NCAA Basketball: 8 teams that should target West Virginia transfer Oscar Tshiebwe

Tennesse Volunteers

The Vols are currently the second-best scoring defense in the country, thanks to strong defending guards and an experienced frontcourt, led by seniors John Fulkerson, Yves Pons, and EJ Anosike. With all three of them likely gone next offseason, they could very well use an experienced big man inside to replace them, with Tshiebwe being an ideal fit at the five-spot.

With five-star point guard prospect Kennedy Chandler committed in the 2021 class, Tennessee is looking for a big man to help keep the team as a contender a year from now. Tshiebwe would work with a head coach in Rick Barnes with a history of sending players to the NBA and have a sizeable starting role for the Vols.

Virginia Cavaliers

Tennessee is a great defensive team this year but Virginia is a great defensive team every year. Excusing the Gonzaga blowout, the Cavaliers are looking just as good, thanks to senior center Jay Huff. He continues a great legacy of elite defensive bigs under head coach Tony Bennett.

But after he’s gone, it’ll be up to sophomore Kadin Shedrick to have an impact as the next starter. If Virginia isn’t sold on him able to play big minutes next season, landing someone capable of Tshiebwe would be a coup for their defense. The Mountaineers and Cavaliers are defense-first programs so the transition wouldn’t be as difficult, even if they’re different styles.

It’s never easy to know where a defensive/rebounding big man would work after transferring, especially if there’s a particular reason for leaving. If looking for a clear starting role is the goal, don’t be surprised if Oscar Tshebwe ends up on a middle-tier program for the next season as he looks to find the right situation.