UConn Coach Dan Hurley Complains About Players Changing Schools Like Underwear

College sports are definitely different than they used to be. Players being able to transfer without penalty and collect compensation via Name, Image, and Likeness rights have made rosters fall into constant states of chaos.

But, in college basketball, the UConn Huskies have brushed all of that aside and have once again become the sport’s biggest force. After winning the national title a year ago, the Huskies are the top-overall seed in this year’s March Madness and are four wins from going back-t0-back.

It would be fair to assume that UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley would be a big fan of the rules around the transfer portal these days. After all, his team is dominating the sport with the current rule set, so why change?

That’s not the case, however. Hurley spoke out against the current transfer rules a day before the Huskies take on San Diego State.

I don’t think you should play for five schools in four years or four schools in four years. I don’t think that’s healthy for the individual for the long term, like 50, 60 year life after their playing career is over,  because there’s no connection with a university, a coaching staff, a network of alumni that can help create opportunities once basketball is over… I don’t like the window being open right now. And I just don’t think it’s healthy for somebody to be able to change schools like underwear.

 

UConn doesn’t depend on transfers as much as some other schools do, and Hurley does a nice job of developing high school recruits into good players as the year goes on. That being said, one of the Huskies’ best players is a guy who has transferred multiple times.

Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer has been one of the nation’s best sharpshooters this season. The senior guard is averaging 14.4 points per game on 48% shooting from the floor and a whopping 44% from three-point range. He’s provided a steady hand in the backcourt for UConn, as well. He started his career at Loyola University, making him a two-time transfer. Aren’t those the kinds of players that Dan Hurley is railing against?

Ultimately, I do think he has a good point that players who are transferring every year are losing a lot of the fringe benefits of being a college athlete.

Ultimately, the courts have spoken on restricting transfers, and they, as of now, aren’t too fond of the idea of the NCAA punishing transfers. Whether Dan Hurley likes it or not, it seems free transfers are here to stay.