The Transition Tracker is back! We have new teams, new stories and new games but first, we must say goodbye to the teams who have left us.
Merrimack College, of the NEC (joining the MAAC in 2024-25)
California Baptist University, of the WAC
North Alabama University, of the ASUN
All of these teams have completed their transitions and are now fully tournament-eligible.
But now, we welcome a new team to our ranks! Enter Le Moyne College, who joins the NEC this year as a part of their transition to Division I athletics. The Dolphins are based in DeWitt, New York (a suburb of Syracuse), and are a private Jesuit college.
With all that out of the way, let’s get on to the week of games! Oh no.
The Standings
[Big West] UC San Diego Tritons (2-0)
[Summit] St. Thomas (MN) Tommies (2-1)
[WAC] Tarleton State Texans (2-1)
[WAC] Utah Tech Trailblazers (1-1)
[NEC] Stonehill Skyhawks (1-2)
[ASUN] Queens Royals (0-2)
[ASUN] Bellarmine Knights (0-2)
[NEC] Le Moyne Dolphins (0-2)
[OVC] Lindenwood Lions (0-2)
[OVC] Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (0-3)
[Southland] Texas A&M-Commerce Lions (0-4)
Yeah, it’s rough. A combined record of 8-20 through one week is not a good sign at all. The only positives are that a lot of their opponents have been top-level D1 programs. Of the 20 losses, 13 were to teams in the “Power 6” leagues, while another 3 were to WCC or A-10 teams. The other four, however, are less quality. Chicago State, Purdue Fort Wayne, Marshall and Southern Illinois are not exactly marquee opponents, and yet the Transition Tracker teams were defeated by an average of 18 points in those games. The schedule does get a little bit easier for some squads after those early games, including 3 games today against non-D1 foes.
Transition Tracker Team of the Week
G Deyton Albury, Queens - Averaged 18 PPG and 7 RPG through his first two D1 games after transferring from Chipola College this offseason.
G Bryce Pope, UC San Diego - Averaged 21.5 PPG to lead UCSD to a 2-0 record.
F Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, UC San Diego - Averaged 17.5 PPG, 9 RPG and 6.5 APG in his first two D1 games after transferring from Hawaii-Hilo.
F Jakorie Smith, Tarleton - Averaged 20.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 4.5 SPG in Tarleton’s 2 D1 games in the first week.
C Tanner Christensen, Utah Tech - Averaged 16 PPG and 8 RPG as Utah Tech moved to 1-1, including 26 points and 9 rebounds against Jacksonville State.
Player of the Week: Bryce Pope, UC San Diego
Defensive Player of the Week: Jakorie Smith, Tarleton
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