NCAA Basketball: Tubby Smith transfer talk misguided

Memphis head coach Tubby Smith chided NCAA basketball players who choose to transfer away from their original choice of school.

One of the many issues plaguing NCAA hoops right now is the rapid rise of transfers. Players are constantly leaving the school they committed to in order to find more playing time or a better opportunity elsewhere.

Some believe transferring is becoming a bigger problem, while others believe it’s natural and shouldn’t be penalized by a year off, as NCAA rules currently dictate.

Count Memphis Tigers coach Tubby Smith among the former.

In a press conference following his team’s regular season finale on Sunday, Smith went off on transfers around the country, essentially claiming that it’s a quitter’s move.

Smith, of course, has some personal experience when it comes to transfers; six players left the Tigers after his first season with the team. As a result, Memphis dropped from a potential NCAA Tournament team to an NIT outlet this year.

Even if they didn’t happen, however, Smith’s comments remain misguided.

It’s unfair to blame players for wanting to transfer when the environment around them suffers. Sometimes, it’s for a personal reason people can’t refute. Maybe it’s not a good social or academic environment for the player. Or perhaps they’re stuck on the bench, when all they want to do is play.

Each of those are valid reasons for transferring.

Another common reason, however, is because a coach leaves the program (without any year-long show clause, by the way). Smith himself as voluntarily left four different head coaching positions during his career to take other positions.

Did critics label him a ‘quitter,’ or someone who was simply looking to improve their situation?

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As long as coaches continue to treat players like assets, instead of people, college students will continue to feel the urge to transfer.