By Paul M. Banks This week the Blackhawks reached one milestone, but fell short of another. The Hawks established an all-time single-season attendance record Wednesday night before their contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It’s amazing what putting home games on television, welcoming back iconic players and broadcasters, hosting the Winter Classic, developing a … [Read more...] about Blackhawks Reach One Goal, Still Seeking Another
Paul Banks
Hawks Looking Sharp for Playoff Home Ice
By Paul M. Banks Last week the Chicago Blackhawks lost and later regained the Western Conference’s fourth seed and with it the final home ice advantage for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. They’re currently two points ahead of the fifth place Vancouver Canucks - who come to town Sunday for a slightly important regular season game- and five points ahead of the … [Read more...] about Hawks Looking Sharp for Playoff Home Ice
Tom H to the Izzo Tournament Edition
Tom Izzo Interview breaking down State's strengths and weaknesses By Paul M. Banks Of all the Big Ten teams in the tournament, the one that everyone expects to actually do some damage this March is Michigan St. The #2 seed in the Midwest Regional, if they can survive Louisville and company, they would play in the Final Four, right in their backyard in Detroit. So what … [Read more...] about Tom H to the Izzo Tournament Edition
Which Drought Ends First- Cubs, Hawks, or Cats?
By Paul M. Banks Being a fan of Chicago sports can sometimes be as character-building as walking outside for long distances in January. With Northwestern’s tournament bubble officially burst last weekend, the Major League Baseball season starting in a couple weeks and the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs commencing the following week, it’s time to revisit the long suffering dry … [Read more...] about Which Drought Ends First- Cubs, Hawks, or Cats?
Illini Rarely Survive Tourney’s First Weekend
Paul M. Banks In order to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, a team must go 6-0. Out of the 6 rounds within which a team may be eliminated, the University of Illinois has the most issues with the second round. Since 1995, the Illini have qualified for the tournament every year but three. In those 11 March Madness appearances, they were ousted in exactly the second … [Read more...] about Illini Rarely Survive Tourney’s First Weekend
Bears Love & the St. Patty’s Day Parade with Da Bus
By Paul M. Banks When the downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off Saturday at noon, many Chicagoans will be reminded why this is a Bears town first. One place they’ll be sporting blue and orange in lieu of green is “Da Bus,” a renovated old school bus celebrating the Chicago Bears. I’ve been on Da Bus, which features a shrine to and autographs from pretty much … [Read more...] about Bears Love & the St. Patty’s Day Parade with Da Bus
Kalin Lucas & Raymar Morgan Exclusives
Paul M. Banks sits down with the Big Ten Player of the year and his most valuable Michigan State teammate First off Kalin Lucas What’s been the key to limiting turnovers this season? KL: “I think My AAU coach played point guard too, so he was really tough on me about turning the ball over when I was younger growing up.” What about the MSU point guard … [Read more...] about Kalin Lucas & Raymar Morgan Exclusives
Big Ten Tournament Preview and Predictions
By Paul M. Banks When the 12th Annual Big Ten Men’s basketball tournament tips off Thursday morning it will feature one of the deepest fields in recent years. If a couple of the bubble teams make a strong showing at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, as many as nine teams could have a case to be in the big dance occurring the following week. One thing I can’t figure out … [Read more...] about Big Ten Tournament Preview and Predictions
Sports Mt. Rushmore
By the TSB Staff This Sports Bank collaboration is pretty self-explanatory. You’ve probably seen the bit on SportsCenter PAUL M. BANKS RED GRANGE: The Babe Ruth of football, along with Papa Bear Halas pretty much invented the NFL- America’s best loved league. He was so big he had two nicknames “Wheaton Iceman” and “Galloping Ghost” en route to becoming professional … [Read more...] about Sports Mt. Rushmore