A Season Inside: One Year in College Basketball

by John Feinstein

Offers an inside perspective on an entire college basketball season, from the first recruiting sessions to the Final Four, profiling the players and coaches who figure prominently in this often controversial collegiate sport

Genres: Sports, Basketball, Nonfiction

464 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 1989

About the author

John Feinstein was an American sportswriter, author, and sports commentator.

Reviews

[Chris Schaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feinstein is a great writer and does a great job in chronicling the season starting with first practices, recruiting, pre-season tournaments, conference play, conference tournament, and ultimately the NCAA tournament and Final Four. It includes special focus on coaches, a few programs and side stories like on referees, recruits, and transfers. Feinstein is predictably overly sympathetic toward his favorites - Rolly Massamino and Villanova, Duke - especially senior Billy King, Steve Kerr of Arizona - almost to the point of a full on crush. He's also predictably harsh towards John Thompson of Georgetown who has never been one of his favorites but in fairness was not an especially nice man and someone whose coaching and recruiting prowess were beginning to decline in this 1987-88 season. He really has a thing for Kerr though. If you're a fan of college hoops and miss those great seasons of the l1980s - it's a great book for you.

[Peter Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love college basketball, you will love this book. This is Feinstein's second book (he has written over 40) and although it came out in 1988, it is a wonderful read. Chock full of great college basketball history and perspective. Does a good job of capturing the culture of college hoops by covering the players, coaches, arenas, refs, recruiting, activity at the Final Four, etc.

[Stevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy NCAA basketball has sure been crooked for a long time. The realization that corruption will be ignored as long as enough money is involved is awful discouraging. There are several memories brought back to me by this book, though.

[Taylor Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down. One of the best non-fiction books I've ever read. So many incredible anecdotes. There's nothing like college hoops ❤️

[Ori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me 25 years to finish but glad I did

[Sam Brunsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book. All the still active names in the book was fascinating. Steve Kerr is my goat

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a long book about a year in college basketball that took me a long time to read. My main interest was Feinstein's inside look at Steve Kerr's senior season at Arizona. Kerr talks about the assassination of his father, the effect it had on him, and provides great access to his season in Tuscon. Feinstein also has great access to a variety of other programs and officials as the college season plays out. It was interesting to read about a young Rick Barnes, Gary Williams, and others before they joined the programs that made them famous. However, the game recaps were not focused on teams I would follow regularly, making the book hard to keep reading. A dated but interesting read.

[Tom Gase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, another great book by John Feinstein on the world of college basketball. This one really took me back to my first year I can remember watching college hoops--1988. There are great stories on just about every team in every league in this book, including some good profiles on Steve Kerr, Danny Manning, Billy King of Duke, Paul Evans of Pitt, and Rolly Massimo of Villanova just to name a few. A must-read for any college basketball or John Feinstein fan.

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid survey of one of the best NCAA basketball seasons in recent memory. When John Feinstein lets the participants speak for themselves, his prose soars. However, his attempts to dramatize basketball games and human interest stories (particularly the Steve Kerr story) fall flat. Feinstein would write this book over and over again (e.g., A March to Madness), albeit with diminishing returns.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Season Inside: One Year In College Basketball by John Feinstein (Villard Books 1988) (796.36263). Feinstein focuses on the 1987-88 NCAA basketball season which was dominated by Kansas and Danny Manning. Feinstein includes a number of profiles of players and coaches. My rating: 7/10, finished 2006.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that there is a reason that I haven't heard much about this Feinstein book. I still liked it well enough, but it was slow. I didn't know if I'd ever finish it. It did have a few intriguing storylines and segments. Certainly not one of Feinstein's best.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A diary book where Feinstein spends a season (mid 80s) traveling and following a number of big time college basketball people, primarily coaches. As a big Maryland fan, it was interesting to hear about Gary Williams issues with the Athletic Director at Ohio State.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and entertaining look at college basketball.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! The year of Steve Kerr and Danny Manning! A great read and a great insight into college basketbal.

[Canavan · Rating 2 out of 5]

✭✭

[Perry Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love college basketball, this book is wonderful. John Feinstein is one of my favorite authors. GREAT BOOK!

[Mike R]

1987-1988 Kansas basketball with Danny Manning