This game will humble you

[billoliver40]

It seems that the transfer portal, NIL and early NBA entry have brought a wild season of parity. Good coaching is essential, but then things like good health, that dreaded 'peaking at the right time' ( yep it happens) and just plain crazy luck happen all the time now. Couple bad calls, missed free throw, banked in 3s, half court shots at the buzzer, that horrid injury word...
This could be the most exciting upcoming NCAA tourney ever.
....or UCONN and Duke run the table to the title game at which I put on mt 'I don't care' sweatshirt and watch Godzilla movies.

This game will certainly give you thrills as a fan. It will also serve you humble pie a couple times a week.

 

[chroix]

I was thinking how wild it is that so many of the best games boil down to who controls the final two minutes better.

 

[megablue]

Great synopsis of the current state of college basketball. The talent has been spread to create perhaps the most parity in history ... and it certainly seems this will be the case going forward, especially with what appears to be an increase in talent recruited from outside the country. It may well be that fans everywhere may simply need to accept this realization, lower expectations to more reasonable levels and simply enjoy each game and the journey through the season. Because ... it doesn't look like it will change ... at least, not anytime soon.

What I'm curious to see is whether some programs will place greater emphasis on quality portal replacement, versus courting the highest-level high-school talent who: 1) may not be able to contribute as much early on, 2) will be all about playing time and 3) may enter the portal after their first year anyway. I suspect there may be programs who just decide to heavily re-load via the portal every season. It might be a workable and successful way to go ?? We'll certainly see over the next couple of season as it all plays out !!

 

[chroix]

The teams that have invested the most heavily in NIL have all way under produced. The parity part is pretty entertaining and giving us a punchers chance. I like it. A wild ride but better than a downward slide.

 

[megablue]

The teams that have invested the most heavily in NIL have all way under produced. The parity part is pretty entertaining and giving us a punchers chance. I like it. A wild ride but better than a downward slide.

I do not challenge your point or disagree with it ... as I don't know, but where did you find the information that shows those investing heavily in NIL have all way under produced ?? Can you share a link ?? I've tried to google that kind of information and the data I find seems to be incomplete and the difference between the NIL Collective money and the individual money going straight to the kids is really confusing to me. Thanks, in advance, if you have some links or sources to share. It would be interesting and educational to review them.

I must say, it would not surprise me if many of the kids getting the big $$$ underperform.
It seems likely, if not expected, to me ...

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I'm not sure I buy that. There is one clear team way better than everyone else IMO.

 

[chroix]

I do not challenge your point or disagree with it ... as I don't know, but where did you find the information that shows those investing heavily in NIL have all way under produced ?? Can you share a link ?? I've tried to google that kind of information and the data I find seems to be incomplete and the difference between the NIL Collective money and the individual money going straight to the kids is really confusing to me. Thanks, in advance, if you have some links or sources to share. It would be interesting and educational to review them.

I must say, it would not surprise me if many of the kids getting the big $$$ underperform.
It seems likely, if not expected, to me ...

Kansas, Arkansas and Miami I believe are the top three. Saw a graphic. I’ll see if I can find a source but I do know KU and Arkansas were top two.

 

[chroix]

According to this the graphic was wrong as to top two teams by spend but I think the point holds up. There are a lot of underperformers in the top ten. BYU is spending bank for what?

Here’s the average NIL ranked:
1. BYU
2. Louisville
3. Houston
4. Arizona
5. Duke
6. Notre Dame
7. Baylor
8. Arkansas
9. Kansas
10. UConn

We come in at number 11.

2025 Team Ranking Basketball Breakdown

www.on3.com

Iowa State getting hella ROI right now.

 

[megablue]

According to this the graphic was wrong as to top two teams by spend but I think the point holds up. There are a lot of underperformers in the top ten. BYU is spending bank for what?

Here’s the average NIL ranked:
1. BYU
2. Louisville
3. Houston
4. Arizona
5. Duke
6. Notre Dame
7. Baylor
8. Arkansas
9. Kansas
10. UConn

We come in at number 11.

2025 Team Ranking Basketball Breakdown

www.on3.com

Iowa State getting hella ROI right now.

Thanks for taking the time to share that. Lots of familiar names and I thought we'd be in the mix, too, so #11 shows we're ponying up. Not a surprise, as I recall seeing a picture posted somewhere that showed Brandon Garrison's purchase of a new BMW SUV for his Mother, which is very impressive to see his commitment to her and family, but indicates that he's receiving some pretty decent NIL$$$.

Some of the links I found would show some schools with totals, but then others were ranked but "locked" out. Plus, I saw some lists of NIL Collectives, but they did not cover the situations for individual players receiving money outside of the collective. I do not pretend to understand how it all works, but there is clearly a lot of $$$ involved and used by most of the schools and their sponsors, it seems to me. If you wanna play, you gotta pay ... !!

 

[NociHTTP]

The teams that have invested the most heavily in NIL have all way under produced. The parity part is pretty entertaining and giving us a punchers chance. I like it. A wild ride but better than a downward slide.

If they'd bring the NIL numbers to a reasonable level, require something like a 2-year commitment to a school that you transfer to, and then LEAVE THE DAMN GAME ALONE, this could be a lot of fun for a lot of fans out there. I enjoy the parity, and I'm happy for fans of schools that have struggled for decades to get anywhere to finally have a "punchers chance" (as you say).

 

[chroix]

If they'd bring the NIL numbers to a reasonable level, require something like a 2-year commitment to a school that you transfer to, and then LEAVE THE DAMN GAME ALONE, this could be a lot of fun for a lot of fans out there. I enjoy the parity, and I'm happy for fans of schools that have struggled for decades to get anywhere to finally have a "punchers chance" (as you say).

Exactly right. We’d be so screwed this season without the transfer portal and NIL.

 

[chroix]

One more point. That graphic might have been correct but it’s BYU and not Miami because of how small the roster Cal brought in was and then conversely Kansas may have a huge bench and be driving their avg down.

Regardless in my mind this shows you need a coach and can’t just buy a winning team.

 

[ukfan1622]

According to this the graphic was wrong as to top two teams by spend but I think the point holds up. There are a lot of underperformers in the top ten. BYU is spending bank for what?

Here’s the average NIL ranked:
1. BYU
2. Louisville
3. Houston
4. Arizona
5. Duke
6. Notre Dame
7. Baylor
8. Arkansas
9. Kansas
10. UConn

We come in at number 11.

2025 Team Ranking Basketball Breakdown

www.on3.com

Iowa State getting hella ROI right now.

Are those numbers listed at the link the average NIL per player?

 

[chroix]

Are those numbers listed at the link the average NIL per player?

I believe so.

 

[ukjenning44]

Dang! TN averaging less than 10k per player.

Auburn is getting the most bang for the buck! Wow!

 

[jwphelps]

It seems that the transfer portal, NIL and early NBA entry have brought a wild season of parity. Good coaching is essential, but then things like good health, that dreaded 'peaking at the right time' ( yep it happens) and just plain crazy luck happen all the time now. Couple bad calls, missed free throw, banked in 3s, half court shots at the buzzer, that horrid injury word...
This could be the most exciting upcoming NCAA tourney ever.
....or UCONN and Duke run the table to the title game at which I put on mt 'I don't care' sweatshirt and watch Godzilla movies.

This game will certainly give you thrills as a fan. It will also serve you humble pie a couple times a week.

This years tourny could be about match ups and who gets the right bracket.

 

[JASUN74]

Kansas, Arkansas and Miami I believe are the top three. Saw a graphic. I’ll see if I can find a source but I do know KU and Arkansas were top two.

Kansas State also spent a ton and have a bunch of divas it seems. Maybe they figure it out in the end but jealousy has ruined many a good man.

 

[Aike]

According to this the graphic was wrong as to top two teams by spend but I think the point holds up. There are a lot of underperformers in the top ten. BYU is spending bank for what?

Here’s the average NIL ranked:
1. BYU
2. Louisville
3. Houston
4. Arizona
5. Duke
6. Notre Dame
7. Baylor
8. Arkansas
9. Kansas
10. UConn

We come in at number 11.

2025 Team Ranking Basketball Breakdown

www.on3.com

Iowa State getting hella ROI right now.

Due respect, but that NIL list makes no sense.

BYU spending 4 mil per player? Not a chance.

Louisville number 2?

 

[ukfan1622]

Due respect, but that NIL list makes no sense.

BYU spending 4 mil per player? Not a chance.

Louisville number 2?

Yeah, something's not right. No way UT is paying 10K per player; Lanier alone would make the average higher than that.

 

[chroix]

BYU Secures No. 1 2026 Hoops Recruit With $7 Million NIL Deal

He cited Cougars head coach Kevin Young and his extensive NBA experience as a key reason for choosing BYU.

frontofficesports.com

 

[chroix]

Due respect, but that NIL list makes no sense.

BYU spending 4 mil per player? Not a chance.

Louisville number 2?

Did they dump a bunch on a couple of higher end kids? Don’t know but I found that and it seemed like a legit source.

 

[chroix]

I think that list I posted is school valuations and must factor in their future massive spend on Dybantsa. Here are the current NIL rankings for individual players.

https://www.on3.com/nil/rankings/player/college/basketball/

KU and Arkansas definitely not getting their moneys worth.

 

[Aike]

Did they dump a bunch on a couple of higher end kids? Don’t know but I found that and it seemed like a legit source.

I’m not sure what any of them did. But for BYU to have an average that high, their roster would cost like $50 million.

Maybe I’m not understanding what the number represents.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

More nerd numbers.

Just play the games 🏀