Unlocking potential: Mid-major transfers reshaping college basketball landscape

Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht celebrates a three-point shot during the NCAA Tournament

Amidst the buzz surrounding college basketball’s transfer portal, mid-major players are beginning to take full advantage of their opportunity to steal the spotlight. These players, now finding new homes in higher-profile programs, are reshaping the landscape of the sport. Dalton Knecht’s journey from Northern Colorado to Tennessee is a prime example, bringing his scoring ability to the national spotlight – the guard averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game this past season.

Knecht’s story is just the beginning of the potential unlocked by the transfer portal for mid-major talents who are ready to showcase their ability on bigger stages. Here are five players poised to follow in Knecht’s footsteps:

Saint Thomas, Northern Colorado

Stepping seamlessly into Knecht’s shoes, Thomas has transformed into a statistical juggernaut, boasting impressive averages of 19.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game after averaging 3.2 points per game, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists during the previous season with Loyola. The forward’s versatility and impact on both ends of the floor coupled with his 6-foot-7 inch frame have garnered attention from scouts.

Frankie Fidler, University of Nebraska-Omaha

The 6-foot-7 forward from the University of Nebraska Omaha is generating transfer-generating buzz. With an impressive stat line of 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game this past season, along with a sharpshooting ability from beyond the arc (35.4%), Fidler’s potential impact at his next destination – be it Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan State or Creighton – cannot be understated.

Dante Maddox Jr., Toledo

Toledo guard Maddox Jr. exemplifies the role player who can fit seamlessly into any system. With a career 40.1% shooting accuracy from three-point range and a knack for making difficult shots, Maddox’s one year of eligibility remaining has sparked interest from top-tier programs such as Louisville, Illinois, Xavier, Creighton and Michigan.

Marques Warrick, Northern Kentucky

The all-time leading scorer from Northern Kentucky, Warrick, a 6-foot-2 point guard, has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. He is a high-volume scorer – averaging 19.9 points this past season – and has improved this stat all four years as a Norse. He also boasts a 28% usage rate, according to Fox Sports, all of which have gained interest from programs such as Penn State, Missouri, USC, Cincinnati and Seton Hall.

Robbie Avila, Indiana State

Standing tall at 6-foot-10, Avila is a versatile big man with a knack for stretching the floor. Averaging 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this past season, Avila’s impressive stats earned him first-team All-Missouri Valley honors. But it’s not just his on-court prowess that sets him apart – Avila’s trademark goggles and his connection to Larry Bird’s alma mater have endeared him to fans, earning him nicknames like “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” “Larry Nerd” and “Steph Blurry.” According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Avila is a top candidate to join former Indiana State coach Josh Schertz at Saint Louis following a successful season that saw Indiana State clinch the regular-season Missouri Valley title and make a deep run through the NIT before falling to Seton Hall at the end of the tournament.

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