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SEC Basketball: 5 transfer guards that could be game changers in 2021-22

By Caleb Hightower

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: The arena sits unused after the announcement of the cancellation of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament has been cancelled due to the growing concern about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: The arena sits unused after the announcement of the cancellation of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament has been cancelled due to the growing concern about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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SEC Basketball Illinois Fighting Illini Adam Miller Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Basketball Illinois Fighting Illini Adam Miller Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Adam Miller | Guard | 6’3″ | Sophomore

Transferred from Illinois to LSU

2020-21 stats: 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game

Although Illinois failed to receive a challenge in their commanding 122-60 season-opening victory over North Carolina A&T last season, it was clear that the Fighting Illini had a skilled 6’3″ freshman guard in Adam Miller (he is listed as 6’3″ on Illinois’ Men’s Basketball website and 6’2″on LSU’s) . Miller finished the beatdown with 28 points on 10-12 shooting from the field and 6-8 shooting from three.

Yes, I am aware that it was Miller’s sole 20-point scoring outing of the season, but he continued to make a positive impact for the Fighting Illini in 2020-21 and prove that he was worthy of playing 25.5 minutes per game under Brad Underwood. Ultimately however, Miller wanted a change of scenery, which prompted him to make the move from Illinois to LSU in the offseason. While Miller is known for being a guy that can stay wide during dribble penetration and knock down catch-and-shoot threes at a decent clip (34.0%), he is more than capable of being a dangerous driver when he receives the ball on the run.

Miller may struggle to consistently perform a useful move or two to get around his defenders, but there’s not a lot they can do when he has a full head of steam and keeps his eyes up as he is entering the lane. Not being athletically or physically challenged has helped Miller embrace contact at the rim and finish over the top of explosive bigs that take protecting the rim seriously. Miller will occasionally get denied if he takes too long to put up a runner/layup, but his solid overall feel for the game allows him to triumph around the basket more often than not.

To no one’s surprise, LSU’s superstar freshman guard, Cameron Thomas, did not hesitate to enter his name into the NBA draft after the 2020-21 season and leave the Tigers with a huge void to fill in 2021-22. Miller isn’t the shot taker or maker that Thomas was when he suited up for Will Wade and company at LSU, but playing in a system where offensive freedom is awarded to competent offensive players should give him an opportunity to take his scoring to the next level as a sophomore.

In other words, Miller’s light may not be as green as Thomas’ was last year, but I expect Wade to give him countless chances to work through his mistakes and show that he can be more productive than he was last year.

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