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On the first day of the college basketball season, the Sports Capital Journalism Program hosted a discussion on the state of the industry after an unprecedented period of self-examination and change. More than six months after the findings of the Commission on College Basketball, which resulted in legislation created by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, …

By Aidan Wilkins | @AidanJWilkins Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS – College basketball is evolving right before our eyes. The sport saw tremendous questions arise over a long offseason, as the Commission on College Basketball, led by chair Condoleezza Rice, made recommendations on how the NCAA may adjust its rules to allow more flexibility for …

By Josh Roller | @Roller_01 Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — Associated Press reporter Michael Marot, a longtime colleague of college basketball writer Jim O’Connell, remembered the reporter who made 20 trips to cover the Maui Invitational basketball tournament before his death in July, 2018. “[He] was the only guy who went to the Maui …

By Mike Williams | @MikeWritesSport Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — Before expressing his thoughts on the state of college basketball, former vice president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment Bill Benner gave some thoughts on the passing of longtime Associated Press writer Jim O’Connell, who friends and colleagues, for decades, referred to as Oc. “Oc …

By Caleb Lynn | @ CalebLynn1 Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — Sean Gregory spoke on Tuesday afternoon about his relationship with Hall of Fame college basketball writer Jim O’Connell, a relationship that was much bigger than basketball. Gregory was O’Connell’s nephew. When Gregory was 11 years old, he remembered, O’Connell would deliver media guides …

By Robby General | @rgeneraljr Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS – Mike Krzyzewski very rarely does anything unrelated to getting his Duke University basketball team ready on game days. But hours before the opening of the 2018-19 NCAA basketball season at the Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse – where No. 4 Duke would dominate …

By Frank Bonner II | @Frank_Bonner2 Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since the 1977-78 season, the NCAA men’s college basketball season tipped off on Tuesday without legendary college basketball writer Jim O’Connell at the Associated Press.

By Justin A. Byers | @Justin_A_Byers Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — In the highly-anticipated contest between No.1 Kansas and No. 10 Michigan State in the State Farm Champions Classic, the Jayhawks proved they are worthy of their top pre-season ranking with a 92-87 win over the Spartans. Freshman guard Quentin Grimes scored 21 points, …

By DeSherion McBroom | @dvo_maximus Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — When John Calipari entered the post-game conference room at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the coach of the second-ranked Kentucky Wildcats looked mesmerized and deflated. A highly anticipated game to begin the college basketball season had ended with a command of resignation, a shocking 34-point loss …