back to ASU.

A booster told me he and some other left for NIL. I know ASU's NIL has not improved so that says he is coming back to a team that is a better fit.

My point is, a lot of these issues could be solved but limiting the types of transfers. E.G. everyone gets a free transfer, you can transfer if a head coach separates for any reason, and eliminate graduate transfers. This would stop this from being a situation where every player is a free agent every summer.

That is nonsense.

ALL of our decisions must only consider if and how the PLAYERS benefit. Havent you figured this out yet. The freaking chaos, and teetering fan interest is simply a small price to pay in the furtherance of players rights.

for further explanation, contact "D-West & Po-Z."

[D-West & PO-Z]

teetering fan interest

“Men's NCAA Tournament sees record viewership through Saturday games“

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/03/25/ncaa-tournament-viewership

Hett never lets facts get in the way of his predetermined narrative!

[MHettel]

“Men's NCAA Tournament sees record viewership through Saturday games“

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/03/25/ncaa-tournament-viewership

Hett never lets facts get in the way of his predetermined narrative!

And D-West & Po-Z never fails to be looking in the rearview mirror at all times, instead of seeing the signs of what will come.

Blockbuster.......Netflix.

[D-West & PO-Z]

And D-West & Po-Z never fails to be looking in the rearview mirror at all times, instead of seeing the signs of what will come.

Blockbuster.......Netflix.

We are about half a decade into NIL and portal.

You claim fans are uninterested, yet you post here all day everyday about the sport and viewership of the main event is at an all time high.

Parity is at an all time high.

How long must we wait for the sport to be ruined as you predict? A decade? 15 years? 20?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

We are about half a decade into NIL and portal.

You claim fans are uninterested, yet you post here all day everyday about the sport and viewership of the main event is at an all time high.

Parity is at an all time high.

How long must we wait for the sport to be ruined as you predict? A decade? 15 years? 20?

I think the game is at a near apex in interest and viewership. I also think there is a new parity in basketball, but I think the issue here is that pre-portal it would happen now and again. That team would experience 2-3 years of success and go back. Now, a smaller school can have it but see all their good players leave in the portal. It is a one year and done scenario right now. You see a nice run and then big teams gut the smaller ones.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think the game is at a near apex in interest and viewership. I also think there is a new parity in basketball, but I think the issue here is that pre-portal it would happen now and again. That team would experience 2-3 years of success and go back. Now, a smaller school can have it but see all their good players leave in the portal. It is a one year and done scenario right now. You see a nice run and then big teams gut the smaller ones.

Sure that happens to some degree, although it did not happen to FAU after making the final 4, all of their players returned.

That isn’t ruining the sport for me though. I mean if we were all fans of western Kentucky, or Rice, or some low or mid major school I’d get it. It would suck more. It’s done almost nothing but help Xavier though.

[MHettel]

Sure that happens to some degree, although it did not happen to FAU after making the final 4, all of their players returned.

That isn’t ruining the sport for me though. I mean if we were all fans of western Kentucky, or Rice, or some low or mid major school I’d get it. It would suck more. It’s done almost nothing but help Xavier though.

yeah, we've been killing it the last few years.

[Xavier]

yeah, we've been killing it the last few years.

You can point to last year all you want but don’t forget Two years ago was one of the best years in Xavier history. We’ve only gotten further in the tournament 3 times. Been better than a 3 seed twice. Only one year did we finish better in the BE. I know it gets glossed over to help your argument though.

No amount of NIl would help Steele

[D-West & PO-Z]

You can point to last year all you want but don’t forget Two years ago was one of the best years in Xavier history. We’ve only gotten further in the tournament 3 times. Been better than a 3 seed twice. Only one year did we finish better in the BE. I know it gets glossed over to help your argument though.

No amount of NIl would help Steele

Hett knows all these things. His narrative is his narrative though.

[MHettel]

Hett knows all these things. His narrative is his narrative though.

shouldnt you be on a picket line somewhere? Fighting for the oppressed?

[D-West & PO-Z]

shouldnt you be on a picket line somewhere? Fighting for the oppressed?

That's rich coming from the guy lamenting over the workload of millionaire coaches!