4. San Francisco Dons
The Dons have had a good run as of late when it comes to guard play but have lost a pair of 16+ ppg scorers in Khalil Shabazz and Tyrell Roberts. They do bring back Marcus Williams (7.8 ppg and 2.8 apg) and added USC transfer and former top-100 prospect, Malik Thomas.
Thomasson would have a starting role at San Francisco and be a potential leading scorer next year. The problem isn’t playing time but rather a viable path to the NCAA Tournament. An automatic bid in the WCC is next to impossible while Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s are around and while this program does have a recent appearance, everything had to go their way for it to happen. There are other spots that Thomasson can go to make the Big Dance while still getting minutes.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
The coaching change and many graduations emptied the Nittany Lions roster but new head coach Mike Rhoades was able to bring with him two key players from VCU over with him. That includes starting point guard Ace Baldwin, the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year from last season. They still need more guards and Thomasson can easily be the two-guard alongside him as a starter.
The concerns here are that unless they add several more key pieces, Penn State still won’t be an NCAA Tournament-caliber team. Plus, with the slow-paced style that Coach Rhoades runs, it’s hard for multiple guards to have big games. With Baldwin already there, Thomasson would have to settle for a complementary role.