Razorbacks Look to Fill Key Positions in Transfer Portal

The Arkansas Razorbacks are working to fill key positions in the transfer portal, including a veteran point guard and a dominant big man. Meanwhile, UCLA is preparing for its first year in the Big Ten Conference.

Arkansas Razorbacks’ Transfer Portal Needs

The college basketball transfer portal has officially closed, and the Arkansas Razorbacks still have a lot of work to do to fill their remaining seven open scholarship spots ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Head coach John Calipari has used his recruiting prowess to form a competent roster up to this point with transfers Zvonimir Ivisic (forward, Kentucky), Jonas Aidoo (center, Tennessee), and Johnell Davis (guard, FAU) and the freshmen trio of five-star guard Boogie Fland, four-star forward Karter Knox, and four-star wing Billy Richmond.

Despite those additions, the Razorbacks still have holes at three key positions that need to be filled if Arkansas wants to be an immediate contender in Year One under Calipari.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are looking to fill key positions in the transfer portal.

Veteran Point Guard

Realistic candidates for the veteran point guard role include D.J. Wagner (Kentucky), Max Shulga (VCU), and AJ Hoggard (Michigan State). Wagner, a former No. 6 ranked high school prospect and McDonald’s All-American, was solid (if not a bit underwhelming) during his freshman campaign, averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game for the Wildcats.

D.J. Wagner is a top candidate for the veteran point guard role.

Continuity is crucial in college basketball, and for a team replacing all 13 of its scholarship players, Arkansas could make do with a few carry-overs from Lexington. If Calipari decides to go a different route or if Wagner chooses another program, transfers like VCU’s Max Shulga and Michigan State’s AJ Hoggard fit the bill as experienced players with proven point-guard experience.

Adou Thiero Visit

Kentucky transfer forward Adou Thiero appears to be visiting Arkansas basketball. Thiero, 6-8 and 222 pounds, played in 25 games, made 19 starts, and averaged 7.2 points and 5 rebounds per game in 2023-24. He was second on the team with 27 blocked shots.

Adou Thiero is a top candidate for the Razorbacks.

Big Ten Conference Schedule

The Big Ten Conference schedule for the 2024-25 season will include 20 league games, with the Bruins playing 14 opponents once and facing three opponents for two games. UCLA will take on crosstown rival USC, as well as Oregon and Washington, for two games each.

The UCLA Bruins are preparing for their first year in the Big Ten Conference.

UCLA’s nonconference games for the upcoming season will be announced at a later date. Ticket information for the 2024-25 men’s basketball campaign is now available.