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Arkansas Basketball: Analyzing grad transfer commits for 2020-21 season

By Drew Schmelzer

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 30: Mascot of the Arkansas Razorbacks waves the flag before a game against the Northern Kentucky Norse at Bud Walton Arena on November 30, 2019 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 30: Mascot of the Arkansas Razorbacks waves the flag before a game against the Northern Kentucky Norse at Bud Walton Arena on November 30, 2019 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 22: Isaiah Joe #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 22: Isaiah Joe #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

What overall rotation will look like for 2020-21

For me, the most likely starting-5 is a more traditional one with freshman KK Robinson and Isaiah Joe on the perimeter, Jackson on the wing and Smith paired down-low with California transfer, 7’3 Connor Vanover. It would be interesting to get Tate in there as well because of his experience not only because he’s a senior but he’s also played in multiple NCAA Tournaments, something that nobody else on this roster can say.

Another element working in Tate’s favor of being added to the starting lineup is that Robinson, who while only six feet tall is more of a combo guard. While having the only NCAA tournament experience on the roster, Tate is also the only guy that saw 30 minutes a game at point guard last year and averaged 3.6 assists per game, 2X more than the next best returning Razorback (Joe was 1.7 apg last season).

Musselman has so much coming in, including three more eligible common transfers that will make an impact including the incoming starting center Vanover as well as the four freshmen. This depth chart is going to get interesting with lots of newcomers pushing for playing time.

JD Notae, one of the other common transfers, who sat out after transferring from Jacksonville last season is too much of a gifted offensive player to not play at least 20 minutes a game for this team. He’s a quick guard that can score, something he displayed in his Freshman of the Year campaign in the Atlantic Sun in 2017-18. He will challenge Tate, Robinson, and the other returning Razorback, Sills for time at the guard slots.

Another All Atlantic Sun Freshman team player in Abayomi Iyiola is the other eligible transfer out of Stetson. The 6’8 forward has more work to do on his body before he’s able to become an effective SEC big man, but I do expect him to give Musselman some legitimate spot minutes in the paint during his two years of eligibility

This kind of depth is not a bad problem to have, especially when you have so many new pieces, and Musselman is uniquely equipped to handle such a problem. His freshman class includes Moses Moody (44th in 2020 class), Robinson (59th in 2020 class), Jaylin Williams (78th in 2020 class), and Davonte Davis (108th in 2020 class), finishing off a depth chart nobody is going to complain about. Some of these guys will, however, have to spend some time playing outside of their positions in year one because of the crazy depth Musselman has at the 1-3.

Projected Depth Chart:

1- KK Robinson, FR / Jalen Tate, SR / JD Notae, JR

2- Isaiah Joe, JR / Desi Sills, JR

3- Vance Jackson, SR / Moses Moody, FR / Davonte Davis, FR

4- Justin Smith, SR / Ethan Henderson, JR

5- Conor Vanover, SO / Jaylin Williams, FR

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