Razorback Basketball ranked too low in USA Today way-too-early poll?

What happened and why are the Razorbacks ranked lower than previously projected? Eric Musselman and his staff have put together one of college basketball’s best transfer classes in the country.

Arkansas is currently ranked with the third best recruiting class in the country according to 247sports.com. The additions of Khalif Battle (Temple), Keyon Menifield (Washington), Tramon Mark (Houston), Jeremiah Davenport (Cincinnati) and El Ellis have all pledged to the Razorbacks during the latest transfer window.

Another way-too-early ranking for some chatter on the timeline pic.twitter.com/Jz1bzWlV6H

— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) May 3, 2023

The Razorbacks are coming off yet another Sweet Sixteen appearance in the latest NCAA Tournament.  Musselman has proven he’s one of the best coaches in the country when it comes to getting his teams ready for the postseason. Whether it be injuries or finding the best rotation possible his teams will be a fixture. That’s all the reason to have Arkansas no lower than top 15.

Raising Expectations

Oh wait! There’s more.

With the returning talent combined with transfers and incoming true freshman gives fans promise moving into the summer. It’s likely that the additions aren’t even over yet with Arkansas in the mix for Ron Holland, the second overall player in the country in the 2023 class.

Grant Nelson is also a new entrant in the transfer portal as of Monday. The former North Dakota State forward has received plenty of interest in the transfer portal including the Razorbacks.

North Dakota State transfer Grant Nelson has heard from these schools since entering the portal, per source:

Kentucky
Gonzaga
Kansas
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Texas Tech
Houston
St. John’s
LSU
UCF
Miami
Florida State
Villanova
Nebraska
Georgetown
Cal
Baylor

Nelson averaged… pic.twitter.com/4XQsrn7MV6

— 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) May 3, 2023

The Bison were Arkansas’ season opening opponent this past season. Nelson starred for North Dakota State shooting 5-9 from the floor scoring 17 points, six rebounds and one block.

If Arkansas is able to add Nelson (6’11 235 pounds) to the frontcourt it could give them the roster it needs to make a run to the Final Four.

Current Roster Outlook

G Khalif Battle*

G Keyon Menifield*

G Tramon Mark*

G El Ellis*

G Jeremiah Davenport*

G Joseph Pinion

F Trevon Brazile

F Jalen Graham

F Makhi Mitchell

G Layden Blocker*

F Baye Fall*

*= Newcomers

Finally, a pair of players from last season that have declared for the NBA Draft but retain eligibility in Davonte Davis and Jordan Walsh. If they do decide to continue onto their professional careers it leaves two spots open if Arkansas decides to add Holland and/or Nelson to the roster.