As Thanksgiving rolls around every year, college basketball season begins to heat up. Teams are preparing for conference play with tournaments that provide fierce competition on all sides of the brackets. Here are a few transfer stars I am watching for in this week’s loaded slate of tourney games.
No.2 Purdue vs No.11 Gonzaga
In a rematch of last season’s Phil Knight Legacy final where Purdue won 84-66, transfer talent will have a major impact on the outcome. For the Zags, Wyoming transfer Graham Ike and former Creighton Blue Jay Ryan Nembhard have been solid in their first two games in Spokane. Ike is averaging 18 and seven, while Nembhard, the junior point guard, is tallying 11 and five dimes a contest.
On the other side for the Boilermakers, Lance Jones has made an instant impact on Matt Painter’s squad. After starting his career with SIU, Jones will be playing in most likely the biggest game of his career on Monday. Look for the senior guards’ experience to show out for the Boilers.
Kadin Shedrick, Texas
Texas prepares to take on No.5 UConn in the final of the Saatva Empire Classic tonight at 7 ET on ESPNU. A Virginia transfer, Shedrick has been excellent to start his career with the Horns. The 6-11 power forward is averaging 14.3 points and just under five boards a game, and with a loaded Husky frontcourt will need to be on top of his game Monday night.
Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
Maybe the most polarizing player in the nation, people tend to either love or hate the former Michigan big man. Dickinson showed out in his one nationally televised game so far in a win at the Champions Classic, and I cannot wait to watch his talent on display all week at the Maui Invitational.
No.25 Colorado vs Richmond
These two clash Monday night at eight ET on CBSSN, and I am hyped to see Eddie Lampkin Jr. and Jordan King on the floor for these squads. King has been excellent for Richmond, dropping 18 a game to start his career for the Spiders.
On the other side, Eddie Lampkin Jr. is a force to be reckoned with in the paint. After watching him at TCU I noticed the unmatched energy he brings. The 6-11 center is constantly active, communicating, and is a big man any team would love to have.
