My bracket picks and why I went pretty chalky for a second year in a row: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...
Tommy Lloyd credits last year’s Houston for inspiring this year’s build of Arizona’s juggernaut. “They kicked our ass in the last five minutes of both games.”
Story on the endurance of a champion & how Arizona turned the page from Friday’s epic semis (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...
I probably had more stories on Houston than any other team last season. I’m sorry you feel that way.
A story on semis has short shelf life. Had nothing to do with who won. If game was epic, would have done a story. Also, no one nationally has done more on Houston than I have through the years. Understand your frustration, but please don’t act like I ignore the Coogs.
How’s the NCAA Tournament bracket made? A look at the process and why the committee isn’t trying to generate storylines. Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...
Jaden Bradley hit one of the shots of the year in one of the games of the year, and he didn’t even see it go in.
Story on Bradley’s first buzzer-beater of his college career to put Arizona in the Big 12 championship game: www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...
Basketball on glass? No more. Why the Big 12 tournament will be back on the hardwood tonight: www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...
Orange jumpsuits, Serbian music, the most hilarious player in college hoops… a behind-the-scenes look at the Balkan Four-and-a-half at Illinois. Free to read. www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
My final Top 25 for the season. Featured this week: Duke, Michigan, Florida, St. John’s, Wisconsin and UCLA. Also why we could be headed for another Final Four of all No. 1 seeds. www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
Have a story publishing this week about my experience at mock tourney selection that explains how it works.
My assumption is bracketologists are projecting Duke as top 1 seed. If UConn is top 2, then UConn cannot get placed with Duke. The next closest region is the Midwest. So that’s why UConn would go there. It’s all about geography.
This week’s Top 25 includes Duke’s defensive evolution, Aday Mara taking off, Arizona’s winning formula, UConn being clutch, Florida’s rebound gravity, why I was wrong about Michigan State, how Texas Tech is winning w/o Toppin and Saint Mary’s statistically weird win: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...
Yes. They miss the diversity in their offense Roberts gave them. They have to rely on their guards making shots and Kingston getting to the rim.
Darryn Peterson provided a moment last night that shows he cares about his team, the opposite of what’s been spewed lately.
My column on Peterson and narratives. Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
The Top 25 is read to read this week. Starts with Duke and some praise for Jon Scheyer. Thoughts on Michigan, Arizona, UConn, Purdue, Florida, Virginia, Texas Tech and JT Toppin, and finishes with KU and Darryn Peterson: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
Matt Painter got real nerdy and detailed when I asked him about Indiana’s post defense plan. Here’s why (a free read for all): www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
Sticking to my formula. What they’ve done is incredibly impressive and it’s an awesome story. It’d go against how I rank teams to include them. But I’d love to see them win multiple games in the tourney. Not rooting against them.
In this week’s Top 25, the sublime passing of Aday Mara, the formula to beat Arizona, Iowa State’s historic ability to force TOs, Illini P&R, Purdue shooting more 3s, Texas Tech’s historic P&R, a blind PG test and how Wisconsin beats T10 teams: www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
Really enjoyed visiting with Michigan’s Aday Mara. Awesome young man, who has found his happy place with Michigan. This link is free for everyone, including non-subscribers. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Haven’t seen Bill Self that excited about a home win since maybe 2012 against Mizzou. There were many reasons, but at top of the list, I think he’s falling in love with this team: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Darryn Peterson not playing tonight. He has flu-like symptoms. He went out with the team for warmups, but can’t go, according to a KU official.
In this week’s Top 25, what makes Arizona’s defense so good, Houston’s shot differential, Jeremy Fears using Gortats, Florida’s defensive bigs and key lineup changes for UNC and St. John’s: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Why was Portland coach Shantay Legans hopping around on one foot during the biggest win of his career? He got tired of watching turnovers and decided to punch a gap. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Today feels like one of the legacy NBA teams just closing shop midseason. “The Knicks had a good run but they’re done.” Their players all suddenly free agents.
Hope everyone from the Post sports section is able to find new employers who value their work. A ton of talent just hit the market.
College basketball players are taller than ever. Small ball was the rage. Now we’re entering a big ball era, where teams like Michigan and Florida are winning playing three bigs together.
Story on the benefits of going big: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
This week’s Top 25 starts with the difficulty of judging Kansas and Darryn Peterson. Blurbs on Arizona, Michigan, Duke, Illinois, Gonzaga, KU, Florida and Saint Louis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
My column on another day that brought optimism and then confusion in Lawrence: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
The six teams I think are most likely to win the national title, plus other teams I wouldn’t be shocked to see win it, wildcards and mid-majors who could win a game: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
