We have been a very fortunate fanbase over most of our lifetimes

[Orangezoo]

The money factor is favoring the Big 12? Huh? Is that a typo?

Certain programs/factories yes. Look who is doing well in the B12

 

[Sherman20]

Certain programs/factories yes. Look who is doing well in the B12

Still have no idea what you mean by this. ACC programs makes more TV revenue than the Big 12. And Syracuse basketball has massive gate revenue potential because of the Dome. We have the second highest basketball program revenue behind only Duke.

 

[Orangezoo]

Still have no idea what you mean by this. The ACC makes more TV revenue than the Big 12. And Syracuse basketball has massive gate revenue potential because of the Dome.

Not just talking TV revenue also NIL $$$. Don’t lock in on the name of the conference so much as the teams in it and the resources they have around them.

 

[Eric15]

For me personally, if there was a time to be bad it would be now when the sport as a whole is horrible. Want the guys to get paid, want them to be able to transfer, want them to go to the league early, but it's destroyed my interest level in the game. I used to be glued to the TV watching games at all hours, now it's Syracuse and maybe if there is a game on before or after I'll watch it.

Explaining college sports history to people in 40 years is going to be wild.

The biggest thing about college basketball that I miss is the familiarity with rivals.

Back in the day I knew UConn, Georgetown, Villanova, Pitt, etc. rosters top to bottom. Getting to know their players and “hate” them was part of the entire entertainment package. I have the hardest time now getting my head around who plays for whom.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

I've probably missed less than 10 games in the past 15 years.

I’ve missed one since 1989.

Back to the OP’s point, yes, we’ve had a history that has been better than most. Not as good as some. My concern is not that we experience a (very) down period, because who are we to not go through that? But that the very down period becomes the standard and not an aberration.

 

[MSOrange]

I have have no children and yet care about the education and future of our country for children that aren't mine. I also think that the players generating billions of dollars should probably get a cut of it and not be tied down to a job. I don't know what that would be hard to understand. Maybe if you weren't selfish you'd understand.

Agree. I don't consider myself the deepest thinker, but it seems like it's possible to both think these changes are what's fairest to the players involved and admit it's not as much fun to be a fan.

 

[two3zone]

The money factor is favoring the Big 12? Huh? Is that a typo?

I think you're out of touch more than you think you are. Instead of battling everybody why don't you just look it up, there are plenty of articles about the finances with the conferences. This was seen miles away years ago, why do you think Alabama gave Nate Oats an insane contract, football money makes basketball money and the basketball money spreads through the conference and other teams get better.

 

[two3zone]

I’ve missed one since 1989.

Back to the OP’s point, yes, we’ve had a history that has been better than most. Not as good as some. My concern is not that we experience a (very) down period, because who are we to not go through that? But that the very down period becomes the standard and not an aberration.

Well, which one was it?

 

[Forza Azzurri]

The biggest thing about college basketball that I miss is the familiarity with rivals.

Back in the day I knew UConn, Georgetown, Villanova, Pitt, etc. rosters top to bottom. Getting to know their players and “hate” them was part of the entire entertainment package. I have the hardest time now getting my head around who plays for whom.

Other teams? LOL.

I can’t even keep track of ours.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Well, which one was it?

That (first) time that we got drubbed by St John’s… I have no concept of time—might have been say six years ago? Now i gotta look it up….

2016.

 

[two3zone]

That (first) time that we got drubbed by St John’s… I have no concept of time—might have been say six years ago? Now i gotta look it up….

2016.

I wish I missed that one, I bet on St John's not long after against Incarnate Word for a pretty substantial sum because they were only giving like 6, they got pummeled.

Figure they crushed us they would best a school I never heard of at the time.

 

[OrangePA]

For me personally, if there was a time to be bad it would be now when the sport as a whole is horrible. Want the guys to get paid, want them to be able to transfer, want them to go to the league early, but it's destroyed my interest level in the game. I used to be glued to the TV watching games at all hours, now it's Syracuse and maybe if there is a game on before or after I'll watch it.

Explaining college sports history to people in 40 years is going to be wild.

It's hard for me to watch college basketball these days.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

So you want all these things that have destroyed your interest level? That makes sense.

I am with Two3 on this.

My interest level in the game has also markedly deteriorated.

However, despite this, I am still a strong supporter of the changes that have taken place because I believe they finally also benefit the individuals who drive most of the economic value that coaches and universities have benefitted from.

So, yes, I want all these things that have destroyed my interest level.

 

[Dave]

For me personally, if there was a time to be bad it would be now when the sport as a whole is horrible. Want the guys to get paid, want them to be able to transfer, want them to go to the league early, but it's destroyed my interest level in the game. I used to be glued to the TV watching games at all hours, now it's Syracuse and maybe if there is a game on before or after I'll watch it.

Explaining college sports history to people in 40 years is going to be wild.

Enough already! There needs to be a structured minor league for professional basketball players. College hoops has jumped the shark. It is an ongoing charade.

 

[Dcuse]

I am with Two3 on this.

My interest level in the game has also markedly deteriorated.

However, despite this, I am still a strong supporter of the changes that have taken place because I believe they finally also benefit the individuals who drive most of the economic value that coaches and universities have benefitted from.

So, yes, I want all these things that have destroyed my interest level.

Isn't it interest level that drives the economic level. How is it sustainable to pay these kids vast sums of money when, even at it's highest interest level, athletic departments were operating at a loss...BEFORE they had to pay players.
I just don't see how this works. Could be just me.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Isn't it interest level that drives the economic level. How is it sustainable to pay these kids vast sums of money when, even at it's highest interest level, athletic departments were operating at a loss...BEFORE they had to pay players.
I just don't see how this works. Could be just me.

I am not saying it works.

I am just saying that sharing the economic benefits with the individuals who, in my opinion, drive most of the economic value is fair and just.

My guess is that coaching and administrator salaries will have to decline (or be subsidized by donors) and other expenses will have to decrease as well (or be subsidized by donors).

Having read the articles about both Rutgers and Maryland and the sizeable budget deficits they amassed, I doubt they are alone in that regard and I would speculate that expense control has not been a high priority in intercollegiate athletics.

That will have to change unless universities can figure out a way to unload all that excess expense onto boosters and donors.

 

[OrangePA]

I am with Two3 on this.

My interest level in the game has also markedly deteriorated.

However, despite this, I am still a strong supporter of the changes that have taken place because I believe they finally also benefit the individuals who drive most of the economic value that coaches and universities have benefitted from.

So, yes, I want all these things that have destroyed my interest level.

Call me old fashioned, but a $70,000.00 per year education - for four years or even five or six years - is still sufficient compensation for 99% of the college athletes who for the most part are not drawing cards.

 

[Fly Rodder]

Call me old fashioned, but a $70,000.00 per year education - for four years or even five or six years - is still sufficient compensation for 99% of the college athletes who for the most part are not drawing cards.

But it's not compensation. That's a benefit. Just like university employees get in addition to their paycheck. Coal miners and loggers used to be paid in company scrip, had to rent housing from the company, had buy food and supplies from the company. That was all deemed illegal in 1938. Plus the $70k/year is worth that ... because the company (SU) says that it is. We're finding out very that it is not worth $70k year and is not fair compensation.

 

[baggerbob]

But it's not compensation. That's a benefit. Just like university employees get in addition to their paycheck. Coal miners and loggers used to be paid in company scrip, had to rent housing from the company, had buy food and supplies from the company. That was all deemed illegal in 1938. Plus the $70k/year is worth that ... because the company (SU) says that it is. We're finding out very that it is not worth $70k year and is not fair compensation.

You want fair market, then this is how it goes in the future. You come play for the football or basketball program, and we pay you.
No scholarships or classes, and after your 4 years you are on your own.
We have no further obligation to you, or you to us.
See how many of these players in 10 or 15 years are broke and homeless.

 

[djcon57]

Call me old fashioned, but a $70,000.00 per year education - for four years or even five or six years - is still sufficient compensation for 99% of the college athletes who for the most part are not drawing cards.

It's been deemed it is not. What you or I think its "sufficient" really isn't relevant.

 

[djcon57]

You want fair market, then this is how it goes in the future. You come play for the football or basketball program, and we pay you.
No scholarships or classes, and after your 4 years you are on your own.
We have no further obligation to you, or you to us.
See how many of these players in 10 or 15 years are broke and homeless.

Cool. I'll go to the SEC school that pays for my education then.

 

[chuck]

For me personally, if there was a time to be bad it would be now when the sport as a whole is horrible. Want the guys to get paid, want them to be able to transfer, want them to go to the league early, but it's destroyed my interest level in the game. I used to be glued to the TV watching games at all hours, now it's Syracuse and maybe if there is a game on before or after I'll watch it.

Explaining college sports history to people in 40 years is going to be wild.

It's no longer about the sport it's about ME. What can I get instead of team sport and sacrifice. Not every player is like this it's a society thing.

 

[tptcuse]

Call me old fashioned, but a $70,000.00 per year education - for four years or even five or six years - is still sufficient compensation for 99% of the college athletes who for the most part are not drawing cards.

I went to a very expensive university (SMU) for two years of grad school and got a full scholarship plus a nice stipend to assist with a couple of classes. Every good college basketball player brings in enough revenue to pay for many, many students, and much more. Not to mention how much their coaches get paid.

The players should be paid. The process has been messy, but they deserve the pay. I hope a better system evolves from all of this.

 

[OrangePA]

I went to a very expensive university (SMU) for two years of grad school and got a full scholarship plus a nice stipend to assist with a couple of classes. Every good college basketball player brings in enough revenue to pay for many, many students, and much more. Not to mention how much their coaches get paid.

The players should be paid. The process has been messy, but they deserve the pay. I hope a better system evolves from all of this.

The players come and go. The individual player does not drive the revenue. The uniform - the brand - does.

If high school graduates played each other in generic uniforms nobody would watch and nobody would care. The money is derived from the college brand.

And, just to reiterate - they did get paid - hundreds of thousands of dollars in education money that was worth more than the tuition value.

I know plenty of families that would kill for a free higher education for four to five years

 

[albanycuse]

I can’t donate anymore this year with what we see on the court. Too many of the same mistakes happening over and over again. Id rather donate animal food to shelters than to this abomination.