I think we are after that Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi. 6'11, 240, 3 years starter in Big 10 and put up some pretty impressive stats. #8 transfer per 247. Also apparently Dominick Harris is a silent commit and Tyler Bilodeau is leaning UCLA. Not enough scholarships so it sounds like one of the Williams and/or Berke will be asked to leave.
It's interesting, because Ed's original premise for pushing to get NCAA players some sort of stipend/payment was that the players are netting income for the universities and the players deserved a share - but is Ballo really going to up Indiana's revenue by a more than a million dollars? Maybe, but that sure seems like a lot of money. The minimum entry level deal for an incoming NBA player is just $1.1M. At some point I wouldn't be surprised if these NIL deals regress a bit as the finances are more carefully analyzed and a player's true worth to a university becomes better defined, but until then, let the arm$ race continue, I guess. RIP, college athletics.
Bilodeau committed which means we might see one of our freshmen’s from last yr hit the portal. Will be sad if it’s Berke. Guy had issues with NCAA and injuries and just fell behind.
All 4 transfer commitments were double digit scorers last season, so our offense should be much improved.
Before Bilodeau's commitment, we were already looked at as a top 15 team. Our #1 class ranking does not even include the kid from LMU and apparently Mick is still looking for a post replacement for Bona. Final 4 is definitely a realistic expectation.
Starting 5 right now likely Andrews, Johnson, Clark, Bilodeau, Dailey. Bench rotation of Mara/Mack/Berke/Lazar. Freeny could redshirt. I think or both of Williams transfer, but both could be nice pieces by their junior year.
right, but they'll be right back on top once they officially purchase Harris. Volume matters a lot for these silly rankings. And Mick is still targeting another post player.
He got that post player today. William Kyle from SD State. Summit League Defensive player of the year while averaging 13 ppg. Sounds like the perfect replacement for Bona.
I'm on the record of saying that expecting a Final Four trip is unrealistic in today's NCAA, but a high seed and a Sweet 16 appearance at the least is more realistic and reasonable.
what is our current scholarship number? I assume the number of scholarship players exceeds the number of scholarships by now. Didn't we have 1 to give when portal opened? By my count, we've had 5 transfer in, 3 transfer out, so someone has got to go. I hope it's not Berke, he could be a solid player by his senior year.
1 open scholarship + 3 transfers out + Bona leaving (5 total)
Common theory is that Berke is gone, which wouldn't be surprising. Mara and Stefanovic seem locked in considering they just did promotion for the basketball team, and Dylan Andrews is obviously locked in. Wildcards are still both Williams and Mack, especially if the Trent Perry flirtation is real.
Update on Men's Volleyball - they lost in 5 sets in the MPSF final to Grand Canyon University (don't get me started) but were given one of the At-Large bids to the 8 team tourney (UC Irvine got the other) and still got the #1 overall seed. The tourney starts on April 30 v Fort Valley State (yeah, I didn't know either...they're part of the University of Georgia system)
Dominick Harris from LMU has made his commitment official. Jon Rothstein says he projects to fill a David Singleton role. Sharp shooter off the bench is exactly what we need!
Good news for sure! We should know relatively quickly who will be leaving to make room for DH. I think I would rather see Berkey leave than Brandon or Devin. And I truly hope Mack stays. With this incoming portal class, we are definitely seeing what deep NIL pockets can bring.
The player salary slush fund must be replenished every year, rather than those monies be used for facility upgrades and other athletic department needs. (Another reason why there never will be an on-campus fb stadium -- too little dollars chasing too many wish lists.) Also, are there any big $Donors under 50 years old? What is the future source of the money stream required for this new operating expense?
Yep. The original intent of NIL is extinct. UCLA will not benefit from a revenue share, as the portal world turns and churns. Greed as always is the true victor. I suppose banner #12, in an odd way, would help ease the pain of this debacle. Strange I know. Regardless, I can't imagine Wooden would be smiling.
Banner #12, if and when (and g-d willing in my lifetime), will be tainted to me, like "The Best Team That Money Can Buy" akin to the Yankees or Dodgers.
i don't think the money comes from the same place. Yes, it must be replenished, but the collective fund does not go to facilities, and money from the school does not go to the collective.
that's a good point. i would hope that the donor money going forward is exclusively to NIL. Eventually it will be. Phil Knight is going to figure out he could buy the best teams money can buy instead of upgrading Oregon's facilities.
I got the party started with $50.
Tarris Reed, the Michigan center, is in the transfer portal. He played well against Bona in high school.
Is Cronin interested in him?
Gone to UConn. But there are other intriguing bigs in the portal that hopefully we can get!
I think we are after that Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi. 6'11, 240, 3 years starter in Big 10 and put up some pretty impressive stats. #8 transfer per 247. Also apparently Dominick Harris is a silent commit and Tyler Bilodeau is leaning UCLA. Not enough scholarships so it sounds like one of the Williams and/or Berke will be asked to leave.
UCLA just picked up the commitment from Eric Dailey.
Cronin doing really well in the transfer portal this time around.
#1 class in the nation
Oumar Ballo got over a million bucks from Indiana.
It's interesting, because Ed's original premise for pushing to get NCAA players some sort of stipend/payment was that the players are netting income for the universities and the players deserved a share - but is Ballo really going to up Indiana's revenue by a more than a million dollars? Maybe, but that sure seems like a lot of money. The minimum entry level deal for an incoming NBA player is just $1.1M. At some point I wouldn't be surprised if these NIL deals regress a bit as the finances are more carefully analyzed and a player's true worth to a university becomes better defined, but until then, let the arm$ race continue, I guess. RIP, college athletics.
Bilodeau committed which means we might see one of our freshmen’s from last yr hit the portal. Will be sad if it’s Berke. Guy had issues with NCAA and injuries and just fell behind.
All 4 transfer commitments were double digit scorers last season, so our offense should be much improved.
Before Bilodeau's commitment, we were already looked at as a top 15 team. Our #1 class ranking does not even include the kid from LMU and apparently Mick is still looking for a post replacement for Bona. Final 4 is definitely a realistic expectation.
Starting 5 right now likely Andrews, Johnson, Clark, Bilodeau, Dailey. Bench rotation of Mara/Mack/Berke/Lazar. Freeny could redshirt. I think or both of Williams transfer, but both could be nice pieces by their junior year.
Indiana's purchase of Ballo made them the #1 transfer class. UCLA is #3 without Harris. #2 within the Big Ten which is still weird to say.
right, but they'll be right back on top once they officially purchase Harris. Volume matters a lot for these silly rankings. And Mick is still targeting another post player.
He got that post player today. William Kyle from SD State. Summit League Defensive player of the year while averaging 13 ppg. Sounds like the perfect replacement for Bona.
i know nothing about him, but it sounds like we are out of scholarships....so which Williams is getting the boot?
Berke probably out. If Trent Perry USC commit turns to UCLA, then Mack probably out. Dominoes.
Re FF
Too early to say, of course, but remember the Selection Committee's history of bias against UCLA in their seeding and path. Debbie Downer.
I'm on the record of saying that expecting a Final Four trip is unrealistic in today's NCAA, but a high seed and a Sweet 16 appearance at the least is more realistic and reasonable.
what is our current scholarship number? I assume the number of scholarship players exceeds the number of scholarships by now. Didn't we have 1 to give when portal opened? By my count, we've had 5 transfer in, 3 transfer out, so someone has got to go. I hope it's not Berke, he could be a solid player by his senior year.
They are currently 1 over.
5 transfers in + Dominick Harris (so 6 total)
1 open scholarship + 3 transfers out + Bona leaving (5 total)
Common theory is that Berke is gone, which wouldn't be surprising. Mara and Stefanovic seem locked in considering they just did promotion for the basketball team, and Dylan Andrews is obviously locked in. Wildcards are still both Williams and Mack, especially if the Trent Perry flirtation is real.
Mack should stay for his own good.
Kyle/Mara/Biilodeau at the post looks better to me than Bona/Nwuba/Mara.
💯!!!
Update on Men's Volleyball - they lost in 5 sets in the MPSF final to Grand Canyon University (don't get me started) but were given one of the At-Large bids to the 8 team tourney (UC Irvine got the other) and still got the #1 overall seed. The tourney starts on April 30 v Fort Valley State (yeah, I didn't know either...they're part of the University of Georgia system)
You can follow the bracket at the NCAA website here: https://www.ncaa.com/news/volleyball-men/article/2024-04-21/2024-ncaa-mens-volleyball-championship-bracket-schedule-how-watch.
GO BRUINS!!
Dominick Harris from LMU has made his commitment official. Jon Rothstein says he projects to fill a David Singleton role. Sharp shooter off the bench is exactly what we need!
Good news for sure! We should know relatively quickly who will be leaving to make room for DH. I think I would rather see Berkey leave than Brandon or Devin. And I truly hope Mack stays. With this incoming portal class, we are definitely seeing what deep NIL pockets can bring.
Coming soon: Player performance cash bonus incentives.
I am afraid you may be right 😞 Sad state of affairs but here we are - potentially wicked good team but money driven players, with a few exceptions.
that's actually not as bad as the lump sum up front. but still awful.
The player salary slush fund must be replenished every year, rather than those monies be used for facility upgrades and other athletic department needs. (Another reason why there never will be an on-campus fb stadium -- too little dollars chasing too many wish lists.) Also, are there any big $Donors under 50 years old? What is the future source of the money stream required for this new operating expense?
Yep. The original intent of NIL is extinct. UCLA will not benefit from a revenue share, as the portal world turns and churns. Greed as always is the true victor. I suppose banner #12, in an odd way, would help ease the pain of this debacle. Strange I know. Regardless, I can't imagine Wooden would be smiling.
Banner #12, if and when (and g-d willing in my lifetime), will be tainted to me, like "The Best Team That Money Can Buy" akin to the Yankees or Dodgers.
Tainted is the perfect adjective. Spot on.
Dodgers will win only division titles with current management
Is management or payroll the issue? Is $320.9 million including luxury tax inadequate?
Meanwhile, Sam Gilbert is smiling. "Vindicated!"
Ahhhh yes. Good ole Gilbert.
i don't think the money comes from the same place. Yes, it must be replenished, but the collective fund does not go to facilities, and money from the school does not go to the collective.
True. The point is the opportunity cost of donor money filling one pocket at the cost of leaving the other pocket empty.
that's a good point. i would hope that the donor money going forward is exclusively to NIL. Eventually it will be. Phil Knight is going to figure out he could buy the best teams money can buy instead of upgrading Oregon's facilities.
looks like we finish with the #3 class according to 247.
might not be done yet...