🏀 Virginia at SMU, L, 63-51, 5-4 (0-1 ACC), Saturday, 7 December 2024, 1415, the CW

[SGHoo]

I’ve said it before but I think he’ll get seven figures to be third best player on elite team

[StLouHoo]

He’ll probably get a comparable payday to what he could get at UVA.

For iMac, though, it’ll be because he wants to go out a winner. He came to UVA in large part because, under Bennett (who promised to coach him four years, btw), he’d be competing for conference championships and chasing Final Fours. As it stands, his junior season likely ends on a Wednesday in the ACCT; does he really want that to be how his senior season / college career ends as well?

[BDragon]

@haney

(And I wonder if there are places you can actually bet on this …)

Yes Cash App DragonBook and place your bets.

[zh00s]

If there’s a new coach, whoever it is, he will offer iMac a massive bag to stick around his final season. It’s partly symbolism and to win over fans, and partly because iMac is a great piece to build around.

[BDragon]

That’s the only question for IMAC.

He won’t get a massive pay bump compared to what he is receiving at UVA. But he could the opportunity to player on a bigger stage and with a contender and not a rebuilder. Could that lead to more money in season/down the line? Possible.

It’s a tough spot. Do we know if he’s going to finish his degree this spring or summer?

[StLouHoo]

How are folks going to feel if iMac finds that “winning roster just missing a veteran high-major-level marksman,” but it’s Duke or Carolina? Think what Carolina did stealing Cormac Ryan from Notre Dame a season ago.

[zh00s]

dead to me

[dave92]

@StLouHoo

How are folks going to feel if iMac finds that “winning roster just missing a veteran high-major-level marksman,” but it’s Duke or Carolina?

[BDragon]

I’m with @zh00s.

I get why IMAC would make that move but as I’ve said before once a player leaves the family they are dead to me. I’ll acknowledge their existence if they leave on good terms and go to a program I approve. If they leave to be Uncaged or go to a rival then it’s scorched earth.

[zh00s]

The good news for iMac is that I’ve been basically dead to him forever, so things won’t change from his perspective.

No trashing him on public social media from me, but also no love or celebrating his Virginia accomplishments either. Most other teams I’d be disappointed generally, but Duke and UNC are a different beast (VT in there, too).

[DFresh11]

Dont hate the playa

[DavetheWave]

@StLouHoo

How are folks going to feel if iMac finds that “winning roster just missing a veteran high-major-level marksman,” but it’s Duke or Carolina? Think what Carolina did stealing Cormac Ryan from Notre Dame a season ago.

[SlickAce]

@haney

@rushdacote

I have never understood this argument. We won the national championship in 2019 and then 7 months later when the next season started, our system was already out of date?

Will just add that line-drawing always involves this. It’s an inherently arbitrary exercise that tries to put a hard line on something that’s more slippery.

But the something that came to fruition post-natty seemed to be a bit foreshadowed by the decline in recruiting that preceded it.

Billy said above (or at least alluded to it) - kids wanted to play different styles. Fair to ask: what changed? Tony’s recruiting habits? Tony’s coaching? Kids preferences? Mostly just a change from good to bad luck? I’d say yes to all.

TLDR - the last time we got a commitment from a guard who turned it into an all conference player because of his scoring was Sept 2 2014 (Ty).

I can’t recall the timelines, but losing McKay and Sanchez was after we landed Ty/Kyle/Dre?

Seems like since the Ty and Kyle class, things slowly trended downward. Same happened to Pete Gillen when Bobby Gonzalez dipped for Manhattan. Tony’s dip was a bit slower but landing Kyle, Ty and Dre was heaven sent.