UConn coach Dan Hurley blasts transfer portal window timing as players ‘change schools like underwear’
The months of March and April present the busiest time of year for college basketball’s top programs with both the NCAA Tournament and transfer portal window in full swing. Balancing postseason competition with roster management is a tall order, and it is one that UConn coach Dan Hurley spoke out against ahead of his Sweet 16 matchup with San Diego State.
Hurley’s concerns with the transfer portal in particular are twofold. On one hand, the reigning national champion says that the transfer window’s timing (March 18 through May 1) presents a disadvantage for teams playing in March Madness, and on the other, he says that constant player movement in general is unhealthy.
“I don’t like the window being open right now,” Hurley said in Wednesday’s pre-Sweet 16 media availability. “I just don’t think it’s healthy for somebody to be able to change schools like underwear.”
More than 1,800 players entered their names into the transfer portal during the 2023 window, and this year’s quasi-free agency is already off to a hot start with some of the biggest names at the low- and mid-major levels seeking landing spots at top-tier programs. Movement among power conference schools is underway, as well.
“I think we could wait until we get to maybe the conclusion of the season,” said Hurley. “That would be nice. It almost feels like, in a way, right now teams that are really, really successful and having great seasons, it’s almost becoming pro sports, where it feels like we’re going to have the last pick in the draft.
A lot of the players will have made decisions because we’re not recruiting. We may be listed by some players on some lists of having shown interest, but I know that I don’t have interest right now because I’m just… focusing on the season.”
Following a mostly chalky second round of the NCAA Tournament, the Sweet 16 consists heavily of perennial powers and season-long national championship hopefuls. Those programs’ inability to focus primarily on recruiting may put them at a disadvantage in acquiring the top transfer portal talent, while squads that fell out of the field over the first weekend or missed the postseason altogether are able to dedicate more resources to recruiting in the transfer window’s early days.
Lawsuits filed against the NCAA over the last year also brought changes to the transfer landscape as players may retain immediate eligibility even as multi-year transfers. A lack of NIL regulation also paves the way for players to hold negotiations with collectives.
“I don’t think you should play in five schools in four years or four schools in four years,” said Hurley. “I don’t think that’s healthy for the individual for the long-term 50, 60-year life after their playing career is over because there’s no connection with our university, a coaching staff, a network of alumni that can help create opportunities once basketball is over.”
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