OT: Kentucky's John Calipari is headed to Arkansas; Dan Hurley turned down $12.5m/yr offer from Kentucky

[Chuck Everett]

So NIL deals are the perfect solution, no? Just look at all of the money making possibilities for a UCLA player in Los Angeles.

I am of the opinion that getting players is all about who the coach is. Programs don't matter over the coach. So Kentucky or UCLA can't just have any ole guy and think they will recruit elite players. I wish going to UCLA just guaranteed the teams would be good, but look at what Mick Cronin did this year without Jaquez.

Edit: I didn't answer your question about NIL. Arkansas boosters are talking about giving Calipari 5 million to use for NIL. UCLA is not doing that to build a basketball roster. Sorry.

What brands want to be affiliated with Kentucky and Arkansas? Over time these universities that benefitted from not having to compete against pro sports teams will lose out. The gains that they made over the decades will decipate.

Arkansas has the Walton family (Walmart),Tyson family (Tyson Foods), Jones family (Dallas Cowboys). I mean, these are billionaires. NIL isn't about branding or commercials. It's basically pay for play at this point.

[SelfishPlayer]

I am of the opinion that getting players is all about who the coach is. Programs don't matter over the coach. So Kentucky or UCLA can't just have any ole guy and think they will recruit elite players. I wish going to UCLA just guaranteed the teams would be good, but look at what Mick Cronin did this year without Jaquez.

Edit: I didn't answer your question about NIL. Arkansas boosters are talking about giving Calipari 5 million to use for NIL. UCLA is not doing that to build a basketball roster. Sorry.

What brands want to be affiliated with Kentucky and Arkansas? Over time these universities that benefitted from not having to compete against pro sports teams will lose out. The gains that they made over the decades will decipate.

Arkansas has the Walton family (Walmart),Tyson family (Tyson Foods), Jones family (Dallas Cowboys). I mean, these are billionaires. NIL isn't about branding or commercials. It's basically pay for play at this point.

$5 million is the popular number Arkansas is said to have for it's ENTIRE TEAM. Bronny James has an NIL valuation of $6.1!!!!!!!! He plays for a coastal city! https://1075thefan.com/playlist/top-20-college-athletes-with-the-highest-nil-valuations/item/1

[JujitsuFlip]

https://www.si.com/fannation/name-image-likeness/news/nike-retail-jersey-launch-features-four-college-basketball-stars

Nike is selling college basketball jerseys for the first time ever in its history. USC Bronny James was one of only four jerseys being sold. Let that sink in... Traditions end...

That was because of the name on the back of the jersey, not the front. Let's not play dumb lol

Juju Watkins another USC player is one of the four names, so you are wrong.

Last i checked she was women's basketball...

[Chuck Everett]

What brands want to be affiliated with Kentucky and Arkansas? Over time these universities that benefitted from not having to compete against pro sports teams will lose out. The gains that they made over the decades will decipate.

Arkansas has the Walton family (Walmart),Tyson family (Tyson Foods), Jones family (Dallas Cowboys). I mean, these are billionaires. NIL isn't about branding or commercials. It's basically pay for play at this point.

$5 million is the popular number Arkansas is said to have for it's ENTIRE TEAM. Bronny James has an NIL valuation of $6.1!!!!!!!! He plays for a coastal city! https://1075thefan.com/playlist/top-20-college-athletes-with-the-highest-nil-valuations/item/1

But that's only because he's Lebron's kid. None of the other USC players were even close to that.

[SelfishPlayer]

Arkansas has the Walton family (Walmart),Tyson family (Tyson Foods), Jones family (Dallas Cowboys). I mean, these are billionaires. NIL isn't about branding or commercials. It's basically pay for play at this point.

$5 million is the popular number Arkansas is said to have for it's ENTIRE TEAM. Bronny James has an NIL valuation of $6.1!!!!!!!! He plays for a coastal city! https://1075thefan.com/playlist/top-20-college-athletes-with-the-highest-nil-valuations/item/1

But that's only because he's Lebron's kid. None of the other USC players were even close to that.

Bronny James was the biggest name in his high school class and his USC teammate was the #1 player in his class. UK has a poor recruiting class from the 2024 players. There is a top 10 2024 HS player GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI! He is from Philadelphia. He possibly could see no reason whatsoever to travel to the middle of the country to be cold AND bored.

[SelfishPlayer]

That was because of the name on the back of the jersey, not the front. Let's not play dumb lol

Juju Watkins another USC player is one of the four names, so you are wrong.

Last i checked she was women's basketball...

I doubt that I would have ever heard her name if she weren't playing in LA.

[Chuck Everett]

$5 million is the popular number Arkansas is said to have for it's ENTIRE TEAM. Bronny James has an NIL valuation of $6.1!!!!!!!! He plays for a coastal city! https://1075thefan.com/playlist/top-20-college-athletes-with-the-highest-nil-valuations/item/1

But that's only because he's Lebron's kid. None of the other USC players were even close to that.

Bronny James was the biggest name in his high school class and his USC teammate was the #1 player in his class. UK has a poor recruiting class from the 2024 players. There is a top 10 2024 HS player GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI! He is from Philadelphia. He possibly could see no reason whatsoever to travel to the middle of the country to be cold AND bored.

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

[SelfishPlayer]

But that's only because he's Lebron's kid. None of the other USC players were even close to that.

Bronny James was the biggest name in his high school class and his USC teammate was the #1 player in his class. UK has a poor recruiting class from the 2024 players. There is a top 10 2024 HS player GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI! He is from Philadelphia. He possibly could see no reason whatsoever to travel to the middle of the country to be cold AND bored.

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

Record? These players want record NIL money!

[Chuck Everett]

Bronny James was the biggest name in his high school class and his USC teammate was the #1 player in his class. UK has a poor recruiting class from the 2024 players. There is a top 10 2024 HS player GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI! He is from Philadelphia. He possibly could see no reason whatsoever to travel to the middle of the country to be cold AND bored.

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

Record? These players want record NIL money!

But you began this whole discussion based on why players would go to Kentucky. Kentucky fans just want to see their team compete for titles. If the NIL heavy hitter freshmen are losing in their one and done seasons, none of those fans will care.

[SelfishPlayer]

But that's only because he's Lebron's kid. None of the other USC players were even close to that.

Bronny James was the biggest name in his high school class and his USC teammate was the #1 player in his class. UK has a poor recruiting class from the 2024 players. There is a top 10 2024 HS player GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI! He is from Philadelphia. He possibly could see no reason whatsoever to travel to the middle of the country to be cold AND bored.

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

Rugers University, a coastal university has the #2 and #3 recruits out of the 2024 class. Had enough?

[SelfishPlayer]

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

Record? These players want record NIL money!

But you began this whole discussion based on why players would go to Kentucky. Kentucky fans just want to see their team compete for titles. If the NIL heavy hitter freshmen are losing in their one and done seasons, none of those fans will care.

I made an argument on WHY players would go to Kentucky? I do see why they would AT ALL.

[Chuck Everett]

Bronny James was the biggest name in his high school class and his USC teammate was the #1 player in his class. UK has a poor recruiting class from the 2024 players. There is a top 10 2024 HS player GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI! He is from Philadelphia. He possibly could see no reason whatsoever to travel to the middle of the country to be cold AND bored.

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

Rugers University, a coastal university has the #2 and #3 recruits out of the 2024 class. Had enough?

Dylan Harper's brother (Ron Harper, Jr) played for Rutgers under Steve Pikell. It's not a surprise he went there. Dude, you're not right. Just look at the 247 rankings and see where these kids are going.

[SelfishPlayer]

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

Rugers University, a coastal university has the #2 and #3 recruits out of the 2024 class. Had enough?

Dylan Harper's brother (Ron Harper, Jr) played for Rutgers under Steve Pikell. It's not a surprise he went there. Dude, you're not right. Just look at the 247 rankings and see where these kids are going.

A commitment to a university is a commitment to a university no matter what website is listing the commitment. Rutgers has two of the TOP THREE high school players in the country, WTF! I had my current position BEFORE finding that out. Miami has the #6 player, it is already happening. 10 years from now these coastal teams will have all of the best guys while I bet these old school middle America "blue blood teams" resort to recruiting the best COLLEGE PLAYERS so that they can win a national championship. That is Kentucky's future and why Mr One and Done left to coach Arkansas. Kentucky will have a bunch of 21 and 22 year old players 10 years from now.

[dhsilv2]

But that's only because he's Lebron's kid. None of the other USC players were even close to that.

Bronny James was the biggest name in his high school class and his USC teammate was the #1 player in his class. UK has a poor recruiting class from the 2024 players. There is a top 10 2024 HS player GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI! He is from Philadelphia. He possibly could see no reason whatsoever to travel to the middle of the country to be cold AND bored.

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

One has to wonder how long some of these billionaires are going to throw money at players without results. UK has a LARGE group of rich donors willing to throw in enough that in total it'll work. But if a school just has 1-2 people, no matter how rich they are, throwing 800k at one player for no real results would get old fast.

[dhsilv2]

Record? These players want record NIL money!

But you began this whole discussion based on why players would go to Kentucky. Kentucky fans just want to see their team compete for titles. If the NIL heavy hitter freshmen are losing in their one and done seasons, none of those fans will care.

I made an argument on WHY players would go to Kentucky? I do see why they would AT ALL.

Kentucky lets you play in Rupp Arena which is not just storied but one of the largest basketball arena's. The players training facilities are just absurd. And UK's umm "female student body" rivals any school in the country. Combine that with assured 6 figure incomes for life just off of your history at the program...it's not a bad choice. Lexington is a really big college town which is a pretty good selling point to those who aren't hell bent on going to a major city. And it being a college town means there's more things to do on campus and around when you're under 21 and it'd look bad for getting drafted if you were busted in a bar.

[Chuck Everett]

Bronny James was the biggest name in his high school class and his USC teammate was the #1 player in his class. UK has a poor recruiting class from the 2024 players. There is a top 10 2024 HS player GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI! He is from Philadelphia. He possibly could see no reason whatsoever to travel to the middle of the country to be cold AND bored.

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

One has to wonder how long some of these billionaires are going to throw money at players without results. UK has a LARGE group of rich donors willing to throw in enough that in total it'll work. But if a school just has 1-2 people, no matter how rich they are, throwing 800k at one player for no real results would get old fast.

To be fair, Miami went to the Final Four in 2023 for the first time in their history. That was money well spent. And it looks like they are going to get the [Carlos] Boozer twins in 2025 (although those kids are also locals).

[SelfishPlayer]

John Ruiz, Miami booster (billionaire) gave Nigel Pack a two year/800K deal last year. Not every program on the coast has a billionaire who wants to pay that much. Obviously Jalil Bethea is getting good money too. Still Miami was horrible this past season. NIL doesn't guarantee a good team.

Isaiah Collier was the #1 player, but dude, USC had a losing record and then the coach left to go to SMU.

One has to wonder how long some of these billionaires are going to throw money at players without results. UK has a LARGE group of rich donors willing to throw in enough that in total it'll work. But if a school just has 1-2 people, no matter how rich they are, throwing 800k at one player for no real results would get old fast.

To be fair, Miami went to the Final Four in 2023 for the first time in their history. That was money well spent. And it looks like they are going to get the [Carlos] Boozer twins in 2025 (although those kids are also locals).

That matters. NBA genetics are in major cities and near the coast, not places like Kentucky and Kansas. So as we move forward we will continue to see that sort of thing, like Bronny James being from southern California and playing at USC. Players are having children later and.later unlike the 90s. So they are having children in these major cities and coastal areas. Some players just outright live in Southern California even if they never played there professionally (Ben Simmons).

[SelfishPlayer]

Jay Wright says that the Blue blood era is over.
https://www.si.com/college/2024/03/14/villanova-jay-wright-details-why-blueblood-era-college-basketball-over

[NYPiston]

Imagine Kentucky hiring a coach that has never won an NCAA tournament game when this process started? Wild

Maybe Pope will be a good coach for all we know but this makes me smile after reading all the smugness from the Kentucky fans on their message board thinking there was no way Hurley was turning them down, completely crapping on the Drew possibility etc. Good to see them served some humble pie.

[kacey ring]

Imagine Kentucky hiring a coach that has never won an NCAA tournament game when this process started? Wild

Maybe Pope will be a good coach for all we know but this makes me smile after reading all the smugness from the Kentucky fans on their message board thinking there was no way Hurley was turning them down, completely crapping on the Drew possibility etc. Good to see them served some humble pie.

The ignorant UK fans are always the loudest. I’m a UK fan and thought Hurley was a very low possibility. The Drew decision sucked, but no reason for people to crap on him. His reasoning for staying at Baylor was pure and seems like his family is making a great difference there.

What message board do these bad UK fans exist on?