While the Division I men’s basketball transfer list for 2016 — at 630-plus — isn’t quite as voluminous as last year’s all-time high of more than 700, it’s still miles more than the 200 transfers of a decade ago.

The grad transfer rule is certainly a factor for the rise, but that accounts for just 118 of those names this spring and early summer.

A big reason is transferring doesn’t carry the stigma it once did. Often, a player would leave a program because he had baggage or couldn’t get along with the coach and needed a fresh start.

Of course, there have always been kids seeking a change of scenery because they weren’t playing enough or believed they should be playing at a higher level.

But other forces have spiked the trend upward in recent years.

Southern Illinois coach Barry Hinson, never one to keep his opinions to himself, has strong thoughts on the subject. Hinson has been particularly hard hit by athletes leaving his program. Five departed after last season and top inside player Bola Olaniyan received his release from SIU this week.

“I don’t think the kids have changed,” Hinson said during the Missouri Valley Conference teleconference Tuesday. “They want to be loved, disciplined, taught and have fun. But I think parents have changed dramatically. They have these expectations and a lot of times they end up ruining young kids’ careers.

“It’s a problem with our society. We don’t want to handle adversity. We’re becoming a helicopter parenting society and that’s driving me nuts. It’s become an epidemic.”

Hinson believes a contributing factor to the hovering parent theory is the ubiquitousness of social media.

“Everything is about instant gratification,” he said. “We’ve gotta change our perspective. But I don’t see it happening anytime soon. The NCAA can help us, but they don’t want another lawsuit.”

Based on NCAA president Mark Emmert’s comments at the Final Four, Hinson appears correct that the organization’s plan is to do nothing.

“The issue of transfer rules, whether it’s for undergraduates or graduates, is one of the most hotly debated and discussed, I think, in sport right now, whether it’s football or basketball,” Emmert said. “The challenge is, it’s really hard to figure out a right way to resolve this issue.”

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