ode , but it still fucks those programs that like to develop players and have longevity.

Ah, and there’s the big rub for. I’m a Pitt alumni and I just loved the Jamie Dixon era. That guy would build teams - teams he’d keep together for squads of guys playing together for years. He’d only be able to secure 3 star recruits but, he’d mold them over time to become really solid and savvy players. Yeah…

      ode
      Oh such genuine passion and understanding in that post! Excellent!
      However, now makes me wonder what level of understanding folks have from those kids’ perspective.
      Do folks know how hard they work?! Know about AAU ball they’ve been playing since they were wee kids? Know about their own national social networks? All these guys cross paths, playing Club ball, going to Junior Nationals, play with and against each other, social internet network… Yeah, without that old year ineligibility, they have more agency now. No longer a one sided game. May be hard to adjust to the myth of “school loyalty” for we older fans. But they’re living it and no longer “meat on the hoof”.

        rsvman2 Nobody keeps and develops players anymore. Every team is recruiting every season. This isn't all because of NIL; there used to be a rule that if you transferred schools you had to sit out an entire season. Now you can play right away.

        There are now literally seniors who have played for four different schools in their four years.

        Why can't "NIL deals" be multi-year? Seems rather silly (and chaotic) to start from scratch every season. You would think providers of NIL money would start being more stingy with the funds after shelling out big $ to prized recruits only to watch them leave after one season.

            MidwayJ Why can't "NIL deals" be multi-year? Seems rather silly (and chaotic) to start from scratch every season.

            Now there's some good thinking! Yes, if there's going to be an adoption of "professional" then, let's do it right. Seriously! So you got a Head Coach and an AD. Time to hire on some General Managers, right?
            It's time that contract are signed and contracts are honored.

                professor Agree. The pros have free agency but there's still quite a bit of continuity with multi-year contracts. They don't reshuffle the entire roster every year, and players like star QBs often spend most of their careers with one team.

                    MidwayJ There is talk about this happening going forward. Major NIL policy changes are being pushed forward. Wisconsin led the charge in the Xavier Lucas NIL deal by not releasing him and living up to his signed NIL deal. Nothing is going to be gained here but at least Wisconsin put their foot down no other college entity would risk it.

                    Since, the is March this happened over the weekend. Wisconsin Women's Hockey took their 8th Nat'l NCAA Div. 1 Championship. 1980 Miracle on Ice player Mark Johnson is the head coach of Wisconsin women's team and a great coach.
                    Highlights vs. Ohio State. 3rd Period 18 secs. to go
                    OT winner.

                      Saw a headline yesterday that asked if the NCAA needs to advertise the women's March Madness more due to lack of interest. Then I watched two games yesterday where the higher seed basically annihilated the other team on their home floor and thought that no amount of advertising will attract viewers to that.

                        professor Jamie Dixon

                        I thought it was foolish to move on from him, but they did. Can't say I've followed/paid attention to their plight since🤔

                            johnnydoom
                            On the woman's side the difference between the haves and have nots is huge. Their tournament doesn't get watchable until teh sweet 16 maybe.

                              MidwayJ They don't reshuffle the entire roster every year,

                              Correct! But then that is what becomes the new and very real challenge for both coaches and players! The ones who succeed in creating an actual "team" mentality that only has one season to sprout and then blossom is what garners success in the championship games.

                                ode I thought it was foolish to move on from him, but they did. Can't say I've followed/paid attention to their plight since

                                Their "plight" has been basically atrocious. Although, after a rough couple of years it did appear last year that head coach Jeff Capel had finally figured things out - and they were truly competitive in the ACC, only to get snubbed last year by that damn "committee". They sucked this year!
                                But, Jamie Dixon went down to Texas Christian and has had a great career there. Really dumb move by a long gone Pitt Athletic Director. Oh well...

                                • ode likes this.

                                  The other noteworthy observation... is Cinderella....is it all but over, gone, finished🤔....I think we will see less and less. The lowest ranked team left = BYU and I would hardly consider them Cinderella.....this needs to play out over some time but I think chalk will the status quo. That is OK IMO as long as the games are exciting!

                                  I'm in a 17 player pool. I currently hold the top 3 spots. Still probably won't win. I saw on ESPN Seth Greenberg has picked every game right but two.

                                    azgreg JFC Alabama.

                                    What a buzzsaw! Nobody can beat a team that's raining 3's like that. Not even Duke.