Mark Starsiak
Vice President/Basketball, Intersport
“I’ll be watching the entire nonconference season and its effects come Selection Sunday. With the NET being an important sorting tool, who teams play, where and how they perform all factor into building the tournament bracket. Beyond these high-profile non-league matchups being potential difference makers in March, they are great exposure opportunities for the sport that must continue to work for the spotlight in November and December to grow the game.”
Dan Shell
Senior Vice President, UTA Sports
“I’m watching the continuing professionalization of college basketball. It’s not just NIL, but areas like staff sizes and basketball operations. Many programs are now operating like professional teams with general managers, support staff, player development, scouting, all of it. I don’t think it will necessarily be an arms race where those who spend the most money win. Many of these areas — like in the pros — can be done effectively by getting the right people in the right positions and focusing on what actually is important to recruit good players, develop them, and win. That’s why I still think you will see the Cinderella programs in college basketball win.”
Brooks Downing
Chairman/CEO, BDG Sports
“NIL is going to have a bigger impact on scheduling in the future. Teams will look for additional neutral-site opportunities so they can carve out NIL opportunities.”
Rick Jones
Chief Creative Officer, FishBait Solutions
“A big story is going to be the demise of Cinderella because the best players from the mid-majors are now transferring to the Power Six (Power Five plus the Big East) to fill in the gaps. Steph Curry probably would not have stayed at Davidson. Those types of players are heading to greener pastures for the bigger sandbox, more exposure, more NIL and a chance to prove they belonged with the big boys all along.”
