slu72

Not to the extent of NIL.

I find it hard to grasp that even the biggies, P5, with FB programs to fund as well can maintain big paydays for their hoops programs. 22 starters and 40+ backups for FB programs shooting for national championships is going to tax even the big $$ alumns/supporters over time. Yes, they have a lot more of these types than the rest of us, but I don’t think even their well is that deep. Plus, they have to support full athletic programs, ie 20+ men’s and women’s teams. I’m sure those players will start saying, “hey where’s my check?”.

I think NIL was intended for players to be allowed to cut endorsement deals with businesses and receive royalties from sales of their jerseys and when their likeness was used. Fair enough. But soon enough it gets distorted and has become play for pay with no little or no strings attached. Yuri supposedly returned to SLU for NIL $$’s, does anyone recall if he did commercials or made appearances on behalf of any local businesses? Same for Gibby last season. The NIL largely did away with under the table arrangements. Combined with the no limitations portal college athletics has now become a version of the Professional Sports Free Agent period without the player having to enter into any legal contract. Nice work if you can get it.

If SLU had a shot at landing a Love type FR, they should sign him. He’d at least give you a boost for one season. And if you can find the NIL $$’s to keep him, great, a bonus. It’s recruits like last year’s FR class that are the problem. Take Curcic for example. He always impressed me as a smart strong player with a good shot. But Ford just didn’t use him enough. No surprise he leapt into the portal. I guess Harriman’s departure didn’t help as both ended up here in Charleston. Still, I think a lot of FR like him will take their shot at the portal for a better playing opportunity or to earn some NIL $$’s. Medley’s another example. Why did he find the portal attractive? He came here for Ford. Ford goes he goes. Is Kent St gonna shower him with NIL $$’s? I doubt it. Again, a guy who improved at our expense and now taking it somewhere else. This is what college sports has become. Every team may see wholesale roster turnovers every year. It sucks, but it’s the new reality. I don’t even think Schertz could have kept the ISU 5 together if he had stayed given ISU’s lack of NIL $$’s. I think he knew this and was a big factor in his decision to jump ship.

Why waste the effort and money on HS players below the top 25 line? They will likely seek new homes after 1 year; eg Medley, Curcic, Zhang, and Bussell. While I didn’t dislike these players and thought there was some potential they really didn’t add much to last season. The focus for every team has to be on the portal. Calipari learned his lesson. Five 5 star FR didn’t do much against 20-21 year old experienced players. NIL and the Portal have created a whole new ball game. I don’t like it as has turned college sports into the professional arena. But you have to play the cards you’ve been dealt, so you learn to play the game.

A little surprised thought he’d go to a Drexel or other Philly school. So, his parents could see him. Good luck Cian.

One would have to think the NIL budget provided was big enough to bring 3-4 of the ISU players plus retain Gibby. With 2 or 3 of the ISU players gone hopefully it will mean more to offer Avila, Swope, and Turnbull. I’m assuming here Turnbull is a fit for Schertz’s system. Now, as for PG I’m a little confused as to who we are targeting. We need one preferably two. Any ideas who they are?

For most of his career Gibby got stuck in the corner with no picks or screens to help him get open looks. He’d run the baseline and Yuri would hit him with the occasional pass for a layup. Ford just never schemed for him, or anyone else for that matter, and it was frustrating to watch. I expect with Schertz it’s a whole new game for him. Go Gibby!

Well the pipeline seems to be filling up a bit. Landing the ISU trio and Turnbull would be a good haul. Is Kent or Swope a PG?

At MB we all agreed he looked good given his limited time. Another Travis miss.

Good pickup by Mack. My guess is he’ll do well at CofC. Wished we could have kept him. If Mack liked what he saw why didn’t we?

Bring it on, LJ, u can’t handle me.

The Flying Dutchman. I thought I was watching Cooper Flagg on the block and then the dunk.

Does Avila still have do not contact marker? Is Gibby waiting to see what Cronwell’s gonna do before he makes a decision. I guess it’s our fate that SLU fans must deal with anxiety when it comes to players as well as HC’s.

I know some UK fans and they’re very happy Calamari is gone. And they often speak highly of Travis as an all time fave UK player. But when it comes to a HC not so much. UK’s kind of in a box. Still it’s a blue blood program. I can’t recall, but is Cronin still at UCLA? If so, a little surprised his name has not come up. UK wants to shoot for an over the moon hire. Problem is there aren’t many out there, and those that are seem content with their current life situations. Kind of refreshing to see money isn’t everything these days.