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Portal Watch: Five More Players Arkansas Fans Need to Keep an Eye on

Originally posted on FanNation All Hogs | By Kent Smith | Last updated 1/29/24

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With the departure of senior guard Davonte Davis, Eric Musselman will have at least eight scholarships he will need to fill this upcoming season. However, that number is expected to rise into double-digits at season's end as players are encouraged to continue their careers elsewhere while one or two test the NBA waters.

Not long ago, we began a series centered around potential targets Arkansas fans can begin watching to educate themselves for the whirlwind of chaos that is transfer season. It's now time for the second installment of that series.

For those who don't remember, here are the parameters set for identifying high value targets.

While it's never an exact science, Arkansas typically finds players who have developed in smaller conferences who are looking for an opportunity to prove they have grown enough to hang in the SEC. In addition to that criteria, prime prospects who will be included on this list have to be a Top 5 scorer in their conference and must also have a Top 5 presence in another statistical category. Extra weight is given for next year if that second category falls under defense.

So, with that in mind, let's find five more players who meet the standards of becoming legitimate transfer portal targets.

Aboubacar Traore, Long Beach St., F
^{6-5, 195, Jr.}

Traore isn't the typical player on this list, but he's a much needed talent. While his 12.2 points per game is nowhere near the top of the Big West's list of offensive leaders, Traore fills up areas of the stat sheet that indicate not only is he a high effort player, but also supremely unselfish.

Remember, one of the big issues with the current team is fit. Players don't naturally fill their roles because, for the most part, they were all "The Guy" at previous stops. Traore is the prototypical role player who thrives in doing the dirty work while letting his scoring game come to him.

He is second the league in rebounds only to his significantly taller, much larger unrelated friend, Lassina, from the same town in Cote d'Ivoire, at eight per game. He also leads the Big West in blocks and steals at nearly two per game in each category, and is third in assists at 4.2 per game.

We shy away from saying a player is a must-get, but Traore definitely falls into the category of a player who needs to be a high priority if he enters the portal. Take a look at his game against Michigan. While it's only a glimpse into what he's done the rest of the season, it's a great look at what he's capable of doing against a quality opponent with skills and immeasurables the Razorbacks have been sorely missing.

Darlinstone Dubar, Hofstra, G
^{6-8, 211, Jr.}

While Musselman decided to turn away from leaning heavily on freshman after last season, one thing he did appreciate was having a lot of length at the guard position. If he were to dip into the Colonial Athletic Conference to pluck Hofstra's Dubar, he would not only have length at guard, but size also.

One complaint this season has been how unwilling the Razorbacks' guards are to go fight for rebounds and also how much they struggle trying to muscle their way to the basket against the size in the SEC. Well, problem solved.

Dunbar is fifth in the CAA with 7.3 rebounds per game and is fifth in scoring at 18.9 points per game. His assists are a bit low at 1.5 per game, but with a 54% shooting percentage, it's unlikely his coaches are asking him to pass the ball a whole lot. Obviously, that will be an area of adjustment should he find his way to Fayetteville.

Here's a look at Dubar on the road against Duke.

Daniel Batcho, Louisiana Tech, F
^{6-11, 235, Jr.}

Oddly enough, Conference USA, which used to be a prime destination for college basketball talent, didn't really have anyone who stood out. Arturo Dean of Florida International had some numbers that made him seem like he has potential to fill holes in the Arkansas line-up, but a closer look revealed the potential to shoot a team out of the game against higher quality opponents.

So, that left it to the Paris, France native, Daniel Batcho out of Louisiana Tech. His steady climb in numbers makes it clear Batcho needed some time to adjust to the game. However, he appears to have done just that. After struggling his first couple of seasons at Texas Tech, Batcho has learned how to leverage his size at his new home in Ruston, Louisiana. He now averages 14.7 points per game and 10.8 rebounds.

The one red flag on Batcho is the Bulldogs have played what might be the easiest schedule in America. There are no Power Five schools on the schedule to help evaluate how he might perform against a properly staffed basketball roster.

There are no highlights from this season, but a handful from his time at Texas Tech the year before he transferred to Louisiana Tech will provide at least some insight into his game.

Malik Mack, Harvard, G
^{6-1, 170, Fr.}

Typically players from the Ivy League don't make this list. There is always a player or two who is really solid in that conference, but usually not a good fit for Arkansas or the SEC. However, it's possible Mack might be able to find a consistent role with the Razorbacks.

He is not only second in the conference in scoring at 18.8 points per game, but leads the Ivy League by nearly a whole assist per game at 4.6. He also follows shots well, which is why he averages just shy of five rebounds per game.

Still, that wouldn't be enough to garner consideration if he hadn't shown he can perform against quality competition. Against Indiana earlier this year, Mack shot 8-of-16 with four rebounds and three assists. He was also 8-of-10 from the line, indicating he isn't afraid to attack a Power Five defense.

Against Boston College, Mack was 5-for-11 with five rebounds and six assists. He went 6-of-7 from the free throw line. And while 27 points against Indiana and 18 against Boston College are impressive, there were six turnovers between the two games. Without being able to see how often the ball ended up in his hands, it's hard to tell just how high that ratio actually is, but it is enough for mild concern considering the grind of an SEC schedule.

There are two things to consider though. He would immediately be the best dribbler Arkansas has had in a long time and perhaps the fastest trigger from decision to shot going in Razorbacks fans will have ever seen. Considering his freshman status, he is definitely worth pursuing heavily should he decide to test the waters.

Tyson Acuff, Eastern Michigan, G
^{6-4, 196, Jr.}

We talked earlier about Musselman really liking the idea of having a lot more length at the guard position. Well, here's another player who brings not elite size, but really good SEC size to the guard position.

However, one area where there is no shortage at all is confidence. If Arkansas is in need of a stone cold shooter who is never afraid to take the shot when things are on the line or who will keep filling the bucket for big runs, Acuff if your guy.

If anything Musselman may have to reign him in just a little bit. On any given night, the Eastern Michigan guard is going to shoot 15-30 shots. Given his high volume of shooting, it would seem his shooting percentage would be low, but Acuff is knocking down 45% of his shots while averaging just shy of 22 points per game.

Against Michigan earlier this season, Acuff put up 24 points. He dropped 20 on No. 20 Florida Atlantic. His only weakness is he runs either very cold or very hot from beyond the arc and neither instance tends to keep him from shooting it.

His biggest asset is his ability to go to the rim. No matter how many players close in on him or how big they are, Acuff always gets the shot off, and it's usually going to go down, no matter the angle.