UMass transfer portal news - 2024

[vanmeter]

3477 average home attendance. Wow!
Maybe this is good considering the post pandemic years 2021/22 where you had to show a proof of vaccination to get in.
In addition you’re giving Matt Cross all of the credit for increased attendance. What about Cohen, Diggins, Jayden,
Curry, and HS

[bobolink]

ESPN+'s ranking of transfers has Josh Cohen at #54 and Matt Cross at something like #170 (I only estimated #170; Matt is next to last on their "Next in line" list of guys ranking below 100.
Few leaving the A10 made the list. Koby Brea (Dayton) tops the A10 guys at #33. Josh is next highest, one spot higher than Keyshawn Hall (GMU). I saw 1 guy from the MAC.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... -25-season

[minutefanjsf]

3477 average home attendance. Wow!
Maybe this is good considering the post pandemic years 2021/22 where you had to show a proof of vaccination to get in.
In addition you’re giving Matt Cross all of the credit for increased attendance. What about Cohen, Diggins, Jayden,
Curry, and HS

The increase is over a thousand when you go back to precovid McCall years. Fine divide it up. I wouldn’t do it evenly. I’d also factor in Cross (and Jayden to a degree) being from Massachusetts. Give him 300. Times $20 a ticket, which isn’t average. $6000 per game. 15 games, 90k. Factor in the $12 beers, food, etc. the kid brought money into the school.

[Worcester_To_Amherst]

I don't really have a strong opinion on either side of this discussion, I see both points. This new era does suck for most of us who enjoyed seeing teams develop year over year and looking towards a strong veteran team finally getting over the hump. That's gone, and it's part of what made college sports great. I also don't begrudge any kid for getting paid what they can while they can.

As far as being a student-athlete to get your degree and give yourself an opportunity to better your future, I don't think that's as true anymore. A bachelor's degree isn't what it once was, and many regular students would be better off not going to a 4 year college. Matt getting a hypothetical 500k next year is going to improve his lifetime financial outlook much more than his bachelor's/masters degree, if he's smart with his money. P5 level players can set themselves financially for life over 4 years of playing college basketball if they are smart. I don't like what it means for the game, but I can't blame a kid leaving for substantially more money. I'd play on 8 teams in 4 years if it meant I wasn't bound to work 40+ hours a week for the next 50 years. A level of financial independence to pursue passions in life instead of a stable career is an invaluable gift.

[Mike0473]

I don't really have a strong opinion on either side of this discussion, I see both points. This new era does suck for most of us who enjoyed seeing teams develop year over year and looking towards a strong veteran team finally getting over the hump. That's gone, and it's part of what made college sports great. I also don't begrudge any kid for getting paid what they can while they can.

As far as being a student-athlete to get your degree and give yourself an opportunity to better your future, I don't think that's as true anymore. A bachelor's degree isn't what it once was, and many regular students would be better off not going to a 4 year college. Matt getting a hypothetical 500k next year is going to improve his lifetime financial outlook much more than his bachelor's/masters degree, if he's smart with his money. P5 level players can set themselves financially for life over 4 years of playing college basketball if they are smart. I don't like what it means for the game, but I can't blame a kid leaving for substantially more money. I'd play on 8 teams in 4 years if it meant I wasn't bound to work 40+ hours a week for the next 50 years. A level of financial independence to pursue passions in life instead of a stable career is an invaluable gift.

Isn't that the truth. Not bound to a 50 hour per week job and starting off debt free is a great spot to be in. Most of us work our whole lives to one day reach a point where we don't have any debt and don't have to work 50 hours a week somewhere just to get by. I don't blame them one bit.

[vanmeter]

If Matt Cross gets $500,000 - all the power to him. My guess is $200,000 or less. Hopefully he comes back because he fits our team and the team culture better than he would many others.

[69MG]

Other A10 teams have been getting commits and our lack of activity is making me nervous. GW just got a 6'9 transfer from Cornell. He's not a game-changer, but at least he's an experienced big. I know Frank hinted at 2 recruits, so why have we not heard anything? Last year, Josh was announced around this time and he made an appearance at the Spring Football Game. I'm hoping for a repeat of that this year.

[umasscollective]

If Matt Cross gets $500,000 - all the power to him. My guess is $200,000 or less. Hopefully he comes back because he fits our team and the team culture better than he would many others.

We have an offer on the table. Still a chance he comes back. NIL is not the driving force in his decision, but it is a factor. Don't blame him at all for testing the waters.

[umasscollective]

Other A10 teams have been getting commits and our lack of activity is making me nervous. GW just got a 6'9 transfer from Cornell. He's not a game-changer, but at least he's an experienced big. I know Frank hinted at 2 recruits, so why have we not heard anything? Last year, Josh was announced around this time and he made an appearance at the Spring Football Game. I'm hoping for a repeat of that this year.

As we have told our members in each meeting the last 2 months, this time of year our gameplan is to: be communicative, proactive, prudent and patient.

Good things coming!

[bobolink]

Tyler Mason now in the portal

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

If Matt Cross gets $500,000 - all the power to him. My guess is $200,000 or less. Hopefully he comes back because he fits our team and the team culture better than he would many others.

We have an offer on the table. Still a chance he comes back. NIL is not the driving force in his decision, but it is a factor. Don't blame him at all for testing the waters.

If NIL isn't the driving force what is it then? He has a chance to be POY, be thought of as one of the all-time UMass greats, he plays as many minutes as he wants to and he is the only one on the team that can do anything he wants and not feel the wrath of Frank.

Now I'm really confused - I thought it was to get a bag of cash somewhere else - if thats not the case good luck going somewhere else and being basically treated as the next coming.

[umasscollective]

If Matt Cross gets $500,000 - all the power to him. My guess is $200,000 or less. Hopefully he comes back because he fits our team and the team culture better than he would many others.

We have an offer on the table. Still a chance he comes back. NIL is not the driving force in his decision, but it is a factor. Don't blame him at all for testing the waters.

If NIL isn't the driving force what is it then? He has a chance to be POY, be thought of as one of the all-time UMass greats, he plays as many minutes as he wants to and he is the only one on the team that can do anything he wants and not feel the wrath of Frank.

Now I'm really confused - I thought it was to get a bag of cash somewhere else - if thats not the case good luck going somewhere else and being basically treated as the next coming.

NIL = Not the driving force, but it is a factor. Playing on a bigger stage, setting self up better for a pro career, etc. Several factors to carefully consider.

Everyone wants him back. But sheesh, let him explore a bit!

[inthescoop]

Tyler Mason now in the portal

Did not impress me last season - minor loss

[wmmmfan]

We have an offer on the table. Still a chance he comes back. NIL is not the driving force in his decision, but it is a factor. Don't blame him at all for testing the waters.

If NIL isn't the driving force what is it then? He has a chance to be POY, be thought of as one of the all-time UMass greats, he plays as many minutes as he wants to and he is the only one on the team that can do anything he wants and not feel the wrath of Frank.

Now I'm really confused - I thought it was to get a bag of cash somewhere else - if thats not the case good luck going somewhere else and being basically treated as the next coming.

NIL = Not the driving force, but it is a factor. Playing on a bigger stage, setting self up better for a pro career, etc. Several factors to carefully consider.

Everyone wants him back. But sheesh, let him explore a bit!

Just keep reminding yourself Saratoga is right around the corner Pat!

[69MG]

Tyler Mason now in the portal

I look at this 2 ways: Maroon Colored Glasses or "WTF is going on here?"

Maroon - Mason didn't see much action last year. Maybe Frank told him he didn't see an expanded role for him, so Mason moved on. This hopefully means that Frank knows he has 1 or 2 quality bigs coming in.

WTF - This is a total surprise to Frank and Mason doesn't think the team will be competitive next season.

As usual, who knows???