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Mid-major transfers look to light up the Big East

Trey Zeigler, Austin Hollins

Central Michigan guard Trey Zeigler (0) brings the ball up-court against Minnesota guard Austin Hollins (20) during the first half in an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2011, in Minneapolis. AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

AP

We’ve heard a lot about Luke Hancock as we run up to the 2012-13 season, and for good reason. The George Mason transfer could be the missing piece that will push last year’s Final Four-worthy Louisville Cardinals the rest of the way to a national title.

The 6'5" Hancock displayed a nice all-around game at Mason, averaging 10.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a steal per game in his final season in northern Virginia. The Cards can definitely use his steady presence. But will he be the most impactful transfer in the league?

Mike Waters of the Syracuse Post-Standard doesn’t think so. He puts Hancock smack in the middle of his top five transfer players in the Big East, at No. 3. Below Hancock are Wally Judge, who fled the Kansas State Wildcats to become a Rutgers Scarlet Knight, and Brian Oliver of Seton Hall. Oliver is the true Undercover Brother of the group - many may not even remember his time at Georgia Tech.

So, with Hancock in the third spot, who does Waters think may be even better? He points to two players who will attempt to help proud programs back to the heights. Tony Chennault, a full-time starter for Wake Forest last season, has been granted a waiver to start playing immediately for Villanova, following the shooting death of his brother.

Topping the list is a player who truly hid his light under a bushel while playing for his father in the seldom-televised MAC.

1. Trey Zeigler, Pittsburgh: Don’t let the fact that Zeigler transferred to Pittsburgh from Central Michigan fool you. Zeigler, a 6-5 guard, was never a Mid-American Conference level recruit. He went to Central Michigan to play for his father, Ernie, who was let go after last season. Zeigler received a waiver to play immediately at Pitt. In his two years at Central Michigan, Zeigler scored 1,011 points. He hit double-figures 54 times in 63 career games there. Last year, he averaged a team-high 15.6 points per game, which ranked third in the MAC. He also led Central Michigan with 6.7 rebounds per game. Zeigler could have a huge impact on Pitt where he’ll get the chance to replace Ashton Gibbs in the Panthers’ starting lineup.

Zeigler has been considered a likely NBA player for some time. If he’s able to make Pitt’s final Big East season a truly memorable one, he may fulfill that potential sooner rather than later.