MBB TPT2 TRANSFER PORTAL THREAD 2

[BoulderSooner]

I graduated from OU and you are wrong. In 2021, to name just one year, Sooner athletes graduated at a rate of 89%.

And given that most of the money taken in by the athletic department stays with the athletic department, that argument doesn't fly. And the vast majority of athletic departments aren't fully self-funding, as OU's is. We're discussing a system-wide change, not just at OU.

the "system" spends money because they have the money to spend ..

 

[skyvue]

the "system" spends money because they have the money to spend ..

Not sure what you mean. He suggested the money the athletic department brings is sufficient reason for OU to keep having sports teams even if the players are pros and not students. I was pointing out that the money would likely, as it does now, largely remain with the athletic department, benefiting the university little, if at all. And OU's athletic department is in a much better position financially than the vast majority of colleges and universities. How could a school whose athletic department is not self-supporting--which is most of them--possibly justify supporting a team of non-students?

I'm honestly surprised this is a point of contention. If the players aren't students, it's not college sports.

 

[TINY]

Not sure what you mean. He suggested the money the athletic department brings is sufficient reason for OU to keep having sports teams even if the players are pros and not students. I was pointing out that the money would likely, as it does now, largely remain with the athletic department, benefiting the university little, if at all. And OU's athletic department is in a much better position financially than the vast majority of colleges and universities. How could a school whose athletic department is not self-supporting--which is most of them--possibly justify supporting a team of non-students?

I'm honestly surprised this is a point of contention. If the players aren't students, it's not college sports.

Some students want to go to colleges that have great sports experiences. Ou football certainly has been a factor in many student decisions to attend ou.

 

[skyvue]

Some students want to go to colleges that have great sports experiences. Ou football certainly has been a factor in many student decisions to attend ou.

Fair enough. It's also possible some students choose OU in part because of its proximity to the Thunder games. They might also like being so near Riverwind. Should OU open and operate a casino?

 

[BoulderSooner]

Not sure what you mean. He suggested the money the athletic department brings is sufficient reason for OU to keep having sports teams even if the players are pros and not students. I was pointing out that the money would likely, as it does now, largely remain with the athletic department, benefiting the university little, if at all. And OU's athletic department is in a much better position financially than the vast majority of colleges and universities. How could a school whose athletic department is not self-supporting--which is most of them--possibly justify supporting a team of non-students?

I'm honestly surprised this is a point of contention. If the players aren't students, it's not college sports.

because without football there is not money for any sports ...


and again they spent the money they have because they can

college sports as we have known it will be complete different very very soon .

 

[Eielson]

I graduated from OU and you are wrong. In 2021, to name just one year, Sooner athletes graduated at a rate of 89%.

Wow...talk about some cooked numbers. Yes, they graduated, but with a multidisciplinary studies degree that they can't use.

I graduated from OU and took courses with some athletes. They weren't in my main classes, but there were tons in the easy classes that I was using to boost my GPA. In fact, most of them were blocked off for athletes and hard to get in as a non-athlete. I sat next to one of our key defensive players, and he fell asleep every day in class. He was a great guy and really tried to stay awake, but their inseason training schedule was so rigorous he just couldn't manage a legitimate course load. He ended up making academic all conference that semester.

I have some good friends that didn't have NFL ambitions that managed to get legitimate degrees at smaller programs. This typically required concurrent enrollment in HS and taking extra courses in the offseason or even after their playing career ended. It can happen, but it's more of an exception than the rule.

 

[Eielson]

Fair enough. It's also possible some students choose OU in part because of its proximity to the Thunder games. They might also like being so near Riverwind. Should OU open and operate a casino?

Absurd comparison. I've never met anybody who said they came to OU for the casino or proximity to the Thunder. Please try to be reasonable. There are a ton of people that pick a big university like OU for the sports. The gameday experience is one of the most enjoyable events for college kids, even for those that don't like sports.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Count me in as someone that will be done with "college" sports if non students compete. I don't think this will ever happen

 

[61sooner]

With all this portal influx, can OU at least make the NIT?

 

[WichitaSooner]

With all this portal influx, can OU at least make the NIT?

I don't see us in the NIT. Either the portal guys are as good as some here are hoping, which would lead to an NCAA bid, or they turn out to be no better than the guys we have lost. In the latter scenario, we would again end up below .500 and not close to any postseason play.

 

[Eielson]

Count me in as someone that will be done with "college" sports if non students compete. I don't think this will ever happen

They'll stay on campus and train for their future job, as everybody else does. Instead of taking science courses like those entering medical or research fields, they train on the field and in the weight room. The older generation's obsession with useless degrees is impractical and contributes to the student loan crisis we're currently in.

I understand that many won't go pro, but the same can be said for nonathlete students not utilizing their degree. There has never been a moment watching OU football where knowing a player's major or GPA has increased my viewing pleasure. If taking courses is right for them, then I support it, but I don't see a reason people like Bronny James should be forced to take most of these required courses.

Edit: I'm done with this conversation here. Back to portal conversation until we use our final scholarship. Happy to take this to another thread if you want to continue.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

They'll stay on campus and train for their future job, as everybody else does. Instead of taking science courses like those entering medical or research fields, they train on the field and in the weight room. The older generation's obsession with useless degrees is impractical and contributes to the student loan crisis we're currently in.

I understand that many won't go pro, but the same can be said for nonathlete students not utilizing their degree. There has never been a moment watching OU football where knowing a player's major or GPA has increased my viewing pleasure. If taking courses is right for them, then I support it, but I don't see a reason people like Bronny James should be forced to take most of these required courses.

Edit: I'm done with this conversation here. Back to portal conversation until we use our final scholarship. Happy to take this to another thread if you want to continue.

lol what an odd take. "the older generation's obsession with degrees" is irrelevent to this conversation. Whther it is true or not has nothing to do with the illogical view that non students should play football at a university. There isn't a reason for it. If that is the case just have a separate league.

 

[skyvue]

Absurd comparison. I've never met anybody who said they came to OU for the casino or proximity to the Thunder. Please try to be reasonable. There are a ton of people that pick a big university like OU for the sports. The gameday experience is one of the most enjoyable events for college kids, even for those that don't like sports.

Well, if you haven't met them, I guess they must not exist.

If the Sooners are a professional team, then they will be in the same category as the Thunder (or perhaps more aptly the OKC Dodgers--a minor league team). Students won't have seen the players on the oval or met them in classes. They'll just be paid players like the Thunder and the Dodgers

And actually virtually every non-sports fan I ever met at OU had no use for gamedays. They're a pain in the neck if you're not a fan (or a server in a local bar or eatery). It's your turn to try to be reasonable.

People pick OU and other schools for the sports now because it's college sports, which has historically had a culture that has differed greatly from professional sports. If and when it becomes professional sports, which is what we're discussing, that difference, that thing that makes college sports special, won't exist.

And you're wrong about the academics. I don't know when you graduated but over the past 10-15 years, OU has made great strides academically--including with student athletes. And I'm not cooking any numbers--I got them directly from OU. Not every college student, athlete or no, is going to going to pursue the most challenging and strenuous of academic disciplines, but that doesn't mean they don't benefit from the experience. I graduated with BFA in theatre, for pete's sake, and though I got nowhere as an actor, my time at OU was very beneficial to me and my "lesser" degree has in no way held me back in my professional life.

 

[steverocks35]

Well, if you haven't met them, I guess they must not exist.

If the Sooners are a professional team, then they will be in the same category as the Thunder (or perhaps more aptly the OKC Dodgers--a minor league team). Students won't have seen the players on the oval or met them in classes. They'll just be paid players like the Thunder and the Dodgers

And actually virtually every non-sports fan I ever met at OU had no use for gamedays. They're a pain in the neck if you're not a fan (or a server in a local bar or eatery). It's your turn to try to be reasonable.

People pick OU and other schools for the sports now because it's college sports, which has historically had a culture that has differed greatly from professional sports. If and when it becomes professional sports, which is what we're discussing, that difference, that thing that makes college sports special, won't exist.

And you're wrong about the academics. I don't know when you graduated but over the past 10-15 years, OU has made great strides academically--including with student athletes. And I'm not cooking any numbers--I got them directly from OU. Not every college student, athlete or no, is going to going to pursue the most challenging and strenuous of academic disciplines, but that doesn't mean they don't benefit from the experience. I graduated with BFA in theatre, for pete's sake, and though I got nowhere as an actor, my time at OU was very beneficial to me and my "lesser" degree has in no way held me back in my professional life.

Man I agree with this 100%. When it becomes totally a professional endeavor and is a college sport in name only, you can count me out. I'm an OU graduate and it's sad what is happening to the sports we all grew up with. Maybe it's always been somewhat semi-pro but now it's just going off the rails.

 

[Eielson]

I know I said this discussion should move to a different thread, but there is so much flawed logic in this post that I'm having trouble not addressing. I apologize to those looking for portal information.

If the Sooners are a professional team, then they will be in the same category as the ...OKC Dodgers

LOLOL! OU football is the new OKC Dodgers if they don't take an American history and foreign language course!! Remember when I politely asked you to be reasonable?

Students won'te seen the players on the oval or met them in classes. They'll just be paid players like the Thunder and the Dodgers

OU's training facilities and football field are mostly on campus. Many majors have courses on different parts of campus.

And actually virtually every non-sports fan I ever met at OU had no use for gamedays. They're a pain in the neck if you're not a fan (or a server in a local bar or eatery). It's your turn to try to be reasonable.

Bars are huge benefactors of GameDay. If a bartender or bar owner doesn't like GameDay, then they should consider a new career. Pick something more reasonable like traffic.

People pick OU and other schools for the sports now because it's college sports, which has historically had a culture that has differed greatly from professional sports.

But I thought you said they come to OU for the casino and OKC Thunder? Please be consistent.

 

[Abe]

Moving on to the Transfer Portal Thread: will we get Cam Spencer, Jalen Rucker or a big?
Sadraque Nganga Was once recruited by OU and made his final list.

 

[Eielson]

Moving on to the Transfer Portal Thread: will we get Cam Spencer, Jalen Rucker or a big?
Sadraque Nganga Was once recruited by OU and made his final list.

I would be ecstatic to add somebody like Spencer, but the competition is stiff, so I'm not getting my hopes up. Rucker doesn't seem like a good fit. Kinda like Small, I'd like to have him off the bench, but I think he could find a starting role at some schools.

 

[Soonerinkc]

I just think at some point the portal will be all about $$ or playing time...or both. Basically it is now but started as a "better fit" shop I guess.

Coaches will almost have to guarantee a starting position or certain amount of time for these kids. Especially guys with just 1 or 2 years left trying to "move up" in league status to get a "look" at possible professional career.

If that happens expect the blue bloods to get their pick and almost have an "all-star" type roster.

just my 2 cents

 

[Eielson]

I just think at some point the portal will be all about $$ or playing time...or both. Basically it is now but started as a "better fit" shop I guess.

Coaches will almost have to guarantee a starting position or certain amount of time for these kids. Especially guys with just 1 or 2 years left trying to "move up" in league status to get a "look" at possible professional career.

If that happens expect the blue bloods to get their pick and almost have an "all-star" type roster.

just my 2 cents

I think that programs at the top will always find a way to separate. The teams with money have always had an advantage. If anything, though, the early results from the transfer portal have evened the playing field more than anything. That may change, but some of these teams like KU have been hemorrhaging talent off their bench that they usually would have kept. They've reloaded with elite talent in the portal, but they're not likely to keep many of these guys like Darnell Jackson that were pivotal in the championship season that didn't start until his senior year. A lot of these guys like Devonte Graham and Cole Aldrich that didn't start year one likely transfer to other schools. Their overall talent likely won't take a hit, and may actually increase, but the continuity guys that Self has depended on for consistent success likely won't be there as often.

 

[CoachTalk]

Another visitor in town tomorrow.

I assume cam Spencer but trying to confirm. I have not seen his visit date yet.