I didn't like the idea of it to begin with because it seems like free agency but I also never liked watching guys like Gaff, Rahsool and all the previous guys play at a level that was too high for them or ride pine for 4 years. Every once in a while a kid who doesn't look good enough sticks it out and becomes a gem but a lot kids sit their whole college careers or play and never really develop in the situation they're stuck in.Something gained, something lost. Nice to have the hired guns taking us to the next level, but one of the things I’ve always liked was watching guys develop (or not) for better or worse. Victory might have been less frequent but somehow more sweet.
Something gained, something lost. Nice to have the hired guns taking us to the next level, but one of the things I’ve always liked was watching guys develop (or not) for better or worse. Victory might have been less frequent but somehow more sweet.
This ×100. We would've been screwed.If not for the portal, sub-par guard play would have crippled this year's team, instead we have a legit chance at a final four.
It's been so successful that you almost want to save at least one scholarship every year for portal usage. It's a convenient way to rejuvenate a weak spot on the team with an experienced veteran.
There is a middle.Five capable starters
There is a middle.
I didn't like the idea of it to begin with because it seems like free agency but I also never liked watching guys like Gaff, Rahsool and all the previous guys play at a level that was too high for them or ride pine for 4 years. Every once in a while a kid who doesn't look good enough sticks it out and becomes a gem but a lot kids sit their whole college careers or play and never really develop in the situation they're stuck in.
It gives the players the same option coaches have always had and it helps teams that could be stuck being really bad for a couple of seasons because they're stuck with kids who can't cut it for whatever reason.
I wasn't much of a fan of it until I saw it in action and wasn't much of fan of NIL. Things still need to be ironed out but this should strengthen the college basketball with more great players sticking around and more teams having a chance to get better. The most important thing is it should make Overtime Elite and the like pretty much obsolete.
It’s both for sure. Hurley did a fantastic job. But by being both, 1/2 is also luck. As you mentioned: in an NIL world ( which we are not heavy hitters in) I’m uncomfortable with it being a model. And Hurley is too or we don’t have that 23 class coming in.I am currently a fan of the portal because, whether through shrewd evaluation, luck, or a bit of both, this coaching staff happens to have hit a grand slam. My opinion is subject to change based on future events but Hurley seems like a pretty savvy guy in terms of assessing areas of need. I don’t expect we’ll ever become a Miami or a Tennessee trying to entice transfers with huge NIL deals.
I think this year is working out for us because we aren’t led by transfers which is how it should be. They can fill in a hole here and there, but the main guys should be your own guys. Last year that wasn’t the case. This year we have a lot of our own guys in Andre, Sanogo, Hawkins, and the freshman stepping up and leading in a big way.It’s both for sure. Hurley did a fantastic job. But by being both, 1/2 is also luck. As you mentioned: in an NIL world ( which we are not heavy hitters in) I’m uncomfortable with it being a model. And Hurley is too or we don’t have that 23 class coming in.
Are we talking about the same Virginia team? They're currently shooting 45% from 3, #2 in the countryI like Virginia but their lack of depth and shooting is going to cost them. The transfer portal is a good thing. Its like cooking a great steak. Sure the steak is the star of the show but you need to add some seasoning and you have to cook up just right.
You can’t get to know a student athlete in the transfer portal like you can while recruiting them over years, or at least, months. I think you’re right about it being a bit of luck. These guys fit in perfectly and the chemistry with the rest of the team was probably assessed by the coaching staff but still is probably a bit luck given that the portal is a quick process.I am currently a fan of the portal because, whether through shrewd evaluation, luck, or a bit of both, this coaching staff happens to have hit a grand slam. My opinion is subject to change based on future events but Hurley seems like a pretty savvy guy in terms of assessing areas of need. I don’t expect we’ll ever become a Miami or a Tennessee trying to entice transfers with huge NIL deals.