Sweet 16 is set for the 2025 Men's NCAA Tournament, but some of the biggest news in college basketball is on the court. The coaching carousel has already been in full swing in Indiana, Texas, North Carolina and Iowa, filling the opening. I've already popped the forwarding portal, but now it has the first heading name.
Donovan Dent won the New Mexico Lobos in the NCAA Tournament a few days ago. Now he's in the transfer portal For the final season of eligibility, he is sure to become one of the top players available in the market. Dent is reportedly considering returning to New Mexico, but he has a long list of suitors and is set to withdraw the best NIL dollars from the sport's biggest program.
This year, we ranked Dent as the 30th best player in March's Madness. The 6'2 guard is one of the fastest players in the country with the ball in hand, improving his incredible passing vision and scoring touch. Dent can beat the defender out of dribbling and play for his teammates. His 35.8% assisted rankings rank in the top 25 of DI. He has been a very good scorer this season, averaging 20.4 points per game as a decent rim finisher with a solid floater and improved three-point stroke. Dent reached 40.9% of his three years, albeit only 66 attempts. Still, his three-point volume and accuracy are both heading in the right direction, making him even more difficult given how fast he is from the bounce.
Dent received 21 points, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks (8 turnovers) as 10th seed New Mexico beat No. 7 seed Marquette in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. He finished with 14 points and 6 assists with 7/18 shooting Michigan In a round of 32 losses two days later.
Dent has a coveted skill set for college games as a pure point guard who can play his team at a very fast tempo while distributing the ball to his teammates and scoring his own points. Last year, I saw several players below $1 million on the transfer portal. Kansas (It reportedly landed $2 million). Given the number of programs looking for point guard help, you need a dent within that range.
Where was Dentland? Here are some wild speculations:
Kentucky Wildcats: Lamont Butler and Koby Brea have not been qualified since this year. Karchrisa was able to return to Lexington, but he could play from the ball too. Kentucky has elite freshmen guards along with Jasper Johnson and Akaden Lewis, but they certainly can make room for dents if they want.
North Carolina tar heels: North Carolina is historically known for its fast play. The Dent is the ideal fit for pushing up-tempo systems. UNC needs a point guard for RJ Davis to graduate, and manager Hubert Davis needs to run a combination of urgency and despair after a bad season. UNC needs to use more NIL dollars, and Dent is an obvious target.
Texas Tech Red Raiders: Former Dent teammate JT Toppin transferred to Texas Tech after a successful freshman year, and surprised his sophomore season for a team that is still playing in the NCAA Tournament this year. Toppin is facing an attractive Stay Or Go NBA Draft decision and will say great things to say to the dent about his experience at Lubbock, regardless of what he chooses.
Alabama and Florida: SEC Big Boys was able to put on weight absolutely in this recruitment. Alabama may need to replace Mark Sears, and Florida may need to replace Walter Clayton Jr.
The possibilities for dents are endless. You wouldn't be surprised if he went to Texas, Arizona, Louisville, St. John's or Oregon. uconneither. His decision is about what matters most to him in the new program and how much they can pay him. He is set to do very well for himself after a tremendous third year in New Mexico.
