Every year, there are multiple teams that are hit extremely hard by the transfer portal. These teams are rendered unrecognizable from the previous season. Coaching changes, off years, NIL money, and more can be reasons for a mass exodus from a given program, and in 2025, three prominent Big Ten schools are some of the programs that have suffered the most.
Indiana Hoosiers Returning 0 Scholarship Players from 2024-25
The writing has been on the wall for big changes coming to Indiana for a long time now. In February, it was stated that the university would part ways with head coach Mike Woodson after the conclusion of the season. Woodson had been with the Hoosiers since 2021.
Now that the transfer portal has officially opened, the team has now lost every scholarship player from last year. In addition to a group of seniors and those out of eligibility, the rest of Indiana’s roster has put their name in the transfer portal. Big names like Mackenzie Mgbako, Myles Rice, and Bryson Tucker will all be elsewhere next season.
New head coach Darian DeVries has a lot of work to do to assemble a new squad. So far, Indiana has yet to add a player in the portal, but Darian’s son Tucker DeVries seems like a likely starting point.
Maryland’s “Crab Five” Fully Disassembled After One Season
Maryland Terrapins fans enjoyed a tremendous season from a squad of mostly new players. After an enjoyable run to the Sweet 16, the program has now lost their entire starting 5 and their head coach.
The team’s two big men, Julian Reese and Derik Queen, will both be gone next year. Reese is out of eligibility, where Queen is certain to put his name in the NBA Draft. Another starter, Selton Miguel, is also out of eligibility. It was going to be a tough reset nonetheless, but the dramatic departure of head coach Kevin Willard made things even more dire.
Willard’s messy split saw the head man on his way to Villanova, and this move accelerated the collapse of Maryland. Guards Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice were in the portal not 24 hours later, as well as exciting freshman DeShawn Harris-Smith.
Maryland guard DeShawn Harris-Smith has entered the transfer portal. Harris-Smith was the fourth-highest ranked recruit in program history, and a 2024 Big Ten All-Freshman selection.
Stat line: 2.5 Pts, 2.4 Reb, 1 Ast pic.twitter.com/3pJqTK8DGt
— Inside Maryland Sports (@Terrapins247) April 1, 2025
Iowa Hawkeyes Helpless as Key Pieces Flee to the Portal
The Hawkeyes, like Indiana, had a notable head coaching change this offseason. Following a rough season, long-time boss Fran McCaffrey has left the program. In response, most of Iowa’s key players are also on their way out.
Star big man, rising sophomore Owen Freeman, has already gone to Creighton. Guard Josh Dix is drawing heavy interest from many schools, including some rival ones. Guards Brock Harding and Pryce Sandfort are also gone. Harding has already joined TCU.
NEWS: Iowa transfer Owen Freeman, the top-ranked center in the portal, has committed to Creighton, he told @On3sports.
The 6-10 sophomore averaged 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game this season. https://t.co/MUxgtk7NGO pic.twitter.com/MEf8vn00JK
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 26, 2025
Iowa has already begun their reload as new head coach Ben McCollum has brought some big names with him from Drake. Star man Bennett Stirtz has already committed, and ex-Miami Hurricane Isaiah Johnson-Arigu is also on the way.
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