The 2024 Legends Classic tips off tonight from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY starting at 7 p.m. with Syracuse against Texas followed by Texas Tech versus Saint Joseph’s at 9 p.m.
The winner of Game No. 1 will face the winner of Game No. 2 Friday night after a consolation third place matchup earlier in the evening on that same day.
However, there will be lots of transfer talent to watch in this year’s field with a trio of high-major program’s as well as a highly-respected mid-major from the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Here’s a look at both of the matchups on tonight’s slate and each of the transfers expected to have an impact over the next two night’s at one of college basketball’s premier MTE’s:
Syracuse vs. Texas, 7 p.m. EST (ESPN2)
Syracuse (3-0)
Eddie Lampkin Jr. – After four seasons at TCU followed by a breakout year with Colorado, the 6-foot-11 Lampkin has settled in with the Orange and is averaging just shy of a career-high double-double. While Syracuse has battled in some tight contests early this season, it was Lampkin leading the most recent win with a double-double of 20 points, 13 boards and seven assists to defeat Youngstown State.
Jyáre Davis – The two-time All-CAA selection at Delaware has been an impactful sixth man through the Orange’s first three games, averaging a solid 10.3 PPG and 7.7 RPG beside Lampkin in the frontcourt. In a season opening win against Le Moyne, it was Davis staving off a comeback effort from the Dolphins with a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Jaquan Carlos – Over three seasons at Hofstra, Carlos was twice selected to the CAA All-Defense Team and while he’s struggled to find his scoring touch for Syracuse that playmaking ability and scrappy defense hasn’t changed. Averaging 3.7 PPG, 4.7 APG and 1.3 STLPG, Carlos is currently top-15 in the ACC in assists and will lead this Orange backcourt against the Longhorns.
Texas (3-1)
Arthur Kaluma – While top-100 freshman Tre Johnson has burst onto the scene for the Longhorns, a veteran forward in Kaluma has had no issues playing the number 2 role averaging 14.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG. The former Creighton recruit and Kansas State transfer is even coming off his best offensive performance of the early season, contributing 18 points on 5-for-8 shooting as Texas handedly beat Mississippi Valley State.
Jordan Pope – The former PAC-12 All-Freshman selection has provided a pair of double-digit scoring efforts for the Longhorns over the first two weeks of the season, including 11 points over Houston Christian and 10 points against MVSU. Pope has been a consistent starter through all four of Texas’ opening contests and coming off a season in which he averaged 17.6 PPG, has the potential to be a major factor on the offensive end.
Julian Larry – The national leader in minutes played last season as well as a 2023-24 All-MWC Third Team honoree for Indiana State, Larry has slotted in as a consistent bench contributor for the Longhorns this season. Averaging 8.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG and 4.0 APG, he’s brought some much needed veteran experience to this Texas backcourt and even added 13 points in the recent win over Mississippi Valley State.
Texas Tech vs. Saint Joseph’s, 9 p.m. EST (ESPN2)
Texas Tech (4-0)
JT Toppin – The 2023-24 MWC Rookie of the Year and All-Second Team selection at New Mexico has been a breakout star for the Red Raiders, averaging 20.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG and 1.8 BKPG to lead this undefeated start. Coming off a pair of double-doubles including 24 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Wyoming, Toppin is going to be a major problem on the interior in Brooklyn.
Kevin Overton – Youth has been the key to Texas Tech’s transfer portal additions this offseason with the MVC All-Freshman selection in Overton coming off his first-year at Indiana State where he averaged 11.3 PPG. A step up to the high-major ranks in the Big 12 hasn’t phased Overton with the Oklahoma City native recently contributing 19 points and four rebounds in a win over Northwestern State.
Federiko Federiko – Though the former Pitt recruit hasn’t been a feature through all four of the Red Raiders season opening games, he’s shown some improved consistency on the offensive end and currently hasn’t missed a shot. While it’s only led to a total of 18 points at the moment as Federiko missed the recent contest against UAPB, if he can get back on the court tonight it’s a great opportunity to keep building on those early season performances.Â
Saint Joseph’s (3-1)
Derek Simpson – After starting 31 times in the Big Ten with Rutgers over the past two seasons, Simpson transferred down to the A10 this offseason where his playmaking ability has fit well alongside this Hawks backcourt. Averaging a career-high in scoring with 11.8 PPG while adding 4.0 RPG and 2.8 APG, Simpson was pivotal in St. Joe’s recent upset over Villanova with 16 points and four assists.
Justice Ajogbor – Arriving from Harvard where he averaged 2.9 BKPG which would have seen him finish top-10 nationally had he been healthy, Ajogbor’s start on Hawk Hill has been slow. Still, he’s a defensive menace and despite some issues on the offensive end he showcased it early notching a pair of blocked shots in the season opener with Navy before adding three more blocks in the upset of Villanova.
