LEXINGTON, Ky. — First of all, we're happy for Dick Vitale. ESPN's loud and proud college basketball analyst had a tough winter. He battled cancer and underwent vocal cord surgery. Thankfully, one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet is now cancer-free. He should be back talking soon.
In the meantime, Dickie V is having a fit. The culprit: the transfer portal. The outlet: social media, where Vitale has been incessantly tweeting that the plethora of players bouncing from school to school is harming hoops.
A Vitale tweet late Monday: "PATHETIC what the TRANSFER PORTAL is doing to college sports. How is this CHAOS & CHEATING going on gr8 lessons for young ppl to DEVELOP values needed for the Game of Life. Quitting / lack of loyalty is what is happening traits that destroy ppl as they face the REAL WORLD."
The capital letters and abbreviations are all his, by the way.
There are currently over 1,400 players in the transfer portal for men's college basketball. It is chaotic. And no doubt tampering and cheating is happening inside and outside the portal.
To that I say: So what.
It was the right thing to do when the NCAA passed a rule last year allowing student-athletes to transfer in football and basketball without having to sit out a season, as was the previous requirement. It's still the right thing to do.
After all, it's only fair. So-called regular students are allowed to transfer schools without having to sit out a certain class or an extra-curricular activity. A music student at one school can transfer to another school without giving up music for a year. And, as has often been stated, a coach can move from one school to another — often while breaking a contract — without missing a season.
A generation gap exists with regard to the portal.
Most younger fans have little to no problem with an athlete moving from school to school. They see it as player empowerment. After years and years of a system in which schools/coaches/athletic directors had all the power, they're happy to see the players enjoy their new-found free agency.
The older generation shakes its head. As the 82-year-old Vitale protests, it sees the current trend as a disturbing lack of loyalty and commitment. To older fans, the transfer portal is the easy way out for dissatisfied players. The old-school argument: Back in "my day," an athlete showed some grit and stuck it out.
Tell that to the athlete who is recruited over, or who's favorite assistant coach leaves, or is stuck in a system that doesn't benefit his or her talent or his or her development. You are only a college athlete for a short period of time.
Take Dontaie Allen. The former Kentucky state high school hero played a grand total of 429 minutes over two seasons as a Kentucky Wildcat before announcing last week he is transferring to Western Kentucky. Should Allen have to sit out a season before playing for the Hilltoppers? What's the point?
Take Johni Broome. After excelling against mid-major competition, the Morehead State center has entered the portal apparently with the intent of seeing how he might fare at a higher level. Should Broome really have to sit out a season just because he wants to test his skills? What's the point?
No one said there isn't risk involved. UK linebacker Jacquez Jones, who transferred from Ole Miss, called the portal "a scary place" while reporting a few of his former Rebels teammates failed to find a new home after entering the portal. And once an athlete tests the waters, there's no guarantee an open spot will be available if he or she decides to return. The grass isn't always greener.
Still, the opportunity should exist either way, without fear of penalty.
Tuesday brought news that a basketball player from one of Vitale's favorite schools, Duke, had entered portal. His name: Michael Savarino. His distinction: Savarino is the grandson of now retired Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Turns out Dickie V was right: The portal is a crazy place.
