Transfers and the state of the game

GATORJV · Apr 21, 2025 at 8:34 PM

gatorrick1 said: ↑

Let me start by saying by no means what I am about to write is a knock on anyone in particular. Everyone has a reason they root for a sport or a particular team that plays that sport. There is no right or wrong. So with that said I’ll dive into my opinion.

To give a little perspective, I coached a high level travel team that sent multiple guys to D1’s all over the country. From high major to low to NAIA. I give the background to say the following.

For decades, Schools, Coaches and Fans ( yes there are exceptions, but they reinforce the rule) have done what was in their best interest. Not the players but their own.

Schools hire and fire based solely on wins and losses. I have over 300 coaching contacts from D1 all the way thru NAIA and none of them have ever kept a job or gotten a job based on graduation rates or recruiting good Kids.

Also I can tell you all scholarships are one year offers. That’s it. You’re not guaranteed 4 years. I have had more than one college coach from a power 5 school call and let me know they don’t want my kid back. That they would not renew the scholarship. And not because of behavior or grades, but because the coach didn’t think they could help the team. So coaches have long done what was best for them.

Fans are the same. If you win they love you if you lose you don’t get their support.

We are going thru the Wild Wild West right now for sure. But it’s the first time players can really do what’s in their own best interest without severe penalties. One day they will allow college athletes to be declared employees and they will limit money and how much they can transfer or how often they can transfer. For now though the players get to watch out for themselves, and I wish fans would realize how hypocritical they sound when they denounce the players while at the same time not acknowledging they are pretty much the exact same.

Everyone from the schools, coaches and fans care mostly about what’s in it for them and now the players get to be that way a little bit too.

The games are still great and entertaining, the players are also still skilled and fun to watch. The jersey still has Florida on it.

I’ll end it by saying of course anyone has the right to feel however they want about anything. Just for me, it’s hard to take seriously what somebody says if they aren’t equally introspective.

Go Gators and in Todd I trust.
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While I get what you're saying. I have to disagree with a good chunk. While coaches and others can move, they have contracts. There is some type of balance. Fans aren't a good example imo because they are paying.

I'm all for players being paid. Until there is some type of contract involved, it is the wild west as you said. This is what the NBA would look like without contracts. People switching teams every year. Lol.

twodaparty · Apr 21, 2025 at 9:06 PM

vaxcardinal said: ↑

Don’t think he needs to be announced when he comes into the game.
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I think Golden will specifically ask the PA announcer to call DA’s name and Golden will lead a clap. He will get pissed off if we boo him so I hope Gator fans don’t. Like you wouldn’t take 2 milly. Remember Todd is playing chess while everyone else (including Kentucky) is playing checkers.

rserina · Apr 21, 2025 at 9:14 PM

twodaparty said: ↑

I think Golden will specifically ask the PA announcer to call DA’s name and Golden will lead a clap. He will get pissed off if we boo him so I hope Gator fans don’t. Like you wouldn’t take 2 milly. Remember Todd is playing chess while everyone else (including Kentucky) is playing checkers.
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Exactly. You aren’t putting your best foot forward to potential recruits and transfers, or your own team who know him. But I sure as heck would wait until UK visits to give him his ring. Really rub it in their noses.

twodaparty · Apr 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM

rserina said: ↑

But I sure as heck would wait until UK visits to give him his ring. Really rub it in their noses.
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Haha this is BRILLIANT! Literally give him his ring before tipoff and take pictures etc. Kentucky fans would be so pissed with him carrying his GATOR National Championship Ring and Box back to their bench!!

GratefulGator · Apr 21, 2025 at 9:42 PM

Zel will likely come off the bench as he did on our 2025 National Champion team team.

twodaparty said: ↑

Haha this is BRILLIANT! Literally give him his ring before tipoff and take pictures etc. Kentucky fans would be so pissed with him carrying his GATOR National Championship Ring and Box back to their bench!!
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You would think that UK would play at our house next year, but who knows? Might be another ATM and Kyle Field situation...

gatorrick1 · Apr 21, 2025 at 9:55 PM

akaGatorhoops said: ↑

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!
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Hoops, I really did not intend for this to be about your post. Your are sure as heck not the only one who feels the way you do. Thai is a topic frequently discussed on sports radio and podcasts. Also, I do believe you are one of the few who supported the team and the guys win or lose. It’s too bad this has caused you to lose interest. The games are more interesting than ever. More and more teams are utilizing analytics to maximize performance and results. Players are more skilled than ever. For those of us who love basketball and the nuances that can help a team win or lose it’s a great time to root for our team and just watch college hoops in general. The SEC in particular has better coaches than ever. Fun fun fun.

Anyway, again no aspect of this was to question your choice. The game will will grow or it won’t. Hopefully more and more fans will enjoy the skill of the coaches and players and the pride the players take in being their best.

akaGatorhoops · Apr 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM

gatorrick1 said: ↑

Hoops, I really did not intend for this to be about your post. Your are sure as heck not the only one who feels the way you do. Thai is a topic frequently discussed on sports radio and podcasts. Also, I do believe you are one of the few who supported the team and the guys win or lose. It’s too bad this has caused you to lose interest. The games are more interesting than ever. More and more teams are utilizing analytics to maximize performance and results. Players are more skilled than ever. For those of us who love basketball and the nuances that can help a team win or lose it’s a great time to root for our team and just watch college hoops in general. The SEC in particular has better coaches than ever. Fun fun fun.

Anyway, again no aspect of this was to question your choice. The game will will grow or it won’t. Hopefully more and more fans will enjoy the skill of the coaches and players and the pride the players take in being their best.
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thanks for the reply!

Fwiw - I still love watching the game and skill of basketball. I doubt that will change.
But there is a difference between watching, appreciating …. and “living and dying” with each outcome. The latter is a fanatic.

gatordavisl · Apr 21, 2025 at 10:39 PM

Since there are apparently no rules whatsoever for paying cbb players & them transferring, how about we get Zel to transfer back just before the UK game? He could then go back and play for KY again after that game or find some other team. Or maybe we could rent his services for the 2nd half of that game.

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