Rothstein: Louisville, Damyean Dotson And 16 Reasons To Love The Sweet 16
Louisville's press, Damyean Dotson's upside and Denzel Valentine's versatility are just three of the many reasons to love the Sweet 16.
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Louisville's press, Damyean Dotson's upside and Denzel Valentine's versatility are just three of the many reasons to love the Sweet 16.
It turned out that the Illini – and, most significantly, athletic director Mike Thomas – were indeed lucky. And in the end, that was good.
Despite the popularity of the clichéd, post-victory cry, nobody really "shocks the world."
Mitch McGary had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and fourth-seeded Michigan breezed through Virginia Commonwealth's vaunted pressure with a clinical performance Saturday, beating the fifth-seeded Rams 78-53 to advance to the NCAA round of 16 for the first time since 1994.
And this deeper dilemma affecting U. of I. athletics is so discouraging that after reading this column, you very well may be driven to drink yourself.
But because Thomas went after coaches that he – as well as the vast majority of other ADs in the country – couldn't get, he ended up badly embarrassing Illinois. Twice. And, in turn, Thomas, along with more than a little help from the Illinois trustees and administration, has succeeded in making a very good coaching job look like a radioactive one.
Illinois has reportedly reached out to Brad Stevens about its head coaching vacancy and its interest in the Butler head coach is "high".
Twelve years ago, after Lon Kruger bolted Champaign for NBA riches in Atlanta, it appeared that Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther had his successor in hand.
Thomas' latest rejection has left him in a tough spot. Other candidates now know how much money Illinois is willing to spend.
VCU head coach Shaka Smart has turned down Illinois' offer to become the next Illini men's basketball coach.
Will Shaka Smart leave his post at VCU to join Illini Nation?
Up to the minute developments on the Illinois-Shaka Smart discussions.
Unless something "drastic" changes in the next day, it appears Shaka Smart will reportedly stay at VCU instead of taking the Illinois job.
Sources close to Simeon head coach Robert Smith say he has been in Champaign having conversations with Thomas about an assistant job.
As Illinois continues its search for a new head coach, new athletic director Mike Thomas is after one guy.
It's difficult enough to hire the right basketball coach at Illinois, without choosing to limit the field of candidates beforehand.
When Shaka Smart, Virginia Commonwealth's coach and the apple of many an Illini fan's eye, opted on Thursday to don an orange tie – and a blue shirt, to boot! – for VCU's NCAA Tourney opener, both Twitter and Facebook burst alive with posts of breathless speculation.
With Bruce Weber officially out the door, here are nine possible Illini head coaching candidates.
According to a CBSSports.com report, VCU's Shaka Smart will stay at the school, and not cash in on the team's Cinderella run to the Final Four.
If the Butler Bulldogs win the national title, will they please leave?
The coaches in the Final Four consist of two seasoned veterans and a pair of young guns who are taking college basketball by storm.
Today's story involves whether Bruce Weber is going to leave Illinois for Oklahoma.
Shaka Smart is the hottest name among all college basketball coaches right now. He's taken an 11th seed Virginia Commonwealth team to the Final Four. But not too long ago he was a part of Oliver Purnell's staff.
We know where Brad Stevens has been. We know where he's at right now. And we know where he might be next Monday night.
As I struggled to watch the University of Texas-San Antonio crush Alabama State, I had the same feeling as the night before when I witnessed Clemson cruise to victory over UAB, the 'First Four' is a joke, I thought.
Chicago (87-69) reduced its magic number to one and could wrap up a berth if the Diamondbacks lose to the Yankees later Sunday.
Williams departed with a right hamstring injury midway through the fourth quarter.
Williams got hurt while scrambling toward the sideline deep in Vikings territory with about 7 1/2 minutes left.
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office said that a 2024 Toyota Tacoma was traveling westbound on Butternut Drive when the driver failed to negotiate a curve.
CPD says a Jeep sports utility vehicle crashed into the front of the gas station and an unknown number of suspects exited, went inside and stole the ATM.
President Trump said that he has agreed to convert plans for a massive triumphal arch into a "top grade Military Complex," equipped with snipers and drone storage.
President Trump said Friday that three outlets would be banned from the White House, "effective immediately."
Fuel prices continue to climb across the country, and that has U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) pointing the finger at President Trump.
Americans are optimistic about scientific advances in AI, but concerned that AI may take jobs.
The vice president headlines a Council Bluffs rally Friday, his second Iowa stop this year. He's been one of the GOP's most visible midterm surrogates, with trips to Kansas, Wisconsin and Ohio.
Fuel prices continue to climb across the country, and that has U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) pointing the finger at President Trump.
Nicor customers will get a break on their bills this fall after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Roul reached an agreement with the utility to cut $140 million from its requested rate hike.
Drivers in Chicago and beyond were paying the highest gas prices ever recorded for the Labor Day holiday as millions of Americans were making their way home on Monday.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit Thursday against ABC Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Inc., alleging deceptive business practices.
Nearly half of Americans with medical debt owe at least $2,000, forcing them to make tough choices, new research shows.
A judge on Tuesday was expected to place two shuttered Chicago-area safety-net hospitals into receivership.
Cardinal Blase Cupich and a group of Catholic nuns have joined a federal lawsuit challenging Illinois' Medical Aid in Dying law, which is set to take effect in just over a week.
Flies have been everywhere this summer in the Chicago area, and some of them bite. But why is this happening?
Prime Healthcare is drawing criticism after announcing it will stop obstetrics services at three Chicago-area hospitals.
The future of Rate Field was back in the spotlight on Wednesday.
Plans for a new Chicago White Sox stadium in the South Loop have residents near the existing ballpark in Bridgeport concerned, not just because the team might be leaving, but also what might be coming nearby.
A new report from the University of Illinois Chicago said federal immigration enforcement led to $1.26 billion in unspent money at retail establishments and restaurants in Cook County.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
A new Whole Foods Market is coming to Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
Duncan Sheik died on Thursday night, his family said.
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Performer Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after making on-stage statements that some found controversial.
Dubbed the "Designer to the Stars," Bob Mackie won nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and was nominated for three Oscars.
The stage was set and the air was humid as rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, took the stage for the first of two Chicago concerts at Soldier Field Thursday night.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office had ordered it to be seized so it could be returned to Fritz Grunbaum's family. However, an appellate court panel of judges ruled that the judge and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office inappropriately cited a penal law to seize the drawing.
A fire broke out at an apartment building overnight in northwest suburban Hanover Park, leaving some residents on the second and third floors to jump to safety.
Meteorologist Shane Hinton is tracking the latest in First Alert Weather.
From a dog helping another look their best to a perfect latte for rame lovers, here's what Caught Suzanne Le Mignot and Shane Hinton's eye this week.
Organizers said the decision to cancel was difficult, but the "safety of the swimmers, volunteers, staff, and spectators remains the highest priority."
Williams departed with a right hamstring injury midway through the fourth quarter.
The confrontation between protesters and the agents was caught on video, showing one of the agents using what appeared to be pepper spray.
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office said that a 2024 Toyota Tacoma was traveling westbound on Butternut Drive when the driver failed to negotiate a curve.
CPD says a Jeep sports utility vehicle crashed into the front of the gas station and an unknown number of suspects exited, went inside and stole the ATM.
A woman suffered a gunshot wound to her leg and the officer was also injured due to a ricochet from the gunfire, police said.
The village of Grayslake is touting a new massive data center, but neighbors say they weren't given an opportunity to make their voices heard before the project was approved.
A Cicero woman is suing Uber and a driver after the driver allegedly sexually assaulted her. She and her boyfriend said Uber hired him despite the driver having a criminal background.
Both hospitals were supposed to be placed in receivership, but after five hours of closed-door negotiations on Tuesday, it is still unclear what the future holds for both hospitals.
Chicago police crime data show 255 reported crimes in the last two years on the two blocks where the former Hard Rock and Rainforest cafés sit vacant. Neighbors have been calling the city about the alley between them for six years.
A three-year effort by the Cook County Sheriff's Office to help bring down crime on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago appears to be working.
Chicago (87-69) reduced its magic number to one and could wrap up a berth if the Diamondbacks lose to the Yankees later Sunday.
Williams departed with a right hamstring injury midway through the fourth quarter.
Williams got hurt while scrambling toward the sideline deep in Vikings territory with about 7 1/2 minutes left.
The Wiener's Circle made good on their promise twice last season thanks to Caleb Williams and Head Coach Ben Johnson
Notre Dame outscored Michigan State 10-0 in the second half, limiting the Spartans (2-1) to 40 yards of offense over the final two quarters.
An off duty Cook County Sheriff's correctional officer was among three men injured in a shooting during fight in River North early Saturday morning.
A man was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after firing shots at an Indiana State Police trooper and fleeing the scene on Friday afternoon in rural LaPorte County.
A second person has been charged with killing a man by pushing him out of a moving CTA Red Line train last week on the South Side.
Darreon Plummer's flight to Washington state after Da'J Flowers was killed was itself evidence he committed the crime, the judge said, rejecting a defense request for electronic monitoring.
Inside the home, owned by Eugene Horsch and connected to his father, R.C. Horsch, authorities have found a trove of digital images, a so-called laboratory of chemicals and a small marijuana grow operation.