Damian Johnson: No way people can look at the Elite 8 field & say NIL & portal is ruining college hoops

[BleedGopher]

Go Gophers!!

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

More parity than ever

 

[LongLiveMilesTarver]

Depends what you're looking for in college sports, I suppose. I prefer continuity and not a thousand guys jumping ship and going somewhere else every year.

 

[Wet_Blanket_Guy]

Go Gophers!!

NIL is not ruining college basketball. The top programs (who used to pay players under the table) now just do it in the open and get the same players.

What is ruining college basketball is the transfer portal. I hope Florida Atlantic stays together as everyone on their team could come back next year…let’s see what happens.

 

[jovs]

NIL is evening out the playing field, everyone is paying players so no one has a distinct advantage.

 

[Holy Man]

I’ll wait to judge until we see if Texas buys a basketball championship like they did in volleyball.

 

[dbmn]

Parity is partially due to 2 factors: (1) blue blood coaches retiring and (2) transfer portal. The coaches retiring may be due to the transfer portal too. Whatever the cause of the parity though, the result is a great for fans, teams, players and coaches. Unfortunately, the Gophers BB program hasn't figured out how to benefit.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

NIL is evening out the playing field,

Do you have any data on the Elite 8 teams and their NILs? Or is this just your opinion?

everyone is paying players so no one has a distinct advantage.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

 

[cjbfbp]

I'd say it's too early to make conclusions about the effects of NIL. NIL is still in its infancy.

 

[Holy Man]

I'd say it's too early to make conclusions about the effects of NIL. NIL is still in its infancy.

At least two teams in the final eight were on the front end of it. Texas and Miami. Texas functionality bought a national volleyball championship. Not quite as successful in basketball but got close.

My take is that bringing back the sit out year would at least limit the transfer for money problem. Players have to weigh balance between future money and playing now.

 

[GopherPoke]

Although the portal and NIL can't be ignored, I think a big part of parity is simply the number of players out there that are really, really good is way higher than it was just a few years ago. The talent pool is a lot deeper than it has ever been.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Although the portal and NIL can't be ignored, I think a big part of parity is simply the number of players out there that are really, really good is way higher than it was just a few years ago. The talent pool is a lot deeper than it has ever been.

I suspect the extra year contributes a lot to a deeper talent pool that you mention.

 

[bc2211]

March Madness 2023: Nijel Pack's lucrative NIL deal pays dividends, sets up for teams to copy Miami's strategy

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

March Madness 2023: Nijel Pack's lucrative NIL deal pays dividends, sets up for teams to copy Miami's strategy

Yes, it’s a strategy, but how many teams have wealthy alums willing to do so - I think that is a small pond

 

[cjbfbp]

I suspect the extra year contributes a lot to a deeper talent pool that you mention.

Yes, I think that makes a very significant contribution. I'll be glad when the fifth year of eligibility goes away in a couple of years.

 

[bga1]

Yes, it’s a strategy, but how many teams have wealthy alums willing to do so - I think that is a small pond

Every big school gets millions in donations to athletics. Why wouldn't they encourage donors to put some of the money into an NIL collective as it is the most effective way to get competitive? I get the tax angle but still, this is one of the avenues a school like ours will have to go down to compete. If we compete, the revenue will roll in.

 

[GopherPoke]

I suspect the extra year contributes a lot to a deeper talent pool that you mention.

You aren't wrong, but overall, I think it's just a lot more talent due to increased opportunities in training, AAU, camps, etc. that are contributing to more kids being better players. A lot of variables for sure.

 

[bc2211]

Yes, it’s a strategy, but how many teams have wealthy alums willing to do so - I think that is a small pond

Sure, it will probably ebb and flow until donors figure out the right balance. I guess I’m just in disagreement with Damien. IMO, the fact that the most visible player in the NIL is now in the final four after 1-2 years is not a good thing.

FAU and SDSU being there is awesome, though.

 

[Gophs24]

I suspect the extra year contributes a lot to a deeper talent pool that you mention.

thats huge.....look at SDSU alone....they have 4 players that have played 5 years that average over 20 MPG.....(even more reason for Dutcher to come on home) that extra year has given tons of team help overall this year.....
Take Carr out of Texas
Take the 3 5th year guys away from Iowa State

that extra year has been a huge factor

 

[upnorthkid]

thats huge.....look at SDSU alone....they have 4 players that have played 5 years that average over 20 MPG.....(even more reason for Dutcher to come on home) that extra year has given tons of team help overall this year.....
Take Carr out of Texas
Take the 3 5th year guys away from Iowa State

that extra year has been a huge factor

personally can't wait until the covid bonus year is done. no desire in any college athletics to see guys who are in their mid 20s (unsure if any in BBall as old as the 26 year olds playing college hockey this year) and have played 5-6 years play against 18 year olds fresh out of HS.

 

[CentralGopher]

Not sure I can agree with Damien on this one. Just because top ranked teams either underperformed or had a bad game at a terrible time to have one isn’t really an indication the transfer portal isn’t ruining things. There are also other things than strictly the tournament to consider. Roster construction and team chemistry certainly suffer as a result of the portal.

 

[MaxyJR1]

personally can't wait until the covid bonus year is done. no desire in any college athletics to see guys who are in their mid 20s (unsure if any in BBall as old as the 26 year olds playing college hockey this year) and have played 5-6 years play against 18 year olds fresh out of HS.

Agree, the NIL and portal can't be fully evaluated until the COVID year is gone. However, I can see some legislation being passed that you get 6-7 years to play four and no longer having rules around transferring or reasoning. Play 4 years and you are done.

 

[cheeseheadgophfan]

I know this won't be a popular opinion, but a lot of NIL problems would be solved by reenforcing the one year sit out rule for transfers. There should be exceptions for coaches leaving and other extenuating circumstances.

 

[Frink]

I’ll wait to judge until we see if Texas buys a basketball championship like they did in volleyball.i

I think this is a key point. It's way too early to know the end results.