College basketball news, analysis, betting tips, rankings. Men's and women's NCAA hoops. - Hoops HQ

Wisconsin's John Blackwell, a Michigan native, scored a game-high 26 points to help the Badgers deal the Wolverines their first loss of the season

It's Next Season Already: The NCAA Transfer Portal Is Open

April 7: Wisconsin loses a star guard, Kansas loses the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Tennessee loses everything. Here are the top storylines from day one of the 2026 transfer portal.

By Aaron Cohen
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LATEST STORIES

New North Carolina Tar Heels coach Mike Malone is introduced at a press conference

New UNC Coach Michael Malone Isn’t a Member of the Family. But He’s No Stranger.

Malone, who won an NBA championship as coach of the Denver Nuggets, is introduced in Chapel Hill

By Brett Friedlander
Dusty May grew up in Indiana. In his return home, he took Michigan to the promised land.

Dusty In Here: May Leads Michigan to NCAA Championship
By Seth Davis
Eliot Cadeau has completely turned around his college career after transferring from North Carolina.

“It’s Just Surreal”: Michigan Guard Elliot Cadeau Wins Final Four Most Outstanding Player 
By Alex Squadron
Point guard Elliot Cadeau shined in the NCAA Tournament for the Wolverines.

Hail to the Victors: Michigan Scrapes Its Way to the National Title
By Joey Dwyer
Alex Karaban ends his collegiate career just short of a third national title.

UConn Falls Just Short of Third Title in Four Years
By Luke DeCock
From Left to Right: Michigan State's Jeremy Fears, Gonzaga’s Braden Huff, Duke’s Caleb Foster and Michigan’s Trey McKenney

Seth Davis’ Never-Too-Early Preseason Top 25

Hoops HQ Editor-In-Chief Seth Davis shares his early Top 25 NCAA rankings for the 2026-27 college hoops season

By Seth Davis

TRANSFER PORTAL NEWS

From left: Jalen Haralson, Flory Bidunga, Juke Harris and Terrence Hill Jr.

Transfer Portal Latest: Kentucky and Kansas Stars On the Move

April 4: Today's new portal entries include an All-ACC star, a Kentucky duo and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
By Quentin Williams
University of Florida basketball player Olivier Rioux

The Biggest Transfer Portal News of the Week

April 1: The transfer portal doesn't formally open until April 7, but already hundreds of players have declared their intent to transfer. Here, we note the biggest talents.
By Quentin Williams
A graphic of 5 college basketball players in various states of play

Latest Transfer Portal News: Top 10 New Players

March 27: While the Sweet Sixteen played out on the court, the list of players entering the transfer portal heated up on social media. Here are the top 10.
By Quentin Williams
3 college basketball players in various states of play

Early Portal Action: First Players On the Move

March 24: While March Madness dominates the spotlight, a number of players are on the move. Using analytics, we’ve ranked the players poised to make the biggest impact. 
By Quentin Williams

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Michigan vs. UConn: March Madness Championship Picks and Preview

Seth Davis and Andy Katz recap the Final Four and analyze Monday's NCAA Tournament final between Michigan and UConn. Plus: Yaxel Lendeborg's injury, news from the coaching carousel and the end of the Big Ten title drought.

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Basketball Mike Malone with a University of North Carolina logo

North Carolina to Hire Michael Malone as Head Coach

Malone spent 10 seasons as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, winning an NBA championship in 2023
By Alex Squadron
Lauren Betts (#51), the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, celebrates with her teammates after upsetting South Carolina for a national title

UCLA Routs South Carolina to Claim First National Title Since 1978

Cori Close's Bruins smoked South Carolina, 79-51, to claim UCLA's first women's national title in nearly 50 years
By Eden Laase
Dan Hurley, Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. (left) take on Michigan's Dusty May, Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara (right) for the NCAA title

Dynasty or Juggernaut? UConn and Michigan Set for Epic National Final

Will Dan Hurley bring more hardware back to Storrs? Or will Dusty May deliver Michigan just its second title in program history?
By Alex Squadron

LONGFORM FEATURES

Graphic of a hundred dollar bill layered over a basketball

Inside the Dark Reality of Gambling Abuse in College Basketball
By Alex Squadron
Former UNC head Roy Williams (center) and his successor Hubert Davis (right) back in 2017, when Davis was still an assistant

Mired in Dysfunction, North Carolina Pivots to an Unsteady Future
By Luke DeCock
Rick Pitino and Mark Pope are not getting a big return on their massive NIL budgets

Hoop Thoughts: Beware the Money Trap!
By Seth Davis
After three decades in the limelight, "TV Teddy" Valentine quietly retired to Charleston, S.C.

“TV Teddy” Signs Off: Why College Hoops' Most (In)Famous Official Called It Quits
By Seth Davis
Jordan Cornette makes his NCAA Tournament selections.

NCAA Sues DraftKings: 'Madness' Over Trademarks
By Noah Henderson
Benetti is among the most prominent voices in college basketball, calling games for Fox

How Jason Benetti Overcame Cerebral Palsy and Became a Broadcast Legend
By Alex Squadron
Grief pulls family apart. This is the story of how Saylor Poffenbarger pulled hers together.

Maryland’s Saylor Poffenbarger Turns Tragedy Into Purpose
By Eden Laase
Mark Pope celebrates with members of his 1996 Championship team after the Wildcats' win over Tennessee on Saturday

Kentucky Coach Mark Pope on Faith, Family and Facing Florida
By Seth Davis and Andy Katz

HOT ON HHQ

Who does Seth like to take home the title?

Seth's Picks: Who's Winning the Title Tonight?
By Seth Davis
The Wolverines have counted on the freshman McKenney to step up, and he has delivered.

Trey McKenney Thrives in New Role, Helping Wolverines Reach Title Game
By Luke DeCock
Michigan basketball player Yaxel Lendeborg suffers an injury versus Arizona in the Final Four

With Yaxel Lendeborg Hobbling, Michigan Steamrolls Arizona
By Seth Davis
A dejected Koa Peat and Jaden Bradley walk to the Arizona bench after losing to Michigan in the 2026 Final Four

Arizona’s Season Ends in Embarrassing Fashion
By Joey Dwyer
UConn coach Dan Hurley hugs player Braylon Mullins

UConn Will Play for the National Championship. Again.
By Alex Squadron
Illinois basketball player Kylan Boswell drives to the basket versus UConn in the 2026 Final Four

Illinois' Magic Runs Out. The Lessons Will Remain.
By Luke DeCock
Betts' primary role was to shut down Texas star forward Madison Boozer

Lauren Betts Leads Lockdown Defense as UCLA Beats Texas
By Eden Laase
Against all odds, the well-traveled Underwood has the Illini in their first Final Four since 2005

Illinois Coach Brad Underwood’s Long and Winding Road to the Final Four
By Joshua Parrott
Dusty May and Yaxel Lendeborg celebrate after Michigan's Elite Eight win over Tennessee

Michigan Is All Personality — It Makes Them Better
By Joey Dwyer
Illinois coach Brad Underwood and Keaton Wagler are ready to battle UConn coach Dan Hurley and Tarris Reed Jr.

‘Expect a Real War’: UConn and Illinois Are Ready to Rumble
By Alex Squadron
A graphic of the Final Four matchups using university logos. From top left: Illinois, UConn, Michigan and Arizona.

Seth Picks Both Final Four Games
By Seth Davis
Clockwise from Top Left: Brad Underwood of Illinois, Michigan's Dusty May, Arizona's Tommy Lloyd and Dan Hurley of UConn

Andy Katz Interviews All 4 Final Four Coaches
By Andy Katz
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd celebrates his team's win

Tommy Lloyd Inks Arizona Extension, Ends UNC Speculation
By Aaron Cohen
Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz shoots the basketball over Nebraska forward Pryce Sandfort

Freezing Takes: An Ice-Cold Collection of the NCAA Tournament’s Worst Predictions
By Fred Segal
Keaton Wagler has risen rapidly up the NBA draft prospects rankings during his stellar freshman campaign

Keaton Wagler, an ‘Off-The-Beaten Path’ Recruit, Has Led Illinois to the Final Four
By Joshua Parrott

THE COACHING CAROUSEL

Justin Gainey, a former player at NC State, arrives in Raleigh after spending the last several years as an assistant with Tennessee

NC State Hires Justin Gainey as New Head Coach

The 49-year-old former Wolfpack player replaces Will Wade, who abruptly left for LSU after just one season at NC State
By Brett Friedlander
Will Wade

Will Wade Returning to LSU as Head Coach

Wade, who just wrapped his first season at NC State, coached the Tigers from 2017-22 before being fired for recruiting violations
By Alex Squadron
Hubert Davis

North Carolina Fires Coach Hubert Davis

The Tar Heels were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in the first round, blowing a 19-point lead against VCU.
By Alex Squadron
Kansas head coach Bill Self encouraging his Jayhawks from the sidelines during their 74-56 loss at Iowa State on Feb. 14

Kansas Coach Bill Self Is Returning Next Year

After speculation that he might retire, Self announced that he is coming back to lead the Jayhawks for the 2026-27 season
By Alex Squadron
Ronald Nored

Butler Hires Ronald Nored as New Head Coach

As a player at Butler, Nored helped the program reached back-to-back national title games in 2010 and 2011
By Alex Squadron
Jerrod Calhoun was named the 2026 Mountain West Coach of the Year

Cincinnati to Hire Utah State’s Jerrod Calhoun as Next Head Coach

Utah State’s Jerrod Calhoun will become the next head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats. He is the first UC alum to helm the program since 1989.
By Aaron Cohen
Randy Bennett

Arizona State Bedeviled by New Coach Randy Bennett

After an incredible 25-year run at Saint Mary's, Bennett is set to replace Bobby Hurley as the head coach at ASU
By Alex Squadron
Gerry McNamara

Syracuse to Hire Program Legend Gerry McNamara as New Head Coach

McNamara, a Syracuse legend and member of the 2003 title team, has spent the past two seasons as the head coach at Siena
By Alex Squadron
Greg McDermott

Creighton Coach Greg McDermott Announces Retirement

Associate head coach Alan Huss, a Creighton alum, is set to take over the program
By Alex Squadron

WOMEN'S HOOPS LATEST

Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma arguing on the sidelines near the end of South Carolina's Final Four win over UConn

Coaches' Dustup Mars South Carolina's Upset Win Over UConn

Dawn Staley's squad takes down the defending champs, will face UCLA in the title game on Sunday

By Eden Laase
Lauren Betts of UCLA handles the basketball

Two Stars Lead UCLA, South Carolina Into Championship Game
By Eden Laase
Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice are among the projected top picks in Eden Laase's three-round WNBA mock draft

Preview: The Women’s Final Four Is Champions vs. Challengers
By Eden Laase
The Huskies are three wins away from completing an undefeated season.

The Women's Final Four Is All No. 1 Seeds
By Eden Laase
A graphic of women's basketball players Olivia Miles of TCU and Raven Johnson of South Carolina

'Two of the Best Point Guards in College Basketball' Face Off With the Final Four on the Line
By Eden Laase

More Top Stories

Arizona star Brayden Burries flexing

“Calm, Composed,” Brayden Burries Is Steering Arizona Toward a National Championship
By Joey Dwyer
Former North Carolina coach Hubert Davis

The Coaching Carousel Keeps Spinning — Here’s Your Update Ahead of the Final Four
By Alex Squadron
Alex Karaban cheering on the court

UConn's Leader Eyes 3 Titles in 4 Years
By Alex Squadron
Silas Demary Jr. blocks Cayden Boozer's downcourt pass in the final moments of UConn's Elite Eight win over Duke

How Silas Demary Jr.’s “Phantom Inch” Saved UConn’s Season
By Luke DeCock
Illinois star Keaton Wagler at the Elite Eight

The Top NBA Draft Prospects in the Final Four
By Jonathan Wasserman
Dusty May is back in the Final Four after also leading upstart Florida Atlantic to this stage in 2023

Dusty May Q+A
By Seth Davis and Andy Katz
Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood glares from the sideline

Brad Underwood Q+A
By Seth Davis
A map of the Big Ten conference's footprint across America. West coast to east coast

Big Ten Title Drought Hits 26 Years. Why?
By Luke DeCock
Hoops HQ Is a Webby Award Nominee. Please Vote for Us!

Hoops HQ Is Up for a Webby Award — Please Vote for Us!
By Hoops HQ Staff

OUR EXPERTS' BRACKETS

Pearl left Auburn shortly before the season began, leaving son Steven to manage the Tigers

Bruce Pearl's Bracket
By Bruce pearl
Rapheal Davis in front of a graphic of the 2025 NCAA March Madness Tournament Bracket

Rapheal Davis' Bracket
By Rapheal Davis
Jordan Cornette makes his NCAA Tournament selections.

Jordan Cornette's Bracket
By Jordan Cornette
Seth Davis’ NCAA Men’s 2026 Tournament Bracket

Seth Davis' NCAA Tournament Bracket Analysis and Picks
By Seth Davis
Broadcaster Tim Brando calling a college basketball game

NCAA Broadcast Legend Tim Brando's Upset-Heavy Bracket
By Tim Brando
Brad Wachtel correctly predicted 47/68 team's seeds and 67/68 teams within one seed

HHQ's Star Bracketologist Brad Wachtel Shares His Bracket
By Brad Wachtel
Jason Benetti’s NCAA Men’s 2026 Tournament Bracket

Jason Benetti's Bracket
By Jason Benetti
Hoops HQ's Women's Editor, Eden Laase

Eden Laase's Women's Bracket
By Eden Laase
Hoops HQ's senior correspondent Andy Katz makes his picks

Andy Katz's Bracket
By Andy Katz
Walker as Texas Tech's interim head coach in 2013

Chris Walker's Bracket
By Chris Walker
The First Four games tip off March 17th in Dayton, OH

Chris Dortch's Bracket
By Chris Dortch
Dalen Cuff (right) at the 2022 Ivy League Tournament

Dalen Cuff's Bracket
By Dalen Cuff
Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice are among the projected top picks in Eden Laase's three-round WNBA mock draft

2026 WNBA Mock Draft

Jan. 29: With the WNBA in flux, all eyes are on the class of 2026. Our Women's Basketball Editor predicts all 45 picks, including Azzi Fudd, Awa Fam, UCLA's entire starting lineup.

By Eden Laase