With the status of Keve Aluma and Justyn Mutts unknown for next season, Virginia Tech is pursuing several talented big men in the transfer portal if one or both decide not to return. Among the targets are Northern Iowa PF Noah Carter who included Tech in his top 5 along with Florida, Arkansas, Maryland, and Missouri.
Things are clearly progressing well in the Hokies' pursuit of Carter with the UNI standout already setting a visit to Tech along with one of his other top 5 schools according to Dushawn London of 247 Sports.
UNI transfer Noah Carter will visit Missouri April 8th-10th and Virginia Tech April 16th-17th source tells @247SportsPortal . Carter will look to visit each school in his top five with a decision expected at the end of April.
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) April 2, 2022
Of course, it is important to note that Carter has said to some reporters that he does plan to visit all 5 of his top 5 schools. However, the fact that Tech and Missouri are the first 2 to officially set dates definitely is a good sign for both of those schools.
Carter is an intriguing player who has two years of eligibility remaining and is somewhat undersized at the power forward spot at 6'6'' though his game suggests that potential versatility to work at the 3 in bigger lineups.
Carter has proven that he's more than capable especially this past season averaging 15.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in only 26.6 minutes per game while shooting 48.2% from the field including 29.9% from three-point range plus 79.4% from the free-throw line. Carter's strong 2021-22 season earned him Second Team All-Missouri Valley honors for the 2021-22 Missouri Valley regular season champions.
Carter's rebounding is definitely a concern but the limited minutes shows that his rebounding productivity isn't as low on a per minute basis. Carter definitely is a high-end scoring talent though who can stretch the floor on the offensive end and could be a weapon for the Hokies.
Tech also seems to have a greater pursuit of Noah Carter, who has 2 years of eligibility remaining thanks to the free COVID year, than some other bigs making you wonder if Mike Young and his staff see a significant role Carter can fill even if Keve Aluma and especially Justyn Mutts return. Carter could definitely fit a sixth man role if Aluma and Mutts return given his scoring talent while also providing some bigger lineup options next season.
Of course, if Mutts ends up moving on to take his chance at the professional ranks, Noah Carter would be a good fit in the starting power forward role with David N'Guessan being a nice offset pairing as the rebounding, defensive PF compared to the offensive Carter. In many ways, those two could compliment well with Tech choosing who plays closing minutes based on whether Tech is up or behind. Overall, a Carter-N'Guessan pairing likely would have an even split overall given their different skill sets.
Carter is an Iowa native and schools closer to those roots like Missouri and Arkansas may be tough on that front though Arkansas is pursuing so many transfers that it's unclear who they are most serious on. However, Carter would seem to fit well for the Hokies and stretch the floor just like Mutts and Aluma have been able to.
Keep an eye on Noah Carter as the Hokies have put themselves right in the hunt for the talented Northern Iowa power forward.
