Priority #1 is to attract donors. That's not easy given how much PSU already asks from people to donate to football. In the meantime they need to find a couple of kids who have flown under the radar. The good news is that a basketball team can be competitive with 7 players. That gives us roughly $500k per player which is only a fraction of what other teams have but it might be enough to land a couple of under the radar guys.
2025-26 PSU MBB Thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
We need at least 3K students at each game and we dont get that. Start there.
That would be nice but I think it's a chicken and egg thing. I read that season tickets for students are $50. The next step would be to pay them to attend. Bottom line is we have to field a competitive team to attract their interest. Remember, basketball is competing with wrestling and hockey. Some BiG programs either don't have those winter sports or they only allocate minimal $$$ to those sports.
I think it all comes down to the money. PSU used to be able to get guys like Pickett & Newbill who saw it as a step up to a major conference. PSU could also sell players on academics. Now it's just about the money and PSU has one of the lowest budgets. They would have more basketball money of they reduced money for football, wresting, or hockey but that's not going to happen.
Found this interesting from an article with Boehim talking NIL at Syracuse...
The Daily Orange recently reported that Syracuse spends around $8 million on its basketball roster this season -- a number that pales in comparison to other basketball programs, according to Boeheim.
"Football is crazy now," he told Cuse Sports Talk, referring to NIL funding in the ACC. "The big-time schools are paying $35-40 million. Basketball is $10-20 [million] -- some at 20, some at 15, some at 10. That's the reality."
www.espn.com
The Daily Orange recently reported that Syracuse spends around $8 million on its basketball roster this season -- a number that pales in comparison to other basketball programs, according to Boeheim.
"Football is crazy now," he told Cuse Sports Talk, referring to NIL funding in the ACC. "The big-time schools are paying $35-40 million. Basketball is $10-20 [million] -- some at 20, some at 15, some at 10. That's the reality."
Jim Boeheim says Syracuse players cost Adrian Autry his job
Jim Boeheim defended Adrian Autry as "a good coach," saying his dismissal at Syracuse was a result of poor performance by the Orange's best players and lack of NIL funding.
www.espn.com
Fire R
PSU should make basketball a club sport.
Found this interesting from an article with Boehim talking NIL at Syracuse...
The Daily Orange recently reported that Syracuse spends around $8 million on its basketball roster this season -- a number that pales in comparison to other basketball programs, according to Boeheim.
"Football is crazy now," he told Cuse Sports Talk, referring to NIL funding in the ACC. "The big-time schools are paying $35-40 million. Basketball is $10-20 [million] -- some at 20, some at 15, some at 10. That's the reality."
Jim Boeheim says Syracuse players cost Adrian Autry his job
Jim Boeheim defended Adrian Autry as "a good coach," saying his dismissal at Syracuse was a result of poor performance by the Orange's best players and lack of NIL funding.
PSU should make basketball a club sport.
Not just major league sports but there really isn't much of anything around for miles unless you're into watching corn grow.
We give Rhoades $20 million to spend on the roster, and people will suddenly think he's learned how to coach again.
It's insane to me that schools can come up with these insane $$$ amounts for NIL. I love PSU football/basketball, but have no interest in giving a cent to NIL (I'll support companies that do or maybe would consider it if there some benefit to go along with it, but can't believe how schools raise this $).
It is kind of sadistically humorous watching all these folks moaning about their unfair disadvantages - that were all created by them initiating a headlong race to the cliff.Found this interesting from an article with Boehim talking NIL at Syracuse...
The Daily Orange recently reported that Syracuse spends around $8 million on its basketball roster this season -- a number that pales in comparison to other basketball programs, according to Boeheim.
"Football is crazy now," he told Cuse Sports Talk, referring to NIL funding in the ACC. "The big-time schools are paying $35-40 million. Basketball is $10-20 [million] -- some at 20, some at 15, some at 10. That's the reality."
Jim Boeheim says Syracuse players cost Adrian Autry his job
Jim Boeheim defended Adrian Autry as "a good coach," saying his dismissal at Syracuse was a result of poor performance by the Orange's best players and lack of NIL funding.
I don't understand the legality of NIL. The original court ruling was that athletes should be able to get a job just like other students even if that job was using their celebrity to promote a product. In the beginning the schools weren't even allowed to offer such money. It was supposed to be separate from the university. Now they just give the money for nothing.
It's a thing whether we like it or not. We can't give Rhoades $20 million to spend on a roster. The school is limited to $20.5 million for all sports and most goes to football. Anything above the $20.5 million has to come from donors. The options are to find more donors which isn't easy, or to reduce the amount allocated to football, hockey, & wrestling and giving it to basketball. That's not going to happen.
I guess Rhoades's job is safe at this point so work on next year.
How much NIL do we have to work with? What strategies do we have to try to drum up more NIL resources? Any private donors who would be inclined to invest in the program?
What players do we definitely want to retain? Mingo and who else?
What players need to be told they should move on?
What is available in the portal? Under the radar guys who have potential and would come at a value in terms of NIL? Do we have a basketball GM? We should get one but that costs money we probably don't have.
What high school recruits do we have coming in? Any talent there?
How much NIL do we have to work with? What strategies do we have to try to drum up more NIL resources? Any private donors who would be inclined to invest in the program?
What players do we definitely want to retain? Mingo and who else?
What players need to be told they should move on?
What is available in the portal? Under the radar guys who have potential and would come at a value in terms of NIL? Do we have a basketball GM? We should get one but that costs money we probably don't have.
What high school recruits do we have coming in? Any talent there?
There may have never been a group of leaders less capable of leading, than the contemporaneous leadership of big-time college athletics.
Just the other day, the Commissioner of the Big Ten asked that the NCAA STOP TRYING to enforce rules against tampering - with the rationale being that everyone is so blatantly and obviously cheating that it would be unfair to enforce any rules on anyone.
Think about THAT for a minute. These folks are completely out of control. Utterly incapable of doing anything in the common good.
It would fill a book to list all of the gross failures of leadership of college sports in just the last few years.
Over the last generation, their actions would make the "8 year old in a candy store" look prudent and considered.
They have not only brought all of this on themselves - they have done that in headlong frenzied fanaticism.
It is what it is.
Just the other day, the Commissioner of the Big Ten asked that the NCAA STOP TRYING to enforce rules against tampering - with the rationale being that everyone is so blatantly and obviously cheating that it would be unfair to enforce any rules on anyone.
Think about THAT for a minute. These folks are completely out of control. Utterly incapable of doing anything in the common good.
It would fill a book to list all of the gross failures of leadership of college sports in just the last few years.
Over the last generation, their actions would make the "8 year old in a candy store" look prudent and considered.
They have not only brought all of this on themselves - they have done that in headlong frenzied fanaticism.
It is what it is.
Wasn't the move to ADIDAS supposed to bring in huge NIL money to PSU (and don't forget "PlayFly" and Roar+, or whatever that was called)?
Some of the writers talking about $20 million new NIL $ per year?
Now, aside from the sportswriters pushing those stories - likely at the behest of PSU ICA - I would hope no one ever felt that was true. Well, obviously, a lot of Fans believe(d) it "We are swimming in money"
- but that is the nature of fan(atic)dom.But one would hope no rational people did.
nobody whines like hypocrite Jimmy Boeheim.Found this interesting from an article with Boehim talking NIL at Syracuse...
The Daily Orange recently reported that Syracuse spends around $8 million on its basketball roster this season -- a number that pales in comparison to other basketball programs, according to Boeheim.
"Football is crazy now," he told Cuse Sports Talk, referring to NIL funding in the ACC. "The big-time schools are paying $35-40 million. Basketball is $10-20 [million] -- some at 20, some at 15, some at 10. That's the reality."
Jim Boeheim says Syracuse players cost Adrian Autry his job
Jim Boeheim defended Adrian Autry as "a good coach," saying his dismissal at Syracuse was a result of poor performance by the Orange's best players and lack of NIL funding.
The $20.5 million "limit" is unenforceable and it's a safe bet that some schools exceeded it before the ink was dry. Does PSU have the money or the gonads to do the same? Rhetorical question for those who can't tell.
Why would it be unenforcable? Either logistically, or simply because it is obviously in everyone's best interest?
In this case "everyone's best interest" being pretty much the same as "a requirement for viable existence".
FWIW: I think reasoned observant people know the answers, so a hypothetical for them.
It is, again, almost comical (in a "laugh or cry" way) to watch this all play out.
I mean, we're living in a world where the Big Ten just begged the NCAA to stop looking to enforce all of the rules since everyone cheats, so I don't even know what to think at this point.
What happened to Pat Flannery's involvement with the program? He was brought in as a leadership role in the NIL fundraising aspect of hoops. Often saw him sitting behind the bench at games. Seems to have disappeared from the NIL collective and games??
Who will penalize a school for exceeding $20.5 million? It certainly won't be the courts.
I’ve always thought that Flannery’s position was a way for Rhoades to repay his former coach with a paycheck.
When Bannon filed his lawsuit, the NCAA could have negotiated a reasonable deal. Instead they fought it to the end. Who was the idiot in charge of the NCAA at that time?
Never mind.
Yep.
There are a gazillion ways to buy players. Trying to allocate more than the $20 million of "revenue share" would be about the dumbest way.
So if a school doesn't have enough supporters willing to go the NIL route to meet payroll how does it do it? Two or three ways of out a gazillion will suffice.
Well:
Since actual revenue share is both remarkably and uniquely traceable - and is required reporting on federal DOE documentation - and the limits are a hard cap determined by court order - that option is out the window.
"NIL"? One would have to define that, because the $$ being spent to buy players is most certainly not fair market value for their legitimate "Names Image and Likeness" usage.
That being the case, as it has been practiced these last several years, money from about anywhere, shipped to players by about any means or route desired, with no limits or tracking (which is also why that is where "the grifters live").
So - where do YOU think schools are getting that money? (Spoiler: Every program is different, and none are managed or subject to any meaningful oversight or in any way limited or subject to any controls. CSC, cough, cough)
It ain't that confounding.
Since actual revenue share is both remarkably and uniquely traceable - and is required reporting on federal DOE documentation - and the limits are a hard cap determined by court order - that option is out the window.
"NIL"? One would have to define that, because the $$ being spent to buy players is most certainly not fair market value for their legitimate "Names Image and Likeness" usage.
That being the case, as it has been practiced these last several years, money from about anywhere, shipped to players by about any means or route desired, with no limits or tracking (which is also why that is where "the grifters live").
So - where do YOU think schools are getting that money? (Spoiler: Every program is different, and none are managed or subject to any meaningful oversight or in any way limited or subject to any controls. CSC, cough, cough)
It ain't that confounding.
PSU hired former Denver Nuggets GM Calvin Booth to help with roster management.
www.lewistownsentinel.com
Penn State basketball brings back Booth in crucial moment for Rhoades
UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades ended the regular season with a message that was equal parts defiant and determined: he’s not going anywhere. Even after a bruising 12–19 campaign that included a 3–17 mark in Big Ten play — the kind of season that tests a program’s patience...
www.lewistownsentinel.com
PSU hired former Denver Nuggets GM Calvin Booth to help with roster management.
Penn State basketball brings back Booth in crucial moment for Rhoades
UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades ended the regular season with a message that was equal parts defiant and determined: he’s not going anywhere. Even after a bruising 12–19 campaign that included a 3–17 mark in Big Ten play — the kind of season that tests a program’s patience...
But who’s going to coach the team?
I sense an attitude problemBut who’s going to coach the team?
Maybe he can ask Joker to donate some $. He can keep a horse at PSU if he wantsPSU hired former Denver Nuggets GM Calvin Booth to help with roster management.
Penn State basketball brings back Booth in crucial moment for Rhoades
UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades ended the regular season with a message that was equal parts defiant and determined: he’s not going anywhere. Even after a bruising 12–19 campaign that included a 3–17 mark in Big Ten play — the kind of season that tests a program’s patience...
Most grades are too high plus the author lacks any credibility when he called Stewart a good defender. He’s terrible.
Very high grades for a team with only 3 BiG wins.
I grade Mingo compared to his recruiting rankings and presumably his paycheck. I agree that he performed very well as a true freshman but not as well as I expected. His perimeter shooting was bad and he committed too many turnovers at big moments. I'd give him a B-.
Juric performed best compared to expectations. Better yet he IMPROVED as the season progressed. I agree that he gets an A-.
Stewart didn't improve. He plays hard but seems overmatched at this level. Same with Tunca. He played hard and performed well vs OOC opponents but he was quite weak against BiG opponents. These two might improve but I wouldn't spend much money to keep them.
Rice had a good streak then disappeared down the stretch. I'd like to see him come back next year because he's a good shooter and he also has the size and strength to get to the rim.
Blackwood shows some athleticism. I'd keep him if he's willing to stay for low $$$.
Ciani can go. Houser can stay for low $$$.
The biggest needs are a backup PG and a strong PF. They both have to be able to shoot and rebound. My biggest pet peeve with this year's team was the number of offensive rebounds opponents got. How many times did opponents miss but get an easy put back basket?
Next year's ideal starting lineup:
Mingo
Juric
Dilione
New PF
New 2 way guard
Except that the court did not "order" $20.5 million. That amount was agreed to as part of a settlement between the plaintiffs (House et al) and the defendants (NCAA et al), which the court approved. So, if a member of the defendant class opts to pay a larger amount do you think the plaintiffs (or the court) will object? And if a substantial number of the plaintiff class decide to pay considerably less, do you think it will simply be allowed to pass? So much for it being a "cap."Well:
Since actual revenue share is both remarkably and uniquely traceable - and is required reporting on federal DOE documentation - and the limits are a hard cap determined by court order - that option is out the window.
"NIL"? One would have to define that, because the $$ being spent to buy players is most certainly not fair market value for their legitimate "Names Image and Likeness" usage.
That being the case, as it has been practiced these last several years, money from about anywhere, shipped to players by about any means or route desired, with no limits or tracking (which is also why that is where "the grifters live").
So - where do YOU think schools are getting that money? (Spoiler: Every program is different, and none are managed or subject to any meaningful oversight or in any way limited or subject to any controls. CSC, cough, cough)
It ain't that confounding.
I'll give a simple definition of NIL: payments made by a third party directly to an athlete, the only condition being that the athlete play for a specified team. No need for services or goods to be provided. I know that's not the conventional definition, but icecaps will form in the nether regions before that's meaningfully enforced
Looks like Rhoades will need a new offensive coordinator: https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2026/03/18/air-force-set-to-hire-new-basketball-coach/
That’s as tough of a job as there is in D1…but also likely life-changing $ for it. Congrats to Joe.