Luke DeCock

Luke DeCock

Luke DeCock has spent 25 years immersed in some of college basketball’s most heated rivalries, covering Duke, North Carolina and NC State as a columnist for the Raleigh News & Observer. His work has also appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and been syndicated nationally. A three-time NC sportswriter of the year and the 2021 National Headliner Award winner for sports commentary, Luke will be inducted into the US Basketball Writers Association’s Joe Mitch Hall of Fame at the Final Four in April, 2026. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he now resides in his hometown of Chicago.

UConn Falls Just Short of Third Title in Four Years

Dan Hurley and Alex Karaban were victorious in their two prior trips to the title game. But this time, it wasn't meant to be.

Mired in Dysfunction, North Carolina Pivots to an Unsteady Future

The university hired a Duke graduate as Chancellor and fired its basketball coach, Hubert Davis. That may be the least of its troubles.

Trey McKenney Thrives in New Role, Helping Wolverines Reach Title Game

Dusty May "threw him into the fire," but the freshman guard has shined in the big moments

Illinois' Magic Runs Out. The Lessons Will Remain.

For Illinois, in the Final Four for the first time since 2005, the pain of coming this close was dulled just a bit by the realization of how far they had come

How Silas Demary Jr.’s “Phantom Inch” Saved UConn’s Season

As an overlooked recruit from North Carolina, the UConn guard found redemption in knocking Duke out of the NCAA Tournament. He still has unfinished business in Indianapolis.

Big Ten Title Drought Hits 26 Years. Why?

Michigan State won the championship in 2000. Yet here we are, 26 years later, and the Big Ten is still looking for its next one.

Michigan Trounces Tennessee, Punches Ticket to Final Four

Yaxel Lendeborg scores 27 as the Wolverines win 95-62. Can anyone stop Michigan?

Tennessee Is Ready for a Fight with Michigan. Because Its Coach Is.

Rick Barnes has the Volunteers one win from the first Final Four in school history

Tennessee Heads Back to Elite Eight With ‘Some Unfinished Business’ To Take Care Of

Vols overpower Iowa State relatively easily to move to Sunday's Midwest Regional final against top-seeded Michigan.

Yaxel Lendeborg Dominates as Michigan Moves Past Alabama

The Big Ten player of the did it all in a 90-77 Sweet Sixteen win. Alabama freshman Labaron Philon Jr. had a game-high 35 points.

'Football Schools' Building Blueblood Basketball Programs

Michigan has been at the top of the AP Top 25 poll all season. Alabama has reached the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth straight season.

Purdue, the Preseason No. 1 Team, Finally Finds Its Form

Even with Braden Smith shooting just 3 for 12 from the floor, the Boilermakers had enough depth to hold off Miami. Next up: Texas in the Sweet Sixteen.