NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that should target transfer Malachi Smith

NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that should target Chattanooga transfer Malachi Smith

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 18: Malachi Smith #13 of the Chattanooga Mocs shoots the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball Rick Barnes Tennessee Volunteers (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee still has a number of roster spots to fill out for next season. To do so, Rick Barnes is going to need to snag a few players from the transfer portal.

The Vols have lost a number of guards this offseason, most prominently Kennedy Chandler to the NBA Draft. Justin Powell and Victor Bailey also transferred out, while Indiana State guard Tyreke Key transferred in.

Interest in Smith could come down to what another prominent transfer guard does, as Iowa State’s Tyrese Hunter has Tennessee in his final six. If Hunter bypasses Knoxville, however, Tennessee shouldn’t have to look far to find its next option.

USC Trojans

One of Andy Enfield’s biggest needs for next season is a high-level scorer. As someone who averaged more than 20 points per game last season, Smith fits the need well.

USC is bringing in a strong recruiting class, but is losing its identity with the departure of Isaiah Mobley to the NBA. Drew Peterson is testing the draft waters as well, though there’s still a chance he returns, which the Trojans would welcome.

If Peterson decides to stay in the draft, the Trojans could have some big issues next year, and he’s got time to decide. Enfield can’t afford to wait to see how his guard rotation is going to shake out – he needs to pursue one of the best scorers left in the portal.

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