THE REVAMP: How Can Brooks Savage Rebuild After Losing The SoCon POY?

The biggest question facing the ETSU Buccaneers is how to replace the reigning SoCon Player of the Year, Quimari Peterson, and almost their entire starting five. Coach Brook Savage responded with a massive, targeted overhaul, bringing in 10 transfers to rebuild the program's physical, defensive culture.

We dissect ETSU's strategic Transfer Portal haul and analyze if the pieces fit together quickly enough to contend for a title.

The Challenge & The Culture
Massive Void: ETSU lost its top four scorers, including Peterson and Jaden Seymour, resulting in the departure of 11 players total.

The Culture: Coach Savage needs his new roster to immediately embrace the program's physicality and defensive toughness, building on the legacy established by Alan LeForce and Steve Forbes.

The Goal: Can the Buccaneers find the necessary offensive efficiency to balance their hard-nosed defense, especially after relying heavily on Peterson for shot creation last season? Can Maki Johnson and Allen Strothers increase their roles?

The Reload & Key Transfer Talent
ETSU's transfer portal class was deliberately chosen to fill specific roles:

The Playmaker: Jaylen Smith (North Florida transfer, A-Sun assist leader) is the presumed floor general and a Preseason All-SoCon selection, tasked with immediate impact.

Elite Shooting: Milton Matthews III (Florida A&M transfer) brings massive volume and efficiency, hitting over 100 three-pointers in three straight seasons (41.6% 3P).

Athleticism & Versatility: Look for major contributions from guards Brian Taylor II (SIUE transfer, 45% 3P) and forward Cam Morris III (UMass Lowell transfer).

Developing Talent: We examine the potential of highly-rated freshman shooter Maddox Huff and Northwestern transfer Blake Barkley to contribute immediately.

Floor, Ceiling, & Schedule Advantage
The Schedule Strategy: Coach Savage utilized scheduling to his advantage, minimizing travel by scheduling only one high-major opponent (North Carolina) and relying on bus trips, which created an opportunity for early success.

Freedom Hall Factor: ETSU's rabid fanbase at Freedom Hall provides a unique, tough atmosphere, which will be vital for the new roster.

The Floor: We set the floor at 7th place, recognizing the risk of such a large-scale rebuild.

The Ceiling: If the 10 new transfers mesh quickly and play with the expected defensive grit, the ceiling is contending for the No. 1 or No. 2 seed going into the SoCon Tournament in Asheville.

#ETSU #Buccaneers #SoCon #SouthernConference #NCAABasketball #BrookSavage #TransferPortal #JaylenSmith #FreedomHall #MidMajor

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Presented by Ingles Markets.
Videography provided by: Fannin Media
Video Courtesy: The Southern Conference, ETSU