HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

by Jack Carey, USA TODAY Sports

After last season’s stunning ouster against Norfolk State in the NCAA tournament, Missouri will have quite a different look for 2012-13.

That’s because the Tigers are loaded with transfers. Keion Bell (Pepperdine), Earnest Ross (Auburn), Jabari Brown (Oregon) and Alex Oriakhi (Connecticut) are among the new arrivals hoping to help Mizzou build on its 30-5 record from last year.

Brown will be eligible after the fall semester. The others can play right away, and that includes Oriakhi, who left Connecticut after last season. He received a waiver allowing him to play immediately because he has only one season remaining and UConn is ineligible for the NCAA tournament as a result of continued sub-standard academic progress scores.

Oriakhi’s former Connecticut teammate, Roscoe Smith, who transferred to UNLV, has two seasons remaining and will have to sit out this year.However, another transfer from a different Big East school is set to see action for the Rebels this season. Forward Khem Birch, who left Pittsburgh shortly after last season started, is scheduled to be eligible after the fall semester.

Other transfers to keep an eye on at their new schools:

Rotnei Clarke, Butler, 6-0: Could be key contributor in his lone season for Bulldogs after averaging 15.2 points as a junior at Arkansas and shooting 44% from three-point range to make second team All-SEC. Is expected to see lots of action at the point.

Will Clyburn, Iowa State, 6-7: Will play senior season for Cyclones after earning second-team all-Mountain West honors while leading Utah in scoring (17.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.8 rpg) two years ago.

Larry Drew II, UCLA, 6-2: Left North Carolina in the middle of the 2010-11 season (his third there). He averaged 4.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 21 games that year, although he was more productive as a sophomore.

Luke Hancock, Louisville, 6-6: Could be a big help for a title contender. Averaged 10.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and a team-high 4.3 assists at George Mason as a sophomore in 2010-11.

Ryan Harrow Kentucky, 6-2: Point guard was a solid contributor at North Carolina State, averaging 9.3 points and 3.3 assists in his one … [For more on Tracking the top Division I transfers, click here.]