Shifts in College Basketball: The Return of Big Men
The highly anticipated face-off between towering players in men’s college basketball initially felt like a curiosity. On one side stood UW center Donovan Clingan, measuring in at an impressive 7’1¾ with a wingspan of 7’6¾, and a notable weight of 282 pounds. On the other, Purdue’s Zach Eady loomed even larger at 7’3¾, with a wingspan stretching to 7’10¾, plus a weight of 306 pounds.
When Eady tipped the jump ball to Braden Smith, the 2024 Men’s National Championship game kicked off. At that moment, it seemed few understood the significance of this contest for the future of college basketball.
Some NBA scouts even likened these two standout centers to rare species. It was noted that, historically, giants like Eady and Clingan would have captured attention at the highest levels, but the game has shifted. The traditional big man is now seen as an accessory in a fast-paced, three-point-dominant landscape.
Even with their explosive performances, NBA teams chose to draft a 3-and-D wing with the top pick in that year’s draft. Clingan dropped to seventh, faced with skepticism about his conditioning and offensive impact. Meanwhile, Eady surprised many by being selected ninth overall, which led to critiques branding it “one of the worst picks ever” from a respectable source.
In just a few years, it’s possible that Clingan and Eady could both find themselves among the top five picks in a re-draft, or even at numbers one and two. However, their immediate legacy is evident in the influence they’ve had on college basketball since their exits.
Like all sports, college basketball tends to mimic trends. The impressive performances by Clingan and Eady have prompted top programs to seek even taller recruits, particularly evident in the upcoming 2026 Final Four.
The Michigan Wolverines have thrown themselves into this trend by adding three former centers to their starting lineup, striving to create the best front court in college basketball. The Arizona Wildcats’ success hinges significantly on Motiejus Krivas, a 7’2, 260-pound center from Lithuania with a wingspan of 7’5. Interestingly, the Illinois Fighting Illini have emerged as the tallest team nationwide, boasting an average height of 80 inches, or 6 feet 6.5. The University of Connecticut, despite needing a miracle to best Duke—the second tallest team—relied heavily on center Taris Reed, who carries a wingspan of 7’5 and weighs 260 pounds.
Traditionally, the point guard role has been considered the most crucial in men’s college basketball. But honestly, after seeing this season unfold, that seems a bit questionable.
To grasp how college basketball is experiencing a resurgence of big men, it’s essential to acknowledge the aspect of scarcity. The average height in the U.S. is around 5’9, with only about 1% of men worldwide measuring 6’4. In today’s environment, a 6’4 player is typically expected to play point guard. Notably, breakout freshman sensation Keaton Wagler, representing Illinois, stands at 6’6 in the Final Four. If point guards are evolving to be taller, it stands to reason that taller players also are becoming more prevalent.
To uncover a more modern interpretation of the center role, college basketball coaches had to broaden their horizons. The international basketball boom following the 1992 Olympic Dream Team led to a surge in foreign-born athletes participating in college basketball, although some coaches recognized this earlier than others.
“We looked at the scale of the planet,” commented Purdue coach Matt Painter regarding the competition during the 2024 Final Four. “We try to go out and scout talent; it’s been proven to be effective.”
Other coaches are starting to follow suit. Michigan’s starting center Aday Mara, born in Spain, stands at 7’3 with a wingspan of 7’7. The University of Illinois secured twins Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivicic from the Balkans, both measuring 7’2 and capable of shooting three-pointers like wings. Arizona found Krivas in Lithuania after his stint with EuroLeague’s Zalgiris.
An added influence has been how analytics have transformed coaching perceptions. It’s more complex than merely stating that three points outweigh two. For years, NBA coaches shied away from aggressive offensive rebounding, fearing it would harm transition defense. Only one team had an offensive rebound rate above 30% as recently as the 2020-21 season. Fast forward to this year, and 16 teams surpassed that mark, which reflects a notable shift in strategic thinking.
At present, possessing skills in rebounding seems just as vital, if not more so, than seeking three-point shots. To enhance your team’s potential, focusing on offensive rebounds is key. Having a strong player who possesses a size and strength advantage is crucial. And, naturally, discipline in minimizing turnovers and capitalizing on free throws complements that effort.
The transfer portal has further revolutionized recruiting dynamics. Coaches previously waited for years for players to develop, but now they can recruit those who have already faced early challenges, effectively picking from the cream of the crop post-development.
“We’ve spent countless hours and effort in recruiting 15- to 18-year-olds, and it can feel wasteful when they choose a different path,” shared a coach before the Final Four. “It’s made recruiting much more efficient.”
May successfully brought Mara from UCLA after a couple of rocky seasons. Illinois capitalized on “Big Z” Ivicic after he cycled through Kentucky and Arkansas under John Calipari. Texas advanced to the Sweet 16 this season, powered by 7-footer Matas Vokietaitis, who found success after his freshman year at Florida Atlantic. Florida’s elite frontcourt was bolstered by the addition of Ruben Chiniel, whose wingspan measures an impressive 7’8.
All these factors contribute to the revival of big men in college basketball, and it might just be the beginning of a lasting trend.
When University of Kentucky’s Mark Pope was asked about facing Rick Pitino’s team from St. John’s last December, he might have inadvertently captured the essence of the current obsession with large players in college basketball.
“Smash. Mouth. Basketball,” Pope remarked. “I think it’s going to be really fun, perhaps even a bit ugly and brutal. It’ll be awesome. But, will this style endure? That remains to be seen.”
This year, the strongest teams in college basketball have taken steps toward this trend. Programs lacking size are going into their offseasons committed to bulking up. Houston’s 6’8 big man struggled against Illinois’ dominance in the Sweet 16. This coming season, Coach Kelvin Sampson will unleash five-star recruit Arafan Diane, a 7’1, 300-pound player with a wingspan of 7’4, at the center position.
It’s key to note that Arizona wouldn’t have even reached the Final Four without point guard Jaden Bradley, who is only ranked fourth in the team’s BPM. If Michigan misses out on the national championship, it’s likely due to some inconsistency in their guard play. The core strength of UW’s roster and the massive presence of the University of Illinois players have been just as significant as Wagler’s performance. The top two teams that didn’t reach the Final Four this season, Florida and Duke, consistently proved their superiority through size.
Historically, many of the greatest players in college basketball have been big men. From George Mikan and Bill Russell to Lou Alcindor and Bill Walton, moving on to Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon, and reaching Patrick Ewing, Tim Duncan, Anthony Davis, and now Eady. Pursuing size isn’t exactly a new strategy, but with teams increasingly recognizing the limitations of small ball and the narrow margins of high-volume three-point shooting, it feels more crucial than ever. Arizona, despite ranking low in three-point percentage, continues to dominate their competition through sheer size and athleticism.
There’s a recurring sentiment in college basketball that winning often hinges on the point guard’s performance. While that’s partially true, it’s worth questioning: does anyone truly prefer a star point guard over a star big man in today’s game?
