NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 10 teams after Belmont transfer Adam Kunkel

Iowa State Cyclones

The Cyclones have been very busy this summer, landing a trio of transfers. One of them is DePaul grad transfer Jalen Coleman-Lands, a double-digit combo guard. Replacing both he and potentially returning leading scorer Rasir Bolton will be important for the team the following year, although Memphis transfer Tyler Harris should be an impactful newcomer for them.

If Kunkel really wants to play for a power conference program, he’ll have to be careful to not get buried on the bench. The current lack of depth this team has would allow the guard to get plenty of minutes in his final two seasons and with the right combination of talent, Iowa State could get back to the mid-tier of the Big 12.

Kentucky Wildcats

Along with the usual batch of five-star players, head coach John Calipari has been going the transfer route as of late, landing three this offseason. That includes Wake Forest transfer Olivier Sarr, Jacob Toppin of Rhode Island, and Creighton guard Davion Mintz. The Wildcats also are willing to take mid-major stars, including Bucknell forward Nate Sestina.

While incoming five-star guards BJ Boston and Terrence Clarke are very likely “one and done”, expect Kentucky Basketball to reload with more high school stars. Kunkel would have to settle for 15-20 mpg off the bench if he picked the in-state option Wildcats but playing for a national title contender may be more important that starting for a mid-tier team.