We've Gone Portaling!

The Starting Five - Portal Edition

• What is the Transfer Portal? 

  The transfer portal has become quite the topic in college athletics, more specifically in football and basketball. The portal, as everyone calls it now, was created ultimately for student-athletes to transfer from one school to another and not be silently “poached” or recruited away by other coaches. The student-athlete will have their current school enter their name into the transfer portal so other schools and coaches can see that they are looking elsewhere. This was also created to help student-athletes transfer during the COVID pandemic in 2020, however the NCAA granted all athletes an extra year causing extreme confusion among the schools, coaches and athletes themselves. Since the portal was created, here is a look at how many college basketball players have entered at just the Division I level:

  • 2021 - 1,208

  • 2022 - 1,200

  • 2023 - 1,296

  These numbers will only continue to rise as we move into the NIL era where college athletes will now get paid to play, or paid to transfer. Take a deeper dive into the transfer portal with a great video by NCSA, Next College Student Athlete.

• Who won the portal window?

  The 2024 college basketball transfer portal cycle has produced notable winners among teams. Alabama, Texas Tech, Kansas, and Cal have capitalized on the opportunity, making significant roster additions that are likely to strengthen their competitiveness next season. Additionally, Michigan, Miami, Indiana, and UCLA stand out with successful transfer strategies, showcasing their ability to adapt and enhance their rosters for the upcoming season.

• Who lost the portal window? 

  Villanova, Colorado, and Virginia Tech have faced challenges, losing key players or failing to secure impactful transfers. The low to mid-major level has been severely affected as has been tradition in college basketball. 53 players entered the portal from the mid-major level after earning 1st team all-conference awards last season. Of those 53, only 35 are returning back to their original team.

• NIL + Transfer Portal:

  The landscape of college basketball is rapidly changing due to the lifting of NCAA restrictions on name, image, and likeness rights in 2021, driving up costs in the transfer portal. As schools increasingly invest in NIL deals, budgets for player salaries have soared, with some exceeding $5 million. High-major programs dominate the spending, making the market for transfers highly competitive, with offers ranging from $200,000 to over $1 million. Navigating this complex environment requires coaches, agents, and players to adeptly handle rumors and negotiation tactics, while factors like donor influence and upcoming legal changes further shape the financial dynamics of the sport.

• How can mid majors use the portal to stay relevant?

  The Missouri Valley Conference is navigating the complexities of the NCAA men's basketball transfer portal, recognizing it as a dual-edged sword in the current landscape. While the migration of players to Power 5 schools for NIL opportunities presents challenges, teams like Indiana State have thrived by strategically bringing in transfers. Coaches such as Brian Wardle from Bradley highlight the necessity of robust recruiting efforts to foster a competitive atmosphere. As MVC Commissioner Jeff Jackson advocates for player benefits from NIL, he draws a line against pay-for-play, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach in NCAA governance.

Recruiting 101 - The Transfer Portal Poll

Coaches Thoughts - Portal Edition

The Transfer Portal has created significant buzz throughout the basketball world over the last few seasons. Players are leaving for more money (not playing time) among many other factors. Find out what we think about the portal:

• The transfer portal has certainly brought more freedom to athletes, allowing them to pursue new opportunities when situations at their current school aren’t ideal. In many ways, this mirrors the freedom coaches have had for years to leave for better jobs without penalty. However, the portal has also created significant challenges for college basketball. One of the biggest issues is its impact on high school athletes. With the portal offering a steady stream of experienced college players, many coaches now prioritize recruiting from it rather than investing time and resources into recruiting high school talent. The fear is that even if they do bring in a young player and develop them, that player might transfer to a “better” program down the road.
  
  Additionally, the transfer portal and NIL have fundamentally changed the nature of college basketball. With NIL deals, players are essentially on one-year contracts, making it harder to build a sustainable program. The days of watching a coach develop a team over several seasons, growing talent from freshmen to senior year, are fading fast. Instead, players are encouraged to avoid adversity and seek immediate playing time elsewhere. This constant movement erodes loyalty and makes it harder for fans to connect with the players they support. In short, while the portal may benefit individual players, it’s hurting the overall structure of college basketball.

  —Jason Shea

• I have a unique perspective on the transfer portal in college basketball and I see both sides of the spectrum. I understand that coaches leave and many athletes are left out to dry in those particular situations. I get it. After working in the prep basketball ranks for 8 years, I am used to seeing kids leave schools mid year, I have seen kids play for MULTIPLE teams in one basketball season. Unfortunately, that is common place in the prep world. Most prep schools, especially in New England, will recruit postgraduates to play on their teams. There are multiple advantages to having more postgrads than underclassmen on a given roster such as mental and physical maturity. My point is, for that one offseason after graduation, there are thousands of kids who are “free agents” and are looking for a prep school to spend their last season with. It is essentially the transfer portal that exists in college basketball. Everyone is open for recruitment and whoever puts on the best show (or gives the most money) wins the prize of locking down a specific recruit. To answer the question, I don’t like it. My gripe is that athletes can leave for no reason or leave because another school is offering more money. This CRUSHES the low to mid major schools who did a great job at evaluating talent and recruiting you in the first place. Those coaches did their job and secured a good player who will eventually change the trajectory of their program. Little did they know it will only be for one season…

  —Nick DeFeo

YouTube - Dickie V on the Transfer Portal

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