The fall of college basketball

[Old Uncle Teddy]

This. The scholarship actually means nothing anymore. Kids (and coaches) can leave at any time they want, and Power 5 kid will go the portal and get at minimum now 500K. What’s a 1 year scholly to Iowa worth? 50K?

Ironically college athletes are learning that they don't need a degree. If a player makes $2M during college, they can get by just fine. Maybe play in Europe and bank the money. They hit 28 and no longer need a job.

Of course, just having a Bachelors in anything meant more than a million more dollars in lifetime income. That too is no longer true. We have starved the economy of tradesmen and now face a desperate shortage in the trades. So, a college degree isn't the selling point it once was.

 

[littlez]

Ironically college athletes are learning that they don't need a degree. If a player makes $2M during college, they can get by just fine. Maybe play in Europe and bank the money. They hit 28 and no longer need a job.

Of course, just having a Bachelors in anything meant more than a million more dollars in lifetime income. That too is no longer true. We have starved the economy of tradesmen and now face a desperate shortage in the trades. So, a college degree isn't the selling point it once was.

College graduates still make a ton more money over non college graduates over a lifetime. But yes, NIL is life changing money and means you don’t need a degree in the case of a guy like Dix. 1.5 million at 21-22 years old? Invest that wisely and you’re pretty comfortable the rest of your entire life. Coaches leave mid majors high and dry after 1 year and I don’t blame any kid while this is available to do the same.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

I laugh when people say this is just the free market at work.

 

[QChawks]

Four #1 seeds in final four

boring tournament

 

[spiderland]

boring tournament

Probably the worst in my lifetime. I mean, I’m sure there was some of the best basketball ever played in this year’s tournament, but no compelling reason to watch after the round of 32 or so unless you’re a fan of a name school or don’t give a fook about the little guy.

Will be interesting in a few years if young kids start asking why they call it March Madness, let alone why someone ever trademarked that.

 

[Warhawkeye]

College graduates still make a ton more money over non college graduates over a lifetime. But yes, NIL is life changing money and means you don’t need a degree in the case of a guy like Dix. 1.5 million at 21-22 years old? Invest that wisely and you’re pretty comfortable the rest of your entire life. Coaches leave mid majors high and dry after 1 year and I don’t blame any kid while this is available to do the same.

I disagree. I don’t have a college degree and have a job that I can get by on without a bunch of student debt. My bigger argument is college athletics shouldn’t be allowed to jump from college to college every year because of money. A coach has a contract which has to be bought out if they leave. Same thing needs to apply to athletes. Make them sign a contract. Might as well make it semi pro at this point.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

It’s okay to OPT out folks. The collegiate sports scene is, obviously, not what it once was. There will only be a concetration of power amongst kingdom builders much like politics or wall street. Hell, without gambllng interests propelling this frankenstein creation it would already be dying FAST. Enjoy your memories and pencil in the finalists for the major sports cause you already know them. Meanwhile all the nil participants laugh at the transfer of your wealth to them. Just like politics, wall street and gambling. Build a real life and OPT out.

Can you provide a link for me to opt out?

Too lazy to figure opting out on my own.

But I’m all in on being out!

 

[HawkRose]

This system sucks, let's at least get back to 2-4 year contracts that can only be broken by coach leaving or going pro. This everyone transfers every year crap is awful.

 

[Hendy hawk]

I disagree. I don’t have a college degree and have a job that I can get by on without a bunch of student debt. My bigger argument is college athletics shouldn’t be allowed to jump from college to college every year because of money. A coach has a contract which has to be bought out if they leave. Same thing needs to apply to athletes. Make them sign a contract. Might as well make it semi pro at this point.

Basically, it is semi pro now.

 

[Warhawkeye]

Basically, it is semi pro now.

Kinda. Without contracts

 

[Fan In Black]

Four #1 seeds in final four

boring tournament

I love seeing the best teams go at it. This is the most I have been interested in decades.

I understand the other side. It's just not for me.

Especially since a low seed has made it to championship games 5 times total. Villanova and UConn wining as 8 and 7 seeds 30 years apart. it's not like it happens all the time. That's a myth.

 

[cmhawks99]

There have been hints of what might happen to college sports from many on this board through the various threads and I will provide my thoughts, while welcoming all others, these are opinions with no wrong answers.

Are we witnessing the end of college basketball?

My thoughts is yes, at least to what was the passion and love by fans. The primary reason is not the paying of players but the yearly hopping of teams. McCullom hit on the head in his ability to rattle off past players. IMO..what solidified the love for the game was watching a player grow through their 4 years. I honestly believe a player staying all 4 years with one team will become as likely as any of us petting a unicorn.

I ordinarily would agree with your frustrations as I am somewhat of a purist. With that said, this is where we are at and more than anything I am a pragmatist. The fans aren’t going away it doesn’t seem and therefore the money won’t.

Remember, and this is unpopular to most…but “WE” are the problem. The fans have made it this spectacle. With their obsession and win at all cost mentality. We have thrown money at it relentlessly and we want ALL our teams to be the “it” team and we chase off coaches (not here per se) but most places at an alarming rate. Which leads to lots of movement and a trickle down affect, of constant movement from the smallest to the biggest.

I have consistently de-emphasized sports every year for 15 plus and I’m still over the top and I actually care to be less obsessed. Most aren’t and the players want their share…

Look around this board…we are Iowa and we still have an alarming amount of fans constantly pissed off about losing a single game. 🙄

As long as the fans stay, the money will stay. F$&k if I got free tickets to go to a game, by the time I drive, park and buy food I’ve spent 250 dollars, WTH?$ that’s for 2/3 people, it doesn’t count staying, 4 people,/5 people, beer, “gear” etc……Hell I thought it was going to slow down 10 years ago.

We’ve got a new WBB coach who makes 850k base and some want her fired already….

We just had a high school women’s PG get allegedly 1.4 million….

Journey men middle relievers get 15 mill plus….

Average QBs get 20 million plus….

College football coordinators get 1 to 2 million….

I mean what the hell….

The system didn’t create this, the fans did 🤷‍♂️

 

[texas twister]

My love for college sports has taken a MAJOR dive. It is rare that I watch Iowa athletics live anymore. Not so excited anymore. Money corrupts everything.

 

[Hawk68]

Just wondering. What does the abbreviation NCAA stand for?

 

[Ladell-hawk]

How could we possibly be witness the end of college basketball when viewership, attendance, and revenue are increasing — all generated by fans?

I’m not saying you are wrong but it’s hard to believe game attendance is actually up. I have seen so many games this year and the preceding couple of years with arenas that are half empty or worse, in every conference and level of play.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Agreed. For the most part I have lost interest in pro sports because the teams have different players every year.

College basketball will survive, but it will become less interesting to me over time. It's already started.

Depends on the organization.

The Chiefs have their core group still together and continually win. Other teams trade everyone and continue to spend and suck.

 

[JerseyCityHawki]

It sucks

Thank you and absolutely correct on that statement

 

[JerseyCityHawki]

Why even have a scholarship? With the money athletes make they should pay for it and all the amenity's as training, food and sleeping arrangements. It's become semi-pro and players transferring around with absolutely no intent n getting an education to use in life.
Making the big bucks, then they need to pay for everything.

Very well said… great post

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Attendance will certainly start to drop. Almost no point in going to mid major games. All their good players get poached now. Can’t build anything at lower level.

The best teams are better than ever now, which makes for better TV but fewer teams are worth driving and buying a ticket for.

If I was in charge at a midmajor I would consider paying the coach very little and try and buy a roster of DII elite players and guys coming down from power conferences. Tell the coach he will have best roster in conference and it’s well understood he will leave for any kind of offer.

 

[Fan In Black]

 

[Bulldogs1974]

This. The scholarship actually means nothing anymore. Kids (and coaches) can leave at any time they want, and Power 5 kid will go the portal and get at minimum now 500K. What’s a 1 year scholly to Iowa worth? 50K?

Out of state closer to 100k all things figured. Out of state

 

[Grumpy Old Hawk]

Probably the worst in my lifetime. I mean, I’m sure there was some of the best basketball ever played in this year’s tournament, but no compelling reason to watch after the round of 32 or so unless you’re a fan of a name school or don’t give a fook about the little guy.

Will be interesting in a few years if young kids start asking why they call it March Madness, let alone why someone ever trademarked that.

Can't even play defense anymore. Every guard pauses their dribble at their hip.

 

[littlez]

Can't even play defense anymore. Every guard pauses their dribble at their hip.

Yes you’re grumpy and old. Why do you watch?

 

[Blackhawk6]

Probably the worst in my lifetime. I mean, I’m sure there was some of the best basketball ever played in this year’s tournament, but no compelling reason to watch after the round of 32 or so unless you’re a fan of a name school or don’t give a fook about the little guy.

Will be interesting in a few years if young kids start asking why they call it March Madness, let alone why someone ever trademarked that.

Through the years, starting with Iowa's 1955 Final Four, I've watched March Madness morning to night every scheduled day--and every Final Four. This year I've watched two games--Drake/Missouri & Drake/Texas Tech....and will watch movies this Final Four.

 

[Fan In Black]

Through the years, starting with Iowa's 1955 Final Four, I've watched March Madness morning to night every scheduled day--and every Final Four. This year I've watched two games--Drake/Missouri & Drake/Texas Tech....and will watch movies this Final Four.

was it better when UCLA won 10 titles in 12 years? was that crazy on the edge of your seat never sure what will happen madness?

 

[Blackhawk6]

was it better when UCLA won 10 titles in 12 years? was that crazy on the edge of your seat never sure what will happen madness?

Mainly YES...because of Alcindor and Walton, and the excellent teams they played in those Final-Fours: Duke, Michigan, N.C., Villanova, Kentucky, Drake (with Dolph & the Gang). Alcindor "blocked" a late Dolph shot that would have propelled Drake to the national title. So always some sort of intrigue despite the big-man domination.

 

[amahawk]

Why do schools even have athletic departments? That is the question. I can see more schools just say , to heck with it.

 

[Titanhawk2]

Ironically college athletes are learning that they don't need a degree. If a player makes $2M during college, they can get by just fine. Maybe play in Europe and bank the money. They hit 28 and no longer need a job.

Of course, just having a Bachelors in anything meant more than a million more dollars in lifetime income. That too is no longer true. We have starved the economy of tradesmen and now face a desperate shortage in the trades. So, a college degree isn't the selling point it once was.

That may be true for what, 1% of basketball players. Nobody else

 

[doughuddl2]

Attendance will certainly start to drop. Almost no point in going to mid major games. All their good players get poached now. Can’t build anything at lower level.

The best teams are better than ever now, which makes for better TV but fewer teams are worth driving and buying a ticket for.

If I was in charge major I would consider paying the coach very little and try and buy a roster of DII elite players and guys coming down from power conferences. Tell the coach he will have best roster in conference and it’s well understood he will leave for any kind of offer.

Lol. You as an Iowa should know a very good coach matters and they cost money.

 

[Mohawkeye]

Why do schools even have athletic departments? That is the question. I can see more schools just say , to heck with it.

Successful teams draw in a lot of students. It’s marketing.

I don’t see the current system as sustainable, when every team has wholesale turnover year after year, it hurts everyone. But I expect it will evolve into something somewhat more sustainable, with fewer transfers and more equitable distribution of $.

 

[Garzatough85]

I don’t think it kills the game but it will definitely hurt it. Hopefully they find a way to get it under control.

Focus should be somehow limiting transfers to one. Binding contracts that all ncaa teams honor. Players still get a chance to transfer to greener pastures but they have to sign a contract for the length of their remaining eligibility

Agreed; one open transfer and transfers allowed when coaching change is made.

 

[Hans81]

If you want college ball like it used to be, you're probably going to need to start following DII or DIII programs.
Even though D1 is now pro sports, somehow there needs to be a limitation put on the current frenzy of switching every season. It's bad for the brand/business. That's why all pro sports leagues have rules that don't allow unlimited team hopping all the time.

Yep, limit transferring to once in a 4-year college career and/or when there is a coaching change. Also, make a player sit out a year if they want to transfer. That would limit all this crazy player movement.

 

[Rambler Hawk]

Questions for anyone: How do players currently get paid NIL? Is it lump sum that just gets deposited in their bank account? I have to believe that some of these players are buying fancy clothes, cars, etc? Hopefully most are getting sage financial guidance though…🤷‍♂️ TIA

 

[Hans81]

Less like the overall death of college basketball, and more like the end of college basketball for old people and others who struggle with change because of an inability or unwillingness to adapt.

Poor analogy…there will, and already is, less overall interest in big time college hoops as more & more power is concentrated in a few big money programs.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Attendance will certainly start to drop. Almost no point in going to mid major games. All their good players get poached now. Can’t build anything at lower level.

Consider it the "G League" of college basketball.

 

[Hans81]

Exactly this. The NIL was not intended to be pay for play, but that's exactly what it is currently. If the colleges and universities can't find some way to reform the current landscape, it will crash and likely sooner rather than later.

Athletes should have every right to pursue NIL opportunities, but this isn't that.

Will there be tax implications/problems for athletes who can’t at least loosely tie their NIL money to signing autographs, etc?

 

[Hans81]

How could we possibly be witness the end of college basketball when viewership, attendance, and revenue are increasing — all generated by fans?

Is in-person attendance really up? I watched a lot of relatively empty arenas in 1st & 2nd round games. Heck, the NCAA even had to make changes recently to keep higher seeded teams closer to home to help attendance.

 

[Hans81]

Alabama took 51 shots, but only made 25 last night.

“Only”…that’s not a bad shooting percentage. 🥴

 

[Hans81]

All things can and undoubtedly will change.

If the model is maximizing profit, what does Iowa and schools like us bring to the table? Seriously, put yourself in the shoes of someone whose job isn't to cherish and promote the sport, or even create parity. It is to get the highest ranked programs into the mass media as much as possible so as to keep those programs generating revenue, especially in the NCAA tournament. Turner Sports or Fox don't pay for broadcast rights for Iowa, the broadcasters pay for Michigan, MSU, UCLA, USC tOSU, Maryland, Oregon, Illinois and Purdue. Iowa is just brought along for the ride. No one is paying for Iowa. The broadcast packages won't change.

How long will the fans of college sports keep watching a few nationally high-profile teams crush their alma maters or current college. Year after year after year. That model certainly hasn't worked long term for the NBA.

Nor, it didn’t used to work for women’s college hoops. Just recently it seems like there are more decent women’s teams, which also has helped their attendance and fan interest.

 

[ISUBryce]

Why even have a scholarship? With the money athletes make they should pay for it and all the amenity's as training, food and sleeping arrangements. It's become semi-pro and players transferring around with absolutely no intent n getting an education to use in life.
Making the big bucks, then they need to pay for everything.

How do you know what their intent is with their education?