Denial and Reflection: Bryce Pope’s NCAA Tournament Experience

DENVER — Sipping on his Coors Light, Bryce Pope found himself yearning to play in a game he felt he deserved to participate in. “Hit it, hit it!” he shouted as a former teammate took a shot, continuing to react like he was on the bench. “Shoot it! Get it! Ugh. Go up!”

Pope was the driving force behind UC San Diego’s basketball program for four years, having committed to the school before they even played their first Division I game. He was the standout player during their transition from Division II, waiting four years for a chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament or the Big West Tournament due to NCAA reclassification rules.

As the NIL era evolves, Pope’s story seems likely to become increasingly common. After years of hard work at one school, players must weigh the benefits of staying versus lucrative offers elsewhere. Pope made the difficult choice to leave UCSD for a financially enticing NIL deal with USC, despite feeling an emotional tug to remain at his former school. He often reflects on whether he made the right decision.

“This is the toughest time,” Pope expressed, feeling a mix of pride and regret as he watched UC San Diego, a twelfth seed, play in the NCAA Tournament from 30 rows up. “I wish I could wear a jersey,” he lamented as he cheered for his former teammates while consuming drinks and reflecting on his FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

Pope felt he deserved compensation for his efforts after delivering exceptional performances in college, but he remained grateful for the financial stability his choice brought him at USC. Yet, he often questions the impact of his decision: “How can mid-majors like UCSD compete?” he pondered. “Shouldn’t I be getting some reimbursement for my contributions?”

In a previous era, players didn’t have the option of NIL money or immediate transfers without sitting out. Pope had built up UCSD’s program significantly, helping it go from mediocre to respectable. Yet, many mid-major stars choose financial gain over team glory, as exemplified by other players in similar situations who have switched schools for more money.

Pope attended the tournament and appreciated the acknowledgment from his former teammates, yet felt a tinge of sadness at being “forgotten.” After UCSD’s hard-fought game against Michigan, where they nearly pulled off an upset, he felt emotionally tied to the team, still grappling with the end of his own playing career and his new career plans in real estate.