Shark84

Tough travel for this one. Flew in to New York yesterday and flying back after the game. Even an ugly win would be great. Do they have finals next week?

The only good thing is at least these players are entering the portal now instead of waiting until the second window opens in May. Coaches know what holes they will have to fill either in the portal/JC or with HS recruits. Guys like Nixon left us without a chance to get other quality guys in here. I think players should have to declare now before we get into spring practices. At least schools can plan out spring workouts knowing who they will have back in the Fall.

The big names have probably already been contacted by schools. I;m sure the big boys promise a lot of guys big NIL deals but they also have offers out to multiple guys and say the first one to sign up gets the money. They won't put all of their eggs in one basket. That puts pressure on them to sing with a new school quickly. The non starters and others may be dropping down to be able to play and some have been encouraged to move on.

Wonder how many transfers/JC guys will be able to come in at the break? Spring practice could be really scary.

No surprise. He went through the Senior day ceremonies. Good player but don't think he is a P5 number one running back. Great backup at that level.

He isn't good enough to play for a P5. Maybe La Tech or Texas State.

We also had a horrible shooting night from 3. That is not the norm for these guys. Perry and Hamlett were special players that loved being in those end of game situations. Last night Perry was having a horrible shooting night but busts a step back 3 to win it in overtime. Confidence to take the shot when you're having an off night is essential. We don't really have anyone that has had to be that guy for their team. Hopefully someone will grow into it.

I hope all of the portal guys leave at the semester. I really hope we aren't paying their tuition and room/board in the Spring. That's fine if they have decided to move on but we shouldn't have any obligation to continue to pay their way. Let their new school foot the bill. If it was our decision to ask them to move on, then we should honor our end of the deal and pay for them through the Spring.

This now basically makes players the employees of the schools. They should form a union and demand more money! Players will need agents to negotiate deals for them. How long until a player demands a 2-3 year deal? Crazy

I don't think anyone knows the rules for sure. Supposedly you get a one free transfer, one free transfer if you graduate, and free transfer if your head coach leaves. The extra COVID year made it possible for many to be able to use the grad transfer.

You are assuming that all of these guys come back. We now know that is foolish to think we won't lose some of our best guys. I'm really proud of Ruben for staying for his senior year. Going to be cool when he breaks the record for most wins by a player in their career at one school. His record may stand for a really long time with the age of the portal.

Not saying they don't deserve something but how many of these young people will use the money wisely. I know if I had gotten paid to go to college where all my money would have gone, and it wouldn't have been investments. Beer Booze and ...

I never thought I'd ever agree with the "Drop Football" group but now I'm leaning that way. Put all our money into basketball and add baseball. I feel like I'm living in Bizzaro World!

No because we didn't have the transfer portal and NIL. I'll go watch the games, but I won't have the same passion and interest in college football. I'd rather go back to watching the NFL where at least players are under contract and the majority of your players aren't leaving every year. I wonder how long until the UIL is forced to allow free transfers for HS athletes?

Agents and a player's union won't be far behind.

The AAC is not mediocre. FAU, Memphis, Tulane, Wichita State, and East Carolina are all good teams. Tulsa, Smut, Temple, and Rice are all decent teams. I think this is a really strong year for the conference, especially considering we lost Houston and Cincy from last year. Other than maybe Charlotte and nUTSAck, I don't see an easy guaranteed win.

We are up to #3 in the country in scoring defense, and that is with a more up-tempo offense. I wish the students and people in the area would jump on the bandwagon. The conference schedule is going to be fun to watch. Sure glad we hired Hodge to take over for Mac. He's doing a great job. Go Mean Green!

We have done that for the past couple of seasons. They have a set pattern for substitutions in the first half. Second half is more tied into the flow of the game, foul trouble, ect.

Do we have to download an app to watch?

One is specifically for basketball.

I respect your opinion and agree that not all players go into the portal for the same reason but as a public school teacher for over 30 years, this is how most of our young people think today. It IS generation specific. Times, attitudes and behavior have changed greatly over the past 8-10 years, just ask any teacher or coach.

He hasn't officially entered his name in the portal. Maybe he isn't coming back due to his injury.

Notice you haven't had anything to say about your stud QB Stone entering the portal. Hard to believe he would want to leave such an up and coming power 5 program. He's leaving all of that NIL cash too. Even Smut isn't immune to losing good players.

We have raised a generation of young people that choose to quit or leave when things don't go their way. If you have a problem with your spouse, just walk out and get a divorce. Boss gets on to you about not doing your job, just quit. Don't except a challenge and work harder, just leave. Not every case in the portal is like that but many are. Times change, but I don't see this a something positive.

I understood that Adaway went through the senior day ceremonies, so I don't think he is planning on returning. Team bonding and building any kind of culture will be almost impossible in the portable era. Hodge is trying to do it by bring in the right kind of kids that will buy in to the system but it's a lot easier to do with basketball due to the numbers.