kreed5120

You're too focused on this being Georgia that you're missing the bigger picture. I'm arguing if there is no real penalty for players breaching their contract they will just continue to do it if it just means they will get 550k at Missouri vs 450k they already agreed to at Georgia (not exactly certain what Missouri paid, but plugged in a number to illustrate a point). I do agree 100% is steep, but something in the neighborhood of 25%-50% seems more reasonable. There needs to be something in place to discourage the player or compensate for the breach. Without it these NIL deals might as well be written on toilet paper.

Having 1 year deals that are actually enforceable by both parties is a good start to at least trying to restore some order. It's not stealing if a player agreed to the terms. If a player doesn't like that language in a contract then don't sign an agreement that contains it. You see coaching contracts with this language all the time. Dambrot had to pay Akron when he left in the middle of his contract to go to Duquesne. This would be no different than that. I don't really care this involves Georgia. This type of situation can just as easily happen to any G5 as well. In fact, it very might have happened to Akron this past year in basketball, but I don't know if players like Okonkwo or Nate Johnson signed anything or not before ultimately leaving. Schools like Akron aren't gazillionaires. In fact, we have been operating at deficits in many recent years.

There should be a financial penalty for backing out of a contract that one signed just a few weeks prior. Otherwise it only benefits the player, not the school he signed it with as he would be free to leave anytime, but the school is committed for the length of the contract. If the situation was reversed and Georgia rescinded his scholarship and ripped up his NIL deal after he signed we would be ripping Georgia apart saying they owe him every last penny. Perhaps the buyout on the players part shouldn't be 100% of remaining value, but I wouldn't be opposed to 25% or 50%. Something needs to prevent players from signing with a team, but then continuing to shop for a better deal. If the concern is about predatory contracts perhaps certified agents should be negotiating these deals instead of these random 'agents' off the streets or family friends.

I honestly prefer it. One can attend the game without having to take the day off work. Besides the Big 10 Championship, which is what the MAC locals would care about, doesn't start until 8PM. There is plenty of time between them that someone could watch both. The MAC does a lot wrong, but having both the football and basketball championship games on Saturdays is the one thing they get right IMO.

Can they take the directional Michigan's with them?

SEC voted to increase scholarship limit to the max 105. https://x.com/RossDellenger/status/1996970791192219853?s=20

I feel at least one of those bottom 5 teams will find their way to Cleveland. Not that they will be good, but that they will sneak in with a 7th or 8th seed. Personally, I'd find it hilarious if it was at UMass expense given how their fanbase ragged on the MAC as if they were too good for it when it was announced they were leaving the A10. They really thought they were going to come in and buy their way to the top.

Doug channeling his inner Bobby Knight. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/47208270/gottlieb-tosses-chair-green-bay-loss-played-idiots

I asked ChatGPT to help be breakdown this matchup. Below are some of the things that I thought I'd share. The strength of their team appears to be their guards and they do a decent job of protecting the basketball, which could prevent some of those run outs that we all love to see. Given they play a lot of zone it's no surprise to see they are a below average rebounding team. I think this is a game that Evan or Lyles can feast by cleaning up on offensive boards and getting some putbacks. Tulane Green Wave Tulane plays at a more modest offensive clip (~ 76.0 PPG), but they shoot efficiently (~46.1% from the field) which suggests they look to get quality looks rather than volume. FOX Sports+1 Their tempo and style seem more controlled, which can contrast sharply with Akron’s fast-paced, high-octane offense. On the roster, they boast a top backcourt — guards who can shoot from deep and create offense off the bounce. Key Players & Matchup Difference-Makers Rowan Brumbaugh — The preseason 1st-team All-Conference guard is a difference-maker. He’s putting up nearly 20 PPG, hitting threes at a high rate (≈ 42%), and adding steals on defense. Tulane University Athletics+2FOX Sports+2 Curtis Williams Jr. — Provides a strong second scoring option; his inside/outside ability and rebounding help balance the attack. Recently posted 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 steals in a tight win. CBS Sports+1 Tulane’s guard-driven backcourt and ability to hit shots from distance — if their shooters are hot, they can slow down Akron’s transition game and make the Zips pay. What the Matchup Looks Like — Key Questions Can Tulane slow down Akron’s pace? Akron thrives running and pushing transition; if Tulane can control tempo, get stops, and force Akron into half-court sets, they have a shot. Who wins the guard battle? The clash between Akron’s scorers (Johnson / Lyles) and Tulane’s backcourt (Brumbaugh / Williams) might decide the game — whoever gets hot probably swings the outcome. Three-point shooting & ball movement — which team executes better? Akron lives on threes and assists; Tulane needs disciplined defense and clean looks to stay in it. Depth vs. top-end talent: Akron has depth and balanced attack; Tulane has top-tier guards. Can Tulane’s stars overcome Akron’s overall team balance?

I never was arguing that the AAC isn't better than the MAC. So yes, while a program like Tulane might now be able to win a few more games in conference, the reward for doing so isn't as significant. The conference is now about on par with the MVC IMO, which is a massive step down from what it was before. Remember Wichita State left the MVC for the AAC because at the time they viewed it as a significant step up, which at the time it was. I feel you're underestimating the impact of them getting raided by the Big 12. Programs like Cincy and Houston provided the tide that raised all the boats. The WCC will also regress considerably for similar reasons when Gonzaga leaves for the new PAC-12

I agree this is a conversation for another place, but I will add I think this is also the new American. Wichita State was only relevant under Gregg Marshall and he was forced out two coaches ago because of scandal. Before him you have to go back to the 1980s to find the last time they were really relevant and before that the 1960s. Every 20 or so years they seem to have a decent stretch. Memphis could be better, but even then they would still most likely be a 1 bid conference. Their pathway to two bids is 1 team having a terrific season then that team losing in the conference tourney. The days of the American getting 3 or 4 bids are long gone.

Honestly, no thanks. He can't get up and down the court like we need in Groce's style of play. Nor is he good enough, like a Freeman, to work our offense around to work through.

The MAC was a bit of an anomaly as well for the past several seasons. Prior to covid it was pretty consistently in or around the top 15 conferences. Last year in particular the bottom fell out.

It's easier to win in the American now, but it's also very much a mid-major. Before it was in an awkward position where it wasn't a power conference school, but still clearly a step above the rest. If you actually look at the top 2/3 of both conferences they're pretty much the same now. Those top 8 teams in AAC have an average NET of 122.5 while the top 8 in the MAC are 122. The only thing that separates the 2 conferences is the handful of teams at the bottom of the conference. The MAC has more dead weight.

It's surprising Ball State isn't better. I know they are a middle to above average MAC team most years, but one would expect they should be one of the better ones. They play in a region of the country where high school and college basketball is a big deal and the last I looked I thought they drew decent crowds in Muncie so the fan support is there.

When they haven't been forcing turnovers the defense hasn't looked all that great in the half-court. We've been a bit slow in our defensive rotations, which has led to many wide open looks from our opponents. Definitely something we will need to clean up as the season progresses.

Pretty much playing a 7 man rotation in the 1st half.

I don't think anyone short of maybe 74 year old Nick Saban could lead us to a MAC championship. The funding gap between us and the top of the MAC is absurd. The reality is under the new landscape of college athletics most G5s are going to have to pick between football or basketball as the costs to compete at a high level at both really isn't obtainable. We have Bud already in place on the basketball side and have a proven coach in Groce. It makes sense to throw whatever limited resources we have at basketball while we have an open window of opportunity. Bud and Groce won't be here forever.

We joke, but if we can't fundraise for a ~$3k-$4k training table what are we even doing playing FBS athletics? You would think that would be pocket change for someone like Kaulig.

If only they could take the rest of the formerly MAC West schools with them. If you look at the 6 MAC East schools we're pretty much on par with the Atlantic 10 this season. Granted sample size is still small.

They can't leave the conference soon enough.

Well those numbers are also from 2020 so they wouldn't reflect revenue from the new B1G TV deal signed in 2022, which increased TV revenue ~150% for the conference, nor revenue from the expanded playoffs. The TV revenue alone for the conference went from $440 million to north of $1 billion annually. That adds 10s of millions of more revenue per school. They could very easily be at a profit now considering they were near breakeven before. Even if they're still losing $4 million, it's still well worth the cost given the marketing athletics provides them. They couldn't buy the publicity they receive at that cost. I'd say they're still spending responsibly. It's the programs like JMU, Florida State, Rutgers, etc that make you scratch your head wondering WTF are they even doing. Purdue I suppose would be another example that I didn't think of before about being responsible, but jumped out when looking at what you shared. Edit: According this this article Iowa athletics is self sufficient. It did borrow $50 million from the University during the covid year, but has been repaying that loan. https://www.thegazette.com/article/hawkeye-athletics-sets-another-revenue-record-while-isu-uni-struggle/

At the P4 level it's driven by delusions of grandeur by ADs and University presidents. Not everyone can be an Alabama or OSU. I imagine it's programs like Iowa who understand this that are doing well financially.

Financially they escaped the deal without eating too much money. I thought it was a dumb firing when it happened. It would have only made sense if they had an Urban Meyer or Nick Saban lined up to take the job. Virginia Tech was the real winners there.

It doesn't help they have the highest paid coach in the Big 12 despite him only having a 16-21 record...