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NCAA Basketball: 50 under-the-radar mid-major transfers for 2021-22 season

By Tristan Freeman

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Jordan Brown #21 of the Arizona Wildcats gets past Drew Peterson #13 and Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans in the second half at Galen Center on February 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won 81-72. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Jordan Brown #21 of the Arizona Wildcats gets past Drew Peterson #13 and Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans in the second half at Galen Center on February 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won 81-72. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Mike Nuga Ksu Toledo Mbk 010521 Ls19
NCAA Basketball Mike Nuga Ksu Toledo Mbk 010521 Ls19 /

G Mike Nuga – UNLV Rebels (Mountain West)

2020-21 stats: 17.8 ppg and 5.6 rpg

A knee injury took the 6’2 guard out after only 12 games but Nuga was playing at a MAC Player of the Year level for Kent State. He scored at least 15 points in each game, including 20 in overtime against Virginia’s vaunted defense. Nuga also had impressive shooting splits of 50-39-80 last season and showed that he can be a leading scorer.

If his health can hold up, Nuga will be a key piece on the rebuilt Rebels roster. His scoring ability makes him a good partner with WVU point guard transfer Jordan McCabe, who is more of a defender than a scorer. And with last year’s leading scorer Bryce Hamilton back as well, UNLV will at least have enough scoring to be competitive in league play.

F Brandon Horvath – Utah State Aggies (Mountain West)

2020-21 stats: 13.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg

The 6’10 forward started the past two years at UMBC, where he was a double-digit producer and leading rebounder. Horvath showed good offensive potential this past season, including a double-double against Georgetown to open the season and a career-high 27 points versus Albany.

Head coach Ryan Odom was able to bring both Horvath and guard R.J. Eytle-Rock from UMBC to Utah State but the big man’s importance comes from the need to replace star big man Neemias Queta, who was one of the best big men in the country last season. He has double-double machine Justin Bean back to take the load off but Horvath will be the starting center and will have to do his part for the Aggies to remain viable.

F Isaac Kante – Long Island University Sharks (Northeast Conference)

2020-21 stats: 12.9 ppg and 10.1 rpg

A prime reason why Hofstra has been at the top of the CAA in recent years, Kante is an elite rebounder and capable of going for a double-double in every game. He doesn’t spread the floor and his offense depends on being in the right position but defenders have to stay on him at all times or risk getting dunked on.

LIU actually returns a forward that averaged a double-double on his own last season in Eral Penn (15.9 ppg and 10.4 rpg), as well as leading scorer Tyrn Flowers (17.3 ppg and 8.1 rpg). The Sharks could very well end up as the best rebounding team in the country but I’m not sure how they’ll have all three be on the court without disrupting the offense. Still, even if the team misses a shot, they’ll have guys more than capable of getting second-chance points.

G Tray Holloway – Morehead State Eagles (Ohio Valley Conference)

2020-21 stats: 11.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg

The 6’3 guard finally got to start as a senior for Wofford, rewarding them with double-digit scoring and good defense. He’s a career 37% three-point shooter and had multiple games of 20+ points last season. Holloway is a solid producer either as a starter or off the bench and doesn’t have high usage, making him a good complementary piece.

Morehead State was the big surprise out of the OVC last season, winning the conference tournament to go dancing. And that was mainly due to OVC Rookie of the Year forward Johni Broome, who led them in both scoring and rebounding. The Eagles do bring back guards Skyelar Potter and Ta’Lon Cooper but did lose the second-leading scorer in DeVon Cooper. If Holloway can simply replace Cooper’s production, Morehead State will be the team to beat in the league.

G Shawn Williams – Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (SWAC)

2020-21 stats: 3.6 ppg and 1.1 rpg

The 6’3 guard was limited to just seven games last season for Nicholls State and in the year prior, averaged 15 mpg for New Mexico State and its usual depth of guards. However, Williams still is the guy that averaged 12.6 ppg in two seasons at East Carolina and was the AAC Rookie of the Year several years ago. He’s a solid three-point shooter and when healthy can be a big impact piece.

The Golden Lions won just four games out of 25 last season and lost its leading scorer and lone double-digit producer, Shaun Doss. I don’t have much hope for this team but if Williams can revert back to the ECU version, Arkansas-Pine Bluff will at least have a go-to player with the potential to be an All-SWAC player if the numbers are good enough.

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