Frain: Ten Underrated Mid-Major Transfers to Watch for

As The Portal Report’s resident mid-major expert, shining some light on the nation’s most underappreciated players and programs is something I’ve always taken pride in. While we’ve done an excellent job at TPR highlighting several influential mid-major transfers like DeMarcus Sharp, Shahada Wells, Great Osobor, and Tyon Grant-Foster, it’s time I took an even deeper look.

Here’s a breakdown of ten under-the-radar mid-major transfers that I’ve been following closely throughout the early season and that have impressed despite a lack of national acclaim.

10.) Symir Torrence & Tymu Chenery – Binghamton

I want to start off with a pair of transfers in upstate, NY that have effectively turned a program around. Binghamton is off to its best start of the Levell Sanders-era and is heading into conference play with a winning record for the first time since 2008-09, the last time the Bearcats appeared in the NCAA Tournament. 

Leading that charge has been Torrence, a transfer from Syracuse, and Chenery, a former Quinnipiac recruit. Torrence’s scoring numbers don’t jump off the page at 9.2 PPG, but he’s fifth in the nation in assists averaging 7.2 APG. Chenery is currently Binghamton’s leading scorer with 14.8 PPG and shooting 50% from the field. Sitting 8-5 with conference play tipping off later this week, the Bearcats bolster one of the America East’s top backcourts behind Torrence and Chenery.

9.) Jalen Jackson – Purdue Fort Wayne

After back-to-back seasons with a winning record but falling short in either Horizon League play or the conference tournament, the Mastodons are back with a vengeance, off to a 13-3 start despite being picked eighth in the preseason poll. With a new cast of transfer contributors in this offseason, Jackson has been critical to Purdue Fort Wayne’s early success averaging a team-leading 15.1 PPG.

Shooting 52% from the field and 43% from deep, Jackson’s consistency has been evident throughout the season with 13 points to upset DePaul, 19 points in a win over Green Bay, and recently notching a career-high 24 points over Wright State. The Mastodons have a 4-1 record in conference play thus far and the UIC transfer has been a major factor in leading this offense. Look for him and Division II transfer Rasheed Bello to finally break through for PFW in the Horizon League Tournament later this season.