The transfer rules in college basketball are set up to be somewhat restrictive to players. The thinking seems to be that players shouldn't be able to leave a school the first time something goes wrong. If they want to, they need to be willing to sit out for a year. Apparently, many players are willing, since so many of them are shuffling around. These players tend to be forgotten while they are sitting out, although there are often glowing reports from practices. Over the next month, we'll go over some of the most prominent transfer eligible for the 2015-16 season. This week, we'll spotlight players going from Tier 1 to smaller schools: the big fish in little ponds. Some of these players will break out after downshifting in competition. These players could also reap early rewards in DFS play as power conference teams play mid-majors.
Je'lon Hornbeak, Guard, Monmouth Hawks (Oklahoma)
For two years as a Sooner, the athletic Hornbeak played decent minutes. As a freshman, he played 22.7 minutes and put up 5.6 points and 2.7 boards. In 2013-14, his production dipped to 5.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in 18.2 minutes. Perhaps it was the decrease in minutes that caused the 6-3 guard to look elsewhere. He landed with coach King Rice in New Jersey and the Hawks. Hornbeak broke his foot last October, but was able to play in the team's trip to China in May and June. The Oklahoma transfer scored at least 12 points in three of the four games on the summer trip.
Ronnie Johnson, Guard, Houston Cougars (Purdue)
Let's face it: Johnson probably didn't feel special at Purdue. While he was a Boilermaker, the team had so many other players with his last name, including Terone, Anthony, and they once had JaJuan. The southpaw left Purdue and headed south to coach Kelvin Sampson in Houston. Johnson couldn't complain about minutes after playing 28.2 per game with averages of 10.8 points and 3.7 assists. With the Cougars, he will have to share the backcourt with L.J. Rose. After winning just 13 games (four in conference), Houston should be in for a bump in the standings behind a solid nucleus of Johnson, Rose, LeRon Barnes, and Devonta Pollard. The team also takes a trip to China in August.
Brandon Morris, Forward, Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (Georgia)
No player is making a larger jump down in competition than the 6-7 Morris who was dismissed from the Bulldog program after being arrested on a marijuana possession charge. He started 45 games and provided 8.6 points and 3.4 rebounds last season. The Roadrunners are in the WAC, which has fallen on its own hard times in recent years. Morris connected on 49.7 percent of his field goals in 2013-14 and scored in double digits 13 times, including 15 points against Kentucky. With Egyptian center Aly Ahmed (13.9 points, 7.2 rebounds), Kevin Mays (9.4 points, 8.0 rebounds), and Morris, UC-Bakersfield should have one of the best frontcourts in the WAC.
Roddy Peters, Guard, South Florida Bulls (Maryland)
After three years of Anthony Collins -- who transferred to Texas A&M -- running the Bull offense, it may be time for someone else. That person is likely Terrapin transfer Peters. The 6-3 guard started 10 games for Maryland as a freshman. He averaged 4.1 points and 2.1 assists in 15.1 minutes. Peters should significantly improve upon those numbers in his first year as a Bull. He should get some easy assists with targets such as forward/center Chris Perry (10.8 points, 8.1 rebounds) and Bo Ziegler (6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds). South Florida finished in the basement in the American last season, so there is nowhere to go but up.
Joe Rahon, Guard, Saint Mary's Gaels (Boston College)
Rahon spent a year in Boston and had a nice season (9.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists), but it wasn't enough to keep him from dreaming of California. The San Diego native returned to his home state after transferring to St. Mary's. The 6-2 guard hit 35.4 percent of his 3-pointers with the Eagles and should be ready to contribute to a team that looks like it may need to rebuild. Rahon will join sophomore Emmett Naar (6.3 points, 3.9 assists), another Australian import for the team, in the backcourt. However, there will be a Brad Waldow-sized hole (i.e. huge) in the frontcourt and five of the top scorers from last season are gone.
Jordan Tolbert, Forward, SMU Mustangs (Texas Tech)
After three years at Texas Tech, Tolbert did not participate in many wins. The team seems to be on the upswing under coach Tubby Smith, but Tolbert wanted a bit more. He transferred to SMU to play for Larry Brown. The 6-7 native of Fort Worth provided 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in his third years as a starter for the Red Raiders in 2013-14. He is our third transfer jumping from Tier 1 to the American, which is one of the better Tier 2 conferences. The Mustangs should competitive with returning players such as Nic Moore (14.5 points, 5.1 assists), Markus Kennedy (11.9 points, 6.3 rebounds), and Keith Frazier (10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds). Add in fellow transfer Semi Ojeleye from Duke and the Mustangs could head back to the NCAA tournament in consecutive years for the first time since 1984 and 1985.
Marshall Wood, Forward, Richmond Spiders (Virginia Tech)
Wood is a 6-8 junior who spent two years in Blackburg. He started 11 games and played in 15 others as a sophomore. His numbers of 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 16.7 minutes are pretty good on a per minute basis. He has 3-point range and hit 34.7 percent of his long range shots. While the change from ACC to A10 isn't one of the bigger jumps on this list, Wood may move into the starting lineup and could provide a few double-doubles. Richmond should have a solid frontcourt with Wood, leading returning scorer Terry Allen (13.0 points, 6.7 rebounds), and T.J. Cline (11.8 points).
Others to keep in mind:
Arnaud William Adala Moto, Guard/Forward, Towson (Wake Forest)
Elijah Brown, Guard, New Mexico (Butler)
Rene Castro, Guard, Duquesne (Butler)
A.J. Davis, Guard/Forward, UCF (Tennessee)
Adonis Filer, Guard, Florida Atlantic (Clemson)
Benas Griciunas, Center, Charlotte (Auburn)
Shane Hammink, Guard, Valparaiso (LSU)
Peter Jurkin, Center, ETSU (Indiana)
Kenny Kaminski, Forward, Ohio (Michigan State)
Egor Koulechov, Guard, Rice (Arizona State)
Aaron Liberman, Center, Tulane (Northwestern)
Malik Morgan, Guard, Tulane (LSU)
Derrick Millinghaus, Guard, Tennessee Tech (Ole Miss)
Princeton Onwas, Guard, San Jose State (Utah)
Roschon Prince, Forward, Long Beach State (USC)
Desmond Ringer, Forward, Mercer (South Carolina)
Jerome Seagears, Guard, UNLV (Rutgers)
