CJ Moore
@cjmoorehoops.bsky.social
National college basketball writer at The Athletic.
Reposted by CJ Moore
“He’s very attentive to make sure that his teammates know that he’s there for them.”
✍️ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on the BYU star freshman:
✍️ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on the BYU star freshman:
AJ Dybantsa’s secret sauce? BYU’s star has a curiosity that matches his talents
The potential No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft is "always inquisitive," his mom, Chelsea, says.
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:40 PM
“He’s very attentive to make sure that his teammates know that he’s there for them.”
✍️ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on the BYU star freshman:
✍️ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on the BYU star freshman:
What makes BYU star AJ Dybantsa special? His size, athleticism and skill obviously. But his separator might be a curiosity that reminds one of his coaches of a young Shane Battier: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
A potential No. 1 draft pick's secret sauce? AJ Dybantsa 'is so intellectually curious'
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
What makes BYU star AJ Dybantsa special? His size, athleticism and skill obviously. But his separator might be a curiosity that reminds one of his coaches of a young Shane Battier: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
In this week’s Top 25, I hit on the offenses of Arizona, Alabama, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Indiana and Michigan State: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Arizona, UNC rise after big week for freshmen
First-year players keyed the big movers in this week's men's college basketball top 25.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
In this week’s Top 25, I hit on the offenses of Arizona, Alabama, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Indiana and Michigan State: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Sean Miller is back at one of the best jobs in college basketball and hoping to finally get to a Final Four. Miller opened up about the end at Arizona and what attracted him to Texas.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Texas and Sean Miller both need a breakthrough. Is this where they finally get it?
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Sean Miller is back at one of the best jobs in college basketball and hoping to finally get to a Final Four. Miller opened up about the end at Arizona and what attracted him to Texas.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Love that college hoops is here but opening day/week could be way better. My ideas to improve scheduling to draw more attention to the sport: www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Men’s college basketball’s opening night is a missed opportunity. Here’s how to fix it
There's only one matchup of ranked teams on the first night of the college basketball season — a night that should be more of a spectacle.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Love that college hoops is here but opening day/week could be way better. My ideas to improve scheduling to draw more attention to the sport: www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Emanuel Sharp had the shot to win the national title but didn’t take it. How do you come back from that? Luckily for Sharp, resilience is in his DNA: www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
How Emanuel Sharp learned to live with the moment he won't escape — and why he's still fearless
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Emanuel Sharp had the shot to win the national title but didn’t take it. How do you come back from that? Luckily for Sharp, resilience is in his DNA: www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Bucky McMillan has lived his entire basketball life with people saying, “No way you’ll be able to do that,” and him firing back, “Watch me.”
The next test for the new Texas A&M coach is showing his style can work in the SEC: www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The next test for the new Texas A&M coach is showing his style can work in the SEC: www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Bucky McMillan rose from high school to Texas A&M in 5 years. Will ‘Bucky Ball’ work in the SEC?
Bucky Ball is a religion in Birmingham, Ala. Now, McMillan is trying to win with it at the highest level of college basketball.
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Bucky McMillan has lived his entire basketball life with people saying, “No way you’ll be able to do that,” and him firing back, “Watch me.”
The next test for the new Texas A&M coach is showing his style can work in the SEC: www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The next test for the new Texas A&M coach is showing his style can work in the SEC: www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
My final preseason Top 25. I made updates after watching preseason games and I have a new No. 1: www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
NCAA men’s college basketball 2025-26 preseason Top 25: Michigan, Kentucky lead field in wide-open year
A new trend of marquee preseason matchups has given us some data points when it comes to ranking teams before the season begins.
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:56 PM
My final preseason Top 25. I made updates after watching preseason games and I have a new No. 1: www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
This weekend’s college basketball preseason matchups are as good as any non-conference weekend in the regular season. A rule change made that possible, and college coaches want even more of these games: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Why college basketball’s preseason is full of top-25 exhibitions — and fewer ‘secret’ scrimmages
College basketball's preseason used to be closed-door scrimmages and exhibitions against DII opponents. Not anymore.
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM
This weekend’s college basketball preseason matchups are as good as any non-conference weekend in the regular season. A rule change made that possible, and college coaches want even more of these games: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Four years ago Baylor won a national title. This season that same program does not return one player who played a minute for the Bears last season. An inside look at how you pull off a total rebuild in this new era: www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
How Baylor took on a modern college basketball problem: Rebuilding a team from scratch
WACO, Texas — Last December, Baylor general manager Jason Smith met with coach Scott Drew and told him the program needed to adjust its thinking on recruiting.
“It doesn’t matter if they’r...
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Four years ago Baylor won a national title. This season that same program does not return one player who played a minute for the Bears last season. An inside look at how you pull off a total rebuild in this new era: www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
Next up for our conference previews is the SEC. Hard to see the league being as good as it was last year, but the league definitely spent to try. www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
SEC men’s basketball preseason rankings: An encore act after a record-setting year?
It’s reloading time in the SEC after one of the greatest single seasons for a league in the history of college basketball.
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Next up for our conference previews is the SEC. Hard to see the league being as good as it was last year, but the league definitely spent to try. www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
Previewing the Big 12, which has six really good teams and then a bunch of wildcards: www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
Big 12 men's basketball preseason rankings: Houston, Arizona and a crowded top 5
www.nytimes.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Previewing the Big 12, which has six really good teams and then a bunch of wildcards: www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
Big Ten preview with lineup projections and predictions. I’m probably higher than consensus on Iowa, Washington and Ohio State: www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...
Ranking Big Ten men's basketball programs: Purdue and Michigan lead this season's deepest conference
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Big Ten preview with lineup projections and predictions. I’m probably higher than consensus on Iowa, Washington and Ohio State: www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...
Reposted by CJ Moore
NEW PODCAST: We got
@cjmoorehoops.bsky.social to talk MU-KU basketball on the latest episode of Dive Cuts -- if you're subscribed it's available now, or catch us on YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEBC...
@cjmoorehoops.bsky.social to talk MU-KU basketball on the latest episode of Dive Cuts -- if you're subscribed it's available now, or catch us on YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEBC...
Talking Mizzou & college hoops with CJ Moore of The Athletic | Dive Cuts
YouTube video by Rock M Radio
www.youtube.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:51 PM
NEW PODCAST: We got
@cjmoorehoops.bsky.social to talk MU-KU basketball on the latest episode of Dive Cuts -- if you're subscribed it's available now, or catch us on YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEBC...
@cjmoorehoops.bsky.social to talk MU-KU basketball on the latest episode of Dive Cuts -- if you're subscribed it's available now, or catch us on YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEBC...
Good stuff here. Ben McCollum thinks the game in a very unique way. Also very interested in how this plays out this season. I’d never bet against him.
Last year, Drake & Ben McCollum had 38 shot clock violations. Instead of harming them, it enabled an unusually high control of game speed. Will this pace work at Iowa? How does Pep Guardiola make sense as an influence? New & free @basketunderreview.bsky.social www.basketunderreview.com/corn-math/
Corn Math
With 4:52 on the game clock left in their Round of 64 battle with Missouri this March, Drake led the game, 52-50. They'd been holding on for dear life for some time, but the ball made it to their best...
www.basketunderreview.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Good stuff here. Ben McCollum thinks the game in a very unique way. Also very interested in how this plays out this season. I’d never bet against him.
New Indiana guard Lamar Wilkerson was grateful for his time at Sam Houston State and wanted to give back. So he took over six figures of his NIL money and donated to the Bearkats. Maybe the best story yet from the NIL era: www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...
He left his mid-major school for Indiana. Then he donated six figures back
Lamar Wilkerson credited Sam Houston for his development, and donated a portion of his NIL earnings back to his old school.
www.nytimes.com
September 13, 2025 at 2:29 PM
New Indiana guard Lamar Wilkerson was grateful for his time at Sam Houston State and wanted to give back. So he took over six figures of his NIL money and donated to the Bearkats. Maybe the best story yet from the NIL era: www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...
I’ve been calling around ask asking coaches which freshmen and transfers thrived this summer and could surprise this season. First up, the freshman: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Six college basketball freshmen who impressed this summer and could surprise in 2025-26
Teams have looked at their teams for a few months in the summer. Here's who coaches and scouts have been impressed by.
www.nytimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I’ve been calling around ask asking coaches which freshmen and transfers thrived this summer and could surprise this season. First up, the freshman: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Jacque Vaughn had opportunities to return to the NBA but felt a calling to return to his alma mater. Story on what convinced him to return and whether a succession plan was part of it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
Why Kansas legend Jacque Vaughn is back at KU after 2 stints as an NBA head coach
Vaughn joined the Jayhawks staff over multiple NBA coaching positions. Why? He sees himself as a "guardian" of the next generation.
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Jacque Vaughn had opportunities to return to the NBA but felt a calling to return to his alma mater. Story on what convinced him to return and whether a succession plan was part of it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
Kansas’ Bill Self ready to coach after recovering from July procedure, he says
www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
Kansas' Bill Self ready to coach after recovering from July procedure, he says
www.nytimes.com
August 15, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Kansas’ Bill Self ready to coach after recovering from July procedure, he says
www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
NCAA Tournament expansion was tabled, but we should still scrutinize how the field is picked. My column with input from Ken Pomeroy (@kenpom.com).
www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
NCAA Tournament expansion was tabled, but we should still scrutinize how the field is picked
As the conversation about whether to add teams continues, there's another discussion worth having: Is there a better way to pick the field?
www.nytimes.com
August 5, 2025 at 1:19 PM
NCAA Tournament expansion was tabled, but we should still scrutinize how the field is picked. My column with input from Ken Pomeroy (@kenpom.com).
www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
Jordan Smith Jr. is the 2026 prospect college coaches would love to coach. Here’s why: www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
Why Jordan Smith, the No. 2 player in 2026, isn’t the typical 5-star guard
Smith is "the Class of 2026 player college coaches would most like to coach, a winner" in a recent poll of 35 coaches at Peach Jam.
www.nytimes.com
August 4, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Jordan Smith Jr. is the 2026 prospect college coaches would love to coach. Here’s why: www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
Tyran Stokes or Jordan Smith Jr.? We polled coaches on their favorite players in 2026 and whether a fifth year of eligibility should be allowed: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Tyran Stokes or Jordan Smith Jr.? College coaches on their favorite players in 2026
www.nytimes.com
July 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Tyran Stokes or Jordan Smith Jr.? We polled coaches on their favorite players in 2026 and whether a fifth year of eligibility should be allowed: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Kansas coach Bill Self admitted to hospital, has 2 stents inserted: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Kansas coach Bill Self admitted to hospital, has 2 stents inserted
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Kansas coach Bill Self admitted to hospital, has 2 stents inserted: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
What do college basketball coaches think of the possibility of NCAA Tournament expansion? We polled them at Peach Jam. The results: www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
What we heard from coaches about NCAA Tournament expansion
www.nytimes.com
July 22, 2025 at 1:52 PM
What do college basketball coaches think of the possibility of NCAA Tournament expansion? We polled them at Peach Jam. The results: www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650... Tyran Stokes, Jordan Smith and the best — and most underrated — players at Peach Jam
The best — and most underrated — players we saw at Peach Jam
www.nytimes.com
July 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650... Tyran Stokes, Jordan Smith and the best — and most underrated — players at Peach Jam