Oklahoma Just Solved Its Biggest Frontcourt Problem For Next Season

Oklahoma's basketball roster gets a major boost with the addition of star center Duke Brennan from Villanova, aiming to fill a pivotal gap in their frontcourt lineup.

Oklahoma’s frontcourt search ended with a big one.

Villanova transfer Duke Brennan has committed to the Sooners, giving Porter Moser the starting center he was still chasing and plugging the biggest hole on the roster. Brennan arrives as one of the most productive bigs in the transfer pool and should step right into Oklahoma’s lineup.

The Sooners have now added two major five-for-five pieces, pairing Brennan with former SMU guard BJ Edwards. That gives Oklahoma a real late-offseason boost on both ends of the floor, with the backcourt and frontcourt both getting upgraded in short order.

Brennan’s eligibility came through following the latest development in the Colorado class-action lawsuit, just like Edwards. And even if that ruling gets overturned, Brennan still appears protected after recently receiving a temporary restraining order in California. The result is two layers of legal protection for the 2026-27 season.

On the court, Brennan’s numbers jump off the page. In his lone season at Villanova, he averaged 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, shot 65.8% from the field and tied the program record with 14 double-doubles. That earned him third-team All-Big East honors.

He also made a little history, becoming the first Villanova player since Harold Pressley in 1985-86 to average at least 10 rebounds per game.

Brennan had plenty of big nights along the way. He scored a career-high 24 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting against Pittsburgh and was later named MVP of the Big Five Classic. He added 21 points and 12 rebounds on 8-of-9 shooting in a road win over Creighton, put up 16 points and 14 rebounds at UConn, and followed that with 20 points and 13 rebounds against Xavier.

His postseason line was solid too: 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and eight rebounds against Utah State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Before Villanova, Brennan spent two seasons at Grand Canyon and kept producing. In 2024-25, he averaged 10.4 points and 9.2 rebounds, shot 64.6% from the field, earned second-team All-WAC and WAC All-Defensive Team honors, and helped Grand Canyon win the WAC Tournament championship. He also posted 10 double-doubles that season.

Put it all together, and Oklahoma is getting what it needed most: an experienced interior presence who rebounds, finishes efficiently and doesn’t need a ton of touches to matter. Brennan should bring physicality, steady production and a reliable presence around the rim right away.

Edwards gave the Sooners help in the backcourt. Brennan does the same inside. And with roster and NIL flexibility entering the five-for-five market, Oklahoma has now used it to land two players who can make an immediate impact next season.

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