WHO STAYS AND WHO GOES?

[CelticCat]

These kids hitting the portal? They've watched corporate downsizing, companies shut down and just a few mid-level supervisors offered transfers, parents expected to transfer without any say as to where they wind up or what type of new schools they'll be attending, mom and/or dad getting pink slips just before Christmas (a bizarre practice a sick middle manager human resource officer came up with about forty years ago), entire coaching staffs let go and the family spends the next year miles away from friends and family. They've watched the neighborhood they were raised in get an influx of transient workers and their parents/grandparents can no longer afford the property taxes on the house they have lived in for forty years.

Experiences have taught these kids they don't need to settle. Get the hell out if any little thing or perceived slight is being directed to them. These kids are resilient. In fact, nobody needs to put up with crap.

I think we are seeing a reconnaissance of the individual over company. Company can mean an actual business, or can mean an athletic program, because even though players aren't technically employees, they sure as hell have a boss and ramifications for not performing, like any other employee. They've seen coaching salaries sky rocket, we've seen CEO pay skyrocket, yet your average employee has it worse now than they did 20+ years ago. College athletes spend more and more time working out or studying film than they ever did before, meaning they are giving more time than they used to. Remember at MSU when summer workouts weren't even really a thing, then they were optional, and now they pretty much are mandatory.

Nobody can really trust their employer to take care of them anymore, so you gotta do what you gotta do for you and your own.

[MSU01]

Pretty f’ing frustrating…. This team would be incredible next year.

I hope they stay, but you know sprinkle is pushing the key guys to join him. And others will probably leave cuz of the change.

This blows.

How do we know Danny is pushing “key” players to “join him?”

Because he is smart.

He is smart, but I would find it hard to believe he would tear down his legacy at MSU by gutting next year’s team. I would think the more likely scenario is he would have encouraged the players to continue what they started and go for three in a row.

During his interviews, he stated two are planning to follow him. We'll see. If the BOR delays the hiring process again...

Why the hell does it take so long to make a hire within the Montana University System? Even at the adjunct professor level.

Has Sprinkle stated in public that he plans to bring players with him, or is that just message board rumors of something he said in his private interviews with Utah State? I listened to Danny's radio interview on Friday and he made no mention of any current MSU players transferring.

[Cat Grad]

Pretty f’ing frustrating…. This team would be incredible next year.

I hope they stay, but you know sprinkle is pushing the key guys to join him. And others will probably leave cuz of the change.

This blows.

How do we know Danny is pushing “key” players to “join him?”

Because he is smart.

He is smart, but I would find it hard to believe he would tear down his legacy at MSU by gutting next year’s team. I would think the more likely scenario is he would have encouraged the players to continue what they started and go for three in a row.

During his interviews, he stated two are planning to follow him. We'll see. If the BOR delays the hiring process again...

Why the hell does it take so long to make a hire within the Montana University System? Even at the adjunct professor level.

Has Sprinkle stated in public that he plans to bring players with him, or is that just message board rumors of something he said in his private interviews with Utah State? I listened to Danny's radio interview on Friday and he made no mention of any current MSU players transferring.

I'll look for the recording of his open meeting and post it if (and when) I find it.

[Cataholic]

Some of you need to step back from the keyboard. A bunch of you are tarnishing Danny’s reputation yet he has done nothing wrong and no players have announced they are followed him.

I will go one step further and say that these kids are allowed to follow THEIR coach who they have built a relationship with for years. Some don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of a new guy coming in. Nothing wrong with that.

You guys talk about players being entitled, but many of you need to see if the definition of entitlement applies to you as a fan.

[tetoncat]

These kids hitting the portal? They've watched corporate downsizing, companies shut down and just a few mid-level supervisors offered transfers, parents expected to transfer without any say as to where they wind up or what type of new schools they'll be attending, mom and/or dad getting pink slips just before Christmas (a bizarre practice a sick middle manager human resource officer came up with about forty years ago), entire coaching staffs let go and the family spends the next year miles away from friends and family. They've watched the neighborhood they were raised in get an influx of transient workers and their parents/grandparents can no longer afford the property taxes on the house they have lived in for forty years.

Experiences have taught these kids they don't need to settle. Get the hell out if any little thing or perceived slight is being directed to them. These kids are resilient. In fact, nobody needs to put up with crap.

That is true, but do you think boosters keep kicking in money for mediocre teams with constant turnover? Sure the power teams or deep pockets groups probably continue to succeed, but how often can we go to the well for funding. Increase tickets, donate for facilities, donate for NIL, donate so we can pay coaches more. I just think it will hit a point that there are 25 D1 BB and Football schools and the rest are some level below and opportunities for athletes start going away.

What opportunities will go away? Are you saying the other 327 D1 basketball programs are going to drop basketball?

You are right, at some point some programs will have to just raise their hands and say "I'm out" in terms of competing in the arms race, but when someone says "there will be only be 25 good D1 BB teams", I mean there are only so many roster spots. There are thousands and thousands of excellent basketball players in this country. Maybe there is a split coming and who knows what the second tier looks like, but I can't imagine a world where schools like MSU don't have any sort of collegiate basketball team, and provides scholarships to those players. Worst case scenario to me is schools that can't/won't spend the dough necessary to be a top flight program will still provide young men and women in this country and opportunity to get an education.

Schools already do provide, NAIA, D3, D2 Etc. But I can see dwindling resources for minor conferences with TV revenue drying up it has already happened to pac in football and why teams are bailing to others conferences. That has impacted football but also basketball and in my opinion will get worse.

[tetoncat]

Some of you need to step back from the keyboard. A bunch of you are tarnishing Danny’s reputation yet he has done nothing wrong and no players have announced they are followed him.

I will go one step further and say that these kids are allowed to follow THEIR coach who they have built a relationship with for years. Some don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of a new guy coming in. Nothing wrong with that.

You guys talk about players being entitled, but many of you need to see if the definition of entitlement applies to you as a fan.

And if all the fans/donars are out there is no program just like if there were no players. I still believe as long as your winning fans will follow any players and all new ones each year, but if mediocre or worse, interest will wane and name recognition is more important.

[tetoncat]

These kids hitting the portal? They've watched corporate downsizing, companies shut down and just a few mid-level supervisors offered transfers, parents expected to transfer without any say as to where they wind up or what type of new schools they'll be attending, mom and/or dad getting pink slips just before Christmas (a bizarre practice a sick middle manager human resource officer came up with about forty years ago), entire coaching staffs let go and the family spends the next year miles away from friends and family. They've watched the neighborhood they were raised in get an influx of transient workers and their parents/grandparents can no longer afford the property taxes on the house they have lived in for forty years.

Experiences have taught these kids they don't need to settle. Get the hell out if any little thing or perceived slight is being directed to them. These kids are resilient. In fact, nobody needs to put up with crap.

I think we are seeing a reconnaissance of the individual over company. Company can mean an actual business, or can mean an athletic program, because even though players aren't technically employees, they sure as hell have a boss and ramifications for not performing, like any other employee. They've seen coaching salaries sky rocket, we've seen CEO pay skyrocket, yet your average employee has it worse now than they did 20+ years ago. College athletes spend more and more time working out or studying film than they ever did before, meaning they are giving more time than they used to. Remember at MSU when summer workouts weren't even really a thing, then they were optional, and now they pretty much are mandatory.

Nobody can really trust their employer to take care of them anymore, so you gotta do what you gotta do for you and your own.

In much nicer facilities much better nutrition, much better training and rehab, tutoring and higher tuition being paid as well as NIL. Let's also remember majority will not turn pro and make $ from sports after college. It is a choice they make. Other HS Grads choose academics or trades.

[Cataholic]

Some of you need to step back from the keyboard. A bunch of you are tarnishing Danny’s reputation yet he has done nothing wrong and no players have announced they are followed him.

I will go one step further and say that these kids are allowed to follow THEIR coach who they have built a relationship with for years. Some don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of a new guy coming in. Nothing wrong with that.

You guys talk about players being entitled, but many of you need to see if the definition of entitlement applies to you as a fan.

And if all the fans/donars are out there is no program just like if there were no players. I still believe as long as your winning fans will follow any players and all new ones each year, but if mediocre or worse, interest will wane and name recognition is more important.

Absolutely. Yet we can’t forget that these are kids who are allowed to do what they feel is best for them career wise. Did anybody here complain when Washington kids came to MSU to work under Choate? How about Chambers coming from Wyoming? If it is good for the kid, how can anyone be against that? Isn’t that what college athletics are supposed to be about?

[tetoncat]

Some of you need to step back from the keyboard. A bunch of you are tarnishing Danny’s reputation yet he has done nothing wrong and no players have announced they are followed him.

I will go one step further and say that these kids are allowed to follow THEIR coach who they have built a relationship with for years. Some don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of a new guy coming in. Nothing wrong with that.

You guys talk about players being entitled, but many of you need to see if the definition of entitlement applies to you as a fan.

And if all the fans/donars are out there is no program just like if there were no players. I still believe as long as your winning fans will follow any players and all new ones each year, but if mediocre or worse, interest will wane and name recognition is more important.

Absolutely. Yet we can’t forget that these are kids who are allowed to do what they feel is best for them career wise. Did anybody here complain when Washington kids came to MSU to work under Choate? How about Chambers coming from Wyoming? If it is good for the kid, how can anyone be against that? Isn’t that what college athletics are supposed to be about?

Choate comparison isn't valid. We are talking a handful of kids out of 100. There have always been transfers, retirements, graduation etc. Now it seems like we see 10-20 in football in some teams and almost whole roster rollover on some basketball. Those are the concerns I have even if is the exception.

With NIL will we see kids be okay with being a backup at Texas because they get 50k a year in NIL instead of dropping down to play

[Cat Grad]

Some of you need to step back from the keyboard. A bunch of you are tarnishing Danny’s reputation yet he has done nothing wrong and no players have announced they are followed him.

I will go one step further and say that these kids are allowed to follow THEIR coach who they have built a relationship with for years. Some don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of a new guy coming in. Nothing wrong with that.

You guys talk about players being entitled, but many of you need to see if the definition of entitlement applies to you as a fan.

And if all the fans/donars are out there is no program just like if there were no players. I still believe as long as your winning fans will follow any players and all new ones each year, but if mediocre or worse, interest will wane and name recognition is more important.

Absolutely. Yet we can’t forget that these are kids who are allowed to do what they feel is best for them career wise. Did anybody here complain when Washington kids came to MSU to work under Choate? How about Chambers coming from Wyoming? If it is good for the kid, how can anyone be against that? Isn’t that what college athletics are supposed to be about?

Choate comparison isn't valid. We are talking a handful of kids out of 100. There have always been transfers, retirements, graduation etc. Now it seems like we see 10-20 in football in some teams and almost whole roster rollover on some basketball. Those are the concerns I have even if is the exception.

With NIL will we see kids be okay with being a backup at Texas because they get 50k a year in NIL instead of dropping down to play

With the NIL, I think we'll get to see this type of athlete again:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swen_Nater

Struggling to recall the football players that were forced to sit the bench like Nater and then become professional All-stars. Why shouldn't a kid be allowed to transfer play?

[Cataholic]

Some of you need to step back from the keyboard. A bunch of you are tarnishing Danny’s reputation yet he has done nothing wrong and no players have announced they are followed him.

I will go one step further and say that these kids are allowed to follow THEIR coach who they have built a relationship with for years. Some don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of a new guy coming in. Nothing wrong with that.

You guys talk about players being entitled, but many of you need to see if the definition of entitlement applies to you as a fan.

And if all the fans/donars are out there is no program just like if there were no players. I still believe as long as your winning fans will follow any players and all new ones each year, but if mediocre or worse, interest will wane and name recognition is more important.

Absolutely. Yet we can’t forget that these are kids who are allowed to do what they feel is best for them career wise. Did anybody here complain when Washington kids came to MSU to work under Choate? How about Chambers coming from Wyoming? If it is good for the kid, how can anyone be against that? Isn’t that what college athletics are supposed to be about?

Choate comparison isn't valid. We are talking a handful of kids out of 100. There have always been transfers, retirements, graduation etc. Now it seems like we see 10-20 in football in some teams and almost whole roster rollover on some basketball. Those are the concerns I have even if is the exception.

With NIL will we see kids be okay with being a backup at Texas because they get 50k a year in NIL instead of dropping down to play

I agree wholeheartedly on NIL. It has changed the game and I have been a critic of it since inception. I think kids should be rewarded financially, but the imbalance between programs financial ability will create a huge gap.

As for your comment on transfers, aren’t you muddying the water a little? My comments are limited to just player’s following their coach to another program. I think the portal in its current firm is terrible for football. However, we should be able to understand when kids follow a coach to another program.

[tetoncat]

Some of you need to step back from the keyboard. A bunch of you are tarnishing Danny’s reputation yet he has done nothing wrong and no players have announced they are followed him.

I will go one step further and say that these kids are allowed to follow THEIR coach who they have built a relationship with for years. Some don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of a new guy coming in. Nothing wrong with that.

You guys talk about players being entitled, but many of you need to see if the definition of entitlement applies to you as a fan.

And if all the fans/donars are out there is no program just like if there were no players. I still believe as long as your winning fans will follow any players and all new ones each year, but if mediocre or worse, interest will wane and name recognition is more important.

Absolutely. Yet we can’t forget that these are kids who are allowed to do what they feel is best for them career wise. Did anybody here complain when Washington kids came to MSU to work under Choate? How about Chambers coming from Wyoming? If it is good for the kid, how can anyone be against that? Isn’t that what college athletics are supposed to be about?

Choate comparison isn't valid. We are talking a handful of kids out of 100. There have always been transfers, retirements, graduation etc. Now it seems like we see 10-20 in football in some teams and almost whole roster rollover on some basketball. Those are the concerns I have even if is the exception.

With NIL will we see kids be okay with being a backup at Texas because they get 50k a year in NIL instead of dropping down to play

I agree wholeheartedly on NIL. It has changed the game and I have been a critic of it since inception. I think kids should be rewarded financially, but the imbalance between programs financial ability will create a huge gap.

As for your comment on transfers, aren’t you muddying the water a little? My comments are limited to just player’s following their coach to another program. I think the portal in its current firm is terrible for football. However, we should be able to understand when kids follow a coach to another program.

There are two different discussions intertwined, Transfers in general and moving with a coach. I still dont think Choate and Sprinle compare. Take 3 or 4 kids following an assistant, they go down level because not playing much, and choose to go where he went and it was over a few years. With Sprinkle if 2 or 3 of top 8-9 players go that is a huge impact. Can I understand it, yes, do I like it no. EWU weathered it okay so hopefully we can as well.

[MSU01]

72 hours and no portal entries yet! Everything's going to be fine, right? RIGHT???

[DMMDCats]

72 hours and no portal entries yet! Everything's going to be fine, right? RIGHT???

Won’t see anything until the after the banquet tonight.

[aucat]

A different landscape. If you saw Charles Barkley on 60 Minutes a couple of weeks ago, he said, accurately in my opinion, that with NIL we will end up with only about 25 schools who have the money, or are WILLING to pay the money, to maintain a big time top tier team. With today's portal anything goes. I don't know why we even have "pre season" polls anymore, since it is possible to basically bring in an entirely new team in basketball, and make huge differences in football. In basketball, I look at Kim Mulkey at LSU bringing in 9 new players and winning the NC this year. It's the crazy new world of college athletics and I don't like it. At least in pro sports you have a draft that is based on your team's performance. But in college the rich will get richer. We just got a prime example with our basketball coach making the move he did.

[CelticCat]

A different landscape. If you saw Charles Barkley on 60 Minutes a couple of weeks ago, he said, accurately in my opinion, that with NIL we will end up with only about 25 schools who have the money, or are WILLING to pay the money, to maintain a big time top tier team. With today's portal anything goes. I don't know why we even have "pre season" polls anymore, since it is possible to basically bring in an entirely new team in basketball, and make huge differences in football. In basketball, I look at Kim Mulkey at LSU bringing in 9 new players and winning the NC this year. It's the crazy new world of college athletics and I don't like it. At least in pro sports you have a draft that is based on your team's performance. But in college the rich will get richer. We just got a prime example with our basketball coach making the move he did.

As opposed to how many teams before NIL? It's not like it's always been some big, open playing field. Maybe the number shrinks from 50 to 25, or from 40 to 25. But there are only so many roster spots, teams usually carry what 13-14 guys, let's say 350 guys on those top 25 teams. You're telling me that no other program in the country will be able to put together a roster that is capable of beating those top 25 on any given day in March?

Look I don't love how NIL is playing out but let's not ignore that the top programs have always had more money and that money has always been used to recruit, in various ways, some above board, some not. And just because you have the best players doesn't mean you have a good team, we've seen that over and over in college basketball for decades.

[aucat]

A different landscape. If you saw Charles Barkley on 60 Minutes a couple of weeks ago, he said, accurately in my opinion, that with NIL we will end up with only about 25 schools who have the money, or are WILLING to pay the money, to maintain a big time top tier team. With today's portal anything goes. I don't know why we even have "pre season" polls anymore, since it is possible to basically bring in an entirely new team in basketball, and make huge differences in football. In basketball, I look at Kim Mulkey at LSU bringing in 9 new players and winning the NC this year. It's the crazy new world of college athletics and I don't like it. At least in pro sports you have a draft that is based on your team's performance. But in college the rich will get richer. We just got a prime example with our basketball coach making the move he did.

As opposed to how many teams before NIL? It's not like it's always been some big, open playing field. Maybe the number shrinks from 50 to 25, or from 40 to 25. But there are only so many roster spots, teams usually carry what 13-14 guys, let's say 350 guys on those top 25 teams. You're telling me that no other program in the country will be able to put together a roster that is capable of beating those top 25 on any given day in March?

Look I don't love how NIL is playing out but let's not ignore that the top programs have always had more money and that money has always been used to recruit, in various ways, some above board, some not. And just because you have the best players doesn't mean you have a good team, we've seen that over and over in college basketball for decades.

You make a good point in that the "best team money can buy" may not always produce a championship contender. This year's Florida Atlantic (clearly not a "big money" team came out of nowhere, along with several others, to make a big splash in the NCAAs. There's always hope.

[MSU01]

72 hours and no portal entries yet! Everything's going to be fine, right? RIGHT???

Won’t see anything until the after the banquet tonight.

Makes sense. Utah State just lost another player to the portal so they've certainly got plenty of roster spots to fill from somewhere.

[Bobcatsinmso]

Jackson Grant is backing off his Commitment as per Skyline.

[tetoncat]

Maybe who we lose will be those we never had. Would have come to MSU thru portal or as freshman but will follow Sprinkle. They have more flexibility don't they.