The state of Illinois finally ended its shutout streak in the NCAA Tournament with Northwestern going dancing. Aside from that? It was a somewhat disappointing year. UIC reached the CBI semifinals and Illinois made the NIT quarterfinals, but the state had a legitimate chance to send…
Illinois State’s NIT performance won’t quiet the crowd that thinks the Redbirds never belonged in the NCAA Tournament. The top-seeded Redbirds blew an 18-point lead at home against fourth-seeded UCF in the second round Monday, and the game was decided on an ill-advised defensive play…
Newsday‘s Ari Kramer and I had a late-night hoops chat after Iowa stunned Wisconsin at the Kohl Center on Thursday to talk about where the NCAA Tournament bracket stands moving toward the weekend. 0:20 — Is Northwestern really a lock after the miracle against Michigan? 5:43…
With the Missouri Valley season wrapped and Arch Madness beginning Thursday, beat writers around the league are submitting their ballots for all-conference awards. The voting system works by ranking players, so the No. 1 player on the All-MVC First Team is my Player of the Year…
A sampling of Missouri Valley Conference beat writers check in on the league as we near closing stretch of the regular season: 1. How intriguing is the MVC Tournament after Wichita State’s losses to Illinois State and Northern Iowa? Extremely intriguing. The Shockers’ losses…
CHICAGO — Defense has been Loyola’s calling card ever since making a run last February in the Missouri Valley. But after allowing Illinois State to shoot 58.3 percent from the field Wednesday, the Ramblers have allowed 1.22 points per possession in their last three games. Aside from…
Illinois State erased a nine-point deficit in the second half Wednesday to run away with a 78-70 win against Loyola at Gentile Arena.
Loyola lost to Illinois State on Wednesday, 78-70, but the Ramblers had one highlight reel moment as senior forward Montel James got this steal at half court and took it all the way for a one-handed flush. Ramblers and Redbirds tied 57-57 with 7:51…
CHICAGO — Loyola lost control of a nine-point lead Wednesday in the second half, falling 78-70 to Illinois State. Here’s how Illinois State pulled off the road victory at Gentile Arena. Destruction by offensive rebounding. Illinois State (13-11, 7-4 MVC) is one of the…
It’s just about the middle of the college basketball season now, with Missouri Valley Conference competition beginning Wednesday. Here are thoughts from beat reporters around the league wrapping up non-conference play and answering questions regarding the conference favorite, where the team they cover stacks up and…
