Expansion of interest across the world, Transfer Portal, NIL, College Conferences are all coming together to change the nature of the game. Sure the best (Geno) will adapt and succeed, but viewer satisfaction may not be the same.
Expansion: In my 10+ years of watching UConn WBB, Geno followed Pat Summit's work in promoting interest in the women's game. He invited coaches to watch his practice sessions, gave constructive critiques when asked (Cori Close) and has succeeded brilliantly to the point now that WCBB viewership holds its own with the men's game. WCBB now has tall and phenomenal athletes who seem to begin at ever younger ages. Many fall just under the radar, only to appear in critical games to deliver their punch. Geno's success has been great for the game, but he has also created his own competition in games and recruiting (Kiki to UCLA, really?) which didn't exist to this extent. (Texas knocking of Stanford) The purist in me grudgingly says this too is good.
Transfer Portal: No recruit or school should be stuck with one another - a good thing - but as with college football it's beginning to look more like recruiting do-over (Saylor). When combined with other forces at work this will likely negatively impact efforts to put a team together and team chemistry. (The BY quoted Kara Lawson already complaining about this.) Some teams will benefit via the portal to fill needs not met the old way via recruiting. It will be a form of free agency without having to compensate the team losing the player. Net net, I'm for benefits for the athletes, so it's likely overall beneficial.
NIL: It's about time athletes were compensated their true worth to their school! I recall a famous UConn men's player saying he went hungry at times because he didn't have money to eat. So, good for the players, but what about the game? In my 10 years of watching, the economic proposition was for players to raise their profiles by playing on national chamionship teams, get drafted by the pros, and earn lucrative contracts overseas. Now that value proposition has evolved where a player's brand is arguably more important. Paige has been voted the #1 WCBB target for NIL deals, and she will likely follow Alabama QB Bryce Young's announced million dollar deal in his first year starting as a Sophomore. Good for him and Paige, and Nick Saban has not been shy in publicizing it. But Bama has already experienced highly recruited talent impatient with lack of playing time and waiting their turn, who have entered the portal. Saylor? Again, net net this is a good thing for the players, but Saylor, like Anna before her, will not be the last. Yes, I know this is part of the game, but not with this rapidity.
College Conferences: Part of raising a player's profile is their platform and team. Playing for UConn is just such a platform, but the Big East is not; it is a handicap for recruiting when compared with the PAC 12 and increasingly the SEC. True, UConn plays in the nation's media capital, and this will still work for some players. But as more talent goes out west and talented teams hone their development throughout the season against one another, the Big East will be at a handicap both for recruiting and team development.
Even as the game has been changing, Geno's achievements are epic! Judging him solely by # of championships borders on absurd. What about his year in and year out reaching the Final Four that no other coach begins to match? He and UConn will be the best until such time (and I rue that day) when he decides that golf is the way to go.
Expansion: In my 10+ years of watching UConn WBB, Geno followed Pat Summit's work in promoting interest in the women's game. He invited coaches to watch his practice sessions, gave constructive critiques when asked (Cori Close) and has succeeded brilliantly to the point now that WCBB viewership holds its own with the men's game. WCBB now has tall and phenomenal athletes who seem to begin at ever younger ages. Many fall just under the radar, only to appear in critical games to deliver their punch. Geno's success has been great for the game, but he has also created his own competition in games and recruiting (Kiki to UCLA, really?) which didn't exist to this extent. (Texas knocking of Stanford) The purist in me grudgingly says this too is good.
Transfer Portal: No recruit or school should be stuck with one another - a good thing - but as with college football it's beginning to look more like recruiting do-over (Saylor). When combined with other forces at work this will likely negatively impact efforts to put a team together and team chemistry. (The BY quoted Kara Lawson already complaining about this.) Some teams will benefit via the portal to fill needs not met the old way via recruiting. It will be a form of free agency without having to compensate the team losing the player. Net net, I'm for benefits for the athletes, so it's likely overall beneficial.
NIL: It's about time athletes were compensated their true worth to their school! I recall a famous UConn men's player saying he went hungry at times because he didn't have money to eat. So, good for the players, but what about the game? In my 10 years of watching, the economic proposition was for players to raise their profiles by playing on national chamionship teams, get drafted by the pros, and earn lucrative contracts overseas. Now that value proposition has evolved where a player's brand is arguably more important. Paige has been voted the #1 WCBB target for NIL deals, and she will likely follow Alabama QB Bryce Young's announced million dollar deal in his first year starting as a Sophomore. Good for him and Paige, and Nick Saban has not been shy in publicizing it. But Bama has already experienced highly recruited talent impatient with lack of playing time and waiting their turn, who have entered the portal. Saylor? Again, net net this is a good thing for the players, but Saylor, like Anna before her, will not be the last. Yes, I know this is part of the game, but not with this rapidity.
College Conferences: Part of raising a player's profile is their platform and team. Playing for UConn is just such a platform, but the Big East is not; it is a handicap for recruiting when compared with the PAC 12 and increasingly the SEC. True, UConn plays in the nation's media capital, and this will still work for some players. But as more talent goes out west and talented teams hone their development throughout the season against one another, the Big East will be at a handicap both for recruiting and team development.
Even as the game has been changing, Geno's achievements are epic! Judging him solely by # of championships borders on absurd. What about his year in and year out reaching the Final Four that no other coach begins to match? He and UConn will be the best until such time (and I rue that day) when he decides that golf is the way to go.
