NCAA transfer ruling is a step, not a solution

Happy Thursday Nova Nation! The NCAA decided to take coaches out of the “permission” process when it comes to student transfers yesterday. First, this is a good thing. For too long coaches with inflated egos have been able to bounce to whatever job they wanted to while being able to limit where players could transfer. Getting rid of that step in the process was absolutely a step in the right direction.

However, students still aren’t in complete control of where they want to transfer. Conferences are still able to restrict transfers to some or all member institutions, and Villanova is linked to the most recent example of that action.

Saddiq Bey, a 4-star recruit who visited Villanova yesterday, decommitted from NC State and is looking for a new program where he can start his career. The Wildcats are up against Vanderbilt for Bey’s services, but Boston College, Wake Forest, and Pitt were also possible landing spots for the small forward. In fact, Bey visited BC and Wake Forest in the past few weeks before the ACC denied his waiver to transfer within the conference. So even though NC State gave him a full release, the ACC has limited his options because they don’t want players transferring within conference.

Until students can play at any school that wants them, then the transfer rules are still broken. Oh, and pay the players already.

In other ”news”, Mikal Bridges is the safest pick in the draft, Spellman and Brunson have solo workouts, Villanova athletes are S-M-R-T, and more. Enjoy!

NCAA approves rule that ends ability of coaches to block transfers | NBC Sports
The NCAA has changed the model for they way that athletes transfer.

ESPN's draft analytics model makes NBA draft projections | ESPN
Marvin Bagley III, Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic all rate high in this year's model. But who has the best numbers? Mikal Bridges has the lowest Bust % of any player projected in the first round.

Villanova's Mikal Bridges would be perfect fit for Sixers, if they can get him | Philly
The question isn't whether Bridges would help the Sixers. The question is whether they'll be able to draft him with or before the No. 10 pick.

Villanova Star Jalen Brunson Working Out For Pacers | 1070 The Fan
Jalen Brunson will be the first individual workout that the Pacers have conducted during the 2018 NBA Draft process. When is Brunson coming to Indiana?

Sources: Spurs target Villanova's Spellman for a second workout | San Antonio Express-News
Villanova's big man might be heading back to Texas.

Big East Basketball: Evaluating early season tournaments | Busting Brackets
The Big East Basketball regular season is still in the distance, but non-conference schedules are beginning to come into focus.

Villanova Student-Athletes Set Record With 3.322 Spring Semester GPA | Villanova.com
The elite academic status of Villanova student-athletes continues to exceed even the loftiest of standards, as shown by newly updated data released at the end of the Spring 2018 semester. More than 550 student-athletes from 24 varsity sports programs combined for a 3.322 spring semester grade point average, a new athletics record and also the 30th straight semester spanning the last 15 academic years in which student-athletes have had a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

FCS Kickoff Countdown: 73 Days, the Best Player in FCS Who Wears No. 73 | HERO Sports
Villanova's mainstay at left tackle is one of the top returning CAA offensive linemen.

Arizona hosting five-star 2019 forward Josh Green | 247 Sports
Arizona is hosting five-star forward Josh Green on Wednesday. Read on for the latest.

United Bid wins right to host 2026 World Cup | Stars and Stripes FC
The world’s greatest tournament is returning to North America.