College basketball’s issues have long been understood by dedicated fans of top programs, but the sport’s biggest problems seem to be drowned out by the cheers and student sections and bands and bracket busters every March. The general public, largely casually tuning in come tournament time, hasn’t seen what the rest of us have seen since the one-and-done era began.
Well, that probably ends with the FBI trial, as it’s all being laid bare for everyone to see the corrupt dealings and money being tossed all over by institutions that “can’t pay the players.”
The Athletic’s Dana O’Neill covered one specific issue around the shift in the recruiting process that is at the center of what’s ailed college hoops: coaches and programs focusing on simply getting perceived players (according to rankings, offers) over discovering talent to develop over time.