Does the name on the front of jersey mean much?

[bbncal02]

I think I’m following UK basketball out of habit at this point. The state of college athletics disgusts me almost as much professional sports.

I follow college sports because of the pageantry and the passion. It’s still cool to hear “Go Big Blue” out of a crowd in a road arena. It’s still awesome to see Chief Osceola run out on an Appaloosa and slam a flaming spear into the ground. It’s still sweet to see Uga on the sidelines taking a nap wearing a Georgia shirt. It’s still fun to see players have big games and celebrate. It’s still inspiring to see fans decked out in gear sharing a moment in time together.

That’s why I like college sports. And if that ever leaves, then yes, I’ll be done with them.

 

[jace2012]

Highest bidder for the most part.

You'll have Kentucky Kids or a recruit that grew up liking UK here and there. UK will also get kids that stay for 2-3 seasons who will grow to love the University.

$$$ is the root of all evil...

It’s the root of all evil if you don’t have any of it

 

[billoliver40]

Whatever. It means a lot to me.

Give it 20 years or so and folks like me won't be around. Then it won't mean anything. G-league away....then.

 

[darkshadesofblue]

It’s mostly about the bag nowadays, whether it’s NBA or NIL/Portal. Hoping most of your guys will stay 3-4 years and play for the name on the jersey is just wishful thinking. Most players today are also more tied to the coach than the program, that’s not what people want to hear but it’s factual. Would love for UK/Pope be the one to turn that narrative around. To go from the One & Done Empire back to the program that prides itself on teaching continuity and patience is a fun thought, also wishful thinking

 

[ukfan1622]

I think it still matters and that's why UK isn't going to win many recruiting battles against Duke or UCONN without over paying. Kentucky's one title in 26 years pales beside their records.

 

[Soupbean]

If BYU offers a player 3 mil and UK offers 2 mil, the name on the front of the jersey isn't going to make up the difference. If both schools offer the same amount, than the name on the front might tip the scale in our favor.

Yep. The tradition and blu blood attraction factor started to lose some of its power a few years ago. You could see it with the ineffectiveness of Big Blue Madness, hardley ever got us a commitment in the latter years. The NIL think is the second faze the name on the front not carrying as much weight.

We need to keep that in mind when judging the job Coach Pope and crew do. They have it a lot harder that those before them to keep UK where it always was.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

Well all the kids hear is Duke and the slobberfest from national media. Go to the weak ass ACC and have it giving to you because your the kid everyone loves or go to the SEC school and beat the hell out each other and maybe make a final 4. UK is the step child and will be giving the roofer ree treatment if we get close to a final 4 or title. Ive already come to terms with the state of college basketball 🏀 and this is a best team money can buy for a bunch of unproven players. Just not the same product we grew up with and that's fine things change.

 

[FirewithFire]

Not as much as the face on the bill. I hear Benjamin is very popular.

 

[Tf2217]

The nil bag for play has taken the meaning out of a whole lot of stuff.
It used to be something to play for UK now the same kids will go to somewhere off the wall for a few more dollars.
I agree about the media . Media is on Duke big time, they're the "it" program. It also helps that they don't care and admin don't care to spend some $$$$ there was a time pre NIL where we were the "it" program. I thought those ass hats would fall off the face of the earth after ole rat face left .
But I think the media (ESPN) extra pumps Duke after K left to help them be that it program .

 

[katwest]

I don’t think it means much anymore, it’s sad but true. Most of the best players don’t hang around long enough for it to matter much. Dollars mean everything, now that they can make enough money that most of us could live on in just a couple of years. When the NIL came in the brand went out.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

 

[sefus12]

Ask Noah what it means to him.

There will always be rare exceptions, but for most it’s simply where they can get the most money. It’s the name of the game anymore.

 

[AshWilliams]

I agree. And I think that is a gap between Pope and what he's trying to sell here. In his day, it was about the front of the jersey, tradition, and the pride of the program. That culture is a hard, hard sell today because money has drowned all of that out now. Win or lose they gettin PAID. The bank account culture is what we have now. I'm really hoping the courts reel some of this back in and regulate as much as they can. Pope being the type of man he is, I don't know that he succeeds in the current landscape and environment we have now.

Stop talking about Pope like it's his very first year coaching in the NCAA. That's insulting. He understands NIL, but shortage of funds is NOT his fault. Need to put the blame on Mitch, where it belongs.

 

[BigRickWithTheBig___Suv]

Love of $$$ is root of all evil

exactly. money never did anything to anyone. people using money screw other people over every single day 24/7. and young kids talented in sports love it long time and care nothing about the entity giving it to them; just so long as they get it. rinse and repeat.