Gonzaga climbs college basketball power rankings following transfer portal addition
The deadline to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft passed last week, providing a greater view of what the college basketball landscape is going to look like come the fall. Though Gonzaga didn’t have to worry about any last-minute draft decisions, Mark Few and company did get news out of the transfer portal on the […]
The deadline to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft passed last week, providing a greater view of what the college basketball landscape is going to look like come the fall.
Though Gonzaga didn’t have to worry about any last-minute draft decisions, Mark Few and company did get news out of the transfer portal on the day of the draft withdrawal deadline, when former Grand Canyon forward Tyon Grant-Foster announced his commitment to the Bulldogs for the 2025-26 season pending an eligibility waiver from the NCAA.
Assuming Grant-Foster is granted a seventh year of college hoops, the Zags landed quite the versatile wing who can make an impact on both ends of the floor. In 83 career games at the Division-I level, including 52 starts, Grant-Foster averaged 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks.
Several credible outlets and college basketball personnel updated their respective offseason rankings for the 2025-26 campaign, with Gonzaga placed somewhere in the top 25 of most pecking orders:
Previous ranking: N/R Projected starting lineup: Smith, Grant-Foster, Miller, Huff, Ike Their analysis: Moore, who started his analysis by apologizing for omitting Gonzaga in his previous rankings post, placed the Bulldogs in the top 15 of his current pecking order following confirmation that Graham Ike will be returning for a sixth year of college hoops. Along with sharpshooting wing Adam Miller playing in his fifth season, as well as 24-year-old Steele Venters and 25-year-old Grand Canyon transfer Tyon Grant-Foster, Moore made definite note of the Zags’ age and experience while laying out their newcomers and departures.
“So the Zags have a table setter, an elite wing scorer, a couple of old knockdown shooters and two elite post-up guys in Ike and Braden Huff, who will inevitably end up an All-American by the time he’s finished in Spokane,” Moore wrote. “It’s possible I haven’t overcorrected enough on my previous mistake.”
Moore ranked three of Gonzaga’s confirmed nonconference opponents for next season: Kentucky (No. 9), UCLA (No. 18) and Creighton (No. 22). Oklahoma was one of nine teams that just missed out on a spot in his top 25.
Previous ranking: No. 21 (following Miller commitment) Projected starting lineup: Smith, Warley, Miller, Ike, Huff Their analysis: While Rothstein made note of Grant-Foster’s commitment to Gonzaga, the college basketball insider didn’t project the 6-foot-7 forward to make the Bulldogs’ starting five while updating his daily offseason rankings. Instead, the starting nod next to the Smith-Miller backcourt went to Warley, a transfer from Virginia who redshirted this past season after signing with the Zags in October. As pointed out in Rothstein’s rankings, Grant-Foster is in need of a waiver from the NCAA in order to play a seventh season of college hoops.
Five of Gonzaga’s confirmed nonconference opponents made it onto Rothstein’s top 45 teams for next season: UCLA (No. 6), Kentucky (No. 12), Creighton (No. 25), Oklahoma (No. 41) and Baylor (No. 44). Saint Mary’s rounded out the list at No. 45.
Previous ranking: No. 22 Projected starting lineup: Smith, Miller, Grant-Foster, Huff, Ike Their analysis: Despite some lingering concerns over their perimeter depth, Borzello moved the Zags up three spots after the acquisition of Grant-Foster, the former Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year recipient who committed to Gonzaga in late May.
“The Zags get a bump in the rankings after landing Grand Canyon transfer Tyon Grant-Foster, one of the most talented scorers in the country — he averaged just 14.8 points last season but put up 20.1 points in 2023-24,” Borzello wrote.
Borzello had three of the Zags’ confirmed nonconference opponents for next season ranked in his top 25: Kentucky (No. 9), UCLA (No. 15) and Creighton (No. 22).
Previous ranking: No. 21 Their analysis: The Zags haven’t moved up or down in Parrish’s Top 25 and 1 rankings since they checked in at the No. 21 spot in early May. The top of Parrish’s order did change over the past month, however, as St. John’s moved up to No. 1, followed by Houston, BYU, Purdue and UConn in the top five.
The Bruins (No. 10) and Wildcats (No. 12) were the only teams from Gonzaga’s 2025-26 nonleague schedule that appeared in Parrish’s latest rankings.
Previous ranking: No. 22 Their analysis: Sweeney moved the Zags up one spot in his latest rankings, while noting the Zags haven’t finished outside of KenPom’s top 25 since 2010-11 — a streak Sweeney believes will continue into 2025-26.
“I wouldn’t bet on that streak ending this season with a loaded frontcourt that should see veterans Graham Ike and Braden Huff in featured roles,” Sweeney wrote. “Point guard play is worth monitoring: Colgate transfer Braeden Smith redshirted last year behind Ryan Nembhard and the Bulldogs are also expected to add backcourt talent from the international ranks.”
Sweeney ranked Kentucky (No. 7), UCLA (No. 19) and Baylor (No. 24) as well, while Creighton just missed the cut.
Previous ranking: N/A (debut) Their analysis: The only ranking from a computer on this list, Torvik’s first projections for the 2025-26 season had the Bulldogs at No. 24 overall with the No. 18-ranked offense and No. 28-ranked defense in the country based on efficiency. The Zags finished last season at No. 8 overall with the No. 10-ranked offense and No. 28-ranked defense, according to Torvik. Ike is projected to be the team’s top contributor once again, this time followed by Huff and Grant-Foster.
Big Ten and Big 12 in public dispute over future of College Football Playoff
At the Big 12 media days, commissioner Brett Yormark was very upfront about what the College Football Playoff expansion should look like. He continues to beat the drum of five automatic qualifiers with eleven at-large bids chosen by the College Football Playoff committee. He fired back at Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, who is pushing […]
At the Big 12 media days, commissioner Brett Yormark was very upfront about what the College Football Playoff expansion should look like. He continues to beat the drum of five automatic qualifiers with eleven at-large bids chosen by the College Football Playoff committee. He fired back at Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, who is pushing for more automatic qualifiers, with four each going to the Big Ten and the SEC, and only two each for the Big 12 and ACC, and a small amount of at-large.
The commissioners of the Big Ten and Big 12 couldn’t be farther apart on what they think is best for the expanded CFP.
The Big 12’s Brett Yormark is doubling down on the 5+11 format, while the Big Ten’s Tony Petitti wants four auto bids for his conference.
Tony Petitti and Brett Yormark aren’t hiding their disagreement over the CFP’s expansion
Petitti joined CBS Sports’ Joel Klatt a few weeks ago to talk about the College Football Playoff expansion and how a decision needs to be made by December 1. He believes the Big Ten and the SEC are due more bids than other conferences, and he doubts that increasing the committee’s at-large choices will make a difference.
““If you go to 16, and you have 11 at-large, you just added even more decision-making…We’ll stipulate the committee does the best job they can. This is not to say the (committee) doesn’t do a good job…They make incredibly difficult decisions based on data…When you start comparing teams that don’t have a head to head and you have very little data to look at between leagues, that becomes really difficult.””
Tony Petitti, Big Ten Commissioner
Brett Yormark thinks that’s a terrible idea and was very clear to voice his disdain over it during the Big 12 media days. He called it a professional model like the NFL and thinks college football should act like college football. There’s a reason it’s different in his mind, and that conferences should be working for the good of all of football, not just their own conference. Which ironically is what Yormark is being accused of by advocating for the 5+11 model.
““We have the responsibility to do what’s right for college football … not what’s right for one or two or more conferences. I think 5-11 is fair. Earn it on the field, assuming we want to expand. I love the current format, but if we’re going to expand, let’s do it in a way that’s fair and equitable and gives everyone a chance.””
Brett Yormark, Big 12 Commissioner
The Big Ten and the SEC have yet to have their media days, and so there will be more expansion thoughts publicly broadcast as the dispute has come out in the open. It’s hard to know how it will all shake out, but the December 1 deadline is looming.
LAS VEGAS — There is a four-word sentence that would have been difficult to ever imagine typing even just a few days ago. Mike Gundy is right. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. 0
Stalions’ Wild Rant, Finebaum’s Texas Prediction, and SCORE Act Impact on NIL
Connor Stalions, a former Michigan football analyst, sparked controversy with a wild response to TCU coach Sonny Dykes’ comments about Michigan’s sign-stealing methods during the 2022 College Football Playoff. Stalions claimed he was never fooled by opponents and criticized the performance of Michigan players in that game. The outburst came as Michigan faces potential NCAA […]
Connor Stalions, a former Michigan football analyst, sparked controversy with a wild response to TCU coach Sonny Dykes’ comments about Michigan’s sign-stealing methods during the 2022 College Football Playoff. Stalions claimed he was never fooled by opponents and criticized the performance of Michigan players in that game. The outburst came as Michigan faces potential NCAA repercussions, with a ruling expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, a new Texas vs. Ohio State matchup has the college football world buzzing, especially after analyst Paul Finebaum confidently predicts a Longhorns victory. Additionally, the SCORE Act introduced in Congress could reshape NIL regulations for college athletes.
By the Numbers
Stalions admitted to knowing “almost every signal” against seven high-profile opponents between 2021 and 2022.
Brice Sensabaugh scored 37 points in the NBA’s Salt Lake City Summer League, setting a new record.
Yes, But
While Stalions’ comments stirred controversy, they also highlight the ongoing debate over competitive integrity in college sports. Critics may view his outburst as an attempt to deflect blame from Michigan’s performance, raising questions about accountability.
State of Play
The NCAA investigation into Michigan’s sign-stealing practices is ongoing, with a ruling expected within 30 to 90 days.
Ohio State’s football season opener against Texas is set for August 30, with both teams highly anticipated in the upcoming college season.
What’s Next
The NCAA’s impending decision could significantly impact Michigan’s season and coaching staff, while the new NCAA landscape may reshape NIL deals for athletes across the country. As the college football schedule approaches, the Texas vs. Ohio State game is positioned to draw significant attention.
Bottom Line
The unfolding drama around Connor Stalions and the NCAA investigation reflects broader issues in college sports, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in athletic programs. With looming regulatory changes, the landscape of college athletics is poised for significant transformation.
Highest-rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Iowa |
Highest-rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Iowa The recruiting race for the Class of 2026 is already heating up — not just on the field, but in the increasingly complex ecosystem of modern college football, where NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals are reshaping how programs and players navigate early recruitment. For elite underclassmen, […]
Highest-rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Iowa
The recruiting race for the Class of 2026 is already heating up — not just on the field, but in the increasingly complex ecosystem of modern college football, where NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals are reshaping how programs and players navigate early recruitment. For elite underclassmen, talent alone is no longer the only factor drawing attention; marketability, social media presence, and brand potential are now playing pivotal roles in how offers are extended and decisions are made. The top recruits in the 2026 cycle are not only physically advanced and highly skilled — they’re entering high school with endorsement potential and media savviness.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Iowa using data from 247Sports. Here’s the players from Iowa set to dominate Saturdays (and potentially Sundays) for years to come.
Le’Veon Moss arrest: Mike Elko releases statement on Texas A&M RB
Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss was arrested early this morning for disorderly conduct. Mike Elko has now since addressed the incident regarding his team’s leading rusher last fall. Elko has shared a statement about Moss this afternoon. It was a straightforward one at this time as the Aggies are aware of the matter and intend […]
Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss was arrested early this morning for disorderly conduct. Mike Elko has now since addressed the incident regarding his team’s leading rusher last fall.
Elko has shared a statement about Moss this afternoon. It was a straightforward one at this time as the Aggies are aware of the matter and intend to handle it within the program at A&M.
“We are aware of the situation regarding Le’Veon Moss and will handle the matter internally,” said Elko per Carter Karels at GigEm247.
KBTX in College Station reported on the arrest this morning that took place around 1 a.m. CT. Moss was apparently involved in an argument where he was threatening and “speaking aggressively” someone else. After attempts were made by law enforcement and those in his party to calm him, Moss, as well as someone else with him at the time, were placed under arrest. No other details are known at this time of what caused the incident to begin with. That all comes per KBTX’s Rusty Surett.
Moss has spent the past three seasons with the Aggies. He, in 25 appearances in his career at the school, has 244 carries for 1,363 yards, at 54.5 yards per game and 5.6 per attempt, and 16 touchdowns when rushing. That includes what was a career-best season for him in nine starts last fall as a junior where he had 121 carries for 765 yards, averaging 85 a game and 6.3 per carry, and 10 scores, making him their leading rusher and a selection to the All-SEC Second Team. However, he had a season-ending injury in a loss on November 2nd at South Carolina which kept him out of their final four games.
More could come on this matter at SEC Media Days this week with Texas A&M to be the final team on the schedule with their appearance being last on Thursday. This was pretty clear by Elko, though, with the Aggies likely to only say so much on Moss’ arrest as they handle it themselves internally.
Kentucky’s interest in 4-star 2026 PF Cam Williams “starting to pick up”
Kentucky men’s basketball is looking to land its first 2026 commitment, but there are plenty of options out there still regularly hearing from the Wildcats. A new name to monitor is four-star power forward Cam Williams (no, not the Kam Williams already on Kentucky’s current roster). The 6-foot-11 prospect out of Arizona is considered the […]
Kentucky men’s basketball is looking to land its first 2026 commitment, but there are plenty of options out there still regularly hearing from the Wildcats.
A new name to monitor is four-star power forward Cam Williams (no, not the Kam Williams already on Kentucky’s current roster). The 6-foot-11 prospect out of Arizona is considered the No. 16 overall rising high school senior in the country, according to On3. He spoke with KSR at the adidas 3SSB Championships in Rock Hill, SC, on Friday to talk about the Wildcats’ recent push in his recruitment.
“It’s good, it’s starting to pick up,” Williams said of his communication with UK. “Couple days ago, I talked to Coach Mark Pope over the phone, he FaceTimed me, and we just had a good talk, we got to know each other and he was telling me about Kentucky and all that stuff.”
“(Pope) wanted to see where my mindset was on recruiting and if I was still open,” Williams added. “He was just trying to get to know me and my family.”
I’ve become a BIG fan of Cam Williams (Compton Magic 17u) over the last few days.
The 6’11” forward moves so well for his size, has some explosive athleticism to add to his length, and passes the ball well both from the perimeter and in the post.
Kentucky has not extended an offer to Williams (the only school he’s still considering yet to do so), but a connection is quickly forming. Pope, along with assistant coach Jason Hart, have been ramping up the contact since they watched Williams play in Iowa during the second 3SSB session back in May. Hart was the first one to speak with him, even talking with Williams’ coaches and parents, and their relationship has been growing ever since.
Pope has been paying extra close attention to Williams’ games in Rock Hill, SC, this week since college coaches were allowed in the gym starting Thursday. Suiting up for Compton Magic alongside top-five 2027 prospect Bruce Branch III — also a Kentucky target — Williams has noticed Pope watching from the baseline.
“It means a lot, you know?” Williams said of UK coaches coming to his games. “A lot of coaches are here for me, but the biggest thing for me is communication, and they’re starting to pick that up.”
As of right now, Williams has official visits locked in with Purdue, Texas, Duke, and Arizona for September and October. Southern California and North Carolina are also on his radar. A trip to Lexington has not been scheduled, but he says Kentucky coaches have talked about it happening down the road. Williams plans to take his recruitment into next spring with plans of making a decision after his senior season ends.
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