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Brent Blum Named Director of NIL Development for Iowa State

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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Forgets AJ Dybantsa’s Name While Praising NIL for Aiding BYU

AJ Dybantsa, widely considered the top high school basketball prospect in the class of 2025, is drawing national attention as he prepares for an anticipated standout freshman year at BYU and eyes a likely spot in the 2026 NBA Draft. His rise highlights how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are reshaping college sports, giving […]

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AJ Dybantsa, widely considered the top high school basketball prospect in the class of 2025, is drawing national attention as he prepares for an anticipated standout freshman year at BYU and eyes a likely spot in the 2026 NBA Draft.

His rise highlights how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are reshaping college sports, giving elite players more options than ever before.

Yet, even as Dybantsa’s profile soars, not everyone in the basketball world is up to speed – as evidenced by a recent podcast slip-up from veteran NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

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AJ Dybantsa’s Name Slips from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s Memory

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, joined the latest episode of The Dawg Talk Podcast to discuss the impact of NIL contracts on college basketball.

He emphasized how NIL has broadened opportunities for top recruits, making it possible for standout players to choose programs outside traditional powerhouses.

During the conversation, Caldwell-Pope tried to reference Dybantsa’s high-profile commitment to BYU, but stumbled over the player’s name:

“Now you got more players to like…just it ain’t all on one team. That’s one of the reasons I like the NIL. You can put some in these top ranks, you know, back down all American kids, and put them in a school like…I forget the number one kid…he went, he is going to…what college is he going…?”

With help from the hosts, Caldwell-Pope eventually recalled Dybantsa’s name and used the moment to reflect on his own college choice.

He pointed out how the landscape has evolved, noting that top prospects now have more freedom to pick schools where they can make an immediate impact rather than joining already stacked rosters.

“Kentucky used to have the whole McDonald’s All American class. My year, I went to Georgia. They had six PAC All American going to their school. Six of them. And I was going to go, but I was like: ‘Oh no, I ain’t going to even get no playing time. I want to see playing time…’”

Caldwell-Pope’s experience offers a useful comparison for today’s recruits. He played two seasons at the University of Georgia, where he earned SEC Player of the Year honors before the Detroit Pistons selected him eighth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Over his NBA career, Caldwell-Pope has won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and the Denver Nuggets in 2023, solidifying his reputation as a reliable veteran.

Meanwhile, Dybantsa is making headlines of his own. He is expected to play just one season at BYU before entering the NBA Draft, where he is projected as a lottery pick.

His recent performance with Team USA at the FIBA U19 World Cup has only boosted his profile. Through the tournament, Dybantsa is averaging 16.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 75% from two-point range.

These numbers demonstrate his readiness for the next level, and his success on the international stage is a strong indicator of his potential impact in college and beyond.

Dybantsa’s journey reflects a changing landscape in college basketball, where NIL deals and increased player mobility are giving top prospects more control over their futures. As Caldwell-Pope’s podcast moment shows, even established NBA stars are still getting used to the new era of recruiting and player movement.





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Which players have the highest NIL value on every Big Ten football program?

Staying competitive in the Name, Image and Likeness space is a large part of the Big Ten’s two consecutive college football national championships, and things are no different entering the 2025 season. From highly-touted quarterbacks like Penn State’s Drew Allar and Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola to standout wide receivers like Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Oregon’s […]

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Staying competitive in the Name, Image and Likeness space is a large part of the Big Ten’s two consecutive college football national championships, and things are no different entering the 2025 season.

From highly-touted quarterbacks like Penn State’s Drew Allar and Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola to standout wide receivers like Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Oregon’s Evan Stewart, the conference has some of the nation’s highest-valued players in NIL.

Here’s a look at the Big Ten’s 18 teams by their highest-valued NIL earners, per On3 valuations, for the 2025 season.

Dorian Fleming signed with the Terrapins as a three-star recruit out of Life Christian Academy (Colonial Heights, Virginia) in the class of 2025. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound tight end leads Maryland with a $238,000 NIL valuation.

Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45)

Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

The program leader for rushing yards by a freshman, Mockobee has 2,466 and 21 total touchdowns over the last three seasons. The former three-star out of Boonville, Indiana, leads all Boilermakers with a $265,000 NIL valuation.

Wisconsin offensive lineman Riley Mahlman (71)

Wisconsin offensive lineman Riley Mahlman (71) / Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Wisconsin offensive tackle Riley Mahlman signed with the Badgers as the No. 7 player at his position in the class of 2021. The Lakeville, Minnesota, native is one of the Big Ten’s most experienced tackles (33 appearances) and leads the Badgers with an NIL valuation of $492,000.

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2)

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Aidan Chiles, a former Oregon State transfer, returns for his second season as the starter at Michigan State. The Downey, California, native was a top-10 quarterback in the class of 2023 and leads the way with a $637,000 NIL valuation.

Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor (1)

Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor (1) / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

After an injury thwarted half of his true freshman season, Minnesota’s Darius Taylor racked up 986 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns last season. The former three-star recruit out of Walled Lake, Michigan, leads the Golden Gophers with a $804,000 NIL valuation.

Rutgers signed Eric O’Neill in the offseason after he entered the transfer portal following one season at James Madison and the previous three seasons at Long Island. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound EDGE has 28.5 career sacks and leads the Scarlett Knights with an $849,000 NIL valuation

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Aaron Graves (95)

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Aaron Graves (95) / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

One of the top-returning defensive lineman in the country, Iowa’s Aaron Graves totaled career-highs in tackles for loss (8), sacks (6) and forced fumbles (3) as a junior last season, earning an honorable All-Big Ten selection. The Dayton, Iowa, native leads the Hawkeyes on the NIL front with a $854,000 valuation.

Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9)

Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) / Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Luke Altmyer, a former Ole Miss transfer, put together a big year for Illinois last season with a career-high 26 total touchdowns, leading the Fighting Illini to their best season since 2001. The former four-star recruit out of Starkville, Mississippi, paces Illinois with a $1.1 million NIL valuation.

Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan (72)

Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan (72) / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Northwestern offensive tackle enters his senior season as one of the most experienced players in the country with 39 appearances through four seasons. The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention hails from Livonia, Michigan, and leads the Wildcats with a $1.2 million NIL valuation.

Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1)

Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Jonah Coleman transferred to Washington in 2024 after two seasons at Arizona. And the Stockton, California, native flourished with the Huskies, earning Third-Team All-Big Ten honors. Coleman leads Washington with a $1.2 million NIL valuation as a senior.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) / Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Indiana signed Fernando Mendoza in December after he entered the transfer portal following two seasons at California. The Miami, Florida, native ranked as the No. 4 transfer quarterback and already leads the Hoosiers with a $1.4 million NIL valuation.

Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14)

Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Quarterback Jayden Maiava was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year at UNLV in 2023 before transferring to USC in 2024. The former three-star out of Henderson, Nevada, enters his first season as the Trojans’ full-time starter and holds an NIL valuation of $1.4 million.

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7)

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) / Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Evan Stewart was the No. 1 ranked wide receiver in the 2022 class before signing with Texas A&M. The Frisco, Texas, native went on to transfer to Oregon in 2024 and returns this season as on of the Ducks’ top playmakers, leading with a $1.7 million NIL valuation.

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava / Brianna Paciorka / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One of the offseason’s biggest stories, Nico Iamaleava entered the transfer portal after leading Tennessee to its first College Football Playoff appearance. The former five-star chose UCLA and leads the Bruins with an NIL valuation of $2 million.

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15)

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola started all 13 games for the Cornhuskers after signing as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 class. The former five-star out of Buford, Georgia, leads the program with a $2.3 million NIL valuation as a sophomore.

Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan pulled out the stops to flip five-star and No. 1 recruit Bryce Underwood from LSU. The Belleville, Michigan, native chose to stay home in the end and enters his first season as the highest-valued true freshman in the country with a $3 million NIL valuation.

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15)

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar led the Nittany Lions to a school-record 13 wins and the program’s first playoff appearance in 2024. After passing up an NFL Draft opportunity, he returns as one of the top passers in the country and holds a $3.1 million NIL valuation.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4)

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jeremiah Smith lived up to his five-star pedigree by breaking Ohio State’s freshman receiving records while earning Big Ten freshman and receiver of the year, along with Freshman All-America and First-Team All-America honors in 2024.

After helping lead the Buckeyes to a national title, Smith ranks third nationally with an NIL valuation of $4.2 million.





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These college basketball coaches are in trouble and will be expensive to fire

There has always been immense pressure to win in college basketball, especially at the blue blood programs, but as revenue-sharing gets introduced and the athletic departments begin to pay athletes directly, that pressure will only ramp up. Now, schools won’t just be diverting resources to the head coach, but to the players who, in many […]

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There has always been immense pressure to win in college basketball, especially at the blue blood programs, but as revenue-sharing gets introduced and the athletic departments begin to pay athletes directly, that pressure will only ramp up. Now, schools won’t just be diverting resources to the head coach, but to the players who, in many cases, that coach hand-selected. 

This past offseason’s coaching carousel exemplified that urgency, with major movement at programs with national championships in their trophy cases and annual title aspirations. Indiana had enough with Mike Woodson, replacing him with Darian DeVries from West Virginia, and Villanova took its second swing at replacing Jay Wright, moving on from Kyle Neptune in favor of Kevin Willard from Maryland. Even football schools like Texas and Miami made major moves. 

College sports have never had patience, and the leash has gotten even shorter all across the country. If a head coach can’t win, many programs are even willing to pay a steep price to move on, and these five coaches could be next in the 2025-26 season. 

441. player. . Hubert Davis. Hubert Davis. HC. Hubert Davis. . .

Hubert Davis is the obvious name to watch on the hot seat. After narrowly sneaking into the NCAA Tournament, and under much controversy, last season, the Tar Heels desperately need to find their way back to even footing with their biggest in-state rivals. Jon Scheyer has kept Duke rolling after taking over for Mike Krzyzewski. UNC has been on more of a roller coaster with Davis after Roy Williams’s retirement. 

UNC spent big on its roster this upcoming season, bringing in a top 10 transfer portal class, so athletic director Bubba Cunningham and the rest of the decision-makers in Chapel Hill won’t be afraid to spend big to move on from Davis if he flops in Year 5 of his tenure. As fanbase pressure ramped up last season, North Carolina finally released the news of a two-year contract extension Davis signed in December to tie him to the program through the 2029-30 season at over $3 million a year. 

HC. player. Adrian Autry. . . Adrian Autry. Adrian Autry. . . 445

Syracuse basketball has not been the same since the move from the Big East to the ACC, aside from a few Cinderella runs in the 2010s, the even Jim Boeheim struggled to win consistently in the new conference. Now, two years into his tenure, Autry has yet to lead Syracuse to the NCAA Tournament, and last season the program finished with a losing record for the first time since 1968-69. 

Because Syracuse is a private university, it does not have to disclose its coaches’ salaries, so it’s unclear how costly moving on would be, but for a program that has been slow to invest properly in the NIL era, any cost could be cumbersome. 

. 512. . . Bobby Hurley. Bobby Hurley. Bobby Hurley. HC. player.

While Danny Hurley is on top of the college basketball landscape, his brother Bobby is struggling to hold onto his job at Arizona State. Hurley arrived in Tempe back in 2015 and has led the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament three times, but not since 2023 and never with a seed higher than No. 11. Hurley has yet to advance through the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

It’s a rarity in college sports, where stability is a huge asset in recruiting, but the veteran head coach will enter the final year of his contract this season, so while it may not be costly to move on in his case, you may not find a hotter seat than the one out in the desert. 

. Fred Hoiberg. HC. . . Fred Hoiberg. 488. . player. Fred Hoiberg

Fred Hoiberg was the 2024 Big Ten Coach of the Year, and that 23-11 season earned him a significant raise. Hoiberg’s contract extends through the 2028-29 season, and last season he made $4.25 million. At that cost, it was a bit of a disappointment in Lincoln. Hoiberg failed to follow his 2024 NCAA Tournament appearance with another trip in 2025, so he has just one trip to The Big Dance in his six seasons with the program. 

Cornhuskers fans, though their attention is more fixed on the football field, could be running out of patience for Hoiberg, and it could leave the athletic department with its hands tied, potentially forced to move on from its head coach just two years after a major contract extension. 

player. 444. . . Jeff Capel. Jeff Capel. HC. . PItt.

Last summer, Pitt recommitted to Jeff Capel, handing him a three-year contract extension through the 2029-30 season. He has been in Pittsburgh for seven years now, and the Panthers have just one NCAA Tournament trip to show for it. 

Pitt may be committed to being a football school in the revenue-sharing era, so the decision makers could be reluctant to move on from Capel and pay the rest of his contract out after this year, but if his team struggles in the ACC once again, the fanbase will be ready for the program to go in another direction.



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EA Sports to bring back college basketball video game in 2028 – Tar Heel Times

Posted Jul 4, 2025 EA Sports is set to bring back its college basketball video game in 2028, according to a memo obtained by Matt Brown. The video game company also teased the release. EA Sports and 2K both stopped their annual releases of college basketball video games prior to […]

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EA Sports is set to bring back its college basketball video game in 2028, according to a memo obtained by Matt Brown. The video game company also teased the release. EA Sports and 2K both stopped their annual releases of college basketball video games prior to 2013. Due to NIL, there was a lot of speculation of whether video games would return.
(On3.com)

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EA Sports to bring back college basketball video game in 2028




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SEC Basketball: 2025 Offseason Review

Over the past five years, we’ve come to lean on churn as a form of shorthand to describe what unfolds across college hoops. It wasn’t inaccurate, either. The transfer portal, implementation of NIL, and extra years of eligibility bestowed during the pandemic did usher annual reshuffling across the sport. Yet churn is also imprecise. Sure, […]

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Over the past five years, we’ve come to lean on churn as a form of shorthand to describe what unfolds across college hoops. It wasn’t inaccurate, either. The transfer portal, implementation of NIL, and extra years of eligibility bestowed during the pandemic did usher annual reshuffling across the sport.

Yet churn is also imprecise. Sure, players changed teams, but their output remained. This spring, though, the last batch of super seniors exhausted their eligibility. And churn doesn’t begin to describe the outflow. Turnover is probably better, but it undersells the scale of production that programs need to replace.

The chart below, which shows the median for returning production in various statistical categories, is a rough attempt to convey this information.

Heading into a pandemic-affected season, it was still reasonable to expect an SEC school to bring back almost 60 percent of its production, and only Auburn and Kentucky experienced significant turnover. While the transfer portal created a bit more outflow, the inevitable dip arrived this spring. This year, a dozen members of the SEC found themselves replacing more than 70 percent of their production.

Unfortunately, the mechanics of the labor market have made that trickier. There are no more super-seniors, creating a contraction in supply. Next, the window for players to hit the portal shrunk to 30 days. Simultaneously, programs were pushing hard to get NIL deals done before a federal judge approved a settlement in the House class-action case, a structure that creates a commission to vet those pacts. The end result? Inflation.

The pace of players entering the portal wasn’t dramatically different, but the forces I just mentioned meant the timeline for recruitments — at least at the top end of the market — sped up dramatically. It was cut in half, with the median duration coming in around 11 days. Supply never reached a level where prices could start easing.

Across the SEC, NIL budgets didn’t stretch far enough for schools to fill every opening on their rosters. Soon enough, you’ll see that some programs possessed enough financial ammo to build quality starting five, but their bench mob might raise some questions.

But if you wouldn’t know it based on way-too-early preseason polls assembled by national pundits. The status quo prevails, but a close audit of SEC rosters should leave analysts expecting a pecking order that’s far more fluid. We know that programs that, in relative terms, retain continuity and production tend to wind up in contention. Yet, we don’t see the likes of Missouri or Vanderbilt getting much publicity.

As usual, our appraisal comes a bit later. We wait until the transfer portal closes and the NBA Draft is completed. By late June, summer workouts have been underway for a month, and rosters are now locked in. We treat each capsule as a snapshot. Come fall, Sam Snelling will roll out deep dives on each team.

In terms of rankings, we use 247Sports’ composite for high schoolers because it aims to project how prospects will perform in college. For transfers, we utilize EvanMiya rankings, which are based on Bayesian Performance Ratings. Those ratings are helpful because they attempt to quantify defensive performance. Rosters are current as of July 3.


NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament East Regional-Alabama at Duke

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

  • Record: 28-9, 13-5 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 6
  • Freshmen Rank: No. 4
  • Transfer Rank: No. 69
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: Mouhamed Dioubate, Derrion Reid, Jarin Stevenson, Houston Mallette
  • Graduation: Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Chris Youngblood, Clifford Omoruyi
  • Returners: Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, Aiden Sherrell, Latrell Wrightsell
  • Freshmen: London Jemison (No. 38), Davion Hannah (No. 46), Collins Onyejiaka (No. 91) Amari Allen (No. 94)
  • Transfers: Taylor Bol Bowen (Florida State/No. 170), Noah Williamson (Bucknell/No. 213), Jalil Bethea (Miami/No. 274), Keitenn Bristow (Tarleton State/No. 599)
  • Open: 3

Alabama | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
29.73 32.07 34.64 32.47 30.67 21.56 37.89 40.77 28.82 37.28 12.58

Each spring, the NBA Draft sees surprise withdrawals, and this year, Labaron Philon was one of them. Though he might have been a late first-round pick, the rise of NIL deals allowed Alabama to offer competitive compensation, keeping a key piece of its core intact.

That’s fortunate for head coach Nate Oats, whose offseason didn’t go as planned. Three promising underclassmen—Mouhamd Dioubate, Derrion Reid, and Jarin Stevenson—transferred, despite being poised for major roles. Their exits cost Alabama valuable developmental continuity.

The transfer portal didn’t offer much relief either. Adrian Wooley, a Tuscaloosa native and Conference USA Freshman of the Year, chose Louisville. Cedric Coward, a Washington State standout, committed to Duke before going pro. And USC’s Desmond Claude stayed on the West Coast and pledge to Washington.

The Tide’s most notable portal addition is Jalil Bethea, a former McDonald’s All-American who struggled during a chaotic freshman year at Miami. If Bethea finds his rhythm, he could form a dynamic backcourt with Philon and Aden Holloway, giving Alabama a strong perimeter trio.

However, concerns remain in the frontcourt. Transfers Taylor Bol Bowen (Florida State) and Noah Williamson (Bucknell) bring size but lack defensive prowess. Returnee Nick Sherrell has been a role player, and depth remains thin.

Freshmen London Jemison and Amari Allen offer offensive versatility, with Jemison showing more athleticism and defensive potential. Still, relying on unproven talent is risky—especially after losing a veteran like Dioubate to an SEC rival.

Philon’s return helps stabilize the roster. Without him, Alabama’s returning production would rank 10th in the SEC; with him, they jump to fifth. Yet, the Tide still bring back just 32.1% of last season’s possessions, trailing teams like Texas, Kentucky, and Mississippi State—each of which also landed stronger transfer classes, according to Evan Miya’s model.

Alabama’s freshman class lacks a clear breakout candidate, and while the offense has potential, depth and defense are major question marks. The Tide likely won’t collapse, but they may struggle to match last season’s success.


Arkansas v Texas Tech

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

  • Record: 22-14, 8-10 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 36
  • Freshmen Rank: No. 7
  • Transfer Class: No. 43
  • NBA Draft: Adou Thiero
  • Transfers Out: Boogie Fland, Zvonimir Ivisic, Casmir Chavis, Melo Sanchez
  • Graduation: Johnell Davis, Jonas Aidoo
  • Returners: D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile, Billy Richmond, Jaden Karuletwa, Ayden Kelley
  • Freshmen: Darius Acuff (No. 11), Meleek Thomas (No. 12), Isaiah Sealy (No. 76), Paulo Semedo (NR)
  • Transfers: Malique Ewin (Florida State/No. 77), Nick Pringle (South Carolina/No. 96)
  • International: Karim Rtail (Lebanon)
  • Open: 3

Arkansas | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
47.70 42.24 40.66 41.79 41.22 43.54 47.26 40.32 49.50 37.27 22.16

Refer to the table above, which outlines Arkansas’ returning production. Now, guess where the Razorbacks rank among SEC teams.

Second.

Yes, John Calipari’s team ranks near the top in retention—a surprising but timely shift for a program in need of stability. Over the past three seasons, Arkansas entered each year ranked in the top 20 but won just 57 percent of its games and own a losing SEC record. Still, they reached the NCAA tournament’s second weekend twice. To an extent, results have triumphed over process.

This year’s roster is lean but not unfamiliar. Key returners—DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile, and Billy Richmond—form a solid core. Add two McDonald’s All-Americans and a pair of veteran bigs, and the roster’s structure becomes clearer. However, depth remains a concern. While Calipari typically relies on a short bench, any run of injuries could expose the Hogs’ thin margins.

The hybrid forward spot is particularly vulnerable. Brazile again enters a season with high expectations but will his body hold up to consistently meet them? As insurance, Arkansas added Karim Rtail, a Lebanese pro who averaged 8.4 points in Lithuania, to bolster the position.

Yet Knox’s return is crucial. Had he remained in the NBA Draft, Arkansas would’ve leaned heavily on Richmond, who thrives in transition but struggles in half-court sets—ranking in the 33rd percentile nationally in efficiency, per Synergy Sports. Now, Richmond’s development can be a bonus rather than a necessity.

The backcourt trio of Wagner, Darius Acuff, and Meleek Thomas is expected to carry the offensive load. Up front, Florida State transfer Malique Ewin, who posted 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, may be the only true low-post threat. Nick Pringle adds depth, joining his third SEC program.

Will this team start SEC play 0–5 again? Unlikely. There’s enough talent to avoid that fate, and clearer roles at the outset should accelerate chemistry. As we’ve seen time and again, once a Calipari team finds its rhythm, decent results follow.

With other SEC contenders undergoing resets, Arkansas has a window to capitalize before March. The combination of returning production, high-end talent, and a more defined roster identity gives the Razorbacks a chance to outperform expectations.


NCAA Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Florida at Auburn

Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

  • Record: 32-6, 15-3 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 4
  • Freshmen Rank: No. 16
  • Transfer Class: No. 41
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: Chad Baker-Mazara, Jakhi Howard
  • Graduation: Johni Broome, Miles Kelly, Denver Jones, Chaney Johnson, Dylan Cardwell, Jaheim Hudson, J.P. Pegues, Chris Moore
  • Returners: Tahaad Pettiford, Blake Muschalek, Presley Patterson, CJ Williams, Reed Trapp
  • Freshmen: Sebastian Williams-Adams (No. 48), Kaden Magwood (No. 58), Simon Walker (No. 132)
  • Transfers: Keyshawn Hall (UCF/No. 55), KeShawn Murphy (Mississippi State/No. 116), Kevin Overton (Texas Tech/No. 186), Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln-Memorial)
  • JUCO: Abdul Bashir (No. 3), Emeka Opurum (NR)
  • International: Filip Jovic
  • Open: 4

Auburn | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
12.14 16.94 16.90 15.23 14.52 6.80 18.92 20.70 18.84 13.79 3.13

Doubting Bruce Pearl has rarely paid off over the past decade. That said, there’s reason to believe recency bias is influencing optimism around Auburn’s latest roster retool. Before Tahaad Pettiford withdrew from the NBA Draft, the Tigers were projected to rank 15th in returning production.

Pettiford’s return is critical. Without him, Auburn would lack a true point guard and rely heavily on freshman Kaden Magwood, who averaged 22.5 points on Adidas’ 3SSB circuit, to carry a sizeable chunk of scoring. Instead, Magwood can shift to a more natural combo guard role.

Together, Pettiford and Magwood might siphon some questionable shots away from UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall. Meanwhile, Texas Tech transfer Kevin Overton also stands to benefit with a more defined role.

Few would dispute Hall’s talent, and averaging 0.96 PPP is respectable. Yet Hall’s teams consistently performed worse with him on the floor. UCF’s net rating dropped when he played, and George Mason improved after his departure. It’s also where Pearl’s track record matters. We’ve seen him pluck high-usage guards from mediocre rosters – Zep Jasper, Denver Jones and Miles Kelly – and reform them into valuable contributors. However, those teams had enough depth to park a player who chafed against that process. This one doesn’t.

Right now, the alternatives are Abdul Bashir, the No. 3 JUCO prospect, and Division II transfer Elyjah Freeman, each of whom may need time to adjust. Overton, a depth piece at Texas Tech, could be the only reliable bench option early in the season.

The frontcourt is even thinner. KeShawn Murphy, who had a solid year at Mississippi State, is projected to contribute just a third of Johni Broome’s value. He’s backed by unranked JUCO big Emeka Opurim and international newcomer Flip Jovic. Auburn’s success last season hinged on depth pieces like Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson, who complemented Broome perfectly. Their absence, along with Broome’s, leaves a significant void.

And that’s really the crux of the matter. This version of Auburn lacks the same depth, flexibility and continuity of prior editions. The floor under Pearl should remain high, but it will take some rapid development from newcomers for the Tigers to avoid a modest slip down the SEC table.


NCAA Basketball: Final Four National Championship-Houston vs Florida

Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

  • Record: 36-4, 14-4 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 3
  • Freshmen Rank: No. 30
  • Transfer Class: No. 4
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: Sam Alexis, Denzel Aberdeen, Kajus Kublickas
  • Graduation: Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, Will Richard
  • Returners: Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, Urban Klavzar, Micah Handlogten, Isaiah Brown, Olivier Rioux, Viktor Mikic, Cooper Josefsberg, Kevin Pazmino
  • Freshmen: C.J. Ingram (No. 29), Alex Lloyd (No. 42)
  • Transfers: Boogie Fland (Arkansas/No. 1), Xavian Lee (Princeton/No. 32), AJ Brown (Ohio/No. 386)
  • Open: 2

Florida | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
40.20 29.47 33.77 32.76 34.80 57.87 37.80 18.97 36.56 34.80 69.27

Typically, the exodus of a starting backcourt for a national champion might lower expectations.

But circumstances aren’t typical now.

Coach Todd Golden’s Gators are third in the SEC for returning production, the byproduct of retaining most of his frontcourt rotation. Combo guard Denzel Aberdeen’s defection to Kentucky is also a tough look, but functionally, he’s still just the rotation sixth man. Meanwhile, every rival except Arkansas saw significantly more turnover.

So, practically speaking, Golden and his staff entered this offseason with a comparatively short list of needs, a clear sense of their budget, and a system that just won a national title. The result: Princeton transfer Xavien Lee and Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland. Those two imports should easily slot into starting roles, while a freshman like CJ Ingram, who is ranked 30th in the 2025 class, projects as a potential solution on the wing.

As for replacing Aberdeen, Golden should feel that one of Isaiah or AJ Brown can start filling the void. Meanwhile, combo guard Alex Lloyd is also a top 40 recruit in the 2025 class. Last season, Golden didn’t have much need for a perimeter rotation that went beyond four players. That won’t be the case this season, but he’ll also have ample options at his disposal.

Now, the front court did lose Sam Alexis, who transferred to Indiana. But Alexis was arguably the Gators’ fourth option, and that was before Micah Handlogten was steadily reintegrated into the rotation in the home stretch. Now that Handlogten is fully recovered from a broken leg and getting the benefits from a full offseason of conditioning, you could argue Golden’s interior rotation improved this spring.

Of course, we have to see what kind of chemistry this newly reconstituted backcourt can conjure up, but it’s easy to see how Florida enters next season with a top-10 ranking and as the prohibitive favorite to win the SEC.


NCAA Basketball: Oklahoma at Georgia

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

  • Record: 20-13, 8-10 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 38
  • Recruiting Rank: No. 21
  • Transfer Class: No. 36
  • NBA Draft: Asa Newell
  • Transfers Out: Silas Demary Jr., R.J. Godfrey, De’Shayne Montgomery, Savo Drezgic
  • Graduation: Dakota Leffew, Tyrin Lawrence
  • Returners: Blue Cain, Somto Cyril, Dylan James, Justin Abson, Jordyn Kee, Jaden Newell, Brandon Klatsky
  • Freshmen: Jacob Wilkins (No. 45), Kareem Stagg (No. 71), Jackson McVey (No. 220)
  • Transfers: Kanon Catchings (BYU/No. 47), Jeremiah Wilkinson (Cal/No. 132), Marcus Millender (UTSA/No. 245), Jordan Ross (Saint Mary’s/No. 255), Justin Bailey (Wofford/No. 256)
  • Open: 2

Georgia | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
31.33 25.02 20.80 26.04 25.65 36.58 25.31 25.01 27.28 27.73 54.44

It’s probably a safe assumption that Mike White expected Asa Newell’s stay in Athens to be brief. It’s also equally likely Georgia’s coach banked on having Silas Demary Jr. around for a junior campaign. Instead, Newell’s off to the NBA, while Demary hit the portal and teleported to UConn.

Fresh off ending a decade-long NCAA tournament drought, Georgia faced more roster turnover this spring. The fixes aren’t perfect, but Mike White has a plausible path to another postseason run.

Retaining Blue Cain may not seem critical, but the junior wing is a steady starter. With improved catch-and-shoot ability, he could thrive in a smaller, floor-spacing lineup. If White opts for two bigs, Cain can shift to combo guard.

The frontcourt saw limited departures. Losing RJ Godfrey to Clemson stings, but keeping Somto Cyril is a win. Cyril remains raw offensively but is a strong rebounder and rim protector. Justin Abson and Dylan James provide depth, though White must find a mix that maintains defensive integrity without stalling the offense.

White rebuilt his guard corps with balance. Kanon Catchings, Jeremiah Wilkinson, and Jordan Ross bring upside and three years of eligibility. Marcus Millender, a hyper-efficient scorer from UTSA, has two years left. Cain is a junior, and Jordyn Kee, a sophomore, adds depth. Only Wofford transfer Justin Bailey is a one-year rental. While minutes may be tight, UGA’s staff possess the raw material for a rotation that might surprise.

Catchings oozes potential as a high-upside scorer but comes with baggage. He clashed with coaches at Overtime Elite, left Purdue early, and had an inconsistent freshman year at BYU. Still, his scoring talent is undeniable, and unlocking it is central to White’s plans.

The hierarchy at lead guard remains in flux, too. Wilkinson had freedom at Cal but – aside from Andrej Stojakovic – the Bears’ roster lacked reliable sources of offense. It meant the freshman had more latitude, and moving forward, Wilkinson needs to curb iffy pull-ups and improve his playmaking. That’s where Ross, a Saint Mary’s transfer, might act as a more traditional facilitator. Keeping Cain and Catchings on the floor likely pushes either Wilkinson or Millender to the bench.

That’s not a bad problem—if Wilkinson and Catchings settle in quickly. White’s roster construction shows a clear vision and potential for continuity. But if cohesion lags, this team may be a year away from serious tournament contention.


Illinois v Kentucky

Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

  • Record: 24-12, 10-8
  • KenPom: No. 16
  • Freshmen Rank: No. 11
  • Transfer Class: No. 2
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: Kerr Kriisa, Travis Perry, Walker Horn, Grant Darbyshire
  • Graduation: Jaxson Robinson, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Amari Williams, Andrew Carr, Ainsley Almonor
  • Returners: Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler, Trent Noah, Zach Tow
  • Freshmen: Jasper Johnson (No. 21), Malachi Moreno (No. 25), Braydon Hawthorne (No. 104)
  • Transfers: Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State/No. 10), Mouhamed Dioubate (No. 18/Alabama), Jaland Lowe (Pitt/No. 20), Kam Williams (Tulane/No. 208), Denzel Aberdeen (Florida/No. 346), Reece Potter (Miami (Ohio)/No. 800)
  • International: Andrija Jelavic (Croatia)
  • Open: 1

Kentucky | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
30.51 32.47 26.83 31.89 30.76 30.82 26.08 19.95 35.12 44.17 28.96

While Mark Pope’s maiden campaign mainly proved successful, his first iteration of the Wildcats came with a pair of reasonable critiques. First, they buckled at times defensively. Second, they were somewhat lacking in perimeter playmakers.

Fortunately, Pope had a healthy budget to address those shortcomings in Year 2.

Kentucky’s frontcourt is where the fortifications are most evident. Going by on-off splits, Brandon Garrison’s impact appears shaky. UK’s net rating dropped nearly 19 points when he played. But context matters: he often anchored lineups featuring weaker perimeter defenders.

Assuming a smooth recovery from a knee injury, sophomore Jayden Quaintance has frame, fluidity and defensive instincts to wreck shop. Per Synergy, he ranked in the 89th percentile for defensive efficiency and posted a 12.2 STOCK%—elite for any college big. There’s also a scenario where he slots in alongside Garrison as a four-man, which might offer the chance to builds on flashes as a playmaker.

While Quaintance regains form, Alabama transfer Mouhamed Dioubate can hold down the paint. Even at 6-foot-7, he was one of the SEC’s top rebounders and embraced the gritty work others avoided. He also showed offensive promise by knocking down catch-and-shoot looks, cutting smartly, and converting putbacks.

For good measure, Pope also added Andrija Jelavic, a potential second-round NBA pick who averaged 10.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in the Adriatic League. Top-25 recruit Malachi Moreno, a polished interior scorer, is also on campus.

None of these bigs can fully replicate Amari Williams’ offensive hub role, but Pope’s depth gives Kentucky a formidable interior presence.

On the perimeter, Otega Oweh and Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen are known quantities—Aberdeen could start for most SEC teams. Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe should benefit from better surrounding talent, which may curb his inefficiency and shot selection.

The challenge lies in balancing timelines. Leaning on Lowe, Aberdeen, and Oweh makes sense, but it could limit minutes for freshman Jasper Johnson, the No. 21 talent in 2025, and sophomore Kam Williams, a sharpshooter from Tulane with strong analytics appeal. Even with a 10-man rotation, someone will be left out.

Still, these are enviable problems. If Lowe settles in and Pope sorts out the frontcourt hierarchy, Kentucky has the pieces to challenge Florida.


NCAA Basketball: Northwestern State at Louisiana State

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

  • Record: 14-18, 3-15 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 88
  • Freshmen Rank: No. 19
  • Transfer Class: No. 49
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: Vyctorious Miller, Daimion Collins, Corey Chest, Curtis Givens III, Mike Williams III, Noah Boyde, Tyrell Ward
  • Graduation: Derek Fountain, Cam Carter, Jordan Sears, Dji Bailey
  • Returners: Jalen Reed, Robert Miller III, Trey’Dez Green
  • Freshmen: Jalen Reece (No. 72), Mazi Mosley (No. 92), Matt Gilhool (No. 107)
  • Transfers: Dedan Thomas (UNLV/No. 108), Michael Nwoko (Mississippi State/No. 210), Max MacKinnon (Portland/No. 217), Rashad King (Northeastern/No. 221), Marquel Sutton (Omaha/No. 307), Pablo Tamba (UC Davis/No. 632), PJ Carter (Memphis/No. 847)
  • International: Ron Zipper (Israel)
  • Open: 2

LSU | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
11.29 7.77 7.71 8.54 10.29 15.51 7.82 2.40 7.63 6.61 25.17

It wasn’t all that long ago that a coach sporting a 14-40 record after three years of SEC action might find himself unemployed. Now, athletic directors and boosters might put off that decision for a year and parley funds that would have paid part of a buyout into a last-ditch capital infusion for NIL.

That’s ostensibly where Matt McMahon might find himself with LSU.

Importing his core from Murray State didn’t work in Year 1. Year 2 showed promise, blending portal additions with freshmen to reach .500 in SEC play. But last season unraveled after Jalen Reed’s season-ending knee injury in December.

Following a quick SEC Tournament exit, LSU saw a mass exodus. The Tigers now rank 14th in the SEC in returning production. Most notably, Vyc Miller, Corey Chest, and Curtis Givens skipped town — players who could’ve formed a nucleus. Had they stayed in Baton Rouge, McMahon’s boosted budget might’ve been enough to replace Cam Carter and Jordan Sears.

Instead, the rebuild was massive—and possibly too ambitious. Using Evan Miya’s Bayesian Performance Ratings as a guide, only one of LSU’s seven transfers, Dedan Thomas, ranks in the top 150 nationally. Omaha transfer Marquel Sutton’s stats impress, but Summit League up-transfers often struggle. He’s projected for a 1.90 BPR, below average for SEC starters.

Meanwhile, Northeastern’s Rashad King, who averaged 18.5 points and 6.1 rebounds, is projected for a 2.36 BPR. Both players thrived in low-major settings with high usage, but their efficiency may dip against tougher defenses.

Reed’s return is key. He’ll likely pair with Thomas in a pick-and-roll-heavy offense. Behind them is Robert Miller III, a skilled stretch four who flashed versatility in high school. If Reed and Miller both play the four, Sutton may be pushed to the wing—where he shot just 26.6% on catch-and-shoot jumpers. King is a better shooter, which could squeeze Sutton out of the rotation.

Beyond Thomas, the portal haul includes Pablo Thamba and PJ Carter, both from the lower reaches of the transfer market. Freshman Jalen Reece may be the only newcomer with a clear role, offering pull-up shooting and secondary playmaking.

For all the movement and spending, does LSU have three reliable nightly producers? Thomas, a former top-50 recruit, showed promise as a creator at UNLV. Reed looked ready for a breakout before his injury. That duo is a solid foundation, but McMahon may need more from Sutton and King than they can deliver.


NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Baylor at Mississippi State

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

  • Record: 21-13, 8-10 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 33
  • Freshmen Rank: No. 13
  • Transfer Class: No. 45
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: KeShawn Murphy, Riley Kugel, Kanye Clary, Michael Nwoko, Matarvious Russell, Eric Paymon Jr., Jeremy Foumena, Harrison Alexander
  • Graduation: Claudell Harris Jr., R.J. Melendez, Cam Matthews
  • Returners: Josh Hubbard, Shawn Jones Jr., Dellquan Warren, Gai Chol
  • Freshmen: King Grace (No. 61), Tee Bartlett (No. 68), Jamarion Davis-Fleming (No. 102), Cameren Paul (No. 192)
  • Transfers: Quincy Ballard (Wichita State/No. 104), Achor Achor (Kansas State), Amier Ali (Arizona State/No. 163), Jayden Epps (Georgetown/No. 185), Ja’Borri McGhee (UAB/No. 289), Brandon Walker (Montana State/No. 379)
  • International: Sergej Macura (Slovenia)
  • Open: None

Mississippi State | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
29.11 32.29 33.40 30.31 31.17 16.21 33.27 44.44 22.29 24.20 17.76

Something is reassuring about Chris Jans’ baseline competence. Regardless of the configuration, he builds physical rosters that finish 8-10 in the SEC and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Indeed, this version of the Bulldogs could reach the same benchmarks.

Josh Hubbard remains Mississippi State’s lodestar. After testing the NBA Draft waters, he returns to Starkville as a top SEC Player of the Year candidate. Known for his volume scoring and knack for drawing fouls, Hubbard has also improved as a decision-maker and brings defensive energy, unlike many high-usage guards.

Beyond Hubbard, the returning core is thin. Shawn Jones Jr. is a defensive disruptor, while Dellquan Warren and Gai Chol saw limited minutes last season.

Jans is again leaning on his JUCO roots and a quick roster overhaul. While he’s made savvy additions before, this group ranks just 45th in EvanMiya’s model—only one spot ahead of LSU. The difference? A bit more cohesion and complementary skill sets in his starting five.

Wichita State transfer Quincy Ballard won’t be an offensive focal point, but he finished in the 99th percentile at the rim and posted a 7.33 block percentage—matching NBA draftee Ryan Kalkbrenner. He’s a perfect fit if Jans intends to funnel drivers to a rim protector.

Jayden Epps complements Hubbard well. He’s aggressive off ball screens and shot 38.1 percent from three off the catch, including 41.2 percent after flying off screens. He’s also a skilled enough handler to run secondary actions or space the floor when Hubbard draws help.

Jans also took a calculated risk on stretch four Achor Achor. He averaged 16.1 points and 6.1 rebounds at Samford but left Kansas State after just seven games. Two years ago, he was a matchup nightmare—rolling, posting up smaller defenders, and spacing the floor effectively.

However, wing depth is a concern. Jones and Arizona State transfer Amier Ali are imperfect fits. That’s manageable if Hubbard, Epps, and Achor click, but the margin for error is slim.

Defensively, this may be Jans’ weakest group. Epps, Ali, UAB’s Ja’Borri McGhee, and Montana State’s Brandon Walker all ranked in the 38th percentile or worse in defensive efficiency. Achor struggled to adjust at Kansas State. Scoring will be essential.

Even if Hubbard, Epps, and Achor form a strong trio, depth could limit the team’s ceiling. While Walker and McGhee posted solid offensive numbers, their high-major translation is uncertain. Jans brought in a top-15 recruiting class, but he rarely leans on freshmen.

A fourth straight NCAA Tournament trip is realistic—but expectations should be tempered.


NCAA Basketball: SEC Conference Tournament Second Round - Mississippi St. vs Missouri

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

  • Record: 22-12, 10-8 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 19
  • Recruiting Rank: No. 55
  • Transfer Class: No. 53
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: Marcus Allen, Peyton Marshall, Aidan Shaw, JV Brown, Danny Stephens
  • Graduation: Tamar Bates, Josh Gray, Caleb Grill, Tony Perkins Marques Warrick
  • Returners: T.O. Barrett, Annor Boateng, Trent Burns, Jacob Crews, Mark Mitchell, Trent Pierce, Anthony Robinson
  • Freshmen: Nicholas Randall (No. 137), Aaron Rowe (No. 141)
  • Transfers: Sebastian Mack (UCLA/No. 99), Jevon Porter (Loyola Marymount/No. 119), Jayden Stone (West Virginia/No. 422), Shawn Phillips (Arizona State/No. 699), Luke Northweather (Oklahoma/No. 764)
  • Open: 1

Missouri | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
42.13 45.17 43.75 44.12 43.21 42.20 50.96 21.82 43.02 50.93 47.19

Dennis Gates’ fourth campaign is a litmus test for his program’s ability to recruit, retain and develop.

Sure, Missouri sees Tamar Bates, Caleb Grill and Tony Perkins. Yet the Tigers bring back five of their top eight scorers, headlined by two of the SEC’s leading veterans in Mark Mitchell and Anthony Robinson II, and pace the conference in returning output. And generally, outfits that rate toward the top find themselves deep in the mix for contending the following season.

Whether the Tigers elbow their way into the thick of the race at the top of the standings hinges on the improvement its staff can extract from veterans like Trent Pierce and Jacob Crews and rising sophomores in Annor Boateng and T.O. Barrett.

In the cases of Pierce and Crews, it entails becoming reliable enough shooters to help replace the roughly 44 percent of made triples that Grill and Bates supplied. The good news is the duo canned 42 percent of 3s taken off the catch over the Tigers’ final 10 games, but the question is whether that performance holds up as volume increases. Matching Bates and Grill means they’ll need to hoist up three or four more attempts each night.

Boateng endured a stilted freshman campaign for several easily explainable reasons. First, he occupied the same positional slot as Grill and Bates. Second, a knee injury sustained during summer workouts limited his involvement and sapped some of his stamina. However, history suggests that averaging 8.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in roughly 23 minutes a game is a reasonable baseline, assuming Boateng tightens up his handle and refines his shot. Should Boateng hit those numbers, his production would replace Tony Perkins provided MU last season.

Now, MU did dip into the portal for reinforcements. UCLA transfer Sebastian Mack boasts a proven track record at getting two feet in the paint off the dribble or drawing a foul on his way there. When Mack reached the rim last season, he cashed in at a 58.8 percent clip. The upside, though, rests in Mack becoming a competent floor spacer. All that kept him from shooting 40 percent off the catch was three shots dropping.

The coaching staff also brought home Jevon Porter, who could theoretically act as insurance if Pierce can’t establish a steady rhythm. The Tigers also continued their run of renting a veteran big for a season by signing Arizona State import Shawn Phillips Jr. However, the hope is that Burns, who missed last season with a foot injury, emerges as a floor-spacing five on offense and a backline anchor on defense.

Unsurprisingly, a slumping finish to last season, capped by a first-round upset at the hands of Drake, sapped some momentum. That slide included a serious regression defensively and on the glass. Coupled with depleted shooting, it’s not hard to grasp why national observers view MU skeptically. But productive summers by returners would give Gates and Co. strong evidence to rebut it.


NCAA Basketball: St. Joseph at Villanova

Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

  • Record: 20-14, 6-12
  • KenPom: No. 40
  • Freshmen Rank: No. 41
  • Transfer Class: No. 26
  • NBA Draft: Jeremiah Fears
  • Transfers Out: Duke Miles, Luke Northweather, Jacolb Fredson-Cole, Yaya Keita, Reid Lovelace
  • Graduation: Jalon Moore, Brycen Goodine, Kobe Elvis, Glenn Taylor Jr., Sam Godwin, Jake Moser
  • Returners: Mohamed Wague, Dayton Forsythe, Jadon Jones, Kuol Atak, Jeff Nwankwo
  • Freshmen: Kai Rogers (No. 69), Alec Blair (No. 75), Andreas Holst (NR), Jake Hansen (NR)
  • Transfers: Xzayvier Brown (Saint Joseph’s/No. 54), Nijel Pack (Miami/No. 63), Tae Davis (Notre Dame/No. 85), Derrion Reid (Alabama/No. 98)
  • Open: 2

Oklahoma | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
11.12 7.42 9.17 7.65 9.81 13.75 11.81 7.29 12.08 15.10 14.10

The tenor in Norman is drastically different than this time a year ago. Porter Moser snapped the program’s three-year absence from the NCAA tournament, developed a potential lottery pick, and – at last – might have a reasonable NIL budget.

Early signs suggest Porter Moser used his resources well, bringing in a four-man portal class ranked 25th in Evan Miya’s model: point guard Xzayvier Brown, combo guard Nijel Pack, wing Derrion Reid, and stretch four Tae Davis.

Brown, who arrives from Saint Joseph’s, excels in ball screens as a pull-up shooter and passer, creating gravity that opens lanes for rollers and cutters. He also shot 35.9 percent on catch-and-shoot threes, a clip that should allow him to play off-ball alongside Pack, who returns after a foot injury cut short his season at Miami.

Before the injury, Pack averaged 13.9 points and 4.3 assists. While he ran the show in Coral Gables, he’ll likely shift to a combo guard at OU. That transition should be easier having made 40 percent of his stationary 3s two seasons ago. Moreover, Moser has succeeded using a set up with two ballhandlers before.

Davis, who was Notre Dame’s second-leading scorer at 15.1 points per game, is a natural replacement Jalon Moore’s production. He thrived in spot-ups and shot 34 percent from deep. With Brown and Pack creating advantages, Davis can focus on attacking closeouts and middle ball screens. His ball skills may also allow him to play as a bigger wing in PNRs.

The potential gem is Derrion Reid, a former five-star who battled injuries and limited minutes at Alabama. In high school, he excelled from the mid-post and showed defensive versatility—guarding bigs inside and switching on the perimeter. Had he stayed at Alabama, a move to the wing seemed likely.

Moser’s bench could be more stable than returning production suggests. Mohamed Wague received a waiver, and Dayton Forsythe impressed in SEC play. Three redshirts—Jeff Nwankwo, Jadon Jones, and Kuol Atak—could also contribute. Nwankwo, a top JUCO prospect, was dominant in scrimmages before an Achilles injury last summer. Jones, a 41 percent catch-and-shoot threat, missed time with back issues. Atak, a top shooter in the 2024 class, redshirted to build strength.

If healthy, that trio gives OU a small-ball four, a floor-spacer, and a jumbo 3-and-D wing. Add top-75 recruits Kai Rogers and Alec Blair, and the Sooners’ supporting cast could be better than some anticipate.

Moser’s seat has cooled, and this roster has the tools to build momentum—if the rotation gels.


NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Mississippi at Iowa State

Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

  • Record: 24-12, 10-8 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 22
  • Freshmen Rank: No. 15
  • Transfer Class: No. 34
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: TJ Caldwell, John Bol, Robert Cowherd
  • Graduation: Sean Pedulla, Jaemyn Brakefield, Matthew Murrell, Jaylen Murray, Dre Davis, Mikeal Brown-Jones, Davon Barnes, Ja’Von Benson
  • Returners: Malik Dia, Eduardo Klafke, Zach Day, Max Smith
  • Freshmen: Niko Bundalo (No. 31) Tylis Jordan (No. 49), Patton Pinkins (No. 82)
  • Transfers: James Scott (Louisville/No. 56), Corey Chest (LSU/No. 69), Kezza Giffa (High Point/No. 216) AJ Storr (Kansas/No. 225), Travis Perry (Kentucky/No. 463), Koren Johnson (Louisville/No. 575), Augusto Cassia (Butler)
  • International: Ilias Kamardine (France)
  • Open: None

Ole Miss | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
15.29 14.30 10.50 15.30 15.36 22.63 8.32 13.54 12.23 12.69 29.23

There’s one every spring, a roster that – no matter how many times I look it over – leaves me perplexed. This time around, it’s in Oxford.

It’s surprising that Chris Beard, known for rapid roster flips, struggled to land proven guards this offseason. Malik Dia is the lone returner of consequence, and Ole Miss failed to coax the likes of PJ Haggerty, Desmond Claude, and Pop Isaacs to join him.

Instead, the Rebels are betting on AJ Storr to rediscover his scoring touch after a disappointing stint at Kansas. The Wisconsin edition of Storr would ease backcourt concerns, but his nomadic college career raises questions. If he falters, there’s no clear replacement.

Kezza Giffa showed scoring ability at High Point, but sustaining a 25.9 usage rate in the SEC could hurt his efficiency. Koren Johnson averaged 11.1 points at Washington but is recovering from shoulder surgery. Kentucky transfer Travis Perry is more of a long-term project.

If all else fails, Beard may turn to French import Ilias Kamardine, who averaged eight points and shot 39 percent from three in France’s Pro A League. He’s skilled and confident, but Kamardine’s lean frame needs filling in. Unless Kamardine emerges as a breakout star, Ole Miss may lack the guard depth to compete.

That’s unfortunate, because the frontcourt looks formidable. Dia is a versatile offensive weapon—capable of popping, rolling, slipping, and attacking from the post. His skill set evokes shades of Missouri’s Kobe Brown.

To that, Beard added James Scott and Corey Chest, both strong rebounders and interior defenders. The late addition of McDonald’s All-American Niko Bundalo adds even more upside. Bundalo shares Dia’s inside-out versatility but with greater size. However, he’s known to be volatile and must stay focused to contribute consistently.

Despite the talent, the roster’s construction raises questions. Ole Miss has shifted away from small-ball toward traditional big men who excel at rim finishing. That puts pressure on the backcourt to generate offense and create shots—something this group may struggle to do.

Beard’s reputation earns him some grace, but if Storr or Kamardine fail to pan out, Ole Miss might fit inside vulnerable to a harder reset than his CV would indicate.


Oregon v South Carolina

Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

  • Record: 12-20, 2-16 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 69
  • Recruiting Rank: No. 27
  • Transfer Class: No. 57
  • NBA Draft: Collin Murray-Boyles
  • Transfers Out: Nick Pringle, Zachary Davis, Morris Ugusuk, Arden Conyers, Okku Federiko, Austin Herro, Lance Piper
  • Graduation: Jamarii Thomas, Jacobi Wright, Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk
  • Returners: Cam Scott, Myles Stute, Jordan Butler, Weston Cogshell
  • Freshmen: Eli Ellis (No. 96), Grant Polk (No. 170), EJ Walker (No. 240), Hayden Assemian (No. 286), Abu Yarmah (NR)
  • Transfers: Mike Sharavjamts (Utah/No. 128), Nordin Kapic (UC San Diego/No. 231), Kobę Knox (South Florida/No. 329), Meechie Johnson (Ohio State/No. 384), Christ Essandoko (No. 428/Providence), Elijah Strong (Boston College/No. 702)
  • Open: 1

South Carolina | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
12.63 10.35 7.02 11.23 8.55 10.15 7.88 18.23 8.75 5.52 20.21

Few coaches acted as decisively as Lamont Paris in flipping their rosters this spring. Starting with Christ Essandoko on March 30, the Gamecocks pulled four players from the transfers in five days.

Unfortunately, speed isn’t always synonymous with success.

According to Miya’s model, South Carolina’s portal class ranks second-to-last in the SEC, and while its freshman class ranks 10th, that’s a byproduct of volume. Of the five youngsters, only Eli Ellis cracks the top 100 in 247Sports’ composite rankings, and the group’s average rating is the lowest in the league.

That lack of raw talent is concerning, especially with the Gamecocks near the bottom of the SEC in returning production.

The best news is Meechie Johnson boomeranging back to Columbia. After leaving Ohio State due to mental health struggles, he’s hoping to reboot under Paris’ guidance. Two years ago, Johnson was a capable combo guard, effective in ball screens and catch-and-shoot situations. Now, he’ll likely be the team’s primary creator.

On that front, Utah transfer Mike Sharavjamts offers some upside. Though his shot selection needs refining, the 6-foot-9 wing posted a 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio and could serve as a secondary playmaker next to Johnson.

But questions arise quickly.

Cam Scott, a former top-50 recruit, returns after a rough freshman year. Despite his physical tools, he ranked in the sixth percentile nationally in efficiency. Myles Stute, back after a medical waiver, shot just 32.1 percent from three before a blood clot ended his season. If that doesn’t improve, his poor finishing and defense limit his value.

Ellis, though undersized, is a creative scorer with impressive dribble combos and touch in the midrange. However, he’s not a playmaker and is a defensive liability. USF transfer Kobe Knox, a limited contributor at his last stop, rounds out the backcourt.

The frontcourt is a bigger concern.

UC San Diego transfer Nordin Kapic plays a perimeter-oriented game like BJ Mack and Collin Murray-Boyles but lacks their interior finishing and deft passing touch in actions like short rolls. Behind him, the options are thin. Christ Essandoko fell out of favor at Providence, while Elijah Strong never broke through at Boston College. Finally, Jordan Butler regressed as a sophomore.

Paris will likely play small by default, hoping a Johnson-Kapic pairing can carry the offense. But the roster lacks reliable scorers and defensive stoppers. Even if the backcourt holds up, the frontcourt’s limitations and overall lack of proven perimeter options suggest South Carolina may struggle to compete.


NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Colorado State at Maryland

Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

  • Record: 30-8, 12-6 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 5
  • Recruiting Rank: No. 14
  • Transfer Class: No. 8
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: Coen Carr, Ben Linnemeyer
  • Graduation: Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier, Jordan Gainey, Jahmai Mashack, Igor Milicic, Darlinstone Dubar
  • Returners: Felix Okpara, Cade Phillips, J.P. Estrella, Bishop Boswell, Campbell Duncan, Gavin Paull, Grant Hurst
  • Freshmen: Nate Ament (No. 4), Amari Evans (No. 67), DeWayne Brown (No. 86), Troy Henderson (NR)
  • Transfers: Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Maryland/No. 3), Jaylen Carey (Vanderbilt/No. 179), Amaree Abram (Louisiana Tech/No. 770)
  • International: Clarence Massamba (France)
  • Open: 3

Tennessee | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
22.43 12.09 10.81 15.39 16.99 32.14 8.70 0.32 19.83 8.74 54.69

When Rick Barnes decides to retire, he should offer a course on modern roster construction.

Tennessee epitomizes portal usage. Each spring, the Volunteers only have a couple of items on their shopping list, allowing them to browse carefully and deploy their NIL budget intelligently. Why can Barnes be so selective? Because his staff still develops high school talent and transfers with multiple years of eligibility to maintain continuity.

Need proof? Look at the Vols’ frontcourt.

Igor Milicic graduated, but Felix Okpara, Cade Phillips and J.P. Estrella remained in Knoxville. Okpara started every game last season, while Phillips served as a trusted reserve. Had Estrella avoided a foot injury, the former top-70 recruit would have been in the mix. Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey supplements that group and his arrival buys time for Barnes’ to start prepping DeWayne Brown, the No. 84 prospect in 2025, for a role down the line.

Stability along the frontline brought clarity as Tennessee sought to overhaul its guard rotation, which had seen five players exhaust their eligibility.

Replacing Zakai Zeigler was always set to be a daunting task. Yet the Vols’ landed arguably the top point guard on the market in Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie. Chaz Lanier’s exit created a chasm. Yet Nate Ament, the No. 4 recruit this cycle, saw an opportunity to step into a headlining role for a program with a recent track record of maximizing one season of work from talented wings. And if Bishop Boswell, a former top-75 talent, progresses this offseason, Barnes will have another physical defender and transition threat at combo guard.

Over the past two seasons, Barnes slowed the tempo down and shortened his bench to a seven-man rotation. If that remains his preference, his roster has enough assets to make it tenable. However, the arrival of Louisiana Tech transfer Amaree Abram and freshman Amari Evans grants some flexibility.

Gillespie and Okpara are the veteran anchors for this rotation. A healthy Estrella potentially provides some of the perimeter versatility and playmaking that Milicic offered. Ament’s still tapping his potential as a three-level scorer, but he’s still figuring out how to take over games. He’ll also need to get stronger to defend up to the standard Barnes demands. Meanwhile, Phillps and Carey embrace rim finishing on offense and supply physicality on defense.

Making the NCAA Tournament is the floor for this group, but if Ament takes off and the backcourt gels, the Vols can set their aspirations higher.


Syndication: Austin American-Statesman

Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

  • Record: 19-16, 6-12 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 47
  • Recruiting Rank: No. 82
  • Transfer Class: No. 27
  • NBA Draft: Tre Johnson
  • Transfers Out: Devin Pryor, Jamie Vinson, Malik Presley, Preston Clark
  • Graduation: Arthur Kaluma, Kadin Shedrick, Jayson Kent, Julian Larry, Ze’Rik Onyema
  • Returners: Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark, Chendall Weaver, Nic Codie
  • Freshmen: John Clark (No. 60)
  • Transfers: Dailyn Swain (Xavier/No. 30), Cam Heide (Purdue/No. 124), Lassina Traore (Xavier/No. 158), Matas Vokietaitis (FAU/No. 310), Simeon Wilcher (St. John’s/No. 383)
  • International: Lewis Obiroah (England)
  • Open: 4

Texas | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
30.85 32.50 28.16 32.90 30.97 25.42 30.52 40.16 24.18 33.79 14.67

Counter to modern trends, the coaching change in Austin didn’t come with flip job. In fact, Sean Miller’s inheritance might turn out to be lucrative: a pair of starting guards in Jordan Pope and Tramon Mark, a steady sixth man in Chendall Weaver, an athletic four-man with upside in Nic Codie.

With Tre Johnson off to the Washington Wizards, Jordan Pope won’t have to share primary creation duties—an arrangement that sometimes led to inconsistency. Pope thrives as a pull-up shooter, hitting 38 percent from three off the bounce. Rather than overhaul his shot profile, Miller may focus on reviving Pope’s dormant playmaking instincts.

The biggest beneficiary could be Tramon Mark, who was often relegated to third-wheel status last season. To be fair, he also excelled in that capacity, hitting 42.5% of catch-and-shoot threes, but he’s also capable of attacking downhill and drawing fouls. Additionally, Mark remains a strong defender and elite rebounder for his position, helping cover areas where Pope may be less effective.

Dailyn Swain, who followed Terry from Xavier, likely rounds out the backcourt. The 6-foot-8 wing is not a shooter but is undoubtedly a dynamic slasher and elite defender. His ability to pressure the rim and generate deflections complements Mark nicely, giving Texas a long, athletic perimeter trio that can fuel transition offense.

Miller’s bench also includes some vets who can buy into clearly defined roles. Weaver brings toughness, rebounding, and foul-drawing ability. Purdue transfer Cam Heide adds shooting. Simeon Wilcher can initiate offense and defend lead guards, giving Pope and Mark needed rest.

The frontcourt, however, is thinner.

Lassina Traore and Matas Vokietaitis are physical, high-motor big men who rebound well. Vokietaitis has more offensive upside as roller and started showing more diversity as a post-up option late in his freshman campaign at FAU. Traore, who is returning from a knee injury, is the simple back-up. Call up a simple punch play, and let him bully his way to the rim.

But its options at the four-spot are unproven. Nic Codie played sparingly as a freshman. John Clark is physically ready but raw and foul-prone. Lewis Obiorah, a 7-footer from the UK, was lightly recruited before Miller called.

With four scholarships still open, depth remains a concern, especially if injuries strike.

Still, Miller built a roster with a clear identity. It can play fast, space the floor, and rely on Pope’s midrange probing, Swain’s slashing, and Mark’s two-way presence. While Pope is just 6-foot-2, the rest of the projected starting five is 6-foot-6 or taller, with the length to disrupt passing lanes and a sturdy big anchoring the paint.

Contending for an SEC title may be ambitious, unless Swain takes a major leap, but making the NCAA Tournament is a realistic benchmark.


NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Samford vs Kansas

Rob Gray-Imagn Images

  • Record: 23-11, 11-7 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 18
  • Recruiting Rank: No. 89
  • Transfer Class: No. 14
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: Pharrel Payne, Solomon Washington, Rob Dockery, George Turkson, Andre Mills, Jaelyn Lee, Janusz Ratowksi
  • Graduation: Wade Taylor, Zhuric Phelps, Henry Coleman, Manny Obaseki, Andersson Garcia, C.J. Wilcher, Jace Carter, Hayden Hefner
  • Returners: None
  • Freshmen: Jeremiah Green (No. 120)
  • Transfers: Mackenzie Mgbako (Indiana/No. 38), Pop Isaacs (Creighton/No. 53), Federiko Federiko (Texas Tech/No. 59), Rashaun Agee (USC/No. 61), Rylan Griffen (Kansas/No. 81), Jacari Lane (North Alabama/No. 145), Marcus Hill (N.C. State/No. 361), Josh Holloway (Samford/No. 550), Zach Clemence (Kansas/No. 642), Jamie Vinson (Texas/No. 1,545)
  • International: Ruben Dominguez (Spain)
  • Open: 3

Texas A&M | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
0.66 0.08 0.37 0.39 0.35 1.20 0.49 0.00 0.25 0.39 1.46

Once Bucky McMillan landed in College Station and received introductory lessons in mystical chants, he found a Texas A&M program devoid of, well, anyone.

The former Sanford coach’s hiring also came late enough that his necessary overhaul was somewhat behind schedule. Under those time constraints, McMillan did well to construct a roster with a puncher’s chance at an NCAA tournament bid.

However, Bucky Ball—a blend of pressing, pace, and perimeter shooting—may need tweaking this season.

Texas A&M’s projected starting five—Pop Isaacs, Jacari Lane, Rylan Griffen, Mackenzie Mgbako, and Federiko Federiko—looks strong on paper. All rank in the top 150 of Miya’s transfer model, including four in the top 80. Yet McMillan’s system demands depth, and beyond USC transfer Rashaun Agee, the bench offers limited projected impact.

Shooting variance could likely define this team. The top six shot 34.5% on catch-and-shoot threes—near the Division I median. Mgbako’s 35.0 percent clip at Indiana was average, while Griffen seeks consistency after a down year at Kansas, And Isaacs, returning from a hip injury, hit just 31.9 percent over his last 42 games. Lane and Agee shot the ball better but on low volume. Federiko has never attempted a three.

Put simply, McMillan has placed a strategic bet on Mgbako and Griffen smoothing out their performance and offering a modicum of stability. The other wildcard: Ruben Dominguez, a 22-year-old Spaniard who shot 41.5% from deep in the pros. If he adjusts quickly, A&M could have an adequate supply of spacers.

On the other end, forcing turnovers may be a challenge. None of the top six posted a steal rate above 2.0 percent, and their collective disruption-to-foul ratio (0.619) is suboptimal for a pressure-heavy scheme. Isaacs and Lane are solid on-ball defenders, and Federiko offers rim protection. Unfortunately, Mgbako, Griffen, and Agee all posted defensive ratings in the 20th percentile or worse.

The system’s logic remains centered on tilting possession math. But when shots don’t fall or stops don’t come, that formula falters.

Meanwhile, depth is a concern. Marcus Hill and Josh Holloway combined to make just 26.9 percent of stationary threes last year. But at least they saw regular actions. Inside, Zach Clemence and Jamie Vinson combined for only 22 minutes against high-major opponents. If Federiko needs rest, options are limited.

That’s not unusual—bubble teams like Mississippi State, Oklahoma, and Texas face the same situation. If Dominguez delivers and the starters stay healthy, the Aggies could push several members of that pack.


NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Vanderbilt at St. Mary’s

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

  • Record: 20-13, 8-10 SEC
  • KenPom: No. 48
  • Recruiting Rank: No. 87
  • Transfer Class: No. 22
  • NBA Draft: None
  • Transfers Out: Jason Edwards, Jaylen Carey, M.J. Collins JaQualon Roberts, Karris Bilal, Jordan Williams, Kijani Wright
  • Graduation: AJ Hoggard, Chris Manon, Grant Huffman, Alex Hemenway
  • Returners: Devin McGlockton, Tyler Nickel, Tyler Tanner, Coleson Messer, Miles Keeffe
  • Freshmen: Jayden Leverett (No. 107), Jaylon Dean-Vines (NR), Chandler Bing (NR)
  • Transfers: AK Okereke (Cornell/No. 45), Duke Miles (Oklahoma/No. 70) Frankie Collins (TCU/No. 86), Tyler Harris (Washington/No. 193), George Kimble (Eastern Kentucky/No. 220), Jalen Washington (North Carolina/No. 243), Mike James (N.C. State/No. 288), Mason Nicholson (Jacksonville State/No. 389)
  • Open: None

Vanderbilt | Returning Production | 2025-26

%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
%Min %POSS %OV %Shots %PTS %REB %AST %3FG %TO %STL %BLK
35.67 27.97 30.08 32.95 33.84 40.56 28.54 46.82 18.93 33.21 44.97

On first blush, it’s easy to assume the spring proved turbulent for the Commodores. Jason Edwards bailed for Providence, while Tennessee performed some in-state poaching of Jaylen Carey. Meanwhile, A.J. Hoggard’s graduation ensured that coach Mark Byington would see three of his top five scorers depart Nashville.

Take another look.

Vanderbilt returns a strong core with hyper-efficient starters Devin McGlockton and Tyler Nickel, plus steady sophomore point guard Tayler Tanner. Despite roster turnover, the Commodores rank fourth in the SEC for returning production, trailing only Missouri, Arkansas, and Florida. While there’s no clear star, head coach Mark Byington assembled a transfer class ranked 22nd nationally.

Last year, doubts surrounded Byington’s ability to restore Vanderbilt’s relevance. That skepticism may prove misguided again. His system remains consistent: push tempo, force turnovers, and space the floor with shooters. The roster is now tailored to that vision.

Vandy’s 11 returning veterans shot 38.1 percent on catch-and-shoot threes. Five guards boast above-average steal rates, and all bigs block over 4.6 percent of shots. Their combined block/steal-to-foul ratio ranks among the nation’s best.

Size was a weakness last season, but that’s changed with North Carolina transfer Jalen Washington and Jacksonville State’s Mason Nicholson anchoring the frontcourt. While Frankie Collins and Duke Miles may not match the star power of past guards, they bring value. Collins, despite a foot injury at TCU, previously showed strong facilitation and point-of-attack defense at Arizona State. Miles, a capable secondary creator at Oklahoma, hit 42.6 percent from deep.

On the wing, Nickel and Washington transfer Tyler Harris offer size and floor spacing, with both showing off-ball movement skills. The four-spot could be Vandy’s biggest weapon. McGlockton excels as a roll man and short-corner outlet, while Cornell transfer AK Okereke adds versatility—pushing in transition, exploiting mismatches, and attacking off the catch.

Defensively, Vanderbilt may be vulnerable on a per-possession basis. But that appears intentional. Byington’s scheme prioritizes creating turnovers and hitting threes, forcing opponents to play catch-up. If executed well, this high-risk, high-reward style could make the Commodores a disruptive force in the SEC.



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Dick Vitale doubles down on criticism of ‘jealousy’ from WNBA players toward Caitlin Clark

ESPN analyst Dick Vitale is further calling out “jealousy” among WNBA players toward Caitlin Clark. Speaking with Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy, he pointed out the increased attention toward the league over the last year. Vitale argued Clark’s impact on the W should bring more respect from her peers. He noted the soaring TV viewership, […]

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ESPN analyst Dick Vitale is further calling out “jealousy” among WNBA players toward Caitlin Clark. Speaking with Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy, he pointed out the increased attention toward the league over the last year.

Vitale argued Clark’s impact on the W should bring more respect from her peers. He noted the soaring TV viewership, as well as attendance rates and chartered flights, as signs of the Indiana Fever star’s impact on the league.

In an earlier post on social media, Vitale lamented hard fouls and how he perceived other players’ attitudes toward Clark. He called it “lots of jealousy” among players in the league.

“I feel strongly that various players don’t give Caitlin Clark the respect she deserves,” Vitale told FOS. “What she has done to help the WNBA has been unbelievable. Think about it. PR excitement. Ticket sales. TV Ratings and interest. Salary increases. More charter flights than the past. Plus, she is so exciting to watch. Lots of jealousy.”

Clark received the most fan votes for this year’s WNBA All-Star Game and was named a captain for the event. However, in a player vote, she came in as the ninth-ranked guard for the game – and that generated a strong response from Vitale on social media.

“Absolutely PURE JEALOUSY that ⁦[WNBA] players voted Caitlin Clark the 9th best guard,” Vitale wrote earlier this week. “Someday they will realize what she Has done for ALL of the players in the WNBA. Chartered planes – increase in salaries-sold out crowds – improved TV Ratings.”

Despite missing time with injuries, Clark is in the midst of an impressive second season in the WNBA after the Indiana Fever selected her No. 1 overall a year ago. Through nine games, she’s averaging 18.2 points and 8.9 assists while adding 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, as well.

Clark did not play in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup championship against the Minnesota Lynx and is also out for Thursday’s matchup against the Las Vegas Aces. She is dealing with a left groin injury after previously dealing with a quad issue, and Indiana coach Stephanie White said the franchise is putting its star guard’s long-term health first.

“My goal has always been the same,” White told reporters Wednesday, via ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. “I don’t want this to be something that lingers, that we come back too soon. We want to make sure that she is 100% ready to go and that we put her long-term health and wellness at the forefront.”



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