TRN

The NLI signing period is through 5/15, but players can still commit past then. They just agree and sign the financial aid agreement. It’s basically the NLI but not binding. Kids get out of NLIs all the time now.

Calipari brought up a good point at his Arkansas press conference - “why are there 26 year olds playing college basketball?” Of course the quick answer was COVID years, but he brought up the NCAA’s willingness to hand out extra eligibility years without much pushback. And most importantly, a 23-26 year old would much rather stick around college playing basketball than having a post-grad job making less. The extra years awarded has taken away opportunities from high school players. I think the NCAA needs to just make a blanket ruling awarding all athletes 5 years and do away with the redshirt rules. Schools can be held on the hook to honor scholarships for 4 years, although that won’t be much of an issue anymore with the portal.

Because the President is a lame duck and won’t make a change? May will be “retiring” soon enough, and will take his victory lap.

I have high confidence that Schertz will find players to fit his system and coach them. It’s good these kids are getting paid because of the results from his system. It will make others want to be part of it. And, once former players go to Texas and play for a lesser coach and their stats drop, it will show how good Schertz is.

From the start, the 2 I wanted were Avila and Conwell. I’m guessing Conwell will go to a Big Ten school. Give us Robbie and Swope and that is good. People can’t say we poached the ISU roster. I think Schertz will actually have better players than the starting ISU 5 next year. I’m pretty sure he can coach them up.

Mark is a SG. He can score a ton but takes games off.

I doubt his son will be on scholarship.

Our former coach

Like I said, 2024 is a different world. Look around the country and see how many Freshman are in the portal. Unless they get immediate playing time they are gone after a year. Even then they may go shopping for more NIL.

Exactly

Nice. He is very mobile for a big and can hit 3s. His dad played at Dayton, they are from the Netherlands.

It doesn’t matter in 2024 and beyond. High school recruits are not useful unless they play immediately. With the portal everyone can get more college ready players.

Swope must be the exception to that, unless he’s grown 6” since the season ended.

I’d say Larry is not likely as he’s been speculated to be looking back home in Texas. And Conwell seems to be a coin flip if he follows Schertz. I’d say Avila, Swope, and Kent will be the starters likely to come to SLU. I’m sure there will be many other portal pieces and recruits incoming.

Baylor was able to master the art of paying players prior to NIL. They used the Baptist church to funnel money to players’ families. It’s amazing how many of their recruits had parents that were pastors or received a new church and funds after signing with them.