Question regarding transfers, what about D-II players

[GoRMU]

With all of the transfers that take place in basketball, and this probably holds true in football as well, it is in general movement within D-I. As we know too well, there are players that transfer up from lower D-I conferences, such as, the NEC. there are players from higher level conferences that transfer down, looking for more playing time, and, of course, there are players from and to JUCOs.

Just as there are players from the lower D-I conferences looking to move up, there must be some talented players at D-II schools that would like to move up to D-I, even if it is to a lower D-I conference school. However, this seems to hardly ever happen in basketball, except for occasionally walk-on players. There are D-I players that transfer to D-II schools, just look at IUP's roster in any given year.

NEC schools, including RMU, would be ideal landing spots for quality D-II players looking to move up.

Does anyone have any insight?

 

[ColonialInsider]

It happens occasionally. But part of the problem is that the low majors often can't take the risk of hoping a Division II player will make the jump successfully. Most often, these teams are in need of good players who can help immediately. So if they take transfer, it's either someone who is immediately eligible as a grad transfer or a junior college transfer. If they take a transfer who has to sit out, they'd rather have someone who was recruited at a higher level or played at a higher level instead of hoping that someone who performed well at a lower level can have his game translate to Division I.

I think you're far more likely to see grad transfers who had successful D-II careers jump for a year at the D-I level to see if they can improve their pro prospects or to get a shot at playing in the NCAA Tournament. But freshmen or sophomores? Unlikely.

The guys that are transferring from the likes of RMU and other NEC schools are guys who have proven themselves against top competition already. Rodney Pryor and Marcquise Reed, for example, performed well against some of the tougher schools RMU faced. I'm sure Reed's performance against Clemson as a freshman helped convince Brad Brownell that his game would translate to the ACC.

A lot harder to see that and do that at the Division II level.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

It happens occasionally. But part of the problem is that the low majors often can't take the risk of hoping a Division II player will make the jump successfully. Most often, these teams are in need of good players who can help immediately. So if they take transfer, it's either someone who is immediately eligible as a grad transfer or a junior college transfer. If they take a transfer who has to sit out, they'd rather have someone who was recruited at a higher level or played at a higher level instead of hoping that someone who performed well at a lower level can have his game translate to Division I.

I think you're far more likely to see grad transfers who had successful D-II careers jump for a year at the D-I level to see if they can improve their pro prospects or to get a shot at playing in the NCAA Tournament. But freshmen or sophomores? Unlikely.

The guys that are transferring from the likes of RMU and other NEC schools are guys who have proven themselves against top competition already. Rodney Pryor and Marcquise Reed, for example, performed well against some of the tougher schools RMU faced. I'm sure Reed's performance against Clemson as a freshman helped convince Brad Brownell that his game would translate to the ACC.

A lot harder to see that and do that at the Division II level.

Good points but I’d say if they’re tearing it up at a good school like IUP Toole wouldn’t mind adding them to the team if there is an open spot.

 

[ColonialInsider]

Good points but I’d say if they’re tearing it up at a good school like IUP Toole wouldn’t mind adding them to the team if there is an open spot.

Unless the kid is immediately eligible and fills a glaring need, I don't think it's worth it. You're more than likely going to find a comparable player on the recruiting trail, either as a four-year player or a junior college transfer.

Major programs can take a transfer from a Robert Morris or Mount St. Mary's because they have the talent on the roster to absorb a transfer sitting out. Schools like RMU often can't wait. Josh Williams sounds like he's going to be a heck of a player, but would he and RMU have connected if Jon Williams hadn't committed? I'm not so sure.

Creighton brought in a D-II grad transfer last year. Why? He was immediately eligible. He'd spent time at Fordham before going to a D-II school. And he was 6-foot-10. He still only played 8 minutes per game, too.

But that's the scenario I see - someone who fills a glaring need and is immediately eligible. That's all.

 

[ColonialCrazy]

Agree. If I'm Andy Toole, or any D1 school and I have to wait a year, lose that scholarship as the kid sits out, I'm doing so on a high level talent, like a Josh Williams. I'm sure there are exceptions to this, but my guess is it is a lot easier to find instant talent through JuCo and grad transfers, then at the D2 level. Will be interesting to see how RMU's class shapes up this season.

 

[ColonialCrazy]

Very good question though. I too am surprised there isnt more of this at the NEC level.