Dan Hurley states that a minimum NIL budget of $14 million is necessary for college basketball teams to remain competitive. This follows predictions of rosters costing at least $20 million by other coaches.
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Earlier this week, during an interview with The Field of 68, Texas coach Sean Miller predicted multiple rosters of at least $20 million in college basketball this season. Thursday, Dan Hurley estimated the minimum NIL budget to be competitive is roughly $14 million.
Hurley acknowledged the idea of the $20 million roster, which On3âs Pete Nakos also reported this week. Two aggressive spenders especially stood out during this past transfer portal window.
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In the modern era of college basketball, Hurley pointed out the need to invest in a roster as part of the quest for a title. While he admitted the exact numbers are unclear, the UConn coach estimated $14 million as the floor for the more competitive teams.
âRight now, if you want to be in the mix and have a chance to contend, I think anywhere, I would imagine, to be a true contending â and people can undersell how much theyâre going to end up spending,â Hurley told Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman. âEveryoneâs gotten players for cheaper. Obviously, the agents are going to say a number, the players are going to say a number.
Dan Hurley estimates the minimum NIL budget for college basketball teams to be around $14 million.
Texas coach Sean Miller predicted that multiple college basketball rosters could exceed $20 million this season.
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âStaffs donât want to look like weâre paying the max. But youâve got to be spending, Iâd imagine, somewhere north of $14 [million] if you want to be in contention to compete at the top of the big league or to try to play deep into the tournament.â
Last year, UConnâs roster sat between the $8 and $10 million range, On3 previously reported. The Huskies are likely to be in that range once again this year after retaining key pieces such as Silas Demary and Braylon Mullins.
When it comes to retention, though, Dan Hurley said thatâs where the idea of a âhometown discountâ can come into play. Of course, there are ways to find value on the recruiting trail, though he admitted thereâs a bit of luck involved when finding those players for such a bargain.
âUnless you just get lucky in some way where youâre just getting all these undervalued guys that you nail so many value pickups,â Hurley said when asked about $14 to $15 million being a target for title teams. âBecause now that the agents are so involved, whether itâs domestic or international, theyâre so dialed into, âWhatâs the role? Hereâs the number, hereâs the range, hereâs the market.â Anyone that says theyâre getting these big discounts on these premium players just because they want to go play at their school.
âNow, I think retention, youâre always going to get players. If you run a good program and youâre doing things the right way, youâre going to get a hometown discount on your on retention guys. Yeah, I donât think you can.â