GrandGreen

Obviously, we fans do not know; how could anyone know? It maybe an excellent assumption just based on NT apparently can't keep anyone, but there is no way to verify this. I can't believe that any of the AAC teams have a substantially edge in NIL funding other than Memphis and SMU. There is something else going on other than the NIL factor. Has anyone else noticed that there are a great number of players entering the Portal, but at this time; very few have been identified as committing or signing with another team. My guess or maybe just my hope is that NT is in much better shape than the fans recognize. Players have committed whether they are transfers, high schoolers, or those that have entered the portal and not found a better home.

That is a trick question. Few players that sign at any school other than the very top tier (SEC, Big East, etc.) schools would not desire to be part of those elite programs. Likewise, by signing with any team that player has expressed his desire to play for that team. So there is no way, a kid? (player) would sign at any school if he did not want to be there. Maybe not his first choice or in his top hundred; but based on what is available to him; it was decided it was his best option.

He gave a rationale for his decision, I doubt you have any idea how valid it is. Did you expect him to state that he was encouraged to leave? There is little chance, he would have started here from day one. That is only my opinion, speculation at best; the same as yours.

I give, why is this humiliating? NT apparently didn't believe he was good enough to play here and released him to go elsewhere. He signed with Central Arkansas, not exactly a powerhouse. Although with NT losing about every player to the transfer portal and their current sleuth recruiting, it is impossible to access NT's strategy. I am hoping there is a strategy.

Thanks for the above, that demonstrates whatever is going on at NT is unusual. Obviously, there is an explanation other than it is happening everywhere; because it is not to the extent it is at NT.

Not kidding, you realize that all three programs you mentioned will have new coaches next year? If you did not notice, I qualified my statement by citing without a coaching change. Now start over, and give me examples of teams that have more turnover than NT without a coaching change.

Out of 300 plus teams, how many have you found with the portal transfers that NT has without an HC change. Sure every team is effected, many are clearing their roster for better players; but NT has lost just about every player that could transfer without losing eligibility.

Unless there is some real positive news is being hidden for some great reason, maybe it is time to start over with everything just not new players. Hodge may need to join the exodus from NT. Why keep a coach that is not able to keep any of his players? Blame NIL if you want, but this is the environment every team is operating in. It is hard to believe that all D1 teams in the NCAA are having this kind of turnover.

If NT had been remotely close to Seton Hall in their game, the fact they won the NIT might have been meaningful. As it is, losing to the eventually champ doesn't make NT look any better. Of course, now that the whole NT team has deserted; last year's play does not mean anything going forward.

What a final four, many could have picked this lineup before the first game. Shows you how stale the sport has gotten, and how money almost always dictates the winners. Basketball is getting as predictable as football despite having about three times the teams.

No, Ruben Jones is not close to HOF quality. How many all conference teams did he make? Two if you count all freshman team and an all defense nod. No first or second team mention for the All Conference teams that matter most. However, NT has absolutely no standards; so he is probably a lock. Slinker and Dickey are in the HOF, so why not honor a player for longevity even though he left with more eligibility to play. I bet Jones, Scott and Edwards will all get into the NT HOF, even though apparently all are going elsewhere to end their college careers.

Apparently you believe these players were starting for OU and Ole Miss and just couldn't resist the opportunity to play at NT. I am glad they played at NT, but they came to NT to get a much better opportunity to see the court than they were likely to at OU and Ole Miss. Miss. brought in two 7 footers the year Hill left, one being Sharp 7'6 from old rival WKU. So I doubt he envisioned a lot of playing time there. Noland started the first 8 games in his last year at OU, but got little play after that and averaged 3.2 pts and 1.3 rbs there.

Are you sure, that HS players can transfer without sitting out a year?

Recruiting should be more straightforward, after this convid year exception has expired. Recruit players that can't leave without sitting out a year if they transfer. This should be most high school players unless there is some way to circumvent that rule. In basketball, with so much NT turnover; NT is going to have to hit the transfer portile and juco's to get the majority of their players.

Be interesting, how NT approaches this game. A big name showdown or just another game, with the conference games much more important.

Hard to follow, but I assume right now, and probably not for long; NT is expected these players to return Buggs Cotton Walker Sissoko Noland Stone With two high schoolers signed, that leaves 5 ships Assuming Hodge doesn't bolt too, I hope his juco connections work again.

If they don't change NIL rules, look for college sports to continue to die. It is always been a monopoly at the top, but that may change as all the lower tier competition is eliminated. The SEC, PAC whatever, and Big Ten maybe have to schedule each other in the non-conference and they all have feasted on basically home only oc seasons. I assume Scott has graduated, if so I can't fault anyone who wants a different school on the next diploma. Yes, I recognize it is likely; some other school has offered and he has accepted a much larger NIL deal.

Not even sure Sabin is the best coach Alabama has had, anyone remember Bear Bryant?

OU and Mississippi, both may have pushed these players out the door. They very well could have thought they were better off with the opportunity to recruit their replacements than keeping these players. This is not a NIL issue, decades ago it was common practice for the better teams to dump their bench players and add more potential stars. If a player did not substantially contribute, they were usually gone.

Without Edwards this year, I speculate NT would have lost about 5 more games. Now we lose the only first team All Conference player and many chime in that he was not that good anyway and we can do better. All those, that think he will be easy to replace and was really a liability; are simply basketball unaware. What many seem to forget is that opponents' defenses were for most part focused on stopping Edwards. This freed up the other players for more good shots. Many predicted this, he is a hired gun and that is the why he is at NT. I think NT will get a good replacement, but I want to thank Edwards for his year of play and wish him the best.

That would be 10 returning: Buggs, Scott, Edwards, Moore, Cotton, Walker, Sissoko, Jones, Noland, and Stone Plus 2 high schoolers signed That leaves only one ship open, of course that could and probably will change. NT obviously has to find a big to replace Allen. This assumes Jones has another year of eligibility and NT doesn't lose players to the portal or encourage players to find another home. I would not be surprised to see Moore, Stone, and Cotton move on to places that they may play significantly more. I am not sure what the transfer rules are now, but I can see a lot of teams looking for offense to go after Edwards and Buggs.

Won't be shocked by attendance support. SMU has not yet figured out how to buy an audience. Rice has a lot more in endowments, but for some insane reason almost all of its go to academics.

Congrats to Savage and the team, keep those series wins coming.

I can't think of better news that could happen to the NT athletic program. Notice I didn't say WBB program.

I was just countering your view, in the hope that you could see both sides of the issue. The more boisterous NT fans can be, within reason, the better.