LSU basketball transfer portal: Tigers targeting pair of elite Big Ten centers

The 2023-24 college basketball season has come to close, which means coach Matt McMahon is now all in on his list of LSU basketball transfer portal targets. Most recently, it was reported by Joe Tipton of On3 that the Tigers are in contact with Big Ten centers Tarris Reed Jr and Clifford Omoruyi.

LSU basketball transfer portal: Tigers prioritizing high-potential Michigan center

While coach Matt McMahon is primarily known for his work with the guard position, he’s certainly no stranger to an impact big man or two. In fact, over the last two seasons, the center position has been a pretty significant emphasis on the offensive side of the ball for the Tigers.

In 2022, the name to know was KJ Williams, a talented power forward who followed McMahon from Murray State and made an immediate impact in the SEC, totaling 17.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game for the purple and gold. Then, just one year later, they brought in yet another impact big man, as center Will Baker made the move from Nevada.

Now, it appears that the Tiger head coach might be looking for a multi-year starter through the transfer portal, as former Michigan center Tarris Reed Jr has become an LSU basketball transfer portal target to know.

Sophomore Tarris Reed Jr of the University of Michigan entered the transfer portal after averaging, 9.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, & 1.4 BPG.

Schools that have shown interest: Georgetown, Arkansas, K-State, Pitt, UCLA, Penn State, Providence, Oregon, Miss St, Memphis, LSU, Nebraska, & more. pic.twitter.com/Y2Y16dt4sj

— Dylan Lutey (@dylan_lutey) March 22, 2024

Entering his third year of college basketball, Reed Jr was one of the few bright spots for a Wolverine team that largely struggled throughout this past season.

Recording 9.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, he made significant strides, boosting just about every statistic possible this year.

With impressive footwork and strength that could matchup to just about any center in the SEC, he could provide immediate minutes for the Tigers as a big-time force down low. Furthermore, being listed at 6-foot-10, 265 pounds, his overall presence cannot be overstated.

The main concern to keep an eye on with the big man out of St. Louis, MO, is his free throw percentage. Shooting a lackluster 51.7 percent over the course of his career, he’ll need to show some serious improvement over the next year or so if he wants to be relied upon during the last few minutes of close games.

Veteran Rutgers big man Clifford Omoruyi receiving attention from the purple and gold

Tarris Reed Jr isn’t the only impressive LSU basketball transfer portal target to keep a close eye on. In fact, it seems like head coach Matt McMahon did his research on the Big Ten big men, as the Tigers have also been in contact with Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi.

While not as young as the Michigan transfer, Omoruyi also has the potential to provide immediate starting caliber minutes, having done so each of the last three seasons for the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers’ Clifford Omoruyi throws down a monster poster dunk on Purdue! 🏀🔨💪 pic.twitter.com/uUrS7Wn9MH

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 20, 2022

A four-year veteran out of Benin City, NRA, the 6-foot-11, 240-pound center has proven to be an absolute stud in a physical Big Ten conference since the moment he walked on campus.

This past season, Omoruyi recorded 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and an impressive 2.9 blocks per game, showing his ability as a defender down low. Additionally, shooting the ball 54.9 percent from the field throughout his career, he’s no slouch on the offensive side of the ball.

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