The portal never sleeps

We’re finally to an actual college football weekend, which means we’re also closer to the start of hoops. Of course, it doesn’t seem to matter what day it is because it’s always portal season.

Let's see why.

1. Texas A&M loses senior to transfer portal

The Almanac, Vol. 2, arrives in your inbox in less than three weeks (also means you have less than three weeks to save 20% if you order now). It’ll have the most up-to-date rosters and player info of any college basketball preview.

Even when something like this happens on Aug. 31.

Gordon has played the last four seasons at A&M and has 65 career starts. He’s never been much of an offensive threat, averaging 5.1 ppg on 37% shooting in 120 games played. Still, the combo guard has always been a good defender and has played for coach Buzz Williams the entire time.

So why leave? The super senior was likely worried about playing time.

He was coming off a career-low six starts and 15 mpg, down from his sophomore season when he started 18 games and a career-best 8.3 ppg. Texas A&M not only has star guard Wade Taylor and veteran Tyrece Radford back, but they also added a pair of key transfers this offseason in Jace Carter and Eli Lawrence.

I wouldn’t expect Gordon to be in the portal long. Plenty of programs could use a veteran guard. Pittsburgh, who just lost Dior Johnson, needs a ball-handler, as does Louisville after losing Trentyn Flower. Plus, teams such as BYU, Michigan, Illinois, and others have been in the market for another ballhandler.

2. Kansas set for busy recruiting weekend

September tends to be a busy high school recruiting month, with a number of top prospects set to make decisions before the start of the prep season. They’ll hit college campuses and usually attend a football game so they can get the full college experience.

Like this weekend in Lawrence.

That’s an impressive group of 5-star players. Jalil Bethea is a combo guard, while Liam McNeeley is one of the top wings in the entire 2024 class. Big man Derik Queen is seen as a Maryland lock, but who knows? Considering Kansas landed top-5 center prospect Flory Bidunga in August, it’s hard to envision the Jayhawks also bringing in Queen.

Still, coach Bill Self is all-in on the 2024 class. They’re not only one of three teams to get a future visit from No. 1 overall prospect Cooper Flagg, but reportedly, the team is making a move to try and get top-3 recruit Dylan Harper to visit them as well. For a while, it’s been thought to be between Duke and Rutgers for his services. The Jayhawks could make it a triple-threat matchup on the recruiting trail.

3. Five sneaky-good opening-day matchups

With all respect to the college football “Week 0” participants, this weekend is the first true start to the college football season. Meanwhile, Nov. 6 will be here before you know it. The schedule isn’t fully set for all 361 teams but many matchups on opening night are ready to go.

Here’s a look at 5 intriguing games to watch on that day.

Arkansas State at Wisconsin

First-year Red Wolves coach Bryan Hodgson pulled an impressive transfer haul this offseason, landing Freddy Hicks, Derrian Ford, and Dyondre Dominguez. They’re a Sun Belt team to watch and could make some national noise if they put a scare into Wisconsin. The Badgers return just about everyone after missing the NCAA Tournament so there’s going to be pressure on them to look the part early on.

Princeton at Rutgers

Fairleigh Dickinson might have been New Jersey’s March darling, but Princeton had the best run, making the Sweet 16 as a 15 seed. After losing most of its roster, will it take a step back? The same question is true for Rutgers, which surprisingly lost guards Cam Spence and Paul Mulcahy. This is an early test for a team trying to avoid a bottom-rung finish in the Big Ten.

USC at Kansas State

This is the marquee game of opening night. Even without Bronny James, USC still has No. 1 incoming freshman Isaiah Collier and star guard Boogie Ellis to watch. And Kansas State has an impressive transfer class of new pieces, including Tylor Perry and Arthur Kaluma. This will be a good test between a pair of projected NCAA Tournament rosters.

Iona at Charleston

Charleston returns three starters from the squad that won 31 games and reached the Big Dance. Iona looks completely different, having lost coach Rick Pitino and nearly every starter. It’ll be quite the debut for new coach Tobin Anderson, no stranger to overcoming steep odds. This will be a good early indicator of how much work Iona has to compete for the MAAC title.

McNeese State at VCU

Both programs have new coaches, though McNeese State won’t have Will Wade due to a suspension. Yet the Cowboys have an interesting roster, thanks to a ton of incoming transfers such as CJ Felder, Mike Sauders and Shahada Wells. VCU and Ryan Odom are in the same situation when it comes to roster turnover but they’ve gotten high grades for their pieces, such as Max Shulga and Kuany Kuany. But with so many new faces all making their respective debuts, anything can happen in this matchup.

Whirlwind offseason

Kansas is loading up for 2024-25 (see above). And the Jayhawks have already loaded up for 2023-24 with a massive roster overhaul that includes transfers such as Hunter Dickinson, Arterio Morris and Nick Timberlake, and impact freshmen such as Elmarko Jackson and Johnny Furphy. So how do Jeff Goodman and Greg Waddell view KU? Are they the team to beat this season?

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Links as you once again await news on ACC expansion talks.

• Anthony Kristensen talked about Evansville’s greatest basketball alum, Jerry Sloan.

• The Big Ten and Big East could continue the Gavitt Games, including starting on opening night in the future.

• Arizona, Baylor and Duke are the key matchups in Michigan State’s non-con schedule.

• Duke and Oklahoma are among the key matchups in Arkansas’ non-con schedule.

Thanks for reading The Field of 68 Daily! If you have a news tip or feedback, email us at [email protected].