With free agent transfer Arthur Kaluma off the board, the NCAA Basketball transfer portal saga is all but over. Over 2,000 basketball players entered the portal, with many of the notable players having picked new teams. Some programs landed two marquee players, while others landed 8+ guys to fill out their roster.

This piece will be about the teams who compared to expectations and who they landed, did the very best in the transfer portal. It’s not be a perfect science since the number of transfers will be different since some had to complete their respective rosters. Still, it’s safe to say that some programs did better than others.

UConn only landed two transfers but they’re proven high-major starters in Aidan Mahaney (Saint Mary’s) and Tarris Reed Jr. (Michigan). Mahaney, a double-digit scorer on one of the slowest-paced teams in NCAA Basketball, could be a big breakout candidate to watch for Coach Dan Hurley.

After going winless in the SEC last season, Coach Dennis Gates cleaned house with the roster, landing several transfers. The most notable names are former Duke forward Mark Mitchell, Iowa starting guard Tony Perkins, and Marques Warrick, a 20 ppg scorer from Northern Kentucky. This core alone should win them some games in league play.

Since they returned their top four scorers, the Cyclones didn’t need to add stars. But they were able to fill out the frontcourt depth, landing bigs Brandton Chatfield and Dishon Jackson, as well as former Saint Mary’s starting forward, Joshua Jefferson. These players are the reason why Iowa State could be a top-5 team next season.

The return of WAC POY guard Tyon Grant-Foster makes the Lopes the favorites in the league but they also landed some big-name transfers, including TCU forward JaKobe Coles and former 5-star prospect, Dennis Evans. If he’s fully healthy, Grand Canyon will be one of the top mid-major programs in all of NCAA Basketball.

Returning former Pac-12 Player of the Year guard Caleb Love will have the Wildcats ranked for next season in their first year in the Big 12 but they got a good frontcourt to pair him with. Tobe Awaka could be a breakout candidate from Tennessee, while Horizon League Player of the Year forward Trey Townsend will go from a star in the Big Dance to possibly a star in the Big 12.