The article and related happenings seemed to spark within me a "what if" scenario or two:
1. Why is the 'release before a player is allowed to transfer' rule in place? Note some coaches have placed restrictions on transferring-out players before they are released from the original program; they often end up in illogical places (e.g. Smotrycz, with his many restrictions in place, ended up in Maryland, an often-losing basketball program.)
2. Why do some basketball players tend to go to JUCOs instead of Division II programs (unlike in football, where many dissatisfied FBS players move down one level [but even a few transferred all the way down to Division II and NAIA]) and play a year there and then return to Division I?
3. Is a Brandon Jennings or Monta Ellis-esque route (i.e. entering the NBA after a year or two outside the NCAA) possible for these players?




