The final weekend of the college basketball regular season is upon us, and with it lots of seeding implications are still at stake. We're only five days away from the start of the Big Ten Tournament, which will be staged at the United Center in Chicago this year. So with that in mind, let's take a look at some of the major storylines heading into the BTT. Narratives abound with … [Read more...] about UCLA, Purdue, Northwestern, Illini Among Big Ten Tournament Storylines
College Basketball
All-Time March Madness All-Name Teams
When it comes to creative names in the college sports these days, the Key & Peele "East-West College Bowl" sketches changed the game forever. Remember that this March Madness. Jordan Peele and Michael Keegan are two brilliant humorists and social theorists, and their three part sketch about the uniqueness of player names is a must watch for anyone who has been involved … [Read more...] about All-Time March Madness All-Name Teams
Nick Martinelli Deserves a Huge Send-off vs Purdue Boilermakers on Senior Night
The Northwestern Wildcats will have a very special Senior Night when the #8 Purdue Boilermakers come to town in midweek. Nick Martinelli, last season's Big Ten scoring champion, who leads the league in points per game again this term, will play his final home game. The Glenview, Illinois native, so i.e. the local kid, will have a massive cheering contingent on hand for this … [Read more...] about Nick Martinelli Deserves a Huge Send-off vs Purdue Boilermakers on Senior Night
#3 Michigan 84, #10 Illinois 70: Sights, Sounds, Notes, Quotes, Nuggets, Tidbits
Tickets started at $300, in the secondary market for the #3 Michigan Wolverines 84-70 blowout of #10 Illinois, in their house tonight. No doubt lots and lots of people were paying up to $600, and maybe even $700 to be here tonight, for a game that was, simply put, much more lopsided than the final score indicated. Media wise, this affair got as much attention and interest as … [Read more...] about #3 Michigan 84, #10 Illinois 70: Sights, Sounds, Notes, Quotes, Nuggets, Tidbits
UCLA Bruins #2 Overall Projected Seed in Women’s NCAA Tournament
The UCLA Bruins have won more NCAA titles (11) in basketball than any other school (Kentucky is the next closest at 8). However, this is on the men's side. The women's team is still seeking its first national championship; it may very well come this April. Saturday saw the NCAA do their first projected seeding, for the top 16 seeds, in next month's women's tournament, and … [Read more...] about UCLA Bruins #2 Overall Projected Seed in Women’s NCAA Tournament
What Makes the Michael Jordan 1986-87 Fleer #57 Rookie Card So Timeless
February sees Michael Jordan, His Airness himself, turn 63. Not only he is widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time, but the debates about who could actually be on his level, a potential rival for the G.O.A.T. status, are actually pretty laughable. (Lebron James may be the scoring king, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but MJ remains the g.o.a.t.) … [Read more...] about What Makes the Michael Jordan 1986-87 Fleer #57 Rookie Card So Timeless
Keaton Wagler Definitely in National Player of the Year Conversation
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler is so much more than a Big Ten Player of the Year candidate, or Freshman of the Year candidate. He's a National Player of the Year candidate. Yesterday saw Wagler named to the Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List, as annou ced by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. The 6-6 Shawnee, KS native is one of only two freshmen … [Read more...] about Keaton Wagler Definitely in National Player of the Year Conversation
Updated Illini Basketball Postseason Resume After Keaton Wagler Clinic
We all just witnessed history! Illini basketball has a superstar in the making in point guard Keaton Wagler. The electric freshman just achieved one of the greatest performances in college basketball history with 46 points (13-17 FG, 9-11 3PT, 11-13 FT) and four assists. Keaton Wagler broke many Illini basketball and NCAA records on Saturday. … [Read more...] about Updated Illini Basketball Postseason Resume After Keaton Wagler Clinic
Andrej Stojakovic Steps Up for Illini, in Place of Injured Kylan Boswell
Kylan Boswell suffered a fractured right hand during Monday's practice session, leaving the Illinois Fighting Illini without the services of one of their best players until next month. Boswell brings so much to the table, not just scoring and leadership, but also defending. Obviously, someone needs to step up to fill the void for the Illini. Enter Andrej Stojakovic. Illini … [Read more...] about Andrej Stojakovic Steps Up for Illini, in Place of Injured Kylan Boswell
#13 Illinois Basketball Game Preview vs Maryland Terrapins
To quote a minor background character in Wedding Crashers, the ultra-wealthy meathead guy, "crab cakes and football- that's what Maryland DOES!" Well, not so much this year, as both the Baltimore Ravens and the Maryland Terrapins missed the postseason. However, Maryland doesn't do basketball either, as this has been a brutally awful season for them, thus far. However, the … [Read more...] about #13 Illinois Basketball Game Preview vs Maryland Terrapins