Some claim that it’s free agency for college hoops. Some claim that it gives players the ability to take charge of their careers. Some argue that it’s undermining the essence of what has long made NCAA basketball so special.

Whether you like it or not, players now have more mobility to hunt for opportunities that can further their playing careers, thanks to the transfer portal.

More than 1,800 players reportedly used the men’s basketball transfer portal in 2017. Using the gateway to add players to their squads or develop new ones, several head coaches have embraced this. However, for others, it has damaged their teams, and for others, it has even led to their decision to leave.

After finishing 16–16 in the previous season, one Big 12 team has turned things around under first-year coach Grant McCasland by utilizing the transfer portal as a vital resource.

Texas Tech has won 23 games and finished third (11-7) in the nation’s hardest conference (per TRACR), with four transfers among the team’s top five in minutes played per contest. The 18th-ranked Red Raiders in our TRACR rankings will take on 11-seeded and ACC Tournament champion NC State (22-14) in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament as the sixth seed. They have a 63.9% chance, according to our supercomputer, of proceeding to the next round.

All four of them transfers—Warren Washington (Arizona State), Joe Toussaint (West Virginia), Darrion Williams (Nevada), and Chance McMillian (Grand Canyon)—acquired crucial March Madness experience the previous year.

McCasland, who led North Texas to a 31-win season in 2022–23, told The Associated Press, “That was a focus of ours.”

After missing the last six games due to a foot ailment, McCasland wants to have his starting center back in the lineup. The 7-footer has played at Oregon State, Nevada, and Arizona State before arriving at his fourth stop.

“I could have never imagined going to this many schools, but I really believe everything happens for a reason and appreciate the opportunity,” Washington said. “I think it’s helped me be prepared for any situation.”

Washington, who is considered day-to-day, leads the team in blocks (1.5 per game) and ranks second in rebounding (7.4). He’s done that despite 45.7% of his rebounds being contested, according to AutoStats tracking data. That ranks in the 95th percentile and is up from last season when 32.6% of his 6.9 rebounds per game were contested.