Arkansas Basketball: Razorbacks add grad transfer Jalen Tate for 2020-21

Arkansas basketball has been a familiar name in the transfer portal this off-season. Eric Musselman and the Razorbacks landed one of the top grad-transfers on the board Friday with the commitment of Northern Kentucky combo-guard Jalen Tate.

Arkansas basketball knew from the moment they hired Eric Musselman that there would not be many dull moments around the program, especially when it comes to surfing the transfer portal. The Razorbacks struck again Friday with the addition of former Northern Kentucky combo-guard Jalen Tate, who will be immediately eligible.

Tate, a versatile 6’6″ guard with length, averaged 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and nearly two steals per game for the Norse this season. The two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year chose Arkansas over Cincinnati and Xavier and looks to be a very nice fit with the Hogs. Tate joins New Mexico grad-transfer Vance Jackson as the second spring addition for Arkansas.

Positional versatility is the most important feature that Musselman seeks in his recruits, and Tate provides plenty of it. He is capable and proven as a lead guard who can handle the ball, which allows the Hogs to bring along talented freshmen Davonte Davis and KK Robinson a bit more slowly.

Tate also provides great length that plays well on the wing where he will be able to defend multiple positions and pitch in some much-needed help in the rebounding department. While not much of an outside shooting threat, he is a strong slasher who’s all-around game will remind Arkansas fans of Jimmy Whitt Jr.

One thing that should not be overlooked is the experience factor. Arkansas has a very talented roster lined up for next season but will be looking to replace veterans in Mason Jones, Jimmy Whitt, Adrio Bailey, and Jalen Harris. Tate has played in several big games including the NCAA Tournament, been a role player, been a leader for his team, and will be a nice fit alongside a fairly young Razorback group.

Jalen Tate will likely make his biggest contribution to the Razorbacks on the defensive end of the floor. He and Isaiah Joe, should he return for his junior season, give Arkansas arguably the best pair of wing defenders in the SEC.

Do not be surprised to see Tate more efficient offensively at Arkansas than he was at Northern Kentucky. The SEC is tougher than the Horizon, there is no doubt about that. Consider, though, that Tate will likely be surrounded on the floor by four knock-down three-point shooters most of the time with the Razorbacks. This means a spread floor, more space, and big gaps for him to attack off the bounce where he excels as a long, rangy slasher.

The addition of Tate adds to the creative combinations Musselman can use with next year’s roster. He could utilize Tate at the point guard spot in a big lineup that features great size, length, and shooting ability. For example, that could consist of Tate, Isaiah Joe, Moses Moody, Vance Jackson, and Connor Vanover.

Musselman could flip the script and also utilize Tate as a “4th guard” in a smaller and more athletic lineup that could include the likes of Desi Sills, JD Notae, KK Robinson and others. Either way, there are possibilities abound for the 2020-21 Razorbacks.

Arkansas fans are hungry for a return to their glory days of the mid-90’s and widely view Eric Musselman as the man who will get them back to prominence on the national scene. It will not be easy in an SEC that has turned into a cut-throat recruiting hotbed, but Friday’s addition of Jalen Tate boosts the Razorbacks very much into the thick of things.