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NCAA Basketball: Ranking Grad Transfer Matt Mooney’s Top 5 Teams

By Tristan Freeman

DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Craig Smith of the South Dakota Coyotes reacts during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 96-80. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Craig Smith of the South Dakota Coyotes reacts during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 96-80. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: The Northwestern Wildcats react in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: The Northwestern Wildcats react in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

3. Northwestern Wildcats

Like Arizona State, the Big Ten school also graduates their starting perimeter in Bryant McIntosh and Scottie Lindsey. They will return the frontcourt of Dererk Pardon and Vic Law, so it should help any incoming guards in the transition process.

Mooney would fit well here, but he’d actually be the second grad transfer to join Northwestern in this short off-season. Over a week ago, Ryan Taylor arrived from Evansville, after leading the entire Missouri Valley Conference in scoring at 21.2 ppg. He’s more of a wing at 6’5 and 190 pounds, so Mooney can play the guard position without worrying about the other transfer.

The only concern would be how bringing in two guys who were both No. 1 options will affect how they play. Their shots will decrease dramatically at times, and defense against bigger and faster athletes could make the Wildcats vulnerable on the perimeter.

2. Texas Tech Red Raiders

After losing Keenan Evans, Texas Tech is in desperate need of a scoring guard. Mooney would be perfect for the team, who sometimes struggled shooting the ball at times. The strong team-defense also would help cover up any deficiencies the South Dakota transfer may have in the Big 12.

He would join fellow grad transfer Tariq Owens to the Red Raiders, who would then be a sure bet to make the NCAA Tournament. Mooney would be a great fit for the team, but I believe that there’s a team that would be an even greater fit for him.

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