Pitt transfer Trey McGowens entered the NCAA Basketball transfer portal two weeks ago and recently announced his top eight schools.
Former Pitt guard Trey McGowens formally announced his top eight schools that he has an interest in transferring to on Monday night, via twitter. The eight schools are Nebraska, TCU, Seton Hall, Auburn, Alabama, Xavier, Ole Miss, and Arkansas. McGowens entered the NCAA transfer portal on March 18.
”I would like to thank Coach Capel and the rest of the coaching staff for two great years at Pittsburgh,” McGowens told Craig Meyer of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I will miss my teammates and the loyal fans of Pittsburgh. I feel it’s in my best interest to transfer to another program in order to further my development as a basketball player. My goal is to find the right system for me to continue to develop as a point guard.”
McGowens came to Pitt two years ago as the 15th highest-rated recruit in school history according to 247Sports. However, the 6-4 combo guard never could find consistency with the Panthers, and as a result, he didn’t take the expected step in his development this past season.
The Piedmont (SC) native averaged 11.5 points, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, as well as 3.5 rebounds along with 2.8 turnovers in 2019-20. McGowens scored in double-figures in 20 of his 33 appearances though he accomplished the feat just twice over his last nine appearances. He also shot only 36.7% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc this past season.
McGowens will have to sit out this upcoming year. Here is a look at the top eight schools for ESPN’s No. 2 sit-out transfer.
Nebraska
The Cornhuskers make a lot of sense as a landing spot due to their point guard situation, as well as the team being under the direction of Fred Hoiberg. McGowens should be able to come right in, including this year if he can obtain a waiver, and start as well as make an immediate impact. The Huskers lost Daschon Burke (transfer) to South Alabama and Cam Mack (NBA draft) this offseason. While Nebraska brought in Western Illinois transfer Kobe Webster, he only has one year of eligibility left, which he will use up this coming season. Webster, Western Kentucky transfer Dalano Banton, and current freshman Charlie Easley, a former walk-on, are the point guards on the roster. NU is also reportedly in the mix for junior college standout Elbert Ellis.
TCU
TCU typically uses a four-guard lineup, and the Horned Frogs have had considerable success under Jaime Dixon, who has posted an 84-57 mark in four campaigns. However, the Frogs have a plethora of point guards, including redshirt sophomore RJ Nembhard, who is a similar player to McGowens, along with former four-star recruits PJ Fuller and Francisco Farabello. Both Fuller, who showed signs of brilliance last year, and Farabello saw a considerable amount of playing time this past season. Dixon has also signed 2020 three-star point guard Mike Miles Jr.
Seton Hall
The Pirates could really use help at point guard now and in the future. Seton Hall, which reportedly has an interest in Wichita State transfer Jamarious Burton, lost starter Quincy McKnight to graduation, thus leaving Shavar Reynolds along with Anthony Nelson and 2020 three-star prospect Jahari Long as lead guards currently on the roster.
Auburn
The Tigers appear to be an excellent fit, and they have had tremendous success under Bruce Pearl, who has compiled 81 victories and three top-2 finishes in the SEC over the past three years. However, Pearl is bringing in two-point guards as part of his 2020 recruiting class in five-star Sharife Cooper and four-star Justin Powell. 2019 four-star point guard Tyrell Jones is also at Auburn though he saw sparse time this past campaign.
Alabama
The Crimson Tide appears as another ideal fit for McGowens with Nate Oats running the show. Alabama also won’t have Beetle Bolden, as he has graduated, or likely Kira Lewis Jr., who has departed for the NBA Draft. But the Tide do currently have Villanova transfer Jahvon Quinerly and freshman Jaden Shackleford on the roster. Both players will be sophomores next year, meaning that they would have two years of eligibility left in 2021-22 though it is possible that they could depart early for the NBA. Oats typically uses a three-guard lineup, and Shackleford plays off the ball this past season.
Xavier
The Muskateers could use to add a point guard as freshman KyKy Tandy is the only returning player at that position, and he played quite a bit off the ball this past season. 2020 Xavier has signed 2020 four-star point guard Dwon Odom.
Ole Miss
Ole Miss uses a three-guard lineup and could use an upgrade at point guard in 2020-21 as leading scorer Breein Tyree used up his eligibility this past season, and Devontae Shuler will do so next. UCSB transfer Jarkel Joiner will have one season left after this season though 2019 four-star recruit Austin Crowley, who struggled as a freshman, will still be in Oxford. The Rebels also received a verbal commitment from 2020 three-star point guard Marcus Niblack.
Arkansas
The Razorbacks seem like an ideal fit as they use a four-guard line and with head coach Eric Musselman running the show. Mason Jones will exhaust his eligibility after this season, and Jalen Harris recently said that he would be transferring. Arkansas has signed 2020 four-star point guard Devontae Davis and has received a commitment from four-star KK Robinson.
Prediction: It is too early in the process to know for sure, but I have listed the order of what I believe would be the best situation for McGowens right now. The order will likely change, mainly if McGowen trims his list again; 1. Nebraska 2. Seon Hall 3. Xavier 4. Arkansas 5. Ole Miss 6. Alabama 7. Auburn 8. TCU.
I could see Arkansas, Alabama, and Ole Miss moving up the list. The one thing I do believe that Auburn and TCU are long shots. Additionally, I think Nebraska will be among his top choices for the duration of his recruitment.