The transfer portal era is known to be tough on mid-majors. Players shine at smaller programs and they depart in the offseason in pursuit of improved NIL deals. However, mid-major schools are beginning to adapt and find ways to compete. Here are 10 programs to keep an eye on outside of the power conferences as we head into the summer.
USF
Departures:
6-foot-5 senior guard Malik Thomas (Virginia), 6-foot-2 senior guard Marcus Williams, 6-foot-2 senior guard Robby Beasley (graduated), 7-foot center Carlton Linguard Jr (graduated), 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Jason Rivera-Torres (Monmouth),6-foot-8 freshman forward Karl Markus Poom (Northern Arizona), 6-foot-4 junior guard Drew Ardouin (uncommitted), 6-foot-9 freshman forward James O’Donnell (uncommitted)
Returnees:
6-foot-6 freshman guard Tyrone Riley, 5-foot-11 sophomore guard Ryan Beasley, 6-foot-7 senior forward Ndewedo Newbury, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Junjie Wang, 7-foot-2 center Saba Gigiberia, 6-foot-9 freshman forward James O’Donnell, 6-foot-4 guard Isa Silva, 6-foot-6 freshman guard Veniamin Abosi
Incoming:
6-foot-5 senior guard Vukasin Masic (Portland), 7-foot-1 junior forward Guillermo Diaz Graham (Pittsburgh), 6-foot-9 sophomore forward David Fuchs (Rhode Island), 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Mookie Cook (Oregon), 6-foot-5 freshman guard Legend Smiley, 6-foot freshman guard Weilun Zhao
USF was expected to lose Malik Thomas to a high-major, so that doesn’t come as a huge surprise. The Dons had an excellent offseason just about everywhere else. WCC All-Freshman guard Tyrone Riley withdrew from the portal to return to USF, and the Dons also welcome back Ryan Beasley to the Hilltop, who had a strong finish to the season. In the portal, USF added a lot of depth from both mid-major and high-major programs. Vukasin Masic was a double-figure scorer for Portland the last two seasons, and Mookie Cook is a former top-5 recruit nationally.
UNLV
Departures:
6-foot-4 senior guard Jailen Bedford (Virginia Tech), 6-foot-7 junior guard Jaden Henley (Grand Canyon), 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Dedan Thomas (LSU), 7-foot-1 freshman forward Pape N’Diaye (Xavier), 6-foot-11 junior forward Isaiah Cottrell (Southern Utah), 6-foot-7 senior forward Rob Whaley Jr. (uncommitted), 6-foot-3 freshman guard DeMarion Yap (uncommitted), 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Brooklyn Hicks (uncommitted), 6-11 freshman forward Jeremiah Bear Cherry (uncommitted), 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Dedan Thomas Jr. (uncommitted), 6-foot-6 freshman guard James Evans Jr. (uncommitted), 6-foot-6 senior forward Jalen Hill (graduated), 6-foot-6 senior guard Julian Rishwain (graduated),
Returnees:
6-foot-9 freshman forward Jacob Bannarbie, 6-foot-11 forward Faris Mucharbach, 6-foot freshman Luke Naser
Incoming:
6-foot-7 junior guard Kimani Hamilton (High Point), 6-foot-2 sophomore guard Myles Che (UC Irvine), 6-foot-3 junior guard Al Green (Lousiana Tech), 6-foot-5 freshman guard Howie Fleming (Texas-Rio Grande Valley), 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (Illinois), 6-foot-8 sophomore guard Ladji Dembele (Iowa), 7-foot-1 freshman center Emmanuel Stephen (Arizona), 6-foot-7 freshman forward Naas Cunningham (Alabama), 6-foot-6 freshman guard Mason Abittan, 6-foot-1 freshman guard Isaac Williamson, 6-foot-8 freshman forward Tyrin Jones
The Rebels have really opened some eyes with an excellent portal season, hoping to assert themselves in the Mountain West under new head coach Josh Pastner. Big South First-Team performer Kimani Hamilton is a huge get for the program after he starred at High Point last season. UNLV loaded up on perimeter shooting, as 43% three-point shooter Myles Che played a big role on an excellent Anteaters team, and Al Green is a 42% perimeter shooter. Pastner has also impressively targeted high-major programs, grabbing Illinois role player Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and 2024 top-50 recruit Naas Cunningham from Alabama. With the kind of roster UNLV has built, they will be expected to make some serious noise in the Mountain West.
Grand Canyon
Departures:
6-foot-7 senior guard Tyon Grant-Foster (Gonzaga), 6-foot-8 freshman forward Sammie Yeanay (Cal), 6-foot-10 junior forward Duke Brennan (Villanova), 6-foot-7 sophomore guard Malcolm Flaggs (Villanova), 6-foot-6 senior forward Traivar Jackson (uncommitted), 6-foot-8 senior forward JaKobe Coles (uncommitted), 7-foot-1 freshman center Austin Maurer (uncommitted), 6-foot-4 senior guard Ray Harrison (graduated), 6-foot-9 senior forward Lok Wur (graduated), 6-foot-4 senior guard Collin Moore (graduated), 6-foot-6 senior forward Traivar Jackson (graduated), 6-foot senior guard Jason Amador (graduated)
Returnees:
6-foot-2 freshman guard Styles Phipps, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard Makaih Williams, 6-foot-7 freshman guard Braylon Johnson, 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Caleb Shaw, 7-foot-1 freshman center Dennis Evans, 7-foot freshman center Austin Maurer
Incoming:
6-foot-2 junior guard Brian Moore (Norfolk State), 6-foot-7 junior guard Jaden Henley (UNLV), 6-foot-8 senior forward Nana Owusu-Anane (Brown), 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Dusty Stromer (Gonzaga), 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Kaleb Smith (UC Riverside), 6-foot-3 freshman guard Luke Shaw, 7-foot-1 freshman center Efe Dimerel
The Lopes lost their best player in Tyon Grant-Foster, but they returned the favor and grabbed Dusty Stromer from Gonzaga. Unfortunately, Kevin Willard also grabbed two key players in Duke Brennan and Malcolm Flaggs at Villanova. Bryce Drew, though, continues to do a great job in the portal. Brian Moore provides big scoring help, as he averaged 18.1 points last season on an extremely efficient 54% from the field. Henley averaged over 12 points a game for the Rebels, and Owusu-Anane was an excellent interior scorer in 2023-24 before missing all of the last season. Bryce Drew is looking to lead Grand Canyon to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year, as the program is preparing for a move to the Mountain West after next season.
Saint Mary’s
Departures:
Augustus Marciuliuonis, 6-foot-4 senior guard (graduated), Mitchell Saxen, 6-foot-10 senior center (graduated), Luke Barrett, 6-foot-6 senior forward (graduated), Jordan Ross, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard (Georgia), Ashton Hardaway, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward (Memphis)
Returnees:
6-foot-8 sophomore forward Paulius Murauskas, 6-foot-3 freshman guard Mikey Lewis, 7-foot-1 junior center Harry Wessels, 6-foot-3 freshman guard Joshua Dent, 6-foot-5 freshman guard Rory Hawke, 6-foot-9 freshman guard Oliver Faubert, 6-foot-4 freshman guard Liam Campbell, 6-foot sophomore guard Cade Bennett, 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Kevin Gad, 7-foot-1 freshman center Andrew McKeever
Incoming:
7-foot sophomore center Jazz Gardner (Pacific), 6-foot-6 freshman forward Dillon Shaw, 6-foot-9 forward Trent Maclean
Saint Mary’s is unlike the vast majority of college basketball programs these days. Few players leave in the portal, and the Gaels don’t use the portal much to acquire new talent. Losing Jordan Ross is certainly a painful blow, but returning WCC Sixth Man of the Year and WCC All-Freshmen team performer Mikey Lewis is important. Randy Bennett has made a habit of developing players the old-fashioned way, and Lewis has a lot of room to grow. The one portal addition is interior help to help offset the loss of Mitchell Saxen, bringing in center Jazz Gardner from conference foe Pacific.
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New Mexico
Departures:
6-foot-2 junior guard Donovan Dent (UCLA), 6-foot-10 senior center Nelly Junior Joseph (graduated), 6-foot-4 senior guard CJ Noland (graduated), 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Tru Washington (Miami), 6-foot-9 senior forward Mustapha Amzil (graduated), 6-foot-10 senior forward Atiki Ally Atiki (graduated), 6-foot-10 freshman forward Jovan Milicevic (Xavier), 6-foot-2 freshman guard Kayde Dotson (Loyola Chicago), 6-foot-7 sophomore guard Braden Appelhans (Drake), 6-foot-9 junior forward Filip Borovicanin (Xavier), 6-foot-8 freshman forward Daniel Thomas (UNC Asheville), 6-foot-6 sophomore Quinton Webb (uncommitted), 6-foot-5 freshman guard Dylan Chavez (uncommitted), 6-foot-7 junior forward Deraje Agbaosi (uncommitted), 6-foot-9 senior forward Mustapha Amzil (uncommitted), 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Ibrahima Sacko (uncommitted), 6-foot-1 freshman guard Shane Douma-Sanchez (uncommitted)
Returnees:
None
Incoming:
6-foot-4 junior guard Tajavis Miller (North Dakota State), 6-foot-8 sophomore guard Kevin Patton (USC), 7-foot-1 freshman center JT Rock (Iowa State), 6-foot-6 senior guard Chris Howell (UC San Diego), 6-foot-7 senior forward Milos Vicentic (UC San Diego), 6-foot-4 freshman guard Kallai Patton (USC), 6-foot-2 senior guard Deyton Albury (Utah State), 6-foot-9 junior guard Antonio Choi (Garden City CC), 6-foot-7 senior guard Luke Haupt (Point Loma Nazarene), 6-foot-4 freshman guard Jake Hall, 6-foot-4 freshman guard Sir Marius Jones, 5-foot-10 freshman guard Uriah Tennette
The mass exodus with the departure of Richard Pitino to Xavier will make this a completely different roster come next fall. But Eric Olen is used to building from the ground up, having helped transition UC San Diego from D-II to an NCAA tournament team. A pair of Tritons in Chris Howell and Milos Vicentic have followed their coach to Albuquerque. Tajavis Miller averaged double figures with the Bison, and Olen also brings in the Patton brothers from USC. This offseason certainly marks the beginning of a new era in New Mexico, and with an entirely new roster, there will be a lot of uncertainty around this team entering the season.
San Diego State
Departures:
6-foot-3 senior guard Nick Boyd (Wisconsin), 6-foot-1 senior guard Wayne McKinney (uncommitted), 6-foot-1 senior guard Ryan Schwarz (uncommitted), 6-foot-10 senior center DeMarshay Johnson (uncommitted), 6-foot-3 guard Cam Lawin (uncommitted), 6-foot guard Wayne McKinney (graduated), 6-foot-3 senior guard Desai Lopez (graduated), 6-foot-1 guard Ryan Schwarz (graduated), 6-foot senior Kimo Ferrari (graduated), 6-foot-10 senior forward Jared Coleman-Jones (graduated)
Returnees:
7-foot freshman forward Magoon Gwath, 6-foot-7 sophomore guard Miles Byrd, 6-foot-6 senior guard Reece Waters, 6-foot-8 freshman forward Pharoah Compton, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard BJ Davis, 6-foot-5 freshman guard Taj DeGourville, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Cam Lavin, 6-foot-10 junior forward DeMarshay Johnson Jr., 7-foot freshman center Thokbor Majak, 6-foot-10 sophomore forward Miles Heide, 6-foot-4 freshman guard Ray Gonzales, 6-foot-5 freshman guard Kai Lee
Incoming:
6-foot-3 sophomore guard Latrell Davis (San Jose State), 6-foot-1 freshman guard Sean Newman (Louisiana Tech), 6-foot-8 senior forward Jeremiah Oden (DePaul), 6-foot-6 freshman forward Tae Simmons, 6-foot-6 freshman guard Elzie Harrington
The Aztecs did a solid job of retaining their players. While losing Nick Boyd was somewhat unexpected, San Diego State brings back Second-Team All-Mountain West performer Myles Byrd, a dominant defensive player who is a candidate to take a big leap next season. Magoon Gwath, a freshman center who had lots of national interest, took himself out of the portal to return to the Aztecs. Preseason All-Mountain West Reece Waters is back after missing all of last season with injury. In-conference transfer Latrell Davis should help a team that always needs scoring help, as he averaged over 14 points per game in four games against San Diego State over the last two seasons.
Utah State
Departures:
6-foot-3 senior guard Ian Martinez (graduated), 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Braden Housley (Utah Valley), 7-foot-1 junior center Isaac Johnson (Hawaii), 6-foot-2 senior guard Deyton Albury (New Mexico), 6-foot-5 senior guard Dexter Akanno (graduated), 6-foot-4 senior guard Drake Allen (graduated), 6-foot-11 senior forward Aubin Gateretse (graduated)
Returnees:
6-foot-3 sophomore guard Mason Falslev, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Pavle Stosic, 6-foot-9 sophomore guard Tucker Anderson, 6-foot-2 freshman guard Jaxon Smith, 6-foot-3 freshman guard Jordy Barnes, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Karson Templin, 6-foot-8 freshman forward Isaac Davis
Incoming:
6-foot-7 sophomore guard Luke Kearney (Air Force), 6-foot-10 junior forward Zach Keller (Utah), 6-foot-2 junior guard Kolby King (Butler), 6-foot-4 junior guard MJ Collins (Vanderbilt), 6-foot-8 senior forward Garry Clark (Texas A&M Corpus Christi), 6-foot-9 freshman forward Adlan Elamin, 6-foot-7 freshman forward Kingston Tosi, 6-foot-5 freshman guard Brayden Boe, 6-foot-9 freshman forward David Iweze, 6-foot-1 freshman guard Elijah Perryman
Utah State finally had an offseason without a coaching change. Jerrod Calhoun signed on to remain with the Aggies, which has helped with roster retention. Mason Falslev, a 15+ PPG scorer and Second-Team All-Mountain West, highlights the roster. With the loss of Ian Martinez, Garry Clark should provide a key scoring boost. He averaged 14.9 points per game and 7.7 boards per game on 55% shooting from the field in the Southland Conference. MJ Collins comes to Logan from a fellow NCAA Tournament team in Vanderbilt. Utah State also welcomes four-star recruit Kingston Tosi from Millennium High School in Arizona.
High Point
Departures:
6-foot-7 junior forward Kimani Hamilton (UNLV), 6-foot-2 senior guard Kezza Giffa (USC), 7-foot-1 sophomore forward Juslin Bodo Bodo (Baylor), 6-foot-9 junior forward Simon Hildebrandt (Washington State), 6-foot-10 senior forward Liam McChesney (Creighton), 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Andrew Sineway (West Florida), 6-foot-4 senior guard Abdoulaye Thiam (graduated), 6-foot senior guard Bobby Pettiford (graduated), 6-foot-6 senior forward Terry Anderson (graduated), 6-foot-4 senior guard Trae Benham (graduated), 6-foot-3 senior guard D’Maurian Williams (graduated),
Returnees:
6-foot-3 senior guard Chase Johnston, 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Titas Sargiunas, 6-foot-9 forward Simon Hildebrandt, 6-foot-7 freshman forward Birgir Irving, 6-foot-7 freshman forward Braden Hausen, 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Liam Carney, 6-foot-10 freshman forward Josh Ibukunoluwa, 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Andrew Sineway, 6-foot-3 freshman guard David Fonville, 6-foot-4 freshman guard Mavrick Miller, 7-foot forward Ivan Matlekovic
Incoming:
6-foot-10 sophomore center Youssouf Singare (UConn), 6-foot-8 junior forward Owen Aquino (Liberty), 6-foot-3 junior guard Vincent Brady (Missouri State), 6-foot-4 junior guard Scotty Washington (Cal State Northridge), 6-foot-7 senior forward Cam’Ron Fletcher (Xavier), 5-foot-10 junior guard Rob Martin (Southeast Missouri State)
Alan Huss left the Panthers to be the coach-in-waiting at his alma mater Creighton, but there won’t be too many philosophical changes at High Point. Associate head coach Flynn Clayman takes over the program, trying to maintain the tremendous positive momentum that the program has built. While it will be tough to recover from losing top-end talent like Kimani Hamilton and Kezza Giffa, Clayman has rebounded nicely in hopes of reaching another NCAA Tournament. Top three-point shooter Chase Johnston returns. Former top-100 recruit Cam’Ron Fletcher looks to find his footing, and Scotty Washington averaged nearly 15 a game in the Big West last season. High Point has built excellent teams out of the portal in recent years, and they’re hoping to do it again.
UNC Wilmington
Departures:
6-foot-9 junior guard Khamari McGriff (Kansas State), 7-foot-1 junior guard Harlan Obioha (West Virginia), 6-foot-7 senior forward Sean Moore (uncommitted), 6-foot senior guard Donovan Newby (uncommitted), 6-foot-5 senior guard Bo Montgomery (graduated), 6-foot-3 senior guard Joshua Corbin (graduated)
Returnees:
6-foot-7 junior guard Nolan Hodge, 6-foot-7 junior guard Noah Ross, 6-foot freshman guard Makel Smith, 6-foot-5 junior guard Greedy Williams, 6-foot-4 junior guard Jake Murphy, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard Shane Anthony, 6-foot-11 forward Makoi Mabor, 6-foot-2 junior guard Jojo Fullwood
Incoming:
6-foot-3 junior guard C.J. Luster (Stony Brook), 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Gavin Walsh (Binghamton), 7-foot sophomore center Patrick Wessler (Virginia Tech), 6-foot-5 junior guard Madison Durr (Monmouth), 6-foot-5 junior guard Christian May (Towson), 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Jahnathan Lamothe (North Carolina A&T)
After falling one game short of the NCAA Tournament, the Seahawks are making sure they won’t be going anywhere in the CAA. C.J Luster was All-CAA Third Team last season, leading Stony Brook with 16.8 points per game while shooting 42% from three and 86% from the line. Madison Durr is another CAA transfer from Monmouth who averaged double-figure scoring. 7-footer Patrick Wessler should have an opportunity to thrive in a mid-major conference. Takayo Siddle is really building something in Wilmington.
VCU
Departures:
6-foot-5 senior guard Max Shulga (graduated), 6-foot-4 senior guard Joe Bamisile (graduated), 6-foot senior guard Phillip Russell (graduated), 6-foot-10 senior forward Jack Clark (graduated), 6-foot-10 freshman forward Luke Bamgboye (Texas Tech), 6-foot-7 sophomore guard Alphonzo Billups (Longwood), 6-foot-8 freshman forward Martin Carrere (Virginia), 6-foot-5 senior guard Zeb Jackson (uncommitted)
Returnees:
6-foot-9 sophomore forward Obinnaya Okafor, 6-foot-4 freshman guard Brandon Jennings, 6-foot-8 sophomore guard Michael Belle, 6-foot-10 junior forward Christian Fermin, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr.
Incoming:
6-foot-8 junior forward Barry Evans (Bryant), 6-foot-5 senior guard Jadrian Tracey (Oregon), 6-foot-7 junior guard Tyrell Ward (LSU), 6-foot-11 sophomore forward Keyshawn Mitchell (Bryant), 6-foot-11 sophomore forward Lazar Djokovic, 6-foot-1 freshman guard Ahmad Nowell (UConn), 6-foot-8 freshman forward Jordann Dumont (Villanova), 6-foot-1 freshman guard Nyk Lewis, 6-foot-5 freshman guard Jordan Tillery
When Ryan Odom was announced as the head coach of Virginia, it certainly spelled an offseason of transition at VCU. However, the reality is that even if Odom had remained in Richmond, the Rams were going to lose veteran leadership in Max Shulga and Joe Bamisile. Phil Martelli Jr., who came over from Bryant, has done a good job softening the blow. Barry Evans, who averaged 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs, follows his coach to the Atlantic-10. High-major transfers Jadrian Tracey and Tyrell Ward should make an immediate impact, and four-star recruit Nyk Lewis is certainly a guy to keep an eye on. While it will certainly be an uphill battle for the Rams to match last season’s performance, it hasn’t been the devastating offseason some thought it might be.
