Illini Pride is Back

I set off trying to write about the game against Miami, when I stumbled upon the absolutely perfect piece over at A Lion Eye. It's linked both here and below, and encapsulates everything I was going to say in a truly outstanding way. I do have a few thoughts though. First, it's heartbreaking to watch a loss like that. I feel terrible for the team to watch a game like that slip away, especially with controversial officiating at the end. But at the same time, I couldn't be prouder of how they established themselves in the biggest game of their careers. This team, a team that most had written off prior to the season, had the program on the brink of its first Sweet Sixteen appearance since the magical run of 2005. Last night we saw the culmination of an entire season of working together, effort, and player development. I wanted that win bad, so bad that I'm still reeling today as I write this, but I can rest easy knowing that this group laid everything they had on the line last night. What a proud, program-building moment for the group; this is the memory that they all get to go out on.

Illinois 2013 Tournament Preview

It's been a crazy season for the Illini. They started strong, racing out of the gates to a 12-0 start that no one saw coming, including an epic win at Gonzaga and a championship in the Maui Invitational. Then there were the struggles during Big Ten season, where the team started to fall into the old precipices that were hallmarks of the Bruce Weber era. Finally, there was the nice rebound to the season, where Illinois pulled off some key victories, including a monstrous win against number 1 Indiana on an epic buzzer beater from Tyler Griffey. Now, on the verge of an NCAA Tournament appearance that few predicted before the season, the legacies of a few and the beginning of a new coach's era hangs in the balance.

Move From Wrigley? Not a Chance.

The Chicago Cubs are a team of tradition. A mostly losing tradition, to be sure, but one that has been passed down from generation to generation to the point that it really is something special. Grandfathers can take their grandchildren to games, getting off the CTA or taking some other form of public transit, and land smack dab in the same Chicago neighborhood where they first saw the Cubs play when they were kids. These wise elders can sit in the famed bleachers and spin yarns to their progeny about the days of Tinker to Evers to Chance, or the heel clicking, let's-play-two 1960's era Cubs teams. They can recount years and years of horrendous teams and mounting losses, but the experience, the camaraderie, and atmosphere, and the location has all been the same. It's created a community amidst the Friendly Confines that brings together Cubs fans of all ages and locations. At this point, it's become a point - a practical pilgrimage - for every type of fan, from the diehards to those looking to soak up the Chicago sun and have a good time, to make at least one trip to Wrigley.

Bears Making Right Moves as NFL Offseason Begins

The frenzy surrounding the first week of NFL free agency shows just how powerful and popular that league is. It is clear from the dedication from sports talk radio, the attention on national sports TV, the hysteria of the modern sports twitter mafia to be the first to drop a story ("sources say") as well as the numerous articles surrounding the first real week of the league year prove that the NFL is King. The Bears kick started the league year in exciting fashion for the second year in a row. This time last year it was inking Michael Bush and Jason Campbell to deals (smart moves at the time even if they were barely used or underperformed when they were used, respectively) to go along with the mega trade for Brandon Marshall.

This year, the Bears addressed massive needs at tight end and left tackle by acquiring two of the marquee free agents at both positions. The acquisitions of Martellus Bennett and Jermon Bushrod instantly make the Bears a better football team and shore up major weaknesses from last year. I applaud the apparent secrecy under which Phil Emery made the moves, and certainly appreciate the fresh sense of driven moves from Halas Hall that he's brought in his short time on the job. The reason I waited a week to write about it, however, is because of the skepticism that continues to surround the Brian Urlacher issue. Even after landing two marquee free agents, Emery's success or failure this free agency could very well hinge on how he deals with the Bears legend.

Doubting Rose the Wrong Move at This Point

Is this the point it has gotten to? Really? Now, after all we've been through, we're going to question Derrick Rose's toughness? I find it ridiculous that after it leaked that he was medically cleared to play by doctors, we not only instantly expected him to be able to play, but then started to murmur - after he mentioned that he would play when he was comfortable dunking off his left foot (translation - mentally ready) - that maybe he was milking this whole affair. Derrick had fallen into the trap of playing to his endorsement companies, listening to his handlers, etc, and didn't feel that it was in his best interests to come back. It's all garbage.

Hawks Rolling as Unprecedented Streak Continues

When was the last time sports were this much fun? I mean, I'm obsessed with sports so I think they're fun on a regular basis, but this is getting ridiculous. This Blackhawks team has turned not only the Chicago sports world upside down, but the sports world in general. A hockey team - that's right America, HOCKEY, the sport that shall not be named - is being compared to the Miami Heat during primetime ESPN Sportscenter broadcasts. A league fresh off of a debilitating lockout has a team that is bringing the sport back to prominence in a way that wouldn't have happened even if there was a normal NHL season without a lockout. They're doing it because they're winning, of course, but they're also succeeding because they're just damn fun to watch.

Happy Birthday, Michael

After spending most of my childhood obsessing over Michael Jordan and the Bulls, it really hits home that MJ turns 50 today. It seems like just yesterday he was winning championships, draining memorable shots, dominating the NBA, and formulating my own love for sports in his own way. I'll forever tie every moment I see of his to a memory in my own childhood, and for that reason alone he's my favorite athlete of all time. Even more than that though, Michael turning 50 has given the media the dual opportunity to both reflect on his amazing career and examine and compare it to other greats, especially LeBron James. It says a lot about MJ that his 50th birthday has drawn such an enormous celebration not only from local media, but national outlets like ESPN. 

A Look Into the Derrick Rose Situation

Much of this Bulls' season has been spent in limbo, waiting for the (supposed) arrival of Derrick Rose. The fallen leader of the Bulls, injured last April 28th, was expected by many to miss 8-12 months after sustaining the torn knee ligaments. For Bulls fans, though, we've thought all along, whether it be from intuition, media hints, Bulls front office hints, or the simple fact that we've watched Derrick Rose perform superhuman feats in his career and thus assumed he'd heal in the same fashion, that he'd be back sometime close to or after the All Star break. No one knew for sure when, or how, he'd return, but most figured it would be around that time. Then, the theory went, he'd pick up and lead an overachieving Bulls team deep into the playoffs. We made these assumptions because we knew all along the mentality that Rose has had his entire career, how he was so much different than the typical modern athlete. That was, of course, until his USA Today interview and subsequent comments to the media about not being able to dunk yet and being fine with perhaps sitting out the season that could bring out the doubters.

Power Play is Hawks' Only Weakness

The Hawks are 10-0-3. They're flying all over the ice, possessing the puck nearly at will and imposing their offensive skill on their opponents. Their depth has been prevalent, as all four lines are contributing on both ends of the ice. Their defense - just as deep - has limited turnovers and is spearheading superior puck possession like they did in the 2010 Stanley Cup season. The goaltending is vastly improved. Even the penalty kill, arguably the achilles heel of the Hawks last season, is one of the best in the league. Right now, the Hawks are rolling over some of the best opponents in the deep Western Conference, and they're doing it within the frenzied pace of a condensed season.

Thibodeau Pushes Bulls to High Level

In any rational basketball universe, the Chicago Bulls shouldn't be anywhere near first place. They've been without their superstar, Derrick Rose, the entire year. While that alone would be enough to sink a team that's normally heavily reliant on him for scoring, they've also sustained injuries to their two All-Stars, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng, as well as two other impact players, Carlos Boozer and Kirk Hinrich. When you consider that Rip Hamilton missed significant time earlier this season, each of the Bulls 2012-2013 starters, in addition to Rose, have missed stretches of games due to injury. And yet, there the Bulls are at 29-19, tied for first in the Central Division and tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference. They've done it by adhering to a mantra of toughness, resilience, and effort. They've done it because of Tom Thibodeau.