While most of the big-name college “free agents” have found a home, except Illinois transfer Coleman Hawkins, there are still players in the NCAA transfer portal who can impact next year. One such player is Big West’s second-leading scorer, De’Sean Allen-Eikens.
According to The Transfer Portal, Eikens, who will be playing his sixth collegiate season, has heard from 14 teams since entering the transfer portal for the third time on June 3. St. John’s, VCU, Minnesota, Green Bay, Hawaii, Texas A&M, Cal, NJIT, UT Martin, UC Irvine, Utah Tech, Pacific, San Diego State, and Utah are schools reportedly interested in Eikens.
14 Schools Pursuing Big West Conference Transfer
Eikens has played the last two seasons at CSU Northridge and is coming off a career year. The 6-6 wing averaged 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 2.3 assists while helping the Matadors to 19 victories—the program’s most since 2007-08. He also knocked down 1.1 triples and turned in the best shooting performance of his career at .482/.361/.742.
The first-team all-Big West selection scored in double-figures in 30 of his 33 appearances this past season. He reached the 20-point mark 15 times, topping 30 points twice.
Eikens is a slasher who has become an efficient scorer as he has improved his ability to get to the free-throw line. He led the Big West with 6.8 free-throw attempts per contest.
Eikens lacks elite athleticism and struggles to finish around the rim. However, he is an excellent shooter who consistently knocks down mid-range shots and has improved tremendously as a 3-point shooter. He also is a decent offensive rebounder. Turnovers and defense are his biggest issues.
The Williston (ND) native began his college career at North Dakota, redshirting the 2017-18 season. He was a major contributor in his redshirt freshman campaign for the Fighting Hawks, starting 30 of 33 contests and averaging 13.3 points in 2019-20. Due to injuries, Eikens was limited to five games in 2020-21 and then transferred to New Orleans.
Eikens appeared in 14 games for the Privateers in 2021-22 before entering the transfer portal for the second and landing at CSUN.
Examing The 14 Schools That Are Pursuing Allen-Eikens
Here is a look at the 14 schools interested in Allen-Eikens. The information on scholarships and players is from verballcommits.com. It won’t include walk-ons, and some players may not be officially announced.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota is coming off its best season since last reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19 with a 19-15 record. Their 19 victories were a 10-game improvement over the previous season.
The Golden Gophers have 13 players on their 2024-25 roster, though they appear to have one scholarship left as Erick Reader is a walk-on.
According to Joe Nelson of All Gophers, Allen-Eikens would have a chance to compete for playing time with Minnesota.
“At Minnesota, he would have an opportunity to play a significant role. Minnesota’s projected depth chart includes Dawson Garcia and Parker Fox at the power forward position, with transfer Femi Odukale possibly starting at small forward with Kadyn Betts and true freshman Grayson Grove behind him.”
St. John’s Red Storm
The Red Storm had a successful first season under Rick Pitino, going 20-13, including 11-9 in the Big East. The 20 victories were two more than the previous season and their most since the 2018-19 campaign. Their 11 conference wins are the program’s most since winning 12 in 2010-11. The Red Storm have not made the NCAA Tournament in five years.
St. John’s appears to have two scholarships available for 2024-25. Power forward is a position of need.
VCU Rams
VCU has been one of the best programs in the A-10 since joining the league before the 2012-13 campaign. The Rams went 24-14 last year in Ryan Odom’s first season but finished fourth in the conference to miss the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the previous seven seasons.
VCU has four scholarships available. The Rams definitely could use some help on the wings.
Green Bay Phoenix
Green Bay is coming off a fantastic season under interim coach Sundance Wicks, going 18-14 overall and 13-7 in the Horizon League. The Phoenix improved by 15 wins over the previous season and two more victories than they totaled in the last three seasons combined.
However, the Phoenix pivoted and hired first-time head coach Doug Gottlieb, who had been a sports talk show host for a variety of stations. Gottlieb has at least two scholarships available.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Hawaii went 20-14 and 11-9 in Big West play, marking just the fourth time in the program’s D-I history that the Rainbow Warriors have won 20 games in back-to-back campaigns. The Rainbows have also earned double-digit league victories for the third straight season.
Hawaii appears to have a lot of work to do to fill their roster.
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M has won 21 or more games in three straight seasons and made the NCAA Tournament in consecutive years, marking the first time since the mid-to-late 2000s.
The Aggies appear to be at least at the scholarship limit, but their roster is not official.
Cal Golden Bears
Cal has one scholarship available. The Bears could add depth at forward.
NJIT Highlanders
NJIT has struggled since moving to the America East, posting a 33-74 record in four years. The Highlanders have posted five winning seasons since moving to D-I.
UT Martin Skyhawks
UT Martin has improved its win total in each of the last two seasons under Ryan Ridder. The Skyhawks went 21-11 this past season and won the OVC regular-season title with a 14-4 record.
UC Irvine Anteaters
Since taking over the program before the 2010-11 season, Russ Turner has done a fantastic job at UCI. Turner has posted a 289-180 record with the Anteaters, leading them to seven regular-season crowns and two conference tournament titles. The Anteaters have won 23 and 24 games in the last two years and are the two-time defending conference champions.
Utah Tech Trailblazers
Utah Tech is entering its fifth season in D-I basketball. The Trailblazers have a record of 46-70 in the four seasons.
Pacific Tigers
First-year NCAA head coach Dave Smart has his work cut out at Pacific. The Tigers went 6-26 last year, including 0-16 in the WCC. The Tigers have posted four straight losing seasons, totaling 38 victories during this stretch.
Smart has at least two scholarships available for next season.
San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State has been one of the best programs in the nation for the past decade and a half. The Aztecs are 177-58 in seven seasons under Brian Dutcher, winning at least 20 games each season. They were national runners-up in 2022-23 and reached the Sweet 16 this past season.
Utah Utes
Utah will begin its first year in the Big 12 play in 2024-25. It is coming off one of its best seasons since 2018-19. Their 22 wins doubled the Utes victory total in Craig Smith’s first season. The Utes won 17 games in year two of Smith’s tenure.
