NCAA Basketball: Michigan, Gonzaga among top 2021 offseason winners
The NCAA basketball offseason is pretty much at the midway point of the 2021-22 so here is a look at the top 10 winners.
Honorable mention
Oregon Ducks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Arkansas Razorbacks, South Carolina Gamecocks, and Illinois Fighting Illini.
The Top 10
10. Virginia Tech Hokies
Va. Tech, ranked No. 18 in Busting Brackets Way-too- early top-25, will return most of their starting lineup from last year with Keve Aluma and Wabissa Bede deciding to return. While the Hokies won’t have starting guard Tyrece Radford, who was second on the team in scoring in 2020-21, or reserve guard Jalen Cone — both transferred –, Mike Young did bring in transfers Storm Murphy and former 4-star recruit Lynn Kidd. Murphy, who played for Young at Wofford, is an excellent scorer while Kidd did not see much time with the Tigers.
9. Maryland Terrapins
The Terps did a fantastic job replenishing their roster after losing potential first-round draft pick Aaron Wiggins and Darryl Morsell (transfer). Mark Turgeon brought in four transfers — Fatts Russell, Qudus Wahad, Ian Martinez, and Pavlo Dziubo — who are all expected to make an impact this year. Incoming freshman Julian Reese is also someone to keep an eye on.
8. Texas Longhorns
The reigning Big 12 tournament champions have had a lot of turnover this offseason but they have done a fabulous job in replacing the personnel that they lost, starting with trading Shaka Smart for Chris Beard in the first seat. The Horns also lost guard Matt Coleman as well as bigs Greg Brown, Kai Jones, and Jericho Sims.
However, Beard has gone the transfer route and brought in two highly touted guards in Minnesota transfer Marcus Carr and former Kentucky 5-star recruit Devin Askew. Additionally, Beard secured the service of 6-9 UMass transfer Tre Mitchell — averaged 17.7 points along with 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last year — along with ex-Utah Ute Timmy Allen — a fantastic scorer and strong rebounder — Creighton forward Christian Bishop and Vanderbilt transfer Dylan Disu. Plus, Courtney Ramey decided to return and Beard has brought in 4-star freshmen Jaylon Tyson.