UNC wastes no time contacting potential Elliot Cadeau replacement in the portal

Things just didn't go to plan for former 5-star signee Elliot Cadeau in Chapel Hill. On Tuesday, the expected news arrived, with Cadeau deciding to officially enter the transfer portal. Now that he's on his way out of town, UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis is on the hunt for a new point guard to be a floor general for the Tar Heels.

Enter Donovan Dent? The standout PG for New Mexico has also decided to transfer and plenty of programs are already in touch with him. According to Tar Heel Illustrated, the UNC staff has already made contact. Could Dent end up being the Cadeau replacement Davis brings in?

North Carolina has reportedly been in contact with star New Mexico PG Donovan Dent

Originally a member of the 2022 class, Dent was a 4-star recruit coming out of high school, ranked the No. 20 point guard in the country. He's coming off a huge year for the Lobos - he averaged 20.4 points per game, with 6.4 assists. Thanks to his incredible work on the hardwood, he was named the Mountain West Player of the Year.

Now that he's looking for a new place to call home, Dent is widely considered one of the top players available. Obviously, another program to keep a close eye on for Dent would be Xavier, as it just hired Richard Pitino as new head coach. Pitino and Dent developed a close bond at New Mexico. Could Dent follow him to Cincinnati?

On the other hand, it's a pretty darn easy sell to go and play for North Carolina. Davis knows this, which is why his staff already has the wheels in motion in trying to get him on campus as soon as possible. An official visit as early as this week would be ideal.

Landing Dent, a 6-2, 185-pounder, isn't going to be easy, as just about everyone is going to be working overtime to have him start for their program next season. Losing Cadeau is no question a disappointment, but having Dent run the offense for the Heels sure would make a lot of people happy.