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NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 6 finalists for Iowa State transfer Tyrese Hunter

By Tristan Freeman

AMES, IA - FEBRUARY 1: Tyrese Hunter #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones drives the bball in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on February 1, 2022 in Ames, Iowa. The Kansas Jayhawks won 70-61 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - FEBRUARY 1: Tyrese Hunter #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones drives the bball in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on February 1, 2022 in Ames, Iowa. The Kansas Jayhawks won 70-61 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nolan Hickman James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nolan Hickman James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are now without starting point guard Andrew Nembhard, considered to be one of the best passers in NCAA Basketball over the past couple of years. They do have his backup set to return in Nolan Hickman, a former five-star prospect and a true ball-handler. Of course, he’s unproven in big minutes so it makes sense for Gonzaga to be interested in someone who is, even though he’s in the same sophomore class as Hunter.

The Bulldogs have a history of playing two point guards together, including the two recent teams that made it to the national championship game for the program. Nigel Williams-Goss and Josh Perkins (2017) and Nembhard and Jalen Suggs (2021) are the examples so this program and coaching staff can make the case that Hickman and Hunter can replicate that, although neither are good three-point shooters, so that would be an issue to deal with.

Gonzaga has made seven straight Sweet 16 appearances and is arguably the safest place for a player to join in terms of playing for a Final Four contender. What’s interesting here is that the Bulldogs usually land players from losing situations, such as Rasir Bolton also from Iowa State that is willing to sacrifice a bit to play for a winning program. However, Hunter is coming off a Sweet 16 himself so that’s not going to be the biggest selling point for him right now.

Playing in the WCC compared to the Big 12 and Big Ten could be an issue here and while Hunter would start at point, it’s not a natural fit in the backcourt. And if All-American center Drew Timme doesn’t come back from the NBA Draft process, the team wouldn’t be in the top-15 of the preseason rankings. There are plenty of pros but also a few cons to consider here too.

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