12. Emanuel Miller – TCU Horned Frogs
2022-23 season stats: 12.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.7 apg
It was a tossup between Miller and Damion Baugh to include in this list but the recent pickup of 20 ppg scoring transfer Jameer Nelson Jr. helps the backcourt. The frontcourt is the more pressing issue after center Eddie Lampkin left the team. Starting forward Miller led the team in rebounding and has been a steady frontcourt presence both ways in the past couple of years.
The 6’7 forward had both three double-doubles and three games with at least 20 points, including 20 points and 10 rebounds against Texas. This is a team that’s going to go through some rebuilding but they need to bring back at least one of the seasons and if a choice needs to be made, Miller.
11. Hunter Cattoor – Virginia Tech Hokies
2022-23 season stats: 10.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.4 apg
When Cattoor was out with an injury, that was when things fell apart for the Hokies in the middle of the season. He’s a career 42% three-point shooter and this past season alone had back-to-back 20-point games that included a combined nine made three-pointers. Cattoor is a “must-guard” on the perimeter and his presence alone affects how defenses operate.
Virginia Tech knows it’s without Justyn Mutts and could lose leading scorer Grant Basile. In order to get back to competing in the ACC, the team knows they’ll need the backcourt duo of Cattoor and Sean Pedulla back and in elite form.