TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: NIL and the end of program-affinity

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Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 12-05-2025, 09:51 PM:

Well, guys. Let's play a little game.

Imagine you are, say, 20 years old. Heck, even 19. Remember those days? I sure didn't have much money, and realized I had to work my ass off if I was going to find some modicum of success in life. Yeah, I had a good time, but I also WORKED. I listened to my teachers, did the work, and sweated it out hoping for a good outcome, for a FUTURE paycheck.

Now, imagine someone handed you a million dollars. You many be made of different stuff than I am, but I guarantee you my motivation to listen, to work, to give a damn about almost anything would evaporate. Gone.

These kids are set for life. If they "fail" here, they will enter the portal and get paid more money by another school. A few may get into the NBA. But there is NO reason to worry about UK, BBN, or coach Pope. Say the right words, do the minimal work necessary, and collect your outrageous paycheck.

For all of Pope's love for the university that gave HIM a shot, he just can't force that into these kids. They are rich, so why should they care?

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 12-06-2025, 07:18 AM:

Very true, but that doesn't seem to be the problem at other big schools where guys are making a lot of money as well. Maybe not as much, but still enough to impact your life in a big way. Maybe it has to do with identifying the right kids that have that fire in them no matter what. I don't know, but I also don't make millions to figure it out.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 12-06-2025, 10:29 AM:

I did notice Oweh several times. He came back to win a championship and get drafted higher. You can tell by looking at his face he is upset with himslf and others around him. He could have made a mistake if we don't get out of this funk we are in. He may not even get drafted, let alone win the SEC MVP. I would hate to see that. Still no one has talked with me to see what I have offered to do.

Posted by Bigcatdaddy (Member # 21) on 12-06-2025, 02:19 PM:

NIL poses so many challenges.
Jealousy, complacency, entitlement……
Just as you said, basically players already hit the lottery with NIL.
Players like OO really can hurt themselves though. I doubt any NBA team likes what they see in him on and off court….which I think adds, detracts, in his effort. He seems to sulk and take plays off.
Sadly we are in a hole and need to stop digging.

I’m not smart enough to have answers or even accurately dissect the issues.

My eyesight isn’t the best but I can see this team has multiple issues and nobody from the coaches down are ready for this spotlight.

Just my $.02

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 12-06-2025, 07:03 PM:

NIL has pretty well ruined the game for me.

Quote “My eyesight isn’t the best but I can see this team has multiple issues and nobody from the coaches down are ready for this spotlight.” This sums it up nicely.

[ 12-06-2025, 07:16 PM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 12-07-2025, 12:53 PM:

This doesn't seem yp be affecting any other blue blood teams. Why is it affecting this team? Or are we just looking for the easy way to explain our problem? Or is it simply just not enough fire power when it comes to making shots? I'm sure we would have won at least two of those games we lost with just a little more shooting accuracy.

Posted by Bigcatdaddy (Member # 21) on 12-07-2025, 08:41 PM:

I think others aren’t affected because they have strong coaches. I mean no disrespect but Pope’s demeanor and persona seems pretty soft.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 12-07-2025, 10:57 PM:

If the players think he is an ald softee they better look at the situation. If they are wanting to get drafted or play for pay they better wake up soon. They are playing theirselves out of some bigger $$$$$.