The top five transfers in the SEC

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.

Read the top five transfers in the PAC-12

The SEC alone had almost 50 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. Interestingly enough, every single team in the league brought in at least one transfer.

Read the top five transfers in the Big 12

More than that, LSU, Missouri, Mississippi State, and Georgia each brought in at least five transfers this offseason. All five of those programs have new head coaches, and they enter the seasons with completely re-tooled rosters.

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.

Read the top five transfers in the Big Ten

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 SEC, and I can’t wait to hear your comments.

The top five

Johni Broome (Morehead State) Auburn

Height/Weight: 6-10/235
Class: Junior
2021-22 stats: 16.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, 55.5% FG

Johni Broome put up some pretty otherworldly type numbers en route to being named the OVC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-OVC. It will be tough for Broome to replicate those numbers moving into the talented and uber-athletic SEC. The good news for Tigers fans is that he will not be asked to. The focal point of Bruce Pearl’s team last season was their pair of frontcourt first-round draft picks, Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler. This year’s team will be led by its backcourt. Broome will be asked to protect the rim and finish plays, on offense, around the basket. His ability to do that at a high level will play a big role in whether or not this Auburn team can make a run to the second weekend.

Tyreke Key (Indiana State) Tennessee

Height/Weight: 6-3/210
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: DNP last season due to injury

Tyreke Key has been a noted scorer throughout his college career. The 6-foot-3 guard has already scored 1,650 career points. Why he makes this list is due to his role with the Tennessee team this year. The biggest question mark with the Vols is at the point guard; Key will be given every opportunity to take that role. Santiago Vescovi is at his best in a combo role, playing off someone, and Zakai Ziegler is a dynamo off the bench playing at one speed. If Key can nail the lead guard role down and give those minutes, this could be a final four caliber team.

Kyle Lofton (St. Bonaventure) Florida

Height/Weight: 6-3/195
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 12.8 points, 5.9 assists, 2.0 steals

Kyle Lofton was one of the most sought-after players in the portal this past offseason. Todd Golden hand-picked the two time first-team All-A10 point guard to be the one to lead his first team in Gainsville. Lofton brings a ton of experience to the Gators, starting all 116 games he played in at St. Bonaventure. Lofton brings a sense of toughness to the position, guarding the ball but also making plays for teammates. Golden looks to usher four new starters around senior Collin Castleton; one question mark he should not have is at the point.

Isiaih Mosley (Missouri State) Missouri

Height/Weight: 6-5/205
Class: Senior
2021-22: 20.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 42.7% 3P

Isiaih Mosley was one of the best iso-scorers in the college game last season. The 6-foot-5 off-guard’s 20.4 points were 15th in D-I last season. He also finished top ten in the MVC in rebounds and steals per game. New Missouri head coach Dennis Gates rebuilt his entire roster, bringing in nine new players to put around last season’s leading scorer and only returning starter, Kobe Brown. Mosley is an alpha, and he will have no trouble getting up his shots. How quickly he adjusts to the speed of the SEC game could play a pivotal role in his good Gates team is year one.

Mark Sears (Ohio) Alabama

Height/Weight: 6-1/185
Class: Junior
2021-22 stats: 19.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.7 steals, 40.8% 3P

Mark Sears, who is originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, decided to come home for his final two years and play for the Crimson Tide. Sears is a stocky lead guard who finished top ten in the MAC in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and free-throws last season. The steady-handed Sears, who is a former high school quarterback, should get the majority of minutes at the guard spot while freshman Jaden Bradley and returning senior Jahvon Quinerly rotate off him. Nate Oats likes to play a pace and space type system, and Sears ability to shoot will allow him to play on or off the ball. Sears will need to take better care of the ball, but he will be in a role that will not let him approach his 28.6 usage rate from last season. He leaves Ohio ninth in career player efficiency rating (24.2) in MAC history.

Next five

Trevon Brazile (Missouri) Arkansas

Height/Weight: 6-10/220
Class: Sophomore
2021-22 stats: 6.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 55.0% FG

Justice Hill (Murray State) LSU

Height/Weight: 6-0/170
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 13.4 points, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 35.8% 3P

Jayveous McKinnis (Jackson State) Ole Miss

Height/Weight: 6-7/225
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 12.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 56.6% FG

Will Richard (Belmont) Florida

Height/Weight: 6-5/195
Class: Sophomore
2021-22 stats: 12.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 46.8% FG

Terry Roberts (Bradley) Georgia

Height/Weight: 6-3/185
Class: Senior
2021-22 stats: 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 34.5% 3P

Others to watch

Theo Akwuba (Louisiana) Ole Miss

Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe (Oklahoma State) Georgia

Hayden Brown (Citadel) South Carolina

Noah Carter (Northern Iowa) Missouri

Kendal Coleman (Northwestern State) LSU

Ricky Council, IV (Wichita State) Arkansas

Dashawn Davis (Oregon State) Mississippi State

Dexter Dennis (Wichita State) Texas A&M

DeAndre Gholston (Milwaukee) Missouri

D’Moi Hodge (Cleveland State) Missouri

Nick Honor (Clemson) Missouri

Meechie Johnson (Ohio State) South Carolina

Ezra Manjon (UC Davis) Vanderbilt

Julius Marable (Michigan State) Texas A&M

Antonio Reeves (Illinois State) Kentucky

Tyler Stevenson (Southern Mississippi) Mississippi State

Dominick Welch (St. Bonaventure) Alabama

KJ Williams (Murray State) LSU