Villanova has a history of impact big men in the lineup — especially during title runs over the last decade.
This year, Duke Brennan has taken on that role after transferring in from Grand Canyon, a team that Kevin Willard and the Terps knocked out of the NCAA Tournament last year.
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After taking the Villanova job, Willard recruited Brennan to town and he has been contributing at a high level ever since.
“Duke’s been great,” Willard said. “You can’t talk enough about Duke. I mean, [he’s] just taking his time, having some big finishes and again the guards [are] finding him.”
Brennan is averaging 12.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game this season while shooting 65.6% from the field. He has 11 double-doubles as well. The 6-foot-10 center has displayed an ability to protect the rim on the defensive end of the floor.
In a win against Creighton on Saturday, Brennan finished with 21 points on 8-for-9 from the field and 12 rebounds. The big man credited the guard play for the Wildcats in setting him up in a position to succeed.
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“They were a very physical team,” Brennan said following the win. “All the Big East is going to be physical, especially on the road. We were able to take that physicality. Our guards played great and they were able to find me so I give credit to them.”
Defensively, Brennan has been able to contest shots at the rim vertically without fouling. There have been times where he has ventured out to the perimeter on switches but the priority has been rebounding regardless of defensive position.
“They can all shoot the basketball,” Brennan said. “Going out there having to guard guards sometimes but I make sure to get back and crash the boards as well.”
Willard hit the transfer portal hard with the additions of Brennan and Devin Askew, who has is a contender for the Sixth Man of the Year award in the Big East. Brennan will continue to be a major factor for a Wildcats’ team that looks ready to return to the tournament.
