The sea change in recruiting strategy for football and basketball marks an important milestone for Cal athletics, but is it a long term strategy or a one year necessity?
Nice job, Nick. It is also worth noting that the women's basketball team has done well in the portal, after losing Curry and Bonner they've added Marta Suarez from Tennessee, Ila Lane from UCSB, Ionna Krimili from USF and McKayla Williams from Gonzaga all of whom look like they can be key contributors to the '23-24 squad.
Obviously we can't go back to the days where Cal was flirting with academic sanctions but the reality can't be avoided. We need to win. Players should be able to pass their classes but I fully support using athletic ability to offset academic requirements in admissions.
If a player can't hack the work despite reasonable assistance by the university then the player can transfer. But if they can, then we made a good admission investment. The portal cuts both ways and, realistically, we should be giving a broader swath of people the chance to earn a Cal degree.
It’s a long term necessity. It’s the way of the future. It’s particularly good for Cal who has struggled with football and basketball, because it allows schools to quickly build a strong program, especially in basketball. I think it’s better for the students, being able to move on from a school or a program that doesn’t suit them without paying a penalty. I’m grateful that Cal seems to be embracing it successfully out of the gate.
If the efforts to fill the NIL coffers are successful at Cal and with the availability of additional monies from an affluent area it might well be the case that Cal is a sleeping giant vs. groups of boosters in otherwise impecunious states.
"but it is certainly the biggest roster transformation driven by transfers in Cal basketball history."
I'd put the '98 NIT team up there on this one. Thomas Kilgore, Geno Carlisle, Francisco Elson, Mike Gill and Carl Boyd were all transfers and started or played significant minutes.
Cal fans will soon realize that Mark Madsen’s buoyant, magnetic, infectiously happy, yet totally honest personality will magnetize lots of superior players to Cal’s program. Cal basketball ball is in for a resurgence of exciting, thrilling greatness. I’m so glad to be alive and along for the ride. Written by a fan who has watched him accomplish these things on every level, his Mom.
So long as this incarnation of the NIL system is in place, it really does not behoove a program like Cal to invest major resources in high school players. It’s an unfortunate turn of events, but from what I’ve heard through the coaching ranks, a lot of these players care more about how much they’re going to make as undergrads than they do a Cal education. Right now, it’s all about the collective because most schools do not have the time to develop players who are looking to get paid.
The college athletics landscape is changing and Cal is finally doing a good job of adjusting to it. If they want to remain competitive and relevant, they have to embrace the portal. boy have they ever. Madsen has been an absolute machine plucking meaningful talent from the portal.
We have to see the games first but madsen appears to be a slam dunk (pardon the pun) hire by knowlton just based on his recruiting prowess alone in such a short time.
Sidebar: cal is building an $80-100m basketball practice faculty. Waiting on a few more hurdles to clear and then they’ll break ground on it. Madsen broke the news on a recent podcast.
My 2 coppers... the portal will settle down over time, and some coaches will use it more than others, but it is a BIG deal until the structure changes again. HS recruiting will become skimming off only the cream to leave space for transfers. CAL is unlikely to become a major cream destination but better results will produce some noteworthy HS recruits.
Most folks can benefit from some kind of change/reboot, but most don't need several in just a few years. Besides, portal schollies are now guaranteed to graduation so maybe that will encourage some players to take class more seriously...? Wishful thinking, I know.
85 schollies was for parity, and a few schools now get all the 5 stars... what parity? NIL is because of legalities but some thinking is that it might help parity when the marketplace (i.e. the portal) allows freemarket optimization. Firstly, increased outliers like Sonny who can catch the odd bolt in a bottle of players/system/luck because they get to change the pieces more often. The more combos one makes, the more chances at success. (Even then, a team of a million 5 stars made the NC look a video game.) Also, the good players don't have to put all THEIR eggs in the 'Bama or Bust Basket. CAL may not win another NC (at least not until moving to B1G) but lots of schools can now offer some reward. The good/great player injured/on the bench whose former options were NC or never playing now at least have some potential NIL return/2nd chance portal. Maybe that will produce some parity? We know it offers a path for the terrible to become better quickly so ... ?
I was uncertain in another post a few weeks ago how much men's BB could change in one year. I was partially disabused of that skepticism in a reply that has proven reasonably accurate so far. I am impressed and surprised how quickly MBB (and the other teams that deserve recognition) has massively changed. I hope to be fully disabused if multiple teams have really good seasons in the coming year. This is a brave new world and we are all trying to find our way in it, but two things seem clear to me... The rich will always be rich and will make any new rules they need to stay that way. We will always be CAL, periodically hopeful, frequently heartbroken, and always Proud.
I think we need to get real about the transfer portal from a football sense. Cal lost its best offensive weapon in Sturdivant, it's best offensive lineman in Coleman and the only guy with experience throwing the ball in Plummer. All three of those dudes are important starters on their new teams. In return, Cal got back an expected starting quarterback with virtually no experience and a couple of offensive lineman who could be good but need more snaps to show if they will ball out. From the offensive side of the ball I would take Sturdivant, Coleman and Plummer back and give up all the transfers that came in. But that's just me......
Will be one of the hardest adjustments for me to accept this new landscape of transfers in college sports. I guess we have to treat revenue generating athletes as having one focus-to make it to professional level and hence should be offered the best opportunities to maximize their skill levels.
Nice job, Nick. It is also worth noting that the women's basketball team has done well in the portal, after losing Curry and Bonner they've added Marta Suarez from Tennessee, Ila Lane from UCSB, Ionna Krimili from USF and McKayla Williams from Gonzaga all of whom look like they can be key contributors to the '23-24 squad.
Obviously we can't go back to the days where Cal was flirting with academic sanctions but the reality can't be avoided. We need to win. Players should be able to pass their classes but I fully support using athletic ability to offset academic requirements in admissions.
If a player can't hack the work despite reasonable assistance by the university then the player can transfer. But if they can, then we made a good admission investment. The portal cuts both ways and, realistically, we should be giving a broader swath of people the chance to earn a Cal degree.
Thank you for a thoughtful assessment.
It’s a long term necessity. It’s the way of the future. It’s particularly good for Cal who has struggled with football and basketball, because it allows schools to quickly build a strong program, especially in basketball. I think it’s better for the students, being able to move on from a school or a program that doesn’t suit them without paying a penalty. I’m grateful that Cal seems to be embracing it successfully out of the gate.
If the efforts to fill the NIL coffers are successful at Cal and with the availability of additional monies from an affluent area it might well be the case that Cal is a sleeping giant vs. groups of boosters in otherwise impecunious states.
I think it's gonna be a mixture of both. I say It's going to be a mixture of high school students And the portal as a supplement.
"but it is certainly the biggest roster transformation driven by transfers in Cal basketball history."
I'd put the '98 NIT team up there on this one. Thomas Kilgore, Geno Carlisle, Francisco Elson, Mike Gill and Carl Boyd were all transfers and started or played significant minutes.
Cal fans will soon realize that Mark Madsen’s buoyant, magnetic, infectiously happy, yet totally honest personality will magnetize lots of superior players to Cal’s program. Cal basketball ball is in for a resurgence of exciting, thrilling greatness. I’m so glad to be alive and along for the ride. Written by a fan who has watched him accomplish these things on every level, his Mom.
Mark Madsen has done an incredible job so far. Amazed at his speed and talent to secure the transfers.
So long as this incarnation of the NIL system is in place, it really does not behoove a program like Cal to invest major resources in high school players. It’s an unfortunate turn of events, but from what I’ve heard through the coaching ranks, a lot of these players care more about how much they’re going to make as undergrads than they do a Cal education. Right now, it’s all about the collective because most schools do not have the time to develop players who are looking to get paid.
The college athletics landscape is changing and Cal is finally doing a good job of adjusting to it. If they want to remain competitive and relevant, they have to embrace the portal. boy have they ever. Madsen has been an absolute machine plucking meaningful talent from the portal.
We have to see the games first but madsen appears to be a slam dunk (pardon the pun) hire by knowlton just based on his recruiting prowess alone in such a short time.
Sidebar: cal is building an $80-100m basketball practice faculty. Waiting on a few more hurdles to clear and then they’ll break ground on it. Madsen broke the news on a recent podcast.
Honesty. Well done and true. I'm as taken aback. Alduous Huxley.
My 2 coppers... the portal will settle down over time, and some coaches will use it more than others, but it is a BIG deal until the structure changes again. HS recruiting will become skimming off only the cream to leave space for transfers. CAL is unlikely to become a major cream destination but better results will produce some noteworthy HS recruits.
Most folks can benefit from some kind of change/reboot, but most don't need several in just a few years. Besides, portal schollies are now guaranteed to graduation so maybe that will encourage some players to take class more seriously...? Wishful thinking, I know.
85 schollies was for parity, and a few schools now get all the 5 stars... what parity? NIL is because of legalities but some thinking is that it might help parity when the marketplace (i.e. the portal) allows freemarket optimization. Firstly, increased outliers like Sonny who can catch the odd bolt in a bottle of players/system/luck because they get to change the pieces more often. The more combos one makes, the more chances at success. (Even then, a team of a million 5 stars made the NC look a video game.) Also, the good players don't have to put all THEIR eggs in the 'Bama or Bust Basket. CAL may not win another NC (at least not until moving to B1G) but lots of schools can now offer some reward. The good/great player injured/on the bench whose former options were NC or never playing now at least have some potential NIL return/2nd chance portal. Maybe that will produce some parity? We know it offers a path for the terrible to become better quickly so ... ?
I was uncertain in another post a few weeks ago how much men's BB could change in one year. I was partially disabused of that skepticism in a reply that has proven reasonably accurate so far. I am impressed and surprised how quickly MBB (and the other teams that deserve recognition) has massively changed. I hope to be fully disabused if multiple teams have really good seasons in the coming year. This is a brave new world and we are all trying to find our way in it, but two things seem clear to me... The rich will always be rich and will make any new rules they need to stay that way. We will always be CAL, periodically hopeful, frequently heartbroken, and always Proud.
I think we need to get real about the transfer portal from a football sense. Cal lost its best offensive weapon in Sturdivant, it's best offensive lineman in Coleman and the only guy with experience throwing the ball in Plummer. All three of those dudes are important starters on their new teams. In return, Cal got back an expected starting quarterback with virtually no experience and a couple of offensive lineman who could be good but need more snaps to show if they will ball out. From the offensive side of the ball I would take Sturdivant, Coleman and Plummer back and give up all the transfers that came in. But that's just me......
Will be one of the hardest adjustments for me to accept this new landscape of transfers in college sports. I guess we have to treat revenue generating athletes as having one focus-to make it to professional level and hence should be offered the best opportunities to maximize their skill levels.