(04-22-2021 04:47 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote: Question about all of college hoops, not just EMU. Do all of these kids transferring think that if they just get the right coach or situation that they'll suddenly be a star and an NBA prospect? Or is it just the millenial way to avoid loyalty to any organization? Or are they so addicted to the attention they get when they announce their transfer and offers that they can't resist the temptation. I think it's all of the above.
Kudos to any kid that sticks with a school for 4+ years and graduates.
Solid post sir!
When I look from the student/athlete perspective, I see fairness in this transfer explosion. Had Joe Burrow stayed at Ohio State, he likely would not not have ever started a college football game, let alone win a Heisman and be the number one pick in the NFL draft. Drew Lowder was recruited to Holy Cross by a coach who was gone before he enrolled, then Murphy snags him only to be gone as well after just one season. Marcus Kennedy went to Ferris St, found out he was better than the GLIAC and transferred to Braun at EMU where he became the MAC POY and was drafted by the NBA. That never would have happened had he remained in Big Rapids. Loyer, Kithier and Izzo all misjudged their NCAA potential, they had no business expecting to play for a blueblood program, both players will receive far more success at lower level programs. Finally how would you feel having spent 2-3 years in a program waiting for your chance only to see your program recruit the number one HS recruit that will start ahead of you.
That said, your comment about attention is spot on. Emoni Bates gets camera time stating that he will stay at Lincoln, which he clearly did not intend to do. Then he gets back in the news "committing" to MSU, which I don't think he intends to do either. He did, however, get a lot of attention which WAS his intention.
At the end of the day, I still find this player movement troubling with regards to the long term health of college sports. The NBA with all of its player movement to "super teams" has experienced a substantial decline in viewership including pandemic times when many people have little else to do. John U Bacon predicted that sports were in a "bubble" situation a few years ago and I think I might agree due to competitive imbalances and lack of player loyalty in them.
I'm all in favor of meritocracy with regards to playing time. I am, however, conflicted about my attachment to the EMU football program should Ben Bryant be the starting QB next year. Hutch redshirted his freshman year under Roback, spent two more years behind Weigers and Glass and finally got his chance and acquitted himself well. He is EMU and Bryant is not.
I'm probably wrong, if Bryant leads the team to success, then I will probably be quite sanguine. Nevertheless I have reservations, I scoff at the LA Laker's hired gun championship as apparently many tv viewers do as well. What do you guys think?