The Joker Effect: How playmaking centers have revolutionized college basketball

When Fred Hoiberg left a front-office job with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010 to coach Iowa State, he was ahead of his time chasing transfers to build a roster. Hoiberg was also ahead of the curve when he landed his biggest transfer prize: Royce White. White was built like an NFL tight end — 6-foot-8, … Read more

2024 NCAA Tournament bracket picks: Why CJ Moore has UConn winning the title

(Editor’s note: This is part of the Bracket Central Series, an inside look at the run-up to the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments, along with analysis and picks during the tournaments.) Since Florida repeated as national champs in 2007, no defending champion has advanced past the Sweet 16. That ends this year.   Connecticut is … Read more

Thirty years ago, Chris Farley and college basketball collided in an unforgettable way

Thirty years later, Christian Laettner isn’t sure he knew it was coming. In 1994, he was in the NBA, his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Maybe someone had informed his agent but he doesn’t think so. The former Duke star just one day remembers seeing the commercial on ESPN. Chris Farley, then at the … Read more