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Brendan Marks

@brendanmarks.bsky.social

4.5K followers 296 following 272 posts

National college basketball writer at The Athletic. 2023 NC Sportswriter of the Year. Airplane-jumper-outer. Reigning fantasy football loser.

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Bruce Feldman @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

NEW: UNC’s investigation into Bill Belichick’s football program is over. So… now what? Reporting with @brendanmarks.bsky.social and @mattbakercfb.bsky.social on where the Tar Heels stand, and where Belichick’s tenure goes from here: Free story link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...

UNC cleared the mess. Now Bill Belichick has to prove he can actually coach there (Gift Article)

Skepticism still abounds, with one former trustee saying: “We had our five minutes of fame. Now we’re stuck with this problem."

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Joe Ovies @joeovies.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

How UNC landed Michael Malone and why it could be a perfect fit w/ @brendanmarks.bsky.social | Revisiting Malone's Nuggets tenure | OG Sports Phone! linktr.ee/ogtriangleme...

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John Hollinger @johnhollinger.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Interesting point here by our @brendanmarks.bsky.social - gotta wonder if that North Carolina job is more tempting to Billy Donovan than another half-decade of 33-49 (trying again with an actual link!) www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

Hubert Davis is out at UNC, opening a premier job. Who could replace him?

Arizona's Tommy Lloyd and Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls are among the big-name candidates on UNC's wish list.

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CJ Moore @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Mailbag with @brendanmarks.bsky.social. Thoughts on Michigan’s first loss, a mid-major top five, the strength of the Big 12, UNC’s front court, how Iowa can get Bennett Stirtz going in big games and best transfers from outside of D1: www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Was Michigan’s loss just a blip? Mid-major teams to eye for March? College basketball mailbag

Why Saint Louis and Saint Mary's are among the mid-majors who could spring a win or two in the NCAA Tournament.

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Sabreena Merchant @sabreenajm.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Interesting stuff from @brendanmarks.bsky.social about Players Era and the overall college basketball scheduling shakeup. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

A college basketball tournament in Vegas pays players, and shakes up the sport

“These kids are like professional athletes,” said an industry expert. "They don’t care about swimming with dolphins. They wanna get paid.”

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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

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

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Bruce Feldman @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

“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. Program insiders call it flawed

Inside the decisions that have led to North Carolina's on-field dysfunction.

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

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...

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?

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

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...

Where does Hubert Davis' new UNC roster stand?: 11 thoughts on 11 rotation players

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

NEW @theathletic.com: How will Duke basketball replace Cooper Flagg? 10 thoughts on the Blue Devils’ 10 rotation players: www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

Which Duke players will step up with no Cooper Flagg?: Here's 10 possible rotation players

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

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...

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.

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Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

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...

How is revenue sharing affecting college basketball budgets? 'The money-dump year'

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

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...

How is revenue sharing affecting college basketball budgets? 'The money-dump year'

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

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...

Ranking men's college basketball's top 25 teams of the 2000s: 2001 Duke or 2012 Kentucky at No. 1?

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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 10/07/2025

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: dlvr.it/TLrKKS

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

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...

NCAA Tournament expansion is a joke, but sadly, it looks like the punchline is coming

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

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...

Duke basketball takeaways: With Cooper Flagg in NBA, Jon Scheyer talks what's next

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

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...

Cooper Flagg, a competitive apparel battle and the winning pitch: 'Like a movie'

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: Finding Jordon Hudson: What a New England road trip reveals about Bill Belichick’s girlfriend www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...

Finding Jordon Hudson: What a New England road trip reveals about a 'supernova'

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Joe Ovies @joeovies.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

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...

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

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...

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.

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CJ Moore @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

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...

How Top 25 teams are drawing international rising stars to college hoops

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

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.

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CJ Moore @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

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

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

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...

Out of college eligibility, 100-plus basketball players entered the transfer portal anyway

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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

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...

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.

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

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...

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.

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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 21/04/2025

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...

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.

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Brendan Quinn @bfquinn.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

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...

Rory McIlroy’s Masters win gives him, at last, his seat at the table

Catharsis, thy name is Rory.

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

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...

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?

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Ralph Russo @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Still can’t believe this happened. Well done by @brendanmarks.bsky.social chronicling the end of the Cooper Flagg era at Duke. www.nytimes.com/athletic/625... Cooper Flagg, Duke searching for answers after fateful Final Four collapse

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?

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Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: The untold story of the day Cooper Flagg committed to Duke, and how Flagg’s relationship with Jon Scheyer — 18 months later — has led the Blue Devils to the Final Four: www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...

Will Cooper Flagg’s momentous choice to play for Duke be capped with fabled finish?

Duke is on the precipice of doing just what Cooper Flagg and Jon Scheyer dreamed about many months ago when the star committed.

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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 03/04/2025

At the helm of a Final Four team, Florida’s Todd Golden is the most public-facing descendant of Kyle Smith’s Columbia program. The analytics-heavy model that's lifted the Gators is effectively the same approach honed by Smith and executed by many of the same people. 🔗: dlvr.it/TJwtjY

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: The untold story of the day Cooper Flagg committed to Duke, and how Flagg’s relationship with Jon Scheyer — 18 months later — has led the Blue Devils to the Final Four: www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...

Will Cooper Flagg’s momentous choice to play for Duke be capped with fabled finish?

Duke is on the precipice of doing just what Cooper Flagg and Jon Scheyer dreamed about many months ago when the star committed.

Reposted by Brendan Marks

Carl Berman @carlberman.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Lots of new transfer portal additions today: Henri Veesaar (Arizona) Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Maryland) Tre Donaldson (Michigan) Duke Brennan (Grand Canyon) Aday Mara (UCLA) Ali Dibba (SIU) Oziyah Sellers (Stanford) Jaland Lowe (Pitt) Tre Holloman (Michigan State) Malique Ewin (Florida State) #cbb

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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 30/03/2025

6:39. That's all that separated Duke from a trip to San Antonio. And Jon Scheyer called timeout. What happened next spurred the Blue Devils' late, Final Four-clinching surge. dlvr.it/TJrGcy

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: Inside the timeout that sent Duke and Cooper Flagg to the Final Four www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...

Inside the timeout that sent Duke, Cooper Flagg to Final Four

Only two more games separate Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils from immortality and the program's sixth national championship banner.

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

For a spot in the Final Four: Duke vs. Alabama. Let’s do it…

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: On Cooper Flagg, meeting the moment, and a postseason performance for the ages that sent Duke (back) to the Elite Eight: www.nytimes.com/athletic/623...

Cooper Flagg sends Duke to Elite Eight with all-around performance to remember vs. Arizona

Thursday was Flagg's true breakout of the postseason: 30 points on 9-of-19 shooting, seven assists, six rebounds, three blocks and a steal.

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Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: Duke’s secret weapon? The Blue Devils’ mental skills coach, and the vulnerability he’s taught Jon Scheyer’s young team: www.nytimes.com/athletic/623...

Duke basketball's March Madness secret weapon

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: Duke’s secret weapon? The Blue Devils’ mental skills coach, and the vulnerability he’s taught Jon Scheyer’s young team: www.nytimes.com/athletic/623...

Duke basketball's March Madness secret weapon

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Andrew Carter @andrew-carter.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Honored this week to begin a new chapter at the Chicago Tribune, where I’ll be a Senior Reporter on the GA/enterprise team. In other words: I’ll be looking for great stories all over Chicago and Illinois. Excited to get to work in America’s best and most compelling city.

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

This @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social story has everything you need to know about NIL and the transfer portal. Why teams are "frontloading" $$ before April 7, what it'll cost to be competitive this season, and why everyone is nervous about the Big East and Atlantic 10: www.nytimes.com/athletic/623...

College basketball’s transfer portal opens with prices rising again. Which schools will keep up?

The price of building a contender has ballooned to well above what most men’s basketball programs will have to work with in revenue sharing.

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Caleb Love's per-game averages against Duke, depending on if he beat or lost to the Blue Devils... In 5 wins: 20.8 points, 4.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 44% FG, 36.4% from 3, 96.3% (!!) on FTs In 4 losses: 9.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 28% FG, 14.8% from 3, 58.3% on FTs STARK difference.

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: On the 3 minutes of suffocation that sent Duke to the Sweet 16 — and which proved, once again, that these Blue Devils have what it takes to win it all: t.co/siCh9JMV0l

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6225310/2025/03/23/duke-basketball-cooper-flagg-baylor-ncaa-tournament/?source=emp_shared_article

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Sam Khan Jr. @skhanjr.com · 23/03/2025

Rodney Terry is out at Texas, a source briefed on the move confirmed to The Athletic on Sunday. The Longhorns went 62-37 and had 3 NCAA Tourney berths in 2+ seasons under Terry. In 2024-25, they went 19-15 and lost to Xavier in the First Four. More from @brendanmarks.bsky.social: nyti.ms/4bSZ8a5

Rodney Terry out as Texas men’s basketball coach days after First Four loss to Xavier: Source

Terry guided Texas to the Elite Eight as the interim head coach in 2023, but the Longhorns regressed the last two seasons.

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John Hollinger @johnhollinger.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Hassan Diarra's only basket came right before the buzzer, but story of that half was his defense. Two steals and constant deflecting/pestering/pressuring at point of attack, big reason Florida has 8 TOs and barely 1.0 ppp.

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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 22/03/2025

John Calipari and Rick Pitino. Today, they’re both in the Naismith Hall of Fame. On Saturday, they’ll both coach in the NCAA Tournament with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. @bfquinn.bsky.social on their histories and what this matchup means ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Last April, Duke coach Jon Scheyer called one of his closest friends in basketball to discuss his new roster building strategy. His friend — Boston Celtics GM Brad Stevens — agreed completely. "There’s no substitute for length." Story @theathletic.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...

To make the most of Cooper Flagg, Jon Scheyer built the best roster in college basketball

"Ultimately, I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t follow my instincts and do what had to be done,” Scheyer said.

Brendan Marks @brendanmarks.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

NEW @theathletic.bsky.social: Which teams can realistically win the NCAA Tournament? One of these 11. Your 2025 national champions are on this list: www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...

Which teams can realistically win the NCAA Tournament? These 11 have a shot

If history is any indication, one of these 11 teams will be your 2025 national champions.

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