Brendan Marks
@brendanmarks.bsky.social
National college basketball writer at The Athletic. 2023 NC Sportswriter of the Year. Airplane-jumper-outer. Reigning fantasy football loser.
Reposted by Brendan Marks
From our @brendanmarks.bsky.social, UNC confirmed that GM Michael Lombardi visited Saudi Arabia for a fundraising trip after being invited. www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
UNC football GM Michael Lombardi met with Saudi Arabia about potential investment
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:24 PM
From our @brendanmarks.bsky.social, UNC confirmed that GM Michael Lombardi visited Saudi Arabia for a fundraising trip after being invited. www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Reposted by Brendan Marks
“It’s the arrogance of it all."
Bill Belichick pledged an NFL approach at North Carolina. It has proven to be a complete disaster. Here's @theathletic.com’s story on why UNC football has turned into such a dumpster fire:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Bill Belichick pledged an NFL approach at North Carolina. It has proven to be a complete disaster. Here's @theathletic.com’s story on why UNC football has turned into such a dumpster fire:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Bill Belichick pledged an NFL approach at North Carolina. Program insiders call it flawed
Inside the decisions that have led to North Carolina's on-field dysfunction.
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
“It’s the arrogance of it all."
Bill Belichick pledged an NFL approach at North Carolina. It has proven to be a complete disaster. Here's @theathletic.com’s story on why UNC football has turned into such a dumpster fire:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Bill Belichick pledged an NFL approach at North Carolina. It has proven to be a complete disaster. Here's @theathletic.com’s story on why UNC football has turned into such a dumpster fire:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
NEW @theathletic.com: College basketball season is right around the corner, so it's time for my #ACC conference preview. Why I believe *at least* five, if not six, NCAA Tournament berths are in store:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
ACC men’s basketball preseason rankings: Duke, Louisville look loaded. Who else can contend?
After getting just four teams in the NCAA Tournament last season, are things looking up for ACC basketball?
www.nytimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:09 PM
NEW @theathletic.com: College basketball season is right around the corner, so it's time for my #ACC conference preview. Why I believe *at least* five, if not six, NCAA Tournament berths are in store:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
NEW @theathletic.com: Where does Hubert Davis' reworked UNC roster stand entering this season? 11 thoughts on the Tar Heels' expected 11 rotation players:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...
Where does Hubert Davis' new UNC roster stand?: 11 thoughts on 11 rotation players
www.nytimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:20 PM
NEW @theathletic.com: Where does Hubert Davis' reworked UNC roster stand entering this season? 11 thoughts on the Tar Heels' expected 11 rotation players:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...
NEW @theathletic.com: How will Duke basketball replace Cooper Flagg? 10 thoughts on the Blue Devils’ 10 rotation players:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...
Which Duke players will step up with no Cooper Flagg?: Here's 10 possible rotation players
www.nytimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
NEW @theathletic.com: How will Duke basketball replace Cooper Flagg? 10 thoughts on the Blue Devils’ 10 rotation players:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...
NEW @theathletic.com: Can Bill Belichick change the Carolina Way when it comes to UNC football?
“In a lot of ways,” says chancellor Lee Roberts, “it’s already been tremendously successful.”
Story w/ @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
“In a lot of ways,” says chancellor Lee Roberts, “it’s already been tremendously successful.”
Story w/ @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Can Bill Belichick change the Carolina Way when it comes to UNC football?
Days before one of the most storied openers in Tar Heels history, UNC's all-in commitment to Belichick is coming to life.
www.nytimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 11:11 AM
NEW @theathletic.com: Can Bill Belichick change the Carolina Way when it comes to UNC football?
“In a lot of ways,” says chancellor Lee Roberts, “it’s already been tremendously successful.”
Story w/ @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
“In a lot of ways,” says chancellor Lee Roberts, “it’s already been tremendously successful.”
Story w/ @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Reposted by Brendan Marks
NEW @theathletic.com: After surveying 35 coaches, it's clear that college basketball budgets have never been higher.
But is it possible we've maybe, finally, reached a peak in spending?
"This year is the money-dump year ... We will never see these numbers again."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
But is it possible we've maybe, finally, reached a peak in spending?
"This year is the money-dump year ... We will never see these numbers again."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
How is revenue sharing affecting college basketball budgets? 'The money-dump year'
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
NEW @theathletic.com: After surveying 35 coaches, it's clear that college basketball budgets have never been higher.
But is it possible we've maybe, finally, reached a peak in spending?
"This year is the money-dump year ... We will never see these numbers again."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
But is it possible we've maybe, finally, reached a peak in spending?
"This year is the money-dump year ... We will never see these numbers again."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
NEW @theathletic.com: After surveying 35 coaches, it's clear that college basketball budgets have never been higher.
But is it possible we've maybe, finally, reached a peak in spending?
"This year is the money-dump year ... We will never see these numbers again."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
But is it possible we've maybe, finally, reached a peak in spending?
"This year is the money-dump year ... We will never see these numbers again."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
How is revenue sharing affecting college basketball budgets? 'The money-dump year'
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
NEW @theathletic.com: After surveying 35 coaches, it's clear that college basketball budgets have never been higher.
But is it possible we've maybe, finally, reached a peak in spending?
"This year is the money-dump year ... We will never see these numbers again."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
But is it possible we've maybe, finally, reached a peak in spending?
"This year is the money-dump year ... We will never see these numbers again."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
NEW @theathletic.com: Next up in our college basketball look back series? The 25 best teams of the last 25 seasons.
Not an easy assignment to rank them:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
Not an easy assignment to rank them:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
Ranking men's college basketball's top 25 teams of the 2000s: 2001 Duke or 2012 Kentucky at No. 1?
www.nytimes.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW @theathletic.com: Next up in our college basketball look back series? The 25 best teams of the last 25 seasons.
Not an easy assignment to rank them:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
Not an easy assignment to rank them:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
Reposted by Brendan Marks
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament found perfection at 64 teams, yet there’s been this need to mess with it, and now it might actually get messed up.
It could be 76 teams soon. And any added teams would be a mistake: http://dlvr.it/TLrKKS
It could be 76 teams soon. And any added teams would be a mistake: http://dlvr.it/TLrKKS
July 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament found perfection at 64 teams, yet there’s been this need to mess with it, and now it might actually get messed up.
It could be 76 teams soon. And any added teams would be a mistake: http://dlvr.it/TLrKKS
It could be 76 teams soon. And any added teams would be a mistake: http://dlvr.it/TLrKKS
Enjoyed this column from Bluesky-less Joe Rexrode, laying out in full transparency what a bad idea NCAA Tournament expansion is:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
NCAA Tournament expansion is a joke, but sadly, it looks like the punchline is coming
www.nytimes.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Enjoyed this column from Bluesky-less Joe Rexrode, laying out in full transparency what a bad idea NCAA Tournament expansion is:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: What’s next for Duke basketball with Cooper Flagg gone? Jon Scheyer hit on that topic, and several others, in his first press conference since the Blue Devils’ Final Four loss:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
Duke basketball takeaways: With Cooper Flagg in NBA, Jon Scheyer talks what's next
www.nytimes.com
July 9, 2025 at 12:08 PM
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: What’s next for Duke basketball with Cooper Flagg gone? Jon Scheyer hit on that topic, and several others, in his first press conference since the Blue Devils’ Final Four loss:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: “He’s our guy”: Inside New Balance’s all-in push to land Cooper Flagg, long before he went No. 1
www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...
Cooper Flagg, a competitive apparel battle and the winning pitch: 'Like a movie'
www.nytimes.com
June 26, 2025 at 12:36 PM
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: “He’s our guy”: Inside New Balance’s all-in push to land Cooper Flagg, long before he went No. 1
www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: Finding Jordon Hudson: What a New England road trip reveals about Bill Belichick’s girlfriend
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
Finding Jordon Hudson: What a New England road trip reveals about a 'supernova'
www.nytimes.com
June 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: Finding Jordon Hudson: What a New England road trip reveals about Bill Belichick’s girlfriend
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
Reposted by Brendan Marks
OG392: College World Series is the hardest tournament to win in sports | Happy Belichick Contract Buyout Reduction Day! | @brendanmarks.bsky.social on Ven-Allen Lubin to NC State, UNC's roster moves, and NCAA Tournament expansion | linktr.ee/ogtriangleme...
June 2, 2025 at 6:13 PM
OG392: College World Series is the hardest tournament to win in sports | Happy Belichick Contract Buyout Reduction Day! | @brendanmarks.bsky.social on Ven-Allen Lubin to NC State, UNC's roster moves, and NCAA Tournament expansion | linktr.ee/ogtriangleme...
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: College basketball has never had more of an international flavor — but why now?
Deep dive w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on the latest trend in the sport, and how NIL (plus newfound eligibility) is fueling a new frontier in recruiting:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
Deep dive w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on the latest trend in the sport, and how NIL (plus newfound eligibility) is fueling a new frontier in recruiting:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
How college basketball’s wave of European imports rose from a recruiting sea change
International prospects from some of the top professional leagues in the world are about to become household names in college basketball.
www.nytimes.com
May 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: College basketball has never had more of an international flavor — but why now?
Deep dive w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on the latest trend in the sport, and how NIL (plus newfound eligibility) is fueling a new frontier in recruiting:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
Deep dive w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on the latest trend in the sport, and how NIL (plus newfound eligibility) is fueling a new frontier in recruiting:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
Reposted by Brendan Marks
The best young players in Europe are starting to end up playing college basketball when that was something few ever considered in the past. A deep dive on why that’s happening and the impact on teams overseas.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
How Top 25 teams are drawing international rising stars to college hoops
www.nytimes.com
May 15, 2025 at 1:27 PM
The best young players in Europe are starting to end up playing college basketball when that was something few ever considered in the past. A deep dive on why that’s happening and the impact on teams overseas.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
One last pre-NBA Draft lottery note:
Everyone knows how great Cooper Flagg is... but after covering him for over a year, EASILY the thing that impresses me most about him is his competitiveness and will to win. The most culture-setting college player (and teenager) I've covered.
Everyone knows how great Cooper Flagg is... but after covering him for over a year, EASILY the thing that impresses me most about him is his competitiveness and will to win. The most culture-setting college player (and teenager) I've covered.
May 12, 2025 at 11:13 PM
One last pre-NBA Draft lottery note:
Everyone knows how great Cooper Flagg is... but after covering him for over a year, EASILY the thing that impresses me most about him is his competitiveness and will to win. The most culture-setting college player (and teenager) I've covered.
Everyone knows how great Cooper Flagg is... but after covering him for over a year, EASILY the thing that impresses me most about him is his competitiveness and will to win. The most culture-setting college player (and teenager) I've covered.
Reposted by Brendan Marks
With the help of our buddy Jim Root, we found 137 players out of eligibility in the transfer portal. The story behind why these players are holding on to hope for another year and the court case that could impact some of them. Story with @brendanmarks.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...
Out of college eligibility, 100-plus basketball players entered the transfer portal anyway
www.nytimes.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:25 PM
With the help of our buddy Jim Root, we found 137 players out of eligibility in the transfer portal. The story behind why these players are holding on to hope for another year and the court case that could impact some of them. Story with @brendanmarks.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: The trend of this college basketball transfer cycle? Players entering the portal... despite seemingly being out of eligibility.
So why are they entering? And what are they hoping to achieve? Deep dive alongside @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...
So why are they entering? And what are they hoping to achieve? Deep dive alongside @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...
Out of college eligibility, 100-plus basketball players entered the transfer portal anyway
www.nytimes.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:20 PM
NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: The trend of this college basketball transfer cycle? Players entering the portal... despite seemingly being out of eligibility.
So why are they entering? And what are they hoping to achieve? Deep dive alongside @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...
So why are they entering? And what are they hoping to achieve? Deep dive alongside @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...
Reposted by Brendan Marks
The one hang-up? Belichick, according to 200+ pages of emails we obtained and more reporting.
“BB has not given approval.”
Much more, w/ my teammates @brendanmarks.bsky.social and @andrewmarchand.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...
“BB has not given approval.”
Much more, w/ my teammates @brendanmarks.bsky.social and @andrewmarchand.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...
Bill Belichick, girlfriend ended UNC’s ‘Hard Knocks’ dalliance as fast as it began. Why?
The deal fell apart just before a public announcement was to be made. Industry sources and obtained emails detail why the show moved on.
www.nytimes.com
April 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM
The one hang-up? Belichick, according to 200+ pages of emails we obtained and more reporting.
“BB has not given approval.”
Much more, w/ my teammates @brendanmarks.bsky.social and @andrewmarchand.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...
“BB has not given approval.”
Much more, w/ my teammates @brendanmarks.bsky.social and @andrewmarchand.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...
Now that the window to enter the transfer portal has (finally) passed, a look at five of my favorite portal fits so far this offseason. Story for @theathletic.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/629...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/629...
Best college basketball transfer portal fits: Who makes the top 5?
Emphasis on fit, because these are not the five most-talented players. These are situations most beneficial to both player and his new team.
www.nytimes.com
April 23, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Now that the window to enter the transfer portal has (finally) passed, a look at five of my favorite portal fits so far this offseason. Story for @theathletic.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/629...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/629...
Reposted by Brendan Marks
After one of the best statistical freshman seasons in college basketball history, which earned him near-unanimous National Player of the Year honors, Duke forward Cooper Flagg is heading to the NBA.
More from @brendanmarks.bsky.social ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/628...
More from @brendanmarks.bsky.social ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/628...
Cooper Flagg, projected No. 1 pick, declares for 2025 NBA Draft: What makes him so special
The Duke forward had one of the best statistical freshman seasons in college basketball history to earn National Player of the Year honors.
www.nytimes.com
April 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
After one of the best statistical freshman seasons in college basketball history, which earned him near-unanimous National Player of the Year honors, Duke forward Cooper Flagg is heading to the NBA.
More from @brendanmarks.bsky.social ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/628...
More from @brendanmarks.bsky.social ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/628...
Reposted by Brendan Marks
Just how much pressure was upon those shoulders? How did it feel every time Jack and Tiger and the others uttered his name? We found out on Sunday.
Catharsis, thy name is Rory.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/627...
Catharsis, thy name is Rory.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/627...
Rory McIlroy’s Masters win gives him, at last, his seat at the table
Catharsis, thy name is Rory.
www.nytimes.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Just how much pressure was upon those shoulders? How did it feel every time Jack and Tiger and the others uttered his name? We found out on Sunday.
Catharsis, thy name is Rory.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/627...
Catharsis, thy name is Rory.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/627...
Inside an all-time NCAA Tournament collapse, the end of Cooper Flagg's storied freshman season, and a loss that will haunt Duke forever.
Story @theathletic.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...
Story @theathletic.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...
Cooper Flagg, Duke searching for answers after fateful Final Four collapse
Duke was cruising toward the title game. Cooper Flagg had 27 points and the ball at the end. So how did a dream season end like this?
www.nytimes.com
April 6, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Inside an all-time NCAA Tournament collapse, the end of Cooper Flagg's storied freshman season, and a loss that will haunt Duke forever.
Story @theathletic.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...
Story @theathletic.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...