The college basketball season begins Monday. And with the transfer portal in overdrive the the past few years no one will blame you for not knowing who is playing where these days.
Big Ten teams were certainly busy in the portal. To get you ready for the season we asked beat reporters from across the USA TODAY Network which transfers will have biggest impact in 2025-26. Here are there answers:
Illinois: Andrej Stojakovic
Indiana: Lamar Wilkerson
Iowa: Bennett Stirtz
Maryland: Pharrel Payne
Take your pick. The Terrapins have an entirely new roster under first-year coach Buzz Williams. Of the 16 players, 15 are new. Former Indiana and Washington State point guard Myles Rice will likely steer the ship, but we’ll go with the anchor in the post. Payne comes to College Park with Peterson from College Station and averaged 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Aggies last season. He’s also familiar with the Big Ten, having started his college career at Minnesota.
Michigan: Morez Johnson Jr.
Michigan State: Trey Fort
Minnesota: Cade Tyson
A North Carolina native, Tyson’s lone season as a Tar Heel didn’t go as he had hoped. The 6-7 forward returned home after two standout seasons at Belmont (15 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 45% from 3 in 59 starts). At UNC last season, Tyson averaged under 8 minutes a game and 2.6 ppg and 1.1 rpg. He arrives at Minnesota as a key piece for Niko Medved to build on. So far so good. Tyson scored 29 points and six 3-pointers in an Oct. 16 exhibition vs. North Dakota State and scored 26 points in an exhibition against North Dakota, including 4-of-6 from behind the arc.
Nebraska: Ugnius Jarusevicius
A 6-10 forward from Lithuania, Jarusevicius was first-team All-MAC last season in his lone year at Central Michigan, averaging 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds. He led the MAC in double-doubles (eight) and had two 30-10 games last season for the Chippewas after arriving from Cal State Bakersfield. ‘Ugnius’ skill set fits well with our five-out system, and we are pleased to add someone of his size and ability to space the floor,’ Huskers coach Fred Hoiberg said after adding Jarusevicius from the portal.
Northwestern: Jayden Reid
Northwestern went in search of backcourt help now that Brooks Barnhizer is in the NBA and Ty Berry and Jalen Leach are gone, too. Chris Collins pulled Reid out of the portal from South Florida, where Reid led the Bulls in points (12.6), assists (3.6) and steals (1.8). ‘Jayden is a talented veteran lead guard that can impact the game on both ends of the floor,’ Wildcats coach Chris Collins said when Reid signed with Northwestern. ‘He plays with great toughness, competitiveness and a spirit which will fit in perfectly with the culture of our team.’
Ohio State: Christoph Tilly
The addition of Tilly didn’t get the national buzz that some of the more heralded big man transfers generated, but the senior from Santa Clara is positioned to help remake an Ohio State offense that too often got stuck in the mud a season ago. Tilly can stretch the floor and is viewed as a linchpin to how the Buckeyes want to attack. There’s no one else on this roster like him. — Adam Jardy, Columbus Dispatch
Oregon: Takai Simpkins
Purdue: Oscar Cluff
Rutgers: Tariq Francis
Francis arrives via nearby NJIT. He led the America East in scoring last season (19.2 ppg) and had 14 games of 20+ points. He shot 84% from the free-throw line and has made a 3-pointer in 45 straight games. Rutgers lost two lottery picks (Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey) and will have plenty of shots available. Francis should man one of the guard sports, alongside Jamichael Davis.
UCLA: Donovan Dent
The 2025 Mountain West Player of the Year and honorable mention All-American at New Mexico, Dent led the MWC in scoring (20.4) and was second in assists (6.4). He was first player since Ja Morant in 2018-19 with at least 600 points and 200 assists in the regular season. He’ll get to the free-throw line plenty (his 227 attempts last season were No. 19 in the nation).
USC: Chad Baker-Mazara
The Trojans have turned over most of their roster and landed some Final Four experience with the addition of Baker-Mazara from Auburn. The 26-year-old Baker-Mazara averaged 12.3 points and a team-high 1.2 steals per game last season while starting in 34 of Auburn’s 38 games. He was second on the team in scoring and earned third-team All-SEC honors.
Washington: Desmond Claude
Another take your pick. The Huskies only bring back two players from last season. A transfer from USC, Claude is already familiar with the Big Ten, finishing last season 12th in scoring in the conference (15.8 ppg). He led the Trojans in scoring and assists (4.2) assists and added 3.6 rebounds per game. Claude began his college career at Xavier, where he won Big East Most Improved Player as a sophomore.
Wisconsin: Nick Boyd
Boyd arrived in Madison after one NCAA tournament appearance with San Diego State and two appearances with Florida Atlantic, which includes the Owls’ improbable 2023 Final Four run. Boyd has quickly impressed coaches and teammates with his speed and other traits. He joins John Blackwell and Virginia transfer Andrew Rohde in what could be a dangerous backcourt trio in 2025-26. — John Steppe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Stay up to date with all of the latest Big Ten news with coverage of each school at USA TODAY’s Big Ten hub.
