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2008-2009 BIG EAST PREVIEW: IMPACT TRANSFERS

The transfer phenomenon that has become common throughout college basketball is bringing a new crop of players to the Big East annually. The 2008-2009 season will be no different as several players that were once highly sought after recruits have moved from their original college destinations to try a change of scenery at a Big East school. Normally, the NCAA mandates a player who transfers has to sit out one season at their new school, however, at least one impact transfer received an exception from that rule and will be eligible this year at his new school. At least two other potential impact transfers are also challenging the NCAA rule and could make their presence felt this season.

In addition to those seeking immediate eligibility, four other transfers who have gone the traditional route and have (or are in the middle of) served their one-year of residency at their new school are ready to make an impact on the league. Who are these new faces? Read on as we profile five new players in the Big East and take a look at two other possibilities who could join them as the 2008-2009 Big East impact transfers.

1) Robert Mitchell, Seton Hall

There probably is little doubt that Robert Mitchell steps into a situation that will likely make him the biggest impact transfer of the Big East in the 2008-2009 season. Not only has Mitchell already produced big numbers at the Division 1-A level, but he walks into a situation, and a system, that bodes very well for him to put up impressive numbers once again.

As a freshmen, the 6-foot-6, 180 lb New York City native was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year while averaging over 16 points and five rebounds a game playing for Duquesne. While the Duquesne system used by coach Ron Everhart was college basketball’s version of the Fun ‘n’ Gun, those are still very strong numbers for a freshmen.

At Seton Hall, their system will not quite be as wide open, but it will still be quite stat-accumulating friendly. Mitchell is likely ticketed to fill the role vacated by Brian Laing through graduation. Laing, although just 6-foot-5, was a very sturdy 215 pounds and he led SHU last season with a scoring average of 18.6 points per game and also added a team-best seven rebounds. Seton Hall would probably be better served with a true power forward in the line-up, but in order to play their best players and turn up the pace to the liking of Bobby Gonzalez, you might be seeing a lot of ‘Stix’ positioned as their ‘power forward’ in their small line-up. Mitchell is definitely a better natural scorer than Laing, but he lacks the strength to hit the boards and defend inside, something Laing worked very hard at being able to do in the Big East.

There will be an adjustment for Mitchell after sitting out a season and stepping into the Big East, but expect him to put up very solid offensive numbers in a system that will fit him very well.

2) Mike Mercer, South Florida

Another transfer into the Big East with very solid previous credentials at the high-major level is Mike Mercer, a former Georgia Bulldog. Mercer was an elite-level recruit out of the powerhouse Georgia high school program South Gwinnett and chose to stay in-state and become a Bulldog. However, discipline issues and injuries had Mercer looking for a new home last year and he moved on to South Florida as a mid-season transfer.

Mercer’s impact this coming season will be delayed as he will not be seeing game action until after the first semester is complete in mid-December. Once eligible to play, Mercer will bring a big-bodied guard (6-foot-4 and 195 lbs) to the Bulls line-up, capable of playing point guard or providing a scoring pop. As a freshman in the SEC, Mercer averaged over 11 points a game and improved that mark to 13.6 PPG as a sophomore before the injuries cut his season short.

Mercer does enter a back court situation at USF that is pretty solid with returning starters Chris Howard, Jesus Verdejo and Dominique Jones already entrenched in the rotation, if not the starting line-up. However, Mercer can play all three positions and could find up to 30 minutes a game just backing up each of them.

3) Mike Williams, Cincinnati

Things have not gone as planned for 6-foot-7, 240 lb Mike Williams since being names a McDonald’s All-American after completing an impressive prep career at Wilcox Central High School in Alabama. As a celebrated recruit, Williams chose to become a Texas Longhorn and was with Rick Barnes’ club during their 2005-2006 season in which they came up just an overtime loss away from the Final Four.

As a freshman during the 2004-2005 season, Williams had a decent season, averaging 3.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 15 minutes a game for an NCAA Tournament squad. However, his playing time (13.6 minutes a game), scoring average (2.3) and rebound average (3.1) all declined in his sophomore season and with the fact that Kevin Durant would likely keep him on the bench for another season, Williams left for Cincinnati.

Williams had high hopes for himself in the 2007-2008 season after sitting out a year with the Bearcats. However, those hopes were never able to be realized as a pre-season torn Achilles tendon ended his season before it began. Now, Williams looks to be ready to go for 2008-2009 and should team with incoming freshman Yancy Gates, incoming JUCO recruit Steven Toyloy, returning sophomore big men Anthony McClain and Kenny Belton and possibly John Riek to give Mick Cronin a much improved front court. UC will rely on Williams strength and maturity to help guide their young team this year.

4) Reginald Delk, Louisville.

Rick Pitino has had previous success with the Delk family, now at Louisville, he is going back for more. After having Tony Delk help lead his Kentucky Wildcats to the 1996 NCAA Championship prior to a 10-year NBA career, coach Pitino welcomed Tony’s nephew, Reginald, into the mix for 2008-2009.

As a prep star from Tennessee, Reginald Delk chose to attend Mississippi State. After starting 59 games in 65 games, Delk decided to move on with his college basketball career and found a home at Louisville.

As a freshman, Reginald averaged 9 points a game and hit 41% of his three-point shots. His scoring increased to 9.5 points as a sophomore for a 21-14 squad and the 6-foot-4 guard with long-range ability will find a place in the Louisville rotation. While returning guards Edgar Sosa and Andre McGee have struggled from the perimeter, Delk should give the Cards another viable threat from long range to place beside Jerry Smith. The Cards have a deep and talented roster, so his numbers might not quite be as strong as they were at Missississi State, but he will make an impact often this coming season.

5) Julian Vaughn, Georgetown

After a highly acclaimed high school career, which included a season at powerful Oak Hill Academy, the former DC Assault prospect headed to the Sunshine state for college basketball and played his freshman year at Florida State. He had a respectable initial college season, scoring 3 points and grabbing 2.3 rebounds a contest in just over 12 minutes a game in 31 contests. However, a medical issue sidetracked his season about the half-way point and other issues drew him to come back home and attend Georgetown.

The Hoyas had seen graduation hit them pretty hard with Roy Hibbert and Patrick Ewing Jr using up their eligibility and leaving a hole in their front court. That hole was widened when Vernon Macklin decided to transfer, leaving DaJuan Summers as the only returning front court talent with experience.

Vaughn opted to transfer to Georgetown over George Mason and, at first, nothing too out of the ordinary was paid attention to the situation. However, Georgetown later announced that Vaughn had been granted a waiver and would be eligible to compete without having to serve the year of residency due to the reasons for his transfer. The Hoyas now add the 6-foot-9, 245 lb forward to their mix of talented newcomers (Greg Monroe, Henry Sims) for the 2008-2009 season and Vaughn will look to fill some of the void left by last season’s departures.

Other Transfer Notes:

While Vaughn’s case has been unique for the Big East to this point, it is a situation that has been becoming more common across the NCAA. Last season, Tyler Smith left Iowa and became immediately eligible at Tennessee, becoming the most visible case of a transfer receiving a waiver to be eligible immediately.

There is a possibility that Vaughn might not be the only case in the Big East approved by the NCAA as an exception to their transfer rule. At Seton Hall, Keon Lawrence has filed a waiver with the NCAA to be granted immediate eligibility so he can play the 2008-2009 season. Lawrence’s advisors are citing circumstances similar to that of Julian Vaughn as a point of reference in an attempt to get the waiver granted. For a more complete summary of the pros and cons of Lawrence’s case, please visit our Seton Hall team Blog which has attempted to sort it all out.

Another unique case being pursued by a Big East school in an attempt to have a transfer eligible for the 2008-2009 season is ongoing at South Florida. It was announced this summer that Maryland freshman, 6-foot-10 Augustus Gilchrist, was going to enroll at USF and attempt to be granted immediate eligibility. The Gilchrist story is a long and winding one. Originally a commitment to Virginia Tech, Gilchrist signed a letter of intent with the Hokies, but opted to attempt to be allowed out of the document following the tragic shootings at the campus. After some back and forth with the Hokie staff and administration, Gilchrist was allowed to ‘transfer’ and he chose to attend Maryland. Even though the ACC inter-conference transfer rule was pretty straight-forward and well-known by many, apparently those close to Gilchrist were unaware of the rule, or did not consider his situation a transfer, Gilchrist seemed surprised to find out that they most eligibility he would have at Maryland was two and a half seasons. So, after one semester last spring at Maryland, Gilchrist is on the move and this time he has opted for South Florida and will try to be eligible this season with up to four years of eligibility. Stay tuned…

Tomorrow we will take a look at the top five impact freshmen coming into the conference, one point guard, one shooting guard, one small forward, one power forward and one center. These frosh are the one’s we expect to make the biggest splash this season.

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