1 of 1- Gwmayhem
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This Would Be Something
Let me start by saying that nobody should want to see the 2020-21 season cancelled in its entirety. While our season ended last year with a loss in the conference tournament, we were all deprived of seeing an A10 tournament for the most part as well as the Big Dance. If this were to be compounded by no college basketball at all in 2020-21, putting aside the devastating financial effects, the impact to us as fans would be extremely hard to deal with. It may end up being the right decision not to play at all but that doesn't mean that anyone needs to be happy about it.
However, if you were to look for a silver lining should this scenario end up being reality, think about what the 2021-22 team will look like. First, James Bishop and Ricky Lindo would be immediately eligible. The prevailing thought seems to be that Bishop will be granted a waiver regardless while Lindo would be sitting. Keep in mind that last season, Amir Harris did not even receive the news about his waiver until well after the season had started. While he likely would have missed these games due to his injury, a healthy Amir would have missed last year's first 4 or 5 games since the NCAA hadn't ruled. Next, Matthew Moyer would not have used his final year of eligibility up so he would get to play alongside Lindo in the frontcourt. That's a big factor because as things stand today, the two will not be playing with one another outside of practice.
Speaking of Amir, he'd be afforded a full year to recover from his meniscus/leg injuries. While it is possible that this will not be enough and that Amir's college basketball career is finished, we can only hope that's not the case and that the extra year would be just what he needs.
And then of course, Tafara Gapare and Brayon Freeman would be joining the team. So if everyone stayed together, we'd be looking at a roster of:
Jack, Battle, JNJ, Paar, Harris, Stallings, Seymour, Dean, Ball, Brelsford, Brown, Bishop, Moyer, Lindo, Gapare, Freeman, Leftwich, Galley
That's obviously 18 players so it would be up to the NCAA to create roster limits (scholarships would have to be honored). I suppose every school can develop a somewhat similar scenario since 5 class years worth of talent will always result in greater talent than 4 class years worth. Nevertheless, this team would really represent a team to look forward to watching if in fact we had to wait another 15 months for GW basketball.
Last edited by Gwmayhem (8/14/2020 2:05 pm)
- brod
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Re: This Would Be Something
We would be a clear beneficiary of this scenario but like you stated, every team in the country would also benefit. That would make for a crazy high level of basketball. Keeping my toes crossed we get a season.
I think the financial impact would ruin a great number of athletic departments (potentially GW, given our recent financial signalling). We're looking at a lot of furloughed assistant coaches and water boys
- Long Suffering Fan
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Re: This Would Be Something
["quote=Gwmayhem]L"putting aside the devastating financial effects"
Let me start off by apologizing for my inability to operate the "quote" function. I did the best I could. Now, for GWMayhen's statement, which I realize was a very peripheral point in his post...Is Men's basketball a money maker for GW? Given the operating expenses, including scholarships, salaries, marketing, travel expenses, the Smith Center, etc., does the program operate in the black or red? I have no idea what our revenue is from TV/Radio, donations, conference tournament cut, NCAA, cut, etc. Certainly gate revenue cannot bring in much. Anyone have any insight on this issue?
- Gwmayhem
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Re: This Would Be Something
LSF, according to the Hatchet, GW men's basketball brings in $3.5 million in revenue. It's athletic department broke even in 2018.
While the financial devastation would look quite different at many other schools, imagine a scenario where revenues are zero (save for some donations) and expenses still exist for player scholarships, room and board, coaching and administrator salaries, and recruiting expenses? You would likely see a reduction in the latter two items but this would still represent a very gloomy fiscal picture.
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Thread Starter- Long Suffering Fan
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Re: This Would Be Something
I recognize there are fixed expenses that must still be paid, as well as the non-tangible benefits the basketball team brings to the school (especially if it is a good team). I remember that when the program took off with Jarvis and the sweet 16, school applications soared. Was just wondering if from a straight dollars and cents standpoint if the basketball team was making money.