The transfer portal has made a steady movement in men’s college basketball in recent years. This fact has ended the continuity of the game he enjoyed, so turn on the TV today to see the player who once wore the uniform for your favorite squad now competing for another team. is But not all transfers — including coaches who have found new teams — are created equal, and this season is proof of that.
There are teams across the country that are fundamentally different — and better — than they were a year ago because a new player or coach has changed their identity — and two of them face off Saturday. will
A big day for college hoops — 18 ranked teams play, including a tough road matchup for No. 1 Tennessee and a matchup between No. 8 Gonzaga and No. 18 UConn. Let’s look at eight game-changers who have put an undeniable stamp on their new programs just one month into the season. ET at all times.
Igor Milicic Jr. (Tennessee Volunteers)
at Illinois, 5:30 p.m. (Fox)
In the second half of his team’s 75-62 victory over Miami on Tuesday, the Tennessee star, who transferred from Charlotte, threw a lob to a teammate. Cade Phillips. Phillips then finished with a dunk that wowed the Jimmy V Classic crowd at Madison Square Garden. It was a brilliant assist for the 6-foot-10 forward Malik. But it also showed the problems Malik has created for opposing teams.
of Miami Brandon Johnson There was a choice to make on this play: defend Malik (12.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 apg) or try to stop Phillips. He chose Malik, who had already scored numerous times around the rim and hit outside shots. The Hurricanes were aware of the threat he presented with the ball in his hands at the time. But their only response was to force Malik to show off his passing ability — as he did with Phillips’ help.
Milicic plays like a guard in Rick Barnes’ offense, though he’s technically a forward or center when he has to be. Although the Vols use him in a lot of pick-and-roll action, he’s also comfortable as a player who can create his own shot. Barnes may have the most balanced team of his tenure at Tennessee — the Vols are ranked 10th in adjusted offensive efficiency and second in adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom — and Milicic’s arrival is a key factor in that surge. is
Casperus Jacocionis (Illinois Fighting Illini)
vs. No. 1 Tennessee, 5:30 p.m. (Fox)
It didn’t take long for Jakucionis — a 6-foot-6 point guard — to leave his mark in his team’s 70-66 overtime loss at Northwestern last week. Early in the game, he sped between a pair of defenders before stepping into the lane to take the Euro. It was a beautiful transition and the type of play that has turned the Lithuanian phenomenon into a projected first-round pick in ESPN’s latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft. In his team’s 86-80 win on Tuesday, he finished with 24 points, connected on 50% of his 3-point attempts and dished out five assists.
He is an excellent 3-point shooter and one of the fastest defenders in the country for his size, which enhances his ability to make shots in the lane. That talent has turned Illinois into one of the fastest teams in America, as Brad Underwood’s squad is playing at a top-30 tempo for the first time in his tenure. Jakucionis’ arrival makes Illinois a fast-paced program led by one of the nation’s most dynamic point guards.
Mark Pope (Kentucky Wildcats)
vs. Louisville, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
During his team’s 18-point comeback in a 90-89 overtime win over Gonzaga last week in Seattle, Pope put his stamp on the program and his preparation for one of the biggest jobs in the game. officially ended any lengthy discussion about Pope may not have an NBA first-round pick on his roster — a stark contrast to the John Calipari era — but he has a group of unselfish players and a collection of tall players who can handle the ball. Ready to share.
Under Calipari, the Wildcats relied on one or two guards to run the offense — Pope, a center on Kentucky’s 1995-96 national championship team, teaches all of his players guard skills and those players. Also runs his offense through There are three players including Pope. Andrew Carrwho are 6-foot-9 or taller and have an assist rate — a measure of a player’s assists with how often his team scores when he’s on the court — this season of 14% or More than that (per KenPom). Why is this important? In his 15 seasons with the program — Calipari hasn’t had a player 6-9 or taller reach that mark. Pope has already changed Kentucky’s identity.
dust may (Michigan Wolverines)
When May said Danny Wolf (7 feet) and Vladislav Golden (7-1) that he wanted to play both of them in Michigan’s starting lineup this season had similar concerns. “At first it was a little hard to believe that there seemed to be more question marks than things that made sense,” Wolf told ESPN recently. Despite the uncertainty, the duo has since become the catalyst for a Michigan squad that won seven straight games before losing Tuesday in a thrilling 89-87 loss to Arkansas in the Jimmy V Classic in New York City.
It’s rare to see two 7-footers together in college basketball, which has largely adopted the NBA’s small-ball style. It’s even more special to see a head coach, just months after accepting the job, build a scheme around these majors. But it is working.
Michigan entered the matchup against Arkansas ranked 14th in the nation. Although the Wolverines surrendered a 15-point, first-half lead against Calipari’s squad, the duo proved to be enough to help the Wolverines compete for a Big Ten title in May’s first season in Ann Arbor. Can, which led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four. 2023. Wolff (12.3 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.6 bpg) and Golden (12.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg) matchup for opponents with their pick-and-roll game. Has created problems and anchored a top 20 defensive unit as well. Some teams are designed to handle a pair of 7-footers that control the pace of the game. While the duo had legitimate questions about May’s plans before the season, both players have realized their potential, and Michigan has enjoyed its most successful run in years with May at the helm.
Cooper Flag (Duke Blue Devils)
When Auburn took the court in transition during Duke’s 84-78 win over the Tigers at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Flagg (15.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.3 bpg, 1.6 s PG) found immediately. Johnny BroomA Wooden Award contender, and it overshadowed that time. Khamen Malouch could go to him. After that, Flagg waited in the middle of the court as if a free safety was ready to pounce. As Denver Jones Settling on the frame, Flagg saw it too until Flagg reached the top of the arc to contest. Chad Baker-Mazara3-point attempt. Bakar-Mazara missed.
While the buzz about Flagg has emphasized the 6-foot-9 NBA prospect’s offensive gifts, his defensive prowess has made more of an impact for the Blue Devils, who ranked first in adjusted defensive efficiency on Ken Pom. Entered the week. That number is confirmed for a squad that has already faced Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, Louisville and Auburn. The flag can cover any opposing player on the court. According to EvanMiya.com’s individual defensive metrics, Flagg currently has more marks than Zion Williamson recorded during his stellar 2018-19 season — which is why Flagg is so good on defense for Duke right now. is
Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State Cyclones)
vs. Omaha, 1 p.m., Sunday (CBSSN)
With 4:42 to play in Iowa State’s 81-70 victory over Marquette last week, Jefferson — a 6-foot-9 forward who transferred from St. Mary’s — led a fast break, into the paint. A spin move on a defender. And he scored with his left hand, all while committing a foul. It was a beautiful play in transition, where it’s rated “excellent” according to Synergy Sports data. Overall, Iowa State is averaging 132 points per 100 possessions when the team is in transition compared to 114 points per 100 possessions on the same plays a season ago.
Not only has Jefferson helped the program on a fast-paced streak, but his versatility has increased the pace — Iowa State is top 90 on KenPom for the first time under TJ Otzelberger — this season compared to last season’s team. In the squad.
Derek Quinn (Maryland Terrapins)
In the first half of his team’s 83-59 victory over Ohio State last week, Malika — a 6-foot-10 big man — caught a pass in the paint against the Buckeyes’ zone. If you freeze frame, you can see three players converge on the queen. That left three Maryland players suddenly open. Queen could have decided to pass but instead, he dribbled right, turned in the lane and finished with a left hook. With Queen, the Terps have offensive balance that was lacking a season ago.
In a tumultuous run last season that ended with a 16-17 record and no postseason berth, Maryland made just 48.8% of its shots inside the 3-point line. With Queen on the team this season, the Terps have made 58.7 percent of those same shots.
Brandon Engel (Oregon Ducks)
vs. Stephen F. Austin, 6 p.m., Sunday (Big Ten Network)
Under Dana Altman, Oregon has a fleet of athletic forwards and centers on its rosters in Eugene. But Angell — a 6-foot-9 transfer from Stanford — has given the Ducks’ offense a key component because of his shooting ability. He is a strong player who thrives in the post. But the Ducks also run a lot of pick-and-pop action with Angel, who has made 41% of his 3-point attempts this season.
Few teams are threatened with angelic size. This creates more space for his colleagues to work with. That increase has helped Altman rank in the top 20 in adjusted offensive efficiency. The Ducks haven’t finished a highly ranked season since 2018-19. The Angels’ shooting ability is a big reason why they can this season.