Amid the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, the transfer portal officially opened Monday.

The men's Sweet 16 will commence Thursday, but several players are already seeking new schools. On Monday afternoon, Field of 68's Jeff Goodman claimed that more than 500 men's basketball players entered the transfer portal.

Last year, 1,425 men's basketball players entered the portal approximately midway through the open window.

Monday's numerous transfers include Justin Pippen. The son of Scottie Pippen hasn't seen the court since March 9 for Michigan, which will play No. 1 Auburn in the Sweet 16 on Friday night.

Among the most notable players to enter the portal, guard Dedan Thomas led UNLV with 15.6 points per game during his sophomore season. Iowa stars Owen Freeman and Josh Dix submitted their names into the portal after the program dismissed longtime head coach Fran McCaffery.

Obi Agbim could choose a new school after averaging 17.2 points per game at Wyoming last season. 

Bryce Hopkins, who transferred from Kentucky after one year, could change programs again after registering 17.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in his third season at Providence. His teammate, guard Jayden Pierre, also entered the portal. 

Goodman called the excess of portal activity "ridiculous." Beginning the process during the tournament has especially drawn consternation. Former NFL star JJ Watt called it "preposterous" to open the portal during March Madness.

"Literally cannibalizing your own sport," Watt said. "Imagine NFL free agency starting the Monday after Wild Card Weekend."

The same issue occurred with the football portal opening during the College Football Playoff. Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula made the difficult decision to enter the portal as the Nittany Lions pursued a national title. 

Fans may miss the days of players staying with the same program and earning more playing time as upperclassmen. It's increasingly difficult to keep up with roster movement during a portal period that resembles a professional sports league's free agency.

However, it's hard to blame players for not feeling any loyalty toward a program. Goodman also noted that 36 coaching changes have already been made.