NCAA Basketball: Top 25 offseason team winners from 2023 transfer portal

20. Houston Cougars

Incoming transfers: LJ Cryer, Damian Dunn

The Cougars had one of the best backcourts in NCAA Basketball last season. But with both Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark gone, the team needed to add some pieces to pair with returning guard Jamal Shead if they want to compete at the top of the Big 12 in the program’s first year in the new conference.

The first addition is very familiar with the Big 12 in Cryer. The 6’1 guard was very successful in his first year as a full-time starter at Baylor, averaging 15.0 ppg. He shot 45% from the field and 42% from three-point range on over six attempts a game. That includes a season-high 30 points in the NCAA Tournament loss to Creighton.

Dunn is another high-scoring newcomer to the backcourt, making his way over from Temple. The 6’5 guard averaged 15.3 ppg on 41% shooting from the field and 35% from deep. The two-time All-AAC performer had a pair of 30+ point efforts, including 38 against Vanderbilt in overtime on 13/18 shooting from the field.

Houston wasn’t able to land a forward to replace the likes of Jarace Walker, but under Coach Kelvin Sampson, they seem to find the “next man up” already on the roster. But if the potential of the backcourt comes to fruition, this will be another top-10 caliber group for next season.