Over a Third of College Basketball's Best Programs Just Went All In on the Transfer Portal and Nobody's Ready For It

The transfer portal has always been a thing in college basketball, but this offseason? It's become a full-scale invasion. Over a third of all high-major programs have added at least five new players this spring, according to CBB Analytics. That's not just roster tweaking. That's wholesale makeovers happening in days.

The reasons are all over the map: new coaches, rosters aging out, the occasional purge of underperformers. But what's striking is how many schools are swinging for the absolute fences at the same time. Teams aren't just filling out their benches with mid-major talent anymore. They're poaching some of the best high-major players directly from their peers. I'm calling them the Portal Avengers, and at least 30 high-major programs have already grabbed five transfers or more.

Indiana's Four Top-80 Haul Signals a Different Kind of Rebuild

Darian DeVries went heavy in the portal for the second straight spring, but this time it feels intentional. Last year he had to rebuild after taking over for Mike Woodson. This year, he chased proven high-major production, and it shows.

Markus Burton, ranked No. 18 in The Athletic's top 100 transfers, led the ACC in scoring in 2024-25 before injuries limited him to 10 games last season. At full strength, the 5-foot-11 guard is one of the most potent scorers in the country. Without the sky-high usage rate he carried at Notre Dame, he could be lethal in Bloomington.

Bryce Lindsay (No. 80) provides secondary scoring from Villanova, while Jaeden Mustaf and perimeter length give Indiana the wing depth they desperately need. But the frontcourt is the story. Aiden Sherrell (No. 20) was one of the most sought-after bigs on the market and pairs perfectly with Burton in the pick-and-roll. Samet Yigitoglu (No. 51), a 7-2 throwback center, operates entirely in the low post. That combination addresses Indiana's biggest weakness last season: the glass.

Louisville Lands the Top Transfer and a Steal in Shelstad

The Cardinals grabbed two top-10 transfers in their portal class, and while Flory Bidunga (No. 1) is the headline name, Jackson Shelstad might be the real prize. The Oregon guard played just 12 games last season due to a hand injury, but his skill set is tailor-made for Pat Kelsey's pace-and-space offense. His clutch scoring late in games could define Louisville's season if he stays healthy.

Bidunga, the 6-10 defensive anchor, is one of the best returning defenders in the sport. He's an elite rim protector who can switch to the perimeter, giving Louisville exactly what it lacked: a defensive centerpiece they can lean on when shots aren't falling.

Karter Knox (No. 89) is a career 36.1 percent 3-point shooter from Arkansas who'll find open looks under Kelsey. Alvaro Folgueiras (No. 47), who hit the game-winning shot against No. 1 Florida in the NCAA Tournament, is a creative passer who spaces the floor. This group has championship aspirations written all over it.

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