Thursday, October 4, 2007

Impact Transfers

FOR A COMPLETE PREVIEW OF THE 2007-2008 SEASON, CLICK HERE

Transfers are often overlooked when analyzing a team's prospects for the upcoming season. Everyone notices the new freshman recruits, but some people forget about the transfers that had to sit out a season. However, transfers often have more of an immediate impact than freshmen as a result of the experience that they have. This season, there is an abundance of talented transfers ready to make people remember them.

For more on this year's top transfers, check out this
offseason article I wrote on transfers.

Tyler Smith, Tennessee (from Iowa):
This will be the transfer that has the biggest impact for a title contender.


Robert Vaden (from Indiana); Walter Sharpe (from Mississippi State); Channing Toney (from Georgia), UAB: The Blazers are this year’s version of New Mexico State. NMSU had several D-I transfers help lead them to an NCAA Tournament appearance last year—and Mike Davis is banking on the same thing this season.

Devan Downey (from Cincinnati); Zam Frederick (from Georgia Tech), South Carolina: Although the Gamecocks will struggle this season after losing three starters, their backcourt will be in good hands.


C.J. Anderson, Xavier (from Manhattan): One of the top mid-major transfers in the country after the 2005-2006 season, Anderson will step immediately into the Musketeers’ lineup.

Kojo Mensah (from Siena); Shawn James (from Northeastern), Duquesne: This could be the most underrated transfer duo in the country.

DeMarre Carroll, Missouri (from Vanderbilt): The Tigers have a chance to be one of the more improved teams in the country this season, and Carroll is a big reason why.

Tim Morris, Washington (from Stanford): Coming off a disappointing season in which they didn’t even make the NIT, the Huskies return four starters, but will likely find room in the lineup for Morris.

Eric Boateng, Arizona State (from Duke): The Sun Devils return all five starters, but expect two newcomers to break into the line-up in five-star recruit James Harden and big man Boateng.


Jeff Xavier, Providence (from Manhattan): Another Manhattan transfer expected to make a major impact on his team.

C.J. Giles, Oregon State (from Kansas): Although the Beavers are not expected to be remotely good this year, Giles could transform OSU into a team that the top clubs can’t overlook every night out.

Abdulai Jalloh, James Madison (from St. Joseph’s): The Dukes have not had a winning season in eight seasons, but that could change this year if Jalloh makes the impact he is capable of.

Here are some other transfers expected to make an immediate impact for their new teams:

Mike Williams, Cincinnati (from Texas): Will combine with John Williamson and fellow newcomers Adam Hrycaniuk and Anthony McClain in a big, talented frontcourt. Update: Ruptured his Achilles tendon today; out for the season
Josh Akognon, Cal State Fullerton (from Washington State): Left WSU before the winning ways started, but will take his shooting and scoring to the Big West favorites.
Jamal Boykin, California (from Duke): The Golden Bears have a loaded frontcourt, but Boykin will provide depth to a team looking to make a move in the Pac-10.
Tasheed Carr, St. Joseph’s (from Iowa State): The Hawks have a chance to contend in the Atlantic-10, and Carr will provide nice balance to SJU’s very talented frontcourt.
Shawn Taggart, Memphis (from Iowa State): The Tigers are stocked at every position, but Taggert has athleticism and will back-up Joey Dorsey inside.
Maurice Acker, Marquette (from Ball State): The very quick Acker, despite being only 5-8, is a double-figure scorer and terrific ball-handler.
Bryan Harvey (from Louisville); Rekalin Sims (from Kentucky), Fresno State: This transfer duo from the Bluegrass State makes Fresno a contender in the WAC.
Torre Johnson, UW-Milwaukee (from Oklahoma State): Active sixth man for the Cowboys will put his off-court troubles aside and become a big scorer in the Horizon.
Brian Johnson, Mississippi State (from Louisville): The Bulldogs are primed to make a run in the SEC West, and Johnson provides good depth and strength inside.
Marques Johnson (from Tennessee); Farnold Degand (from Iowa State), North Carolina State: The Wolfpack need a point guard, and one of these two should step up and take the job.
Chad Millard, Creighton (from Louisville): Millard showed the ability to score under Rick Pitino, and will bring his versatile offensive game to a rebuilding Bluejays’ team.
Wnyton Witherspoon, George Washington (from Virginia Tech): Very athletic forward fits perfectly into GW’s fast-paced style, and will fight for a starting job right away.
Ryan Amoroso, San Diego State (from Marquette): Big body will help replace Mohamed Abukar, and could start immediately due to his size and versatile offensive game.
Pierre Marie Altidor-Cespedes, Marshall (from Gonzaga): Former starter for the Zags will start immediately for a Thundering Herd team destined to make a move.

Junior College Transfers

Jamarcus Ellis/DeAndre Thomas, Indiana: Junior college teammates will both push for starting spots—Ellis will likely start immediately.

Reggie Huffman, UAB: Expected to make an impact right away inside; can rebound and score with intensity.
Omar Leary, Oklahoma: Has a chance to take the starting point guard spot right away; playmaker who can also shoot.
Marcus Thornton/Quinton Thornton, LSU: Marcus will likely start from Day One, while Quinton is the team’s best post player.
Steve Harley, Nebraska: One of the best JC point guards to go D-1, Harley will push for time at the point.
Wesley Jones, Ole Miss: Versatile forward that can score in a variety of ways; might not start, but will contribute.
Dustin Scott, Charleston: No. 1 prospect in the country will make a tremendous impact for Bobby Cremins’ crew.
Nemanja Calasan, Purdue: Originally signed with Utah, but the Boilermakers will gladly welcome this European big man.
Charlie Coley, Charlotte: Junior college All-American is a very athletic forward who will help 49ers in the Atlantic-10.
Cassin Diggs, Pittsburgh: Panthers have a variety of options to replace Aaron Gray, but Diggs might be the most physical.
Kelvin Davis, San Diego State: Big-time scorer can drive to the basket as well as knock down the perimeter shots.
Rodney Alexander, Illinois: Athletic small forward has a chance to start immediately, and will have to be a scorer.


Photo Credit: AP

9 comments:

  1. Ed Berrios (from Chipola) is also expected to make an immediate impact at UAB alongside fellow JUCO transfer Reggie Huffman. It's anticipated Ed Berrios might take over the PG spot and let Paul Delaney III slide back to his more natural 2g slot.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ryan Amoroso, San Diego State (from Marquette)

    You are the second person who has mentioned him. I just don't have that much info on the guy but now I need to really take a good look...

    Thanks for the info!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, you don't list USF's Dior Lowhorn as an impact transfer?

    ReplyDelete
  4. As a zag fan, I'm looking forward to seeing PMAC play for the herd. Best of luck to him.

    We've also got a JUCO transfer Ira Brown who's a former minor baseball player who's got tons of athleticism. It'll be interesting to see how he fits into the rotation on the wing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Berrios did not make an impact at Chipola, why would he at UAB ?

    9 points and 4 assists at the juco level does not equal immediate impact in division 1.

    UAB would be better served to put its best players on the floor regardless of position.

    Delaney has a year of point guard experience, averaged over 5 assits last year and this year the defenses cannot key on him as much. I think Delaney should be the starting point guard.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cant' believe that you did not list Tyler Kepkay as a JC Transfer.
    He led the country in scoring and Utah could use an agressive PG. You won't find a harder working player in the game.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amazing! There is no mention of Marcus Cousin -Houston Cougars - from Seton Hall as being an IMPACT transfer. I think the "Sporting News" 2007/08 college basketball issue mentions him as an impact player.

    ReplyDelete
  8. When you are talking about IMPACT transfers, how can you not mention Marcus Cousin - Houston Cougars - from Seton Hall?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Charlie Coley is a beast! Watch out for him to team up with Leemire Goldwire, they will win the Atlantic 10 and make a push in the tournament!

    ReplyDelete