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NCAA Basketball: Biggest winners and losers of 2019 offseason

By Brian Rauf

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Dana Altman yells at Payton Pritchard (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Dana Altman yells at Payton Pritchard (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 09: Mike White the head coach of the Florida Gators gives instructions to his team against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 09, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 09: Mike White the head coach of the Florida Gators gives instructions to his team against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 09, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Winner: Florida

Speaking of Blackshear, his decision to join the Gators is a major reason why they find themselves on the winners portion of this list. He was the best player on the transfer market and his ability to play right away as a grad transfer only adds to how valuable of a pickup he was.

He’s also a perfect fit for this Florida team. They have a number of high-quality guards and good role players in the frontcourt but really lacked that scoring option in the frontcourt. Blackshear gives them that, rounding out this roster in a way that has them ranked No. 6 in the preseason AP poll.

Head coach Mike White said at SEC Media Day that Blackshear – the lone senior on the roster – is already one of Florida’s leaders and will have a very significant impact for them.

"“Our guys know he’s good, and he’s a high-level communicator. He’s a positive-reinforcement guy with his teammates. He goes a really good job with our younger team. They were excited about the day he committed.”"

Of course, this offseason was about more than just Blackshear for the Gators. They’re also bringing in a top 10 recruiting class headlined by a pair of five-star prospects in Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann, and they got their best returning player (Andrew Nembhard) to return to school after testing NBA Draft waters.

Thanks to everything they accomplished this offseason, I believe they put themselves in position to win a national championship.

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