[4 Quarters]

Not nearly the cool factor but far better developmentally than stuck on the end of the bench at UK. Shot 31% last season and can't guard SEC guards...he's getting very few to no minutes. I love him but he's much better off elsewhere.

Won't argue the developmental aspect in most cases, but at a certain point, defense is only enhanced, not improved by leaps and bounds.

Was more going for UK being likely to make the tournament and go on deep runs, traveling to games on a chartered flight instead of a long bus ride, the NIL money and networking, etc.

I guess some of those overlap with the cool factor, but I've attended weekend Conference USA games where the crowd size and atmosphere made it feel like a weekday JV game. Not saying it's JUCO or Last Chance U, but I can't imagine that there's much glamor in the slog of a Horizon League season at NKU even if you are dropping 30.

It's interesting that you would use NKU as an example since I graduated from there when they were playing their best basketball. When Drew McDonald and the team were top of the Horizon League they drew some great crowds with a big atmosphere. But that's an aside lol. 

If Travis wants to be a glorified walk-on that gets the perks of being at UK, then that is available. If he wants to ever get to the level of an SEC level player, he needs to play regular minutes and not be buried on the end of the bench. I think Ansley Almonor is a good example off this year's team. He played 3 years at Fairleigh Dickinson perfecting his shooting ability so that he became an elite level corner specialist. That one skill set got him an opportunity to transfer to Kentucky and have some huge moments during the season.

I too have attended many NKU games.  I'm guessing I have never seen over 2,000 fans in the 9,400 seat arena for a Horizion League game.