There are more teams seeking skilled big men than there are skilled big men. This is nothing new, not a transfer rule/portal thing.
You can either get an unskilled big that will "give you 5 fouls" or you do what many other teams do in our situation....play a skilled player at the 5 who isn't a "traditional 5"
A theoretical lineup with Cliff on the bench of....
Baker Jones McConnell Harper Hyatt would have trouble against Cockburn or Purdue Freshman or Michigan freshman. I don't think it would get killed on the glass AND half the game is played on offense and those opposing 5 would not have a fun time guarding a Hyatt or a Mag.
What has me concerned about next year isn't our backup 5. It is our defense from our perimeter players.
College basketball has evolved (unfortunately) to the point where the most important defense is the one played right at the 3 point line.