John Rooke

1 month ago | providencejournal.com | John Rooke

The NCAA transfer portal is causing a lack of Cinderella stories in the NCAA tournament, as mid-major teams lose their star players to larger programs. The transfer portal officially opened on Monday and already has over 1,200 Division I basketball players looking for a new team. There are several coaching changes in college basketball, including Phil Martelli Jr. moving to VCU and Richard Pitino leaving New Mexico for Xavier.

1 month ago | providencejournal.com | John Rooke

John RookeSpecial to The Providence JournalThinking out loud … while wondering, since my boss told me to have a good day, should I go home? The trees are shaking in the college hoop jungle, a week after the regular season and conference tournaments have ended. Not just because of the start of the NCAA Tournament, but because the transfer portal, crazy as it seems, officially opens Monday. And yet, as mentioned last week, it’s already opened. There are more than 300 players in the portal.

2 months ago | providencejournal.com | John Rooke

Providence College men's basketball team had a disappointing season, finishing with a 20-loss record, their worst in 40 years. The Brown University men's basketball team missed out on the Ivy League tournament despite hosting it. The New England Patriots were active in free agency, signing several players, including defensive lineman Milton Williams. Thinking out loud … while wondering if drinking green beer on St. Patrick's Day counts as eating a vegetable? March Madness — and March Sadness.

Feb 14, 2025 | providencejournal.com | John Rooke

Thinking out loud … while wondering if the wife telling you she doesn’t want anything for Valentine’s Day is the same as her saying, “I’m fine ...”Wait, what? The Red Sox made up their minds on Alex Bregman? That’s a step in a positive direction. At the very least, Bregman gives this team pop from the right sid, and the chance at better defense up the middle — two things they desperately need. And fans desperately desired.

Feb 7, 2025 | providencejournal.com | John Rooke

John RookeSpecial to The Providence JournalThinking out loud … while wondering if love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? ∎ The next couple of months are likely the most crucial months in the history of college sports as we know them around here, even without a game being played. Will any remnant of amateurism remain behind as we near the decision day on the U.S. House vs. NCAA settlement — the one that could cost schools and athletic departments nearly $3 billion?