There’s a different kind of madness going on, but this one doesn’t involve parentheses.
The NCAA transfer portal opened on Monday, less than 24 hours after the 68-team field was revealed, and the list already includes 100 participants.
Jeff Goodman, college basketball official 125 players reported participating already had entered the portal As of noon Monday.
Top players who have already announced their intention to transfer via On3 include: Andrei Stojaković of Stanford Universitya former top-25 recruit and son of former Kings sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic. Michigan guard Doug McDaniel, averaged 16.3 points last season.And Hofstra’s darling stone duveraveraged 17.8 points and shot nearly 40 percent from deep.
The transfer portal has effectively become free agency for college athletics, with players leaving in search of more playing time and lucrative NIL contracts.
Some teams use portals to fill classes or fill vacancies, while others rely on the available pool to complete their rosters.
Without the addition of two transfers, former East Carolina guard Tristan Newton and former Rutgers threat Cam Spencer, No. 1 overall seed UConn wouldn’t have become a juggernaut.
However, the timing of the transfer portal has come under scrutiny.
Teams like St. John’s, whose season has already ended, can immediately start focusing on next year’s roster and give all their attention to these efforts.
Of course, this puts the teams still in the tournament at a disadvantage as they focus their efforts on making it through the big dance.
The Post has you covered with a printable NCAA bracket featuring the entire 68-team field for March Madness 2024.
“The NCAA really needs to delay this by two weeks, at least until after the Elite 8. Just shorten the period from 45 days to 30 days,” Goodman wrote.
Fox’s John Fanta’s words were stronger.
“Let me be clear: It is an utter travesty that college basketball’s transfer portal opens tomorrow. It ruins literally the best week of the year in this sport.” Fanta wrote on Sunday. “I want you to give yourself at least a week to focus on the tournament. Portals are toxic. Enough!
