In the high-stakes world of college basketball, the transfer portal has become a double-edged sword, reshaping rosters and testing coaches’ mettle early in the season. For DePaul’s Bryce Drew, the portal’s whirlwind is hitting hard: former Blue Demons Tyon Grant-Foster is exploding onto the scene at Gonzaga, averaging 18.5 points per game, while Duke Brennan is pacing the nation in rebounding at Villanova with a staggering 14.2 boards per contest. As these ex-transfers thrive elsewhere, Drew’s squad scrambles to find its footing, highlighting the portal’s unforgiving nature in modern hoops.
- Tyon Grant-Foster’s Gonzaga Glow-Up: From DePaul Bench to National Spotlight
- Duke Brennan’s Rebounding Rampage: Villanova’s Portal Prize Leads NCAA in Boards
- Bryce Drew’s DePaul Dilemma: Rebuilding Amid Portal Departures and Early Struggles
- Portal’s Ripple Effects: How Transfers Are Redefining College Basketball Dynamics
- Season Ahead: What Lies in Store for Drew, His Ex-Stars, and the Portal Era
Tyon Grant-Foster’s Gonzaga Glow-Up: From DePaul Bench to National Spotlight
Just months after entering the transfer portal, Tyon Grant-Foster has transformed from a promising but underutilized talent at DePaul into a cornerstone for Gonzaga’s high-powered offense. The 6-foot-7 forward, who saw limited minutes under Drew last season—averaging only 8.2 points in 22 games—has erupted in Spokane, Washington. In Gonzaga’s first six games, Grant-Foster has notched three double-doubles, including a 22-point, 10-rebound masterpiece against Washington in a 90-76 win that had Bulldogs fans chanting his name.
“Tyon’s athleticism and shooting touch were always there,” said Gonzaga coach Mark Few in a post-game interview streamed on CBS Sports‘ live video feeds. “He’s fitting seamlessly into our system, and it’s exciting to watch him flourish.” Grant-Foster’s journey underscores the portal’s promise for players seeking bigger stages. At DePaul, defensive schemes often neutralized his slashing ability, but in Gonzaga’s fast-paced attack, he’s thriving, shooting 52% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
Stats don’t lie: According to CBS Sports‘ live scores and schedules tracker, Grant-Foster ranks in the top 20 nationally in scoring efficiency, with a player efficiency rating (PER) of 24.3. His impact extends off the court, too—social media buzz around his highlight-reel dunks has boosted Gonzaga’s fantasy games appeal, drawing more casual fans to the app. For Drew, watching from Chicago, it’s a stark reminder of untapped potential lost to the portal’s allure.
Deeper context reveals Grant-Foster’s transfer wasn’t impulsive. During DePaul’s 2023-24 campaign, which ended with a 3-29 record, the team ranked last in the Big East in offensive efficiency. Grant-Foster, a former top-100 recruit from Minneapolis, sought a program with NCAA Tournament aspirations. Gonzaga, perennial contenders with a 92% win rate over the past decade, provided that runway. “I needed a fresh start to showcase what I can do,” Grant-Foster told reporters after a 28-point outing versus Portland, a game covered extensively in CBS Sports news updates.
As the season unfolds, Grant-Foster’s success could propel Gonzaga toward another deep March run. Fantasy basketball enthusiasts are already drafting him highly in CBS Sports’ games, where his versatility—scoring inside, stretching the floor, and crashing boards—makes him a cheat code. For more on his stats, check CBS Sports’ video breakdowns, which dissect his footwork and decision-making with pro-level analysis.
Duke Brennan’s Rebounding Rampage: Villanova’s Portal Prize Leads NCAA in Boards
While Grant-Foster lights up scoreboards, Duke Brennan is owning the glass like few others in college basketball history. The 6-foot-10 center, who transferred from DePaul after averaging 7.1 rebounds in a reserve role, has catapulted Villanova to early-season dominance. Brennan’s 14.2 rebounds per game lead the nation, edging out even blue-chip freshmen like Purdue’s Zach Edey successors. In a gritty 78-65 victory over Temple, he hauled in 18 boards, including 7 offensive, turning misses into second-chance points that sealed the win.
“Duke’s motor is relentless,” Villanova coach Kyle Neptune praised during a CBS Sports halftime segment. “He’s not just rebounding; he’s altering the game on every possession.” Brennan’s portal move was a calculated risk. At DePaul, Drew’s system emphasized perimeter play, leaving big men like Brennan in the shadows. Now, in the rugged Big East wars at Villanova, he’s the focal point, anchoring a defense that ranks top-10 nationally in rebounding margin (+9.8).
Breaking down the numbers via CBS Sports’ schedules and scores: Brennan has double-digit rebounds in every start, with a field-goal percentage of 62% on put-backs. His story resonates emotionally—a walk-on turned scholarship player at DePaul, now a star at a program with two national titles in the last decade. “I always believed in my rebounding instincts,” Brennan shared in a video interview on CBS Sports’ platform. “Villanova gave me the opportunity to prove it every night.”
The broader narrative here ties into the transfer portal’s evolution. Since its inception in 2018, the portal has seen over 1,500 players move annually, per NCAA data. Brennan’s surge has fantasy leagues abuzz; in CBS Sports’ games, he’s the most-added big man, thanks to his double-double consistency. Live video highlights of his tip-ins and blocks are going viral, amplifying Villanova’s profile amid a competitive non-conference slate.
Challenges remain—Brennan’s free-throw shooting (68%) could be a liability in close games—but his presence has Villanova undefeated at 7-0, per the latest CBS Sports news. For Drew, it’s another portal punch: losing a blue-collar anchor who now embodies Villanova’s championship grit.
Bryce Drew’s DePaul Dilemma: Rebuilding Amid Portal Departures and Early Struggles
Bryce Drew, the former Vanderbilt star and current DePaul head coach, is no stranger to roster flux, but this season’s portal exodus has left his team in rebuild mode. With Grant-Foster and Brennan gone, along with three other transfers, DePaul’s rotation is patchwork, reflected in their 2-5 start. Drew, hired in 2020 to revive a dormant program, admits the adjustments are steep. “The portal changes everything—it’s about adapting faster than ever,” he said in a CBS Sports presser after a 72-58 loss to Loyola Chicago.
DePaul’s stats tell a tale of transition: They’re 14th in the Big East in scoring (68.4 PPG) and dead last in rebounding (32.1 per game), direct fallout from Brennan’s departure. Newcomers like freshman guard Jalen Terry show promise, dropping 15 points in a win over Chicago State, but cohesion lags. CBS Sports’ live scores show close games slipping away, like a buzzer-beater defeat to UIC.
Drew’s coaching pedigree—leading Valparaiso to the NCAA Tournament twice—fuels optimism, but the portal’s bevy of exits demands innovation. He’s leaned into analytics, installing a motion offense that boosts three-point attempts (35% usage). Quotes from players highlight the vibe: “Coach Drew keeps us focused; we’re building something strong,” center Nick Mariniello told CBS Sports video reporters.
Contextually, DePaul’s woes aren’t isolated. Big East rivals like Seton Hall have thrived post-portal, going 8-1 with transfers contributing 60% of scoring. Fantasy players eyeing DePaul in CBS Sports games note their value in upset picks, but schedules loom tough—upcoming tilts against Providence and Xavier test the mettle. Drew’s challenge: Forge identity without his top talents, using the portal’s chaos as a rallying cry.
Off-court, Drew emphasizes development. His staff has ramped up film sessions, drawing from CBS Sports’ video archives for scouting. The strong fan base, though frustrated, remains engaged via live streams and news updates, hopeful for a turnaround.
Portal’s Ripple Effects: How Transfers Are Redefining College Basketball Dynamics
The transfer portal isn’t just shuffling players; it’s reshaping the sport’s landscape, forcing coaches like Drew to navigate uncharted waters. In 2024, over 2,000 athletes entered the portal, a 15% jump from last year, per CBS Sports news analysis. Success stories like Grant-Foster and Brennan amplify its allure, but pitfalls abound—nearly 40% of transfers see diminished roles elsewhere.
Experts weigh in: ESPN’s Jay Bilas, in a CBS Sports crossover segment, noted, “The portal democratizes opportunity but demands smarter recruiting.” For Gonzaga and Villanova, it’s paid dividends; their early wins (combined 13-1) stem from portal hauls. DePaul, conversely, illustrates the downside—roster turnover hit 70%, per team trackers.
Stats underscore the shift: Portal players now average 28% of national scoring, up from 15% pre-2020. Fantasy games on CBS Sports reflect this, with transfer-heavy teams dominating drafts. Schedules are more unpredictable; upsets like No. 15 seed oral commitments toppling powers trace to portal mismatches.
Emotional angles abound: Players like Grant-Foster speak of empowerment, escaping mismatched fits. Coaches adapt via NIL collectives, luring talent with deals. CBS Sports’ video series, “Portal Pulse,” dives deep, featuring interviews and more on how it’s evolving hoops.
Broader implications touch NCAA rules—proposed caps on transfers could stabilize rosters. For now, it’s a wild west, with live scores flipping narratives nightly.
Season Ahead: What Lies in Store for Drew, His Ex-Stars, and the Portal Era
As conference play beckons, the paths diverge dramatically. Gonzaga, bolstered by Grant-Foster, eyes a top seed in the West Coast Conference, with CBS Sports schedules projecting 25+ wins. Their fantasy appeal soars, with Grant-Foster’s name in Heisman-like buzz for hoops awards.
Villanova, riding Brennan’s rebounding wave, could reclaim Big East supremacy. Neptune’s squad faces ranked foes like Kansas soon—live video coverage on CBS Sports will be must-watch, potentially vaulting Brennan to All-American status.
For Drew and DePaul, the horizon holds hurdles but hope. A strong second-half surge could salvage the season, perhaps sneaking into the NIT. Drew’s recruiting class, ranked top-50, signals rebuilding intent. Portal windows reopen in May, offering chances to restock.
Ultimately, this saga spotlights college basketball’s new normal: Fluid rosters, high drama, and endless what-ifs. Fans, tune into CBS Sports for live scores, news, schedules, fantasy games, video highlights, and more—because in the portal era, every game writes the next chapter.
