NCAA Basketball: Analyzing grad transfer Brandon Johnson’s 7 finalists

New Mexico Lobos

Despite the massive amount of production leaving this offseason, the Lobos should be fine, at least on the perimeter. Zane Martin will have a big role as a senior, while Makuach Maluach and Vante Hendrix are due for increased minutes. Then there’s recent newcomer point guard Saquan Singleton, one of the top-tier JUCO prospects in the 2020 class. But the frontcourt needs more depth, which Johnson would help out immensely. Could he be Paul Wier’s latest transfer pickup?

South Alabama Jaguars

Head coach Richie Riley brought in a bunch of transfers last offseason for the Jaguars, which allowed them to end up as the second-best team in the Sun Belt. It’ll be tough to replicate that, with the top-5 scorers all graduating. Landing a talent such as Johnson would make the transition easier but there are two other transfers able to play for South Alabama next season, in forwards Deaundrae Ballard and Sam Iorio (14.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg in two years at American). Johnson would find playing time with the Jaguars but likely would end up at the center position.

Tulane Green Wave

A promising start to this past season for Tulane ended with 12 losses in 14 games at the end. But if leading scorer TeShaun Hightower decides to return for next year, they could move up the AAC ladder. The Green Wave already added a grad transfer in Ryan Murphy, who averaged just under 10 ppg at Pittsburgh. Considering that Tulane was one of the worst rebounding teams in the country and lost their two best individuals on the boards, there would be a massive need to land a forward like Johnson.

With half of the teams on the list being mid-majors, there’s no telling where Johnson could end up. Some offer better odds at winning, while others have plenty of available minutes. But considering what happened this past season, it’s hard not seeing the Dayton Flyers stand out on this list. Could Johnson end up as the replacement for Toppin?