In present day basketball, it’s easy to be caught up and pay attention to the points, three-point percentage and all the offensive metrics. But a common saying still applies to every sport: defense wins championships. Although the offense has continued to thrive over the years, the Little Giants found a gem in the transfer portal two seasons ago in center Noah Hupmann ’25.
At 7-feet 3-inches and 230 pounds, Hupmann’s towering frame is impossible to miss, as every shot he sends flying in the opposite direction only sparks the energy and excitement inside Chadwick Court each night. Whether it’s clogging the lane or altering shots, Hupmann’s defensive presence has become a cornerstone of Wabash basketball.
Before arriving in Crawfordsville, the 7-foot rim protector spent three seasons at Division I program Northern Kentucky University. As a freshman, Hupmann averaged 7.5 minutes per game, but then was held under two minutes a game as a sophomore and junior, only playing 12 games in those two years combined. As a result, the shot-blocking specialist sought a new opportunity at the Division III level, both for basketball and life after college.
“One of the main reasons why I decided to transfer to Wabash was because I wanted to play more and contribute to the team,” said Hupmann. “Education wise, I felt the opportunities here were phenomenal. Going into the future, whether it’s setting up a job long term or going into the corporate world, I figured Wabash would prepare me better than NKU.”
Interestingly, Head Basketball Coach Kyle Brumett was already recruiting Noah when he was in high school. Although the match didn’t come to fruition during the first go-round, Coach Brumett knew exactly where to go when Hupmann entered the portal.
“Watching his high school tape, we saw a glimpse of the kind of role he could have with other good players,” said Brumett, “Although there were few comparisons to make, we were confident and sold on how good of a player we thought he could be.”
As Hupmann adjusted to a new system and scheme, his continuous effort and willingness to learn earned him more minutes. Ultimately, his development allowed the coaches to plan their defensive implementation around him.
“Everything we do defensively is about trying to make our opponents play into Noah,” said Brumett. “I’ve seen him work really hard and I want him to get every opportunity to impact every game and to make his mark on Wabash basketball, the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) and to earn the respect of the teams that we play against.”
Hupmann has undoubtedly gained respect from the conference, as he has rewritten the program’s record books in his two seasons as a Little Giant. On December 22, 2024, he tied the school record for most blocked shots in a single game with nine swats against Transylvania University. But that performance was just one piece of his dominance this season. With the conference tournament still ahead, Hupmann has already set new Wabash single-season marks for total (83) and average (3.8) blocked shots—surpassing the record he established last year with 74 blocks.
Additionally, his impact has extended beyond individual accolades, as Wabash’s defense has taken a leap since his arrival. During the team’s 2021 Final Four run, the Little Giants allowed 77.4 points per game. But with Hupmann in the paint, opponents have struggled to find easy looks, as last season, Wabash held teams to just 66.4 points per contest. This year, that number has dropped even further to 63.1 and 60.9 for conference opponents. While multiple factors contribute to defensive efficiency, it’s impossible to ignore the fear Hupmann instills in opposing offenses.
“As Noah and I have talked through different defensive schemes, I’ve learned that he thinks the game at a really high level and genuinely cares,” said Assistant Basketball Coach Evan Sizemore. “Our goal is to keep him around the basket as much as possible so our opponents aren’t getting the shots they want, they’re getting the shots that we want. Our group has taken a big step in adapting on the fly defensively and Noah is a big part of that.”
“Noah’s ability to do it on both ends of the floor really sets no limits for our team,” said guard and fellow senior Vinny Buccilla ’25. “He’s obviously a game changer defensively with all of the blocks and impacting everything at the rim. Offensively he has really grown and provided us with more consistency. Even when we miss shots we know he’ll have a chance to rebound and score or kick it out for a three. He’s one of the most unselfish people I’ve ever been around and just a great dude beyond the court.”
Now in his fifth and final year of collegiate basketball, Hupmann isn’t just playing for records, he’s playing for his teammates. As he prepares to step onto the court for the conference tournament, he’ll carry an edge of a veteran and fire of a competitor who knows it’s his last chance to leave it all on the hardwood.
“Down the final stretch, I want to get every minute out of Noah that I can,” said Brumett. “We’ve played a very tough schedule and even though we haven’t been able to get over the hump against those teams, I do think we’re built to win in tournaments because of our defense. If we keep letting Noah impact the game, he’s the kind of presence that you don’t want to play against.”
“Going into the tournament, with it being my last one, I’m definitely gonna go out there and give it everything I have and try to win,” said Hupmann. “Vinny and I are looking forward to the opportunity, and I can hopefully get Vinny his fourth ring, as I think he’d be the first player ever to do that. I’m definitely trying to get that for him, obviously winning is the main goal, so that’s what we’re going to try to do.”
Hupmann will embrace senior day this Saturday, February 22 against Oberlin College, then will make preparations for the NCAC Tournament starting on Friday, February 28.