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NCAA Basketball: Analyzing graduate transfer Derryck Thorton’s options

By Tristan Freeman

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Derryck Thornton #12 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half while taking on the Oregon Ducks in the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at the Honda Center on March 24, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Derryck Thornton #12 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half while taking on the Oregon Ducks in the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at the Honda Center on March 24, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 17: Jared Harper #1 of the Auburn Tigers dribbles the ball during the 84-64 win against the Tennessee Volunteers during the final of the SEC Basketball Championships at Bridgestone Arena on March 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 17: Jared Harper #1 of the Auburn Tigers dribbles the ball during the 84-64 win against the Tennessee Volunteers during the final of the SEC Basketball Championships at Bridgestone Arena on March 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Auburn Tigers

Coming off of a recent Final Four run, the Tigers are in need of a new backcourt. Leading scorer Bryce Brown has graduated, while All-SEC point guard performer Jared Harper has entered the NBA Draft with the intentions of staying. That leaves J’Von McCormick and incoming freshmen combo guard Tyrell Jones as primary ball handler options.

Thornton would be able to provide immediate stability at the point guard position, with his athleticism a good fit against the other guards in the SEC. He wouldn’t even been needed to provide much scoring based on who Auburn has returning in the frontcourt.

Even though Chuma Okeke is gone, Anfernee McLemore, Austin Wiley, and Danjel Purifoy will be coming back as senior big men. It would be one of the top frontcourts in the country with great scoring potential. Guard Samir Doughty is another scoring option for Thornton to work off of.

With all the seniors on the roster and the potential addition of the USC grad transfer on board, the Tigers will try to make one last run in the NCAA Tournament. Thornton would be a good fit as a facilitator and work with a head coach in Bruce Pearl who is a good developer in talent. The SEC is tough overall but adding him would make the program a contender once again.

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