NCAA Basketball: Updated WTE 2022-23 power rankings after transfer deadline
1. Houston Cougars
As quiet as Arkansas has been this offseason, Houston has been ever quieter, not making any moves incoming or outgoing. The only thing that is known is that guards Marcus Sasser and Kyler Edwards are testing the NBA Draft waters, with Sasser more likely to come back.
But there’s plenty of perimeter depth to work with, as starting guard Jamal Shead is coming back, as well as Tramon Mark after missing most of last season with an injury. There’s also top-50 incoming guard prospect Emanuel Sharp, as well as four-star wing Terrance Arceneaux.
The frontcourt is where there’s more intrigue since starters Fabian White Jr. and Josh Carlton have exhausted eligibility. The good news is that five-star power forward prospect Jarace Walker can come replace one of them and have a major impact next season. But who will the starting center be? It could be backup big Reggie Chaney or either Ja’Vier Francis or Kiyron Powell.
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There are some rumors that Houston could land Louisiana Tech transfer Kenneth Lofton Jr., one of the best big men in the transfer portal. He’s going through the NBA Draft process so it may take a few weeks but if they land him, the Cougars would have the most balanced and experienced roster among all of the top contenders to claim the No. 1 spot. Based on the confidence I have in the guards Houston has, I’m still giving them the nod as the transfer portal deadline passes.