Hofstra trying to get two quality transfers

Update: Momo Jones is going to Iona according to multiple reports.

I’m going to have a post about the CAA and shooting soon, but I wanted to point out this post over at Mid-Major Madness. Hofstra is in the running for two key transfers for the 2012-13 season – former UConn guard Jamal Coombs-McDaniel and former Arizona guard Lamont “Momo” Jones.

Iona has been rumored as a possible landing spot for Jones as well and it’s possible he could play in 2011-12 if he’s able to get a hardship waiver. Teams are clamoring over the former NYC product, but I think Coombs-McDaniel is actually the better player.

Even with his “somewhat shaky jumper” as MMM terms it, Coombs-McDaniel put up an offensive rating of 105.0 last season for Connecticut’s national championship winning squad. He’s a long, 6’7, defender that has the ability to get to the rim and doesn’t turn the ball over much. His three-point shooting needs work and he’s sort of a black hole when he gets the ball, but he could definitely be a really good player at Hofstra. (And, as people have pointed out, the Pride might have a leg up in this race too thanks to the recent hiring of Patrick Sellers.)

As for Jones, well he’s a little overrated in my opinion. He’d certainly make an impact if he decided to transfer to a mid-major squad in the NYC area, but he’s not a go-to offensive player. He was pretty average offensively last season at Arizona and his assist rates don’t suggest a dynamic playmaker from the point guard position. The Wildcats were an excellent offensive team last season and Jones actually had the lowest offensive rating on the team at 100.2.

Both players also have their issues. Coombs-McDaniel was arrested for marijuana possession in April and Jones played at three high schools and seems to still be looking for a “good fit” at the collegiate level. Still, Jones will make a difference somewhere, but I think Coombs-McDaniel is actually the bigger get in the transfer market this season.