College Basketball’s Opening Night: Fresh Starts and Second Chances
Three transfers — Boogie Fland, Cameron Carr, and Hamad Mousa — look to restart their college careers and reclaim their draft buzz.
It’s Finally Here: Opening Night in College Basketball
The wait is over — opening night in college basketball is finally here.
The current landscape of college basketball, and really all of college sports, feels like everyone is on a one-year deal due to transfer rules. I’m all for it. In most cases, the grass can be greener; you just have to pick the right side. Coaches move freely from school to school, and I’m glad the players can now do the same.
Sometimes transferring is the right decision. Sometimes it’s not. But for these three prospects, this season offers a fresh start — a chance to restart their careers and remind scouts why they were once highly touted.
Boogie Fland — Florida Gators
Boogie Fland, hailing from the Bronx, hit the transfer portal after his lone season as an Arkansas Razorback. He averaged 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, while only committing 1.4 turnovers. The counting stats were strong, as Fland emerged as the team’s primary creator on a roster full of talent.
The former McDonald’s All-American showed the ability to balance getting his own shot and creating for others. Unfortunately, his freshman season was derailed by a thumb injury. To his credit, he returned after missing 16 games — just in time for the NCAA Tournament. However, by then, Arkansas had found its rhythm, and Fland’s role was understandably reduced. The Razorbacks ultimately fell to Texas Tech in the Sweet 16.
Fland entered the NBA Draft but ultimately decided to transfer to Florida, hoping to improve his draft stock — particularly his efficiency. He shot just 38% from the field, dragged down by converting only 30% of his layup attempts in the half court.
If Fland can simply make shots more consistently, I think he has a chance to become a late first-round pick. He reminds me of Mo Williams — a guard capable of playing both on and off the ball, scoring through a steady diet of jumpers. Maybe the thumb injury impacted his touch, but this year, he’ll have the opportunity to reemerge on the draft scene — starting with a big early test against the Arizona Wildcats.
Cameron Carr — Baylor Bears
Another player I’m excited to see (again) is Baylor’s Cameron Carr.
Carr was a standout at Link Academy, playing alongside current Toronto Raptor Ja’Kobe Walter and Michigan’s starting point guard Elliot Cadeau. At Link, Carr was the second-leading scorer behind Walter, knocking down 33% from three on nearly six attempts per game.
He spent his first two seasons at Tennessee, where he played only 18 games and averaged 2.3 points per outing. Maybe it was the rise of Dalton Knecht during his freshman year, or the arrival of Chaz Lanier the next season. There was also a thumb injury in the mix. For whatever reason, the former four-star recruit never found his footing in Knoxville and ultimately left the program in December 2024.
Now at Baylor, Carr has generated plenty of buzz thanks to his impressive measurables — 6’6” with a 7’2” wingspan — and strong exhibition performances against Indiana and Grand Canyon. He’s shown off his athleticism, rebounding effort, and improved shooting.
Carr inherited his hops from his father, former NBA player Chris Carr, and seems to have found a new level of confidence since arriving in Waco. He’s active on the glass, plays within himself, and projects as a low-usage 3-and-D wing. Don’t be surprised if he goes from relative unknown to potential 2026 NBA Draft pick.
Hamad Mousa — Cal Poly Mustangs
Maybe I’m reaching with this last one. Maybe I’m not. But I still believe in Hamad Mousa.
“Who is Hamad Mousa?” you might ask. He’s not on any draft boards — and I get why. But here’s why I’m still here writing about him.
I first saw Mousa at the 2024 Basketball Without Borders event in Indianapolis. That showcase featured future 2025 first-round picks like Khaman Maluach, Nolan Traore, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Ben Saraf, along with potential 2026 prospects Neoklis Avdalas (Virginia Tech), Christian Anderson (Texas Tech), and Shon Abaev (Cincinnati).
Even among that stacked group, the best player on the floor — to me — was Hamad Mousa.
The 6’8” Qatari wing did everything. He initiated the offense, made open jumpers, posted up smaller defenders, and even hit tough, moving shots. And it wasn’t just me — agents from major agencies were scrambling to get intel on the skinny kid with the big smile.
Mousa ultimately chose to play his freshman season at Dayton, where things didn’t go as planned. He appeared in only 20 games, averaging 7.6 minutes per contest. On the floor, he often looked lost — relegated to standing in the corner (what I call “being a corner boy”) or taking late-shot-clock heaves.
Fast forward to 2025: Mousa has transferred to Cal Poly, where he’ll try to regain his confidence in the Big West Conference. The Mustangs open the season on the road against USC — a tough but valuable test for the young forward.
Final Thoughts
Three players. Three different stories.
Can Boogie Fland help Florida repeat as national champions for only the second time in school history?
Are we looking at the next big thing with Cameron Carr?
Or am I crazy for thinking Hamad Mousa just had a great weekend?
Either way, I’m excited for opening night — and for everything this season has in store.
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James, one of the reasons I subscribe to the Big Board is to learn about guys like Hamad Mousa, who aren't in the headlines and who many tend to ignore. Maybe he's a prospect, maybe a suspect - it's an open question right now, and I'm looking forward to learning the answer.