A secret ballot? Nah, when it comes to college basketball, I'll shout my opinions and evaluations from the mountain top. I've covered a lot of teams both in the Big Ten and the Big East this past season: Illinois, Northwestern, Notre Dame and DePaul, so let's begin. We start by choosing my District: V. of course, covering Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and … [Read more...] about Casting My USA Basketball Writers Association Awards Ballot
College hoops
College Basketball Officially Begins Tonight
345 NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams begin their journey on the road they hope will culminate at the Final Four, as official practices will be conducted all across the country this weekend. Many teams and their fans will gather across the country in arenas late Friday night to celebrate Midnight Madness, the annual celebration that marks the start to the season. … [Read more...] about College Basketball Officially Begins Tonight
Live Blogging March Madness at Washington Times Communities
Michigan State versus Illinois Preview, Predictions
By Jeff Ghiringhelli, feat. the two Pauls Photo's courtesy of Illinois Loyalty.com (be sure to check out that awesome website!) There always seems to be an added excitement around campus when College Gameday comes to town. Even those that do not follow sports very closely know that there must be a big game. Tonight’s clash pitting Michigan State against Illinois is no … [Read more...] about Michigan State versus Illinois Preview, Predictions
Connections, Nepotism Brings ESPN College GameDay to Champaign Saturday
By Paul M. Banks Once again the old adage "it's not what you know, but who you know" rings true. This time it's applied to ESPN's location selection process for broadcasting their national college basketball pregame show. From 2003-07 Illinois had MORE WINS than any program in the nation. But ESPN College Gameday never visited once (not even during the Champaign Campaign … [Read more...] about Connections, Nepotism Brings ESPN College GameDay to Champaign Saturday
Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers Awareness Weekend
Coaches wearing Nikes Saturday; Illini to wear uniforms trimmed in pink … [Read more...] about Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers Awareness Weekend
Northwestern-Stanford Live Blog
By Paul M. Banks No Sideshow Bob, no problem. With Stanford's Disney movie-loving Lopez twins (You know, Brook and the guy who looked like Sideshow Bob, or maybe Robin is the one with the hair I might have gotten them confused) now graduated, I think this is the year the Cats nip the Cardinal. … [Read more...] about Northwestern-Stanford Live Blog
Northwestern-Notre Dame Private School Battle for Chicago’s Heart
By Paul M. Banks Welcome to the Chicago Invitational Challenge Live blog day one. It's both an invitational and a challenge. Not just an invitational, nor merely a challenge, or tournament. But a challenge and an invitational. The fun started at noon today with the mid-majors going at it, but the action ramps up with Iowa St. vs. Saint Louis. Where it's currently 30-27 … [Read more...] about Northwestern-Notre Dame Private School Battle for Chicago’s Heart