Casey Alexander is changing the recruiting strategy for the men’s basketball program at Kansas State.

The former Belmont coach already stated publicly how there’s “zero reason” the Wildcats can’t win ballgames out of the gate with the coaching staff and 10 new transfers he’s introduced. On Friday, Sean Rutigliano, the team’s newly tapped general manager who previously served as associate head coach to Alexander at Belmont, provided a new insight on their recruiting philosophy.

Rutigliano told Derek Young of KStateOnline the Wildcats are willing to “refuse to take a very talented player who doesn’t fit the culture,” in a post shared by Young on Friday. At first glance it seems like standard recruiting lingo – culture over talent – but what could a statement like this suggest about Alexander’s recruiting practices? And does it signal tougher standards in the new regime?

Jerome Tang is back at Baylor after finalizing a deal to rejoin Scott Drew‘s operation in Waco, Texas, following a disappointing end to his four seasons as head coach of the Wildcats. The school is actively reviewing a lawsuit in regards to his $18.7 buyout clause, but the Alexander era’s in full swing and they’re assessing some new realities with recruiting.

K-State athletic director Gene Taylor detailed how he plans to win with a $6 million basketball roster next season, and Rutigliano’s comments above certainly reinforce that conservative stance when it comes to recruiting. In a world where money seems to be the constant offseason headline, Alexander’s stance on recruiting is somewhat refreshing by Power Four standards, but is it practical? By contrast, Kentucky is reportedly paying Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic $6.5 million for next season.

Former Wildcats like Mitch Richmond, Askia Jones, Michael Beasley and Jacob Pullen have all birthed noteworthy careers from their time in Manhattan, and even recent stars such as Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson carved out places for themselves rounding out their eligibility in the Big 12 after beginning their careers at other programs. It’s tough to categorize pre-NIL players in the same file, though, when everyone knows just how little our favorite former stars made playing college basketball.

If nothing else, Alexander is seemingly searching for more sanity and logic when sitting down with prospective recruits. Guys will be paid, but it’s safe to say K-State’s new coach isn’t going to sit there and haggle with an 18-year-old’s agent because he averaged 15 points per game in high school. How they’ll account for the transfer rules and the resulting offseason volatility is an equally valid concern, and how much a particular player earns over another will inevitably draw a wedge somewhere in the equation.

The upshot is nobody’s figured out yet, and part of me really hopes Alexander makes a breakthrough for our sake.

The latest Big 12 men’s basketball season wasn’t exactly kind to Kansas State Wildcats.

Kansas State won just 12 games for its worst mark in five years, long-gone Jerome Tang is actively seeking his $18 million-plus buyout, and new face Casey Alexander is rebuilding the Wildcat roster with 10 new transfers and a couple of signees in the Class of 2026.

But a new insight provided by Kellis Robinett, the Kansas State beat reporter for the Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle, suggests the athletic department will be outspent once again when it comes to NIL spenders across Big 12 hoops.

Earlier this month, Alexander said he sees “zero reason” why his team can’t win with the roster he’s assembled.

The House v. NCAA settlement paved the way for direct revenue sharing with a cap of $20.5 million before outside fundraising. Arizona, which won the Big 12 regular-season title this past season, spent $22.6 million in basketball operations this season; In-state rival Kansas spent $19.7 with the country’s No. 1 recruit in Darryn Peterson.

By comparison, Kansas State is set to spend just $6 million on its basketball roster, and another $19 million for its football roster for their first season with Collin Klein as head coach. That $25 million dollar evaluation for football and men’s hoops is set to pay players directly from the athletic department, per Robinett’s reporting.

As part of that story, Taylor, when asked about his plan for competing with the bigger spenders in the Big 12, said his coaches “understand that they don’t need to pay $7 million for a player.”

In just direct revenue sharing, the average Big 12 school spent anywhere between $17-21 million this past school year on just football and men’s basketball. As NIL evaluations rise for all sports, it’s becoming choppy waters for everyone to keep up.

That’s not to say Kansas State can’t raise the funds to remain competitive within the growing market – they most certainly can. The question is whether long-term spending is feasible for an athletic department and, more importantly, its delicate alumni base.

It’s a new world, sure, but we’re at a point where schools could be priced out of their own league. Is that the league folks want to live in? Apparently so.

Former Belmont coach Casey Alexander told reporters on Thursday there’s “zero reason” why wins can’t come at Kansas State as early as next season.

Alexander, who accepted the offseason vacancy left by Jerome Tang‘s firing earlier this year, is confident he can right the ship in Manhattan, Kansas, after consecutive losing seasons and a 12-win campaign in 2025-26.

After Belmont, Alexander is stepping up to his first Power Four job. The former Lipscomb and Stetson coach comes to town after an MVC regular-season title this year, and a 303-180 career record as a head coach.

With Tang leaving, Kansas State lost eight different players, including point guard PJ Haggerty and Abdi Bashir Jr., to the transfer portal.

When it comes to replenishing the roster, Alexander said he’s not concerned about the financial side and is ready to “play the best guys.”

Alexander, though, is hard at work to reconstruct the Wildcats roster with nine new transfers, including former four-star prospects Jaden Schutt, a guard from Virginia Tech, and Isaiah Abraham, a small forward from Georgetown.

The only returning roster member is Serbian sophomore guard Andrej Kostic, who announced he’d stick around and play for Alexander next season. On Wednesday, the team also announced the signing of Slovakia native Timotej Malovec, a 6-foot-8 forward from Miami.

Of Kostic, Alexander told Ryan Gilbert of GoPowercat that he gives “Manhattan a lot of credit for his decision to stay.”

In basketball, Kansas State operated with an NIL budget of over $10 million with Tang, and it’s hard to conceptualize a scenario where Alexander could succeed with anything less. But in recent years, big dollars haven’t exactly brought the wins to Bramlage Colesium – much the opposite.

Jerome Tang, former Kansas State head basketball coach, is set to return to Baylor as the Bears’ associate head coach under Scott Drew, sources told ESPN. Tang and Baylor are reportedly finalizing a multiyear contract that will bring him back to a program where he spent nearly two decades as a top assistant before departing for Manhattan.

Tang was dismissed by Kansas State two months ago after compiling a 73-57 record in just over three seasons at the helm. In his first year, he guided the Wildcats on an impressive run to the Elite Eight, earning national recognition for revitalizing the program. Despite that early success, Kansas State terminated Tang for cause in March, citing “recent public comments and conduct” that it said were not in line with university standards. Tang has publicly disagreed with the reasons for his firing, stating at the time that he “strongly” disagreed with the university’s characterization of his termination.

Prior to his head coaching stint at Kansas State, Tang was a key part of Scott Drew’s staff at Baylor from 2003 to 2022, serving as both assistant and associate head coach. He played a major role in building Baylor into a national powerhouse, highlighted by the Bears’ 2021 NCAA championship. His return to Waco marks a reunion with Drew and a continuation of a coaching partnership that shaped Baylor basketball for nearly twenty years.

Casey Alexander and Kansas State men’s basketball might’ve just missed out on one of their coach’s best former players at Belmont. Former Bruins former Sam Orme is expected to land with Nebraska over the Wildcats, according to On3 analyst Robin Washut.

Orme, a four-star transfer from Carmel, Indiana, produced 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game for Alexander last season at Belmont. He finished second in team scoring only to senior guard Tyler Lundblade, and finished 39.7% from the 3-point line.

Nebraska’s in the market for a big, too, after junior forward Berke Büyüktuncel announced he’d be leaving town after two seasons.

Now, it’s worth mentioning that Washut’s prediction isn’t concrete, and that the Second Team All-MVC honoree has been targeted by Indiana as well. As of Thursday, 247 Sports doesn’t have a Crystal Ball prediction for where Orme will end up.

Naturally, you’d think Alexander would have the sharpest advantage in recruiting one of his former players to the Big 12, but with as volatile as the portal has become this offseason, perhaps coaching ties aren’t enough to justify following your former coach to Kansas State.

After all, Fred Hoiberg led Nebraska to the Sweet 16 despite falling short of Iowa 77-71 to reach the Elite Eight. Still, that’s a far more exciting sell than Alexander’s job, which is tied to fixing the mess left by Jerome Tang and six players already in the portal.

Fact is, it’s not really Alexander’s fault. There’s a lot of money to made in college basketball and, while current litigation potentially subjects the college level to tighter restraints, it’s still an open book right now as to where and why guys will leave a school behind.

The Big 12 Conference is about to see some wild roster turnover when it comes the transfer portal.

16 men’s basketball teams will be looking for new talent for the 2026-27 season as they not only lose players without any remaining eligibility but prepare to lose players to the transfer portal. That’s what this tracker is for. We at Heartland College Sports are going to try and keep up with every move.

Below you’ll find the final roster for each Big 12 team. It’s categorized by players that are out of eligibility, players that have remaining eligibility and are expected to return, players that are in the transfer portal and prep players signed for 2026-27. We’ll also add players added through the portal as moves are made and declarations for the NBA Draft.

Note: The transfer portal closed on April 21. Players can still sign but must have entered the portal by that day.

As basketball fans, you know that the portal can be a fluid situation. We’ll update as often as we can. So check back here and we’ll keep you updated.

Arizona

Head Coach: Tommy Lloyd

Out of eligibility: G Jaden Bradley, 6-3, Sr., G Anthony Dell’Orso, 6-6, Sr., G Evan Nelson, 6-2, Grad, F Tobe Awaka, 6-8, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: G Brayden Burries, 6-4, Fr., G Bryce James, 6-5, Fr., G Jackson Francois, 6-6, Fr., F Ivan Kharchenkov, 6-7, Fr., Koa Peat, 6-8, Fr., G Jackson Cook, 6-3, R-So., C Motiejus Krivas, 7-2, Jr., F Mabil Mawut, 6-11, Fr., G Addison Arnold, 6-3, r-So,

Declared for NBA Draft: None

Declared for Transfer Portal: F Sidi Gueye, 6-11, Fr., (to Santa Clara, On3 tracker), G Sven Djopmo, 6-2, r-So. (Verbal Commits database), F Dwayne Aristode, 6-8, Fr. (per Draft Express)

Joining Via Transfer Portal for 2026-27: G Derek Dixon, 6-3, Fr. (from North Carolina, per On3), G JJ Mandaquit, 6-1, Fr. (from Washington, per Verbal Commits database)

Arizona State

Head Coach: Randy Bennett (new hire)

Out of eligibility: F Allen Mukeba, 6-8, Gr., G Moe Odum, 6-2, Sr.,

Remaining Eligibility: G Bryce Ford, 6-4, Jr., G Vijay Wallace, 6-5, Jr.

Declared for NBA Draft: None

Declared for Transfer Portal: F Marcus Adams, 6-8, r-So. (to Hawai’i, per Honolulu Star-Advertiser), G Adante’ Holiman, 5-11, Sr., F Kash Polk, 6-10, Fr. (to Jacksonville State, The Athletic), F Jovan Ićitović, 6-9, Fr., G Quentin McCoy, 6-1, So., G Noah Meeusen, 6-5, So. (to DePaul, per university release), C Dame Salane, 7-1, Fr., C Massamba Diop, 7-1, Fr. (On3), F Santiago Trouet, 6-11, r-So. (added to Verbal Commits database), G Anthony “Pig” Johnson, 6-3, Sr. (per Field of 68), G Trevor Best, 6-3, So., F Andrija Grbović, 6-11, Jr. (to Oklahoma State, Verbal Commits database)

Joining Via Transfer Portal for 2026-27: C Nate Garcia, 7-0, Fr. (from Cal Baptist, per CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein), F Emmanuel Innocenti, 6-5, Jr. (from Gonzaga, per On3), F Marcus Vaughns, 6-8, So. (from LSU, per Verbal Commits database), G Joel Foxwell, 6-1, Fr. (from Portland, Verbal Commits database), F Dillan Shaw, 6-7, Fr. (from St. Mary’s, Verbal Commits database)

Baylor

Head Coach: Scott Drew

Out of eligibility: G Obi Agbim, 6-3, 5^th, G Michael Rataj, 6-8, Sr., C Caden Powell, 6-9, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: G Drew Perry, 5-10, Fr., G/F Andre Iguodala II, 6-7, Fr., G Isaac Williams IV, 6-1, So., G James Goodis, 6-0, Jr., C Mayo Soyoue, 6-10, Fr., F Maikcol Perez, 6-8, Fr., C Juslin Bodo Bodo, 6-11, Jr.,

Declared for NBA Draft: G Tounde Yessoufou, 6-5, Fr. (also submitted name to transfer portal), G Cameron Carr, 6-5, r-So.

Declared for Transfer Portal: C James Nnaji, 7-0, Fr. (Draft Express Report), G Will Kuykendall, 6-2, r-So., G Dan Skillings Jr., 6-6, Sr., G JJ White, 6-1, Sr. (Verbal Commits database), G Tounde Yessoufou, 6-5, Fr. (also submitted name to NBA Draft),

Joining Via Transfer Portal for 2026-27: G Brett Decker Jr., 6-2, So. (from Liberty, per Baylor release), G Kayden Mingo, 6-2, Fr. (from Penn State, per Baylor release), F Evan Chatman, 6-8, Jr. (from UAB, per Baylor release), F Isaac Celiscar, 6-6, So. (from Yale, per Baylor release)

Prep Recruits Signed for 2026-27: F Elijah Williams, TMI Episcopal (San Antonio, Texas).

BYU

Head Coach: Kevin Young

Out of eligibility: F Mihailo Boskovic, 6-10, Sr., F Keba Keita, 6-8, Sr., G Richie Saunders, 6-5, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: F Brody Kozlowski, 6-8, So., F Khadim Mboup, 6-9, Fr., G Robert Wright III, 6-1, So., G Dawson Baker, 6-4, Sr., G Nate Pickens, 6-3, Sr.,

Declared for NBA Draft: F AJ Dybantsa, 6-9, Fr. (per HCS)

Declared for Transfer Portal: C Xavion Staton, 6-11, Fr. (Oregon State, April 10, 247Sports report), F Dominique Diomande, 6-7, Fr. (to Pittsburgh, per Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), F Kennard Davis Jr., 6-6, Jr. (KSL sports), F Tyler Mrus, 6-7, Jr. (KSL Sports), G KJ Perry, 6-3, Fr. (KSL Sports), C Abdullah Ahmed, 6-10, So., G Aleksej Kostić, 6-4, Fr. (Verbal Commits database), G Jared McGregor, 6-3, Sr. (verbal commits database), G Aleksej Kostic, 6-4, Fr.

Joining Via Transfer Portal for 2026-27: G Collin Chandler, 6-4, So. (from Kentucky, per university release), F Tyler Betsey, 6-7, So. (from Syracuse, per 247Sports), F Jake Wahlin, 6-8, Jr. (from Clemson, per university release)

Prep Recruits Signed for 2026-27 Season: F Dean Rueckert, 6-8, Timpview (Provo, UT) High School; F Will Openshaw, 6-10, Timpview (Provo, UT) High School, F Bruce Branch III, 6-7, Prolific Prep (Fort Lauderdale, Fla., per BYU release)

Cincinnati

Head Coach: Jerrod Calhoun (new hire)

Out of eligibility: G Day Day Thomas, 6-1, Gr., G Kerr Kriisa, 6-3, Gr., G Grant Darbyshire, 6-3, Gr., G Jalen Celestine, 6-7, Gr.,

Remaining Eligibility: None

Declared for NBA Draft: None

Declared for Transfer Portal: G Bryson Buckingham, 6-2, Fr., G Shon Abaev, 6-8, Fr. (to Florida State, 247Sports), G Sencire Harris, 6-4, Jr., G Keyshaun Tillery, 6-1, Fr. (to Charlotte, per university release), G Jizzle James, 6-3, Jr. (to Charlotte, university release), C Moustapha Thiam, 7-2, So. (On3 Report), C Halvine Dzellat, 6-10, So. (verbal commits database), F Jalen Haynes, 6-8, Gr. (to Dayton, Verbal Commits database), F Tyler McKinley, 6-9, r-Fr. (to Charlotte, per university release), G Jordi Rodriguez, 6-6, Fr., (to Charlotte, per university release), F Baba Miller, 6-11, Sr.

Joining Via Transfer Portal for 2026-27: F David Iweze, 6-10, Fr. (from Utah State via Bearcat Journal), G Myles Colvin, 6-5, Jr. (from Wake Forest, via Bearcat Journal, April 10), C Riley Allenspach, 6-11, Jr. (from George Mason, per OnSI), F Tyler Tejada, 6-8, Jr. (from Towson, per Cincinnati Enquirer), F Adlan Elamin, 6-8, Fr. (from Utah State, verbal commits database), G Eric Mahaffey, 6-5, Fr. (from Akron, verbal commits database), G Elijah Perryman, 6-2, Fr. (per Cincinnati release), G Trevian Carson, 6-2, Jr. (from North Dakota State, per 247 Sports), G Tylen Riley, Sr. (from Tulsa, per Cincinnati release)

Prep Recruits Signed for 2026-27 Season: None (Note: Cincinnati granted G Kayden Allen a release from the scholarship he signed after Wes Miller’s firing).

Colorado

Head Coach: Tad Boyle

Out of eligibility: None

Remaining Eligibility: G Barrington Hargress, 6-1, Jr., G Jalin Holland, 6-5, Fr., G Ian Inman, 6-6, Fr., F Nick Randall, 6-8, So., G Josiah Sanders, 6-5, Fr.

Declared for NBA Draft: None

Declared for Transfer Portal: F Bangot Dak, 7-0, Jr. (to Vanderbilt, per university release), G Isaiah Johnson, 6-1, Fr. (to Texas, per ESPN), F Sebastian Rancik, 6-11, So. (to Florida State, Verbal Commits database) G Andrew Crawford, 6-8, Fr. (to Northern Colorado, per On3 database), C Fawaz Ifaola (to Florida Atlantic, per Verbal Commits), 7-0, Fr., G Felix Kossaras, 6-6, So. (to George Washington, per Draft Express), F Alon Michaeli, 6-9, Fr. (to St. Louis, per STLToday), G Jon Mani, 6-7, So. (to UNCG), C Elijah Malone, 6-10, Sr., C Leonardo Van Elswyk, 7-1, Fr.

Joining Via Transfer Portal for 2026-27: C Noah Fedderson, 6-10, Jr. (from North Dakota State, per CU release)

Prep Recruits Signed for 2026-27 Season: F Rider Porleta, 6-6 (Sunnyslope High School, Phoenix, Ariz.), G Alex Dickeson, 6-4 (Center of Excellence in Australia’s National Basketball League), F Goc Malual, 6-8 (Sydney Kings of Australia’s National Basketball League).

Houston

Head Coach: Kelvin Sampson

Out of eligibility: F Kalifa Sakho, 6-11, Sr., G Emanuel Sharp, 6-3, Sr., G Milos Uzan, 6-4, Sr., G Ramon Walker Jr., 6-5, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: G Bryce Jackson, 6-6, Fr., G Kordel Jefferson, 6-3, So., F Chase McCarty, 6-5, Fr., G Mercy Miller, 6-4, So., F Joseph Tugler, 6-8, Jr.

Declared for NBA Draft: F Chris Cenac Jr., 6-11, Fr. (via social media), G Kingston Flemings, 6-4, Fr. (HCS analysis)

Declared for Transfer Portal: G Isiah Harwell, 6-6, Fr. (to Gonzaga, the Spokesman-Review), C Cedric Lath, 6-10, Jr. (to Nevada, Nevada Sports Net), C Jacob McFarland, 6-11, So. (Field of 68 report)

Joining Via Transfer Portal for 2026-27: F Delrecco Gillespie, 6-8, Sr. (from Kent State per ESPN), G Dedan Thomas, Jr., 6-1, Jr. (from LSU, per ESPN), F Braden East, 6-8, So. (from Lamar, per Houston Chronicle), G Corey Hadnot II, 6-3, Jr. (from Purdue-Fort Wayne, Houston Cougars on SI)

Prep Players Signed for 2026-27 Season: C Arafan Diané, 7-0, Iowa United Prep (Des Moines, Iowa); G Ikenna Alozie, 6-2, Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.).

Iowa State

Head Coach: T.J. Otzelberger

Out of eligibility: G Nate Heise, 6-5, Sr., F Joshua Jefferson, 6-9, Sr., G Tamin Lipsey, 6-1, Sr., F Eric Mulder, 6-9, Sr.,

Remaining Eligibility: G Jamarion Batemon, 6-3, Fr., F Blake Buchanan, 6-1, Jr., F Xzavion Mitchell, 6-6, Fr., G Dominykas Pleta, 6-11, Fr., G Anthony Rise, 6-0, Fr., G Killyan Toure, 6-3, Fr.

Declared for NBA Draft: F Milan Momcilovic, 6-8, Jr. (retaining eligibility and entering transfer portal)

Declared for Transfer Portal: G Cade Kelderman, 6-1, Jr. (to South Dakota, per USD release), G Dominick Nelson, 6-5, Sr. (On3 report), G Mason Williams, 6-5, Jr. (Verbal Commits database), F Milan Momcilovic, 6-8, Jr. (retaining eligibility and entering transfer portal)

Player Joining for 2026-27 via Transfer Portal: F Leon Bond III, 6-5, Jr. (from Northern Iowa, Field of 68), G Jaquan Johnson, 5-11, So. (from Bradley), F Taj Manning, 6-8, Jr. (from Kansas State), G Ryan Prather, Jr., 6-5, Jr. from Robert Morris), F Tre Singleton, 6-8, Fr. (from Northwestern, Verbal Commits database)

Prep Players Signed for 2026-27 Season: G Yusef Gray Jr., 6-4 (West Allis Central, Milwaukee, WI); F Jackson Kiss, 6-8 (Utah Prep/Auckland, New Zealand), F Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan, 6-10 (SPIRE Academy/Montauban, France); G Christian Wiggins, 6-5 (Wayzata, Plymouth, MN).

Kansas

Head Coach: Bill Self

Out of eligibility: F Justin Cross, 6-8, Sr., G Nginyu Ngala, 5-10, Sr., G Tre White, 6-7, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: G Wilder Evers, 6-4, Jr., G Darryn Peterson, 6-6, Fr., G Kohl Rosario, 6-6, Fr., G Will Thengvall, 6-4, So., C Paul Mbiya, 7-0, Fr.

Declared for NBA Draft: F Flory Bidunga, 6-10, So. (retaining eligibility)

Declared for Transfer Portal: G Corbin Allen, 6-5, Fr., F Flory Bidunga, 6-10, So. (to Louisville, from ESPN), F Samis Calderon, 6-8, Fr. (to Butler, Indianapolis Star), G Jayden Dawson, 6-5, Sr. (Verbal Commits database), C Paul Mbiya, 7-0, Fr. (returned to Kansas), F Bryson Tiller, 6-11, Fr. (to Missouri, HCS analysis), G Elmarko Jackson, 6-3, So. (to Georgetown, per KU Sports), G Jamari McDowell, 6-5, So. (to Wake Forest, per 247Sports), G Melvin Council Jr., 6-4, Sr.

Player Joining for 2026-27 via Transfer Portal: F Keanu Dawes, 6-9, Jr. (from Utah, HCS analysis), G Leroy Blyden, 6-1, Fr. (from Toledo, Draft Express)

Prep Players Signed for 2026-27 Season: G Trent Perry, 6-5 (Link Academy, Branson, MO); G Taylen Kinney, 6-2 (RWE at Overtime Elite, Atlanta, GA); G Luke Barnett, 6-3 (Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana, Calif.); F Davion Adkins, 6-9 (Arlington, Texas/ Prolific Prep).

Kansas State

Head Coach: Casey Alexander (new hire)

Out of eligibility: F Marcus Johnson, 6-7, Sr., G Nate Johnson 6-3, Sr., G C.J. Jones, 6-5, Sr., F Khamari McGriff, 6-9, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: F Andrej Kostic, 6-6, Fr.

Declared for NBA Draft: None

Declared for Transfer Portal: G Abdi Bashir Jr., 6-7, Jr., G David Castillo, 6-1, So. (to Santa Clara, per Wichita Eagle), G Mobi Ikegwuruka, 6-6, Jr., F Taj Manning, 6-7, Sr. (to Iowa State), F Stephen Osei, 6-10, So., G P.J. Haggerty, 6-4, Jr. (to Texas A&M, Field of 68), G Exavier Wilson, 6-1, Fr. (to Akron, Akron Beacon-Journal), C Dorin Buca, 7-2, Jr., F Elias Rapieque, 6-9, Jr.

Added Through Transfer Portal for 2026-27 Season: F Brock Vice, 6-10, So. (from Murray State, Wichita Eagle), G Brandon Rechsteiner, 6-1, Jr. (from Colorado State, 247 Sports), F Dezdrick Lindsay, 6-6, Jr. (Verbal Commits database), F Isaiah Abraham, 6-7, So. (from Georgetown, K-State release), F Matt Gilhool, 6-10, Fr. (from LSU, per On3), C JT Rock, 7-1, r-So. (from New Mexico, K-State release), G Jaden Schutt, 6-5, Sr. (from Virginia Tech, K-State release), G Montana Wheeler, 5-9, Fr. (from Bradley, from 247Sports), F Timotej Malovec, 6-8, Fr. (from Miami, per Manhattan Mercury)

Prep Signees for 2026-27 Season: G Devin Hutcherson, 6-4 (Atlanta, Ga./Holy Innocents)

Oklahoma State

Head Coach: Steve Lutz

Out of eligibility: G Kirk Cole, 6-1, Sr., G Christian Coleman, 6-8, Sr., F Parsa Fallah, 6-10, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: C Benjamin Ahmed, 6-10, Fr., G Kanye Clary, 6-0, Jr., G Ryan Crotty, 6-6, Fr., F Lefteris Mantzoukas, 6-9, Fr., F Mekhi Ragland, 6-11, Fr.

Declared for NBA Draft: G Anthony Roy, 6-5, Sr. (will also put name in transfer portal, Field of 68 report)

Declared for Transfer Portal: G Daniel Guetta, 6-2, Fr., F Robert Jennings II, 6-7, Sr. (to Maryland, per Maryland on SI), G Vyctorius Miller, 6-5, So.(On 3 Report), G Anthony Roy, 6-5, Sr. (will also go through NBA Draft process, Field of 68 report), G Isaiah Coleman, 6-5, Jr., (On 3 report), G Jaylen Curry, 6-1, Jr. (On3 report), F Andrija Vukovic, 6-11, So. (Verbal Commits)

Added Through Transfer Portal for 2026-27 Season: G Luka Bogavac, 6-6, Fr. (from North Carolina, per Pistols Firing), G Kashie Natt, 6-3, Jr. (from Sam Houston, OSU release), G Jacob Walker, 6-1, Fr. (from Sam Houston, Verbal Commits database), F Andrija Grbović, 6-11, Jr. (from Arizona State, Verbal Commits database)

Prep Players Signed for 2026-27: G Parker Robinson, 6-5 (New Market, Md./Overtime Elite); F Jalen Montonati, 6-8 (Owasso, Okla./Owasso HS); F Latrell Allmond, 6-8 (Petersburg High School, VA).

TCU

Head Coach: Jamie Dixon

Out of Eligibility: G Jayden Pierre. 6-0, Sr., G Trey Stuart, 6-2, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: F Xavier Edmonds, 6-8, Jr., G Brock Harding, 6-0, Jr., G Drew McElroy, 6-2, Jr., F Micah Robinson, 6-6, So., G Tanner Toolson, 6-5, Jr.

Declared for NBA Draft: None

Declared for Transfer Portal: G RJ Jones, 6-2, So. (to Washington State, 247Sports), G Jace Posey, 6-5, So., G Kayden Edwards, 6-2, Fr. (to Creighton, Omaha World-Herald), G Ashton Simmons, 6-3, Fr., C Adam Stewart, 6-11, So., G Liutauras Lelevicius, 6-7, Jr. (to Clemson, Post and Courier), F David Punch, 6-7, So. (to Texas, HCS analysis), C Malick Diallo, 6-9, So., (to Loyola Chicago, Verbal Commits database), G Vianney Salatchoum, 6-10, Sr.

Added Through Transfer Portal for 2026-27 Season: G Gavin Sykes, 6-4, Fr. (from Santa Clara, per TCU)

Recruits Signed for 2026-27: C Ryan Hunt, 7-0, So. (from Eastern Arizona College), G Trent Lincoln, 6-3, So. (from Gulf Coast State, Fla.), F Miloš Šojić, 6-10 (Belgrade, Serbia).

Texas Tech

Head Coach: Grant McCasland

Out of Eligibility: G Donovan Atwell, 6-5, Sr., G Tyeree Bryan, 6-5, Sr., G Jack Francis, 6-3, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: F Marial Akuentok, 6-11, Fr., F LaTrell Hoover, 7-0, Fr., F Josiah Moseley, 6-8, So., F JT Toppin, 6-9, Jr.

Declared for NBA Draft: G Christian Anderson, 6-3, So. (NBA Draft Express report).

Declared for Transfer Portal: G Nolan Groves, 6-5, Fr. (to Minnesota, the Daily Gopher), G Jazz Henderson, 5-11, Fr. (to Ball State, Verbal Commits database), G Leon Horner, 6-4, So. (to Jacksonville State, Verbal Commits database) F LeJuan Watts, 6-6, Jr. (to Washington, per Verbal Commits database), G Jaylen Petty, 6-1, Fr. (to UCLA, per 247 Sports), C Luke Bamgboye, 6-10, So. (per Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Added Through Transfer Portal for 2026-27 Season: G Cruz Davis, 6-3, Jr. (from Hofstra, per Texas Tech release), G Damarion Dennis, 6-1, So. (from Wyoming, per Texas Tech release), G Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn, 6-1, Jr. (from UNLV, per Texas Tech)

Prep Players Signed for 2026-27: G DaKari Spear, 6-5 (Dynamic Prep/Overtime Elite, The Colony, Texas).

UCF

Head Coach: Johnny Dawkins

Out of Eligibility: F Devan Cambridge, 6-6, Sr., G Themus Fulks, 6-2, Sr.,

Remaining Eligibility: C John Bol, 7-2, So., F Jordan Burks, 6-9, Jr., C Elijah Hulsewe, 7-0, Jr., G Tanner Jones, 6-4, Fr., G Carmelo Pacheco, 6-5 Jr.

Declared for NBA Draft: None

Declared for Transfer Portal: G Chris Johnson, 6-5, Jr. (League RDY Report) G Poohpha Warakulnukroh, 5-11, Sr. (Verbal Commits), G Zach Johnson. 6-6, Fr. (per Verbal Commits database), F Jamichael Stillwell, 6-8, Sr. (per his social media), G Jeremy Foumena, 6-11, Jr., G Kris Parker, 6-9, So. (to Kennesaw State, Verbal Commits database), G George Beale Jr., 6-4, Sr., G Riley Kugel, 6-5, Sr.

Added Through Transfer Portal for 2026-27 Season: F Isaiah Malone, 6-8, Jr. (from FGCU, Verbal Commits database), G Cayden Vasko, 6-6, Jr. (from Wofford, per On3), F Lewis Walker, 6-6, So., (from North Carolina A&T, per On3), G Mister Dean, 6-6, So. (from College of Charleston, 247Sports), C Churchill Abass, 6-9, Jr. (from New Orleans, Verbal Commits database)

Prep Recruits Signed for 2026-27: G Donovan Williams, 6-3, Oak Ridge High School (Orlando, Fla.)

Utah

Head Coach: Alex Jensen

Out of Eligibility: F Babacar Faye, 6-9, Sr. G Don McHenry, 6-2, Sr., F James Okonkwo, 6-8, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: G Jerry Huang, 6-2, So., G Lucas Langarita, 6-5, Fr., C Colin McHaney, 6-10, Fr.

Declared for NBA Draft: None

Declared for Transfer Portal: G Obomate Abbey, 6-0, Fr., G Terrence Brown, 6-3, Jr. (to North Carolina, per On3), F Keanu Dawes, 6-9, Jr.(to Kansas, HCS analysis), F Josh Hayes, 6-9, Jr., F Jahki Howard, 6-7, So., G Alvin Jackson III, 6-5, So. (to Weber State, per On3 Database), G Elijah Moore, So. (to McNeese State, per On3 Database), F Ibrahima Traore, 6-9, Fr. (to Morgan State, Verbal Commits database), F Seydou Traore, 6-6, Jr. (Verbal Commits database), G Jacob Patrick, 6-6, Jr., F Kendyl Sanders, 6-8, Fr. (to Mississippi State, Verbal Commits database)

Added Through Transfer Portal for 2026-27 Season: F Jackson Holcombe, 6-7, r-So. (from Utah Valley, per Utah release), G Taison Chatman, 6-4, So. (from Ohio State, per Utah release), F Maleka Gomma, 6-8, Jr. (from Weber State, per On3 Database), G TJ Burch, 6-1, So. (from Wright State, per On3 Database)

Prep Recruits Signed for 2026-27: G Styles Clemmons, 6-1, Princess Anne HS (Virginia Beach, Va); F Zati Loubaki, 6-9, Trinity Valley CC (Athens, Texas); G Simeon Suguturaga, Mountain View High School (Orem, UT); F Jaxon Johnson, Alta High School (Sandy, Utah); G David Katoa, Utah Prep, (Layton, UT), F Alec Anigbata, 6-8, Ratiopharm Ulm, Munich, Germany (per Utah release).

West Virginia

Head Coach: Russ Hodge

Out of Eligibility: F Treysen Eaglestaff, 6-6, Sr., G Honor Huff, 5-10, Sr., F Brenen Lorient, 6-9, Sr., G Chance Moore, 6-6, Sr., C Harlan Obioha, 7-0, Sr.

Remaining Eligibility: G MJ Feenane, 6-6, Fr., G Amir Jenkins, 6-2, Fr.

Declared for NBA Draft: None

Declared for Transfer Portal: F Evans Barning Jr., 6-7, Fr., G Jayden Forsythe, 6-5, Fr. (247/CBS Report), F DJ Thomas, 6-7, Fr. (Eer Sports), G Jasper Floyd (Portal Updates), 6-3, Sr., G Niyol Hauet, 6-4, Fr., Morris Ugusuk, 6-4, Jr., C Abraham Oyeadier, 6-9, Fr., F Jackson Fields, 6-8, Sr. Note: Floyd needs a waiver to play in 2026-27.

Added Through Transfer Portal for 2026-27 Season: F Javan Buchanan, 6-7, Sr. (from Boise State, per WVU, C Mouhamed Sylla, 6-10, Fr. (from Georgia Tech, per WVU), G Finley Bizjack, 6-3, Jr. (from Butler, per WVU), G Martin Somerville, 6-3, So. (from Florida State, WV Sports Now)

Prep Recruits Signed for 2026-27: F Aliou Dioum, 6-10, Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.); G Kingston Whitty, 6-2, Christ School (Arden, NC); G Miles Sadler, 6-0, Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.).

Sources include Verbal Commits, On3, player social media posts and local outlets covering their respective teams.

The Big 12 men’s basketball coaching cycle appears over with the news that Tommy Lloyd has agreed to an extension with the Arizona Wildcats.

The league now has three new head coaches and it appears that North Carolina will miss out on its biggest (perceived) target. Oh, and that Bill Self guy is coming back, too.

Now that the dust has settled, here are four thoughts on the cycle.

Tommy Lloyd is Not Going Anywhere

And to think I have 500 words written on why Tommy Lloyd wouldn’t be tempted with the North Carolina job. In fact, he got to announce his new five-year contract extension during his media availability on Friday.

This is great work on Arizona’s part to get this done. It’s a great decision on Lloyd’s part because I firmly believe Arizona is the right place for him. I was trying to figure out why he would take the North Carolina job, outside of it just being North Carolina. At most major programs these days, the money is pretty much the same. So you’re only going if you want to wear a quarter-zip with an “NC” logo on it.

Lute Olson turned Arizona into one of the best jobs in the country. Sean Miller only reaffirmed it until he exited. Now, Lloyd has put the program on a trajectory where it can be a national title contender every year. It’s one of the best jobs in the country.

When you really get down to it there was no reason for him to leave. College basketball and the Big 12 are better for it.

Cincinnati Lands Their Jerrod Calhoun

I was 50/50 on whether Wes Miller would get fired or not (by the way, Charlotte is a great landing spot for him). But, once he was, like most people I felt Jerrod Calhoun was going to get the job.

You know it’s the right hire when Bob Huggins — who employed Calhoun as a student assistant at Cincinnati — shows up at your press conference. He even got his first assistant job at the same school where Huggins got his start as a head coach Walsh.

The other day he got the New Heights treatment with everyone’s favorite Cincinnati alums, Jason and Travis Kelce.

Calhoun has won nearly 300 games as a head coach in Division I and II. His last two years at Utah State were telling of what he could be — 55-15 and two NCAA Tournament bids.

The Bearcats haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2019. The Bearcats hired Miller get them back there and he couldn’t do it. Now, it’s up to Calhoun. That’s the expectation — at minimum.

Kansas State Turns the Page

If the rumor mill was true, Kansas State was on Calhoun first and they couldn’t work it out, which worked out really well for Calhoun. Worked out well for Casey Alexander too, as he now takes over the Wildcats and tries to turn the page on the Jerome Tang era. By the way, how is that whole buyout thing going for him?

Alexander may not have been the first choice, but I think he’s a quality choice. He won more than 300 games at Stetson, Lipscomb and Belmont, the last of which is where he played college basketball and got his first assistant job. So, the Wildcats pried him away from someplace he wanted to be. That’s something.

The knock I see from those criticizing the hire is that he only took one team to the NCAA Tournament. He likely would have taken another one if the COVID-19 pandemic hadn’t canceled the 2020 NCAA Tournament. It goes without saying that it’s not easy getting to the NCAA Tournament in the conferences that only get the automatic bid most years.

He’s been consistent. He’s won 20 or more games 10 straight seasons. His teams have finished no worse than fourth in league action any of those seasons. You do that by having a plan and a philosophy. Alexander has that. Now, he just needs patience.

Randy Bennett’s Slow Start

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a coach’s introductory press conference pushed back by illness. But that’s how the Randy Bennett era started at Arizona State.

The biggest knock on the hire is his age. Bennett is 63. But he checks every other box and coaches are working well into their 70s these days so I don’t think that’s a huge issue. He won 589 games at Saint Mary’s and led the program to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, including each of the last five seasons. Of the three new hires, no one is more experience and more ready for this. He also has perhaps the hardest job. The facilities need an overhaul — which Arizona State is working on — and while the Bobby Hurley era ended amicably, the program has been .500 since it joined the Big 12.

His early hires have been astute. Landing Cal Baptist coach Rick Croy as associate head coach is a boon, as is luring his Saint Mary’s assistant Joe Rahon. Both will be high-major coaches soon enough.  Now it’s time to go get some players.

David Castillo is the second Kansas State basketball player to declare for the transfer portal since Stephen Osei first put his notice out last month.

The 6-foot-1 sophomore guard will look for another program after two years in Manhattan, Kansas. Castillo averaged 10.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game for the Wildcats in his second season.

It’s the second Kansas State name to opt for the portal since the team introduced former Belmont coach Casey Alexander as the next head coach of the Wildcats last month. Alexander recently earned his first recruiting win in the Class of 2026 with a former Belmont commit.

Castillo, averaging 28.1 minutes per game for the Wildcats last season, is one of the first, key contributors to exit the team since Kansas State fired Jerome Tang before the end of his fourth season as head coach.

It likely won’t be the last player to transfer out, either.

P.J. Haggerty, who led Kansas State with 23.4 points per game last season, has spent four seasons at four different institutions – TCU, Tulsa, Memphis and Kansas State – but will have to make a decision about his final year of eligibility and whether he’ll return as a redshirt senior.

Who knows how hard Alexander recruits in-house, but it’s hardly surprising to see the first Wildcats skipping town.

The Kansas State Wildcats continue to build momentum in the early stages of the Casey Alexander era, adding another key piece to their future backcourt.

This time, it’s three-star point guard Jaylen Alexander, who becomes Kansas State’s second incoming freshman commit under the new staff. Alexander follows a familiar path to Manhattan, previously committed to Belmont before making the move alongside his head coach.

Alexander brings an impressive resume with him. He ranks as the No. 180 overall player in the country, the No. 22 point guard in his class, and the No. 3 player in the state of Alabama. Beyond the rankings, his recent accolades speak volumes about his production and leadership. He was named Alabama’s Gatorade Player of the Year and is coming off a state championship run, showcasing both individual excellence and team success at the high school level.

His addition gives Kansas State another dynamic guard to develop, pairing him with fellow incoming freshman Devin Hutcherson. Together, the duo represents the foundation of what Alexander is trying to build: a backcourt with familiarity, toughness, and upside.

For Kansas State, this is more than just adding talent; it’s about continuity. Bringing in players who already understand the coaching philosophy and system can accelerate the transition process, especially in a conference as demanding as the Big 12. Alexander’s decision to follow his coach also signals strong trust in the direction of the program.

While neither Hutcherson nor Alexander arrives as a headline-grabbing five-star, both bring winning pedigrees and developmental upside. And in today’s college basketball landscape, especially in a league like the Big 12, building depth with the right fit can be just as important as landing top-tier recruits.

Kansas State’s roster rebuild is still in its early stages, but with two incoming freshmen now in place, the Wildcats are beginning to establish a clear identity under Casey Alexander, one that starts in the backcourt.

Casey Alexander and Kansas State have their first commitment on the recruiting trail.

Former Belmont commit Devin Hutcherson, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound small forward in the Class of 2026, will follow Alexander to Manhattan after previously committing to the Bruins in October of last year. The soon-to-be graduate requested a release from his NLI deal agreement and reopened his recruitment last week on March 18.

Hutcherson went public with his commitment to Kansas State on Friday.

Hutcherson is a young, three-star prospect from Holy Innocents Episcopal School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he led the team in scoring (19.6 ppg) and rebounds (8.2 ppg) as a switchplayer for the Golden Bears. The team finished 26-4 overall and a game shy of the Georgia Private Schools State Championship in a 53-50 loss to Darlington on March 11.

Last year, Hutcherson collected Georgia’s 3A-A Region Defensive Player of the Year Award and comes to Manhattan with deep experience from high school and AAU ball. He represents the first of Alexander’s recruiting victories after accepting the Kansas State job on March 12.

It’s unclear whether any Wildcats on the current roster will stay for Alexander’s first season as head coach. The transfer portal will officially open after the national title game.