Toward the end of the transfer portal deadline, there was a late frontcourt entrant in Ven-Allen Lubin, who had an up-and-down campaign in his long year at North Carolina. The 6’8 forward spent years at both Vanderbilt and Notre Dame, before producing 8.7 ppg and 5.5 rpg in 20 starts at around 20 mpg with the Tar Heels.
When Lubin originally entered the transfer portal, he said that paperwork regarding payments with the school was part of the issue and that he was expected to return. However, it’s been weeks since then, and there’s no sign that he’s actually going to remain with North Carolina.
Instead, two teams have reportedly been linked to Lubin in NC State and Mississippi State. If these are indeed the finalists to land him, here’s a closer look at how he’d fit with the options.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs lost basically their entire frontcourt from last season and had to rebuild. Among the incoming transfers are former K-State forward Achor Achor, along with Quincy Ballard, a transfer center from Wichita State. Having Ballard and Lubin combined at the 5-spot would give them one of the best center duos in the SEC.
Lubin had his best year at Vandy two years ago, averaging 12.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg. A case can be made that his leaving the ACC for the SEC would be the right move, but he’d have to play more at the four-spot, and there would be an issue with the lack of spacing on offense next to Ballard.
NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack recently landed Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams this past week, who’ll be the focal point of the offense. However, outside of incoming international freshman Paul Mbiya, there’s no depth at the center position. This is a spot where Lubin would start and get 20+ minutes next to Williams.
Going to rival NC State would be a big statement and create one of the biggest storylines in the ACC next season. But the Wolfpack’s roster would be better than Miss State on paper, so it could ultimately be the right spot after all.