Wilkerson

[IUNorth]

The House settlement could/should change things pretty significantly as it pertains to NIL.

I think it will just blow open the doors again for cheating and corruption, personally. But for sure, it will get back to "regulating" for what it was originally intended, I'm sure. Rev share will pay some of the market values... collectives will largely "go away"... and the players will be back to being spokespeople for companies, doing camps, autographs, etc... That's where the corruption will flow back in, though. Noah Washington will become a spokesman for Simon Properties, with obvious Indiana colors and references... Or he'll be in Papa John's commercials, with obvious Louisville connections... and he'll get millions for either of them.

The answer to all this BS... is figuring out how to contract all this stuff, and to regulate the transfer rules quite a lot more. This utopia free for all, for EVERYONE involved, just needs some common sense rules. Its more than fair that the athletes that are creating such a value and revenue, should get paid a portion of it. But like basically every other "market", they can sign actual binding contracts for that.

 

[Pryght]

UK board said Wilkerson has already committed. I guess we will see

They're sweating bullets on Rupp Rafters. It's probably still status quo, with a more than likely chance he will pick IU.

 

[bailey777]

I think it will just blow open the doors again for cheating and corruption, personally. But for sure, it will get back to "regulating" for what it was originally intended, I'm sure. Rev share will pay some of the market values... collectives will largely "go away"... and the players will be back to being spokespeople for companies, doing camps, autographs, etc... That's where the corruption will flow back in, though. Noah Washington will become a spokesman for Simon Properties, with obvious Indiana colors and references... Or he'll be in Papa John's commercials, with obvious Louisville connections... and he'll get millions for either of them.

The answer to all this BS... is figuring out how to contract all this stuff, and to regulate the transfer rules quite a lot more. This utopia free for all, for EVERYONE involved, just needs some common sense rules. Its more than fair that the athletes that are creating such a value and revenue, should get paid a portion of it. But like basically every other "market", they can sign actual binding contracts for that.

The fact they allow them to transfer at will every single year and let guys who are in their 7th year at age 25 still play makes it a complete free for all. The NCAA honestly serves zero purpose at this point. This is pro basketball and they honestly are no longer needed.

 

[IUNorth]

The fact they allow them to transfer at will every single year and let guys who are in their 7th year at age 25 still play makes it a complete free for all. The NCAA honestly serves zero purpose at this point. This is pro basketball and they honestly are no longer needed.

NCAA needs sports specific "commissioners", at this point. And they need to work together to formulate transfer rules, and logical rev share and NIL rules as well.

 

[ams66]

The fact they allow them to transfer at will every single year and let guys who are in their 7th year at age 25 still play makes it a complete free for all. The NCAA honestly serves zero purpose at this point. This is pro basketball and they honestly are no longer needed.

Might as well just spin the revenue sports off into entirely disconnected enterprises, along the lines of IU Health hospitals. The team will license use of the IU name but players will not be students and it will be a completely commercial professional sports enterprise. Wonder if fans would follow?

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

My gut feeling is that it will be worse (for the schools) than the NBA. Without contracts, like in the NBA, we'll see nearly 100% turnover or attempted turnover every year.

It's at about 25% right now

 

[bailey777]

Might as well just spin the revenue sports off into entirely disconnected enterprises, along the lines of IU Health hospitals. The team will license use of the IU name but players will not be students and it will be a completely commercial professional sports enterprise. Wonder if fans would follow?

They should 100% not be students at this point. They are paid professionals and I honestly wonder how many even go to class at this point. Everyone needs to quit pretending they are student athletes because they are not. It is what it is but it should be totally seperate like you said. Like the guy going to BYU for one year to make 7 million is not a student athlete.

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

They should 100% not be students at this point. They are paid professionals and I honestly wonder how many even go to class at this point. Everyone needs to quit pretending they are student athletes because they are not. It is what it is but it should be totally seperate like you said. Like the guy going to BYU for one year to make 7 million is not a student athlete.

What about Jacobs School of Music students that are also making money for their performances while attending school? Are they still students? Do the Media School students that earn money for their work for the various blogs/websites like this one while earning their degree...are they still studnets?

You realize it doesn't take today's student-athletes/athletes any more hours in the day to have money deposited into their accounts than it did before, right? Actually, you probably don't realize that.

 

[ams66]

What about Jacobs School of Music students that are also making money for their performances while attending school? Are they still students? Do the Media School students that earn money for their work for the various blogs/websites like this one while earning their degree...are they still studnets?

You realize it doesn't take today's student-athletes/athletes any more hours in the day to have money deposited into their accounts than it did before, right? Actually, you probably don't realize that.

Are they attending real classes, doing homework, and earning passing grades?

When is the last time you heard of a player being suspended for academic reasons?

I will grant you that there still are some true student athletes. Leal for example. But I also suspect that many are students in name only.

 

[bailey777]

Are they attending classes, doing homework, and earning passing grades?

When is the last time you heard of a player being suspended for academic reasons?

I will grant you that there still are some true student athletes. Leal for example. But I also suspect that many are students in name only.

The last person I ever heard of being academically ineligible was Ratcliff in 2008. I guess we are too believe they all got suddenly so much smarter the last 17 years. Give me a break a few are student athletes but I suspect most are not.

A.J. Ratliff left the Indiana basketball team during the second semester of his senior year for undisclosed personal reasons. He had missed the first semester after being academically ineligible and then in early February of 2008,

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

Are they attending real classes, doing homework, and earning passing grades?

When is the last time you heard of a player being suspended for academic reasons?

I will grant you that there still are some true student athletes. Leal for example. But I also suspect that many are students in name only.

you SUSPECT it. Based on all of the contact you have with D1 athletes? Your sheer volume of experience in this realm? What exactly are you basing this on, other than a good old 'gut feeling'?

 

[ams66]

you SUSPECT it. Based on all of the contact you have with D1 athletes? Your sheer volume of experience in this realm? What exactly are you basing this on, other than a good old 'gut feeling'?

It's a gut feeling.

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

It's a gut feeling.

Yeah, well, it's wrong.

There are definitely examples of kids not giving a shit about school. That dates back to the days of Dexter Manly graduating from Okie State but unable to read. But knowing several and having 2nd hand knowledge of a lot more from professors, academic counselors and athletic trainers, IU student-athletes are getting educations to go with their playing experiences.

 

[HoosierAlum07]

The last person I ever heard of being academically ineligible was Ratcliff in 2008. I guess we are too believe they all got suddenly so much smarter the last 17 years. Give me a break a few are student athletes but I suspect most are not.

A.J. Ratliff left the Indiana basketball team during the second semester of his senior year for undisclosed personal reasons. He had missed the first semester after being academically ineligible and then in early February of 2008,

That’s kinda weird he flunked out. I had a couple of the easiest classes with him back then and basically everyone got a good grade. Those classes were about Sports marketing/management/recreation, etc. What a maroon!

 

[bailey777]

That’s kinda weird he flunked out. I had a couple of the easiest classes with him back then and basically everyone got a good grade. Those classes were about Sports marketing/management/recreation, etc. What a maroon!

Well I do think today many don't go to class another reason nobody is ineligible is they have created so many joke majors now they can just pick some major barely a stop up from basket weaving and pass without probably doing much of anything. They did not have too many joke majors back in the 80's and 90's.

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

It's a gut feeling.

The decrease in the number of current NCAA student-athletes being declared academically ineligible can be traced to several factors that emphasize academic support, structural reforms, and incentives tied to athletic participation:

1. Enhanced Academic Support Services​

Colleges are increasingly investing in academic resources for student-athletes. Many institutions now dedicate entire floors of athletic facilities to academic support, providing tutoring, study spaces, and access to technology like laptops and software tailored for academic success97. Programs such as the NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) provide grants to schools with limited resources, enabling them to hire tutors, upgrade academic centers, and offer summer school tuition assistance47. These initiatives help athletes stay on track academically and reduce the risk of ineligibility.

2. Core Guarantees for Student-Athletes​

The NCAA introduced "core guarantees" in 2024, requiring schools to offer comprehensive academic services, career counseling, and life skills training. These guarantees ensure athletes receive support in areas like mental health, financial literacy, and academic planning610. Such structured assistance helps student-athletes meet ongoing eligibility requirements.

3. Incentives from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Opportunities​

NIL opportunities have created a direct link between athletic participation and financial benefits. To capitalize on NIL deals, athletes must remain eligible to compete. This has motivated many student-athletes to prioritize their academic performance to avoid losing eligibility and associated NIL income38.

4. Revised Progress Toward Degree Standards​

The NCAA continues to enforce "progress toward degree" requirements for current student-athletes. These standards mandate that athletes maintain a minimum GPA and complete a certain percentage of their degree each year8. Schools often provide tailored advising and monitoring systems to ensure compliance.

5. Expanded Scholarship Protections​

Recent reforms have strengthened scholarship protections for student-athletes. Schools are now required to offer support for degree completion even after athletic eligibility ends610. This creates an environment where athletes are incentivized to focus on academics throughout their collegiate careers.

6. Increased Graduation Rates​

Graduation rates among NCAA Division I student-athletes have reached record highs (91% as of 2023), reflecting the success of academic initiatives aimed at improving outcomes47. Higher graduation rates suggest fewer instances of students falling below academic thresholds during their eligibility period.
In summary, improved academic resources, structured guarantees from the NCAA, NIL-related incentives, stricter monitoring of degree progress, and expanded protections have collectively reduced the number of current student-athletes being declared academically ineligible.

Citations:​

1. https://www.ncsasports.org/ncaa-eligibility-center/eligibility-requirements
2. https://keystonesports.com/new-ncaa-eligibility-rule-temporary-waiver/
3. https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/8/1/...e-effect-for-ncaa-student-athletes-aug-1.aspx
4. https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/10/1...ion-for-student-athlete-academic-success.aspx
5. https://honestgame.com/blog/ncaa-roster-limits/
6. https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2024/5/23/student-athlete-core-guarantees.aspx
7. https://nsudemons.com/news/2024/8/2...elerating-academic-success-program-grant.aspx
8. https://lead1association.com/looking-ahead-how-will-nil-affect-student-athlete-academic-performance/
9. https://www.dlrgroup.com/idea/collegiate-athletics-2025-trends/
10. https://sienasaints.com/sports/2024/12/13/ncaa-holistic-model.aspx
11. https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2024/1/31/change.aspx
12. https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/committees/d1/acadcom/Feb2025D1COA_Report.pdf
13. https://www.unlv.edu/asc/student-athlete/ncaa-requirements
14. https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/8/1/...e-effect-for-ncaa-student-athletes-aug-1.aspx
15. https://www.ncsasports.org/blog/ncaa-scholarship-roster-limits-2024
16. https://informedathlete.com/category/eligibility-issues/
17. https://www.schoolinks.com/resource...a-eligibility-college-planning-for-counselors
18. https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/committees/d1/acadcom/May2024D1COA_Report.pdf
19. https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2024/5/23/student-athlete-core-guarantees.aspx
20. https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/committees/d1/council/Jan2025D1Council_Report.pdf
21. https://informedathlete.com/ncaa-2025-convention-summary/
22. https://www.usopc.org/pathway
23. https://www.athleticbusiness.com/op...forts-to-support-studentathlete-mental-health
24. https://resources.finalsite.net/ima...r_College_Bound_Student_Athlete_2024-2025.pdf
25. https://meacsports.com/news/2024/10...elerating-academic-success-program-grant.aspx
26. https://www.tntech.edu/education/ncaa-innovations-grant.php
27. https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2015/2/11/student-athletes-future-educational-resources.aspx
28. https://studentathlete.oregonstate.edu
29. https://nil-ncaa.com
30. https://www.saass.vt.edu
31. https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-c...victory-for-student-athletes-against-the-ncaa
32. https://www.nilrevolution.com/2025/03/ncaa-issues-clarifying-qa-guidance-to-eligibility-waiver/
33. https://www.athletecon.io/blog/understanding-ncaa-rules-and-regulations
34. https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/research/grants/innovations/2025/2025RES_IGPCFP.pdf

---

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

Well I do think today many don't go to class another reason nobody is ineligible is they have created so many joke majors now they can just pick some major barely a stop up from basket weaving and pass without probably doing much of anything. They did not have too many joke majors back in the 80's and 90's.

What's your proof that they don't go to class?

Most of the 'joke majors' would still be above your head.

 

[IndyResident16]

Well I do think today many don't go to class another reason nobody is ineligible is they have created so many joke majors now they can just pick some major barely a stop up from basket weaving and pass without probably doing much of anything. They did not have too many joke majors back in the 80's and 90's.

majority of the classes these athletes take are online.

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

majority of the classes these athletes take are online.

Only about 20% of IU classes are online and that's for ALL campuses, of which Bloomington has a lower percentage of online classes than the regional campuses.

 

[IUNorth]

majority of the classes these athletes take are online.

Probably varies a little by school...but still quite a lot of traditional classroom stuff, at most schools.

Just saw an Instagram reel the other day with Duke normal students wondering if any Duke bball players would show up to their class a day after one of their games... most of them did. It was last year's team, and obviously it could have been staged, but a couple that showed up were obvious NBA first rounders.

Duke could be an anomaly, academics are very important there, overall. But they also have as many early entry NBA type players as any other program, so if their guys are "going to class"...I'd guess many other programs kids are as well.

 

[IUNorth]

Well I do think today many don't go to class another reason nobody is ineligible is they have created so many joke majors now they can just pick some major barely a stop up from basket weaving and pass without probably doing much of anything. They did not have too many joke majors back in the 80's and 90's.

Quite a lot more of the kids that are likely going to be playing in the pros at some point, are taking finance and communications type classes, even majoring in it, than they used to.

You're obviously speaking out of your ass, based on some of the more extreme examples of things like this...UNC, UNLV, some Kentucky teams. It happens with some kids, at some schools, but "most" college players are going to classes.

 

[bailey777]

Probably varies a little by school...but still quite a lot of traditional classroom stuff, at most schools.

Just saw an Instagram reel the other day with Duke normal students wondering if any Duke bball players would show up to their class a day after one of their games... most of them did. It was last year's team, and obviously it could have been staged, but a couple that showed up were obvious NBA first rounders.

Duke could be an anomaly, academics are very important there, overall. But they also have as many early entry NBA type players as any other program, so if their guys are "going to class"...I'd guess many other programs kids are as well.

I mean sure some still go to class. If you have an engineering major you are probably a legit student but some majors are a complete joke. Nobody is going to convince me we went from most all schools having at least one guy out each season for academics to nobody in the last 17 years. It just defies all logic. And the online probably really opens the door to a lot of cheating. You can just go lookup the answers so in theory you could pass but did you do it without help? Mac and Cheese can argue all he wants that they are legit students but if that was the case we would see a lot more ineligible guys.

 

[bailey777]

Quite a lot more of the kids that are likely going to be playing in the pros at some point, are taking finance and communications type classes, even majoring in it, than they used to.

You're obviously speaking out of your ass, based on some of the more extreme examples of things like this...UNC, UNLV, some Kentucky teams. It happens with some kids, at some schools, but "most" college players are going to classes.

Again it defies all logic nobody is every ineligible anymore ever.

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

Again it defies all logic nobody is every ineligible anymore ever.

And I post facts and data to share why that is while you go with the old 'well, I just don't think so' theory. Seems plausible. Fits with your general demeanor. Why use rational thought when you can just say 'because I said so'

 

[TDHoosier]

Only about 20% of IU classes are online and that's for ALL campuses, of which Bloomington has a lower percentage of online classes than the regional campuses.

I think the number is higher (percentage wise) many here in Southern Indiana go to IUS and well over half never touch the campus other than for special occasions.

 

[iubirdman]

It's at about 25% right now

Way more than that. there are over 2000 kids in the portal. There are 352 D1 schools, with the 13 player limit that is a total of 4576 total players, a conservative estimate would be that 1000 of them are out of eligibility, so that drops the number to 3576, so over HALF of the potential returning players are in the portal

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

Way more than that. there are over 2000 kids in the portal. There are 352 D1 schools, with the 13 player limit that is a total of 4576 total players, a conservative estimate would be that 1000 of them are out of eligibility, so that drops the number to 3576, so over HALF of the potential returning players are in the portal

Where they play: NCAA basketball by division​

• Division I:10,655 total student-athletes.
  • Men's basketball: 5,607.
  • Women's basketball: 5,048.
• Division II: 10,541 total student-athletes
  • Men's basketball: 5,648.
  • Women's basketball: 4,893.
• Division III:14,730 total student-athletes.
  • Men's basketball: 8,020.
  • Women's basketball: 6,710.

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/3/11/media-center-ncaa-basketball-by-the-numbers.aspx#:~:text=Division%20I:%2010%2C655%20total%20student,Women's%20basketball:%205%2C048.

As of April 14, 2025, 1,729 Division I men's basketball players have entered the transfer portal, according to CBS Sports and 247Sports.

So, 30% as of today. Agree that close to 20-25% have exhausted eligibility now, so the percentage goes up.

Still well well well well below 100%

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

I think the number is higher (percentage wise) many here in Southern Indiana go to IUS and well over half never touch the campus other than for special occasions.

It's a commuter school, so having more online classes for non-traditional students is likely.

 

[ams66]

Enhanced Academic Support Services

(Trimmed quote) that is a ton of support that "normal" students do not have. How sure are you that "Enhanced Academic Support" is not just "doing the work for them" or tutoring them so closely that it's the same effect. Maybe not at IU but some schools had no-show classes for athletes so I don't think they would bat an eye having "tutors" doing all the work for the athletes.

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

(Trimmed quote) that is a ton of support that "normal" students do not have. How sure are you that "Enhanced Academic Support" is not just "doing the work for them" or tutoring them so closely that it's the same effect. Maybe not at IU but some schools had no-show classes for athletes so I don't think they would bat an eye having "tutors" doing all the work for the athletes.

Cool, so show me some proof.

You have one example of UNC having a scandal that wasn't even athlete-specific and happened more than a decade ago, and you extrapolate it out to suggest it's happening anywhere and everywhere all of the time...just with no proof behind it. No Murray Sperber, academics blowing the whistle on their universities for fake degrees. Just ams66 and bailey777 think it must be this way, so there you have it.

 

[ams66]

Cool, so show me some proof.

You have one example of UNC having a scandal that wasn't even athlete-specific and happened more than a decade ago, and you extrapolate it out to suggest it's happening anywhere and everywhere all of the time...just with no proof behind it. No Murray Sperber, academics blowing the whistle on their universities for fake degrees. Just ams66 and bailey777 think it must be this way, so there you have it.

You are assuming things are one way, and I am suspecting they may be another way at least in some cases.

When large amounts of booster money are involved I know which way things have historically played out.

But yes, I have no proof, and this is a message board where we speculate on a lot of things that have no proof. So I'll leave it at that.

 

[iubirdman]

Where they play: NCAA basketball by division​

• Division I:10,655 total student-athletes.
  • Men's basketball: 5,607.
  • Women's basketball: 5,048.
• Division II: 10,541 total student-athletes
  • Men's basketball: 5,648.
  • Women's basketball: 4,893.
• Division III:14,730 total student-athletes.
  • Men's basketball: 8,020.
  • Women's basketball: 6,710.

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/3/11/media-center-ncaa-basketball-by-the-numbers.aspx#:~:text=Division%20I:%2010%2C655%20total%20student,Women's%20basketball:%205%2C048.

As of April 14, 2025, 1,729 Division I men's basketball players have entered the transfer portal, according to CBS Sports and 247Sports.

So, 30% as of today. Agree that close to 20-25% have exhausted eligibility now, so the percentage goes up.

Still well well well well below 100%

The 5648 includes walk-ons, and I guess walk ons can enter the portal as well, but the 4500 number was based on available scholarships (13 per team, 352 teams), Either way, even at 1700 kids in the portal, it is still over half of the retuning scholarship kids, which is not sustainable

 

[T.M.P.]

other teams are having to replace 3-5 guys.

That's rare, though there's teams that do return cores, like Purdue.

L'ville for example started with 2 players left from last year. Auburn is another that only had 2 returning. Mississippi 3. Any team that filled up with 4th and 5th years.. took huge hits. This year had two graduating classes.

5th year is going away, so appx 40%+ players lost their eligibility, compared to appx 20% last few years and 25% before fifth year. Some lower teams will be dipping into D2 ranks, Juco, and signing freshman that would generally be D2.. the talent pool has been diluted and basketball will be younger next year.

 

[T.M.P.]

The 5648 includes walk-ons, and I guess walk ons can enter the portal as well, but the 4500 number was based on available scholarships (13 per team, 352 teams), Either way, even at 1700 kids in the portal, it is still over half of the retuning scholarship kids, which is not sustainable

364 teams in D1

 

[TDHoosier]

It's a commuter school, so having more online classes for non-traditional students is likely.

It has strayed farther away from a "commuter school" as they now have dorms. Also your post said ALL campuses, I think the likely hood student/athletes are actually going to a classroom is very small that doesn't mean they aren't getting a degree just don't see them in classroom environments much.

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

It has strayed farther away from a "commuter school" as they now have dorms. Also your post said ALL campuses, I think the likely hood student/athletes are actually going to a classroom is very small that doesn't mean they aren't getting a degree just don't see them in classroom environments much.

Ok, but based on what evidence? If only 20-25% of classes at ALL IU campuses are offered online, and a fewer percentage in Bloomington, how does one get a degree by not going to a classroom?

 

[yeard]

Well he hasn't committed to UK yet. That seems to be good news. Was his Auburn trip today?

 

[Victorbmyboy]

Auburn trip canceled.

 

[zeke4ahs]

Auburn trip canceled.

Ole Miss out of it too. So it’s us or the evil Blue.

 

[Woodsa]

I understand the shopping but if the only thing a kid wants is money, do you really want him on your team?

I guess all team uniforms need to be the same with a white uniform for home and black for away. Put a number on the back and a huge dollar sign on the front.

Sadly, that is the state of College basketball. All about the money, no team focus, no honor, just a paycheck. And, if the player doesn't get their minutes to contribute to their paycheck, they walk. Love them or not, the coaches of old (Knight, Keady) would struggle in this "all about me" world we call college basketball.