Thursday, October 15, 2009

Old Faces, New Places: Impact Transfers

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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.

Jordan Crawford, Xavier (from Indiana): Probably best known for his dunk over LeBron James in the summer, Crawford will immediately be one of the best players in the Atlantic-10.

Wesley Johnson, Syracuse (from Iowa State):
 The offseason hype about Johnson has been outrageous; he is expected to be the go-to-guy for the Orange.

Jai Lucas, Texas (from Florida): The Longhorns need a point guard, and Lucas comes at the perfect time. But don't expect him to be handed the starting spot.

Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame (from Mississippi State): Another transfer, Scott Martin, was also set to be a factor for the Irish, but he tore his ACL late in the summer.

Malcolm Grant, Miami (Fl.) (from Villanova): Grant never really hit his stride with the Wildcats, but he is ultra-quick and will help replace Jack McClinton.

Elliot Williams, Memphis (from Duke): With all the losses Memphis endured, Williams is expected to come in and immediately grab a starting spot in the backcourt.

Alex Stepheson, USC (from North Carolina): The Trojans are in dire need of go-to scorers, and Stepheson will step into the frontcourt right away and be a factor.

Keon Lawrence (from Missouri), Herb Pope (from New Mexico State), Jeff Robinson (from Memphis), Seton Hall: Transfer trio will make Pirates threat in Big East.

Taylor King, Villanova (from Duke):
 The Wildcats are backcourt-laden, and King will provide an inside-outside threat up front for Jay Wright and co.

Jay Gavin, VCU (from Marist): Explosive scorer never really fit in at Marist, but his ability to get points will help replace Eric Maynor in the backcourt.

Chase Adams, Pittsburgh (from Centenary):
 The noise coming from the Panthers is that Adams has a chance to grab the starting point guard right off the bat.

Armon Bassett, Ohio (from Indiana):
 Bassett was a very solid all-around player with the Hoosiers, and he has the opportunity to be a star in the MAC.

Tony Freeman, Southern Illinois (from Iowa):
 A big-time player in the Big Ten, Freeman immediately becomes the go-to-guy for the perennial mid-major power.

Derrick Jasper, UNLV (from Kentucky): Jasper is a 6-6 point guard who can run a team and defend very well; he will fit in better with UNLV than he did with the Wildcats.

Ekpe Udoh, Baylor (from Michigan): Baylor is always solid on the perimeter, and Udoh brings shot-blocking and athleticism to the paint. He needs to make an impact.

Curtis Kelly, Kansas State (from Connecticut): If the lefty from New York City is able to provide inside balance down low, the Wildcats have a chance to be a contender.

Jeremiah Rivers, Indiana (from Georgetown): While it seems like everyone else was moving away from the Hoosiers, Rivers will arrive at at time when Tom Crean needs experience.

Shamari Spears, Charlotte (from Boston College): Spears is a burly and physical forward who is difficult to stop down low. He provides the 49ers with a good interior scorer.

Ibrahima Thomas, Cincinnati (from Oklahoma State): Thomas was a consistent inside performer for OK State before being kicked off the team; he will produce for Cincy.

Eric Wallace, DePaul (from Ohio State): The Blue Demons are going to struggle in the Big East no matter what, but Wallace gives them an athletic, versatile playmaker.

Vernon Macklin, Florida (from Georgetown):
 The Gators have a lot of talent across their roster, but Macklin provides a strong inside player who isn't afraid to bang.

Jonathan Mitchell, Rutgers (from Florida): The athletic Mitchell is expected to be an immediate scorer on the wing for the Scarlet Knights, who need options.

Tyrone Shelley, San Diego State (from Pepperdine): Shelley was a big-time scorer in the WCC for Pepperdine, and will bring that same ability to what should be a MWC contender.

Derrick Caracter, UTEP (from Louisville):
 If Caracter plays to his potential, he and guard Randy Culpepper will comprise an outstanding inside-outside combo.

Others to Watch: Billy Humphrey, New Orleans (Georgia), Adam Leonard, Missouri State (Eastern Kentucky), Xavier Silas, Northern Illinois (Colorado), Chase Stanback, UNLV (UCLA), Jeff Withey, Kansas (Arizona), Dwain Williams, Hawaii (Providence), Larry Davis, Loyola Marymount (Seton Hall), Yamene Coleman, Troy (Alabama), Casiem Drummond, Marist (Villanova), Christian Polk, UTEP (Arizona State), Angelo Johnson, Southern Miss (USC), Elijah Millsap, UAB (Louisiana-Lafayette), Ryan Wedel, Drake (Arkansas State), Orlando Johnson, UC Santa Barbara (Loyola Marymount)

10 Junior College Transfers to Watch

Casey Mitchell, West Virginia:
 With the loss of Alex Ruoff, West Virginia needs a perimeter shooter and scorer to step in and be a factor.

Dwight Buycks/Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette:
 The Golden Eagles don't return much from last season, and these two will get a chance to get immediate playing time.

Jarrid Famous, South Florida: The athletic and active Famous will be an immediate factor at both ends for the Bulls.

Darnell Dodson, Kentucky: The Wildcats bring in a plethora of newcomers, but Dodson will find a way to get minutes on the perimeter.

Melvin Goins, Tennessee: The Volunteers got inconsistency from Bobby Maze at the point last year -- will Goins push him?.

Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota: The Golden Gophers had an excellent recruiting class, and Mbakwe is as good as anyone else in the group.

Malcolm Thomas, San Diego State: Thomas, who originated at Pepperdine, is one of several talented pieces for the Aztecs.

Cliff Dixon, Western Kentucky:
 Dixon chose the Hilltoppers over offers from some bigger schools, and he will show why immediately.

Will Coleman, Memphis: With all the personnel losses suffered by the Tigers, Coleman will get an opportunity to get minutes inside.

James Beatty, Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights are set at the two-guard with Mike Rosario, and Beatty will combine with him in a solid backcourt.

1 comment:

  1. Ben Hansbrough played for Mississippi State, not Miami.

    ReplyDelete