College basketball’s landscape keeps shifting, and the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules have thrown a real curveball into how teams build their rosters. The Action Network’s recent study, The NIL Experience Index, digs into which high-major programs have changed the most since NIL came into play—from the pre-NIL years (2017–2020) to the post-NIL era (2022–2025).
It’s a revealing look at how teams are using the transfer portal and holding onto upperclassmen to stay ahead. Some programs have really leaned into these changes, maybe even more than you’d expect.
The NIL Experience Index: A New Era in College Basketball
The NIL Experience Index tries to measure just how much college basketball rosters have shifted in terms of experience and makeup. Now that athletes can make money from their own brands, programs are more likely to chase transfers and experienced players.
The index looks at three main things:
- Upperclass Shift (pp): How much the share of juniors, seniors, and grad players has changed.
- Transfer Shift (pp): How much the share of incoming transfers has changed.
- Age Shift (years): The estimated change in average roster age based on class-year mix.
Biggest Overall Shift: Michigan Wolverines
Michigan leads everyone with a wild 97.1 Experience Shift Score. Their roster is way more upperclass-heavy now, with a +26.3 percentage point jump in upperclassmen and a +0.65 year bump in average age.
This kind of change just shows how seriously Michigan is taking the transfer portal and upperclass retention. They’re not messing around.
Largest Upperclass Shift: Providence Friars
Providence saw the biggest jump in upperclass share—+26.5 percentage points. That’s a clear signal they’re betting on older players for leadership and stability.
They’ve blended this with smart transfer moves, so it’s not all about one strategy. That mix puts them right near the top in the NIL era.
Largest Transfer Shift: Miami Hurricanes
Miami’s gone all-in on transfers, with a +22.2 percentage point spike. They’re not shy about using the portal to get experienced players who can contribute right away.
It’s a quick way to shake up a roster, and Miami’s definitely not waiting around for freshmen to develop.
Largest Age Shift: Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech’s roster got older faster than anyone else, with a +0.91 year age increase. That’s not by accident—they’re clearly focused on maturity and experience.
Retaining upperclassmen and adding older transfers seems to be their recipe for a tougher, more seasoned team.
Notable Movers and Shakers
Other programs have made some big moves too. Georgetown, for example, hit a 95.9 Experience Shift Score by mixing retention and transfers.
They didn’t just pick one path—they balanced things out, and it paid off.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest put up a 93.4 Experience Shift Score. They didn’t just focus on one thing—they spread the change across upperclass retention and transfer integration.
Honestly, that flexibility seems to be working for them in this new NIL landscape.
LSU Tigers
LSU, at 92.1, boosted their roster’s experience but didn’t go transfer-crazy like some others. They seem to value developing their own players and keeping upperclassmen around.
It’s a bit more old-school, but it’s clearly getting results.
Washington Huskies
Washington had one of the biggest jumps in transfers, scoring 90.9 on the Experience Shift. Their approach? Get experience fast, mostly through the portal.
It’s a bold move, and it’s made them a real player in the NIL era.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech cracked the top 10 with an 87.1 Experience Shift Score, thanks to a heavy focus on transfers. They’re not shy about bringing in experienced guys to transform the roster.
Programs with Minimal Change
Some schools, though, haven’t really jumped on the NIL bandwagon. Minnesota, for instance, is dead last with just a 4.4 Experience Shift Score and a -4.7 point drop in upperclassmen.
They’re sticking to a more traditional approach, not really loading up on transfers or older players.
Missouri Tigers
Missouri’s experience profile barely budged, with a 6.9 Experience Shift. They’re not making huge moves in any direction—just keeping things steady.
TCU Horned Frogs
TCU’s change was pretty modest too, with a 5.6 Experience Shift Score. No big swings, just a steady hand on the roster-building wheel.
Conclusion: The Impact of NIL on College Basketball
The NIL era hasn’t just added a new way for athletes to get paid; it’s shifted how college basketball teams are built. Programs can now speed up roster construction, aim for quick stability, and treat the transfer portal almost like a shopping cart.
This change is nudging the sport toward older lineups and more rapid turnover. The Action Network’s NIL Experience Index tracks these shifts and gives us a sense of how things are changing.
By looking at roster makeup over two different spans, the index shows how schools are rethinking their strategies. Some programs are jumping into the new system, building teams that are older and maybe a bit tougher.
Others are sticking to what they’ve always done, maybe out of habit or just plain stubbornness. With NIL rules still in flux, who knows where things will end up? It’s hard not to wonder how all this will shape the next chapter of college hoops.
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