Jonathan Powell

[XUGRAD80]

Has requested to be released from his NIL and is opening up his recruitment.

Wow. Have to wonder if this might be the beginning of a trend for many others?

[bjf123]

Has requested to be released from his NIL and is opening up his recruitment.

Wow. Have to wonder if this might be the beginning of a trend for many others?

If this becomes the new normal in college basketball, my interest will quickly drop to zero. Part of the attraction was watching kids come in as freshmen and grow their game over the next 3-4 years. If the commitments suddenly become meaningless, my commitment to paying a bunch of money for season tickets at Cintas will be given serious reconsideration.


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[D-West & PO-Z]

Didn't see many mins for him this year. Probably didn't love how it was looking himself.

[muskieindent]

He was going to be pretty low on the depth chart.Freshmen are becoming irrelevant sadly.

[LOLmickcronin]

If this becomes the new normal in college basketball, my interest will quickly drop to zero. Part of the attraction was watching kids come in as freshmen and grow their game over the next 3-4 years. If the commitments suddenly become meaningless, my commitment to paying a bunch of money for season tickets at Cintas will be given serious reconsideration.


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Same man. Each time this happens or the entire team transfers it gets me down. And I know it’s just “the way the game is now” but the way the game is now sucks.

Zero freshman this year. Des walks. Almost all our young players leave. It’s awful. Sure Des’s game was imperfect. But so was BJ Raymond’s as a sophomore. Sean Omara barely got minutes his sophomore year. The fun of watching these guys develop is what makes college basketball great. You get 4 years with these guys to watch them grow and work and get better. And you get the occasional Tre/JP/Dwest types to watch excel immediately and see how far they can go.


The thing is the ncaa is still gonna make money bc people care and watch the tournament. So I just don’t see any change on the horizon bc they don’t give a shit. But I’ll have a hard time really watching anymore. I don’t wanna have to literally sit at the first game and learn ten new guys names every year like I did this year. Maybe I’m just becoming the old guy saying “things aren’t what they used to be” but damn they’ve taken such an incredible product and turned it into garbage.

[MHettel]

Wow. Who could ever have predicted that things like this would start happening?

[xu82]

Good for him and his freedom.

I find myself caring less every season.

[JTG]

I sort of wondered, as the portal moves unfolded, what Powell might be thinking. He was totally being recruited over. Kind of sad that we'll have a whole new team every year. Interested to see who the staff might be looking at for the remaining spots.

[Xavier]

Aight go play for Mack for two years then come back. Xavier farm system.

Does stink. Think one of Sean’s best strengths (his first time here) was player development. Guess it kinda had to be when you’re at a mid major but still. Think we see more McKnight and Conwell type developments (2 years). But maybe Swain can be used as an example to future freshmen recruits

[GoMuskies]

I find myself caring less every season.

March is still awesome. The rest of the season (and particularlyl the offseason? It's getting tough.

[bjf123]

March is still awesome. The rest of the season (and particularlyl the offseason? It's getting tough.

If I stop caring about the regular season, my interest in March Madness will surely drop. Might not drop to zero, but it will drop a lot.


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[D-West & PO-Z]

None of this seems to be slowing down the season ticket purchases thus far.

[Xavier]

I don’t think they are saying sport will be dead. Just they aren’t interested. I can see why some lose interest for sure. I love the sport (not just X) and still do

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah I don’t doubt a small number of people will become disinterested. I find it hard to believe any of us that post on here on a regular basis (the die hards) will be among that number but to each their own.

Seems a little contradictory to me that some of the people who argue that the value of the players is driven by the name on the front of the jersey are some of the same people who are becoming less interested by the changing of the players each year.

For me, if it says Xavier on the front, I am interested.

[XUGRAD80]

Yeah I don’t doubt a small number of people will become disinterested. I find it hard to believe any of us that post on here on a regular basis (the die hards) will be among that number but to each their own.

Seems a little contradictory to me that some of the people who argue that the value of the players is driven by the name on the front of the jersey are some of the same people who are becoming less interested by the changing of the players each year.

For me, if it says Xavier on the front, I am interested.

To each their own, by yeah I root for the team and not the individual players so much. Maybe when it’s a local kid or someone I have some kind of connection to I will pull for them a little harder.

Evidently the plan was for him to redshirt this year and he wants to play instead. Wasn’t going to happen at X so he will move on. I wish him the best of luck.

[MHettel]

To each their own, by yeah I root for the team and not the individual players so much. Maybe when it’s a local kid or someone I have some kind of connection to I will pull for them a little harder.

Evidently the plan was for him to redshirt this year and he wants to play instead. Wasn’t going to happen at X so he will move on. I wish him the best of luck.

Send him to Triple A (Dayton), then we can call him up next year.

[drudy23]

Honestly, if this is going to be reality, slash the recruiting budget and put it into NIL somehow, and stop asking fans to pay for this stupidity.

Unless you're a top 25 freshman that can 100% start immediately, what's the point?

We have ZERO recruits for next year, and I'm guessing they spent a sh*tload of money on recruiting. This shouldn't be our mess.

It makes me sad that a player like Powell won't be able to experience a developmental path at a place like Xavier, where he seemed very excited to attend. It sucks. It definitely takes away from the connection fans are going to feel for the program. It's going in the wrong direction.

[MHettel]

Honestly, if this is going to be reality, slash the recruiting budget and put it into NIL somehow, and stop asking fans to pay for this stupidity.

Unless you're a top 25 freshman that can 100% start immediately, what's the point?

We have ZERO recruits for next year, and I'm guessing they spent a sh*tload of money on recruiting. This shouldn't be our mess.

Also, entirely foreseeable. All this was coming from a mile away. All you had to do was envision the sequence of events. My guess is that Powell will go somewhere probably at a lower level where he can play right away and demonstrate his value. He will be in the portal next year, looking for that money and that Starting job at a Big school. Thats the blueprint, folks.

[drudy23]

Also, entirely foreseeable. All this was coming from a mile away. All you had to do was envision the sequence of events. My guess is that Powell will go somewhere probably at a lower level where he can play right away and demonstrate his value. He will be in the portal next year, looking for that money and that Starting job at a Big school. Thats the blueprint, folks.

Pretty much.

[Olsingledigit]

Yeah I don’t doubt a small number of people will become disinterested. I find it hard to believe any of us that post on here on a regular basis (the die hards) will be among that number but to each their own.

Seems a little contradictory to me that some of the people who argue that the value of the players is driven by the name on the front of the jersey are some of the same people who are becoming less interested by the changing of the players each year.

For me, if it says Xavier on the front, I am interested.

I am with you on this. We renewed our seats about an hour ago and were able to get the same seats we have had since the Cintas opened. Yes it still says X on the front and yes I can see that we likely will not recruit any freshmen in the future and yes the mid-majors will become our farm system. Things change but i am sticking with it and with Sean.

“No man ever steps in the same river twice. For it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” Heraclitus

[Muskeagle]

I live in the area and have some connections to some high school folks....and while I don't like the trend...I don't think this is a huge loss.

[Xavier]

Honestly, if this is going to be reality, slash the recruiting budget and put it into NIL somehow, and stop asking fans to pay for this stupidity.

Unless you're a top 25 freshman that can 100% start immediately, what's the point?

We have ZERO recruits for next year, and I'm guessing they spent a sh*tload of money on recruiting. This shouldn't be our mess.

It makes me sad that a player like Powell won't be able to experience a developmental path at a place like Xavier, where he seemed very excited to attend. It sucks. It definitely takes away from the connection fans are going to feel for the program. It's going in the wrong direction.

I mean, it was his decision. It’s not like X told him to move on. He could’ve gotten that development and chose not to.

[JTG]

It disappointing that he didn't even give himself a chance. Swain and Green got some time on the floor to prove their worth. Other than top 50 kids, HS Seniors have only mid to low level school to look forward to.

[bjf123]

Send him to Triple A (Dayton), then we can call him up next year.

Public reps!


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[drudy23]

I mean, it was his decision. It’s not like X told him to move on. He could’ve gotten that development and chose not to.

I’m sure I’ll get over it if we’re good. But it still sucks for the kid. Commitments really don’t mean commitment, on either side.

[Xavier]

Also, entirely foreseeable. All this was coming from a mile away. All you had to do was envision the sequence of events. My guess is that Powell will go somewhere probably at a lower level where he can play right away and demonstrate his value. He will be in the portal next year, looking for that money and that Starting job at a Big school. Thats the blueprint, folks.

It’s exactly why I said mid majors are going to be able to get talent they never got before. Bigger schools will want proven talent. A guy like Craft (top 75 recruit) will be playing at Miami. Kyky went to not even a mid major and produced the highest scoring season in program history.

So at a mid major you’ll have better shot at bringing in higher end talent than you ever had. My strategy would be leaning into that as much as you can.

[MHettel]

It’s exactly why I said mid majors are going to be able to get talent they never got before. Bigger schools will want proven talent. A guy like Craft (top 75 recruit) will be playing at Miami. Kyky went to not even a mid major and produced the highest scoring season in program history.

So at a mid major you’ll have better shot at bringing in higher end talent than you ever had. My strategy would be leaning into that as much as you can.

Yeah. And I said that 3 years ago.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Should X even bother to recruit kids from high school any more? No player development. Every player is potentially a one-year deal.

[XUBand]

Honestly this is the kind of shit that is making me want to bail on my decade+ season tickets. New team every year, guys mandating what type of NIL they get, uncapped free agency. There's no one to root for anymore. No more Jason Love, Justin Doellman, Romain Sato types to watch develop into incredible players. Team? What team? It's 5-10 guys playing watch what I can do. The golden era of college basketball is over. Might as well just call it minor leagues at this point.

[drudy23]

Should X even bother to recruit kids from high school any more? No player development. Every player is potentially a one-year deal.

Sure would seem to significantly diminish the recruiting budget. Put that money into NIL. I'd have to imagine X's recruiting budget is $5-10M per year?

[GIMMFD]

Should X even bother to recruit kids from high school any more? No player development. Every player is potentially a one-year deal.

It's interesting because we'll never get the 5* immediate contributors that some bigger programs get, so really our high school recruits have to sit and develop, but in this new era of the portal and NIL it doesn't seem possible, if you can completely rebuild a roster without recruiting high school kids, why not take the talent that has the experience of playing at the college level? It sucks because it's more fun to follow a kid that commits to the program and watch how he grows over the years, but it's probably just not the best way to fill out a roster anymore.

[MHettel]

Sure would seem to significantly diminish the recruiting budget. Put that money into NIL. I'd have to imagine X's recruiting budget is $5-10M per year?

WHAT!!!!

if you meant 5 dollars to 10Million, then yes I agree. But I think you meant 5 million to 10 million.

I mean, how COULD you even spend that much money. the coaching staff is already paid for and they are doing the work. so this is travel, accommodations, tickets to tournaments maybe, cost of the on campus visits, a bunch of swag / gear and marketing materials. Im thinking 250K????

[MHettel]

It's interesting because we'll never get the 5* immediate contributors that some bigger programs get, so really our high school recruits have to sit and develop, but in this new era of the portal and NIL it doesn't seem possible, if you can completely rebuild a roster without recruiting high school kids, why not take the talent that has the experience of playing at the college level? It sucks because it's more fun to follow a kid that commits to the program and watch how he grows over the years, but it's probably just not the best way to fill out a roster anymore.

this is EXACTLY where the separation starts. The teams with money will "buy" proven, experienced, talent in the portal. And the teams without money will bring on the high school kids and have them for 1-2 years max (the good ones) until they move up.

Its going to be like having your varsity team playing against your freshmen and JV team. We know who wins that. Its not even a contest.

I look at the roster for next year, and I think it looks VERY good. Like compared to prior XU teams it could be one of the best and certainly one of teh deepest. But thats a pointless comparison, because those teams from the past were built the old way with a mix of Freshmen and sophomores playing bigger roles.

We need to think about our roster next year going up against teams that ALSO built an experienced deep roster using the portal. the whole bar is raised. There are gonna be a bunch of teams that are absolutely loaded.

we Brought in 5 transfers, and the "best" guy was ranked about #88. Most of our guys are in the 150 range. You do realize that all of those guys ranked higher than ours also landed with the big programs, right? West Virginia picked up 2 top 10 guys. Indiana picked up 3 in the top 26. Kentucky has 6 guys in the top 100.

Teams are gonna be loaded. This is the mass transfer of talent from the mid-majors to the high majors.

Again, this was SOOOOO foreseeable.,

[ArizonaXUGrad]

This is a new market still being just 5 or so seasons old. Give it time to iron out all of the issues and see where the dust lands. After this season, all those 5th year COVID players are gone. You will get a better idea of how big the portal will be and there won't be anymore 4th and 5th year seniors.

I think it shrinks a bit and coaches put a priority on players with 2 years left. Those with 1 year left will be kept to those the will be an instant starter. I bet the NCAA puts in some rules to prevent every player being a free agent each year.

There are going to be tons of players in the portal that had homes last season, have eligibility, and are left out in the cold. The players know this better than anyone else. I think that feeling drives a lot of these transfers which are attempts to get as much NIL as they can before they exhaust eligibility.

[XUBison]

It’s exactly why I said mid majors are going to be able to get talent they never got before. Bigger schools will want proven talent. A guy like Craft (top 75 recruit) will be playing at Miami. Kyky went to not even a mid major and produced the highest scoring season in program history.

So at a mid major you’ll have better shot at bringing in higher end talent than you ever had. My strategy would be leaning into that as much as you can.

I don’t disagree with your premise, except that I don’t see it being a real boon for mid-majors in general. Sure, there will always be some cherry-pickable examples, but the math doesn’t support much more than that. We’re talking about 350 rosters, about 3/4 of which are mid-major programs. Most of our recruits seem to be top 150 guys, and I think it’s a crapshoot whether Guys ranked lower than that end up at a major or mid-major program. If you figure the top 50 still end up at major programs going forward, and say 30% of those 51-150 do as well, you’ll end up with 70 Powell or. Kam Craft type players scattered across 250 mid-major programs. Then consider that most. +50 high school players need development, no matter where they play, and those who develop and pan out bolt at the first opportunity — well, I don’t think the mid-major world that’s getting wrecked will see that as a meaningful offset.

I follow only a small segment of the mid-major landscape, but my observation has been that way more decent-great players are going than are coming. As hard as it has historically been for programs like X, Gonzaga, Butler, Creighton, et al. To evolve into major programs, I think it will be next to impossible for sustainable program-building to occur in this environment. Who cares, I guess? Except, given our roots, the thought makes me sad.

[UCGRAD4X]

I think it shrinks a bit and coaches put a priority on players with 2 years left. Those with 1 year left will be kept to those the will be an instant starter. I bet the NCAA puts in some rules to prevent every player being a free agent each year.

Yup, cause that always works.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Yup, cause that always works.

Unregulated is causing transfer portal fatigue. I think for sure the fans are, I would be stunned if coaches aren't wearing down, and I bet if you polled all the players who entered the portal and failed to find a new spot they would be as well.

I am a big 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' guy. Well, this is certainly broken. I think we all agree, but I believe a series of small tweaks can fix it.

[xudash]

I don’t disagree with your premise, except that I don’t see it being a real boon for mid-majors in general. Sure, there will always be some cherry-pickable examples, but the math doesn’t support much more than that. We’re talking about 350 rosters, about 3/4 of which are mid-major programs. Most of our recruits seem to be top 150 guys, and I think it’s a crapshoot whether Guys ranked lower than that end up at a major or mid-major program. If you figure the top 50 still end up at major programs going forward, and say 30% of those 51-150 do as well, you’ll end up with 70 Powell or. Kam Craft type players scattered across 250 mid-major programs. Then consider that most. +50 high school players need development, no matter where they play, and those who develop and pan out bolt at the first opportunity — well, I don’t think the mid-major world that’s getting wrecked will see that as a meaningful offset.

I follow only a small segment of the mid-major landscape, but my observation has been that way more decent-great players are going than are coming. As hard as it has historically been for programs like X, Gonzaga, Butler, Creighton, et al. To evolve into major programs, I think it will be next to impossible for sustainable program-building to occur in this environment. Who cares, I guess? Except, given our roots, the thought makes me sad.

This is so spot on it's not even funny, not that you meant it to be funny.

If I were a VCU, SLU or Dayton fan, to name 3 familiar examples, I would be beside myself right now. Imagine salmon swimming upstream, only now someone released an additional river into the mix and there are many more hungry bears standing in the water, waiting for you.

How many times do we mention that freshman are freshman - that they aren't expected to play a major role in their first year, unless they're a Top 50 player, etc.? So they now start at a mid-major, whose fans may initially be enamored with some recruiting stars behind the name of the kid that comes into their program. Then they watch as that kid gets eaten alive by experience, or, if they're playing a P5/BE school, experience and more talent.

Frankly, between those three schools, Dayton may be in the worse shape of all, because it is located in ...... Dayton. Not exactly a conducive environment for generating meaningful NIL money.

[Xavier]

Yeah. And I said that 3 years ago.

For some reason I thought you argued NIL kills mid majors but if we agree they are getting the best talent they ever have then that can’t be right.

[IM4X]

None of this seems to be slowing down the season ticket purchases thus far.

Having familiar faces like Free Hunter, McKnight, Swain and Green back expecting to play -all who fans know can compete at this level sure helps.

It will be interesting to see how fans react the following season when most of this team is gone because they’ve run out of eligibility and possibly no freshmen will have been in the team getting minutes. Now that might test some fan’s willingness to buy tickets.

I’d imagine Sean still wants to keep pulling in transfers AND adding at least a few freshmen/sophomores that he can develop (like we’re seeing with Swain and Green).

[Section 200]

I think this new world will benefit X. Most of the schools we compete with are going to put almost all NIL into football. We should have an advantage over programs like UC & most of the Big 10, ACC & Big 12 - football will take 90% or more of NIL $$$. We will be at the same disadvantage we've always been to UK, Duke & the blue bloods/highest $$ programs. Just like always we must have a great coach that can convince guys we can get them to the next level, whether NBA or International. Miller has done that very well. Play a fun style, play in the Big East & have a good coach.

I'm excited & ready for the new world.

[MHettel]

For some reason I thought you argued NIL kills mid majors but if we agree they are getting the best talent they ever have then that can’t be right.

You can’t be serious. This goes over your head?

Example: mid major brings in 5 good freshmen. Has a solid year. Returns as sophs. Has a really good year. All 5 transfer to Xavier. Mid major replaces with 5 more good freshmen. Mid major plays Xavier and Xavier absolutely annihilates them using their own guys that are 2 years older than the new mid major guys.

You couldn’t connect the dots on that? Are you that dense. This was my entire point for the last 3 years. I explained it over and over and then when it starts happening you think it’s some kind of evidence that I’m not correct?

You sir, are dense.

[MHettel]

I think this new world will benefit X. Most of the schools we compete with are going to put almost all NIL into football. We should have an advantage over programs like UC & most of the Big 10, ACC & Big 12 - football will take 90% or more of NIL $$$. We will be at the same disadvantage we've always been to UK, Duke & the blue bloods/highest $$ programs. Just like always we must have a great coach that can convince guys we can get them to the next level, whether NBA or International. Miller has done that very well. Play a fun style, play in the Big East & have a good coach.

I'm excited & ready for the new world.

The teams with the largest alumni base will have an advantage. And if it’s a quality school where alumni go out and earn a lot of money then they will really be well positioned. There are schools out there that have 10X more alumni than Xavier. Probably some that might have 20X the amount. I get that Football will get the NIL first, for the most part. But if you have 200,000 alumni out there and just one half of one percent (1000) are die hard BBall fans and have the means to do it, you can put together a huge NIL that is earmarked for BBall.

It’s a number game. What I wouldn’t want to be is a small school that has football and is in a big conference. northwestern, wake, Duke, vandy. I just don’t see how they can put money into football and basketball. It’s like a small market baseball team.

[Xavier]

You can’t be serious. This goes over your head?

Example: mid major brings in 5 good freshmen. Has a solid year. Returns as sophs. Has a really good year. All 5 transfer to Xavier. Mid major replaces with 5 more good freshmen. Mid major plays Xavier and Xavier absolutely annihilates them using their own guys that are 2 years older than the new mid major guys.

You couldn’t connect the dots on that? Are you that dense. This was my entire point for the last 3 years. I explained it over and over and then when it starts happening you think it’s some kind of evidence that I’m not correct?

You sir, are dense.


I think FAU playing SDST in the final four last year was evidence. Though I asked if that has happened much before NIL and you never responded? Is that what you were referring to when you said mid majors would suffer?

Of FAUs final four team, how many got snatched up in the portal? Probably most the starters?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I think FAU playing SDST in the final four last year was evidence. Though I asked if that has happened much before NIL and you never responded? Is that what you were referring to when you said mid majors would suffer?

Of FAUs final four team, how many got snatched up in the portal?

Careful with last year's final 4, both FAU and SDSU had a few 5th year seniors. That is a phenomena that is disappearing. No more 23-5 year old seniors who are grown ass men playing against young adults.

[MHettel]

I think FAU playing SDST in the final four last year was evidence. Though I asked if that has happened much before NIL and you never responded? Is that what you were referring to when you said mid majors would suffer?

Wow. I wrote a lengthy post last year about how SDSU simply was an early adopter of utilizing the portal to create a deep, experienced, veteran roster. They cracked the code before the “pack”.

This is the baseball “shift”. First it’s a gimmick, then some teams do it sometime. Then all teams do it sometimes. Then all teams do it all the time. How do you not get this? SDSU is the perfect example! It worked! Now the big boys will start doing it and the little window of time that it was an advantage will end.


I can’t explain FAU. I’ve never tried to. Great coach that found some really good players and hit a groove. But the coach has now left and a couple of the guys just went in the portal and moved to Bigger schools.

The dream is over, FAU.

[MHettel]

Careful with last year's final 4, both FAU and SDSU had a few 5th year seniors. That is a phenomena that is disappearing. No more 23-5 year old seniors who are grown ass men playing against young adults.

Interesting! You edited out that last part!

Do you want me to answer that? Probably not since you already know that answer. Lol

[Xavier]

I can’t explain FAU. I’ve never tried to...

….ya think? lol it’s easy to predict something and claim you were right when evidence shows otherwise it’s brushed away with “just can’t explain that one”

[MHettel]

….ya think? lol it’s easy to predict something and claim you were right when evidence shows otherwise it’s brushed away with “just can’t explain that one”

Yet their coach and the best players have left.

[Xavier]

Yet their coach and the best players have left.

*after they all returned following the final four run. In fact it was the only team in the final four that didn’t have anyone enter the portal. A mid major team! Interesting.

“Just can’t explain that one” is a classic Hett line to overlook facts that prove him wrong. Definitely saving that for the future lol. I’ll leave you alone again, not derailing another thread.

[MHettel]

*after they all returned following the final four run. In fact it was the only team in the final four that didn’t have anyone enter the portal. A mid major team! Interesting.

“Just can’t explain that one” is a classic Hett line to overlook facts that prove him wrong. Definitely saving that for the future lol. I’ll leave you alone again, not derailing another thread.

Ok. You (and others) act like any and all changes that would happen as a consequence of the NIl and Portal would be instant. Like year 1, all of the impact would be felt. That’s just dumb and really all you have to cling onto.

It was never going to be that way, and it hasn’t been. This is really just the 3rd offseason of NIL and immediate transfers. It’s become increasingly invasive to the status quo. This year has been absolutely bonkers.

FAU had a miracle year. It happens. The guys stuck around for one year. Then they chased the money. Just like their coach did. The fact is, they transferred. I don’t know how that fact betters your argument.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

I’m old enough to remember when freshman eligibility was going to solve everything.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Wow. I wrote a lengthy post last year about how SDSU simply was an early adopter of utilizing the portal to create a deep, experienced, veteran roster. They cracked the code before the “pack”.

This is the baseball “shift”. First it’s a gimmick, then some teams do it sometime. Then all teams do it sometimes. Then all teams do it all the time. How do you not get this? SDSU is the perfect example! It worked! Now the big boys will start doing it and the little window of time that it was an advantage will end.


I can’t explain FAU. I’ve never tried to. Great coach that found some really good players and hit a groove. But the coach has now left and a couple of the guys just went in the portal and moved to Bigger schools.

The dream is over, FAU.

We’ve passed the blockbuster analogy and are now onto the baseball shift and “early adopters” portion of hetts rambling.

How they hell do we turn this record off?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Ok. You (and others) act like any and all changes that would happen as a consequence of the NIl and Portal would be instant. Like year 1, all of the impact would be felt. That’s just dumb and really all you have to cling onto.

It was never going to be that way, and it hasn’t been. This is really just the 3rd offseason of NIL and immediate transfers. It’s become increasingly invasive to the status quo. This year has been absolutely bonkers.

FAU had a miracle year. It happens. The guys stuck around for one year. Then they chased the money. Just like their coach did. The fact is, they transferred. I don’t know how that fact betters your argument.

It’s the 4th offseason.

And we are still waiting for you to declare college basketball officially ruined and stop caring and go away. How close are we????????

[MHettel]

It’s the 4th offseason.

And we are still waiting for you to declare college basketball officially ruined and stop caring and go away. How close are we????????

Are you not hearing what our own fans are saying on this message board? Many longstanding fans are questioning whether they will continue to be interested in this team or this sport. I don’t know these guys and I’m not in cahoots with them. They are making these statements on their own.

And you ask where is the evidence of fans walking away? How long have you been here? I’m past 25 years and I can’t really think of a single time when someone that said they may not be interested in this team. It’s literally happening daily here.

The fucking head in the sand mentality of about 3 or 4 of you morons is astounding.

[Xville]

Are you not hearing what our own fans are saying on this message board? Many longstanding fans are questioning whether they will continue to be interested in this team or this sport. I don’t know these guys and I’m not in cahoots with them. They are making these statements on their own.

And you ask where is the evidence of fans walking away? How long have you been here? I’m past 25 years and I can’t really think of a single time when someone that said they may not be interested in this team. It’s literally happening daily here.

The fucking head in the sand mentality of about 3 or 4 of you morons is astounding.

Well we rely on facts not opinions of some people whining on a message board about the good ole days. Guess what? If those people leave, they will be replaced by someone that does care.

Here are the facts:

X Nil was helped substantially this past year.

Cintas is still selling out over and over—Season tickets sales right on track.

Tr-su Ratings for the tourney were up this year.


All this is proving is that the interest in college basketball and in particular at x is at the least the same and possibly even growing, no matter how much you want your narrative to be right, it just isn’t.

[xuphan]

Are you not hearing what our own fans are saying on this message board? Many longstanding fans are questioning whether they will continue to be interested in this team or this sport. I don’t know these guys and I’m not in cahoots with them. They are making these statements on their own.

And you ask where is the evidence of fans walking away? How long have you been here? I’m past 25 years and I can’t really think of a single time when someone that said they may not be interested in this team. It’s literally happening daily here.

The fucking head in the sand mentality of about 3 or 4 of you morons is astounding.

Is there a breaking point for mass fans in general to stop watching college basketball? Seems the NIL some could argue has enhanced college sports with the amount of donations to NIL collectives around the country. Seems to be more parity with college athletes being free to move from college to college with no restrictions. You have to wonder what is coming down the road and if it will impact fans. Will there be collective bargaining between the universities and college players over massive TV revenues? Could we see player unions? Super leagues? Lockouts? Could major college athletes be employees of universities and not have to go to class? Will universities have to cut other sports to help fund and pay for collective bargaining contracts in the future? I would say anything is possible with the NCAA not being able to enforce anything and the college athletes having complete control it seems.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Well we rely on facts not opinions of some people whining on a message board about the good ole days. Guess what? If those people leave, they will be replaced by someone that does care.

Here are the facts:

X Nil was helped substantially this past year.

Cintas is still selling out over and over—Season tickets sales right on track.

Tr-su Ratings for the tourney were up this year.


All this is proving is that the interest in college basketball and in particular at x is at the least the same and possibly even growing, no matter how much you want your narrative to be right, it just isn’t.

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.

Hett relies on the anecdotes of a few posters (posters who btw, are posting daily on a college basketball message board, including in one thread actively discussing their season ticket renewals, lol) to prove college basketball is ruined and no one cares.

Those of us who live in reality look at facts such as those provided by xville.

I’m not sure I can remember too many offseasons (certainly not any time recently) that fans had more anticipation/excitement for the upcoming Xavier season.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.

Hett relies on the anecdotes of a few posters (posters who btw, are posting daily on a college basketball message board, including in one thread actively discussing their season ticket renewals, lol) to prove college basketball is ruined and no one cares.

Those of us who live in reality look at facts such as those provided by xville.

I’m not sure I can remember too many offseasons (certainly not any time recently) that fans had more anticipation/excitement for the upcoming Xavier season.

And I cannot recall an off-season with more concern among the fans about where the game is headed. But that's anecdotal and you don't like anecdotal evidence do you?

[Xville]

And I cannot recall an off-season with more concern among the fans about where the game is headed. But that's anecdotal and you don't like anecdotal evidence do you?

There was more concern about the Xavier program three years ago than at about any point in its history. A few posters worrying about the good ole days is hardly a blip on the radar.

[Xavier]

I definitely think people won’t care as much. I imagine people didn’t want the 3 point line, didn’t want Freshman playing, etc etc.

It does not affect my enjoyment one bit. I’ve never understood why people care about ratings. I like the NBA. I Like NHL. But because the ratings are bad, I shouldn’t like it anymore? If people don’t want to follow anymore that’s great, that’s their preference. I don’t blame them and don’t really care. I like watching it and look forward to following the sport as much as ever. I don’t think so many people will stop following that CBB won’t exist anymore. So I’m not too worried about it.

[bjf123]

Hett relies on the anecdotes of a few posters (posters who btw, are posting daily on a college basketball message board, including in one thread actively discussing their season ticket renewals, lol) to prove college basketball is ruined and no one cares.

Those of us who live in reality look at facts such as those provided by xville.


Not sure if you’re including me in the above referenced anecdotes. Discussing my season tickets renewal / seat selection and my not being a fan of where college basketball appears to be heading are not mutually exclusive. Unless the available seats when it’s my time to select just absolutely suck, which I doubt, I’ll be renewing. That’s doesn’t mean I’ll keep renewing every year if my interest in college basketball declines precipitously, which I also doubt. It is, however, a possibility. No one knows what college sports will look like in 5 years, or even in the fall of 2025.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Olsingledigit]

Not sure if you’re including me in the above referenced anecdotes. Discussing my season tickets renewal / seat selection and my not being a fan of where college basketball appears to be heading are not mutually exclusive. Unless the available seats when it’s my time to select just absolutely suck, which I doubt, I’ll be renewing. That’s doesn’t mean I’ll keep renewing every year if my interest in college basketball declines precipitously, which I also doubt. It is, however, a possibility. No one knows what college sports will look like in 5 years, or even in the fall of 2025.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
We renewed our seats and got the same ones we have had since the Cintas opened. 9 rows up right behind the Xavier bench.

[bjf123]

We renewed our seats and got the same ones we have had since the Cintas opened. 9 rows up right behind the Xavier bench.

That’s great for you, but I doubt the vast majority of season ticket holders who don’t get to choose in the first 4-5 days will be able to say that. Personally, I’ve had to move with each reseating. I know two people who chose on the 1st and 2nd. One got the same seats and one moved one row closer to the floor, taking someone else’s seats in the process.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[X-band '01]

Considering I'm not in line until the end of the month, I fully expect my seat to disappear by then in 108. However, it is a single so there's an outside chance I could find something similar open by then.

[94GRAD]

Considering I'm not in line until the end of the month, I fully expect my seat to disappear by then in 108. However, it is a single so there's an outside chance I could find something similar open by then.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the ticket office will not allow a single seat to be left. Example- If 3 seats are left in a row, they won't let you buy just 2.

[bjf123]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the ticket office will not allow a single seat to be left. Example- If 3 seats are left in a row, they won't let you buy just 2.
He’s only after one, so he could buy one and leave two. If there are only two, then he’s screwed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[94GRAD]

Think he’s only after one, so he could buy one and leave two.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Correct, but I doubt 3 seats will be available at the end of the month. I was assuming that he was hoping a single seat would be there when he picked.

[X-band '01]

What I hope and what I expect are two different things. I'm not going to be someone who takes his ball and goes home if and when said seat is sold.

[drudy23]

WHAT!!!!

if you meant 5 dollars to 10Million, then yes I agree. But I think you meant 5 million to 10 million.

I mean, how COULD you even spend that much money. the coaching staff is already paid for and they are doing the work. so this is travel, accommodations, tickets to tournaments maybe, cost of the on campus visits, a bunch of swag / gear and marketing materials. Im thinking 250K????

Honestly, it was a complete guess, but the point being we really don't need a recruiting budget if we're just going to sign free agents most years. At a minimum, the recruiting budget should be slashed. There has to be a way to get it into NIL.

[Xville]

Wouldn't be surprised to see him end up at Dayton, or Miami (OH)

[xubrew]

Honestly, it was a complete guess, but the point being we really don't need a recruiting budget if we're just going to sign free agents most years. At a minimum, the recruiting budget should be slashed. There has to be a way to get it into NIL.

There aren't too many recruiting budgets that are over a million. I don't think Xavier's ever was. I don't actually know precisely how much it is/was and really have no way of finding out, but I'm guessing it was less than a million.

[XUMIOH12]

to West Virginia

[Xville]

to West Virginia

interesting. Dunno the playing time situation there, but going to a coach that should be able to develop him. That was pretty quick, assuming he's been toying with this idea for a while.

[XUMIOH12]

interesting. Dunno the playing time situation there, but going to a coach that should be able to develop him. That was pretty quick, assuming he's been toying with this idea for a while.

His destination was decided by the time he asked out

[xubrew]

I definitely think people won’t care as much. I imagine people didn’t want the 3 point line, didn’t want Freshman playing, etc etc.

It does not affect my enjoyment one bit. I’ve never understood why people care about ratings. I like the NBA. I Like NHL. But because the ratings are bad, I shouldn’t like it anymore? If people don’t want to follow anymore that’s great, that’s their preference. I don’t blame them and don’t really care. I like watching it and look forward to following the sport as much as ever. I don’t think so many people will stop following that CBB won’t exist anymore. So I’m not too worried about it.

I think there are different categories of fans, and certain categories will be less interested. The fans of a team category is people who watch maybe 35 college basketball games a year, and 30 of them are of the team they're a fan of. I think this category will start to lose some interest. When you feel like you have a new team every year, I can see it being a little harder to grow as fond of it.

The fans of the sport that watch 30 games a week probably won't diminish as much. This is the category I'm in. They know all the players and coaches already, so seeing them go to different teams every year doesn't throw them. I for one don't LIKE it when I see that South Florida is last year's Kennesaw State team in South Florida uniforms, or that next year's Vanderbilt will likely be this year's James Madison team in Vandy uniforms, and so on, but since i still have some familiarity with the team I'm going to watch with some level of anticipation to see what it all looks like.

The casual fans (this is most people) that watches showcase games and NCAA Tournament games are the ones that I think may be in danger of shrinking, but I also think this group has been shrinking for a while. Conference realignment ended a lot of rivalries that would engage this group, and more and more teams that avoid challenging themselves out of conference alienates this group as well. I don't think all the changes are the primary cause of why this group of fans is shrinking, but I don't think it's helping either. I describe it like this. Your girlfriend's roommate probably isn't a big fan, but there are still certain games she would get way up for. There are fewer and fewer of those types of games being scheduled, and I get the sense that this group, which is the biggest, is shrinking rapidly. (***I'm not specifically talking about Xavier. Just the sport in general***)


The diehard fan of the team who is also a general fan of the sport...this category probably isn't shrinking at all.

But, overall, I do feel like college basketball is becoming less and less popular. Saying it "doesn't affect your enjoyment one bit" is actually a really good attitude to have. But, it's not the attitude I have. Perhaps for no logical reason, I want the sport to be as hugely popular as it could possibly be. I don't feel that way with musicians or writers that I really like, but for some reason I do feel that way about college sports. I want them to be big. I'm not even sure if I know why I want that. I just do. When I see the ratings of the Final Four slipping, I feel bad about it. And I would love it if arenas were packed all season long. From November all the way until the end.

[MHettel]

I think there are different categories of fans, and certain categories will be less interested. The fans of a team category is people who watch maybe 35 college basketball games a year, and 30 of them are of the team they're a fan of. I think this category will start to lose some interest. When you feel like you have a new team every year, I can see it being a little harder to grow as fond of it.

The fans of the sport that watch 30 games a week probably won't diminish as much. This is the category I'm in. They know all the players and coaches already, so seeing them go to different teams every year doesn't throw them. I for one don't LIKE it when I see that South Florida is last year's Kennesaw State team in South Florida uniforms, or that next year's Vanderbilt will likely be this year's James Madison team in Vandy uniforms, and so on, but since i still have some familiarity with the team I'm going to watch with some level of anticipation to see what it all looks like. (***I'm not specifically talking about Xavier. Just the sport in general***)

The casual fans (this is most people) that watches showcase games and NCAA Tournament games are the ones that I think may be in danger of shrinking, but I also think this group has been shrinking for a while. Conference realignment ended a lot of rivalries that would engage this group, and more and more teams that avoid challenging themselves out of conference alienates this group as well. I don't think all the changes are the primary cause of why this group of fans is shrinking, but I don't think it's helping either. I describe it like this. Your girlfriend's roommate probably isn't a big fan, but there are still certain games she would get way up for. There are fewer and fewer of those types of games being scheduled.

The diehard fan of the team who is also a general fan of the sport...this category probably isn't shrinking at all.

But, overall, I do feel like college basketball is becoming less and less popular. Saying it "doesn't affect your enjoyment one bit" is actually a really good attitude to have. But, it's not the attitude I have. Perhaps for no logical reason, I want the sport to be as hugely popular as it could possibly be. I don't feel that way with musicians or writers that I really like, but for some reason I do feel that way about college sports. I want them to be big. I'm not even sure if I know why I want that. I just do. When I see the ratings of the Final Four slipping, I feel bad about it. And I would love it if arenas were packed all season long. From November all the way until the end.

I've watched every single XU game that was on TV since I graduated in 1995. i used to go to a bar in Spokane that had a satellite and i'd watch with no sound on a 30in old school TV that was 6 feet away. I NEVER missed a game. My son was born in 2001 and is now one of the biggest sports fans that I know. He was buy my side watching ALL of those games (the occasional Saturday morning A10 matchups anyone?). To this day he will casually mention Josh Duncan or Stanley Burrell or Jason Love.

He was PSYCHED when BJ Raymond (who looked like he ATE BJ Raymond) drained those 3's in the TBT a couple years ago.

And my son was like 5-6-7 years old when those guys wore an XU uniform. The fact that he got "hooked" on XU and pretty much any other sport from such a young age has got to be linked with developing a specific interest of the individual players. He's still a die hard fan today.

But without that experience THEN, would that be the case NOW?

The question is not whether the current die hard fans will continue to follow their team. The question is whether the next "wave" of die hard fans will even exist.

[drudy23]

There aren't too many recruiting budgets that are over a million. I don't think Xavier's ever was. I don't actually know precisely how much it is/was and really have no way of finding out, but I'm guessing it was less than a million.

With all of that travel (some private) with a full staff, marketing to and entertaining recruits, it's only $1M? I would have guessed way higher.

[drudy23]

Wouldn't he run into similar issues at a program like WVU where they have likely filled the coffer with upperclassmen NIL transfers?

I know Huggs is gone, but I bet he still has some connections to Midwest basketball talent.

[xubrew]

I've watched every single XU game that was on TV since I graduated in 1995. i used to go to a bar in Spokane that had a satellite and i'd watch with no sound on a 30in old school TV that was 6 feet away. I NEVER missed a game. My son was born in 2001 and is now one of the biggest sports fans that I know. He was buy my side watching ALL of those games (the occasional Saturday morning A10 matchups anyone?). To this day he will casually mention Josh Duncan or Stanley Burrell or Jason Love.

He was PSYCHED when BJ Raymond (who looked like he ATE BJ Raymond) drained those 3's in the TBT a couple years ago.

And my son was like 5-6-7 years old when those guys wore an XU uniform. The fact that he got "hooked" on XU and pretty much any other sport from such a young age has got to be linked with developing a specific interest of the individual players. He's still a die hard fan today.

But without that experience THEN, would that be the case NOW?

The question is not whether the current die hard fans will continue to follow their team. The question is whether the next "wave" of die hard fans will even exist.

If the structure that we have now (or lack thereof) continues indefinitely, I believe the answer to that question will be no.

I loved reading this post. The reason I was so adamant for all those years that the NCAA get out in front of this whole antitrust mess was because I was afraid if they didn't, we'd end up with what we have now, and the sport would crash into a mountain. That's what I feel like is happening now. They've lost all control because of all the litigation, and may not be able to ever get it back. Will the NCAA even have any rules by the time this is all over? Or will we see players making 7 figures a year and playing 8 seasons for eight different schools that they're not even enrolled at?

[drudy23]

If the structure that we have now (or lack thereof) continues indefinitely, I believe the answer to that question will be no.



I don't know, people say that, but it would be next to impossible for me to ignore Xavier basketball when it rolls around each year.

Maybe not renewing tickets, but to be honest, winning has more to do with that than anything for me.

[XUGRAD80]

But me down as a fan of the TEAM and not any certain players. I CARE if X wins or loses. But I DON’T care about the statistics or play of any one player other than how it helps the TEAM win. I’ll still watch (and/or) listen to every game, no matter who makes up the roster.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think way too much is being put into the individual players who are on the team as opposed to the name on the jersey. College sports, much more than pro sports, has always been more about the school (and loyalty to that school) and about coaches than about players because there are new players every year and always have been. Not completely new teams but every year players come and go.

My young kids are huge Xavier fans because I am a huge Xavier fan and my parents and their parents were. 2 years ago their favorite player was Boum, this pas year it was Olivari, next year it will be another player. I told them Des Claude is leaving, they barely batted an eye and keep asking me when Xavier starts playing again.

I would prefer to have guys for longer periods of time and seeing guys like BJ, Love, O'mara, etc progress and go from barely playing to Xavier legends but I think it is being overstated (for most, not everyone) how important that is to cheering for your favorite college team.

I think if anything was going to ruin college sports it would be something like UCLA having to play a road game at Rutgers on a Tuesday night in a Big Ten conference game. Conference realignment is much more detrimental in my eyes than NIL/portal.

[GoMuskies]

I think way too much is being put into the individual players who are on the team as opposed to the name on the jersey. College sports, much more than pro sports, has always been more about the school (and loyalty to that school) and about coaches than about players because there are new players every year and always have been. Not completely new teams but every year players come and go.


I agree with that, but there was always an actual connection to the university from the players as a part of that. And losing that is kind of what turns me off.

I'm not complaining about the anything anyone is doing or claiming I'll stop watching games or anything, but the whole system is definitely less appealing to me personally now. Particularly when you've got people on here sometimes acting the jackass and claiming people aren't "really" fans if they don't fund NIL to pay for some mercenaries.

But I'm probably just maturing (yeah, right!) as college and (particularly) professional sports are just less important to me overall as I get older.

[xubrew]

I don't know, people say that, but it would be next to impossible for me to ignore Xavier basketball when it rolls around each year.

Maybe not renewing tickets, but to be honest, winning has more to do with that than anything for me.


But me down as a fan of the TEAM and not any certain players. I CARE if X wins or loses. But I DON’T care about the statistics or play of any one player other than how it helps the TEAM win. I’ll still watch (and/or) listen to every game, no matter who makes up the roster.

I have no doubt this is the case for the two of you, but keep in mind what category of fan you fall into. You're not casual fans, and you're not a fan that only watches Xavier games where the social aspect of it is as much a part of it as anything else. When I lived in Cincinnati I was a Bengals fan, but only sort of. Every Sunday we got together and watched the games. I enjoyed it. I always rooted for the Bengals. I got to know who the players were. I was excited when they won and a little down when they lost. But, that was it. I wasn't so much a diehard fan or an NFL fan as i was someone who enjoyed that activity with that group of people. I would have never watched a game by myself or cared all that much about it outside of that context.

YOU are not that fan! No one on this site is that fan! You could be on a road trip, and you'd go an hour out of your way to find an area with decent cell reception so you could watch Xavier play Ball State (or whoever) on your phone if you had to. You, and everone else on this site, is not who I'm talking about when I say the interest in the sport is declining.

[xudash]

I agree with that, but there was always an actual connection to the university from the players as a part of that. And losing that is kind of what turns me off.

I'm not complaining about the anything anyone is doing or claiming I'll stop watching games or anything, but the whole system is definitely less appealing to me personally now. Particularly when you've got people on here sometimes acting the jackass and claiming people aren't "really" fans if they don't fund NIL to pay for some mercenaries.

But I'm probably just maturing (yeah, right!) as college and (particularly) professional sports are just less important to me overall as I get older.

I think it could clearly be argued that Quincy Oliveri came in for one year and made that type of connection with the fan base.

I agree with the DWest about all of this: it’s the name on the front of the jersey.

I have not been able to watch the entire Episode of the most recent podcast, but I have watched enough of it to believe that we absolutely have the right guy running our program.

Thank God, we are navigating all of this from the Big East and not the A-10.

[GoMuskies]

I think it could clearly be argued that Quincy Oliveri came in for one year and made that type of connection with the fan base.

I agree with the DWest about all of this: it’s the name on the front of the jersey.

I have not been able to watch the entire Episode of the most recent podcast, but I have watched enough of it to believe that we absolutely have the right guy running our program.

Thank God, we are navigating all of this from the Big East and not the A-10.

I think the occasional transfer does that. Jordan Crawford certainly was a fan favorite. CJ Anderson is nuts but a huge part of Xavier lore. But if all the players are coming and going so quickly....it's just not the same connection for me. But that's just me. I mean, I guess the good news is I didn't take the losing nearly so hard last year. Not that I didn't care, but I guess I just didn't care as much.

And I agree about the Big East vs. A-10 thing (or god forbid the MCC/Horizon!). But being in the Big East makes every single thing about our program better.

[xubrew]

I agree with that, but there was always an actual connection to the university from the players as a part of that. And losing that is kind of what turns me off.

I'm not complaining about the anything anyone is doing or claiming I'll stop watching games or anything, but the whole system is definitely less appealing to me personally now. Particularly when you've got people on here sometimes acting the jackass and claiming people aren't "really" fans if they don't fund NIL to pay for some mercenaries.

But I'm probably just maturing (yeah, right!) as college and (particularly) professional sports are just less important to me overall as I get older.


I think it could clearly be argued that Quincy Oliveri came in for one year and made that type of connection with the fan base.

I agree with the DWest about all of this: it’s the name on the front of the jersey.

I have not been able to watch the entire Episode of the most recent podcast, but I have watched enough of it to believe that we absolutely have the right guy running our program.

Thank God, we are navigating all of this from the Big East and not the A-10.

I think these are two different discussions...

The decline of interest in Xavier Basketball, and the declining interest in college basketball overall. They are not one and the same. Interest in Xavier can be higher while interest in the sport overall is lower. I think the interest in college basketball overall is declining. I think that was starting to happen before the NCAA went into a tailspin, but I don't think the tailspin is helping things any. Ratings are down. A lot of attendance is down. I know some of that can be attributed to streaming, but even with that I don't think college basketball is as popular as it was 10-15 years ago, and certainly not as popular as it was 25-30 years ago. Xavier may be every bit as popular. It is perhaps even MORE popular. But the sport as a whole...I don't think it is.

[xu82]

I’ll still watch every X game I can, and I hope to get up and attend one game in person. If it’s feasible to attend a tournament game I’d be hell bent on being there. The difference is in my interest in team building. I used to subscribe to some recruiting info and got excited with every new signing.

Now? I can’t go too interested in any news we get because it’s just too fluid. When they get a team nailed down and get out on the court I’ll start learning who we have this year.

[A Fan]

Whether Xavier’s current or future fans will buy tickets or otherwise follow the team is highly dependent on the success of the program. And under the current scheme the Program will only be successful if the Collective is well funded. I do not know for Xavier or other schools the sustainability of massive annual fundraising to pay the players hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. It is my impression, and only an impression, that all the Collectives are dependent on large donors . A large donor is $ 50 K on up per year. 100 $ 20.00 a month guys is peanuts . The Collectives need the fat cats. Fat cats are generally older and die. They will need Alumni who are younger and huge commercial successes to take their place. It’s a numbers game. The larger the alumni base the more future fat cats. If Xavier’s collective needs $2 M per year for the next 5 years the bulk of that will come from the fat cats. If you want Xavier basketball to succeed say a prayer the current fat cats don’t die or there younger alumni out there killing it and love basketball.

[muskiefan82]

CJ Anderson is nuts but a huge part of Xavier lore.

This point is On Deam

[webxu]

Whether Xavier’s current or future fans will buy tickets or otherwise follow the team is highly dependent on the success of the program. And under the current scheme the Program will only be successful if the Collective is well funded. I do not know for Xavier or other schools the sustainability of massive annual fundraising to pay the players hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. It is my impression, and only an impression, that all the Collectives are dependent on large donors . A large donor is $ 50 K on up per year. 100 $ 20.00 a month guys is peanuts . The Collectives need the fat cats. Fat cats are generally older and die. They will need Alumni who are younger and huge commercial successes to take their place. It’s a numbers game. The larger the alumni base the more future fat cats. If Xavier’s collective needs $2 M per year for the next 5 years the bulk of that will come from the fat cats. If you want Xavier basketball to succeed say a prayer the current fat cats don’t die or there younger alumni out there killing it and love basketball.

Question.. could Xavier as an institution add $ to say Sean Millers contract and have Sean "donate" that designated $ to the collective?

[UCGRAD4X]

Question.. could Xavier as an institution add $ to say Sean Millers contract and have Sean "donate" that designated $ to the collective?

I would say, unless the "rules" (FWTW) change that would seem to be highly unlikely.

[MHettel]

Question.. could Xavier as an institution add $ to say Sean Millers contract and have Sean "donate" that designated $ to the collective?

Better yet, would a coach on the hot seat that makes 4M a year decide to just throw $1m at the NIL to improve his chances of keeping his job? $3M is better than $0M....

[94GRAD]

Better yet, would a coach on the hot seat that makes 4M a year decide to just throw $1m at the NIL to improve his chances of keeping his job? $3M is better than $0M....

I was under the impression that coaches got paid the remaining dollars on their contract when they got fired unless it was for cause.

[webxu]

Just looking for solutions, I just don't get how big donors can keep giving so much for what return? I mean only one team wins the title, and even then you would need some sort of fiscal return from the donation in order to continue to give big bucks.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

I mean only one team wins the title. . .

So it's a bet.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Better yet, would a coach on the hot seat that makes 4M a year decide to just throw $1m at the NIL to improve his chances of keeping his job? $3M is better than $0M....

Damn, all this time of NIL and I honestly never thought of that. You could call it an investment. Donate one year's salary, have a good season, get a 3-4 year extension.

[webxu]

So it's a bet.

Yes, but typically on bets you get a financial return, what would the donors get in return? I am not talking the casual donor here, I am talking the Jerry Jones' etc giving BIG bucks. I would think that can only last so long.. then what?

[XUMIOH12]

Yes, but typically on bets you get a financial return, what would the donors get in return? I am not talking the casual donor here, I am talking the Jerry Jones' etc giving BIG bucks. I would think that can only last so long.. then what?

You clearly don't realize what kind of money guys like that have LMAO. It's endless, their NIL donations are nothing to them. You are talking about guys with billions of dollars. If Jerry Jones donates $5 million per year to NIL, it is equivalent to someone making $100K donating $35 per year to NIL, except his donation actually makes a difference. This money is just giving them entertainment value, they don't need a financial return on it.

[XUGRAD80]

They get access to places and things that the average donor, let alone the average fan, will never get. They get their names put on buildings and facilities. They get their ego stroked big time. Not to mention some of it being a tax right off possibly.

[BandAid]

If the new milieu becomes the status quo (turning over the roster every year), I'm going to assume that means no one will ever amass the stats/accolades to warrant number retirement, etc.

Will that make it easier for some of the guys from yesteryear to receive more career accolades, or do universities alter their metrics to determine career "success"? (and I realize each school has their own unwritten "metrics" or what makes someone worthy of number retirement, HOF, etc. There's no straight-forward answer - like 3,000 hits in baseball...as long as you didn't gamble)

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

This money is just giving them entertainment value. . .

Entertainment value, dopamine hits, ego gratification, bragging rights, access, big shooter status, distinction from their friends if they have any, seat locations where they drop the free Skyline cards, all kinds of intangibles.

They do it because they can.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Entertainment value, dopamine hits, ego gratification, bragging rights, access, big shooter status, distinction from their friends if they have any, seat locations where they drop the free Skyline cards, all kinds of intangibles.

They do it because they can.

Bingo