ROCK HILL and NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Sneakers squeaking, kids hooping, parents hollering and the game’s most famous faces fraternizing on the sidelines. It’s the time of year when coaches burn the candle at both ends: 8 a.m. games and 10 p.m. dinners.
The midsummer recruiting trail is most interesting window on the hoops calendar that most fans don’t get to see or really experience. The biggest names in college basketball rub shoulders, literally, sitting next to each other while watching the college stars of tomorrow.
College basketball’s July live period allows for two four-day sprints for coaches to hit the road and watch prospects play in a variety of tournaments across the country. Last week, I traveled to South Carolina to take in Adidas-sponsored teams in Rock Hill and Nike-backed programs in North Augusta (with a manageable two-hour drive separating the sites).
Which 68 teams make our first 2026 Bracketology, and which teams may be hoping for NCAA Tournament expansion
David Cobb
Adidas’ summer tournament culminated Sunday, while the Nike EYBL season segues into Peach Jam bracket play all this week and weekend in North Augusta. There was plenty to see and much more to talk about. After conversations with nearly three dozen coaches, I’ve cobbled an assorted notebook. We start with the biggest topic that prompted conversation in the gym.
Many coaches prefer NCAA tourney staying at 68
We were expecting an update on the NCAA Tournament last Thursday, only to see the decision shelved again.
That seems for the…
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