Appears like we will be like every other OVC team- starting almost from scratch for next season. I was hoping we were the exception and was feeling pretty good a couple of days before the Portal closed. This is simply the new normal. I have been following some of the Portal stuff online, and teams like Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville are bringing in completely new teams. Difference is they are filling spots with top-rated transfers and paying them 500K or more, to come play for a year. We wouldn't get those players regardless, so I'm not sure how much it changes things. But, the free transfer and NIL eliminates the chances of a player who has a great season, sticking around in Little Rock for another one.

I would have been absolutely livid, a few years ago, if someone suggested we should become a "farm club" for the hogs. But, with what's going on in college basketball, right now, I am starting to think it would be a great idea to have the following arrangement with our "sister" institution.

Specifically, if there are a couple of very good (probably not great) players in the State, Coach Cal could send them to Little Rock for a year or 2 of "seasoning". The understanding would be that if they do well, for a year or 2, they would move "up" to Fayetteville. With the "free" transfer they could leave any time after the season. This would be a way for us to get very good high school kids to play in Little Rock for a year or 2. Players that do well will move on regardless, so why not make it a smooth process for Arkansas kids who want to remain in State. I know it sounds a little "crazy", but it seems like a "win-win" situation for everyone from my perspective.

If we are going to give kids nil money we need to make them sign multi-year contracts.

(04-30-2024 12:40 PM)mjs Wrote:  I would have been absolutely livid, a few years ago, if someone suggested we should become a "farm club" for the hogs. But, with what's going on in college basketball, right now, I am starting to think it would be a great idea to have the following arrangement with our "sister" institution.

Specifically, if there are a couple of very good (probably not great) players in the State, Coach Cal could send them to Little Rock for a year or 2 of "seasoning". The understanding would be that if they do well, for a year or 2, they would move "up" to Fayetteville. With the "free" transfer they could leave any time after the season. This would be a way for us to get very good high school kids to play in Little Rock for a year or 2. Players that do well will move on regardless, so why not make it a smooth process for Arkansas kids who want to remain in State. I know it sounds a little "crazy", but it seems like a "win-win" situation for everyone from my perspective.

Another advantage, other than getting good local players to our campus, is that hog fans would "flock" to the Stephens Center to watch their little "piglets" develop.

Bradley Douglas has also put his name in the portal. That one wasn't as surprising.

Wow. I hate college basketball.

(04-30-2024 07:41 PM)TrojanTeen2 Wrote:  Bradley Douglas has also put his name in the portal. That one wasn't as surprising.

Douglas was the one I was expecting to go all along. The fact that he wasn't in the Portal, until now, should have been a hint that others still had time to put their names in.

(04-30-2024 10:39 PM)ez272 Wrote:  Wow. I hate college basketball.

I feel your pain. I am pretty disgusted with college basketball right now. Enjoy going to our games and will continue to do so. It is sad that we will no longer be able to watch kids grow and develop in our program. We will never have players like Derek Fisher, Dontrelle Dobbins, or James Scott stay here for 4 years. It is what it is. I was delusion to believe that we were going to keep players like KK and Jaylen who will get big NIL dollars to go somewhere else. The fact that they waited until the last day, definitely threw me off. It was always a business for the schools and coaches, but now it is simply a "job" and players will go where they get the most money and attention.

The hogs are reportedly going to pay Jonelle Davis (FAU transfer) well north of a million dollars to play for one year. Don't know how this ends, but I don't see how it can continue like this.

Probably can't relax until midnight on Friday. I read somewhere that when a player informs a coach they are going into the Portal, their name is not officially released for 2 days to give them a couple of days to think about their decision or be convinced to stay. That would explain why RBL reported Jaylen's Twitter page said he is gone, but nothing official is on the sites I checked earlier today.

Gordon landed at SAM HOUSTON STATE


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

They were 21-12 last year and 13-3 in conference in conference USA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Throwing NIL money in front of quality ball players, regardless of sport, is kind of like ants at a Sunday picnic. Enough said.

Jaylen Crocker-Johnson to Colorado State.

MJS - what site do you get your transfer portal info from?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[quote='RBL' pid='19586926' dateline='1714760948']
MJS - what site do you get your transfer portal info from?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
[/quote
I believe it was Verbal Commits
The Portal itself is not open to the public, but there are sites that provide info for fans.

Looking at Verbal Commits, the only players not in Portal are Mikhal, Jordan, Creed, and Ante. If all are back that would actually be a pretty solid foundation. U

Gordon is actually going to Southern Miss, one of the newer sunbelt schools. not Sam :nutkick:Houston State.

Colorado St made the ncaa tournament last year but would’ve thought Jaylen would wait a year to go to a bigger school, oh well.

KK might stab at the draft but so far he’s uncommitted.

I don’t think Cougar or Douglas are going to anywhere different than where we are.

(05-04-2024 01:14 AM)TrojanTeen2 Wrote:  Gordon is actually going to Southern Miss, one of the newer sunbelt schools. not Sam :nutkick:Houston State.

Colorado St made the ncaa tournament last year but would’ve thought Jaylen would wait a year to go to a bigger school, oh well.

KK might stab at the draft but so far he’s uncommitted.

I don’t think Cougar or Douglas are going to anywhere different than where we are.

I see verbal commits has Gordon going to Southern Miss. I had gotten my Miss information from 247sports web site who’s was obviously incorrect


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk