Leave it to Illinois to bring European pro-ballers to college basketball

[Zstatman]

Its not up to the kids to understand this concept, but the old saying that Pigs get Fat, Hogs get Slaughtered, applies here. These kids absolutely deserve to make money for a product that they are an integral part, but if the pendulum swings too far and the sport no longer is legitimate, it will die a slow death. Its up to the adults in the room to figure out a balanced system that pays all parties involved, but keeps the heart of the sport intact. If there are any adults left in the room.

Adults in the room? I'm going to have to ponder that idea...........

 

[BigD]

Its not up to the kids to understand this concept, but the old saying that Pigs get Fat, Hogs get Slaughtered, applies here. These kids absolutely deserve to make money for a product that they are an integral part, but if the pendulum swings too far and the sport no longer is legitimate, it will die a slow death. Its up to the adults in the room to figure out a balanced system that pays all parties involved, but keeps the heart of the sport intact. If there are any adults left in the room.

Exactly.

That was the underlying thoughts on my above comments.

 

[BigD]

Illinois is not alone on this...

College of Charleston adds more players from transfer portal to roster including European pro

College of Charleston men's basketball coach Chris Mack continues to add to the Cougars roster with NCAA transfer portal players, including a European pro.

www.postandcourier.com

Absolutely correct. I just ran across that news article and since we are familiar with Illinois I thought that would be more meaningful to read. What sports program has Illinois had as a college program that anyone can say has been a constant national contender (pickle ball)? I would guess they lean more to the basketball side but even then they don't have much to write home about. Now they can buy their teams and even recruit from European Pro's.

 

[BigD]

I guess we can at least hope that the schools are writing up the contracts that say the players have to spend their entire college playing days at the schools who have signed and are paying them to play there. I mean a contract is a contract and should be legally binding.

That at least would give the fans a chance to get to know and cheer for the players and not have a revolving door every year the portal opens.

 

[Zstatman]

I suspect there will eventually be a governing body, and schools will divide into one of two camps.

One camp will be colleges being a minor league pro system preparing players for the NBA and maximizing money will be paramount. This group will compete against the G and international leagues.

The second will be a group that decides they want to play the old-fashioned way, play for fun, be competitive but not at all costs, represnet your school well with integrity. It will not be profit at any cost. Many of us wish we had this already. We miss it.

How we get to this is unknowable at this point.