Chris Dortch

Chris Dortch

Chris Dortch has been editor and publisher for Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook — considered the “bible” of college hoops — for the last 26 years. Before that, he covered college basketball for four newspapers. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, NBA.com, ESPN.com, The Athletic, Lindy’s, Athlon’s, the Washington Post, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and SECSports.com. Dortch has also taught sports writing and narrative non-fiction writing at East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is a member of the East Tennessee State Communication Department Alumni Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame, and the United States Basketball Writers Association Hall of Fame.
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Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl and players celebrate during an interview with CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson

After a Final Four Run, Auburn Is Rebuilding From Scratch

Bruce Pearl’s roster next season will include juco transfers, a Division II player and underrated imports. Just how he likes it.

By Chris Dortch
Maryland men's basketball player Ja'Kobi Gillespie drives to the basket against Illinois

It's Still Early in the Portal Season, But Tennessee Has Already Made its Point

Rick Barnes landed Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie — who appears ready to be the next Zakai Zeigler — and is hunting for more reinforcements

By Chris Dortch
Jase Richardson

Dream Season for Michigan State Ends With Loss to Stacked Auburn

The Spartans had no answer for Auburn's Johni Broome, and now they face offseason questions. Chief among them: Will star freshman Jase Richardson be back?

By Chris Dortch
Johni Broome notched another double-double in Auburn's win

A Big (Man) Promise From Auburn's Coach Has the Tigers One Win From the Final Four

Starting two talented big men has been a key for the Tigers' all season long. Up next, Michigan State.

By Chris Dortch
Tahaad Pettiford

Auburn Goes on 20-2 Run to Crush Michigan, March on to Elite Eight

The Tigers' win gives the SEC half the Elite Eight field. Auburn joins conference foes Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.

By Chris Dortch
Jace Richardson had 20 points on Friday night, as the Spartans battled back from down double digits to beat Ole Miss

Jase Richardson Keys Comeback; Spartans Make 10th Elite Eight Under Izzo

The Spartans' freshman — son of NBA vet and MSU star Jason Richardson — leads his team into the Elite Eight

By Chris Dortch
Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers gestures down court against the Texas A+M Aggies during the first half at Reed Arena on March 04, 2025 in College Station, Texas.

The Auburn Tigers, Like Their Coach, Are Just Glad to Be Here

Bruce Pearl’s philosophy of roster building centers on a basic principle — gratitude

By Chris Dortch
Chaz Lanier

Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier Breaks a Seemingly Unbreakable Record in Vols' Win Over UCLA

Lanier broke Chris Lofton's record for the most three-pointers in a single season

By Chris Dortch
Chad Baker-Mazara #10 of the Auburn Tigers takes a shot against Jackson McAndrew #23

Pearl’s Warning Resonates With Auburn

No. 1-seeded Tigers looked in mid-season form against Creighton

By Chris Dortch
Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes talks to Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) during the college basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks on March 8, 2025, at Food City Center in Knoxville, TN.

When Tennessee’s Rick Barnes Nearly Ended Up at UCLA

Tennessee's Rick Barnes was explaining to Hoops HQ why, in 2019, he didn’t become coach at UCLA when he ran into the man who did — Mick Cronin

By Chris Dortch
Side-by-side of Ryan Kalkbrenner and Johni Broome

Battle of the Bigs: Kalkbrenner, Broome to Clash in Round of 32

Two star centers likely to determine which team moves on to Atlanta next week

By Chris Dortch
Zakai Zeigler #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers attempts a shot

Zakai Zeigler Directs Tennessee to a First-Round Win over Wofford

"I feel blessed for all that’s come my way, and I’m thankful Coach Barnes saw something in me," said Ziegler

By Chris Dortch
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