5 players Rick Barnes could target from transfer portal ahead of 2024 season ft. Igor Milicic

Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers will be turning to the transfer portal in an attempt to recreate and build on the success they achieved in 2023. This will be a difficult task for Tennessee after losing players like Dalton Knecht, Jonas Aidoo and Santiago Vescovi, though.

Barnes is prepared to look to the portal to bring in more talent in an attempt to replace the significant talent his team is losing. Here's a look at five players that he can target from the transfer portal for next season.

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Five players Rick Barnes could target from the transfer portal

Belmont forward #10 Cade Tyson yndication: The Oklahoman

#5 Jalen Blackmon, Stetson

Stetson guard Jalen Blackmon has entered the transfer portal after one season at Grand Canyon and two seasons with Stetson. He's a steady 3-point shooter and could be a good option for Rick Barnes to stretch the floor next season.

Blackmon has had interest from teams like Kentucky and BYU but hasn't settled on a destination for next season yet. His scoring numbers have improved each season, and he shot 38.1% from deep last season.

Getting Blackmon from the transfer portal could help Tennessee fill the void left by Santiago Vescovi if he leaves for the NBA. Blackmon is an improved defender and has seen his rebounding and assist numbers increase each season as well.

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#4 Otega Oweh, Oklahoma

Oklahoma guard Otega Oweh would be a great option to help improve Rick Barnes' defense next season. He's an outstanding perimeter defender who averaged 1.5 steals last season.

Oweh plays his role extremely well and doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective. He would fit well alongside Zakai Zeigler, who plays as Tennessee's floor general.

He's a capable rebounder who greatly improved his scoring output last season in his sophomore year.

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#3 Cade Tyson, Belmont

Belmont forward Cade Tyson has picked up a lot of interest in the transfer portal recently. He was All-MVC last season and averaged 16.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

He's extremely efficient on the offensive end and could be someone Rick Barnes could trust to take on the role Dalton Knecht played last season.

He shot 46.5% from the 3-point range and 49.3% from the field last year as a sophomore. The future is bright for Tyson, and Barnes will hope that he can bring him to the program through the transfer portal.

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#2 Norchad Omier, Miami

Forward Norchad Omier has entered the transfer portal after playing for Miami the last two seasons. Omier is a six-foot-seven forward who defends extremely well on the perimeter and inside.

His scoring dipped during the 2022–23 season, but he bounced back last season to get his average to 17.0 points per game. He shot over 50% last season and added 10 rebounds per game as well.

He would be a great transfer target for Rick Barnes as a player who's extremely efficient and effective on both ends of the floor.

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#1 Igor Milicic Jr., Charlotte

Igor Milicic Jr. spent his freshman season at Virginia before transferring to Charlotte in 2022. After two seasons with the 49ers, he has entered the transfer portal again and has already visited Rick Barnes and Tennessee.

Milicic is also a great defender whose scoring continues to improve each season. He can score and rebound at a high rate and shot just under 50% last season.

He shot a career-high 37.6% from beyond the arc last season as well, giving Barnes a taller player to help stretch the floor.

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Which player do you think Tennessee could bring in next season? Let's know in the comments below: