Big 12 Basketball: Early grades for each teams 2023 offseason moves
UCF Golden Knights – Grade: – C-
The top two scorers for the Knights are gone in Taylor Kendricks and C.J. Kelly but they do bring a solid amount back, including Ithiel Horton and Darius Johnson. To add to the backcourt depth are Shemarri Allen, a double-digit scorer from Kansas City and Jaykwon Walton, a 6’7 wing from Wichita State who may or may not have to sit out next year.
The backcourt will be in good shape but the frontcourt is all but non-existent. CJ Walker, who played just four games last season, is back, along with backup big man Thierno Sylla. UCF is not going to be able to replace Hendricks but needs to add a couple of pieces to not get killed in the Big 12.
West Virginia Mountaineers – Grade: A+
Putting Coach Bob Huggins recent transgressions aside, West Virginia has had as good an offseason as a program both in the Big 12 and nationally could ask for. They landed Arizona transfer guard Kerr Kriisa to become the new starting point guard, while also adding 17 ppg scoring transfer, RayQuan Battle from Montana State.
Next. Top 20 available transfers after portal deadline. dark
The biggest and most important pickup for the Mountaineers was Jesse Edwards, who averaged 14.5 ppg and 10.3 rpg and three blocks a game at Syracuse. He and returning forward Tre Mitchell becomes one of the best frontcourts in Big 12 Basketball. And when you add former Manhattan guards, Jose Perez and Omar Silverio to the mix, it’s been a quality group of impact newcomers that should have them ranked to start next season.