As the college basketball transfer portal continues to grow and, in some cases, become the primary way for coaches to build rosters year to year, the discussion surrounding newcomers is beginning to change. Entering a season, the elite freshmen are always the biggest talking point. Last season, it was Chet Holmgren vs. Paolo Banchero, the Memphis freshmen, the emergence of Jabari Smith. This season, the strength of the freshmen was prevalent: Nick Smith Jr., Cameron Whitmore, Keyonte George, Duke's No. 1 class, the looming Brandon Miller breakout.
As we enter the final few weeks of the 2022-23 regular season, though, transfers are by and large making a bigger impact.