Sean Miller’s Already Busy in This Offseason, What’s New? What’s Not?
Jan 17, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller reacts to a call during the second half against the Utah Utes at McKale Center. Arizona won 69-51. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
What is a Graduate Transfer and what are the rules? Who is Arizona shopping for?
Jen Condarus from the Daily Compliance Item wordpress site on NCAA rules wrote this summation:
“Graduate students who have not previously transferred can use the one-time transfer exception to play right away at their new school. If a player has completed his undergraduate coursework and has a year of eligibility remaining, he’s good to go. No waiver is necessary — a change implemented at the start of the 2011-12 season, according to the NCAA — so it’s easier than ever for graduates to play immediately. Former Xavier guard Mark Lyons used the exception. ”
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Yes, Sean Miller brought over Graduate Transfer and combo guard Mark Lyons, his point guard from Xavier, to play for his new team the Arizona Wildcats. Mark helped the Wildcats make it to the Sweet 16 only to lose to Ohio State in the 2012/2013 season. The Wildcats got revenge for that loss against Ohio State in this last season in the second round of the NCAA 2015 Tournament. So Miller has proved his strategy does work.
There are two notable graduate seniors who have visited Arizona this last weekend: former Drexel Dragon guard Damion Lee and San Francisco forward Mark Tollefsen. Both of these graduates would be available to play immediately next season.
Damion Lee is being evaluated by Arizona, but also Louisville, Maryland, Gonzaga and Marquette per Bruce Pascoe. Damion is going into this visit and later visits to other schools with an open mind, determining if what he heard over the phone matches what he sees and hears during the visit, and he wants to see where he feels most comfortable. He has a number of solid schools on his list you have to admit.
Here are Damion’s stats from the Drexel Dragons website:
http://www.drexeldragons.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3678
As far as Tollefsen, he plays center and is looking at San Diego State, Washington, USC and California. He visited Arizona this weekend along with Lee.
Here are Mark’s stats from the University of San Fransisco Dons:
http://www.usfdons.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=973
Both would add experience to next years Wildcats, both have not yet decided on where they want to play next year.
Next: What's new with Sean Miller's class of 2016?