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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 4h

We're off to an incredible start here in Birmingham.

Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

🚨KENPOM PRESEASON RANKINGS ARE LIVE🚨 Here's 1-60. Note that Florida will easily be the preseason No. 1 in every human-based poll ... but Duke is No. 1 here.

Preseason KenPom rankings are live. Here's the top 60.

Duke is No. 1—not Florida.

Iowa State is 6!

TTU is 12, presumably under the notion all the 5-for-5 guys are eligible.

Reigning champs Michigan at 28.

Highest-ranked mid-majors: Grand Canyon (44), Utah St (51), SLU (54).

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Good morning. The EOCBB pod will have approximately 18 interviews/shows populate the feed over the next 48 hours.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Incredible moment in NCAA history: A circuit judge in Florida actually referenced CALVINBALL in order to make a piercing point about the NCAA's case—while ruling in favor of Gators men's basketball player Denzel Aberdeen. The fifth-year player is suing for one more season and currently eligible.

Bill Watterson: Ohio State fan, perhaps?

Classic Calvinball colorboard cartoon from the '80s.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I think we get a decent dose of chaos in the Big East this season. Here are my 11 dart throws.

1 Conn
2 John
3 'Quette
4 Nova
5 Friar
6 Jays
7 Saxa
8 The Paul
9 X
10 The Hall
11 But

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Still not quite sure what the criteria for this trend is, but I picked the nine that had the biggest influences on my musical curiosities by the age of 21.

Before These Crowded Streets
Rubber Soul
The Bends
Lost and Gone Forever
Yield
Animals
Aja
Evil Empire
Whatever and Ever Amen

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#NoContextEyeonCBBPodcastPreview for Dan Hurley episode from Big East media day, which will hit the feed later.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

One of the more surprising Bears wins in recent memory, which is saying something after the past year of Bears wins. 24-of-34 for 247 yards passing, two passing TDs, another rushing TD. Via a 38-year-old third-stringer. And a 27-7 win. Awesome night. (📷 Michael Reeves, Getty)

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Literally seconds before he picked off Hurts. This is the funniest thing I've seen all day.

TJ Edwards listening to the Eagles' huddle.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Caleb Williams looking like he's wearing a Caleb Williams Costume to sneak in and watch the game from the sideline.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

One of the most revered and celebrated albums in music history was released on Sept. 28, 1976 — 50 years ago today. Songs in the Key of Life tracks, ranked:

1. Sir Duke
2. As
3. Contusion
4. Another Star
5. Have a Talk With God
6. I Wish
7. Love’s in Need of Love Today
8. Summer Soft
9. Black Man
10. Pastime Paradise
11. Ordinary Pain
12. Isn’t She Lovely
13. Ngiculela
14. Village Ghetto Land
15. Joy Inside My Tears
16. Knocks Me Off My Feet
17. If It’s Magic

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The Colts' are just as atrocious. Kenny Wayne Shepherd setup.

Blue on black
Tears on a river
Push on a shove
It don't mean much

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Bills' new stadium looks tremendous in daylight. And those unis are instantly among the worst alternate option in all of sports.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

BECAUSE WE NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED EACH OTHER WE BELIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVE IN ONE ANOTHER

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Breaking: Michigan's Roddy Gayle just won his court hearing in Niagara Falls, N.Y. (his hometown) to get a fifth year at U-M. This is not a TRO: Gayle won his singular case outright. The NCAA is expected to appeal, but Gayle's path has likely been cleared to play this season for the Wolverines.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

As for my top five Still-Gotta-Get-There list, here 'tis. Would like to check off at least one of these this season.

1. The Pit
2. The Barn
3. Hilton Coliseum
4. Siegel Center
5. Cintas Center

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Here's my list of schools I've covered a game at, plus the places I've been to but not for a game.

27 more with a vist, from Arizona State to UTSA

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

A. These are the 10 shows I collectively had the most enjoyment watching, start to finish, flaws and all. 2. If Shogun S2 is 90% as good as S1, it's going on the list. D. Dark is easily the most underrated show of the past 20 years.

Veep
Justified
Curb
Breaking Bad
Lost
Dark
The Americans
Arrested Development
Doctor Who
Fringe

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

PSA for anyone who’s never done it: Wrigley Field tour is ELITE. $35 for 90 minutes and you walk essentially the entire place with the exception of the Cubs clubhouse.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I don’t know, feels like album cover potential to me.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Inbox: Louisville Athletics has partnered with a cryptocurrency company.

$LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville Athletics announced today a multi-year partnership with Ripple, the leading provider of blockchain-based enterprise solutions across traditional and digital finance, bringing XRP branding to Louisville Basketball beginning this season. XRP is a cryptocurrency that's fast, credible and efficient. In use since 2012 and trusted by institutions worldwide, XRP was developed to move money around the world in seconds, at a fraction of the cost of traditional banking. As part of the agreement, the XRP logo becomes a permanent fixture on Denny Crum Court for every Louisville home game — preserving the court's history alongside XRP branding across Louisville Men's and Women's Basketball. Coach Crum’s iconic insignia will remain a permanent fixture on the playing surface inside the 3-point arc. “Ripple was very intentional about aligning with premier basketball brands, and we’re proud that Louisville was one of the programs they identified,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Josh Heird. “That speaks to the strength of our basketball tradition, the national reach of the Louisville brand and the passion of our fan base. As college athletics continues to evolve, we want to align with partners who recognize the value of what Louisville represents while respecting the history that helped build it. This partnership does both, and I’m especially proud that we’re able to move forward in a new and innovative way while continuing to honor Coach Crum and the legacy of Denny Crum Court.”$

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Everyone with the Chargers in their survivor pools.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Four (very different) albums released on Sept. 11, 2001. Back when record releases came on Tuesdays.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Yeah, man, this is downright scandalous.

The ball is coming down at triple zeros and hitting the players.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

This was three weeks ago. Somehow.

ESPN reporting the NBA had no evidence Steve Ballmer funneled money to Leonard.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Pablo found out, then the Clippers REALLY found out after the NBA hired a white-shoe law firm that was not messing around, not even a little. The language aimed at the richest owner in the league is particularly telling.

The investigation found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization, a prior offender of the salary cap circumvention rules. As described in a summary report prepared by Wachtell Lipton, available here, the Clippers broke the rules by:

Affirmatively initiating off-court income opportunities between Mr. Leonard and four companies doing business with the team: Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance;
Facilitating endorsement agreements between these companies and Mr. Leonard;
Inducing the companies to enter into these agreements by offering them business from the team;
Paying personal expenses on behalf of Mr. Leonard and his representatives; and
Failing to report improper solicitations for off-court income opportunities made on Mr. Leonard’s behalf through his then-business manager, Dennis Robertson.
Mr. Leonard, through the conduct of Mr. Robertson on his behalf, violated the circumvention rules by pressuring the Clippers to assist him in obtaining off-court income opportunities, successfully obtaining those opportunities, and failing to reimburse payments by the Clippers for personal expenses.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Great stuff over at @kenpom.com. Coaching résumé pages now include overall record and NCAA Tournament record. Huzzah! Subscribing to Ken's site for $25/year remains the second-best deal in all of basketball media, only surpassed by subscribing to the Eye on CBB Podcast for $0.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Sources to CBS Sports: Earlier this morning, the SEC finalized the following punishments for any program that tries to roster a player who previously signed a pro contract (and/or declared and didn’t formally withdraw) with the NFL, NBA, G League or WNBA, per bylaw 4.4.3 👇🏼

Half season suspension
50% fine of operating budget for that sport
SEC voting privileges revoked
Potential additional fines at the discretion of the commissioner and league presidents

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Got a fresh batch of new headshots in. Put me on your website, @guster.bsky.social.

It's me in a VHS-style Guster shirt, jeans and navy-on-Carolina-blue Jordan 1s at a professional photo shoot.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

NEWS—The SEC just released this statement on player eligibility as it pertains to football and basketball players, now seeking to ban anyone who's signed a professional contract, amongst other things.This immediately renders RJ Luis ineligible at LSU. He was just cleared by a local judge last night.

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

"He's not guessing." Here were the best of the bunch on Randy Bennett, who seems to command respect as a top-10 coach in all of college hoops.

“This is probably the first time in a while there isn’t a sure fire answer on a question like this. I’ll go Randy Bennett. He is simply the coach that has done it at an extremely high level the longest.”

“Most experience on the list and probably highest winning percentage on the list. Proven, program builder, has won for a long time. Stayed in the region. Really impressive pick up.”

“Proven winner. Done it consistently for a long time and now he’s got more money. He’s not going to forget how to win and now he’s got more money.”

“He knows what he wants and how it should look like. He’s not guessing.”

“His record at Saint Mary’s (589-228) is truly amazing.”

“Especially when factoring in expectations (at his new job). He did an unbelievable job at Saint Mary’s, is smart, so he will figure it out, and is simply a great coach. There is still a lot to be said for that. “

“His teams always play winning basketball. Old school fundamentals and plays to the strengths of his team. His teams play with no ego and tremendous spirit. Also his deliberate style/tempo makes them difficult to play against.”

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The links for the special EOCBB shows, which raise money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, expire later today. If you've been waiting, now's the time to bid and force us to talk about your team 😀 Auction 1: tilt.fyi/MNlmHxqdr1 Auction 2: tilt.fyi/l4NL2zwjTP Auction 3: tilt.fyi/WheUISAkS4

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Here are the voting returns for every player on this question since 2012. COVID led to no Candid Coaches in 2020, and we didn't ask in 2023 because Edey was back after winning NPOY and would've easily brought in 85+% of the vote.

Leading vote-getters for best player in CBB dating back to 2012. On average, the winner receives 33% of the vote.
'26: Thomas Haugh, 43%
'25: Braden Smith, 51%
'24: Cooper Flagg, 36%
'22: Drew Timme, 44%
'21: Timme, 45%
'19: Cassius Winston, 50%
'18: RJ Barrett, 16%
'17: Michael Porter Jr., 20%
'16: Grayson Allen, 13%
'15: Kris Dunn, 26%
'14: Frank Kaminsky, 17%
'13: Marcus Smart, 34%
'12: Cody Zeller, 35%

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Matt Norlander @norlander.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

CBB news: Virginia and Ryan Odom have agreed to a contract extension and bump in pay through the 2031-32 season, sources told CBS Sports. Odom won 30 games in his debut season and could have a team that's top-10 in 2026-27. A strong boomerang back after the dip following Tony Bennett's retirement.

Ryan Odom holding a Virginia clipboard, making less money then than he is on Aug. 18.

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