Re-Ranking ESPN's Top 100 Transfers - Pt 2. | 51-75

Re-Ranking ESPN's Top 100 Transfers: Part 2

Today, I will be re-ranking ESPN’s preseason top 100 transfers list. My criteria for this list are as follows:

1.     Team Success (since they are transfers after all)

2.     Individual Success (numbers/stats)

3.     Fit with team (Sharing ball, shooting at high percentages/good efficiency)

4.     Playing time/impact (Worse players playing more > Better players playing         backup/bench/reserve roles)

For the injured 4 that were included on this list, I have replaced them with some of my own underrated picks. With that being said, I have one more thing to clarify: the “Prev” category represents what ESPN ranked that player at the start of the season.

51-75 Rankings

51.     Will Richard | Belmont → Florida | Prev: 23 |

Richard has more upside than many other transfers in the country, but hasn’t been incredible as a part of a Florida team with a new coach and many new players. He got the season off to an incredible start, scoring around 14 points for his first 9 games. However, recently, he’s scored 0, 3, 6, and 2, and Florida has struggled as a result, going 1-3 in those games. If he can get back to how he was playing early in the season, Florida and Richard both should be just fine.

52.     Justice Hill | Murray State → LSU | Prev: 64 |

Hill is one of the 3 Murray State transfers that transferred to LSU. So far, he’s been rather average. He has 8 PPG and 4 APG, but is only shooting 30% from the field. His fellow Murray State transfer Trae Hannibal had similar struggles, but recently, he broke out, scoring 19 and LSU beat #13 Arkansas. Hill could have a breakout game like this, but until then, it seems he’s going to be a solid role guard for the tournament-likely Tigers.

53.     Darrion Trammell | Seattle → San Diego State | Prev: 85 |

San Diego State’s early-season troubles can not be attributed to Trammell. As a transfer, he fit in well and actually was San Diego State’s best player early in the season amidst returning all-MW player Matt Bradley’s early struggles. They’ve recovered recently, winning 4 straight as they are now looking like the team everyone expected them to be early in the season.

54.     Desmond Cambridge | Nevada → Arizona State | Prev: 72 |

Cambridge has been ASU’s rock this season, picking up slack from his teammates’ early season struggles. Cambridge has been extremely inconsistent in terms of production, but when it mattered most, Cambridge delivered. He’s scored around 20 against Michigan, Creighton, San Diego, and Stanford, which we're all wins. In ASU’s two losses, he only scored 2 and 7. The better he plays, the better ASU does as a result.

55.     Jalen Bridges | West Virginia → Baylor | Prev: 40 |

Jalen Bridges was expected to have a very good season because of how many thought he would fit with Baylor. He was a role player at West Virginia, but unfortunately, he’s been the same at Baylor, playing 22 minutes a game. He’s still been a solid player, but has not taken the step up that some thought he would this season. He’s had some good games though, scoring in double figures 5 times this season.

56.     Jaylon Tyson | Texas → Texas Tech | Prev: 74 |

Tyson hasn’t exactly broken out, but he has been very solid throughout the season. It makes sense though, as Texas Tech is more of an all-around team based more on coaching than individual talent. Tyson’s averaged a solid 10 PPG, and he has the talent to break out sometime in the season. Tech will need him, as they’ve now lost 2 close straight in the big-12, and maybe a Tyson breakout could push them over the hump.

57.     Daniss Jenkins | Odessa → Iona | Prev: NR |

Daniss Jenkins is the second of my special transfers, and I chose Jenkins because he proves that a JUCO transfer can compete at the D1 level. He’s one of Iona’s big 3, and Iona is one of the best mid-majors in the country, led by one of the best coaches in the country in Rick Pitino. They should have an easy path to the tournament. He’s been Iona’s best player in most of their tough losses, and in an easy MAAC, we’ll be able to see more from Jenkins and Iona in the NCAA tournament.

58.     Earl Timberlake | Memphis → Bryant | Prev: 88 |

Timberlake has been one of the best mid major players in the country, as he can score and rebound at good efficiency. He’s scored 16PPG at 56% from the field, as well as grabbing 8 boards a game. He’s consistent, well-rounded, and because of that, his Bulldogs are 10-4 and will be at least a 14-seed if they can make it past their only America East challenge: UMass Lowell.

59.     John-Michael Wright | High Point → Oklahoma State | Prev: 98 |

After a break, we’re back to an experienced transfer helping a high-major to a bubble status. Wright was one of the best players in the Big South for 3 straight seasons, and now is a part of one of the best backcourts in the big 12. He had an incredible game recently against Kansas, where he scored 19 as the Cowboys lost by 2 to #4 Kansas on a controversial call at the end.

60.     Sean East | John A Logan → Missouri | Prev: NR |

East came in as the second-ranked JUCO transfer in the country, and has been one of the best sixth men in the country. He brings lots of energy, plays good defense, and recently, has scored as well. In Missouri’s two recent games, East scored 12 and 13. One of these games was in a win over ranked Kentucky, and one was a very close loss at ranked Arkansas. I think East will keep up this production into SEC play, and if he does, Missouri should find themselves at a very high seed in March Madness.

61.     Osun Osunniyi | St. Bonaventure → Iowa State | Prev: 14 |

Osunniyi has been a solid role player for Iowa State. He plays good defense, rebounds, and scores a little bit as well. I think a lot of people were expecting him to break out at a high-major after transferring from St. Bonaventure, but he’s done what most of these types of transfers do: a slight regression in numbers due to stronger competition. And that’s ok, but as every breakout player has potential before the season starts, they still have that potential at any given time in the season. Osunniyi is no different.

62.     Andre Curbelo | Illinois → St. John’s | Prev: 21 |

Curbelo has been known as one of, if not the most reckless college basketball players in his career. He’s been criticized for turning the ball over, committing bad fouls, and taking ridiculously bad shots. Many thought that a change of scenery would help, as he still has very high potential, but that hasn’t done much. His numbers have gone up with more PT, but as has his turnovers. He’s also only averaged 6.5 a game in St. John’s losses. Despite all that, he’s showing signs of improvement and has been playing pretty well.

63.     Nelly Cummings | Colgate → Pitt | Prev: 80 |

Nelly Cummings seemed like he would be a role player this season, but in Pitt’s recent surprise wins, he’s been one of their best players. Though his points may not reflect it, he’s gotten 7 and 8 assists in Pitt’s two top-25 wins. If he can keep up this level of court management, Pitt should be able to make it to March Madness, especially with the return of John Hugley.

64.     Naheim Alleyne | Virginia Tech → UConn | Prev: 50 |

Alleyne came in as one of the highest potential transfers, as he was one of the best defenders in the ACC and broke out along with Virginia Tech last season. He’s played a role on UConn, who will likely be a 1-seed come March. He’s played a similar but lesser role to Tristen Newton, as he plays good defense, and doesn't shoot much but shoots at a high rate.

65.     Darin Green | UCF → Florida State | Prev: 100 |

Darin Green has been Florida State’s best player, but Florida State themselves have been horrendous. They have injuries, but should be better. They’re 4-11, but Green has done all he can in some games despite losses. He scored 30 in a 14-point loss to St. John’s, scoring double digits in the majority of games this season. He doesn’t have the best assist numbers, so maybe focusing on that could help this Florida State team be more well-rounded. 

66.     KC Ndefo | Saint Peter’s → Seton Hall | Prev: 61 |

Ndefo, Saint Peters’ best player, is now at Seton Hall, with his Saint Peters’ coach, Shaheen Holloway. Ndefo hasn’t done much scoring, but has played as one of the only good defenders on this Seton Hall team. He’s contributed to his team’s shooting woes, as he’s only 9% on the season. If he could get that down, we could see Seton Hall in position to make the tournament, but for now, he’s mainly contributed defensively.

67.     Kyle Lofton | St. Bonaventure → Florida | Prev: 17 |

Lofton, like his team, has had a lackluster start to the season. He’s at a mere 8PPG right now, and Florida is at a subpar 7-7. Being a role player as a mid-major transfer in no way is bad, but it will drop Lofton’s ranking a bit. However, Lofton has scored 17, 14, and 15, in some of the Gators’ more important games. If Florida can combine that level of play from Lofton, as well as build chemistry between the new faces around the program (including the coach), Florida could turn things around.

68.     Alex Fudge | LSU → Florida | Prev: 54 |

Fudge has also struggled with inconsistency, and like Lofton, that could just be a result of a new coach and lots of new players for Florida. Unlike Lofton, he has improved in terms of inconsistency, scoring double digits 4 games in a row before dropping a goose egg the game after that. Fudge was a prospective breakout player, and that potential is just another piece in Florida’s puzzle.

69.     Jaelin Llewellyn | Princeton → Michigan | Prev: 58 |

Though Llewellyn is now out for the season, he was a good role guard up until his injury. He didn’t score a ton, but instead acted as a veteran, solid guard who played good defense and rarely turned the ball over. However, it is unfortunate to see his scoring fall so much in one season, as it was halved, as well as Llewellyn’s 3-point shooting falling by 20%. It would have been nice to see him turn it around, but we’ll have to wait for next season.

70.     Sean McNeil | West Virginia → Ohio State | Prev: 52 |

It’s good to see that McNeil’s production didn’t drop much from high-major to high-major, as he’s getting close to the same numbers on a better team. This Ohio State team, like many others, is a team full of consistent players. Nobody’s doing anything too crazy,  and it seems like this team is very well-rounded. McNeil is one of those guys, playing well every game of the season.

71.     Eric Williams | Oregon → San Diego | Prev: 92 |

As a Toreros fan, I have been disappointed this season. Williams is our best player, but as a team, USD’s 8-9. San Diego has the talent to make a run in the WCC, especially with Williams. He’s 10th in the country in rebounds, and is averaging 15 PPG. It will be interesting to see how he does against a deep WCC, but so far, he’s exceeded expectations.

72.     Sam Griesel | North Dakota State → Nebraska | Prev: 89 |

Griesel has played pretty well as a mid-major transfer. However, in big games, he’s been gone. In Nebraska’s 6 losses, he’s scored 10 or less. Overall, he’s pretty solid, averaging 10 PPG, 5 RPG, and 4 APG. If he can become better in big games, he can solve this Nebraska team’s inconsistency issue. The Cornhuskers took #1 Purdue to NOT, as well as beating #7 Creighton.

73.     Eric Gaines | LSU → UAB | Prev: 56 |

Gaines looks ridiculously better than everyone else on the court at UAB. Other than Jelly Walker. The LSU transfer looks very athletic and talented, and though he has had a couple of near-20 point performances, he hasn’t been playing to his full potential in most games. He's turned the ball over a lot and isn't the best at the end of games but I just have a feeling that by the end of the season he’ll turn it around, but for now, he’s here.

74.     Brandon Huntley-Hatfield | Tennessee → Louisville | Prev: 47 |

The former 5-star has had a rough college career so far. He didn’t play much at Tennessee, and now at Louisville, he’s been average. You would think a player of his talent would be able to shine on this talent-sparse Louisville team, but he’s averaging 8PPG. At least he has been consistent, but he can still break out. I could definitely see him having great games in the ACC, and Louisville could certainly use it.

75.     Sam Sessoms | Penn State → Coppin State | Prev: NR |

Sessoms is the highest scoring transfer in the country, and the fifth highest scorer in the country. That's what happens sometimes when you go from high-major to low-major, but he’s an incredible player without a doubt. He’s dropped 28 3 times, as well as dropping an insane 35 against Loyola Maryland. They’ve played a very hard schedule, but despite that, sit at 5-12 with wins over James Madison and Navy.