I just read a story about how a bunch of players with no eligibility have entered the portal because of a looming ruling that may or may not give all players an extra year. Entering the portal gives them flexibility to find a new team on the off chance that they can play again. So they aren’t applying for a waiver, they’re just waiting to see if the rules change. Garcia seems to be in this group.
B1G Portal transfers tracker
- Thread starter GatoLouco
- Start date
2499 now. Though there's a lot of noise with all these players joining despite having no elegibility. Julian Reese is now in the portal.
Makes sense Keenan would join that group. We could definitely use him, but he knows most likely, if he became eligible, we would have no scholarship available.
One thing working in Collins' favor when it comes to the transfer portal big guys, many of the aggressive programs have already locked in their guy - and NU becomes more appealing to the players who are still looking for a deal.
When I looked at Rivals' transfer portal player ratings, the top 23 centers had already committed somewhere... but I'm not sure how great their ratings are - and it seemed like a bunch of players were unrated. When there are 2500 players to rate, the job is rather difficult.
When I looked at Rivals' transfer portal player ratings, the top 23 centers had already committed somewhere... but I'm not sure how great their ratings are - and it seemed like a bunch of players were unrated. When there are 2500 players to rate, the job is rather difficult.
Illinois only has 1 portal commit. You'd think they are behind, but it appears they have a different strategy.
I have no idea how this dude is eligible. But it's wild that, if grown men like these are eligible, NIL money will now allow to pluck seasoned players from European leagues.
WILD
collegefootballnetwork.com
I have no idea how this dude is eligible. But it's wild that, if grown men like these are eligible, NIL money will now allow to pluck seasoned players from European leagues.
WILD
22 Year Old Serbian, MVP Candidate Mega Superbet PG Mihailo Petrovic Commits to Illinois | College Sports Network
Serbian star Mihailo Petrovic commits to Illinois, bringing elite playmaking and international experience to the Illini's backcourt for the 2025 season.
collegefootballnetwork.com
Ok, now this is indeed wild and is a strategy I hadn't considered or even realized was allowed.Illinois only has 1 portal commit. You'd think they are behind, but it appears they have a different strategy.
I have no idea how this dude is eligible. But it's wild that, if grown men like these are eligible, NIL money will now allow to pluck seasoned players from European leagues.
WILD
22 Year Old Serbian, MVP Candidate Mega Superbet PG Mihailo Petrovic Commits to Illinois | College Sports Network
Serbian star Mihailo Petrovic commits to Illinois, bringing elite playmaking and international experience to the Illini's backcourt for the 2025 season.
I bet there are already dudes "redshirting" in european leagues right now. With agreements with programs that they will come in a year or two. For now, just gaining experience before they land as a more usable product.
F'ing WILD.
F'ing WILD.
Illinois only has 1 portal commit. You'd think they are behind, but it appears they have a different strategy.
I have no idea how this dude is eligible. But it's wild that, if grown men like these are eligible, NIL money will now allow to pluck seasoned players from European leagues.
WILD
22 Year Old Serbian, MVP Candidate Mega Superbet PG Mihailo Petrovic Commits to Illinois | College Sports Network
Serbian star Mihailo Petrovic commits to Illinois, bringing elite playmaking and international experience to the Illini's backcourt for the 2025 season.
So Illinois is recruiting a Petrovic and a Mirkovic.
Sounds like Bill Carmody was way ahead of his time.
Personally I think college basketball is on the precipice of being "over."
It is supposed to be college students playing for their university.
Play for up to 4 years, enjoy the experience, get on with your life.
NU and Collins might be able to do it the right way, but when nobody else is - lets just say that there are reasons why people don't flock to G-League games.
I guess I'm getting old. Damn it.
I often wonder if it's just an old man thing or at what point am I going to just see it all as a second professional league.
And how much interest can I have in a second professional league? Probably zero.
I think if your team is really good, folks will still follow closely. If they are not good, no reason to be invested in players that may all be gone the following year.
I don't dispute that. Sport might be more popular and profitable than ever. Just wonder if I will tune out.
SO this has been happening for a couple years and I wasn't aware. I'm currently not aware if 22 years old is a notable example for a guy starting older than most.
An age cap is the easy way to handle this if you want to get rid of it, but this would make college basketball more like college hockey, with lots of guys playing for years on semipro circuits before making their way into college in their early 20s and lots of top teams having rosters of 25 year old guys.
An age cap is the easy way to handle this if you want to get rid of it, but this would make college basketball more like college hockey, with lots of guys playing for years on semipro circuits before making their way into college in their early 20s and lots of top teams having rosters of 25 year old guys.
This is why I post things like "The Big Ten men's basketball team sponsored by Northwestern University" because I think it could go several directions.
Students are not automatically going to feel a connection - if it is obvious that the university is operating two businesses for profit, one of which is a minor league sports franchise, the other "higher education."
Illinois only has 1 portal commit. You'd think they are behind, but it appears they have a different strategy.
I have no idea how this dude is eligible. But it's wild that, if grown men like these are eligible, NIL money will now allow to pluck seasoned players from European leagues.
WILD
22 Year Old Serbian, MVP Candidate Mega Superbet PG Mihailo Petrovic Commits to Illinois | College Sports Network
Serbian star Mihailo Petrovic commits to Illinois, bringing elite playmaking and international experience to the Illini's backcourt for the 2025 season.
We have the Ivisic twins (Tomi’s brother joined him), a Mercovic, a Petrovic. We are recruiting a Stojokavic (Peja’s kid, for 90s NBA fans). It will be whiter than Purdue out there.
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Speaking for white dudes world-wide, I wouldn't want to be wearing an orange uniform.
I'd much prefer purple or black.
You put Brad Underwood in Illini orange and children run screaming.
I've often wondered how many portal players regret the decision of trying to transfer. Based on the fact that it feels to me 50% of them are not picked up by any team.
It's not a great analysis in the sense that it's extremely light on numbers, and it's football, but this article sheds some light:
collegefootballnetwork.com
It's not a great analysis in the sense that it's extremely light on numbers, and it's football, but this article sheds some light:
What Happens to College Athletes Who Don’t Get Picked Up in the Transfer Portal? | College Sports Network
The NCAA transfer portal offers athletes opportunities but carries risks, with some facing loss of scholarships or the end of their careers if not recruited.
collegefootballnetwork.com
Interesting article, but it feels like the successful transfer rate should be around 75% just based on the dynamics of building rosters.I've often wondered how many portal players regret the decision of trying to transfer. Based on the fact that it feels to me 50% of them are not picked up by any team.
It's not a great analysis in the sense that it's extremely light on numbers, and it's football, but this article sheds some light:
What Happens to College Athletes Who Don’t Get Picked Up in the Transfer Portal? | College Sports Network
The NCAA transfer portal offers athletes opportunities but carries risks, with some facing loss of scholarships or the end of their careers if not recruited.
There ought to be a "conservation of personnel" effect - meaning there are about 5000 D1 basketball players so it may be musical chairs, but there are seats that need someone to sit in them.
Foreign players who decide to go to college and transfers from D2 or JUCO will take some of those open roster spots.
Ivisic, Ivisic, Mirkovic, Petrovic, Stojakovic. The Ivisic twins are already college players. Mirkovic is high school age recruit. Stojakovic is a two year college player who averaged 18 a game at Cal (if they get him). Petrovic is the outlier. He is older and is an MVP candidate in the Adriatic League. However the “professional” concern is a joke when guys like him are making $50k and college players are making millions. Underwood figured out that he could get Euros for much less than guys in the portal who want 2 or 3 times as much and aren’t as good. The exception will be Stoyakovic who is a big money option.
Still have the other honorary Balkans on the team in Kylan Boswellovic, Ty Rodgersvic, Ben Humrichousic, Jake Davisovic, redshirt big Jacob Jakstysovic plus the recruits POY in New Jersey Brandon Leeovic (son of Marquette AA Butch Lee) and Kansas POY Keaton Waglerovic. Lol
Someone asked if there would be a language barrier on the team but, of course, most of the Euros speak English as well as most Americans.
I guess we will find out if Underwood is right. It’s not like he is out on a limb here, though. There were 505 Euros playing in D1 last season.
No doubt Undie can bring in talent. The question is can he build a team that excels in the tournament.
Do not know if it is true or not but heard that NIL rules are different for foreign players ? and those differences are $ savers? I was doing some research on the A10 rosters and it looked like maybe 20% foreign players. LU has two players from Germany and one from Russia. I am thinking most schools are still trying to figure out the economics of the new NCAA order. Long way from students at one school challenging students from another and hopping on the El.
Boy between him and bielema just two first class citizens. You should be proud.
I have to admit, Undie has grown on me after awhile. At least what you see, Is what you get.
Would
Would you rather have him or Collins representing your university and or coaching your 20 something son.
Never said I preferred him over what I consider one of the top 5 Coaches in the conference in Collins.
I did crack up at the comment in the /collegebasketball subreddit that stated: "Underwood trying to reunite Yugoslavia all by himself."
He went to the Elite 8 just a year ago.
In other B1G portal news, Auburn's Chad Baker-Mazara is headed to USC. This will be his 5th school, and he'll be 26 years old when next season ends. He's older than Zion Williamson, who's been in the NBA since 2019.
So how did this happen? He played a "postgraduate" season after high school at a prep academy. His freshman year at Duquesne was the Covid year so it doesn't count. He then spent one year at San Diego State, then went to a JC (also doesn't count for eligibility) for one year, then spent two years at Auburn. So he's technically only used three years of eligibility and has one left.
So how did this happen? He played a "postgraduate" season after high school at a prep academy. His freshman year at Duquesne was the Covid year so it doesn't count. He then spent one year at San Diego State, then went to a JC (also doesn't count for eligibility) for one year, then spent two years at Auburn. So he's technically only used three years of eligibility and has one left.
Brad dreaming about throwing out an entirely Eastern Bloc lineup after the first media timeout during one of those early December conference games at Northwestern in front of a half orange Welch Ryan Fieldhouse, just for shits and giggles
