Paul Sullivan – Page 18

Illinois forward Ben Humrichous bows his head on the court after a 71-62 loss to UConn in the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Column: Gritty Illinois effort ends with heartbreaking Final Four loss, a bitter finish to a delicious season

April 4, 2026 at 8:54 p.m.

Illinois' loss in the Final Four was a difficult end to a delicious season that gave Illini fans a chance to realistically dream about a national championship.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood directs players during practice before Saturday's Final Four against UConn on April 3, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Column: Final Four fireworks might be in store when Illinois’ Brad Underwood and UConn’s Dan Hurley face off

April 4, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

In Saturday's Final Four matchup in Indianapolis, UConn's Dan Hurley matches wits with Illinois' Brad Underwood in a battle of old school, fiery coaches.

Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. interacts with fans during practice at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Michael Reaves/Getty)

Final Four notes: Chicago-area native Morez Johnson Jr. thriving with Michigan — and Illinois defense stepping up

April 3, 2026 at 6:35 p.m.

An all-Big Ten championship matchup Monday would be a dream come true for the conference. But first Michigan and Illinois have to win their national semifinals.

UConn guard Braylon Mullins speaks with the media after practice at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 2, 2026, in Indianapolis. The Huskies play Illinois in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Column: Already a March Madness legend, UConn’s Braylon Mullins turns his focus to Illinois in the Final Four

April 2, 2026 at 3:35 p.m.

After making one of the most memorable shots in NCAA Tournament history, UConn freshman Braylon Mullins has to forget about it and focus on the semifinal against Illinois.

Chicago Cubs fans prepare for poor weather before the start of a game between the Cubs and the Los Angeles Angels at Wrigley Field in Chicago on March 31, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Column: 5 takeaways from baseball’s opening week, which is as good a time as any to overreact

April 1, 2026 at 8:21 p.m.

5 takeaways from baseball's opening week, from the Cubs and White Sox starts to CB Bucknor's disastrous performance.

A detailed view of the Daily Illini newspaper that reads "Final Four" is seen on the court after the Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Toyota Center on March 28, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

Column: March Magic continues, setting up a Final Four field with eclectic coaches and intriguing matchups

March 31, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The Final Four field has some eclectic coaches, superb players and intriguing semifinal matchups. March Magic continues.

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) leaves the court after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in a NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game at the United Center in Chicago on Sunday, March, 29, 2026. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Column: Michigan marches into the Final Four with a familiar swagger

March 29, 2026 at 7:16 p.m.

Michigan's rebuild is a success story — but no one can call any team from Ann Arbor a true underdog.

Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau gestures after hitting a 3-pointer against Alabama in the second half of an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game on March 27, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Column: Madness comes to the United Center as No. 1 seed Michigan makes another statement for the Big Ten

March 28, 2026 at 12:36 p.m.

Michigan became the fourth Big Ten team to advance to the Elite Eight with a 90-77 win over Alabama on Friday in their Sweet 16 matchup at the United Center.

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong takes the field to face the Nationals on opening day Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Column: Chicago Cubs got a bargain in Pete Crow-Armstrong’s new deal, even as he’s still growing as a player

March 26, 2026 at 7:01 p.m.

In Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Chicago Cubs have found a box-office star who should keep Wrigley Field buzzing through 2032.

Season ticket holder Rich Dutton, of Troy, Ohio, plays catch with his grandson at Gallagher Way outside Wrigley Field on March 25, 2026. Opening day is Thursday between the Cubs and Nationals. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Column: Opening day arrives for Cubs and White Sox with renewed optimism, new faces — and even a few bidets

March 26, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Another opening day for Chicago baseball, the gift that keeps on giving ... since 1876.

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