A loaded slate of games await college hoops fans on the second Friday of the season. TPR dives into the impact transfers to watch in each of the day’s biggest matchups:
No.20 Florida @ Florida State (+5.5), odds via FanDuel: 6:00 EST, ACCN
Alijah Martin has been on a defensive tear to start the year for the Gators. The in-state transfer, who played four years at FAU, is averaging a whopping four steals per game to start the year, including six in one contest. Although the season just begun, Martin averaged over a steal per game his last three years with the Owls and is picking up right where he left off.
In addition, Florida added big men Sam Alexis (Chattanooga) and Rueben Chinyelu (Washington State) this offseason. Each have provided steady scoring, rebounding and defense thus far in their time with the Gators.
The Seminoles, underdogs in this rivalry matchup, cruised to three early season victories. Hampton transfer Jerry Deng has provided solid minutes off the bench for FSU, scoring 6.7 points per game to start the season.
Two-time transfer Bostyn Holt started his career at Utah before playing last season at South Dakota. His three-point shooting ability shined in a deep shot heavy offense with the Coyotes, and he will look to continue to find his stride in Tallahassee.
No.2 Alabama @ No.13 Purdue (+1.5), odds via FanDuel: 7:00 EST, Peacock
The return to Mackey Arena will not be unfamiliar for Rutgers transfer Clifford Omoruyi. Omoruyi committed to Alabama this offseason after spending four seasons with the Scarlet Knights, where his team managed to defeat a highly ranked Purdue squad four times, twice in raucous Mackey Arena.
Omoruyi averages 10.7 points per contest so far this season, while adding eight rebounds and two blocks per game. Omoruyi’s defensive presence will provide a challenge for Purdue’s 7’2” sophomore Will Berg who was thrust into the starting role after Daniel Jacobsen fractured his tibia, the other seven-footer for the Boilermakers in their attempt to fill in the hole left by lottery pick, Zach Edey.
For Matt Painter’s squad, a team with no portal additions this offseason, an experienced backcourt duo of Braeden Smith and Fletcher Loyer will lead the way, hoping to slow the pace of the Tide. However, Nate Oats’s addition of Aden Holloway in the portal this offseason will make that task far more difficult.
The former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American transferred from rival Auburn after just one season with the Tigers. The explosive young guard can get hot in a hurry, and has the ability to change the game at moment’s notice.
No.9 Arizona @ Wisconsin (+5), odds via DraftKings: 9:00 EST, Peacock
Next, a top ten team heads to Madison to take on the Badgers. Arizona faces an early, road test in a hostile environment.
Caleb Love leads the way in scoring for the Wildcats. Not far behind him is Tennessee transfer Tobe Awaka. The 6’8” junior ranks first on the team in rebounding with 12 per game while adding 11 points per contest thus far. Awaka is taking full advantage of increased opportunities after receiving zero starts during his two seasons with the Vols.
Sixth year senior John Tonje has been on a tear for Wisconsin to start the year. After playing four years at Colorado State, Tonje suffered a season ending foot injury early in his grad-transfer season at Missouri.
Now, the 6’5” guard is taking full advantage of his last collegiate opportunity. Tonje leads the team with 17.7 ppg and is averaging 5.3 rebounds per game.
Greg Gard will need all he can get from his star transfer for a shot at the upset.
No.21 Ohio State @ No.23 Texas A&M (-4), odds via DraftKings: 9:00 EST, SECN
Ohio State secured a non-conference victory over SEC foe Texas to start the year. Now, they will look to defeat another SEC opponent, the Texas A&M Aggies.
First year head coach Jake Diebler added three key transfer pieces to his roster this offseason. Micah Parrish, a San Diego State transfer with experience playing late in March for the Aztecs, leads the trio in scoring with 10.5 per contest.
Meechie Johnson returned to Ohio State this offseason, where he started his career, after playing two seasons at South Carolina.
Finally, former four-star recruit and Duke transfer Sean Stewart. Stewart has yet to receive significant minutes this season, but undoubtedly has untapped potential on both sides of the ball.
For the Aggies, Minnesota transfer Pharrel Payne is off to a hot start with his new team. The 6’9” forward is averaging 9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 58.8% from the field through three games.
SMU transfer Zhuric Phelps scored 18 and 16 points in his two games so far, shooting over 60% from the field in each contest. Phelps averaged 16.2 ppg with the Mustangs in two seasons as a starter and his scoring ability has been on full display to start his career at Texas A&M.
