This week @CollegeFrontO turned 1 year old. At the same time, I was invited to speak on roster construction at @TopConnectLead to 50 of the top assistant coaches in the country (s/o @CoachAFarrell) One hell of a year. Excited for Year 2. Link: open.substack.com/pub/thecol…

Our final session of the morning at the 2026 TopConnect Basketball Symposium presented by @JustPlaySS featured @NoahImgLikeness to discuss Roster Building and Roster Management

Yesterday, the CEO of the College Sports Commission said, “It is totally fine with us if the rules end up changing if there is consensus to change,” in response to calls to amend college sports’ failed salary cap Here’s why I think the rules will change: thecollegefrontoffice.substa…

I was asked to join WDWS Newstalk 1400 (Champaign) this Saturday to help clear up some confusion surrounding Illini Football valuations and “The College Front Office” branding I’ve operated @CollegeFrontO for over a year as a college sports publication covering NIL, roster construction, and the professionalization of college athletics A separate NIL service using the same name recently emerged, and I want to make clear that I have no involvement or affiliation with that entity

It has come to my attention that a separate entity is now using “The College Front Office” name in connection with NIL valuations. That project is not affiliated with me, and those valuations are not endorsed by me in any way.

Even assuming this survives antitrust scrutiny, it will still not deliver the intended effect Good luck getting any player to sign into a multi-year deal now! Keep movement available during the portal window and let their buyout price their exit cost

Semester just ended and I was SWAMPED the last couple weeks Tons of GM movement I haven’t tracked yet on @CollegeFrontO If you’ve got a new role or are the first GM at your school, send it my way. I’ll update the database this week

Excited to feature @kerrykeating3 on the future of AI in player evaluation Everyone has the data. The new differentiator could be who can turn feel into a scalable system as recruiting timelines compress: thecollegefrontoffice.substa…

College teams are starting to fine athletes like pros But in the pros, discipline is governed by a CBA... at public schools, it’s bound by the Constitution IMO, that distinction sets up fines as a likely next wave of college sports litigation Link: thecollegefrontoffice.substa…

I got a ton of flack (and even threats via burner accounts) for my article when I wrote about this almost a year ago... nice to be vindicated thecollegefrontoffice.substa…

The College Front Office NIT Bracket Challenge is now live... see if you have what it takes to be crowned the #1 college basketball sicko Play for free here: thecollegefrontoffice.substa…

Introducing the first annual College Front Office Men’s Basketball GM of the Year Honorable mentions, finalists, and the winner: thecollegefrontoffice.substa…

I've been thinking/talking about this general "feeder" concept for a while now, but Noah has worked it out at a much deeper level, to the point where I'm surprised he's still a free agent and not working on a staff. Another must read from one of my favorite CBB thinkers.

I woke up a bit frustrated today Seems like every week I see a new headline about someone in college sports not honoring their word... I put some of my thoughts about this on my publication The College Front Office (@CollegeFrontO) Link in replies

College basketball teams return just 28% of minutes (down from 60% pre-NIL) Returners show better development AND lower variance than transfers For on-ball guards, returning reduces offensive production variance by ~50% My full analysis for @CollegeFrontO - link in replies

Time for NBA front-offices to consider draft and stash for early entrants. Take a second rounder, offer them minimum tender, coordinate with a college coach you trust and keep your two-way spots free for more developed players. If they develop well it’s a great trade asset

Some blame #NIL for killing mid-major basketball Others say it promotes parity The data is complicated, but mid-majors have been holding steady The feeling of decline is real, but the feeling is likely misattributed to player compensation Link to my @CollegeFrontO article ⬇️

Public trust in basketball is eroding At the same time, sports commodity trading is bypassing state gambling restrictions designed to protect athletes and preserve integrity I put my full thoughts on the @CollegeFrontO (link in replies)

A lot of people are focused on whether UW can enforce the buyout in Demond Williams Jr.’s contract The bigger question: will the NCAA actually enforce its own guidance and apply a cap hit to whoever poaches him? Without that, there’s no real deterrent to this type of behavior

In my view, the single missing piece to “fix” college sports is NCAA jurisdiction over player contracts via a neutral arbitration tribunal... like we see in virtually every other professional sport Hate massive roster churn? This gives teeth to multi-year deals (more “loyalty,” if that’s the phrasing you like) Want small schools rewarded for good scouting? Fast, enforceable buyouts make that possible And when buyouts carry real financial consequences, including impacts on rev-share cap space, rational programs will poach less. A free market works when contracts are enforceable