MAC Transfer Portal

[BillyLP]

Jordan Crawford is still playing in the NBL...whatever that is

That's the Australian premier basketball league. It's actually a pretty solid league. Usually regarded as a top 10 international league. I'd guess that's where Spurgin ends up if he doesn't return to BG next year. Jordon has ended up making a heck of a living as a pro player. He was the fun player to watch on some bad BG teams, but I would have never guessed he'd have such a great pro career. I'd bet he's earning an average of $200k per year with the leagues he's played in.

[fanatic13]

I certainly think players will always continue to enter the portal as long as they're going to be allowed free transfers and NIL is a thing. I just don't see it as the death knell for college basketball the way some people do. We just saw Oakland go out and win a tourney game because they were able to find a D2 nobody to come in and light up 3s. For every all MAC player that transfers out there is a potential All MAC player that can transfer in from the lower levels of D1/D2. And at the same time plenty of upper D1 types that will want to move down for playingtime/roles. Basketball is so popular there is so much talent, that I just don't think it's an issue.

Now yes, if you are anxiously awaiting the next Anthony Stacy/Keith McLeod type career then you're probably going to be waiting awhile. (Didn't Dakich have to hold McLeod hostage to get him here in the first place, I don't remember the exact story). Player movement is going to be pretty fluid, and as long as NIL is a thing our best players will be the ones moving on. If you're longing for the days of senior laden teams that have played together for years forming a cohesive group on the court you'll also likely be disappointed, but many levels of college basketball have missed out on that for awhile anyhow.

If we can band together to help BG build its NIL offerings to at least compete with the rest of our conference that's probably hte best we can do. Realistically we'll never come close to what power5 programs can offer, so the top players in the conference will pretty much always look to move up. And if they were my kid I'd tell them they'd be a fool not to.

I complain but I'll still be watching bg and the tournament for years to come

Top coaches will take advantage of the current environment. I'm convinced we don't get Agee and hill before covid. There's less spots for those top juco players as the top schools are filling there rosters from mid majors like the Mac. Also leaves top 3 stars that would fill out rosters for teams like dayton/cincinnati available for us. Not sure if Greer fits that but there will be more first year talent available for us along with jucos.

Big issue for the players is there is a 0% chance most of them are getting the proper guidance to handle the portal and windfall of money. We've seen it plenty with pros before and there's less money going to these kids. Too many of them will be 25 and broke after going to three different colleges which is sad

[mbenecke]

Are there any of the 3 all mac team players that have eligibility left that are not in the transfer portal? Hate the reality of this transfer era for the sport, conference, and ourselves. There's no attachment to the school or community they just wear the jersey. I can't blame the players for following the money but it's not the same from a fan perspective. Not even sure if I should donate to the falcon club or nil fund at this point.

Also Marcus Hill is getting a good amount of attention as expected.

https://twitter.com/tkavaleczsports/sta ... 8cgwi-XBFQ

Does seem like all the All-MAC group are going but no there are three players of the 15 (5 are graduating) who have not entered the portal. Second teamer Jihad from Ball State and Third teamers AJ Clayton - Ohio and David Coit from N. Illinois.

You can scratch Coit from that list as he has now entered the portal as well.

Basheed Jihad from Ball State is also in the portal. So of the 15 best players in the MAC this year, 14 are in the portal or graduating.

[BGSU33]

Ohio's AJ Clayton is now the lone All-MAC guy still at his respective school. And we wonder why the MAC struggles in basketball these days. I was fortunate enough to see and be a part of MAC hoops in the mid-1990's. It's been an uphill battle for the MAC to match that era, but with the NIL and transfer portal - you can stick a fork in the idea of the MAC ever looking remotely like that again. There were NBA guys all over MAC rosters then (Antonio Daniels at BG, Gary Trent at Ohio, Bonzi Wells at Ball State, Wally Szczerbiak and Ira Newble at Miami, Earl Boykins and Derrick Dial at EMU). Most of those guys stayed all 4 years, as did most of the All-MAC guys who weren't headed to the NBA. You could completely built around your roster then. Now, hell, you'd not only be lucky to have those guys on your roster for more than a year, you'd be lucky to have them at all. The days of actually building a MAC program appear completely over. Leagues like the MAC are essentially what Junior Colleges used to be now. The MAC gets used, plucked, and is a feeder league - just like what JUCO's were/are. You can't build a MAC program anymore. You're left to simply assemble a new squad (notice I didn't use the word "team") on a yearly basis.

[fredthefalcon]

VonCameron Davis from Kent in the portal. Kent is losing a ton.

Verbal Commits now updated VonCameron Davis to Enrolled at Kent.

[BillyLP]

Davion Bailey has hit the portal from Ball State. One of their better players and a sharp shooter from deep. Would be a great addition if he looks within the conference.

[fredthefalcon]

On this Independence Day, a number of players throughout the nation are finding out that their transfer independence comes at a cost. Nearly 30% of the 2045 players in Division 1 according to Verbal Commitments have not latched on to a new school. This includes 3 of the 7 that transferred from BG - EJay Greer, PJ Edwards, and DJ Smith. I suppose it is possible that some players may have gone JUCO or the like but it is apparent the grass is not always greener.

[guest44]

I’m not certain but I think Edwards ended up at Grambling and DJ Smith is headed to Robert Morris. I also think in some instances it’s the school moving on or a mutual agreement to look elsewhere.

[hammb]

I’m not certain but I think Edwards ended up at Grambling and DJ Smith is headed to Robert Morris. I also think in some instances it’s the school moving on or a mutual agreement to look elsewhere.

I think there is a lot more of that than people want to believe. Coaches watch the portal and know when they're going to be able to upgrade some guys. There is less ability to get better in the portal if all your scholarships are filled, the teams need players to leave every bit as much as the players may want to leave.

[guest44]

Greer ended up at Bethune Cookman

[BillyLP]

Greer ended up at Bethune Cookman

Best of luck to him. I feel bad for the guy. Had great talent but just needed some patience to develop, but his prep school coach gave him the wrong advice at every turn and now he's going to be a program struggling for relevance.

[fredthefalcon]

Greer ended up at Bethune Cookman

Best of luck to him. I feel bad for the guy. Had great talent but just needed some patience to develop, but his prep school coach gave him the wrong advice at every turn and now he's going to be a program struggling for relevance.

Well he does get to spend all winter in Daytona Beach so there's that.