Portal opposites

The news never stops. Clemson gets a big boost with a key return, while Richmond's scrambling after a departure. How do the teams adjust? Plus, five programs waiting on key decisions.

Author

Tristan Freeman
May 26, 2023

As we near the deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA Draft, expect a wave of news that’ll affect several teams. And it’s not always the same effect, as Clemson and Richmond experienced on Thursday.

Also, a quick programming note: No Field of 68 Daily on Monday with Memorial Day. We’ll be back on Tuesday.

1. PJ Hall’s return makes Clemson ACC contenders

Is it strange to tab a team that didn’t make the 2023 NCAA Tournament as a conference title contender? Nah. Not when Pitt did that very thing in 2023.

Clemson could be the new version.

The 6-10 big man is the essential piece of Clemson’s offense. They can run everything through him, no small thing in today’s game. It’s not a reach, either.

After offseason knee surgery, Hall ended up only missing only one game last season and quickly got back into All-ACC form. He ended up finishing second on the team with 15.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg on 54% shooting from the field and 40% from deep on 2.5 attempts a game.

Clemson lost leading scorer Hunter Tyson but has added several newcomers via the transfer portal. That includes a couple of 15 ppg scoring guards, Joe Girard (Syracuse) and Jake Heidbreder (Air Force). And the projected starting forward for next season is Jack Clark, a transfer from NC State that averaged 9.0 ppg and 6.9 rpg.

Look for Hall to take an even larger scoring role in the Tigers’ offense next season. And if he improves on his already all-league numbers, don’t be surprised if the senior big man is on the shortlist for ACC Player of the Year candidates in 2024.

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2. Expect plenty of suitors for Tyler Burton

Even in late May, the transfer portal can provide some surprises. Richmond got a big one on Thursday.

Burton, a 6-7 small forward who was Richmond’s best player in 2023-24 and a second-team All-Atlantic 10 selection, will use his fifth year of eligibility to play elsewhere in 2023-24.

Plenty of teams will be interested, too. Burton singlehandedly kept Richmond competitive in 2023, averaging a career-high 19.0 ppg and 7.4 rpg on 45% shooting from the field. That includes a career-high 38 points in overtime versus College of Charleston.

The 6-7 small forward is a quality shot-creator, and finisher. His 3-point shooting took a dip last year (he’s a career 32.7% shooter beyond the arc, but was just 29.3% last season), but as a big wing who can handle the ball and score, he’ll have options.

One of them may be Providence. His father, Quinton Burton, played for the Friars from 1986-90. The coach in his final two years was Rick Barnes, who also could use another wing at Tennessee. The Vols already landed Harvard transfer Chris Ledlum this offseason, but another wing wouldn’t be bad.

Other notable transfer activity:

3. Five teams waiting on key draft decisions

The transfer portal’s still popping, and the NBA Draft withdraw deadline (May 31) is looming. It’s a stressful time for program awaiting player decisions.

Some, such as UConn (will Andre Jackson and Tristen Newton both be gone?), and Arkansas (same question for Davonte Davis and Jordan Walsh) should be primed for good seasons no matter what those players decide. Others aren’t as lucky.

Let’s look at five programs who need clarity.

Kentucky

It’s not just Big Blue Nation that’s pondering next season. Right now, John Calipari’s team has just seven confirmed players on the roster, with a combined 301 total minutes of D-I action. Not only are they waiting on former National Player of the Year big man Oscar Tshiebwe, but both Chris Livingston and Antonio Reeves are also still in the NBA Draft process.

Until Kentucky gets firm decisions on those two, it’s a brutal waiting game. And the chances of landing impact transfers also seems slim. The incoming freshmen talent will keep Kentucky in the mix as a potential Top 25 team, but Calipari would certainly like some clarity for his overall roster.

Virginia

The Cavs haven’t been discussed much, but it still has its two best players left on the roster in the draft process. Armaan Franklin led the team in scoring this past season (12.4 ppg), while Reece Beekman is arguably the best overall player on the roster. Both could be gone.

If these two guards depart, the only proven power conference talent on this roster would be backup guard Isaac McKneely and Oklahoma forward transfer, Jacob Groves. Coach Tony Bennett rightfully gets the benefit of the doubt but at some point, a lack of talent becomes too much to overcome.

Illinois

The Illini coaching staff is having to multi-task, dealing with two key starters in the draft process. Forward Coleman Hawkins and leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. could stay or go, which would be a major blow to their hopes.

Illinois also is one of the contenders for Toledo transfer and MAC Player of the Year guard, Rayj Dennis. They’ve been a reported favorite for nearly a month, but the longer the process takes, the more changes it gives another team to woo Dennis. Baylor, Michigan, and Utah are also in the mix. Dennis also is taking another NBA workout next week, so it’s going to go right to the deadline.

UCLA

Technically, all five starters could come back next season. But that’s a bigger longshot than a 16 seed winning it all. Both Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez will be gone, while but the freshmen (Amari Bailey and Adem Bona) seem to be 50/50, along with the currently injured wing, Jaylen Clark.

UCLA has been busy in the international market, landing guards Ilane Fibleuil and Jan Vide. They could both be stars which would make this all a moot point. But it’ll be interesting to see how many of the starters come back because otherwise, it’ll be a fairly young Bruin roster next season.

Michigan

The Wolverines haven’t lacked for offseason drama. They recently denied Caleb Love, and are looking to replace him with Dennis, which may not work given Dennis’ other suitors. They also are fighting West Virginia for the services of Tennessee transfer, Olivier Nkamhoua.

The coaching staff has been busy trying to piece together a legitimate roster for next season. But if they can’t get either target, they’ll have to go back to the drawing board yet again.

Who need an Amen?

Amen Thompson (and his twin, Ausar) played with Overtime Elite, so many college hoops fans may not know his game. That made it ideal to bring in Dave Leitao, who coaches the City Reapers in OTE. What could NBA teams expect with Amen? Here’s a hint: Lots of good things.

Links as we congratulate our own Greg Waddell for the new addition to his family! 

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