NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 6 teams in play for CMU transfer Jesse Zarzuela

Oregon Ducks

The Ducks are another team that’s been busy this offseason, landing a pair of key guard transfers in Kario Oquendo and Devan Cambridge, both of whom are starters. Keeshawn Barthélémy is back for another year while top-30 incoming freshman Jackson Shelstad could be the starting point guard.

What’s interesting about this situation is that the viability of a role for Zarzuela will depend on incoming five-star prospects, Kwame Evans and Mookie Cook. If they’re great then there’s not going to be much of the ball to go around. However, if Shelstad isn’t ready to run the offense, there’s a pathway for the grad transfer to play some point.

Pittsburgh Panthers

The Panthers added Rhode Island transfer Ishmael Leggett to help fill the void in the backcourt after losing four senior guards. Former top-40 prospect Dior Johnson is back after missing all of last season, while High Point transfer Zach Austin will take over the wing position, leaving out some space for other guards for two primary positions.

There are a ton of question marks for the Panthers because Johnson is still unknown and Leggett will go from the A-10 to the ACC. And four-star commits, Jaland Lowe and Carlton Carrington may not be ready for big minutes. There’s potential for Zarzuela to carve out a starting role but he also could be buried on the bench if this new group of guards are any good.