re: Arkansas Basketball Recruiting Thread *Muss Years Archive - do NOT delete*

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1. ARKANSAS

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Eric Musselman must be licking his lips at the defensive potential and versatility of this team. Remember his Nevada teams that essentially rolled out a roster of 6-foot-7 guys and could switch everything? If Jaylin Williams returns at center, Arkansas could be able to pull off some similar looks with a legitimate five man as well. 247Sports Composite five-star players Nick Smith, Jordan Walsh and Anthony Black update the overall talent level, while Davonte Davis joins Williams as a key returnee. Musselman has kept the Razorbacks active in the transfer portal with players like Jalen Graham (Arizona State), Trevon Brazile (Missouri) and Makhel and Makhi Mitchell (Rhode Island), and he might not be done yet.

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6. Arkansas Razorbacks
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Arkansas drops from the top spot after a couple of the Razorbacks' NBA decisions -- those of JD Notae and Au'Diese Toney -- went against them. Meanwhile, they still wait for a decision from Jaylin Williams, who is projected inside the top 60 of ESPN's mock draft and is therefore out of the fold for now. The latest information is that it's a genuine 50-50 decision right now.

If Williams does leave, Eric Musselman will have to rely on one of Makhel or Makhi Mitchell at the center spot. The coach did revamp the frontcourt in the portal, landing the Mitchell twins alongside Arizona State's Jalen Graham and Missouri's Trevon Brazile, who is a versatile and high-upside forward. Musselman, who is known for preferring an older lineup, could even legitimately start three freshmen, with a trio of five-star prospects entering the program.

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Projected starting lineup:

Nick Smith (No. 3 in ESPN 100)
Davonte Davis (8.3 PPG)
Anthony Black (No. 15 in ESPN 100)
Jordan Walsh (No. 11 in ESPN 100)
Makhel Mitchell (10.7 PPG at Rhode Island)

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Prized Memphis transfer Emoni Bates named his top six this week from the portal, but according to CBS college basketball reporter Matt Norlander, Michigan is not actually in the mix for his services. The Wolverines are no longer recruiting the five-star big man. Juwan Howard and the Wolverines do not have a roster spot available if Moussa Diabate and Caleb Houstan return, Norlander notes, thus lessening the chance for a transfer joining the ranks in Ann Arbor.

Bates included Michigan, Arkansas, DePaul, Seton Hall, Louisville and Eastern Michigan in his group of finalists and is the top-ranked player available, according to the 247Sports College Basketball Transfer Portal rankings.

A five-star prospect and the No. 5 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class per the 247Sports Composite, Bates played his freshman season at Memphis under head coach Penny Hardaway. He averaged 9.7 points per game on 38.6% shooting, while grabbing 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game during his first campaign.

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