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.

Notre Dame Lost Everything. Coach Shrewsberry Is Loving It.

After unexpectedly dropping six players in the transfer portal, Notre Dame initiated an emergency rebuild. Coach Shrewsberry is overjoyed with the results.

Yaxel Lendeborg Is Ready to Go from NCAA Star to NBA Role Player

As the NBA draft approaches, a more mature Lendeborg is ready to cede the spotlight and contribute any way he can for his new team

Blue Brothers: Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer Taking Parallel Paths to the NBA

As they transition from college to the pros, UNC's Caleb Wilson and Duke's Cameron Boozer seem forever destined to be linked together

Koa Peat’s Big Question: Stay in the Draft or Go Back To Arizona?

The Arizona forward has an NBA body, but his shooting is a concern for scouts. Peat did little to dispel those worries at the NBA Draft Combine.

Is DePaul Finally On the Rise Again?

With the hiring of Chris Holtmann and a soon-to-be-built practice facility, the Blue Demons have a chance to reclaim some of their past glory

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?