Player empowerment has been a recurring theme in recent years. Unlike the olden times when colleges or professional teams were the main beneficiaries, recent rule changes have ensured that players also get a piece of the pie. From NIL deals to relaxed transfer rule changes, things are indeed heading towards player inclusivity in the decision-making. But while all this is benefiting the players, some are not entirely convinced by these rule changes. Appearing in front of the media during the SEC media day, Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari made his feelings known.

Speaking about these recent rule changes regarding transfers and eligibility, John had a straightforward response. He said, “I still don’t know how this transfer stuff and all the eligibility stuff’s going to do. It could be two. They could have a mid-major team that average age is 26. That’s pretty good, and all of a sudden, they get to advance. It may be, NIL has killed all the mid-major schools. None of the kids are staying in mid. I don’t know how it’s going to end up playing out. But I would leave the tournament alone.” 

The recent change that John Calipari is referring to is the recent changes in eligibility after transferring. Before the recent changes, an athlete had to sit out an entire year after transferring colleges. There were provisions for immediate eligibility, but it was given in case of a family hardship or coaching changes. However, in the recent changes, players are now able to transfer as many times as they want and still be eligible immediately. Another potential change that could have dramatically changed the college basketball landscape is the rumored change in the number of teams.

Recent transfer activity has been enormous: nearly 2,700 players entered the NCAA men’s basketball transfer portal before the April deadline this offseason, underscoring the scale of roster churn coaches now manage each year. That volume helps explain why some coaches worry about continuity and the long-term competitive balance between power programs and mid-majors.

John Calipari had even given a solution that could solve this and add some more accountability for the players. In an appearance with Dan Dakich, he said, “If you want to transfer once, go ahead, you transfer a second time and sit out, that’s going to cut into one of your years, but you can do it. And then you play at one school three years, you get your college degree.” He had also warned that if things continue trending in the same way, the NCAA might disband. And now, with another major change rumored to be coming soon, there is going to be a lot of uncertainty.

As things stand, there are 68 teams in the NCAA basketball tournament. However, there were rumors that there would be an addition of 8 more teams. This would have meant that there would have to be another round of the ‘First Four’ round. Another proposed solution was having a 12-game opening round before moving to the traditional 64-team March Madness tournament. John Calipari had resisted the potential change as well and said that the tournament should be left alone.

But with the expansion ruled out for at least the current season, all the focus is now on the current season, where John will try to lead Arkansas to a successful season

John Calipari Gives a Bleak Picture Before the Season Begins

As we get closer and closer to the beginning of another college basketball season, teams are locked in for their final preparations. However, according to John Calipari, the Arkansas Razorbacks may have a tough beginning to the season if things remain the same. During his media availability at the SEC media day, John Calipari said that his team still has some ways to go.

He said, “I’m not going to say it was a debacle, but what would be the next word up from debacle,” Calipari said. “We got a ways to go. I got a good group, but we got a ways to go to be what people think we’re going to be.” And it was evident from the team’s scrimmages. There were some airballs and missed passes during the opening stages of practice, which were a clear sign that there was still some rust. Although there was positive news coming out of the scrimmage.

Junior year guard D.J. Wagner showed a lot of promise at the point guard position. He scored 18 points during the scrimmage. John Calipari also said that when Wagner plays is carrying the ball, the team plays better. John did say that he wants Wagner to be more aggressive and shoot more.

With the Razorbacks scheduled to play an exhibition against Cincinnati on Oct. 24, it will be interesting to see if they can turn the situation around. They certainly don’t want a repeat of last year’s 0-5 start.