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NCAA Basketball: 10 most important transfer portal battles left of 2023 offseason

By Tristan Freeman

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 30: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks greet each other prior to the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 30, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 30: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks greet each other prior to the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 30, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Joe Girard NCAA Basketball
NCAA Basketball Syracuse Orange guard Joe Girard III Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Joe Girard – Syracuse Orange

2022-23 season stats: 16.4 ppg and 3.0 apg

Recruiting battle: Clemson vs LSU

Girard is one of the few four-year starters in the NCAA Basketball transfer portal, having 123 career starts with the Orange. He had career-high scoring numbers, including 31 points against Richmond and 28 versus both Georgia Tech and Louisville.

This is one of the more cut-and-dry battles, as Girard himself says that it’s down to just two teams. LSU was a team that was linked to Girard out the gate, while Clemson seemingly came out of nowhere in the past week.

What’s interesting is that both teams seem to already have their backcourts set for next season. LSU added Tulane transfer Jalen Cook and Santa Clara guard Carlos Stewart, while Clemson brings back starting point guard Chase Hunter and added Air Force transfer Jake Heidbreder, all of whom averaged 15+ ppg last season.

While Girard isn’t an All-American player, he’s probably the best guy that either team can get the rest of this offseason. And considering that LSU coach Matt McMahon is coming off a last-place finish in the SEC and long-time head coach Brad Brownell needs an NCAA Tournament appearance to get off the hot set, both programs could really get some good news here.

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