Here’s what Big 12 men’s basketball players really think about OU/UT, NIL money + more
How do you feel about Oklahoma and Texas leaving the Big 12?
That’s a question men’s basketball players were eager to answer during the league’s media day earlier this week at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. They didn’t have any control on the latest round of conference realignment, but they do have strong opinions on the topic.
“They’re going to end up regretting it,” one player said, “because the Big 12 is the best basketball conference in the country. I guess they are doing it for football, so maybe that doesn’t matter to them. But they would be a lot better off staying in this league for basketball. We’re way better than the SEC.”
What about the four schools that will soon join the Big 12 via expansion: BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF?
Does the thought of playing against any of those basketball teams seem more exciting than the others?
“I can’t wait for Central Florida to join the Big 12,” another player said. “They open up a different area of recruiting for this conference. Going to Florida every year for a game is going to be very appealing for recruits. It also puts the Big 12 on the East Coast and brings in new fans. Adding them was a very smart move.”
We interviewed 16 different Big 12 players this week, including at least one from each school, and granted them anonymity. We asked for their opinions on five pertinent topics (some abstained on certain questions). There was only one rule: Players couldn’t vote for their own coaches or teammates.
Here’s a look at the best answers:
How do you feel about Oklahoma and Texas leaving?
Answers
Neutral - 11.
Happy - 4.
Sad - 1.
Angry - 0.
Noteworthy Quotes
Neutral:
“I would rather them stay in the Big 12, but we’re going to have good teams coming in here. So it doesn’t really bother me. It’s just business.”
“I’m fine with it as long as Oklahoma and Oklahoma State agree to keep playing Bedlam. That basketball rivalry is way too good and has too much history to end. They should keep playing every year no matter what.”
“That doesn’t mean anything to me. I mean it’s cool, but conferences change, and I’m not going to be in college basketball next year.”
Happy:
“It’s really cool. Playing in the SEC is something they have desired for a long time and now they get to do it. I think it is very exciting for them. It’s exciting for the Big 12, too, because they are bringing in four really good teams. I think it will balance out.”
“It’s a good move for them. The SEC is going to be an even better football conference after they join.”
Sad:
“I am disappointed they are leaving, but they have to do what is best for them.”
Which future Big 12 member are you most excited about?
Answers
Houston - 5.
UCF - 3.
Cincinnati - 3
Houston - 3.
Abstain - 2.
Noteworthy Quotes
On Houston ...
“Houston has always been the best team in their conference, and it will be fun to see what they can do against better competition. I’m sure they are looking forward to it, because it has to be boring as hell playing in the American.”
“Kelvin Sampson is a great coach and they were in the Final Four last year. You know they’re going to be good every year, even in the Big 12.”
On Cincinnati ...
“It’s Cincinnati, for sure. They’re on the rise, and I think their coach is doing something special there. I’m excited about them. They will have a great rivalry with West Virginia, because Bob Huggins used to coach there.”
“They’re a tough, hard-nosed team. They will fit right in.”
On BYU ...
“I watched them play Baylor in football last week and that was a really fun game. It looked like a great environment, too. Hopefully that can carry over to basketball.”
“They have such a strong basketball history.”
On UCF ...
“I’m from Florida, and I am very excited about playing a game in Orlando every year. That is going to be awesome.”
How much money do you expect to earn from NIL endorsement deals this season?
Answers
$100,000 or more - 1.
$50,000-$75,000 - 2.
$10,000 - 2.
$5,000 - 3.
$1,000 or less - 8.
Noteworthy Quotes
“I would say $100,000 is a good estimate for me this year. We are coming off a good season and I am the face of the team. That could be realistic. I’ve already made over $70,000.”
“Maybe $75,000? That’s a great question. If I can, hundreds of thousands, but I honestly don’t know. I’m just going to get as much as I can while still staying focused on basketball.”
“Right now, I don’t have that much set up, but I know throughout the season probably more than $50,000. About $60,000.”
“I’ve got some money rolling in, but I don’t really care about that. I’m in it for my personal brand and building partnerships that will last. “
“I don’t have a million bucks like Alabama’s quarterback, but I have signed a few endorsement deals. I’m doing pretty well. It’s nice to have a little extra cash here and there.”
“Some of my teammates have cashed in, and I’m happy for them. It’s great for college athletes and long overdue. But I don’t care about NIL stuff. I haven’t made any deals. I’m just here to play basketball.”
Which Big 12 coach do you most respect?
Answers
Scott Drew - 6.
Chris Beard - 3.
Bob Huggins - 2.
Jamie Dixon - 1.
Mike Boynton - 1.
Abstain - 3.
Noteworthy Quotes
On Scott Drew ...
“He recruited me in high school and obviously he’s coming off a national championship.”
“He just won a national championship. You can’t argue with that.”
“He allows his teams to play with freedom, and that has led them down great paths. Last year he realized he had great guards and he put in a system that allowed them to create for themselves and each other. That’s why they won the national championship.”
On Chris Beard ...
“I think he did a good job at Texas Tech getting to a Final Four.”
“I kind of see him as a (2.0 version of my coach), what I’ve heard about him and how he coaches and stuff like that. I’d like to be coached by him, too.”
“I actually respect Bruce Weber just as much. He’s a great coach. It’s pretty much a tie, but I’m going with Chris Beard because I could never see myself playing for Kansas State. Manhattan is way too small and there’s no way I could ever live there. I know (my college town) doesn’t have much, but Manhattan has nothing.”
On Jamie Dixon ...
“He seems like a good, offense-oriented coach. That fits for a player like me, more so than a coach like Bob Huggins. He’s a great guy, but probably not the best coach for me.”
On Bob Huggins ...
“He just reminds me of somebody who’s filled with grit, who’s tenacious, and he really tries to get the most out of his guys.”
On Mike Boynton ...
“He is a younger coach and his team seems to really like playing for him.”
Most respected player:
Answers
Isaac Likekele, Marcus Carr, Ochai Agbaji, David McCormack -2.
TJ Shannon, Mike McGuirl, Rondel Walker, Matthew Mayer, Remy Martin, Taz Sherman - 1.
Abstain - 2.
Noteworthy Quotes
On Texas Tech’s T.J. Shannon ...
“He’s a cool dude. So I respect his game, respect everything about him.”
On Kansas State guard Mike McGuirl ...
“He did his due diligence and being in the program and leading a team in scoring and assisting and just trying to do everything that he could and just putting his heart out there.”
On KU forward David McCormack ...
“He is one of the best bigs in college basketball. His post moves are incredible and he has a high IQ. He can even make the occasional three-point shot. I’m excited to see what he can do this season.”
“He is a dominant force. Going against him has made me a better player.”
On Oklahoma State’s Isaac Likekele ...
“I have been playing against him since high school, and he continues to get better each and every year. He’s one of the best guards in our conference.”
On KU guard Ochai Agbaji ...
“He is super athletic and scores in many different ways. He is just fun to watch.”
On Texas guard Marcus Carr ...
“He is a very underrated player. He is going to kill it at Texas this season.”
On West Virginia’s Taz Sherman ...
“He didn’t start out at West Virginia. He went to junior college and fought his way there. You have to respect his story.”
On Oklahoma State’s Rondel Walker ...
“I know him the most, playing against and playing with him. I’ll go with him.”
On KU guard Remy Martin ...
“He can really shoot it and when he gets hot, he gets hot. You have to be on your tiptoes at all times when you’re guarding him, because he is very active. He’s one of the best players in all of college basketball.”
Drew Davison and Jesse Newell contributed reporting
This story was originally published October 22, 2021 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Here’s what Big 12 men’s basketball players really think about OU/UT, NIL money + more."
