The addition of SMU center Samet Yigitoglu is a much-needed get for Indiana. The Hoosiers lacked a true center last season, and struggled to find size and physicality in the frontcourt. In the Big Ten, that is a recipe for disaster. Yigitoglu instantly fixes that.
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Last season, the 7'2" center averaged 10.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 62.8% from the floor for SMU. His size and strong rebounding ability on both ends of the floor immediately improve IU's frontcourt for next season.
However, Yigitoglu has struggled with foul trouble in his collegiate career. He fouled out of six games this past season, including three of SMU's final four games down the stretch. On average, he was called for 4.5 fouls per 40 minutes according to KenPom.com, which led to him playing 28.9 minutes per game.
With that in mind, the depth at the 4 and 5 positions for the Hoosiers is something to look at addressing.
Darian DeVries still needs to find a backup center for next season
Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell could step up to serve as IU's center with Yigitoglu on the bench, but his skill set is more fitting of a strong power forward rather than a true center. Soon-to-be sophomore Trent Sisley could also step up, but his 6'8" frame is more suited for the role of a stretch-4.
Thus, the pressure is on DeVries to find a back-up center - ideally with a 6'11" frame or taller. There are several potential candidates still on the market. Most notably, Arizona State's Massamba Diop and Cincinnati's Moustapha Thiam are still uncommitted, and they are ranked as the No. 2 and No. 3 centers in the portal. However, Yigitoglu seems to be the clear No. 1 center for Indiana next season, so going after Diop or Thiam seems unlikely for DeVries at this point in time.
Some solid candidates for Yigitoglu's backup could come from the College of Charleston. Chol Machot, a 7'0" 200-pound center, is ranked as the No. 17 center in the portal by 247Sports. Another College of Charleston transfer, Christian Reeves, is a 7'2" 255 pound center who is ranked as the No. 24 center on the market. Both remain uncommitted in the portal.
Reeves is the more experience of the two, as he has 76 collegiate games under his belt after spending time with Duke, Clemson, and the College of Charleston. He averaged 11.1 points and 7.8 rebounds this past season. Machot has just one year of college basketball experience, as he averaged 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds playing 19.8 minutes per game this past season.
Another good option could be Charlotte's Anton Bonke, who like Yigitoglu, also owns a 7'2" frame. He is a bit more solid at 260 pounds, which could make for a strong post tandem for the Hoosiers. He is ranked as the No. 18 center on the market.
As it stands, Indiana's backcourt has much more depth than the frontcourt heading into next season. Making one more impact move could change that for DeVries and company.
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