Brave new transfer world ... on hold

NCAA wants more time to examine 'entry windows', plus Ohio State snags an in-state star, Houston's hopes for No. 1, Summer Reading on UCSB and much more.

August 04, 2022

We focus on men’s college basketball at The Field of 68. It’s the sport we know. Some day we’ll expand to women’s college basketball. Still, when the best women’s player suffers a second serious knee injury in less than a year, we’ve got to mention it. You’ll be back, Paige.

Let’s get to the news.

STARTING FIVE

1. No NCAA transfer rule changes (for now)

The NCAA’s one-time transfer rule remains in place for August as the Division I Board of Directors requested more work on the transfer reform package recommended by the D-I Transformation Committee last month.

"We have some questions about the proposed transfer package, and we will take up this topic again on Aug. 31 at our next meeting. Many of us have concerns about the impact name, image and likeness is having on the transfer process, and we want further analysis on that issue and its potential impact on graduation rates before taking action," said board chair Jere Morehead, president at the University of Georgia.

Athletes can transfer once and immediately play at their new school. Any subsequent transfers require a waiver (though most do not have trouble obtaining one). The proposed change — “entry windows” that allow unlimited transfers, provided the athlete is academically eligible at his current and new school — raised concerns among coaches (never-ending recruiting of one’s players), and among school officials (graduation rate worries, even though athletes are in-line with the general student population).

Also uncertain about the new rule? Athletes.

The D-I Student-Athlete Advisory Council thinks transfer windows “unnecessarily restrict student-athletes’ freedom of movement” — because every sport except basketball, FBS football, baseball and men’s ice hockey doesn’t have transfer restrictions.

The NCAA rarely moves quickly on significant changes. Seems unlikely everything will be ready by that August 31 meeting either.

2. Houston’s schedule could lock it at No. 1

There isn’t a consensus top team entering the 2022-23 season. Some favor North Carolina, some Gonzaga. There are some outliers for Kentucky, UCLA and Arkansas. And then, there’s Houston.

The Cougars boast the game’s best guard (Marcus Sasser), an incredibly tough backcourt mate (Jamal Shead), an impact freshman (Jarace Walker) and a relentless approach (rebound EVERYTHING) that’ll almost certainly propel it to their third 30-win season in the last five years. And with this non-conference slate, there’s a good chance Houston enters AAC play without a loss. (An SEC school apparently bowed out, removing another potential defeat.)

Don’t get me wrong, Houston could stumble. Playing in Eugene is no joke, same with the trip to Charlottesville. But I’d guess the Coogs will be favored in each game. I can’t say the same for Gonzaga (at Texas or Baylor are toss-ups), UNC (at Indiana, plus the PK85 gauntlet) or Kentucky (at Gonzaga).

Does Kelvin Sampson’s team end up at No. 1 for a healthy portion of the season by default? Maybe. Does it mean they’re not worthy? Hell no.

3. Ohio State found its new EJ Liddell?

Devin Royal is a 6-6, 210-pound wing. He’s rangy, can play the 3 or the 4, can disrupt passing lanes, snag rebounds and has a versatile offensive game.

If that sounds like EJ Liddell, that’s exactly what Ohio State is hoping for after Royal’s commitment on Wednesday.

“They want me to be a wing player, like an EJ Liddell,” the 2023 prospect told On3.com. “Make an impact like he did.”

That’s a high bar. Liddell was a two-time All-Big Ten player and was selected in the NBA Draft after his junior season. Royal’s been a fast riser in the recruiting rankings over the last year, but that type of career would imply significant progress while in Columbus.

4. Congress may wade into NIL rules

Another section on NCAA rules! Sorry. Can’t be helped.

Tommy Tuberville — U.S. Senator from Alabama and former Auburn football coach — thinks Congress should “set clear” NIL ground rules. Guess he’s fed up with the NCAA.

“I’ve talked to all my [coaching] buddies. They’ve never seen anything like it,” Tuberville told SI.com. “When you don’t have guidelines and direction, no matter what you are doing, you are lost. They are all lost right now.”

The NCAA issued some NIL guidance last summer, but each state usually has its own rules, and nearly every school has at least one NIL collective (more on NIL here). Many legislative efforts to establish rules have been ineffective thus far (there’s little reason to think Tuberville will be successful) because enforcement remains the biggest issue. And if any bill wades into antitrust exemptions? No chance.

Also on Wednesday, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) announced their reintroduction of the Athlete Bill of Rights, which would give players the right to unlimited transfers, return to school after entering a professional draft and access to lifetime scholarships. The bill has no Republican support as of now, meaning it’s unlikely to progress.

5. What’s a power forward, anyway?

When GG Jackson re-classified to the class of 2022 and elected to play at South Carolina instead of UNC, it sparked all kinds of discussions (what’s it mean for the Heels? Is Jackson the best player in 2022? Could the Gamecocks make the NCAA tourney?), but perhaps the most interesting was “What position does he play?”

Jackson is a 6-9 forward who thrives on the boards, hustles, and is blossoming on offense (ESPN’s Jeff Borzello did a terrific breakdown of his game here). But until his perimeter game evolves, he’s in a forward limbo. Is he a combo forward? A hybrid? A small-ball 5?

While Jackson figures it out (he’s probably best as a small-ball 5 to start, but by season’s end, he’ll be a combo), I’ll leave it to Adam Finkelstein from 247Sports to expand on of those positions in this terrific breakdown of the class of 2023 forwards — and how nobody considers themselves a power forward anymore.

SUMMER READING

Don’t sleep on UC Santa Barbara

Summer reading assignments suck. Trying to absorb info when your brain just wants to zone out is like trying to outrebound Oscar Tshiebwe. Well, good news. We did the assignment. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Sean Paul gives CliffsNotes on programs that aren’t Top 25 contenders but are worth knowing entering the 2022-23 season. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. 

The UC Santa Barbara synopsis: The Gauchos’ rough season — by their standards — saw them finish 17-10 and fifth in Big West. Expect a rebound season despite losing sensational center Amadou Sow. How? Coach Joe Pasternack reeled in his replacement in Andre Kelly — a productive big from California (13 ppg, 8 rpg in 2022). Kelly will use his extra COVID season and will contend for conference player of the year honors. The transfer portal can benefit mid-majors too!

Main characters: Beyond Kelly, Ajay Mitchell should develop into an elite guard. The Belgium-born lefty logged solid counting stats (11.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.3 apg), but more important was shooting 53 percent from the floor with impressive drives to the basket. If he develops his perimeter shot, he could morph into an NBA prospect and college superstar. A 14-5-5 line isn’t out of the question this season. Additionally, defensive menace Josh Pierre-Louis, microwave scorer Ajare Sanni and stretch 4 Miles Norris figure to play significant roles. The Gauchos boast depth alongside two potential all-conference players.

The conflict: It may seem minuscule, but cementing the rotation during the non-conference slate is crucial. By league play, most teams feature a 7 to 8-man rotation. Will Zach Harvey (former top-100 recruit who redshirted last season) and promising sophomore Cole Anderson see significant minutes? Both are shooters and play similar roles, meaning one could be left out in the cold (metaphorically speaking…it’s Cali).

Spoiler alert! UCSB is the Big West favorite. Kelly should benefit from solid floor spacing and feast off of screen-and-rolls from Mitchell. With the conference’s best point guard, post player and on-ball defender, a return to Big West dominance appears on the horizon for Santa Barbara.

THE DTF PODCAST

Keep an eye on this guy

How does one define a “breakout” player? Is it someone who makes a massive jump (think Johnny Davis’ massive jump from quiet freshman to All-America as a sophomore)? Or could it be someone who ascends from good to great (Ochai Agbaji led Kansas in scoring the last two seasons)?

No matter your definition, Rob Dauster, John Fanta and Terrence Oglesby cover the full gamut of potential breakout stars for 2022-23.

THE FAST BREAK

Links as you check if you accidentally sent two years of your phone records to anyone.