Hey can we get some more info on Grad Transfers on here?
- Thread starter mikewebb68
- Start date
Thanks for the link.
Darius Thompson could be an interesting grad transfer for our needs. 6'4" backup PG/SG for Virginia, which was a very good team this season. Averaged 6.2 ppg and 2.2 apg in 20.8 mpg this past season. However, we might not be the best option for Thompson...as a player of his caliber would likely want to go someplace where he could step into a starter's role.
Overall, the lack of a clear-cut open spot in our rotation might make it difficult to land a top grad transfer.
I guess it depends on the goals the player has. If they are at the point where they know the NBA is not an option, might they decide that the quality of the degree is more important than starting? There's still an opportunity to get significant playing time.
Actually I though the OP was being sarcastic. There are multiple threads commenting on specific grad transfer candidates who seem worthy of special monitoring by NU fans.
There are very few (if any) grad transfers who look like potential impact players or even starters at the B1G (or comparable) level. Most leaving major conference programs are doing so precisely because they weren't getting as much playing time as they wanted (and/or playing as big a role as they wanted). O/W probably they would have stayed where they are. Those looking for playing a major role probably will end up transferring down into a smaller conference.
Thanks scru. Wow, did I count 6 guys transferring out of Northern and at least three from Nebraska?
You want to have an actual discussion about possible transfers (graduate or otherwise)? Let's try actually thinking a little more critically about guys who could feasibly end up at Northwestern, both because they could contribute something that the team needs and because NU can offer the player a "reason" to consider the transfer.
For instance, Ryan Fazekas might make sense. He's transferring out of Providence after two years, so he could take a redshirt in 2017 and have two years of eligibility in 2018 and 2019. He's a longer guard/forward whose specialty is three-point shooting and is originally from Michigan City, Indiana so could be looking to get closer to home. He reportedly had a Northwestern offer out of high school that was extended in August 2013 (notable because that means Collins actually extended the offer, having been announced as NU's head coach on March 27, 2013). He hasn't been particularly good from distance so far in his college career, but hasn't been particularly bad at 34.7% across two years. Though he was originally class of 2015, he would slot into the Brown/Benson/Ivanauskas class after taking his redshirt during his transfer year. His skill set could fit in nicely with that group, especially if Ivanauskas is viewed more as a SF/PF while Fazekas could be more of the SG; Ivanauskas' redshirt also puts him in with Gaines, so Fazekas sliding into that spot might make even more sense.
Fazekas started a handful of games as a freshman, but started losing playing time as the course of the 2017 season. While I don't think he would necessarily be an "impact" guy, he could fit a shooter's role in the offense while (we don't really have too many "pure shooters" on the roster) also evening out the classes with Ivanauskas' unanticipated redshirt.
This thread and others related are about GRAD TRANSFERS. Normal transfers are a different issue. First, they (normally) need to sit out a year. Secondly, they are a greater risk because if they don't work out they hold a scholarship for longer term.
Grad transfers are ideal to fill a roster spot for a year, while keeping the scholarship open for the following class.
That said, a normal transfer may also work. It's just a different discussion.
Appreciate your explanation. Never would have realized that grad transfers are different than "normal" transfers without your guidance.
Regardless, I was attempting to demonstrate how an actual discussion could take place besides just saying "hey... here's a guy who's transferring!"
I think if Collins brings a transfer on board this year, it will be a grad transfer to help fill whatever he believes is the greatest risk area for the team currently. I would think he wants to maximize the potential of next season's team, deliver the best he can for the last year of his first recruiting class. I'd assume this means depth at the 1 and/or 5 spots.
I would think that a solid backup at the point would be the biggest need. I enjoy watching Brown play, but he can play out of control and probably is too quick with the trigger for those rare moments when Mc is out and NU wants to slow it down a little.
Three senior point guard transfers:
Stephan Jiggets, Fairleigh-Dickinson, 13ppg as a senior
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/stephan-jiggetts-1.html
Malcolm Allen, Stanford, though his role decreased over time
http://stats.washingtonpost.com/cbk/players.asp?id=120687
Geno Thorpe, who played two years at Penn State and one at USF. Good scorer and shooter. I have no recollection, though I probably should. I assume PSU has no sway over a destination in the B1G, though the NCAA has some dumb rules...
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/geno-thorpe-1.html
Three senior point guard transfers:
Stephan Jiggets, Fairleigh-Dickinson, 13ppg as a senior
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/stephan-jiggetts-1.html
Malcolm Allen, Stanford, though his role decreased over time
http://stats.washingtonpost.com/cbk/players.asp?id=120687
Geno Thorpe, who played two years at Penn State and one at USF. Good scorer and shooter. I have no recollection, though I probably should. I assume PSU has no sway over a destination in the B1G, though the NCAA has some dumb rules...
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/geno-thorpe-1.html
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Pickings are pretty slim for PG transfers eligible to play immediately. I'd say Thorpe is the most interesting of what I can find out there. Darius Thompson from Virginia is also intriguing. Started both games in the tourney this season. Clearly experienced in a good defensive system.
If you believe some, no grad PG would even think of joining the Cats because of Mac. I don't agree, as there would be plenty of opportunities for an experienced PG to get significant playing time, even in the optimistic scenario that Mac is able to play the entire season injury free. Furthermore, the other PG may also play simultaneously with Mac depending on his abilities, and the game situation. If a grad transfer wants the PG spot with little internal competition he will probably have to transfer down into a smaller conference (and probably to one of its smaller teams!).
Anyhow, I pointed out a while back that Marquette's Duane Wilson (coached by another Duke guy) seems to be one of the stronger PG grad transfers available. There are, however, unconfirmed reports that he has decided to join A&M (his twitter account confirms a visit but nothing else).
Regardless, if CC gets Smith and Moore to commit (best case scenario) there won't be a spot to offer to ANY grad transfer. We'll know soon enough.
BTW, Darius Thompson, graduating and transferring out of UVa, would seem to be an attractive PG candidate. He spent his freshman season at Tennessee. He started in 15 of his 33 appearances this year, averaging 21m, 6p, 1.6RB per game. He seems to be a good 2-pt shooter (45%) and adequate beyond the arc (35%), but a weak FT shooter (60%). Out of HS he got an offer from Vandy, which suggests he was a good student. I have no idea what sort of situation/program he's looking for. Obviously, he was playing quite a bit at UVa, and potentially would have played even more next season, given their recent transfers.
Here's a forward transferring from Duke after riding the bench for two seasons:
http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209693304
Would be eligible to play immediately.
http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209693304
Would be eligible to play immediately.
Might have some legs there... sounds like we were involved at time of his initial transfer from Rice (I thought his name was vaguely familiar):
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...-sean-obi-20140413_1_nu-coaches-sean-obi-rice
It seems he did great at Rice as a frosh, but has played little ever since.
He's had injury issues (<---) at Duke, and didn't play a single game this season (probably NU is not ideal for him ;-)).
I mentioned that hours ago (see a few posts back in this thread). However, at the time his twitter acct mentioned a visit, not that any decision had been made.
I don't think anyone suggested that NU was in the mix. I believe and have stated that CC is not likely to offer a SS to a grad transfer when potentially he may still get commitments from both Mark Smith, and Moore (best case scenario).
... which is why I posted something that further substantiated the commitment.
Perhaps you should be shocked, since there are a lot of guards at A&M (counted at least 6 scholarship underclassmen G), as one would expect from a mid-packish major conference program. If he was looking for a place that would hand him the starting PG spot with little internal competition that probably isn't it. I don't follow them, but I suppose it is safe to assume that at least a couple of those guards will compete for the starting PG position, and are probably pretty good (but I haven't checked in depth).
My "shock" is less about our roster composition (even though I still think that makes a PG grad transfer unlikely) as much as it is the extremely low probability that one of your "hey, here's a guy!" guys ends up actually transferring to Northwestern.
However, if that were to come to pass, I will happily eat my crow while you take your victory lap.
Unlike you, I have never purported to have "inside" information about the NU program, and much less potential transfers. I have already explained to you that I do not do "hey, here's a guy!" posts. There are LOTS of potential transfers, and since we are just a couple of weeks before signing date, I comment on specific cases that TO ME seem interesting from the NU PoV. I normally explain WHY, and include a relevant link or two. If that bothers you, I am sorry. But I'd still do it as long as doing so makes sense to me (even if you disagree).
Ha, you're going to hold my experience working for the football program more than six years ago against me?
1) I've never EVER purported to have inside information on Northwestern basketball. The sum total of my experience with NU basketball was a tangential relationship with Tavaras Hardy, who was a very nice guy and enrolled in the same Master's program when I was there.
2) I've said over and over and over and over that I no longer really have "inside information" on the football program besides a general feel for how the football program operates. I'm not in any way "in" with that program anymore nor do I consistently communicate with anyone inside the program.
3) Yes, no matter what you think they are, they are "hey, here's a guy!" posts.
Looks like the Smith ship is about to sail -- Kentucky now reportedly involved.
http://www.aseaofblue.com/2017/3/28/15086332/kentucky-reaches-out-to-2017-guard-mark-smith
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You may be right. OTOH, if he's smart he'd avoid a program like that. He can easily gets buried there. It seems he is very good, but not necessarily great. This year they welcomed 2 consensus 5-star guards (PG and SG). For next year, same thing, plus another G who is 'only' a consensus 4-star. That's only considering 2 classes. Yes some of these guys may go pro before their eligibility runs out, but others with similar abilities would surely take their places. Hopefully MS will consider of all this (although I wouldn't bet on it).
It was mentioned a few posts back in this thread (see above). It seems he's had a lot of injury problems at Duke (didn't even play a game this season). So, who knows how much he will actually be able to play, next year.
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