OK, so I am d3 and on this guy who is a scrubby D1 player with a 9 work ethic. Spent most of my money and points on him. On the last cycle a dummy D1 coach snakes this guy who is ineligible and a 9 work ethic. Any thoughts?

D1 / D2 / D3 and it isn't even close.

That's pretty much the story. At D3 or even D2 you take an immense risk recruiting a level up.

I know the risk, but he can't play his first year and won't grow that much. Why even sign him?

It doesn't really matter. I waisted about 90% of my resources last season going after an ineligible d1 as a D3. Was only 2 cycles away from the last day. D1 cut a player to make room for the guy I was going after. Too bad. My fault. I'm a grown up and I take responsibility for my actions. Lesson learned. But noooooooo. Why me?!?!?!

The nice answer here is that he just needed to grab anyone and got super desperate.

The not so nice answer here is that most people who play this game are not good at it.

That happens. I have been "snaked" at D1, D2, and D3. I don't complain and use it as a learning experience.

Here is a possible reason. If a D1 school loses their battles it can come down to going after players based on level one scouting. If you see an A prestige D3 or B/A prestige D2 human coached team a D1 coach might figure the guy could be a hidden gem. Early session 2 is too late to beat those D2 teams unless you have cash. With the Ineligible player you can make promises that won't hurt because the guy will be sitting that first season. Promises make up for lack of cash.

That is a preferable strategy to taking a SIM signed recruit if you have multiple openings. Also a nice way to pick up a prospect cheap. If the guy has some high potential maybe you red shirt him in season 2 to let him develop if you are the D1 team.

Those are my thoughts. Willing to listen and learn if a better coach currently playing has a different opinion

That makes a lot of sense ft.. Let's say you lose a battle on a big man, and you only have two, and he has good cores in rebounding and SB.