Transfer portal and NIL are among challenges for teams

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Morehead State coach Preston Spradlin wasn’t surprised when several players from his 2021 March Madness team eventually took their talents elsewhere, with a couple landing at Power Five programs.

The Eagles’ return to this year’s NCAA Tournament shows he didn’t panic. Even though the Ohio Valley Conference school tucked in the eastern Kentucky mountains lacks the flashy profile and deep resources that larger programs can offer, especially when it comes to name, image and likeness (NIL), Spradlin worked the transfer portal to his advantage by selling small-school virtues along with a successful resume.

“We’ve had some guys who played at the Power Five level that have come down because they wanted a bigger role and wanted to experience playing more and all those types of things,” the eighth-year coach said the day after Selection Sunday. “So yeah, there’s give and take both ways and it works in both directions.”

No matter the level, the transfer portal that opened March 18 presents programs with the dual challenge to fill roster vacancies and prevent their own players from leaving and deepening the vast pool of talent. That’s been an ongoing obstacle for sure, perhaps more so in an era of expanded movement with the one-time transfer exception and the extra year of eligibility granted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though the numbers taking advantage of the extra year is expected to drop in 2025 as players complete eligibility, the portal remains a free-for-all with the pool already at more than 750 Division I men as NCAA Sweet 16 action resumed Thursday.

Clemson guard Joseph Girard III, who transferred from Syracuse after Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim retired, said there are pros and cons and the portal is a good second chance for players whose decisions in high school didn’t pan out as expected.

For schools from lowerprofile conferences, the socalled mid-majors, keeping players from seeking greener pastures at bigger schools is even tougher. Especially when the big teams can sweeten the pot with lucrative NIL opportunities along with more exposure on the bigger stage.

“It’s a different game than what it’s been,” said Dayton men’s coach Anthony Grant, who wondered about NIL and the influence of agents and sponsors involved with players.

“I think the beauty of college athletics has always been the ability to bring a team together and grow a team together.”

Though the bigger schools at first glance figure to benefit by raiding rising talent from smaller school, there’s also the chance for lateral movement among Power Five and mid-major members. Morehead State, for example, earned its second OVC title in four seasons with four players from mid-major schools along with a major NAIA addition in forward Riley Minix, who was one of Division I’s top 10 scorers.

This despite losing forward Johni Broome to Auburn — where he became an All-Southeastern Conference selection — and guard Ta’Lon Cooper to South Carolina (after a oneyear stopover at Minnesota) from the 2021 OVC title team. Both players helped their schools reach the Big Dance.