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NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing transfer Trey Murphy’s 4 finalists

By Tristan Freeman

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 04: Justin Moore #5, Brandon Slater #3, Collin Gillespie #2, Jermaine Samuels #23, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #24 of the Villanova Wildcats huddle against the Pennsylvania Quakers in the second half at Finneran Pavilion on December 4, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Pennsylvania Quakers 80-69. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 04: Justin Moore #5, Brandon Slater #3, Collin Gillespie #2, Jermaine Samuels #23, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #24 of the Villanova Wildcats huddle against the Pennsylvania Quakers in the second half at Finneran Pavilion on December 4, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Pennsylvania Quakers 80-69. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – FEBRUARY 29: Tomas Woldetensae #53 of the Virginia Cavaliers (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – FEBRUARY 29: Tomas Woldetensae #53 of the Virginia Cavaliers (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Villanova Wildcats

You can’t blame a player who wants to play for Jay Wright of Villanova, who could use a talent such as Murphy in an offense that prioritizes three-point shooting efficiency. And with Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels graduating after next year and Saddiq Bey likely going pro this or next year, there are some minutes that the former Rice guard can find for 2021-22.

Of course, there are some variables that could change the roster makeup. 6’5 guard Bryan Antoine played very little this season after suffering an injury but is still a former five-star prospect. And the Wildcats already have a sit-out transfer guard set to play next season in Caleb Daniels, who averaged 16.9 ppg his last year at Tulane. And there’s always a chance that another top-tier recruit joins the 2021 class. Of all the options, Villanova is the riskiest for Murphy.

Virginia Cavaliers

Shooting was a big issue for the Cavaliers this past season, nearly as bad as Pittsburgh. And taking a look at the projected guards on the 2021-22 roster (Kody Stattmann and Casey Morsell), there’s still going to be a need in that department for the future. Virginia does have a pair of top-60 perimeter players coming in with Jabri Abdur-Rahim and Reece Beekman but Murphy is the ideal shooting guard that can work with Coach Tony Bennett’s system.

That depends, ultimately, if he wants to play in what’ll be the slowest-paced offense in the country. Murphy would get his shots but the volume won’t be what he’s used to. He also has to be a quality defender in his own right, or risk getting benched cause he’s not the best fit.

Next. 10 takeaways from 2020 recruiting classes. dark

All four options have their own reasons as to why Trey Murphy should pick them. Houston offers the best pure fit, while Pittsburgh can create the most opportunities. Both Virginia and Villanova can be the best spots when it comes to potential deep tournament runs but are also risky. My best guess is Houston but who knows, maybe he’ll take the ultimate leap to a juggernaut.

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