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10 Glue Guys to monitor during the 2025-26 college basketball season

This is ONLY September!

Check out our list below of 10 Glue Guys to monitor during the 2025-26 college basketball season.

In no particular order:

Skyy Clark, UCLA: Clark had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 91:38 a year ago in his first season with the Bruins after tallying an assist-to-turnover ratio of 87:88 two years ago when he was at Louisville. A capable defender and timely three-point shooter (39.7 percent), look for the 6-3 Clark to be a steadying influence alongside UCLA’s potential All-Big Ten trio of Donovan Dent, Eric Dailey, and Tyler Bilodeau. 

Mouhamed Dioubate, Kentucky: Dioubate owned 50/50 plays when he was at Alabama and he’ll be expected to do the same this season at Rupp Arena. This versatile forward isn’t necessarily getting the most attention out of the guys that the Wildcats added out of the transfer portal, but he may wind up being one of the most important additions for Kentucky in its second season under Mark Pope. Whatever “it” is, Dioubate possesses. 

Joseph Tugler, Houston: A unique talent who can have a tremendous impact on a game without demanding shots, the 6-8 Tugler is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and could be the National Defensive Player of the Year in 2025-26. You can’t measure what this guy does by just looking at a box score. 

Tre Holloman, NC State: Holloman played a key role in Michigan State’s run to the Elite Eight last March and he’ll be counted on to play a major part in what the Wolfpack hopes is a revival under Will Wade. This veteran point guard knows that he’s good at and is good at what he knows. Holloman boasts an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.5:1 during his three-year college career. ,

Chendall Weaver, Texas: Sean Miller got an up close look of how Weaver can affect a game without scoring when Xavier played Texas last March in the First Four. Now that they’re both in Austin together, expect a marriage that’s destined for great things. The 6-3 Weaver only played 20 games last season due to injury, but possesses the toughness, experience, and savvy to emerge into the best perimeter defender in the SEC in 2025-26. 

Maliq Brown, Duke: Like a Queen on a chess board, the 6-9 Brown can be used all over the floor defensively. Capable of guarding all five positions. Brown is a major weapon for Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils — especially in end of game situations. Don’t be shocked if this guy is on the floor in crunch time for Duke this season alongside Cam Boozer up front. 

Reuben Chinyelu, Florida: With Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon both expected to take on bigger roles offensively in 2025-26, Todd Golden is going to need someone to do the dirty work in Gainesville. That’s where Chinyelu comes into play. The 6-10 junior started for the Gators last season when they won the national title and he’ll again be counted on to do the little things on a nightly basis as a rim protector and post defender. 

Felix Okpara, Tennessee: The anchor of Rick Barnes’ trademark defense, Okpara should truly shine as the Vols are now set to move on without Jahmai Mashack’s intangibles. If the 6-11 Okpara doesn’t lead the SEC in blocked shots this season, he’s going to be awfully close. 

Jaden Bradley, Arizona: Returning key personnel is everything in college basketball’s current climate and that’s why Bradley is so critical to the Wildcats. This veteran floor general is entering his third season in Tommy Lloyd’s program and has done everything except sell popcorn in Tucson. In three NCAA Tournament games last March, the 6-3 Bradley averaged 15.3 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds. Whatever Arizona needs, this guy is going to do. 

Nimari Burnett, Michigan: Dusty May has again assembled a roster that’s capable of competing for a Big Ten regular season title, but he needs certain players to fully embrace their roles. Burnett is an expert in that area. This fifth-year guard is a physical defender with good size at 6-5 who has also become a capable three-point shooter. Burnett shot a career-high 40 percent from long distance a year ago while making a career-high 66 shots from three-point range. This is the unsung presence in the Wolverines’ rotation. 

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