Transfers and the state of the game

I think most everyone agrees with you, while at the same time realizing it makes college sports way less enjoyable. Those two things aren't mutually exclusive.

I've got no problem with guys maximizing their value and positioning for the future. It also sucks as a fan.

 

Less enjoyable in the moment? Absolutely not. But it doesn't mean as much to me personally as the 04s titles as I felt that connection more.

 

I also wonder if they had come up short where they would have stacked up for me. I can't imagine near the same level as the Wilbekin/Pat Young team. But it's clearly hypothetical.

 

Very enjoyable for what it was but rivalry, school/player pride and bragging rights made college sports so much more passionate and visceral for most college fans and certainly alumni. There is very much a worsening degree of hollowness in knowing that one or more players on the court will likely swap jerseys for whatever school at any point. In the case of Baylor, their whole team. Why invest any emotional currency for a team when the players themselves often have none?

Love me some orange and blue but I couldn't imagine buying any team merchandise supporting any specific player these days. It's somehow worse than pro sports now in that there are literally no multi-year contracts although I don't think even that would matter to Dallas mavericks fan these days.

 

I don’t want to debate, but the timing of your posts suggests I may have initiated the discussion.
And so, I just want to clarify…. I do NOT denounce the players. In fact, if my son… I’d have advised him to do exactly as Zel.
In addition, my fan support has been unwavering for 33 years… thru good, bad and Mike White.
I am not implying that obligates some sort of reciprocating team or player loyalty. . . just responding to your point.

In the end, you are right. But none of that changes what drives me as a fan… a fanatic…. to invest time, money and, most importantly, emotion into a team.

Right or wrong… I’ve lost that. And so I am not acting in protest, spite or hypocritically. And my post wasn’t meant to spark debate, take position or offer up some sort of stance. It’s just how I feel, and was really a proactive explanation for being less active. In fact, it may be a bit late… as a couple times I’ve felt badly reading posts wondering where I was or why no “typing as I listen…”.

Anyway, no sooner do I post that I’m not posting much anymore… I have a really long follow up post! Lol.

ok… starting NOW!

 

That's all well and good but... WHY KENTUCKY?

 

It’s going to be hard to watch Denzel Aberdeen in Kentucky blue. Best of luck to him, but I’m not in support of it. I don’t even know if I will watch that game.
Kentucky and its money has completely overhauled that team. You may think the players have the upper hand, but I believe the schools with the most money to spend does.
I’m so disgusted with this crap, that I’m not sure I’m going to watch much college basketball this coming year.

 

you gotta just attach to the uniform and to a lesser extent to the coach. The players are going to change year in and year out now. That's just how it's going to be.

 

Hard to disagree with one exception. Some still value amateur sports which have died.
Sometimes freedom is best balanced with responsibility and restraint for the community good.

I agree with Brent. The spirit of team and community have been lost and I have lost the zest I once had. Don't give a hoot for semi-pro sports and even Gator sports are far less attractive.

 

I'm thankful for Zel's contributions to the team this year, but I do not wish him good luck. Like ETN, I will not pull for Zel playing for Kentucky. I'm fine with him making the decision that's right for him, but that doesn't mean I'll support him or "wish him luck." I hope he and Kentucky have a horrible year next year.

 

I hope he gets a standing ovation when he comes to town. He was still important to our national championship.

 

I wouldn’t boo him but I sure as hell wouldn’t cheer for him either.

 

Zel is being paid to not play for UF instead of playing for UK.

It is like a higher stakes Stacey Poole, Jr deal.

 

He won’t get any ovation. Remember that only the starters even get introduced…

 

Don’t think he needs to be announced when he comes into the game.

 

As I said in another post...two things can be true:
I am in support of players finally getting the money they deserve.
The new system ruined what was good about college sports. I am glad we got a scholarship before the wheels came off totally.

I may be in the minority on the latter or I may be in the majority. The beauty is, if the pendulum has swung too far one way then the viewership will drop and the revenue will drop. If we see things continue as they are we are going to see even less parity than before and we will see the schools with the biggest pockets buying big win seasons.