NCAA Basketball: Pros and cons of transfer Landers Nolley 3 final teams

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 25: Landers Nolley II #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates a shot during a first round Maui Invitation game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

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MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 05: Alex Lomax #2, Damion Baugh #10, Precious Achiuwa #55, Isaiah Maurice #14, Lester Quinones #11 of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)”n /

Memphis Tigers

Pros

Like Georgia, the Tigers also had a top-5 NBA Draft prospect this season in James Wiseman, although he only played in three games. Still, the team won 21 games overall and Coach Hardaway did well with developing the underclassmen on the roster throughout the year.

With five-star prospect Joshua Christopher electing to go to the G League next season (Memphis would’ve been his college choice), there’s a new for a lead guard to boost the Tigers. Alex Lomax and Lester Quinones are capable guards but having a 15 ppg contributor such as Nolley, either in 2021 or 2022 will bring the program to the top of the AAC. And between the three options, this is the most likely to make the NCAA Tournament, as the ACC and SEC are far more difficult conferences to play with.

Cons

The Tigers have been a popular team to list for players but lately, the program hasn’t been able to land any. Their 2020 class looks nothing like the No. 1 group a year ago and no other transfers have been interested. Part of it has to with the young core sticking around, without either Wiseman or likely leading scorer Precious Achiuwa.

If Nolley does play this upcoming season, what would that do to sophomore guard Boogie Ellis? The one-time Duke commit had his struggles this past season but did have a stretch of 14+ points in four out of five games in the AAC. How would he fit with a ball-dominant Nolley? Memphis may be in need of talent but not at risk of a brand new culture being built. This potential match may not be the best for either side unless there’s complete buy-in.

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