NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing grad transfer Justin Turner’s finalists
Marquette Golden Eagles
It’s not just Markus Howard who isn’t around anymore, multiple other rotation players have graduated as well. Marquette has a top-15 recruiting class filled with frontcourt players to deal with the losses on that end but needs to find a capable high scorer to replace Howard.
Koby McEwen will be a solid point guard who can score but they’ll need an upgrade from Greg Elliot at the shooting guard position. Turner could slide right in and get 30+ mpg on a team that still should be at worst on the bubble next season. There may be better teams such as Arkansas and Louisville on this list but in terms of easiest fit and transition, the Golden Eagles may be No. 1.
Xavier Musketeers
Even if do-it-all star Naji Marshall does decide to return, he’s going to need a ton of help next season. Particularly from the perimeter, a clear weak-spot from the 2019-20 Xavier squad. Paul Scruggs will slide over to the lead ball-handler role, leaving a hole at the shooting guard position.
Turner would be a huge addition on offense, helping out the Musketeers in both three-point shooting (289th last season) and free throw shooting (321st). With the Bowling Green transfer coming in, the frontcourt for Xavier would have more room to operate and use their own advantages down low.
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With apologies to Louisville, there’s no blue blood juggernaut that is viewed as a heavy favorite to land Turner, giving all six programs involved real hope in landing a near 20 ppg. In terms of the best potential fit, Marquette and Iowa State would provide the easiest transitions. But if playing in the 2021 NCAA Tournament is the goal, both Arkansas and Louisville would be the top options. Yet, don’t count out the recruiting wizards at both Missouri and Xavier from pulling a rabbit out of their hats.