After losing many players and having to rebuild the roster for the 2024-25 basketball season, Ron Hunter, Tulane University men’s basketball head coach, had his work cut out for him. While he recruited some key freshmen who have shined, such as wing Kam Williams and guard K.J. Greene Jr., two transfers have been on fire to start conference play. 

Rowan Brumbaugh, a creative and savvy point guard from Georgetown University, was just named to the American Athletic Conference’s Basketball Honor Roll for this past week. In two games against the Owls of Florida Atlantic University and Temple University, Brumbaugh averaged 20 points and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 55.6% from the field and a remarkable 58.3% from three. His impact goes both ways, as he also averaged 3.5 steals per game in this stretch, clogging passing lanes and harassing opposing players. 

In the frontcourt, Kaleb Banks, a dynamic all-around forward from Indiana University, has really made a name for himself in New Orleans. Although he struggled offensively against Temple University, he scored 25 points at home vs. Florida Atlantic, with 21 of those points coming in the second half when Tulane needed it most. He averages nearly 18 points per game on 52.2% from the field. His ability to score from both the inside and the outside has kept defenses on their heels. 

While both of these players’ productions have been remarkable, what is equally impressive has been their availability. Both players average over 30 minutes per game, which is somewhat rare in college basketball, as the game is only 40 minutes long. Their ability to be sharp in the second half has propelled the Green Wave in the right direction, as they have staged comebacks in multiple games this season in conference play. 

Assistant coach R.J. Hunter had nothing but praise for both players after the win vs. Florida Atlantic. 

Regarding Brumbaugh, Hunter said, “He’s been steady, he’s been tough, he’s been huge. He’s been the head of the snake the last three weeks, and he’s continuing to get better.” 

When it comes to Banks, Hunter has been impressed by his ability to know where to be at the right time. 

“Kaleb is a really smart kid, so he puts himself in spots where the ball will be. Offensive rebounds, cuts, backdoors, extra passes,” Hunter said. “He really knows how to space well, and he knows the game well.” 

Other players have also stepped up in these games, as big man Gregg Glenn III racked up 11 assists in the win vs. Florida Atlantic, and Asher Woods had a three-game stretch in which he scored at least 15 points every game up until the loss to Temple. 

Tulane will resume conference play against Rice University in Houston on Saturday, Jan. 25, before the most anticipated home game of the season on Jan. 30 against the Tigers of Memphis University, who are ranked No. 24 in the country.