Latest news with #DainDainja
Fox Sports
18-04-2025
- Business
- Fox Sports
College basketball's 'lawless, cesspool' transfer portal must be fixed
On Thursday, we got wind of the latest batch of transfer portal news in what has become a never-ending cycle. Memphis star and All-American guard PJ Haggerty entered the portal. Auburn big man Dain Dainja — who has to apply for a waiver for an extra year of eligibility in a process that's unpredictable to begin with — was reportedly going to enter, but that rumor was quickly squashed after he posted on social media saying that he was "not going anywhere." One of the best mid-major players in the country, Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and former Akron star Nate Johnson joined the 2,000-plus names in the portal as well. Combine that chaos with the April 22 deadline to enter the portal — you can expect some at-the-buzzer drama with what the going rate is for even decent talent right now — and the state of college basketball this offseason is utter chaos. An absolute mess. Players shouldn't be blamed at all. If you could maximize your value and cash in at this age, wouldn't you try to get every dollar you could? That's smart business. But this is not pro sports where there are structured contracts across the board that get honored by both parties. Auburn standout Chad Baker-Mazara entered the portal on Thursday, yet he had signed a contract with the Tigers that said he would owe back a percentage of the money given to him for a deal that included his return for the 2025-26 season — the last of his NCAA career. This is a kid who has already been to three different schools, including San Diego State and JUCO Northwest Florida State College. Coming back to Auburn for a third year and making seven figures while cementing himself as a Tigers great is certainly a nice route, but in this marketplace, dollar amounts are constantly rising. Baker-Mazara wants more money, but what about that contract? If Auburn fights him on it, is it really worth the potential harm the school could do to a player? Couldn't that hurt Auburn in recruiting, or is there something to be said about proving a point with a 25-year-old and getting him and his people to honor the contract? These are all questions that I'm sure are being pondered right now for a program that just reached the sport's biggest stage and should be feeling about as good as anybody, shy of national champion Florida, right now. Instead, Auburn is in the same fight that everybody is in — bidding wars that continue to rise. We've gone from Nijel Pack leaving Kansas State for Miami (Fla.) on a deal worth $800,000 for two years to multiple programs having budgets that reach into the eight-figure mark. "This is an absolute cesspool," said one high-major coach, who has solid NIL money. "It's birthed by the far-too-long original sin of NCAA greed. The adults in the room gave NIL with no guidelines. No guidance. No rules. Imagine the NBA with annual unrestricted free agency, and no salary cap. And now imagine asking a team full of players earning six figures to go to class." [MORE: Ranking the best players available in the college basketball transfer portal] As the NCAA looks to complete a settlement that will force the association to pay $2.8 billion in back damages to athletes who played sports from 2016 to 2024 and were not entitled to the same rights that current athletes have in the NIL space, conferences and schools are hopeful that the ability to directly pay athletes with an annual budget starting at roughly $20 million will get passed by Judge Claudia Wilken. While roster-cap limits are being discussed right now by both sets of representatives — with Wilken wanting to gradually shift to the cap of 105 football players and 15 basketball players, among a variety of limits to make walk-ons and others happy for now instead of opening a new can of worms — things are still tracking for a July 1 implementation of this new policy. Wilken has even already granted preliminary approval of the settlement. While a budget of $20 million or so will mainly be dedicated to football and any outside money would have to go through a separate "approval process," let's not act like under-the-table funding for players — something that used to happen — wouldn't continue. So, even with this settlement, there are still loopholes. "This is a Grade-A f------ goat rodeo," said another mid-major coach with some of the best funding in his league. "I need to pray the rosary to get through the offseason." "It's terrible to watch because — as a guy who played four years at my school and was a part of championships — the team pride on the men's side is dead," a former player and national champion told me. "It's lawless," one assistant at one of the best programs in America told FOX Sports. "I am all for players getting paid, but we need a governing body, a players association, salary cap, rules and formal and enforceable contracts (on both sides). And we need the portal — a.k.a. free agency — starting at the conclusion of the season, just like it does in pro sports." That may be the thing that sums up the dysfunction of this sport right now more than anything. The transfer portal formally opens the day following the conclusion of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Why? Why is the offseason starting while the season is still going on? This year, we saw players on tournament teams that were heading to the Sweet 16 — minor ones, but still! — enter the portal while their current program was marching on in the Big Dance. We don't talk about roster management and what's next for a program nationally during any other postseason in sports, because we instead focus on who's left for a Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the World Series and so on. But while the best period is happening in college sports, social media is filled with announcements from players thanking their fan base, saying they're a Bulldog or Wildcat for life and that, after much thought and deliberation, they're moving on. Can't that wait? There's a lot that has to be answered, but the portal opening during the season — albeit with just 16 teams left — is pure stupidity. It's also not healthy for anybody employed in the sport. Dead period? Forget it. "I see a lot of people saying the market for men's and women's college basketball players is broken, but the only thing they point to is that the players are getting paid a lot," sports lawyer Mit Winter said. "That doesn't mean the market is broken. It just means the current market values are high." So, what would it take for collective bargaining? For some of this chaos to be dialed down? For players to have an offer of $600,000, agree in principle, then get the bid for $1.1 million from a more desperate place and the open-season chaos just continue? I'm not blaming a player for seeking the value, but the structure of that is like the rainbow pinwheel of death on a Mac laptop. It's a hamster wheel structurally. "There would obviously have to be pretty big concessions from the school and conference sides, ones that are financial but others that provide benefits and protection," Winter told FOX Sports last year when asked about the potential of collective bargaining, which would still be a long way from actualizing unless conversations really shift. "There would have to be pretty big trade-offs to get athletes to agree to limit their freedom of movement, but professionals do it all the time, so I don't think it's something that would not happen, but it would have to be the right deal for athletes to agree to that." [MORE: College basketball is in a state of chaos, but it's not beyond fixing ] One high-major head coach who's not in the top-half of his league in terms of budget shared this with FOX Sports on the condition of anonymity: "It's challenging, but it's still an amazing sport. I hate when coaches complain because we chose this life, but there are obvious changes that need to happen to grow our game and increase its popularity outside of March Madness. Hopefully the NCAA, conferences and the powers that be can move swiftly to improve the overall product from NIL to some rule changes (less video review, quarters, etc.) that I believe would help." For those saying college basketball is dying, the national championship game between a pair of non-blue bloods (Florida and Houston) delivered 18.1 million viewers and peaked at 21.1 million viewers, capping the sport's most-watched Final Four weekend since 2017. The tournament as a whole was up 3% in viewership from a year ago even with Cinderellas not being a theme this time around. We have seen some big-time returns in college hoops, with Purdue guard Braden Smith coming back for his senior season in West Lafayette being the headliner right now, as he's a lead national player of the year candidate. This sport has fought through the one-and-done rule, the period where one could go straight from high school to the pros, the G League trying to take players from the college ranks and much more. College basketball will never be the same, and a pathway to regulation has to happen, but for that to occur, the current leadership has to acknowledge the fact that the student-athlete model is gone. These are employees, with the caveat to still make "college" part of the contract: you do go to class. That degree isn't so bad either, but there has to be a middle ground at some point for everybody involved, and it starts with accepting the reality that what's happening isn't productive for anybody and that the current "system" truly isn't one. John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him at @John_Fanta . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! recommended Get more from College Basketball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Memphis basketball's Dain Dainja refutes transfer portal reports: 'Not going anywhere'
Memphis basketball's Dain Dainja refutes transfer portal reports: 'Not going anywhere' First, Memphis basketball got hit with the news that consensus All-America guard PJ Haggerty was entering the transfer portal, potentially bringing an end to his Tigers career after just one season. Then, widespread reports surfaced that unanimous first-team all-conference big man Dain Dainja − despite currently being out of eligibility to compete at the college level − was also planning to enter the portal. But in less than an hour, Dainja refuted those reports. "Not going anywhere. No decisions have been made," Dainja posted on X the afternoon of April 17. Dainja, whose career began at Baylor and continued at Illinois before spending this season at Memphis, is pursuing a waiver in hopes of playing another season. There is no guarantee the NCAA will grant his request. Dainja struggled with consistency early in 2024-25, but came on strong late, playing like one of the best big men in the country. He averaged 15.0 points and 7.7 rebounds a game as a senior. Haggerty's move does not constitute finality with regard to his association with Penny Hardaway's Tigers. Haggerty could decide to withdraw and return to Memphis. But the prospect of losing him (and his 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game) is a sobering one for a program coming of its best season in more than a decade. Only guard Dante Harris and forward Bouna Kebe (who redshirted this season) are players from the 2024-25 roster with eligibility remaining who have not entered the transfer portal. Hardaway has made headway in his efforts to rebuild his roster yet again. In April, he has secured commitments from transfers Quante Berry, Julius "King" Thedford, Ashton Hardaway and Zachary Davis. Memphis has also hosted official visits for Ohio State power forward Aaron Bradshaw, Villanova guard Kris Parker and McNeese State guard Sincere Parker in the past three days. Reach sports writer Jason Munz at follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group.
Fox Sports
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Colorado State vs. Memphis Prediction, Odds, Picks - NCAA Tournament First Round
Data Skrive A first-round NCAA Tournament matchup will see the No. 12-seed Colorado State Rams (25-9) play against the No. 5 seed Memphis Tigers (29-5) on Friday at Climate Pledge Arena. The contest begins at 2 p.m. ET, on TBS. The Rams, who are favored by 2.5 points, are set to take on the Tigers. The point total for the matchup is set at 147.5. Continue reading to get everything you need to know ahead of placing bets on the Colorado State-Memphis matchup. Colorado State vs. Memphis Game Information & Odds When: Friday, March 21, 2025 at 2 p.m. ET Where: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington How to watch on TV: TBS Live boxscore on FOX Sports Rams vs Tigers Betting Information Favorite Spread Favorite Spread Odds Underdog Spread Odds Total Over Total Odds Under Total Odds Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Rams -2.5 -105 -125 147.5 -105 -115 -130 +110 Colorado State vs. Memphis Prediction Pick ATS: Memphis (+2.5) Pick OU: Over (147.5) Prediction: Memphis 75, Colorado State 74 Learn more about the Colorado State Rams vs. the Memphis Tigers game on FOX Sports! Colorado State vs. Memphis Betting Insights Betting Line Implied Predictions Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the encounter is Rams 75, Tigers 72. The Rams have a 56.5% chance to claim victory in this contest based on the moneyline's implied probability. The Tigers sit with a 47.6% implied probability to win. Key Spread Facts Colorado State has compiled a 21-13-0 record against the spread this season. Memphis is 16-17-0 ATS this season. When playing as at least 2.5-point favorites this season, Colorado State has an ATS record of 15-5. Memphis has an ATS record of 3-1 when playing as at least 2.5-point underdogs this year. Key Total Facts A total of 11 times so far this year, the Rams and their opponent have combined for more than 147.5 points. Tigers games have had over 147.5 points 22 times this season. The over/under for this game is 147.5 points, 7.8 fewer than the scoring average of the two teams combined. Key Moneyline Facts Colorado State has compiled a 19-2 record in games when it was listed as the moneyline favorite (winning 90.5% of those games). Memphis has been underdogs in seven games this season and won five (71.4%) of those contests. Colorado State has a record of 19-2 when playing as a moneyline favorite with odds of -130 or shorter (winning 90.5%). This season, Memphis has won three of its four games when it is the underdog by at least +110 on the moneyline. Colorado State vs. Memphis: 2024-25 Stats Comparison Colorado State Memphis Points Scored Per Game (Rank) 75.2 (137) 80.1 (37) Points Allowed (Rank) 67.1 (45) 73.2 (215) Rebounds (Rank) 6.9 (328) 10.6 (50) 3pt Made (Rank) 8.6 (81) 7.5 (196) Assists (Rank) 16.6 (24) 14.6 (100) Turnovers (Rank) 11.2 (183) 13.4 (340) Colorado State 2024-25 Key Players Memphis 2024-25 Key Players Tigers Leaders Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM PJ Haggerty 34 21.8 5.8 3.8 1.8 0.1 1.1 Dain Dainja 34 14.4 7.2 1.7 0.9 1.3 0 Tyrese Hunter 32 13.7 3.8 3.6 1.5 0.2 2.3 Colby Rogers 34 10.4 2 1.4 0.9 0.3 2.2 Nick Jourdain 34 6.4 5.6 1.9 0.7 1.1 0.4 FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience American Athletic Memphis Tigers Colorado State Rams recommended
USA Today
16-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
AAC Championship Game: UAB vs. Memphis odds, picks and predictions
The UAB Blazers (22-11) and the Memphis Tigers (28-5) meet Sunday in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament final at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's college basketball odds around the UAB vs. Memphis odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions. The third-seeded Blazers opened the AAC Tournament with a 94-77 win over the East Carolina Pirates Friday in the quarterfinals as a 5.5-point favorite as the Over (150) cashed. UAB won 66-56 over the North Texas Mean Green as a 2-point underdog as the Under (135) hit Saturday in the semifinals. F Yaxel Lendeborg went for 23 points and 13 rebounds in the victory Saturday. The AAC is likely a 1-bid league as long as Memphis takes care of business. If UAB wins, there are a lot of bubble teams which will be super nervous on Selection Sunday. The Tigers nearly blew it Saturday, edging the Tulane Green Wave 78-77 as an 8.5-point favorite as the Over (148) cashed. Memphis is 2-0 SU in the first 2 games of the tourney, but 0-2 against the spread (ATS). The Over has cashed in both games, averaging 80.5 points per game (PPG) on offense, while allowing 78.5 PPG. Former Illinois F Dain Dainja saved the Tigers with 23 points and 11 rebounds on 10-of-15 shooting in Saturday's win. Memphis swept the regular-season series with UAB, winning 100-77 in Memphis Jan. 26 as a 7-point favorite as the Over (159) cashed, and winning 88-81 in Birmingham March 2 as a 1-point 'dog as the Over (161.5) also hit. The Tigers are 5-1 SU/ATS in the past 6 meetings since Dec. 8, 2018, while the Over has cashed in 4 straight, and 5 of the past 6 in the series. – Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll THE BRACKETS ARE BACK! The USA TODAY Sports Bracket Challenge is back! $1 MILLION grand prize for a perfect bracket, $25,000 prize for top bracket. Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now! UAB vs. Memphis odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:49 a.m. ET. Moneyline (ML) : UAB +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Memphis -210 (bet $210 to win $100) : UAB +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Memphis -210 (bet $210 to win $100) Against the spread : UAB +4.5 (-110) | Memphis -4.5 (-110) : UAB +4.5 (-110) | Memphis -4.5 (-110) Over/Under (O/U): 160.5 (O: -105 | U: -115) UAB vs. Memphis picks and predictions Prediction Memphis 85, UAB 81 Memphis (-210) will set you back more than 2 times your potential return, and that's just a little too much risk for not enough reward for a straight-up bet. If you were to throw the Tigers into a multi-leg parlay, they're not as bad of a play as long as Memphis stays below -250. PASS. Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+ UAB +4.5 (-110) is worth a look, although there is plenty of risk. Memphis -4.5 (-110) has won and covered both games this season, but it's tough to beat the same team 3 times in the same season. Lendeborg is a superstar, and he'll help the Blazers keep close in this battle, if not threaten to win outright. OVER 160.5 (-110) is the best play in this AAC title game. The Over hit in both regular-season meetings, while cashing high in 4 straight meetings since Jan. 28, 2024. The Over has cashed in 3 of the past 5 games for UAB, while going 6-4 in the past 10 outings. For Memphis, the Over has hit in both AAC tourney games to date, while going 8-4 across the past 12 outings since Feb. 2. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook. College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group: Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Memphis basketball March Madness predictions: Projecting where Tigers could land
FORT WORTH, Texas — The Memphis basketball team's March Madness picture is coming into focus. Or, is it? The 17th-ranked Tigers (28-5) advanced to the AAC tournament championship with a 78-77 win over Tulane Saturday at Dickies Arena. Dain Dainja drained 23 points and corralled 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double this season. Moussa Cisse added a double-double of his own against the Green Wave, while PJ Haggerty's clutch free throw shooting (eight in the final 40 seconds) and whatever-it-takes defense in crunch time also helped lift the Tigers. Penny Hardaway's team will face either UAB or North Texas for the tournament title on Selection Sunday (2:15 p.m., ESPN). The NCAA tournament selection show will follow shortly afterward. It's then Memphis will find out what seed it will be, its first-round opponent and where that game will be played. What should the Tigers expect Sunday? The jury is still apparently divided on the spot the Tigers will occupy. Some bracketologists believe Memphis will be an 8-seed. Others see it as a 7. And there are others still who continue to contend the Tigers are a 6-seed. Beyond that, uncertainty lingers over whether or not the result of Sunday's AAC tournament title game will help or hurt the Tigers' position. Prediction: We will continue to split the difference and call Memphis a 7-seed. Reach sports writer Jason Munz at follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball predictions for March Madness: Where it could land
