Five Big 12 college basketball players who will be a bust in 2024-25 season ft. Rylan Griffen
Big 12 Conference teams have retooled their rosters to bounce back from a disappointing 2023-24 season with only Iowa State and Houston making the Sweet 16. The 16 collegiate basketball programs, including new members Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado, have undergone major lineup overhauls to contend for the national title and prevent UConn from winning for the third straight year.
However, some players might encounter a disappointing 2024-25 season despite the hype surrounding them during the offseason. Here are the five Big 12 college players who could end up as busts in the coming NCAA campaign.
Five Big 12 college basketball players who could end up as busts in the 2024-25 season
#1. Rylan Griffen, Guard, Kansas
Rylan Griffen could be months away from regretting his earlier decision to place his name in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-5 guard, who started in 33 of 36 games for Alabama last season, played 26.3 minutes per game and tallied 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
After helping the team make the Final Four, he transferred to Kansas for more playing time and possibly win the 2025 national title. However, he will have competition in minutes and ball touches next season, as the Jayhawks welcomed scorers AJ Storr and Zeke Mayo to their squad.
Griffen could revert to his freshman numbers in Alabama. Once the season moves along, Bill Self may opt to manage the playing time of the squad that has a mix of transfer recruits along with first-year and veteran players, all seeking to shine in this loaded team.
#2 Milan Momcilovic, Forward, Iowa State
Milan Momcilovic had a good freshman year for Iowa State, averaging 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 37 games this past season. The 6-foot-8 power forward played 30.2 minutes a game and was a focal point of TJ Otzelberger's offense, attempting 9.2 shots per outing, with a 42.4% shooting clip.
However, the arrival of Dishon Jackson and Joshua Jefferson from the transfer portal could affect Momcilovic's production in the coming season as the two transferees demand the ball more.
#3 Trey Townsend, Forward, Arizona
Trey Townsend transferred to Arizona after playing four seasons with Oakland. The 6-foot-6 forward had an amazing fourth season with the Golden Grizzlies, tallying 17.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, helping Oakland reach the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
Although the Wildcats are getting a tenacious rebounder in Townsend, the reigning Horizon League Player of the Year could see his averages drop due to Caleb Love's return and the acquisition of high-scoring Campbell transfer Anthony Dell'Orso.
#4. Dan Skillings Jr, Guard, Cincinnati
Dan Skillings Jr. stepped up for Cincinnati in his sophomore year, hiking his averages to 12.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists this past season from 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in the previous year. However, Skillings may be in for a downtrend in the coming campaign with the addition of shooters Connor Hickman and Dillon Mitchell from the transfer portal.
Despite the possible drop in points, Skillings can still help out in the rebounding department and defense where he is set to become the primary perimeter defender for the Bearcats.
#5 Emanuel Sharp, Guard, Houston
Emanuel Sharp's 2023-24 season with Houston was a solid one, averaging 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 37 games. Sharp was also one of the pillars of the Cougars' defense, coming up with excellent defensive gems in crucial situations.
However, his shooting must improve to be considered an NBA-caliber talent. He only shot 37.3% this past season, including 36.8% from the three-point line. He will have his work cut out for him to have more good looks at the basket, and thus, get his percentages higher, which has not reached at least 40% in his first two seasons.