With another week behind us, it's time for me to give you my top ten college basketball winners this week. Multiple teams made improvements this week, but ten stood out to me the most.
#10 - Central Michigan
The Chippewas make a big splash by landing former Coppin State guard Jesse Zarzuela in the transfer portal early in the week. Zarzuela heads to Central Michigan after averaging 14.7 PPG, 3.3 APG, and 3.1 RPG giving Tony Barbee his lead guard for the 2022-23 season. This would have been a perfect week for Central Michigan had rising star Kevin Miller not entered the transfer portal following Jesse's commitment. Instead of forming a dynamic duo in the backcourt, the Chippewas only get a replacement.
#9 - UConn
After landing multiple big pickups early in the transfer portal process, Dan Hurley lands another addition to this year's team in San Diego transfer Joey Calcaterra. The Huskies get a fifth-year senior that is just one season removed from averaging 13 PPG in the WCC. Calcaterra is just a career 35.7% 3-point shooter, but he's a much better shooter than the numbers show. The former Toreros guard should be a valuable piece off the bench for Dan Hurley.
#8 - Duquesne
After having to rebuild the roster once again, Keith Dambrot made a huge splash by landing Bowling Green transfer Joe Reece. The senior forward should be the starting power forward for the Dukes heading into the season after averaging 11.2 PPG and 5.1 RPG last season.
#7 - Michigan
After losing two projected starters in Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabaté, Juwan Howard had two important roster spots to fill and one of those will be former Duke wing Joey Baker. Baker never got a chance to display his full ability while playing for the Blue Devils, but he is a career 40.5% 3-point shooter that has four years of college basketball experience. I expect Joey to compete for the starting forward job along with incoming top 50 ranked freshman Jett Howard.
#6 - BYU
Mark Pope landed a potential star in Arkansas transfer Jaxson Robinson. The former top 30 ranked recruit has yet to get an opportunity to display his abilities after playing at Texas A&M and Arkansas, but the praise has always been high for the incoming junior guard. On a roster that was depleted due to players running out of eligibility and transferring, Jaxson has his easiest route to becoming a consistent starter this year. If he receives his waiver from the NCAA to play this year, I would be shocked if he was not one of the five starters to tip off the season.
#5 - Texas Tech
Out of all the roster turnovers in college basketball, Texas Tech may have been one of the most surprising ones as they only return four players from last year's tournament team. As of mid-June, Mark Adams and company have rebuilt the Red Raiders into a team that should once again finish amongst the top of the Big 12 and that is in large part due to North Carolina transfer Kerwin Walton transferring to Texas Tech. As a freshman, Kerwin averaged 8 PPG on 42% 3-point shooting and has also only missed four free throws throughout his two-year career. If I had to pick a starting SG to start alongside Oregon transfer De'Vion Harmon, I would give Walton the job as of today.
#4 - Kansas State
Kansas State still has many holes to fill and a total of four roster spots still available but was able to make a huge splash this week by landing Arkansas State transfer, Desi Sills. The veteran guard gives first-year head coach Jerome Tang a starting-level guard as well as a veteran leader in the locker room. A potential guard trio of Desi Sills, returning guard Markquis Nowell, and Mississippi State transfer Camryn Carter is a lineup that should excite Wildcat fans.
#3 - Purdue
The roster turnover for Matt Painter was far bigger than most had anticipated, but the Boilermakers were able to land Utah transfer David Jenkins Jr. in the transfer portal. He was a must-get for Purdue as he was the final trustworthy guard option in the portal. Landing Jenkins Jr. gives Purdue a career 14.9 PPG scorer and a strong nucleus of Zach Edey, Brandon Newman, Mason Gillis, David Jenkins Jr., and Caleb Furst which has a chance to be competitive in the Big Ten this season.
#2 - Pitt.
In a critical year for Jeff Capel, he went all-in on top-ranked 2022 recruit Dior Johnson once he decommitted from Oregon. While there are many concerns when it comes to Dior and his high school career and college recruitment, one thing that cannot be denied is his talent. He is a top 25 freshman in my opinion and he adds to what may be the most talented roster that Jeff Capel has coached at Pitt.
#1 - Duke
Jon Scheyer pulls off another major recruiting win by landing Illinois transfer Jacob Grandison. Grandison is a career 41% 3-point shooter and has four years of college basketball experience which will be critical for a team that is filled with young players. The newest Blue Devil should be the starting forward next season.
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