We're in the midst of the doldrums of the college basketball calendar, as most hoops fans are paying attention to the NBA Playoffs.
And rightfully so. However, it's never too early to start forecasting what next year's college basketball teams might look like. With so much turnaround each year thanks to transfers, diaper dandies and the NBA Draft, this week, we'll take a look at the power conferences in college basketball and break down some of the best newcomers in each league.
To kick off, here are the top 10 transfers and incoming freshmen to enter the Big Ten this year. To clarify, not every single player will be eligible to play this year because of transfer rules, but they are still important to monitor moving forward. Does your team have a chance to make that crucial step towards greatness?
Find out right here.
10) Reggie Lynch - Junior - Minnesota (Transferred from Illinois State)
In Lynch, Minnesota is not only getting the nephew of former Gopher Kevin Lynch, but also a legitimate rim protector and shot-blocker. He averaged 2.8 swats per game a year ago. Lynch will have to sit out 2015-16, but will have two seasons of eligibility left after that. Here's what The Daily Gopher had to say about what he brings to the table:
"We are getting a legit shot blocker, first and foremost. As a freshman Lynch was a member of the Missouri Valley All-Newcomer team after starting 20 games and setting the conference record for blocked shots by a freshman. As a sophomore he was a second team All-Missouri Valley selection."
9) G Johnny Hill - Junior - Purdue (Transferred from Texas-Arlington)
Like Lynch, Hill will have to sit out a year before being able to play for the Boilermakers. This is Hill's third stop on the college hoops circuit - he played at Illinois State his freshman year. Hill is the jack-of-all-trades type of player that Purdue head coach Matt Painter loves. Last year, he averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
8) G Austin Grandstaff - Freshman - Ohio State
Grandstaff barely cracked ESPN's top 50 recruit list, checking in at No. 50. However, that might be a welcome surprise for Buckeye fans. He's good enough to contribute at a high level for Ohio State, but unlike, say, D'Angelo Russell, he's not a likely threat to spurn the program after a year for the NBA Draft.
According to ESPN's scouting report, "Grandstaff is an excellent shooter off the catch or dribble. He is terrific at coming off a variety of screening actions as well. When he gets on a roll he can make a bunch. He's a solid basketball athlete with a good basketball IQ."
Dibler 2.0, anyone?
7) F Joey Van Zegeren - Senior - Northwestern (Transferred from Virginia Tech)
Chris Collins and company landed a quality graduate transfer in Van Zegeren, who will be eligible to play right away. He projects as a solid defender and rebounder that could still use some offensive polish. Inside NU has more:
"He was a pretty inefficient offensive player during his two-plus years at Virginia Tech, but was a good rebounder and shot blocker, especially in his sophomore season. There's one really ugly number though: He's a career 37.9 percent free throw shooter."
6) G Jalen Coleman - Freshman - Illinois
John Groce stole Coleman right out from under Tom Crean and the Indiana Hoosiers, as Coleman hails from nearby Indianapolis. Payback for Eric Gordon, perhaps?
ESPN projects Coleman as, "a true shooting guard with a terrific offensive feel and knack for scoring. He gets to the rim on the break and on straight line drives in the halfcourt set where he is a crafty finisher. Coleman has a smooth mid range pull up jumper."
5) C Mike Thorne, Jr. - Senior - Illinois (Transferred from Charlotte)
It was a solid year on the recruiting trail for the Illini. Thorne, Jr. gives them a legit presence in the paint, which will be beneficial when going up against all the bruisers the Big 10 features. NBC Sports projected Thorne, Jr.'s role next year in Champaign-Urbana:
"Thorne should step in and receive immediate minutes at Illinois with the departure of senior Nnanna Egwu, the team’s former starting center. Thorne also shot 53 percent from the floor and averaged 26.1 minutes per game last season."
4) G Rasheed Sulaimon - Senior - Maryland (Transferred from Duke)
A few years ago, when Duke and Maryland were bitter rivals doing battle in the ACC, this would have been a much bigger story. Now, it simply makes Maryland (possibly) the best team in the nation.
Sulaimon has had his issues in the past, and his scoring has decreased in each of the last three seasons. But he's a tenacious defender that the Terrapins so desperately need, and he might put them over the top as a Final Four team in 2015-16.
3) F Deyonta Davis - Freshman - Michigan State
Michigan State is almost turning into Power Forward U. Just ask Zach Randolph, Draymond Green and Adreian Payne. By the looks of things, Davis could be next in that prestigious line. ESPN broke down Davis's game right here:
"Davis is an athletic, face-up 4-man with shooting range out to 17 feet. He's long and thin with solid looking basketball frame. His athleticism and motor make him an active player around the hoop. He's a good rebounder and the potential to be a terrific defender with his length."
2) C Thomas Bryant - Freshman - Indiana
Speaking of impressive pipelines, Bryant follows in the footsteps of Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh, who were both NBA lottery picks that played at IU. With Yogi Ferrell and James Blackmon, Jr. in the backcourt, guard play is not an issue for the Hoosiers. Front court play is. Bryant is a consensus top 20 recruit with a skilled all-around game, and he is going to have a huge impact on the Hoosiers next season.
1) C Diamond Stone - Freshman - Maryland
Outside of Sulaimon, Stone is the other reason Maryland is being talked about as the favorites to win the national title next year. A top eight recruit, according to ESPN, Stone has everything you could ever ask for in a big man based on this highlight reel.
