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College basketball transfer portal: How ex-Montana State star RaeQuan Battle fits with top suitors – 247Sports
RaeQuan Battle opened eyes in the NCAA Tournament when he blitzed Kansas State for 27 points on an efficient 9-of-17 shooting display. A month later, the 6-foot-5 Montana State guard entered the transfer portal and immediately became a highly sought-after target for high majors throughout the country. Battle is the No. 27-rated player in Tuesday’s updated transfer portal rankings after averaging 17.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game this past season.
Battle sparked Montana State to the Big Sky Championship, but Bobcats’ coach Danny Sprinkle left for the vacant Utah State job, so Battle exited stage left.
The former top-100 recruit played for two years at Washington before transferring to Montana State. Battle possesses elite bounce and athleticism. He shot 73.2% at the rim and 35.3% from 3-point range, and Battle shot 144 free throws last season. Battle shined against both Oregon (20 points) and Arizona (17 points) in non-conference play.
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Here is how Battle would fit with the schools that are in the mix:
Kansas State: Battle does a lot of the same things Keyontae Johnson excelled at for Kansas State last season. Jerome Tang got an up-close look at Battle, so it’s no surprise K-State is interested in replacing Johnson with a player like Battle. The lightning-quick first step and the ability to finish over and through defenders is enticing. Battle is not a point guard, but he’d add a capable scorer alongside Cam Carter in Kansas State’s backcourt.
Utah State: When Mike Rhoades left VCU for Penn State, he was able to convince star point Ace Baldwin to follow suit. When Kim English left George Mason for Providence, he was able to convince star big man Josh Oduro to follow suit. Sprinkle could kickstart his Utah State tenure if Battle wants to stay out West and star in the Mountain West.
Cal: New Cal coach Mark Madsen is off to a really strong start in the transfer portal. Jalen Cone and Fardaws Aimaq are plug-and-play starters at massive positions of need. Cal has plenty of open shots and minutes available if Battle wants to stay out West.
Texas Tech: New Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland needs an influx of wings after Jaylon Tyson entered the transfer portal. Nevada transfer Darrion Williams hopped on board Tuesday, and that’s a really good start. Battle would be a home-run addition if McCasland wants to have a high floor in Year 1.
Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech just missed out on prized Washington State transfer TJ Bamba who picked Villanova over Damon Stoudamire’s crew. Stoudamire pivoting to one of the next-best wings makes all the sense in the world for a Yellow Jackets roster that will be built from scratch.
Georgia: Mike White landed Illinois transfer RJ Melendez to step into Kario Oquendo’s vacated role, but the Dawgs need more firepower. White has had an above-average transition offense in six of the last seven years dating back to his Florida days. Battle is an elite transition scorer. It’s an easy fit from a basketball perspective, but is Battle (a Tulalip, Washington native) ready to go that far from home?
Wake Forest: Steve Forbes helped a mid-major product (Indiana State transfer Jake LaRavia) turn into a first-round pick, and he could sell a similar vision for Battle. Wake Forest’s offense is catered for multiple lead guards to go get theirs. With Bobi Klintman flirting with the 2023 NBA Draft and Tyree Appleby out of eligibility, Wake Forest has lots of room for another bucket-getter. Forbes’ history with transfers is hard to beat.
Memphis: Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams are (finally) out of eligibility, so Memphis’ offense is going to look very different next season. Penny Hardaway has real pull in the transfer portal, and Battle would have the inside track at a featured role.
Clemson: Chase Hunter is back which is a big-time get for Brad Brownell, but Clemson has been contacting wings all cycle long due to Hunter Tyson’s graduation. Clemson owned the fifth-best offense during ACC play last season, and Battle could pair well alongside All-ACC big man PJ Hall (if he takes his name out of the 2023 NBA Draft).
Louisville: Louisville is on pace to be very young next year, so prioritizing a veteran like Battle, who has been through some wars makes a lot of sense for Kenny Payne and company. But does Battle want to prioritize a winning culture and a real shot at the NCAA Tournament?
LSU: The Tigers have been rolling in the transfer portal, and Matt McMahon doesn’t plan to slow down. Carlos Stewart and Jalen Cook are big upgrades in LSU’s backcourt. Nevada transfer Will Baker should start at center without a problem. Vanderbilt transfer Jordan Wright is a solid addition for LSU’s wing depth, but a piece like Battle could have a starting spot with his name written all over it.
UCLA: Amari Bailey’s somewhat-surprising decision to stay in the 2023 NBA Draft combined with USC transfer Reese Dixon-Waters opting to pick San Diego State over UCLA has Mick Cronin back in the market for wings. Jaylen Clark technically could still return to school, but there’s a world where Jaime Jaquez Jr., Bailey and Clark all stay in the 2023 NBA Draft. That means UCLA is going to look very different next season. Battle would have to prioritize upping his buy-in on the defensive end to play for Cronin, but the path to a huge role is right there for a talented veteran.
Alabama: Nate Oats is circling for a big backcourt addition, but Alabama can never have enough depth. Rylan Griffen is a popular breakout candidate for 2023-24, but Battle could add much-needed insurance. His game (3s, free throws and vicious rack attacks) fit right in with Alabama’s anti-tough-2s offense.
Oregon: The Ducks are in deep for one Big Sky transfer (Northern Colorado star Dalton Knecht), so reaching out to another one makes sense for Dana Altman. After the news that star big man N’Faly Dante will return, Oregon is two more bucket-getters away from being in position to compete for a Pac-12 Championship. Knecht would be a huge one. If Battle wants to stay close to home and potentially embrace a secondary role, Oregon could be in position to win big in 2023-24.
Texas: Battle looks like the physical, bouncy wing Texas usually likes to have. If Battle wants to make a jump to a vicious league like the Big 12, Texas can offer plenty of playing time after Sir’Jabari Rice, Marcus Carr and Timmy Allen all used up their eligibility. But Battle needs to play with a point guard to get the most out of his game. Getting Tyrese Hunter back and/or landing a splashy transfer guard would make Texas even more attractive.
Oklahoma: Porter Moser desperately needs to make a splash out of the transfer portal. Oklahoma soon-to-be-sophomore point guard Milos Uzan is going to be a phenomenal set-you-up playmaker, but he needs some play-finishers on the wing. Battle is that and Oklahoma has oodles of available playing time.
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