Big Ten welcomes changes as new basketball era begins

INDIANAPOLIS » When Big Ten basketball returned to Indianapolis on Thursday, it seemed like a whole new world.

Coaches openly embraced the branding power and benefits players received from the name, image and likeness rules changes.

Players talked about how the extra money has helped.

Transfer talk was no longer taboo, the men’s and women’s teams shared the stage — on the same day and at the same time — and everyone seemed relieved to see the first of two media days held in person.

“This is my first basketball media day,” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, now in his third year on the job. “I was a college basketball player. I love college athletics, every sport. But I adore basketball. It’s good to be back in the arena here.”

Rather than holding the traditional tip-off festivities near conference headquarters in suburban Chicago, league officials moved the event to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the site of both Big Ten tournaments

and the same venue where Warren announced the 2019-20 men’s conference tournament had been canceled.

Players and coaches are

ready to perform in front of full houses again after playing most of last season in front of nearly empty arenas. Five of the 28 men’s and women’s teams will

have new coaches, four of whom are people of color.

The more dramatic changes might arise between two issues that could change the sport — NIL

deals and roster management.

When NCAA officials opened the door for athletes to profit off their celebrity and compete immediately after transferring, coaches started rethinking how they did business.

While some, such as Illinois coach Brad Underwood, preferred taking a hands-off approach to the NIL deals, others, such as Iowa women’s coach Lisa Bluder, seem fully aware of every offer coming in.

But all of the coaches agreed — this is better for the athletes.

“It’s about time it’s happened for our student-athletes,” Michigan coach and former Fab Five star Juwan Howard said. “I just hope with the new NIL that it’s not taken advantage of, people aren’t taking advantage of our young men and women.”

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn is a perfect example of who can benefit. The firstteam, all-conference selection decided to return for his third season only after passing up the chance to leave for the NBA and turning down other offers to transfer.

The payoffs came Monday when Cockburn and more than 20 others Illinois athletes signed an endorsement deal with T/CCI Manufacturing in Decatur, Illinois, to promote manufacturing jobs.

DOUG MCSCHOOLER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Players and coaches address the media during the first day of the Big Ten NCAA college basketball media days, Oct. 7, in Indianapolis.