NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing options for grad transfer Brendan Barry
Santa Clara Broncos
The Broncos didn’t really need a guard to start out this offseason but the departures of both Tahj Eaddy and Trey Wertz have left them needing a guard. Going out west will be tough but Santa Clara does have some returning key pieces in Josip Vrankic and DJ Mitchell. Adding Barry could put them in a position to be a top-half WCC team next year.
Temple Owls
With no Quinton Rose around, rising senior Nate Pierre-Louis will be the star of the Owls. Temple does have a need at the guard position, even though Wisconsin transfer Tai Strickland will be coming off a redshirt season. Compared to some of the other teams on this list, Barry would be able to find more consistent playing time with the Owls. However, it’s hard to envision this team being a tournament contender in 2021, even with the transfer addition.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Head coach Danny Manning is on his last legs at Wake Forest and is going after seemingly every talented transfer in the portal. Barry may be the most realistic target, as he could be inserted as a starting point guard, replacing Brandon Childress. He’d have a role on this team no matter what but is playing in the ACC possibly too big jump for the Dartmouth guard? Even on a team that isn’t as good as the Demon Deacons, that doesn’t guarantee success fro transfer newcomers.
Seniors who missed out on March Madness. dark. Next
Barry may not be a 20 ppg scorer next season on his new team but he still can have an impact as a veteran leader and ball-handler. And considering that six of the eight teams missed out on the NCAA Tournament this past season, he could end up being the difference for whoever he selects.