The College Basketball portal, every season, seems to reshape rosters every offseason. Let’s take a look at some of the winners of this offseason.
Topping the list is Rick Pitino and the Red Storm. Currently the No.1 transfer class via 247 Sports, Pitino has come out smelling like a rose this offseason, adding Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati), Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Oziyah Seller (Stanford), Joson Sanon (Arizona State), and Bryce Hopkins (Providence).
Zuby Ejiofor returns to bolster the frontcourt, and adding Mitchell increases their depth. Another dynamic addition is Arizona State transfer Joson Sanon, alongside Bryce Hopkins, who has been limited by injuries at Providence but will now have the opportunity to lead one of the better teams in the country next season at point guard.
While Pitino loses RJ Luis, Vincent Iwuchukwu, and Simeon Wilcher, the gains far outweigh these losses, making this team one to watch in the Big East next season.
The Job Mark Pope has done in Lexington is quite spectacular. His class last year, which involved many mid-major transfers and one of the biggest of the off-season in Otega Oweh, resulted in the Wildcats becoming a No. 3 seed and a Sweet 16 berth.
Adding Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama) and Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State) is a huge lift to the front court, and results in the backcourt were just as impressive with the additions of Jaland Lowe (Pitt), Denzel Aberdeen (Florida), and the transfer from Tulane, Kam Williams, who is also a significant piece of the puzzle.
This will be one of the most intriguing teams to watch in college basketball next season and quite possibly a top 5 team when it’s all said and done.
The return of Oweh, who is now evaluating his draft prospects, adds to the team’s leadership, creating a formidable unit.
The work Pat Kelsey has put in has been remarkable, and the addition of Xavier’s Ryan Conwell is another significant piece for this team, which is aiming for back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances.
Adrian Wooley, a fantastic guard from Kennesaw State, and Isaac McKneely, a tremendous shooter from Virginia, will enhance the lineup, along with the returns of J’Vonne Hadley.
This Cardinals team is shaping up to be a formidable force next season. They also welcome freshman sensation Mikel Brown Jr., who is considered one of the top freshmen in the country. With all these additions, the Kentucky/Louisville rivalry is getting exciting again.
Dusty May is one of the best coaches in the country, and he’s making an impact both on and off the court.
He has put together a recruiting class that could elevate Michigan to the No. 2 spot, similarly to Louisville, as both programs have effectively utilized the transfer portal to their advantage. The way they have responded in the portal showcases their commitment to building competitive teams for the upcoming season.
The Wolverines have added 7-foot-3 Aday Mara (UCLA), Morez Johnson (Illinois), Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), and guard Elliot Cadeau, who will all be significant assets for May.
With the return of Nimari Burnett, May will have a roster capable of contending not only for the Big Ten Championship but also for the national title.
This team is shaping up to be quite stacked. Lendeborg’s development for the NBA will be something to monitor as we move into late May and discuss his potential return.
Auburn, Indiana, Texas, and Texas Tech were all teams that loaded up in the portal and made significant additions that will change the dynamics of the college basketball landscape.
The two surprise picks in this mix were Illinois and Iowa. Iowa excelled in the portal by adding Brendan Hausen (Kansas State), Alvaro Folgueiras (Robert Morris), and sharpshooter Bennett Stirtz (Drake). Ben McCollum stands out as one of the most underrated coaches in the country.
From Mid-Major to Power Five, he’s done an impressive job in the portal with Iowa and has showcased his coaching prowess during his time at Drake. Illinois and Brad Underwood are also assembling a strong roster through the portal. Andrej Stojakovic, one of the top players available, committed to Illinois on Monday.
Additionally, the additions of Zvonimir Ivisic alongside his brother Tomislav will make a significant impact in the frontcourt. With these euro additions, Illinois is shaping up to have a Top 15 roster and will utilize the spread attack that Brad Underwood is known for.
This is only April, and things will change from now until October. Many other teams have added some great pieces, and one thing is for sure: college basketball will be at the top of its game again next year as roster moves continue to happen all over the country.
The excitement surrounding these changes will make for an intriguing season ahead!
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