Jeff Borzello rates Harvey and McBride among top transfers

Jerry Stackhouse will have plenty of new toys to play with next season. The 2020-21 Commodores will have a new-look roster led by incoming transfers DJ Harvey (Notre Dame), Isaac McBride (Kansas), and Quentin Millora-Brown (Rice).

The college hoops season ended of course and the absence of March Madness has saddened sports fans everywhere. The Commodores weren’t going to play in the NCAA Tournament but, next year will be a different story. The transfer portal has been buzzing and Stackhouse tapped in before the Coronavirus hit.

Jeff Borzello, College Basketball Insider for ESPN, ranked the top 50 transfers within four different categories including 1) Grad transfers eligible immediately 2) Spring sit-outs eligible in 2021-22 3) Eligible at 2020-21 semester break 4) Sit-outs eligible in 2020-21.

Borzello rankings: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28167956/college-basketball-transfer-rankings-2020-21-2021-22

DJ Harvey was ranked No. 10 for eligible transfers next season while Isaac McBride filed out at No. 19 for transfers eligible after 1st semester. Harvey, a redshirt sophomore guard, is likely to start next season especially if Saben Lee decides to play in the NBA. McBride, a freshman combo guard, will provide a boost in the backcourt with his ability to penetrate the lane.

A former top-50 prospect, Harvey had a solid sophomore season in 2018-19 and enough name cachet to land in the SEC. He averaged 10.7 points and 4.2 rebounds.

-Borzello on Harvey

The main difference between this year’s team and last year’s will be depth and experience. After losing Nesmith and most likely Lee for next season, the optimism outside the program walls may not be very high. I am here to tell you Jerry Stackhouse will have his boys ready next year.

Year one was not a pretty sight but, finding a way to win three SEC games with only six scholarship players is SEC Coach of the Year-caliber stuff. Inside the Vanderbilt athletic facility, the anticipation for Magic returning to Memorial is growing higher each day. With Tyrin Lawrence expected to commit to Vandy, the Dores’ stock is quickly rising for 2020-21.

Here are my projections for a starting lineup next season: PG Scotty Pippen Jr., SG Maxwell Evans, SG DJ Harvey, SF Dylan Disu, PF Clevon Brown. Due to his early season injury, Clevon should receive an extra year of eligibility but, the NCAA must confirm. Meanwhile, the reserves will include: Isaac McBride (2nd semester), Jordan Wright, Ejike Obinna, Myles Stute, Quentin Millora-Brown, Tyrin Lawrence (assuming he commits), Isaiah Rice, and Braelee Albert.

You may not have done your research on Isaac McBride but, I decided to interview him due to some speculation that he wasn’t fully committed to the Commodores.

McBride left Kansas in October, though the Jayhawks could have used a backup point guard and ball handler behind Devon Dotson. McBride was a four-star prospect out of Arkansas in 2019.

-Borzello on McBride

At first glance, the depth at the guard position is what stands out, something the Commodores could’ve used this season. The NCAA’s decision on Clevon Brown could be the X-factor for Stackhouse due to his experience and reliability in the post. Stackhouse often praises Brown as the “quiet leader” and his injury proved to be impactful last season.

The combination of transfers, hungry freshman, and offseason development led by Stackhouse will begin to bring the magic back to Memorial Gym.