Braden Huff's Near-70% Two-Point Shooting: Why Gonzaga's Frontcourt Just Went Nuclear

Alright, you ready for this, fam? Because Wednesday night was *wild* for college basketball, and honestly, I don't think everyone's clocked just how big it was. The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline hit at 11:59 p.m. ET, and while the pros are busy with their own thing, the college game just got a massive shot in the arm. We're talking about players who could have gone pro, opting to stay and run it back, and it's going to make the 2026-27 season absolutely electric. Forget about boring offseasons, these guys are making moves that'll reshape the landscape.

Duke's Clutch Problem? Meet John Blackwell.

Seriously, Blue Devil fans should be sending thank-you notes to, well, whoever or whatever made John Blackwell decide to stay. This dude was projected as a second-round pick at best, but he's staying put, and it's a game-changer for Duke. We're talking about a player who averaged 19.1 points per game and shot 38.9% from beyond the arc. And it wasn't just against nobodies, either. He dropped four 20-plus point games against top-15 opponents last season! You know how Duke has struggled closing out games sometimes? Blackwell is that three-level scorer who can take those big, crunch-time shots. That's a huge boost, and it means Duke is poised for something serious.

Texas Just Got a Sweet 16 Savior Back

And speaking of big returns, Matas Vokietaitis staying at Texas? That's just pure gold. This guy had his best regular season as a sophomore, then turned it up a notch when it mattered most, helping Texas claw its way into the Sweet 16. Remember his insane performance against BYU in the first round? A massive 23 points and 16 rebounds! And then he followed that up with 17 points and nine boards in the second-round win against Gonzaga. Vokietaitis is a tireless force in the frontcourt. Combine his return with Texas pulling in one of the best transfer portal hauls in the entire country, and the Longhorns are looking dangerous for 2026-27. You love to see a team build like that!

Gonzaga's Monster Man Returns, And He's Efficient AF

But let's talk about our neighbors across the state, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, because Braden Huff is back, and honestly, the league isn't ready. This guy is an uber-efficient big man, with a soft touch around the rim that makes defenders scratch their heads. He finally got starter minutes for the first time in his career, and what did he do? He took his efficiency to a whole new level, shooting nearly 70% on two-pointers. That's not just good, folks, that would have put him in the top-30 players *in the entire country*. The dude was playing at an All-American level before a freak knee injury in January ended his season way too soon. With Huff back in the paint, Gonzaga just secured one of the best returning big men anywhere. So, what does all this mean? It means college basketball is officially back on notice. With players like Blackwell, Vokietaitis, and especially Huff deciding to stay, the 2026-27 season is going to be absolutely loaded. Get ready to watch these guys make some noise when the season tips off. It's gonna be a show!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.