Despite Questions, Duke Ranked Top-10 for Small Transfer Portal Class

Given how well Duke can recruit in the high school ranks, its philosophy in the transfer portal is a bit different from that of some other top college basketball teams. I don't always agree with Duke's approach, but it's also fair to note that over the past few years, its best players have been freshmen. 

My one problem is that I don't think Duke should heavily recruit multiple freshmen and should go after one or two while hitting the transfer portal hard. We know the Blue Devils have a ton of money and have proven that over the past few years by some of their additions.

This transfer portal class was quiet in the sense that it didn't include multiple players. However, it didn't seem to be too big a problem for Duke, as it was still able to land some of the better players available. 

That includes John Blackwell, the Wisconsin star who averaged nearly 20 points per game for the Badgers last season. 

Blackwell has been viewed as one of the top players in the transfer portal class. However, with its three transfer portal additions, including Blackwell, Jacob Theodosiou out of Loyola Maryland, and Drew Scharnowski out of Belmont, Duke has a small class compared to many of the other top programs in the country. Despite that reality, it was still ranked No. 9 in ESPN's transfer portal rankings.

“Duke is never likely to have a deep transfer class, but was efficient in its portal recruitment this offseason. Jon Scheyer needed a go-to backcourt scorer who could get his own shot -- something the Blue Devils lacked at times last season -- so he brought in the best guard available in Blackwell, a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season. 

“The team also needed an influx of experience in the frontcourt, which Scharnowski provides as one of the most efficient two-way players in the Missouri Valley last season,” Jeff Borzello wrote.

I don't think it's crazy to still say that Duke has a top-10 transfer portal class. 

That doesn't mean I agree with the philosophy of going out and just adding guys in the high school ranks and filling the roster with portal guys. 

I'd be more focused on the portal than I would high school players nowadays, but Duke has been one of the best teams in America since Jon Scheyer took over, and I'm going to trust him to continue doing his job.