Mike Krzyzewski’s third-to-last press conference as the head coach at Duke also served as an appetizer to planned remarks from NCAA commissioner Mark Emmert later that afternoon. Krzyzewski, who in his career often doubled not just as a coach but as a steward for the future of the game, told reporters two questions he’d like to ask the commissioner.
“Where are we going? And who is going to be in charge?”
It’s no secret that college basketball is at a crossroads of sorts. Not necessarily in terms of popularity—two of the three most-watched college basketball games in cable television history came during this year’s men’s Final Four and national championship—but virtually everything about the sport is changing right now. Name, image and likeness deals have quickly taken over recruiting and player retention, with Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe the new poster child after reportedly being set to earn at least $2 million next season. The transfer portal and the one-time transfer waiver have accelerated player movement to faster rates than ever, with more than 1,500 players likely to end up switching teams for the second consecutive offseason. It’s hard to find a coach who’ll say privately that NIL bidding wars and something like 25% of Division I players transferring every offseason is good for the future of the game.
