• Loading stock data...
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Houston-Duke Final Four Result Showcases Transfer Portal Impact

Saturday night’s Final Four matchup between the Blue Devils and Cougars can be considered a referendum on the best way to structure a basketball roster in the era of “unrestricted free agency.”

Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

SAN ANTONIO — Houston’s stunning upset of Duke on Saturday night can be considered a referendum on the best way to structure a basketball roster in the current era of “unrestricted free agency.”

Duke blew a double-digit lead and the tournament’s biggest star Cooper Flagg missed an inside shot that would have put Duke up by a point in the final seconds. The final score was 70-67, with L.J. Cryer leading the Cougars with 26 points.

The two teams have taken completely different approaches to the unrestricted transfer portal and NIL (name, image, and likeness) opportunities.

How did we get here? In 2021, the NCAA created a new rule allowing players to transfer one time without having to sit out a year. It also allowed players to begin to profit off their own name, and boosters and donors quickly began pooling their resources to use the promise of NIL opportunities as recruiting incentives. Then a court decision in December of 2023 removed the prior portal restrictions. Another court decision months later allowed players to negotiate NIL deals before they even enrolled at a program without fear of retribution from the NCAA

The resulting landscape: Most top programs now rely heavily on the portal and NIL offers to lure stars and build winning rosters. 

This year’s Houston Cougars were no different: they didn’t have one freshman on their starting five. Two of their starters, Milos Uzan and L.J. Cryer were transfers. Emmanuel Sharp, J’Wan Roberts, and Joseph Tugler were all home-grown players, but they’ve got many years of experience between them. 

In contrast, Duke relied on freshmen. The Blue Devils had the youngest starting lineup of anyone at the Final Four. This offseason, Duke signed five top freshmen to lead their team, all of whom were named in the ESPN Top 50. The Blue Devils only used the portal to “supplement” their group of two returners and five freshmen, coach Jon Scheyer told reporters this week. 

Earlier this week, St. John’s coach Rick Pitino told reporters he was deeply impressed with Duke’s prowess considering it played such a young roster. “It’s very difficult to win with freshmen,” Pitino said.

But on Saturday night, Duke’s fountain of youth couldn’t give the Blue Devils enough life in the NCAA tournament. Houston will face Florida in the national championship on Monday night.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Rob Dauster to Lead On3’s College Hoops..

Goodman previously worked for ESPN, CBS Sports, and Stadium.
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.
opinion

19 Rising Stars in Sports Media

Who are sports media’s rising stars? Here’s an inside look.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.
Feb 17, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jalen Weaver (5) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena.
September 10, 2025

NCAA Bans 3 Basketball Players for Violating Betting Rules Last Season

The former San Jose State and Fresno State players have lost eligibility.
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, British Columbia, CAN; Highlights from the CHL Kubota Top Prospects game at the Langley Events Centre
September 10, 2025

NCAA Hockey Scouts Denied Passes for Crucial Recruiting League

The CHL won’t welcome scouts on passes: “It comes across as petty.”
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
NFL Congress
exclusive
September 10, 2025

College Sports ‘House of Cards’: Republicans, Lobbyists Work to Secure Votes to..

Several House Republicans criticized the SCORE Act on social media.
The cover of the College Football 25 video game.
exclusive
September 9, 2025

Group That Facilitated NIL Deal for Football Video Game Now Says It’s..

EA offered $1,500 and no royalties; it also deleted an opt-out clause.
Sep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls place kicker Nico Gramatica (7), South Florida Bulls long snapper Turner McLaughlin (48) and teammates celebrate after a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
September 8, 2025

USF Is the Newest Financial Underdog in the AP Top 25

USF’s athletic department brings in half the amount Florida does.
September 7, 2025

Oklahoma-Michigan Was a Battle of Dueling QB NIL Philosophies

Bryce Underwood got into a heated exchange with his teammate.