Aug. 7
Every year, we see a number of impact diaper dandies in college basketball. We also see several transfers making noise.
Think about last season: Ryan Humphrey was an important factor for Notre Dame. Michael Bradley was a difference-maker for Villanova after coming from Kentucky. When healthy, Luke Recker was a big-time star for Iowa.
A lot of players perform well after a change of scenery. After realizing they don't fit into a system, they find their niche at a different school. It's like going from rags to riches, baby! Looking ahead to the upcoming season, here are some transfers who will be big impact players. These are my All-Marco Polo guys.
Let's start with Duke's Dahntay Jones, who left Rutgers for the ACC. Jones joins a program that should be the preseason No. 1 (like the Blue Devils are in my top 25). Add Jones to a team with Jason Williams, Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy and Carlos Boozer, and you have something special.
Jones will be a force. He displays superb athleticism and great explosiveness. Jones can flat-out defend as well, and he'll be a major factor in Mike Krzyzewski's multiple defensive system. The Blue Devils will utilize various pressure defenses out of their man-to-man alignment. Jones will be very active in the press.
Let me tell you how good Jones is. I was doing an ABC game with my buddy, Brent Musburger. When we went to practice, Brent asked me who this kid was, pointing to Dahntay. I explained that Jones was sitting out, but he was going to be a big-time PTPer for the Dukies.
Jones is the second transfer during the Coach K regime at Duke. The first, Roshown McLeod, went on to become all-ACC. McLeod also came through the Big East, via St. John's. Jones won't be a role player -- he'll be a star, baby!
New Mexico coach Fran Fraschilla is happy to have Senque Carey, who transferred from Washington. Carey is a good ball-handler with excellent point-guard skills. His ability on the perimeter will help as the Lobos try to get into the Big Dance.
Steve Fisher welcomes former Syracuse standout Tony Bland to San Diego State. The Aztecs made good progress last season, and they have stepped up their schedule and expectations this year. Fisher's team is going down to Cameron Indoor Stadium to face Duke, baby!
Bland has to get his jumper ready for that game. The combination of Bland and Brandon Smith will help San Diego State become a contender in the Mountain West.
Kevin Henry left New Mexico to join former Lobos coach Dave Bliss at Baylor. This kid can flat-out shoot the rock from long distance. The Bears were rejuvenated last season, though the team struggled from three-point range. Henry will make things happen from the perimeter.
Jarvis Hayes was the Southern Conference's top scoring threat at Western Carolina. Now he will have the chance to shine for Jim Harrick and Georgia. Hayes will provide scoring from the baseline. Look for him to be an active contributor immediately. The Bulldogs also have a PTPer from the transfer ranks for the 2002-03 season in Damien Wilkins (from N.C. State).
Other transfer to watch include: Steve Lepore (from Northwestern to Wake Forest); Brandon Smith (from Michigan, where Fisher used to coach, to San Diego State); Doug Wrenn (from Connecticut to Washington); Jonas Hayes (Jarvis' brother, from Western Carolina to Georgia); Marlon London (from Kansas to DePaul); and Spencer Gloger (from Princeton to UCLA).
Those are some of the Marco Polo guys, travelers who will make an impact. They made a change, and let's hope for their sakes that it works out beautifully, as it did for guys like Humphrey, Bradley and Recker.
