Looking for clues on whether or not you should pick Michigan State in your bracket pool? Well, you can consider their Big Ten tournament final result as a factor in your equation. #1 seeded Michigan State opens their BTT against #9 seed Oregon in the tournament quarterfinals this morning in Indianapolis. Jase Richardson, the team's second leading scorer, discussed this … [Read more...] about Do Michigan State B1G Tourney Results Predict Their March Madness Runs?
College Basketball
Last Illini vs Kentucky Tournament Matchup Inspired a New NCAA Rule
Tomorrow will mark the fifth time that the Illinois Fighting Illini face the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament. UK has won all four of the previous meetings: 1942 Elite Eight: 46-44,1949 Final Four 76-47, 1951 Final Four 76-74 and 1984 Elite Eight 54-51. That last one has a special historical significance, as it was played at Rupp Arena and thereby gave UK an unfair … [Read more...] about Last Illini vs Kentucky Tournament Matchup Inspired a New NCAA Rule
When Illinois Basketball Got Shafted in the Tourney, and the NCAA Changed Rules
Editor's Note: As Illinois basketball is currently back in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, we now update, revise and augment this article from May of 2013. Illinois basketball has beaten a higher seeded team in the NCAA Tournament just twice in school history. However, they came extremely close to doing it a third time this past March. … [Read more...] about When Illinois Basketball Got Shafted in the Tourney, and the NCAA Changed Rules
Who are the Leading Favorites to Win March Madness According to Bookies?
On the men’s side of the game, Auburn and Duke have been straddling the top of the rankings pretty much the entire season. Tennessee, Houston, Florida. They’ve all had their time in the spotlight, but it’s been these two giants at the top of the heap for some time. … [Read more...] about Who are the Leading Favorites to Win March Madness According to Bookies?
Illinois Basketball: NCAA Tournament 1st Weekend News and Notes
The 2024-25 Illinois basketball team will begin their NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee on Friday night against the winner of Wednesday night's Texas vs. Xavier First Four play-in game. Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood will no doubt have his team believing: "We're gonna make our dreams come true...Doin' it our way...Nothin's gonna turn us back now. Straight ahead and on … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: NCAA Tournament 1st Weekend News and Notes
Illini Basketball: 2025 NCAA Tournament Weekend 1 Preview
For the 2024-25 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team, the March Madness destination is Milwaukee and the Fiserv Forum, home of the 2021 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. Their opponent will be the winner of the Texas-Xavier play-in game tomorrow evening. Fun fact- this is the first time the Illini will face a play-in game winner in their opening NCAA Tournament game. … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball: 2025 NCAA Tournament Weekend 1 Preview
Storytelling in Sports Writing: Capturing the Drama of College Basketball
Image by Wallace Chuck on Pexels So, you write about sports: Whether you are a sports journalist, a blogger, or a student writing for local or university newspapers, you want your story to attract readers. Even if sports writing is nothing but your academic assignment asking you to write a college basketball essay, for example, you need it to engage and be memorable to … [Read more...] about Storytelling in Sports Writing: Capturing the Drama of College Basketball
Illinois Basketball: Offensive Rebounding the Biggest Difference Maker
Much has been made about how all-or-nothing Illinois basketball can be this season. As conveyed by RG, this is a team whose fortunes often rise and fall with their shooting percentages. However, as you saw tonight in the 106-94 throttling of the Iowa Hawkeyes, in the Big Ten Tournament's second round, offensive rebounding is maybe the true indicator to their success. … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: Offensive Rebounding the Biggest Difference Maker
Illini Basketball: Big Ten Tournament History Preluding Results?
The Illini basketball program will always hold a special distinction when it comes to the Big Ten Tournament. From the event's inception, in 1998, all the way until 2012, they either advanced to or automatically qualified into the quarterfinal round. No one else can say that. In fact, there have only been six Big Ten Tournaments in which the Illini didn't play in a … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball: Big Ten Tournament History Preluding Results?
March Madness 2025 Odds & Favorites: Who Will Win the NCAA Tournament?
It’s that time of year again when brackets are busted, game-winning shots are made, and Cinderella stories are lurking on the sidelines ready to steal our hearts. Everyone’s eyes are on the 2025 NCAA Tournament, and if you’re already wondering who might conquer the madness this year, you’re in the right place. We’ve broken down the current favorites, the latest odds, and … [Read more...] about March Madness 2025 Odds & Favorites: Who Will Win the NCAA Tournament?