What's happening: NCAA President Charlie Baker met with one of the loudest critics of the organization on Capitol Hill on Thursday.

Baker to the basket: Baker, who just started on the job on March 1, met with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), making clear his investment in open lines of communication with lawmakers frustrated by the dominant and profitable college sports entity.

"I think he gives us a real fresh start at the NCAA and a chance to have a more constructive relationship," Murphy told POLITICO. "He asked a lot of questions."

Murphy in the paint: "My recommendation to him is that the NCAA should not bet on Congress acting, it's better for them to act on behalf of students to guarantee them a broader share of the profits. And if they do that, that will probably make Congress more likely to act."

Murphy is a major advocate for college athletes getting what he thinks is their fair share, both in sports that rake in huge profits for colleges and in those that don't. He's in favor of giving athletes wide latitude in name, image and likeness rights, which allow college athletes to monetize their image and personal brand while maintaining eligibility to compete in intercollegiate sports. He has also backed legislation that would allow athletes to bargain collectively.

Murphy acknowledges that he’s "probably on one end of the spectrum" in terms of what he thinks Congress should do within the Senate. But said Baker came to "get some advice, take my temperature talk to talk a little bit about their priorities."