The only reason not to enter the portal is if a player is actually happy and values happiness. If they enter the portal, there is no guarantee of returning - coaches cannot hold spots for players launching a bidding war.All of this. With NIL, the portal, NBA aspirations, etc…it is IMPOSSIBLE to project who will be on the team the following season. Once the NCAA did away with transfers having to sit out a year and the portal came into our lives, EVERY offseason became an open market.
From a player’s perspective there is ZERO reason not to enter the portal EVERY year and turn it into a bidding war. You always have the option to return to your original school. Why wouldn’t you maximize your earning potential?
I expect us to be REALLY good as the season progresses. We all need to enjoy this ride and not worry about next year. I HOPE several of these guys return, but with the way the system is set up I expect most schools to have 4 or 5 transfers MINIMUM.
There is no disincentive for the players not to do that.
I really hate this 100% annual free agency, even if we seem to be good at it.