CJ Moore
@cjmoorehoops.bsky.social
National college basketball writer at The Athletic.
Reposted by CJ Moore
Mike talks to the Athletic's CJ Moore about his connection to Keaton Wagler, the NBA Draft & the Illini team expectations come tourney time.
@theathletic.com @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social @mikecagley.bsky.social
#Illini #Illinois #collegebasketball
illiniguys.com/555-cj-moore...
@theathletic.com @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social @mikecagley.bsky.social
#Illini #Illinois #collegebasketball
illiniguys.com/555-cj-moore...
555 - CJ Moore Talks Keaton Wagler, the NBA Draft & Illini Tourney Expectations - YouTube Edition - IlliniGuys.com
Mike Cagley talks to the Athletic's CJ Moore about his personal connection to Keaton Wagler, the NBA Draft & the Illini team expectations come tourney time.
illiniguys.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Mike talks to the Athletic's CJ Moore about his connection to Keaton Wagler, the NBA Draft & the Illini team expectations come tourney time.
@theathletic.com @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social @mikecagley.bsky.social
#Illini #Illinois #collegebasketball
illiniguys.com/555-cj-moore...
@theathletic.com @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social @mikecagley.bsky.social
#Illini #Illinois #collegebasketball
illiniguys.com/555-cj-moore...
Keaton Wagler went to my old high school and I thought he was gonna be special. But this fast? A possible one-and-done lottery pick? Not even he dreamed it. But his story is one other players should learn from. www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
He was the 261st-ranked player in his class. Now he could be an NBA lottery pick
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Keaton Wagler went to my old high school and I thought he was gonna be special. But this fast? A possible one-and-done lottery pick? Not even he dreamed it. But his story is one other players should learn from. www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Nebraska, Kansas, Florida and Virginia move up and I wrote about all four in this week’s T25, plus UConn’s 3-point defense, Duke’s passing bigs, Texas Tech slowing Dybantsa, North Carolina’s defensive struggles and St. John’s and Wisconsin’s hot offenses: www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Why Nebraska, Virginia, Florida are flying up the rankings
Plus: St. John's and Wisconsin return to our Top 25.
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Nebraska, Kansas, Florida and Virginia move up and I wrote about all four in this week’s T25, plus UConn’s 3-point defense, Duke’s passing bigs, Texas Tech slowing Dybantsa, North Carolina’s defensive struggles and St. John’s and Wisconsin’s hot offenses: www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
My column on college basketball’s betting scandal and who needs to take action: www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
College hoops’ point-shaving plot begs the question: Why even allow bets on low-major games?
Most of the games prosecutors allege were fixed were at the low- and mid-major levels, where players aren't making much money.
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:56 PM
My column on college basketball’s betting scandal and who needs to take action: www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Mailbag with @brendanmarks.bsky.social. Thoughts on Michigan’s first loss, a mid-major top five, the strength of the Big 12, UNC’s front court, how Iowa can get Bennett Stirtz going in big games and best transfers from outside of D1:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
Was Michigan’s loss just a blip? Mid-major teams to eye for March? College basketball mailbag
Why Saint Louis and Saint Mary's are among the mid-majors who could spring a win or two in the NCAA Tournament.
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Mailbag with @brendanmarks.bsky.social. Thoughts on Michigan’s first loss, a mid-major top five, the strength of the Big 12, UNC’s front court, how Iowa can get Bennett Stirtz going in big games and best transfers from outside of D1:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
KU looked like KU again on Tuesday night. My column on what had gone wrong, what went right and why the Jayhawks have hope again: www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
In crushing No. 2 Iowa State, Kansas finally begins to look like team Bill Self envisioned
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:03 PM
KU looked like KU again on Tuesday night. My column on what had gone wrong, what went right and why the Jayhawks have hope again: www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
This week’s Top 25 with Saint Louis, Clemson and Utah State making their debuts and both Vandy and Nebraska moving up:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Unbeaten Vanderbilt, Nebraska are bona fide top-10 teams
It's also time to consider mid-majors — and Utah State and Saint Louis join our ranking this week.
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:43 PM
This week’s Top 25 with Saint Louis, Clemson and Utah State making their debuts and both Vandy and Nebraska moving up:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
Michigan breaking algorithms and debuting at No. 1 in a new stat, plus nuggets on Purdue, BYU, Nebraska, Alabama, SMU and Villanova in this week’s Top 25: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Michigan’s dominance is breaking Vegas
Plus: How Purdue's Braden Smith makes passing magic and why SMU and Villanova are the newest teams in our ranking.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Michigan breaking algorithms and debuting at No. 1 in a new stat, plus nuggets on Purdue, BYU, Nebraska, Alabama, SMU and Villanova in this week’s Top 25: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
In this week’s Top 25, I celebrate Braden Smith and Christian Anderson’s P&R wizardry, Gonzaga’s hook kings, Vandy’s thieves, Houston’s firepower and Caleb Wilson’s twitchiness.
Plus, is Kentucky back? Should we question Duke’s title chances? www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Plus, is Kentucky back? Should we question Duke’s title chances? www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Michigan, Arizona remain at top, but here come Purdue, Houston
Plus: Kentucky returns to our ranking after getting healthy and beating St. John's.
www.nytimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM
In this week’s Top 25, I celebrate Braden Smith and Christian Anderson’s P&R wizardry, Gonzaga’s hook kings, Vandy’s thieves, Houston’s firepower and Caleb Wilson’s twitchiness.
Plus, is Kentucky back? Should we question Duke’s title chances? www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Plus, is Kentucky back? Should we question Duke’s title chances? www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Fun mailbag with @brendanmarks.bsky.social, starting with the question: Is this the best two-month start to the season ever? www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
The best start to a basketball season? Studs, duds and more in college hoops mailbag
With nonconference play coming to a close, what college basketball teams have stood out and disappointed in 2025-26?
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Fun mailbag with @brendanmarks.bsky.social, starting with the question: Is this the best two-month start to the season ever? www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Mailbag time with my guy @brendanmarks.bsky.social. Send us your questions here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Submit your questions for the college basketball mailbag
A fireworks-filled nonconference portion of the season is winding down. Ask us anything about this season.
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Mailbag time with my guy @brendanmarks.bsky.social. Send us your questions here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
In this week’s Top 25, Michigan, Arizona, Iowa State, Nebraska, BYU, Louisville, Arkansas and Kansas are featured: www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: What’s fueling still-unbeaten Michigan, Arizona … and Nebraska?
Not only are there still seven undefeated teams in college basketball, but most of them have already faced stiff competition.
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:50 PM
In this week’s Top 25, Michigan, Arizona, Iowa State, Nebraska, BYU, Louisville, Arkansas and Kansas are featured: www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Why isn’t Kentucky winning with a $22 million roster? Mark Pope built a team that doesn’t fit him and a defense that is supposed to be elite hasn’t played like it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Kentucky reportedly spent $22 million on its basketball roster. Why isn’t it working?
The Athletic spoke with coaches and watched UK's games to assess what Kentucky must do to salvage its still-young season.
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Why isn’t Kentucky winning with a $22 million roster? Mark Pope built a team that doesn’t fit him and a defense that is supposed to be elite hasn’t played like it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
The Miami Heat are barely running any plays or setting ball screens. How did they end up here? It starts with a chance meeting with a former D3 coach. Story with @fredkatz.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Inside the Heat and their offensive turnaround: 'We have to evolve'
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The Miami Heat are barely running any plays or setting ball screens. How did they end up here? It starts with a chance meeting with a former D3 coach. Story with @fredkatz.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
This week’s Top 25, starting with a breakdown of Iowa State’s statement win at Purdue: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Michigan is still my No. 1, but Iowa State is surging
The Cyclones own one of the best wins of the season at Purdue, and vaulted to No. 3 in CJ Moore's Top 25.
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This week’s Top 25, starting with a breakdown of Iowa State’s statement win at Purdue: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Reposted by CJ Moore
After an "embarrassing" playoff loss, offseason convos with coaches and meetings with Bam Adebayo, Erik Spoelstra decided to overhaul the Heat's offense.
"We have to evolve," Spo said.
Story w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on an evolution which appears to be working: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
"We have to evolve," Spo said.
Story w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on an evolution which appears to be working: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
December 8, 2025 at 1:30 PM
After an "embarrassing" playoff loss, offseason convos with coaches and meetings with Bam Adebayo, Erik Spoelstra decided to overhaul the Heat's offense.
"We have to evolve," Spo said.
Story w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on an evolution which appears to be working: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
"We have to evolve," Spo said.
Story w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on an evolution which appears to be working: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Because of NIL, Darryn Peterson was beginning to become a guy some KU fans resented for sitting out. My column on the new lens we look at these players through and why playing the long game made sense: www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Kansas’ Darryn Peterson makes long-awaited return, with hope there’s plenty more to come
Peterson's injury had raised eyebrows, but coach Bill Self says the freshman was dedicated in his recovery.
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Because of NIL, Darryn Peterson was beginning to become a guy some KU fans resented for sitting out. My column on the new lens we look at these players through and why playing the long game made sense: www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Dan Hurley is ready to talk about something else other than UConn’s back-to-back titles and ready for his current team to build its own legacy. My column on the Huskies from last night: www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
How this UConn team did something even its title team couldn't: Win at Allen Fieldhouse
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Dan Hurley is ready to talk about something else other than UConn’s back-to-back titles and ready for his current team to build its own legacy. My column on the Huskies from last night: www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
How good are Michigan and Purdue? According to KenPom ratings, they are the best two teams through four weeks of the last 15 years. Blurbs in this week’s Top 25 on Michigan, UConn, Duke, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Michigan State, Kansas, Vanderbilt, Iowa and St. John’s: www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Why Michigan and Purdue’s hot starts are also historic
Michigan's first month of the season is unparalleled in recent history, according to the numbers.
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:34 PM
How good are Michigan and Purdue? According to KenPom ratings, they are the best two teams through four weeks of the last 15 years. Blurbs in this week’s Top 25 on Michigan, UConn, Duke, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Michigan State, Kansas, Vanderbilt, Iowa and St. John’s: www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Reposted by CJ Moore
Sometimes everything works and the right writer is in the right position to tell the right story. You love to see it.
Elite stuff from @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social going all-access as Michigan officially announces itself among the national championship contenders.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Elite stuff from @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social going all-access as Michigan officially announces itself among the national championship contenders.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Inside the week Michigan basketball became a leading title contender: ‘Just scratching the surface’
The Athletic went all-access with the Wolverines as they pummeled Gonzaga by 40 points to win the Players Era Festival.
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Sometimes everything works and the right writer is in the right position to tell the right story. You love to see it.
Elite stuff from @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social going all-access as Michigan officially announces itself among the national championship contenders.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Elite stuff from @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social going all-access as Michigan officially announces itself among the national championship contenders.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Dusty May granted me all access for the Gonzaga game. From the meeting room to the locker room and walks with May, let me take you on a fun ride with the Wolverines: www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Behind the scenes with Michigan in Las Vegas: Late nights, a $1 million prize and raised expectations
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Dusty May granted me all access for the Gonzaga game. From the meeting room to the locker room and walks with May, let me take you on a fun ride with the Wolverines: www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Reposted by CJ Moore
Gonzaga at No. 12? Time for my fellow pollsters to watch the Zags. Mark Few has a title contender again, one he feels like has a lot of room for growth. Impressive considering Gonzaga has been as good as anyone thus far.
My column from Vegas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
My column from Vegas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Underrated Gonzaga claps back in Players Era Festival win over No. 8 Alabama
The Zags found themselves down at No. 12 in the latest AP Top 25, leading Mark Few's group to take out any frustrations on the Crimson Tide.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Gonzaga at No. 12? Time for my fellow pollsters to watch the Zags. Mark Few has a title contender again, one he feels like has a lot of room for growth. Impressive considering Gonzaga has been as good as anyone thus far.
My column from Vegas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
My column from Vegas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Gonzaga at No. 12? Time for my fellow pollsters to watch the Zags. Mark Few has a title contender again, one he feels like has a lot of room for growth. Impressive considering Gonzaga has been as good as anyone thus far.
My column from Vegas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
My column from Vegas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Underrated Gonzaga claps back in Players Era Festival win over No. 8 Alabama
The Zags found themselves down at No. 12 in the latest AP Top 25, leading Mark Few's group to take out any frustrations on the Crimson Tide.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Gonzaga at No. 12? Time for my fellow pollsters to watch the Zags. Mark Few has a title contender again, one he feels like has a lot of room for growth. Impressive considering Gonzaga has been as good as anyone thus far.
My column from Vegas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
My column from Vegas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
In my Top 25 this week, Nebraska debuts. I also write about Purdue, Arizona, Duke, Alabama, BYU, Michigan State, Florida and Kansas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Purdue, Arizona affirm status as 1-2 before loaded Feast Week
As many as 15 ranked teams could play another ranked opponent in a week full of neutral-site tournaments and invitationals.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
In my Top 25 this week, Nebraska debuts. I also write about Purdue, Arizona, Duke, Alabama, BYU, Michigan State, Florida and Kansas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Reposted by CJ Moore
Only in CJs articles do we get such niche stuff like this about Kylan Boswell manipulating the floor, ensuring he could take a rim protector out of the picture if Mirkovic and Wagler switch spots.
Great stuff
Great stuff
November 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Only in CJs articles do we get such niche stuff like this about Kylan Boswell manipulating the floor, ensuring he could take a rim protector out of the picture if Mirkovic and Wagler switch spots.
Great stuff
Great stuff