The Rutgers basketball team (men's edition) began the season ranked in the final spot of the AP poll. And from there, everything went straight downhill. They'll visit the Northwestern Wildcats tomorrow night in a game that both sides desperately need to get. Both teams are in danger of missing the Big Ten Tournament, let alone the NCAA Tournament. The bottom three in the … [Read more...] about Rutgers Basketball at Northwestern Wildcats Game Preview
College Football
Riley Leonard Could be the Next Tim Tebow
Now that Riley Leonard has seen his college football career come to an end, it's time to do some next level player comps. Tim Tebow comes to mind first, for several reasons. Leonard, like Tebow is a dual threat quarterback, who has some deficiencies as a pure passer prospect. … [Read more...] about Riley Leonard Could be the Next Tim Tebow
Illini Football: Very Early 2025 Season Preview
With 18 of 22 starters returning, Illini football should be special in 2025. Winning ten games, including the Citrus Bowl, has put the program back up at a level relevance that hasn't been seen since 2001. And perhaps most importantly, the Illini have done it by finding and maintaining an identity. Defensive Coordinator Aaron Henry has perfectly articulated the Illini … [Read more...] about Illini Football: Very Early 2025 Season Preview
#7 Notre Dame vs #8 Ohio State: National Title Game Preview, Prediction
The final game of the college football season is here and it's as blue blood as it gets with #7 Notre Dame (14-1) taking on #8 Ohio State (13-2). The main storyline here is of course Notre Dame head coach, Marcus Freeman. In his third season game as Notre Dame head coach, he'll take on the very program where he played his college football, and starred as an all-conference … [Read more...] about #7 Notre Dame vs #8 Ohio State: National Title Game Preview, Prediction
Derrick Rose ‘really special guy,’ Says His Former USA Coach Chris Collins
Last weekend saw Derrick Rose Night, as the Chicago Bulls officially retired his #1 jersey and raised it up into the rafters of the United Center. Rose becomes just the fifth Bulls player to earn this honor. "I think it's awesome," said Northwestern head coach Chris Collins, who coached the 2010-11 NBA MVP in 2010 on the Team USA World Championship side. … [Read more...] about Derrick Rose ‘really special guy,’ Says His Former USA Coach Chris Collins
#16 Michigan State at Northwestern Stats, Metrics, Trends, Prediction
The currently ranked #16 Michigan State Spartans will head to Northwestern Wednesday night sporting a record of 13-2 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten conference play. Michigan State enters this game with the exact same ranking in the polls that they had when they came to visit in December of 2019. However, the series has been turned on its head since then. … [Read more...] about #16 Michigan State at Northwestern Stats, Metrics, Trends, Prediction
Illini Return 18/22 Starters, Look Very Strong in 2025
Is 2025 going to be the year that the Illinois Fighting Illini football program finally starts stacking winning seasons? It certainly looks that way on paper. And while there was obvious cause for optimism in 2000, 2002, 2008 and 2023 (four seasons that followed major program breakthroughs), it just didn't work out that way, and all four of those years were mere five-in … [Read more...] about Illini Return 18/22 Starters, Look Very Strong in 2025
Hank Beatty Could Become the Illini WR1 Next Season
One of the biggest benefits of bowl games is that they provide a glimpse into what is to come the next season. With every bowl game opt-out, a new opportunity is presented for someone else to step in and fill that void. And most of the time it's somebody who will then take on a greater role within the team during the next season. Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty is a … [Read more...] about Hank Beatty Could Become the Illini WR1 Next Season
Bret Bielema Has an $88,000 Super Bowl Ring
Illini head coach Bret Bielema has some bodacious bling in his possession. In addition to his Rose Bowl ring from his playing days (1990 Iowa Hawkeyes Big Ten Co-Champions, lost to Washington 46-34), he has a ring Super Bowl ring. It's from Super Bowl LIII, when he served as the defensive line coach under Bill Belichick, with the New England Patriots. … [Read more...] about Bret Bielema Has an $88,000 Super Bowl Ring
#20 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #15 South Carolina Gamecocks: Citrus Bowl Preview
When the 2024 Citrus Bowl, featuring the #15 South Carolina Gamecocks vs the #20 Illinois Fighting Illini kicks off on Tuesday, it will be a bowl game where both sides will be near full strength. Lots of stars in both offensive backfields will be taking part, as this is a game with very few major opt-outs. Although it is worth noting that both sides will be without their … [Read more...] about #20 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #15 South Carolina Gamecocks: Citrus Bowl Preview