Here you go. Just like I said!!!
https://www.wptv.com/sports/college-sports/florida-atlantic-university/fau-basketball-players-accumulate-nil-deals-after-program-success#:~:text=The%20FAU%20men's%20basketball%20program,court%20and%20in%20financial%20literacy.
So it's true that they had minimal NIL money before Final Four:
"The FAU men's basketball program finished with a 19-15 record in 2022 and saw minimal NIL dollars throughout the program.
But after last spring's Final Four run, the Owls have seen NIL dollars impact the program, causing May to coach his team on the court and in financial literacy...."
Also, if true, I didn't know it was illegal to use NIL in recruiting:
"While the NCAA's guidelines say using potential name, image and likeness earnings to recruit kids to colleges is illegal, May said he knows recruits look at their possible earnings."
"We don't sell it a lot in recruiting, and if that's one of the first questions, we say this is probably not the right place for you," May said. "We think our entire roster is taken care of very well. We want recruits to come to this program because they think they will be developed into well-rounded young men and succeed on the court. Those results will be a by-product of how we do everything else."
I see nothing wrong with this approach. They aren't bribing kids to come or to stay but helping them maximize their opportunities. Seems to me the key is still getting the right coach. My opinion