Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul Is Men’s College Basketball Back? Lakers Buying In, and JSN Gets the Bag.
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Mar 23, 2026 They debate whether NIL is reviving men's college basketball and how that could affect the NBA. They break down standout college talents and coaching legacies from the tournament. They analyze the Lakers' chemistry shift and coaching impact. They discuss Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record NFL deal and how the market keeps resetting.
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NIL And Attention Are Reviving Men's College Basketball
- Men's college basketball interest may be rising partly because hosts are paying more attention and partly because the on-court product is genuinely better this year.
- Max and Rich cite strong tournament games and players like Darius Acuff as evidence that quality and attention together revive interest.
Skill Can Outweigh Size In Draft Evaluation
- Scouts still overvalue size and wingspan as easy projectable traits, but elite smaller guards can deserve top picks when they control games.
- Max uses Darius Acuff as an example: size concerns exist but his IQ, shot mechanics, and playmaking elevate his draft stock.
NIL Lets Players Develop While Getting Paid
- NIL can strengthen college development by keeping players in school longer where they play more and improve before entering the NBA.
- Rich and Max note staying and getting paid in college can be better than entering the crowded NBA unprepared.