Colleen Kane – Page 26

Illinois' Will Riley pumps his fist against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2025, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Riley scored 22 points in the Illini's 86-73 win. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

No. 6 seed Illinois rides Will Riley’s big second half — and a pro-Illini crowd — to a first-round win over Xavier

March 22, 2025 at 3:01 p.m.

Will Riley scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half Friday night, leading No. 6 seed Illinois to an 86-73 win over 11th-seeded Xavier in the first round...

Illinois guard Genesis Bryant heads downcourt after hitting a 3-pointer against Penn State on Feb. 13, 2025, at the State Farm Center in Champaign. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Genesis Bryant nearly gave up basketball 3 years ago. Now she leads Illinois into 2nd NCAA Tournament in 3 years.

March 21, 2025 at 4:09 p.m.

Genesis Bryant had lost all confidence and motivation before she arrived at Illinois in 2022. Now she's capping a great turnaround story in the NCAA Tournament.

Illinois' Kasparas Jakučionis grabs a rebound during a game against Purdue on March 7, 2025, in Champaign. (Craig Pessman/AP)

For Illinois’ Kasparas Jakučionis, his first — and perhaps only — NCAA Tournament is about ‘the beauty of basketball’

March 20, 2025 at 7:17 p.m.

Illinois star guard Kasparas Jakučionis enters his first NCAA Tournament after a month of ups and downs, and he's excited for the win-or-go-home stakes.

Xavier's Jerome Hunter celebrates with teammates during the second half of a First Four game against Texas on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Illinois will face Xavier in the NCAA Tournament. 5 takeaways on the Illini’s 1st-round opponent after its win over Texas.

March 20, 2025 at 11:33 a.m.

Xavier's Zach Freemantle and Marcus Foster drove a comeback win over Texas in an NCAA First Four game that set a matchup with Illinois on Friday in Milwaukee.

DePaul's David Thomas dribbles against Creighton during a Big East Tournament quarterfinal on March 13, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Loyola and DePaul men and UIC women accept postseason tournament invitations

March 17, 2025 at 4:05 p.m.

Loyola will play in the NIT for the second straight year, while DePaul will play in the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament.

Illinois' Tre White (22), Kasparas Jakučionis (32) and Jake Davis (15) react on the bench during the second half of a Big Ten Tournament game against Iowa on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

No. 6 seed Illinois glad to be sent to ‘Big Ten country’ in Milwaukee for its NCAA Tournament opener

March 17, 2025 at 10:10 p.m.

Illinois enters the NCAA Tournament at 21-12 after losing in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, looking to regain the swagger it found during a four-game winning streak.

Illinois' Ben Humrichous, right, has his dunk attempt blocked by Maryland's Tafara Gapare during the first half of a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 14, 2025, in Indianapolis. The Illini lost 88-65. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Brad Underwood could tell Illinois’ energy was off. And sure enough, it was a dud of a Big Ten Tournament loss.

March 15, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.

The result was a dud of a game for Illinois, the defending Big Ten Tournament champions. The Illini trailed Maryland by 26 points at halftime and fell 88-65 to break...

Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) gestures to the crowd during the second half of a game against Oregon in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal on March 14, 2025, in Indianapolis, Fears scored 11 points in the Spartans' 74-64 win. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Joliet native Jeremy Fears Jr. helps Michigan State to Big Ten Tournament win 14 months after being shot in leg

March 14, 2025 at 5:40 p.m.

Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. said he's not taking games for granted after an eight-month recovery from a gunshot wound to his leg.

Illinois guard Tre White (22) drives on Iowa forward Even Brauns during the second round of the Big Ten Tournament on March 13, 2025, in Indianapolis. White scored 22 points in the Illini's 106-94 win. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Illinois wins offensive showdown vs. Iowa — scoring the 2nd-highest total in Big Ten Tournament history

March 14, 2025 at 3:05 p.m.

Kylan Boswell's career-high 24 points led five Illinois players in double figures in a 106-94 win over Iowa on Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Northwestern guard K.J. Windham (24) drives against Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore during the first half of a second-round Big Ten Tournament game on March 13, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Chris Collins says Northwestern won’t accept any postseason bids after Wildcats bow out of Big Ten Tournament

March 14, 2025 at 7:32 a.m.

After a 70-63 loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, Northwestern coach Chris Collins and players reflected on the last game with an impactful group of Wildcats...

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