NCAA Basketball: Top 26 team transfer winners from 2022 offseason

Outgoing transfers: Bryce Golden

Incoming transfers: Manny Bates (NC State), Ali Ali (Akron), Jalen Thomas (Georgia State), Eric Hunter Jr. (Purdue)

The frontcourt for the Bulldogs has been completely revamped this offseason, using a new philosophy under new head coach Thad Matta. The biggest signing was Manny Bates, a 6’11 center that missed all of last season at NC State due to a shoulder injury. He’s one of the best shot-blockers in NCAA Basketball and averaged 9.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 2.7 bpg in his last fully healthy campaign.

Also in the frontcourt is Jalen Thomas, a 6’10 forward/center that averaged 7.5 ppg and 5.2 rpg in three seasons at Georgia State. He’s as good a likely backup center as a team can get and can start in case Bates’ health remains a question. Another frontcourt addition is Ali Ali, who led Akron with 13.9 ppg and 2.5 apg. A forward that leads a team in passing is rare but gives Butler a capable facilitator in the offense.

Eric Hunter only averaged 6.2 ppg but did start 19 games at Purdue last season and shot 44% from three-point range on 78 attempts. He joins a backcourt that already has Chuck Harris and Jayden Taylor and can play in some three-guard lineups.

All four transfers figures to be in the rotation for Butler next season and each provides something important to a team that looks to get back towards NCAA Tournament contention. And if Bates is healthy and impactful, that can uplift everything else on this roster.