NCAA Basketball: Early preview of 2022 matchup between Gonzaga and Kentucky

3. Roles of the impact transfers

So I want to acknowledge that Gonzaga landed two transfers this offseason, including LSU transfer and former five-star center prospect Efton Reid. His impact for the upcoming season is likely to be limited now that Drew Timme has returned. So I want to focus on the one guard each program brought instead.

For the Bulldogs, they were able to bring in Malachi Smith, who led Chattanooga with 19.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 3.0 apg this past season and going to the NCAA Tournament. Smith, who started out as a role player at Wright State in his career, was the SoCon Player of the Year. He’s a combo guard that can run the offense and play off the ball as well, making 41% of his three-point shots on 145 attempts.

Smith also can explode for some big outings, including 36 points against Murray State and 33 versus Western Carolina. His versatility and experience make him a valuable pickup, capable of playing all three perimeter positions. And if Hickman struggles at point, there’s a chance that Smith could run the offense as a senior leader.

Kentucky also has a high-volume mid-major scoring transfer in Antonio Reeves. The All-Missouri Valley performer averaged a team and career-high 20.1 ppg last season for Illinois State, on an efficient 47% shooting from the field and 39% from three-point range.

The 6’4 guard scored 29 and 32 points respectively to start off last season, while also having a career-high 34 points in an overtime win over Valparaiso. Reeves’ three-point shooting and ability to create his own offense takes the pressure off of Wheeler in the backcourt and boosts what was a weakness on the Wildcats’ roster last season in terms of three-pointers.

While the level of impact both Reeves and Smith will have next season is a question, look for both to get sizeable minutes when these two teams meet early on. Whichever figures out their respective role first and plays at a high level could be key to the game.