Illinois State transfer Dusan Mahorcic down to BYU, Texas, Va Tech and Penn State

When it comes to the number of big men currently in the NCAA Basketball transfer portal good enough to play at a power conference program, there really aren’t too many. But one of them capable is Dusan Mahorcic, a 6’10 transfer from Illinois State.

After playing for two different Junior College programs, Mahorcic played for the Redbirds and was an impact player for them in the Missouri Valley Conference. On the season, the center averaged 9.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg and had three double-doubles. He was playing his best basketball down the stretch, scoring his three highest-scoring games (including 20 points and nine rebounds against Northern Iowa) at the very end.

Mahorcic has good size and is a solid post scorer. He doesn’t spread the floor much and isn’t a shot-blocker on the defensive end but can certainly have an impact on any of his potential finalists.

There are four teams in play for the former Redbird big man, with different things to offer. Here’s a look at how Mahorcic would fit with each of them.

BYU Cougars

With the news that starting center and WCC Defensive Player of the Year Matt Haarms leaving, BYU entered the fold for Mahorcic. He may not start over junior center Richard Harward but would certainly get the rest of the 40 minutes at the center position, while also being capable of playing at the four-spot.

However, if Gavin Baxter can return healthy and perform at a high level, the available number of minutes for the Illinois State big can be limited next season. Even without Haarms around, the Cougars still have depth at the frontcourt and the potential fit may be a question too if Harward becomes the clear starting center.

Penn State Nittany Lions

New head coach Micah Shrewsbury is building up the Nittany Lions roster and scored big with Siena star point guard Jalen Pickett. But the frontcourt is a much bigger need, as they only have 6’9 forward John Harrar returning right now.

There’s a huge need for depth and depth that is capable of playing in the Big Ten. Mahorcic has the skills and alongside Harrar would create a formidable rebounding duo inside. How that fits offensively would be a bigger question but Penn State desperately needs big men so that’ll have to be worked out later.

Texas Longhorns

Even if we assume that both Greg Brown and Jericho Sims are gone from the Longhorns frontcourt, there’s still plenty of talent available thanks to the transfer portal. The team landed several transfers, including Creighton forward Christian Bishop, Utah small forward Timmy Allen, and Vanderbilt starter Dylan Disu.

While Bishop can play at the center position, he’s a bit undersized, which could be a problem in the Big 12. Either way, there’s still a need to land a backup big to add more depth. Mahorcic wouldn’t start for the Longhorns but would get playing time and be part of a team capable of making the Final Four next season.

Virginia Tech Hokies

The Hokies thought they were fine in the frontcourt after landing South Florida transfer center  Michael Durr this offseason. However, he recently de-committed, leaving an open hole at the five-spot. And with star forward Keve Aluma still in the NBA Draft process, there’s a chance that the team will be in desperate need for a true center.

Mahorcic would definitely start alongside Aluma and it would be an ideal fit for everyone. The former Redbird would have a meaningful role on an ACC team that would be ranked if Aluma comes back and won’t risk being benched for other bigs as he could at Texas.