Nunnie on the Sideline

By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette, Sports Editor

While watching the NCAA basketball tournament, the play by play announcer remarked that this was the fourth different school in 4 years for one particular athlete. Also, on the women’s side, a TCU player competed in the Elite 8 for the third consecutive time with 3 different schools. St. John’s Rick Pitino proclaimed that he would not recruit high school players because of the financial implications and the  pressure or need to win immediately. Miami Hurricanes coach Jim Larranega resigned in mid season because he didn’t want to deal with NIL – Name, Image and Likeness,  allowing student-athletes to benefit financially through endorsements and sponsorships, particularly elite ones, and  the Transfer Portal which  permits athletes to change schools without losing eligibility,  on the surface, a definite advantage for the athlete. However,this untethered, runaway train will continue on its chaotic path unless some regulations are implemented in my humble opinion. For example, regulations such as limiting pay outs, opening portal only after the conclusion of March Madness and placing a cap on the number of transfer opportunities would stabilize or at the very minimum slow down the madness.

The 4 #1 seeds – Duke, Houston, Auburn and Florida- reached the Final Four for the first time since 2008, ironically also held in San Antonio, this year’s destination. A definite takeaway is that the larger, well funded schools from major conferences will maintain a decided advantage. Seeing mid- majors like VCU, Butler, and FAU upset the giants of college basketball, though exhilarating and exciting, may become an ancient relic.

The Final Four pairings have been set for both men and women with Duke the betting favorite on the men’s side and UConn, led by prohibitive WNBA first player selected in draft Paige Beuckers, the women’s pick to win the national championship.

My unabashed emotional and personal choices are South Carolina on the women’s side and the Houston Cougars on the men’s side…. Y’all know!