While the Wisconsin Badgers continue to get ready for the next basketball season, a competing Big Ten coach is worried about a different problem.
Like many other programs right now, the Badgers’ crew is still working to complete the roster for the coming campaign. However, in order to possibly present a more competitive squad and fill the available roster position, some coaches are exploring alternative options. The behavior of LSU Tigers head coach Will Wade, one such coach, is starting to irritate certain Big Ten Conference members.
Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans has not been as laid back as the Badgers have been about the issue. Izzo recently discussed the increasing eligibility problem in college basketball as current and former professional players have been returning to the collegiate ranks for another year.
Izzo quickly targeted Wade after acquiring Saliou Niang, a former draft pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Izzo said that Wade has “one of the most useless minds in college basketball” after completing what is possibly the oldest team in Division I basketball after the signing was revealed. Additionally, Izzo said that Wade is “being an idiot [expletive] for the sake of being an idiot [expletive]. “
Outside of Izzo, the team that LSU coach Will Wade is now building in Baton Rouge has received a lot of flak.
The new members of the Tigers’ roster were discussed by Jeff Goodman of Field of 68 on his podcast. Goodman was critical of the method and advised Wade to consider “what is happening to college basketball” and how his conduct may be promoting the eligibility issue. The Tigers were later identified as the “desperate” club that, according to Goodman, would extend an offer to LSU recruit Marcio Santos.
With an average age of 23 and significant international experience, Wade has assembled a very unique roster right now. Yam Madar and Brice Dessert, two other foreign pros, will also be joining the Tigers’ roster alongside Santos and Niang.
Wade brought in players like Madar and Niang, who have never agreed to professional NBA contracts, despite the possibility that the new additions may not be eligible.
Charles Bediako, the center for Alabama, and other athletes who tried to switch had signed professional NBA contracts, making it difficult for them to qualify. Kyree Walker, who had previously been in touch with LSU, has begun to notice that his offer list is shrinking for the same reason.
