The top five transfers in the Big Ten

The transfer portal has become such a hot-button topic, especially over the last 12 months. Here we are with the college basketball season starting in a couple of weeks. Teams can be transformed in one offseason by adding talented players with college experience who are looking for a fresh start.

The Big Ten alone had at least 20 players transfer into its 14 teams within the conference this offseason. Some players were added to be focal points, and some were added as pieces of a bigger picture. Only Michigan State, Iowa, and Indiana did not bring in any transfers this offseason.

Read the top five transfers in the Big East

In 2020, Jeff Goodman of Stadium Sports wrote an article with research suggesting that players who transferred up in level (D-II to D-I, mid-major to high-major, etc.) would, on average, have their statistics cut in half. It should be noted this article was written while the transfer portal was on the rise but prior to the one-time transfer rule when the portal exploded. However, that is interesting research and an article I suggest reading.

In this series, I wanted to go through each conference and look at the transfers. I plan to list the top five transfers from each conference in alphabetical order and then others to watch. The purpose of this is to spark conversation.

Read the top five transfers in the ACC

Next up is the Big Ten, and I can’t wait to hear your comments.

Top five transfers

Dawson Garcia (UNC) Minnesota

Height/Weight: 6-11/235
Class: Sophomore
2021-22 Stats: 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 37.5% 3P

Will the real Dawson Garcia please stand up? Garcia, a four-star recruit out of Prior Lake, Minnesota, opened eyes nationally after averaging 13.0 points and 6.6 rebounds as a freshman at Marquette. The center transferred to UNC and was never able to get going. He eventually withdrew from school after and moved back home to be with his family as they fought through multiple illnesses. Garcia announced his transfer to play for Ben Johnson at Minnesota. There are not many expectations for Minnesota this year, but that could change if Garcia bounces back to become the force many thought he would last season.

Isaac Likekele (Oklahoma State) Ohio State

Height/Weight: 6-5/220
Class: Senior: Senior
2021-22 Stats: 7.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.2 steals

Ohio State targeted Isaac Likekele for his versatility. One may look at his modest numbers from last season and wonder how he makes this list; well, Likekele will draw a lot of the primary initiation duties this season. Likekele will share that role with Justice Sueing until freshman Bruce Thornton gets up to speed. Even at that point, Likekele will move over to the three/four and act as a secondary initiator. Likekele averaged 3.9 assists per game in his four years at Oklahoma State; he finished top three in the conference in assists per game twice in his career.

Jaelin Llewellyn (Princeton) Michigan

Height/Weight: 6-2/180
Class: Senior
2021-22 Stats: 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 38.6% 3P

Jaelin Llewellyn is a tough-minded lead guard. The guy who puts pressure on the opposition on both ends of the floor. Llewellyn was first-team All-Ivy last season after leading Princeton to a 23-7 record. Michigan returns Hunter Dickinson, who will be in the running for National Player of the Year; however, the ball will be put in Llewellyn’s hands to make this team run. How he handles expectations could go a long way for this team.

Terrence Shannon (Texas Tech) Illinois

Height/Weight: 6-6/215
Class: Senior
2021-22 Stats: 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 38.4% 3P

Terrence Shannon started 54 of his 83 games at Texas Tech. The powerful and explosive wing forward developed his outside shot while at Texas Tech to be a reliable scorer at each level. Shannon is expected to step right into a featured role for the Illini.

Jahmir Young (Charlotte) Maryland

Height/Weight: 6-1/185
Class: Senior
2021-22 Stats: 19.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 35.8% 3P

Jahmir Young started all 85 games at Charlotte. The paint touch lead guard scored over 1,400 points in his career while finishing top ten in the league in assists, steals, and defensive rebounds last season. Young is a two-time first-team all-conference performer. Young will be the starting PG on this team from day one. In many ways, his performance could determine how successful the Terps are this season.

Others to watch

Sam Griesel (North Dakota State) Nebraska

Matthew Mayer (Baylor) Illinois

Don Carey (Georgetown) Maryland

Ta’Lon Cooper (Morehead State) Minnesota

Emmanuel Bandoumel (SMU) Nebraska

Sean McNeil (West Virginia) Ohio State

Cam Wynter (Drexel) Penn State

David Jenkins (Utah) Purdue

Cam Spencer (Loyola – MD) Rutgers

Juwan Gary (Alabama) Nebraska

Max Klesmit (Wofford) Wisconsin