NIL

The ACC’s Basketball Schedule Has Problems, But Something Good Can Come Of It Too.

Problems can also create opportunities and with the ACC’s again-frustrating conference basketball schedule which only has two home-and-home games for each school and some schools not playing others at all, well, there’s an opportunity there. Stick with us for a minute. Duke, UNC, NC State and Wake Forest should have home-and-home games. That this needs […]

Published

4 days ago

May 29, 2025

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Problems can also create opportunities and with the ACC’s again-frustrating conference basketball schedule which only has two home-and-home games for each school and some schools not playing others at all, well, there’s an opportunity there. Stick with us for a minute.

Duke, UNC, NC State and Wake Forest should have home-and-home games. That this needs to be said is ridiculous because the state of North Carolina drives the ACC and always has. With 18 teams though, a round-robin schedule is not going to work because coaches want to get outside of the conference ~~and play some lame-ass gimmes~~.

However, there’s a significant opportunity for those four schools and while we’ve mentioned variations of this before, it’s a bit different now:

Bring back a variation of the Big Four Tournament. Only now, with teams needing tournament credibility and NIL a factor, it can be much more than it was. And lest we forget, with the new conference rules where money doesn’t have to be split equally, the Big Four could just keep their sharer to themselves. Pow! Clemson. Ka-Bam! Florida State. Take that!

That said, the NIL is the key part to us here, which would help in recruiting.

You could have games in different venues, but for now, let’s say they’re all in the Greensboro Coliseum.

Start the event with with either Duke vs. Wake Forest and UNC vs. NC State or switch it to Duke vs. State and UNC vs. Wake Forest. Either way is fine, as long as the teams that don’t get home-and-home games get another crack.

Let players from all four teams get a certain cut of the gate, whatever that works out to. For the sake of neatness, call it a guaranteed minimum.

Now, let the two teams that advance get another cut with the winning team getting yet another.

This would serve several purposes:

All the players would get a solid return and an incentive to play really hard.
The fans would get rematches to look forward to, not to mention the players, who would know each other better. With the new schedule, everyone has forgotten the magnificence of a revenge-based rematch.
All four programs would have a chance to help their NCAA arguments (consolation games would be a good idea for this reason).
The ACC would get a nice little showcase.

Given the stupidity of the modern ACC schedule, getting extra games in, even if they don’t count in the standings, just seems like a smart idea.

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NIL

FSU men’s basketball offseason thread #3: Roster updates, portal entries, transfer additions

Florida State basketball is undergoing massive changes across the board. Not only will a new coach be leading the Seminoles for the first time in 23 years but, in the day and age of the transfer portal, NIL, and yearly roster turnover, FSU is undergoing a massive roster overhaul. Advertisement “There will be a lot […]

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3 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

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Florida State basketball is undergoing massive changes across the board.

Not only will a new coach be leading the Seminoles for the first time in 23 years but, in the day and age of the transfer portal, NIL, and yearly roster turnover, FSU is undergoing a massive roster overhaul.

“There will be a lot of guys that hit the portal, and that shouldn’t scare anyone. That’s by design, both for these players and myself,” Loucks told reporters during his second interview since becoming Florida State men’s basketball coach.

This article will be updated throughout the off-season, tracking player movements and who will be part of Loucks’ first team in Tallahassee.

FSU basketball offseason roster changes: Departures

Transfer portal

Guard/forward Taylor Bol Bowen (Alabama)
Guard Daquan Davis (Providence)
Forward Malique Ewin (Arkansas)
Guard/forward Anastasios Rozakeas

Eligibility

Transfer portal additions

Guard Kobe Magee (Drexler)
Guard LaJae Jones (St. Bonaventure)
Forward Chauncey Wiggins (Clemson)
Guard Robert McCray V (Jacksonville)
Forward Alex Steen (Florida Southern)

Returning players

High school recruits:

Forward Thomas Bassong (France/ Overtime Elite)
Guard Cam Miles (IMG Academy)

https://youtube.com/@cbbtransferportal/videos (where you can find film on the new guys)

https://app.seminoles.com/LukeLoucks (donate!)

https://seminoles.com/news/2025/5/28/mens-basketball-florida-states-opponents-released-for-18-game-acc-schedule-in-2025-26 (sked)

https://www.tomahawknation.com/florida-state-seminoles-basketball-fsu-noles-hoops-team-tallahassee-college-cbb-acc/2025/5/2/24422555/florida-state-basketball-luke-loucks-michael-alford-nil-transfer-portal-acc-ncaa-tournament-kobe-nba?commentID=c3b192b2-c9cf-46ee-8c81-7041c4676e1c

https://247sports.com/season/2025-basketball/transferportal

https://on3.com/transfer-portal/wire/basketball

(portal activity is pretty much over, but that’s there for folks to see what’s still left in the bargain bin and to eavesdrop on other teams)

NIL

Mississippi State lands Brian O’Connor, making major NIL investment

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State made a bold statement hiring Brian O’Connor as their new baseball coach. Now they may be making another one. There are reports the Bulldogs are committing significant Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) resources to rebuild and elevate the program. O’Connor, who arrives after a legendary tenure at Virginia, is now at the […]

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4 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

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STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State made a bold statement hiring Brian O’Connor as their new baseball coach. Now they may be making another one.

There are reports the Bulldogs are committing significant Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) resources to rebuild and elevate the program.

O’Connor, who arrives after a legendary tenure at Virginia, is now at the helm of a program with unwavering championship expectations and a passionate fanbase eager for a return to national prominence.

O’Connor’s track record speaks for itself. He has 917 wins, a 2015 College World Series title, seven Omaha appearances, 18 NCAA Tournament bids and more than 100 MLB draft picks developed under his guidance.

His arrival in Starkville may signal a new era for Mississippi State baseball. Folks are serious about the Bulldogs being back at the top.

Athletics director Zac Selmon made the school’s intentions clear.

“Brian O’Connor is one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in college baseball,” he said. “He’s a national champion, a Hall of Famer, and a proven leader with a track record of building a championship-caliber program.

“This is a defining moment for Mississippi State Baseball and a powerful step forward for our program, our players and our fans.”

O’Connor may not have been happy at Virginia, according to some insiders. That happens over time as a coach’s bosses come and go. Plans change.

“Mississippi State represents everything I love about college baseball — tradition, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” he said in a release. “I’ve coached against this program and followed it closely for years. The atmosphere at Dudy Noble Field is nationally recognized as the best in the sport.

“I’m incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead a program with this kind of legacy and fan base.

“Mississippi State has set the standard in college baseball, and I can’t wait to get to work, build relationships, and compete for championships in Starkville.”

The investment in O’Connor is not limited to his coaching salary.

Mississippi State is reportedly making a major push into NIL, providing O’Connor with a large pool of resources to attract and retain top talent through the transfer portal and high school recruiting.

This is a critical step for the Bulldogs, who have recently lagged behind SEC rivals in NIL funding but are now rapidly closing the gap.

According to recent reports, Mississippi State’s NIL collective, The Bulldog Initiative, has an estimated annual budget of $6.48 million, bolstered by an $8 million gift to the State Excellence NIL fund in September 2024.

While this still places the Bulldogs behind some SEC counterparts, the tide is turning as more fans and alumni recognize the necessity of NIL in modern college athletics.

“We are well-equipped to do what we have to do,” said Charlie Winfield, a key figure in the NIL effort. “We still have to be smart, but at the same time, we don’t have to back off anybody.”

The pressure on O’Connor is immense.

He is expected to build a championship-caliber roster quickly, likely leveraging the transfer portal — which opened the same week as his hiring — and the influx of NIL support.

With only three Bulldogs currently in the portal compared to 12 former Virginia players available, O’Connor has work to do, but the resources are now in place to compete for elite talent.

Mississippi State’s storied baseball history includes 41 Regional appearances, 12 College World Series trips, and the 2021 national title under former coach Chris Lemonis.

It didn’t continue long and Lemonis found out how long the honeymoon is in Starkville after a national title.

Recent years have seen inconsistency and a drop in SEC standings, prompting the move to O’Connor and a renewed focus on NIL as a cornerstone of the program’s future.

O’Connor’s expertise in player development and his reputation for building winning cultures make him a strong fit for a program eager to reclaim its place among the nation’s elite.

The Bulldogs’ commitment to NIL is a direct response to the evolving landscape of college athletics.That’s not going to be changing and will get more expensive.

As other SEC schools leverage robust NIL budgets to attract and retain elite recruits, Mississippi State is adapting to ensure it does not fall behind.

The landmark House v. NCAA case, which challenges NCAA restrictions on athlete compensation, could further reshape the NIL landscape, offering new opportunities for schools like State to compete for top talent.

O’Connor’s arrival is not just a coaching change. It is a statement of intent.

Mississippi State is investing in its future, backing a new coach with unprecedented NIL support, and setting the stage for a return to national prominence.

The expectations are clear and O’Connor probably knows what he’s walking into here.

Championships are the goal, both in the SEC and on the national stage. He’s already seen, too, that doesn’t get lifetime security with the Bulldogs, either.

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NIL

Florida Atlantic University Athletics

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic’s men basketball will participate in the eight-team Sunshine Slam Tournament, held from November 24-25 at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com. The Owls are part of the four-team Beach Bracket, which also includes George Mason, Loyola […]

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28 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic’s men basketball will participate in the eight-team Sunshine Slam Tournament, held from November 24-25 at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com.

The Owls are part of the four-team Beach Bracket, which also includes George Mason, Loyola Marymount and Ohio. Two semifinal games will take place on Monday, Nov. 24, with the championship game as well as a consolation matchup on Tuesday, Nov. 25. All-Tournament teams will be selected following the conclusion.

Matchups and schedules will be announced at a later date, with CBS Sports Network broadcasting all four games featuring teams in the Beach Bracket.

The Owls have been regular participants in November tournaments over the past three seasons, winning the ESPN Events Invitational at Walt Disney World in 2023 and then taking part in the 2024 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic the following season.

Head Coach John Jakus, entering his second season at the helm of Florida Atlantic’s program, led the Owls to an 18-16 record during the 2024-25 campaign that culminated in a berth in the NIT, the team’s fourth straight season with a postseason appearance.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at Ticketmaster.com or on the day of competition at the Ocean Center box office.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS
THE BEACH BRACKET
Florida Atlantic
George Mason
Loyola Marymount
Ohio

THE OCEAN BRACKET
Bethune-Cookman
Jacksonville
Pacific
Stony Brook

ABOUT THE GAZELLE GROUP

The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally recognized college sports events, such as the Empire Classic, Legends Classic, Gotham Classic, Sunshine Slam, College Basketball Invitational, Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off, Deacon-Wolverine Challenge, Boardwalk Battle, Jersey Jam, and Holiday Hoopfest as well as on-campus events at Duke, Kentucky, Ohio State, Marquette and other institutions across the country. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit gazellegroup.com.

FOLLOW THE OWLS

To stay up to date on all things FAU men’s basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.

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Dez Bryant Added to College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

STILLWATER – Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant has been added to the ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced Monday. Bryant is one of 79 players from the FBS included on the ballot for the 2026 class. A three-year […]

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49 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

STILLWATER – Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant has been added to the ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced Monday.

Bryant is one of 79 players from the FBS included on the ballot for the 2026 class.

A three-year letterwinner on the Cowboy football team from 2007-09, Bryant is most remembered for his sensational year as a true sophomore in 2008. That season he was a consensus first team All-American, a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year and a first team All-Big 12 pick as both a receiver and return specialist.

Statistically, Bryant finished in the 2008 national rankings at second in receiving yards with 1,480, second in receiving touchdowns with 19, second in points scored with 128, third in yards per punt return at 17.9 and third in punt return touchdowns with two. He was also a second team honoree on the 2008 Academic All-Big 12 team.

His junior season was cut short, but in three games he caught 17 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns and he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated following his two touchdown catches in OSU’s win over No. 13 Georgia.

Bryant’s career numbers at Oklahoma State include 28 games, 147 catches for 2,425 yards (16.49 per catch) and 29 touchdowns, 22 punt returns for 431 yards (19.6 per return) and three touchdowns, six kickoff returns for 143 yards and nine 100-yard receiving games. His career punt return average ranks No. 6 in FBS history among those with at least 20 returns.

Following his outstanding OSU career, Bryant was the first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2010 NFL Draft. He went on to set the Dallas franchise records for most career receiving touchdowns (73), most games with two receiving touchdown (15), consecutive games with receiving touchdown (7) and most games with two receiving touchdowns in a season (4, twice). He was also a three-time Pro Bowl selection, the 2014 NFL receiving touchdown leader and part of the 2010 All-Rookie Team. Bryant played for Dallas from 2010-17, for the Saints 2018 and for the Ravens in 2020.

The 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot was emailed to the more than 12,000 NFF members and NFF Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. The Honors Court includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, NFF Hall of Famers and members of the media.

The announcement of the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2026, with specific details to be announced in the future.

The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on December 8, 2026, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, and they will be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute during the 2026 season.

Of the 5.78 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on November 6, 1869, only 1,111 players have earned induction into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, or less than two one-hundredths of a percent (.02%) of those who have played the game during the past 155 seasons.

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NIL

Why did Stephen Curry pick Under Armour over Nike?

In 2013, Stephen Curry stunned the sports world by signing with Under Armour Inc UAA a relatively unknown brand in basketball at the time, instead of renewing his deal with Nike Inc NKE, the dominant force in NBA footwear. What seemed like an unlikely pairing has since evolved into one of the most impactful athlete-brand […]

Published

52 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Why did Stephen Curry pick Under Armour over Nike?

What seemed like an unlikely pairing has since evolved into one of the most impactful athlete-brand partnerships in modern sports business.

At the time, Nike controlled nearly all of the NBA sneaker landscape. Signing with them was considered a rite of passage for most rising stars.

But for Curry, who had just begun to emerge as one of the league’s brightest talents, the decision came down to more than just brand recognition – it was about vision and respect.

How Under Armour ended up signing Stephen Curry

Part of the momentum behind the move came from Curry’s then-Golden State Warriors teammate Kent Bazemore.

While Bazemore wasn’t a household name, he became an unexpected influence in the sneaker world. Under Armour had aggressively courted Bazemore with gear, attention, and consistent support, so much so that Curry began to notice.

“About three months into the Warriors’ season, Curry is looking next door at Ken. He’s like, ‘Who’s this brand that you get all this attention from? Because I’m with Nike, and I really am not,’” said Kevin Plank, Under Armour’s founder and CEO, in a CNBC interview.

That contrast in treatment was highlighted further during Curry’s final meeting with Nike, where executives reportedly mispronounced his name and used a presentation that appeared recycled from previous pitches to other athletes, including Kevin Durant.

The lack of personalized attention left a sour impression.

On the other hand, Under Armour offered Curry a platform to lead. The brand presented a $4 million-per-year offer, substantially more than Nike’s $2.5 million proposal.

More importantly, it gave Curry the opportunity to become the face of a growing movement. Nike chose not to match the offer, and the rest, as they say, is history.

At writing, NKE shares are down more than 20% versus their year-to-date high.

What attracted Stephen Curry to Under Armour

Under Armour’s underdog message resonated deeply with Curry. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he didn’t fit the mold of a traditional NBA superstar.

“We’re the underdog brand,” Plank said. “We’re for the ones that were maybe born not big enough or tall enough or fast enough.” It was a narrative Curry lived – and one he was ready to lead.

Since then, Curry has developed over a dozen signature shoes and in 2023 was named president of the newly established Curry Brand under Under Armour. He received 8.8 million shares in the company, valued at $75 million at the time.

The brand has also enabled Curry to build impact-driven initiatives, including court refurbishments in under-resourced communities and the Underrated Golf Tour for minority youth athletes.

Note that Under Armour shares have been struggling in the post-pandemic world. They’re going for less than $7 only at writing versus nearly $27 in late 2021.

But Curry’s decision to join them was less about short-term gain and more about long-term influence, he told CNBC. He didn’t just want to wear a shoe; he wanted to build something bigger – and with Under Armour, he did.

NIL

Davis, Friedgen on College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Football 6/2/2025 3:09:00 PM Story Links College Football Hall of Fame Ballot IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Ralph Friedgen following the 2002 Peach Bowl win over Tennessee

Football
6/2/2025 3:09:00 PM

IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the 2026 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including former Terrapins tight end Vernon Davis and Head Coach Ralph Friedgen.

This year’s ballot features 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 35 coaches from the divisional ranks. This year marks Friedgen’s fourth year on the ballot, while it’s Davis’ first year.

More on each Hall of Fame nominee is listed below.

Vernon Davis, Maryland Tight End (2003-05)

Davis redefined the tight end position as a Terp and throughout his 14-year NFL career. As a Washington, DC native, Davis grew up cheering for Maryland and eventually went on to star for the Terps. He hauled in 83 receptions for 1,371 receiving yards (16.52 yards per catch) in three seasons.

Davis was named an All-American in 2005 by the Associated Press, AFCA and CollegeFootballNews.com. He was also First Team All-ACC and a finalist for the Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in the nation, during his final season at Maryland.

Davis was drafted No. 6 overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He went on to play in the NFL for 14 seasons with the San Francisco, Denver and Washington.

Davis was an NFL All-Pro selection in 2013 and was named to the Pro Bowl twice (2009, 2013). He won a Super Bowl in 2016 as a member of the Denver Broncos.

Davis finished his NFL career with 583 catches for 7,562 yards and 63 touchdowns.

Ralph Friedgen, Maryland Head Coach (2001-10)

Friedgen, who restored the Maryland football program to national relevance during his decade tenure as the head coach of the Terrapins from 2001-10, ranks third all-time in program history with 75 wins. He led the Terps to seven bowl games, including a pair of New Year’s Day appearances, and a school-record give bowl wins during his tenure.

A Maryland lifer who suited up as an offensive guard for the Terrapins from 1966-69, Friedgen came back to his alma mater as an assistant coach under Bobby Ross from 1982-86. He took over as the Terps head man in 2001, fostering an immediate turnaround.

The consensus national coach of the year in 2001, Friedgen led Maryland to its first ACC title in 16 years in his first year as head coach. Maryland won its first seven games and earned the league’s automatic berth in the Bowl Championship Series’ FedEx Orange Bowl. By winning the ACC title that season, Friedgen became the first coach in league history to win the championship in his first year as a head coach.

Following that historic 2001 season, Friedgen led Maryland to six more bowl appearances, 12 wins over top-25 teams and the Terps spent 18 weeks in the AP Top-25 during his tenure. Friedgen ranks fifth all-time in ACC history in bowl victories (five), 15th all-time in wins (75), tied for 14th in ACC victories (43) and stands 12th in games coached (125).

Friedgen recruited and coached some of the largest names etched in Maryland lure, including E.J. Henderson, D’Qwell Jackson, Shawne Merriman, Vernon Davis and Torrey Smith. Eighty players earned All-ACC honors under Friedgen’s direction, 37 were named All-Americans and seven were named ACC Players of the Year.

Twenty-seven of Friedgen’s players at Maryland were drafted in the NFL with many, such as Henderson, Jackson, Merriman, Davis, Smith, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Nick Novak, Adam Podlesh and Josh Wilson having sustained professional careers.

-MARYLAND-

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