Why are so many high majors involved with mediocre mid-major transfers?

[UconnU]

Strange phenomenon going on here. Kids who were average mid-major players are now transferring and getting all kinds of high major offers? The track record for kids who have transferred from mid-majors to high-majors is horrendous, and those were mostly mid-major grad studs. What’s the deal?

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Experience at the D1 level and they do not cost as much.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Because how else are the high major programs going to fill open roster spots at this point? There are very few uncommitted high school players this late in the game.

 

[Shine33]

They fill in the gaps. Most of them are recruited to come off the bench of high major programs

 

[Huskybass]

Strange phenomenon going on here. Kids who were average mid-major players are now transferring and getting all kinds of high major offers? The track record for kids who have transferred from mid-majors to high-majors is horrendous, and those were mostly mid-major grad studs. What’s the deal?

I am willing to bet that RJ Cole averages double figures next season though.

 

[Psolo12]

I am willing to bet that RJ Cole averages double figures next season though.

He's not a grad transfer.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Strange phenomenon going on here. Kids who were average mid-major players are now transferring and getting all kinds of high major offers? The track record for kids who have transferred from mid-majors to high-majors is horrendous, and those were mostly mid-major grad studs. What’s the deal?

I don't know that the record is horrendous. Rothstein, who is a dope, presents that number with no context. Most of those players moved into smaller roles with their new teams. Lasan Kromah averaged double figures every year at GW before averaging 6.1 points at UConn. Would you say his tenure at UConn was "horrendous?"

 

[Fishy]

They’re short-term leases.

You get them at the end of the recruiting cycle when you’re just trying to fill out a spot for insurance.

 

[Psolo12]

I don't know that the record is horrendous. Rothstein, who is a dope, presents that number with no context. Most of those players moved into smaller roles with their new teams. Lasan Kromah averaged double figures every year at GW before averaging 6.1 points at UConn. Would you say his tenure at UConn was "horrendous?"

Rothstein is far from a dope. Loves college basketball and has a ton of knowledge on a multitude of teams.

 

[LIuconn]

Plus it's every kids dream to play big time sports. Add in packed arenas, gear galore, palacial practice facilities and first class amenities, sounds like a good trade-off for most.

 

[Kenny11]

Because everyone is on lockdown. There is literally nothing else for coaches to do

 

[UofCT]

I don't know that the record is horrendous. Rothstein, who is a dope, presents that number with no context. Most of those players moved into smaller roles with their new teams. Lasan Kromah averaged double figures every year at GW before averaging 6.1 points at UConn. Would you say his tenure at UConn was "horrendous?"

When @CallMeBruce lost all credibility

 

[navery12]

I for one am shocked that the best players on mid majors have smaller roles on P6 teams when they transfer

 

[HooperScooper]

I am willing to bet that RJ Cole averages double figures next season though.

You don't need to take up that cause. JimHurley has it fully covered.

 

[EBonz30]

Strange phenomenon going on here. Kids who were average mid-major players are now transferring and getting all kinds of high major offers? The track record for kids who have transferred from mid-majors to high-majors is horrendous, and those were mostly mid-major grad studs. What’s the deal?

Both Sterling Gibbs & Shonn Miller as grad transfers averaged in double digits for UConn, actually both averaged over 12 ppg & helped UConn get to the field of 32 that season.

Not a bad get in the same year for grad transfers for the same program.

 

[sledog]

As Spoc would say,...fascinating

 

[don356]

They large percentage of Frosh are not big contributors in year one. At least if you get a guy who's played d1 for 3 or 4 yrs(rshirt) they typically will give you better minutes than a true frosh. Particular on the defensive end.

 

[tcf15]

Yes, Rothstein is a complete dope when it comes to transfers:

 

[tcf15]

 

[navery12]

Took a few weeks off but his crusade continues

 

[tcf15]

 

[Waquoit]

Rick Carlisle transferred to Virginia from Maine and started in the Final Four. I wonder if he is an NBA coach if stayed at Maine.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

It's a chance for a kid to be part of an organization that's bigger than anything they've ever been a part of.

Take Justin Pierce for example. The former 15 ppg player from William & Mary signed on with UNC and ended up averaging 5 ppg. Do you think he signed there for an opportunity to play big minutes and star for the team? No! It was a chance to finish your career and look back at your time with a much richer basketball experience. Same goes with Jahaad Proctor to Purdue, Jaevin Cumberland to Cincy, Akwasi Yeboah to Rutgers, Max Hazzard to Arizona...

The list goes on. All of these kids were stars from smaller schools: High Point, Oakland, Stony Brook, UC Irvine and took smaller roles to be a chance to play in bigger conferences. You gotta figure these kids knew that PT had to be earned and nothing was promised, so as a coach, you'd love to have an older kid like these in a pinch when you need.

 

[the Q]

Both Sterling Gibbs & Shonn Miller as grad transfers averaged in double digits for UConn, actually both averaged over 12 ppg & helped UConn get to the field of 32 that season.

Not a bad get in the same year for grad transfers for the same program.

The point is that those aren’t as normal as you think. More are in the kroma/Evans category (in uconn terms)

Which is fine. Unc got perceived elite grad transfers and look how they turned out. You just don’t know how a guy is going to do moving up levels until they do it.

But I’m fine with some short term rentals, especially right now.

 

[Palatine]

Sometimes the only two options are a mediocre mid-major transfer or an unused scholarship. And since the kid will be gone the following year. He provides insurance and five fouls and some immediately help.

 

[the Q]

Sometimes the only two options are a mediocre mid-major transfer or an unused scholarship. And since the kid will be gone the following year. He provides insurance and five fouls and some immediately help.

Exactly. Grad transfers make more sense than p5s grabbing mediocre sit transfers, or at least multiple years tied up in one (based on the potential new rule).

 

[Ts5034]

Exactly. Grad transfers make more sense than p5s grabbing mediocre sit transfers, or at least multiple years tied up in one (based on the potential new rule).

I also would rather give the final scholarship to a grad transfer over a low rated high school project that can clog up scholarships for a few years when they are just sitting the bench. I wonder how Calhoun would have altered his recruiting if grad transfers were so prevalent back when he was coaching? Im not exactly going out on a limb here, but I think he probably would have went the grad transfer route instead of taking on guys like Michael Bradley, Darius Smith, Ben Eaves, Rob Garrison, etc.

 

[Waquoit]

.. instead of taking on guys like Michael Bradley, Darius Smith, Ben Eaves, Rob Garrison, etc.

Those first two guys weren't considered reaches, were they? I thought Bradley in particular was supposed to be a player.

 

[Ts5034]

Those first two guys weren't considered reaches, were they? I thought Bradley in particular was supposed to be a player.

Bradley was not a top 150 recruit. The staff knew he was going to be a project coming in which is why he red shirted. I remember reading one of the articles by the horde at the time, and Calhoun used the example of Gavin Edwards as to why he wanted Bradley to red shirt because he just was not ready to contribute, just like Gavin as a Fr. They did have confidence that he would develop, but I guess those were the days when we were recruiting at a high enough level where we could afford to use up a scholarship on a project recruit.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Im not exactly going out on a limb here, but I think he probably would have went the grad transfer route instead of taking on guys like Michael Bradley, Darius Smith, Ben Eaves, Rob Garrison, etc.

I know Darius Smith didn’t work out for us, but he was a top-100 recruit.

I’d prefer a grad transfer who can contribute over a completely raw project at this point, due to Akok’s injury and Martin’s uncertain status. But once we have a fully healthy team with 13 scholarships, I don’t think having one or two four-year players who take a year or two to develop would be a big deal. I doubt we’ll ever play a 13-man rotation.