NCAA Basketball: Analyzing transfer Marcus Santos-Silva final 6 teams

FAIRFAX, VA - JANUARY 05: Marcus Santos-Silva #14 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams takes a foul shot during a college basketball game against the George Mason Patriots at the Eagle Bank Arena on January 5, 2020 in Fairfax, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

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WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Penn State Nittany Lions

Losing all-conference forward Lamar Stevens is the most notable departure for the program but losing big man Mike Watkins is just as big a loss. The 6’9 forward averaged 9.7 ppg and 7.6 rpg, along with a couple of blocks per game. He was one of the best defenders in the country and played well off of the other scoring forward.

With both gone, that leaves rising senior forward John Farrar (4.3 ppg and 4.6 rpg), along with Seth Lundy playing the undersized power forward for next year as the returners. That puts a lot of pressure of top-tier JUCO prospect Valdir Manuel, a 6’11 big man who can defend and rebound.

Still, he’s not a sure bet at the D-I level compared to Santos-Silva. The VCU big man is a good defender and rebounder, while also capable of scoring double figures. He and Manuel may not be able to produce together on the court but with 40 minutes available, it can be split between the two without upsetting either.

The Nittany Lions should get Binghamton star guard Sam Sessoms (19.4 ppg and 4.8 apg) eligible next season and has a solid cast of perimeter players overall. The center position is the biggest question currently but would be solved by the addition of Santos-Silva. And coming off the best season for the program in the last decade, Penn State needs to continue the positive momentum by adding a star frontcourt piece.

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