One of the more entertaining players in NCAA Basketball in the past couple of seasons has been Kerr Kriisa, a 6’3 point guard originally from Tartu, Estonia. He was limited to just eight games as a true freshman but in the past two years has been the full-time starter for the Arizona Wildcats.
If Kriisa is anything, he’s consistent in his production. His sophomore and junior seasons have been roughly the same stastically, averaging 9.8 ppg and 4.9 apg. The ball-handler also had a tripled-double in each of the last two years as well. When Kriisa is one, he’s a legitimately quality point guard not just in the Pac-12, but nationally as well.
The issue that has plagued Kriisa at times is his inefficency. He can be a bit turnover-prone at times when handling the ball and he also doesn’t shoot the ball well from the field, with a career shooting percentage of 36% from the field and a woeful 39% from inside the arc. He is 35% fom three-point range but one seven attempts.
The point guard did lead the Wildcats to over 60 wins in the past two seasons but after a 1st-round exit in the NCAA Tournament as a 2 seed, it looks like the player and program has parted ways this offseason.
NEWS: Arizona's Kerr Kriisa is entering the NCAA transfer portal, he told ESPN. Kriisa, who led the Pac-12 in assists while shooting 37% for 3, will be one of the most coveted players in the transfer market this spring. pic.twitter.com/92l4guDkxZ
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 22, 2023
Even though he has his flaws, Kriisa will still be highly sought-after in the transfer portal market in the coming weeks. There are plenty of programs that’ll look to add a senior power conference starter. Here are eight that makes the most sense at this point.
Butler Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are in a complete rebuild after a rough season. Three of its top guards have already entered the transfer portal, including Jayden Taylor and Chuck Harris. That leaves 6’6 shooting guard Simas Lukosius as the only potential ball-handler on the roster. So expect the team to add multiple guards in the coming weeks.
Considering how much stronger the Big East has gotten in the recent coaching hires, Butler will need plenty of talent to compete. This is an opportunity for Kriisa to be the lead guard and potential focal point of the offense on a national stage and for a head coach in Thad Matta with a history of winning.
Florida Gators
Head coach Todd Golden has some west coach ties since a year ago, he was at San Francisco. His past sucess with ball-handlers and the use of analytics could be what helps Kriisa become more efficent as a ball-handler as well.
Florida is set to lose multiple key players, including star big man Colin Castleton, as well as this year’s starting point guard, Kyle Lofton. The former St. Bonaventure guard struggled at the SEC level but Kriisa doesn’t have those concerns. He’d be able to come in as a lead guard right away and have an impact for the Gators.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Under head coach Fran McCaffery, the Hawkeyes are annually one of the best offenses in NCAA Basketball. Although it’s been more impactful for on the wings and in the frontcourt, guards can benefit too when there’s a high-profile one. The team is likely losing star wing Kris Murray to the NBA Draft, while forward Filip Rebraca has no more eligiblity left.
Who also has none as well is Connor McCaffery, who led Iowa with 3.7 apg. The team also recently lost Aaron Ulis to the transfer portal after starting 27 games this past season. Tony Perkins is coming back but he’s more of a combo guard. That actually would be a nice fit with Kriisa in the backcourt, which may have to lead Iowa offensively next season.
Oregon Ducks
After another NIT appearance, look for Oregon to go through a complete roster rebuild. The top five scorers are likely moving on, including starting point guard, Will Richardson. The only proven guard that’s left on the roster after this year is Keeshawn Barthelemy, who is more of a two-guard than someone that runs the offense.
The Ducks are bringing in a pair of five-star freshmen wings in Kwame Evans and Mookie Cook. Even if they’re good enough to be leading scorers on the team next season, they’ll need a veteran ball-handler with experience, especially in the Pac-12. If he wants to stay out west for a program with a winning history, Oregon would be a nice fit.
UNLV Rebels
It’s going to be a completely different backcourt at UNLV, with the top four scorers, gone, along with 6th Man guard, Jordan McCabe. A big part of the reason why the Rebels struggled was due to a lack of scoring offense overall, particularly on the backcourt. It’s a great scenario for someone like Kriisa to come in and completely take over and revamp the rotation.
Although going from the Pac-12 to the Mountain West might seem like a “downgrade”, Matt Bradley, who went from Cal to San Diego State would beg to differ. He’s now in the Sweet 16 but is in a much better situation overall. Maybe the Rebels, who resides in the city full or risks, is the perfect landing spot for a player who takes plenty of risks on the court.
Washington State Cougars
Krissa tied for the lead in assists in Pac-12 play. Washington State ranked 10th out of 12 teams in the conference, with Justin Powell leading them with 2.8 apg. The backcourt had its struggles overall, which is why they finished at .500, though they did have another second-half run.
Assuming there isn’t many roster changes, the biggest need is another guard to bolster the rotation. Kriisa would be a needed boost to the Cougars and an upgrade over the duo of Powell and Jabe Mullins running the backcourt.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Coach Bob Huggins’ risk to change the entire roster worked out, as the Mountaineers made the NCAA Tournament. They’ll be losing multiple lead guards, including leading scorer Erik Stevenson and senior Kedrian Johnson, who led the team with 3.1 apg. They’re a team that could use a guard with explosive potential, although there will come with risk with Kriisa.
Still, it worked out with Stevenson enough to get to the Big Dance. And West Virginia needs to take risks in a Big 12 that’s going to get even better with the addition of national juggernaut Houston coming in. This is an option that could make sense on both sides.
Xavier Musketeers
When Kriisa entered the portal, the first thought instantly was Sean Miller, the man who originally recruited the point guard. Now at Xavier, Coach Miller is already having plenty of success, now in the Sweet 16 in season 1. He got a huge year out of UTEP transfer guard Souley Boum, who is leaving after the season, as well as Colby Jones, who also runs the offense at times.
The point guard position for the future is wide open and it could be a great pairing situation with them and Kriisa. Will there be better true point guards that enter the NCAA Basketball transfer portal this offseason? Yes. But it’s no guarantee that the Musketeers could land them. If this becomes a done deal in the next week or two, Xavier has to pull the trigger and make it official.