# Transfer portal updates I UConn, Illinois show importance of retention

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now-7390704/transfer-portal-updates-i-uconn-illinois-show-importance-of-retention.md
Podcast: [Inside College Basketball Now](https://stenobird.com/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now-7390704)
Published: 2026-04-20T22:41:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/serve.castfire.com/audio/8261161/8261161_2026-04-15-034901.192.mp3?rssID=6266
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/serve.castfire.com/audio/8261161/8261161_2026-04-15-034901.192.mp3?rssID=6266
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/inside-college-basketball-now-7390704/episodes/transfer-portal-updates-i-uconn-illinois-show-importance-of-retention
Duration seconds: 2656

## Resource

Retention is still the foundation of winning in college basketball and the latest decisions across the country prove it. On this episode of Inside College Basketball Now, Jon Rothstein breaks down why programs like UConn and Illinois are once again positioned to contend after securing key returning pieces. With Braylon Mullins heading back to Storrs and Andrej Stojakovic returning to Champaign, the blueprint is clear: continuity matters. Plus, Florida gets a boost with Alex Condon returning, and we take a look at the biggest stay-or-go decisions still looming ahead of the NBA Draft early entry deadline. Then it’s time for Portal Kombat, as some of the top remaining names in the transfer portal continue to shape the offseason landscape. From John Blackwell’s high-profile recruitment to key movement involving programs like Duke, Louisville, Gonzaga, and North Carolina, the board is still shifting in a major way. We also check in on the big boys, Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas, North Carolina, Indiana—and take a closer look at where things stand in the Big East with St. John’s, Providence, Xavier, and Creighton. Plus, your questions answered in our interaction segment, and a fresh edition of 3 Good Nuggets, including a marquee non-conference matchup between BYU and San Diego State, Wisconsin adding a sneaky shooter, and the latest on the transfer portal closing window.

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