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Morning Edition

March 27, 2025

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Men’s March Madness resumes Thursday. But as 16 schools vie for a national title, more than 1,300 players have entered the transfer portal. How are coaches contending with the bedlam? Michigan State’s Tom Izzo says he isn’t “cheating the people that he has.”

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]], Colin Salao [[link removed]], and Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]

March Madness Meets Roster Roulette As Transfer Portal Intensifies [[link removed]]

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

When it comes to the transfer portal in men’s college basketball, there are no easy answers.

The 30-day transfer portal opened Monday [[link removed]], and by Wednesday afternoon, more than 1,300 players had declared their intent to change schools, a pace similar to the initial days of last year’s window [[link removed]]. This year’s transfer portal includes a slightly delayed start compared to last year’s, a shorter overall window, and some different rules around COVID-19-era eligibility for players.

Much of the inherent tension around the transfer portal, however, has heightened this year as it’s established itself as a fundamental fixture of college basketball—for better and for worse.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who last week was much more sanguine about the transfer portal, was among those expressing such frustration this week as he prepares for a March Madness game Friday against Ole Miss in the Sweet 16.

“Tom Izzo isn’t cheating the people that he has, that have been loyal to him, for this chaos that is going on out there,” he said.

Izzo’s remarks highlight some of the core conflicts surrounding the transfer portal. More than 90% of Division I schools are already done with their basketball seasons, and they are rather eager to rebuild their rosters for next year—and do so within a tight window before many colleges start to conclude their academic years in early May.

For those still competing, however, it requires multitasking between preparing for next year while also playing the climactic competition of this season, whether it be March Madness or lesser events [[link removed]] such as the National Invitation Tournament or the new College Basketball Crown. In Izzo’s case, though, it means not thinking about the 2025–2026 campaign at all—at least for now.

“I’m going to worry today about the guys I’ve got in this program, and that’s it,” Izzo said. “If that costs me later, so be it.”

Even ESPN’s Dick Vitale, often a noted champion for the positive elements of college basketball, sounded off on the current state of the transfer portal.

“It’s a better free agency than what the pros have,” Vitale said on The Pat McAfee Show. “At least in the pros, you have a contract. I think they’ve got to think about a contract. The kids deserve money; I have no problem with that, but the bottom line is this chaotic movement. There’s no stability.”

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Power 4 Party in Sweet 16 Means the Rich Get Richer [[link removed]]

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Sweet 16 in men’s March Madness—tipping off with teams representing a record-low four conferences [[link removed]] and no Cinderella stories [[link removed]]—simply means the rich are going to get richer.

Conferences earn roughly $2 million for every game one of their teams plays in the NCAA tournament through the Final Four (the championship game does not award another payment).

So far, the SEC’s record 14 March Madness bids [[link removed]] are paying off the most—to the tune of at least $58 million. That comes from $2 million for the SEC’s automatic qualifier, conference tournament champion Florida, $26 million for the 13 at-large bids, and another $30 million for teams that advance past the first round, including seven to the Sweet 16, the most ever for one conference.

One interesting note is the Big East, with no teams left in the tournament, has earned $18 million from nine units, more than the ACC’s $14 million from seven units so far. Duke is the lone ACC team alive.

Spread the Wealth?

For the rest of the tournament, there are 12 units worth $24 million still up for grabs, which will all be earned by either the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, or Big 12. So, that means no extra cash for the non-power conferences, as has been the case in recent years.

In the previous two tournaments, UConn alone earned a combined $20 million via 10 units for the Big East en route to back-to-back national championships. In 2023, San Diego State and FAU earned $10 million for the Mountain West and AAC, respectively, during their Final Four runs.

A Tale of Two Pitinos Highlights College Basketball’s New Reality [[link removed]]

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Last weekend, Rick Pitino and his son Richard both coached teams that were eliminated from March Madness in the second round.

But both coaches are getting nice consolation prizes.

St. John’s just signed a top transfer portal player [[link removed]], Joson Sanon from Arizona State, and Richard Pitino, who spent the last four seasons at New Mexico, has been hired as the new coach at Xavier, where he’ll coach against his father in the Big East.

The news cycle around the Pitinos showcases the new reality of the fast-moving world that is college basketball. Continuity is rare for both players and coaches these days, with top programs ready to poach the best talent available, no matter the cost.

This season, St. John’s won the Big East and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament thanks to a roster built with millions of NIL (name, image, and likeness) dollars from billionaire backer Mike Repole [[link removed]], the founder of BodyArmor, and now the majority stakeholder of NoBull.

Details of Richard Pitino’s new contract at Xavier are not available, but the school will pay New Mexico a buyout of $375,000.

Coaches on the Move

The college hoops coaching carousel has been in full swing this month.

Even before the tournament began, Will Wade admitted he was exploring the NC State job [[link removed]] that he ultimately took, after two seasons at McNeese State.

Meanwhile, Minnesota poached Colorado State coach Niko Medved, West Virginia hired Ross Hodge from North Texas, and Iowa hired Ben McCollum from Drake.

How a Viral Tater Tots NIL Deal Took Over BYU Men’s Basketball

NEWARK, N.J. — BYU forward Richie Saunders told reporters he wasn’t the one to publicize the fact that his great-grandfather, F. “Nephie” Griggs, was the inventor of Tater Tots. Instead, his secret was revealed during this year’s Big 12 men’s basketball tournament, when ESPN announcers found a tweet and broadcast it to the world.

It wasn’t long until Ore-Ida, a brand of potato-based frozen products owned by Kraft Heinz that owns the trademark to the term “Tater Tot,” reached out to Saunders with an idea for an NIL (name, image, and likeness) deal.

Saunders had already gained notoriety with his on-court performance throughout the season—he was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and has helped lead the Cougars to their first Sweet 16 since 2011. But in the NIL era, in-game matters are only part of the March Madness story. The ensuing deal and the virality that’s come along with it is one of the many examples of how brands have acted quickly to capitalize on the stage the NCAA tournament provides—and how beneficial that stage can be for players and brands if they act fast.

“I think Ore-Ida has done a really good job because they jumped on the ship real quick,” Saunders told reporters during a Sweet 16 pregame press conference. “I think a lot of it is up to them if they want to try to cash in—I feel like they have.”

To execute the deal, Ore-Ida flew members of its team to Denver, where Saunders was preparing to play BYU’s early-round games in the men’s basketball tournament, Saunders said. The campaign, which dubbed Saunders the Tater Tot Heir and featured a photo of him standing on a basketball court holding a bag of the product, went live March 20, the first day of the round of 64. The deal offers fans the ability to buy free Tater Tots for 30 minutes after every game the Cougars win in the tournament. Ahead of the Sweet 16, Ore-Ida has changed its name to “Ore-Richie.”

For more on the unique Tater Tots NIL deal, read the full story by Amanda Christovich here [[link removed]].

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Conversation Starters In 2000, Tom Izzo coached future NBA star Jason Richardson to a national title at Michigan State. Now, 25 years later, Izzo is coaching Richardson’s son Jase [[link removed]]—and the Spartans are headed to the Sweet 16. BYU’s Dawson Baker was ejected from the Cougars’ tournament game against Wisconsin. The school’s social team captured his reaction in the locker room as his teammates won and advanced to the Sweet 16. Watch it here [[link removed]]. Former Kansas star Sherron Collins is now a high school basketball coach. He was in tears after leading Oak Park to its first Missouri state championship. Take a look [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks NFL Enlists Caitlin Clark to Help Shape Flag Football’s Future [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]The NFL looks to tap further into the growth around women’s sports. ESPN Shutting LA SportsCenter Studio, 35 Jobs Affected [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]The employees will have the option of moving to Bristol, CT. Celtics Sale Has Made Ballmer’s $2B Clippers Stunner a Bargain [[link removed]]by Colin Salao [[link removed]]The Celtics owners agreed to sell the team for $6.1 billion. Staff Lunch, Dance Contest Boot North Texas From Home NIT Games [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]The Mean Green will play in its second NIT semifinals. Question of the Day

Should the transfer portal stay closed until the end of the NCAA tournament?

YES [[link removed]] NO [[link removed]]

Wednesday’s result: 74% of respondents hope ESPN and MLB will strike a new broadcast deal despite their recent split.

Advertise [[link removed]] Honors [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Shows [[link removed]] Written by Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]], Colin Salao [[link removed]], Amanda Christovich [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Or Moyal [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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