Billy Donovan goes, but abysmal run of Bull-y ball remains. Why would anyone bet on a change for the better? The NBA playoffs march on. So, in their own, backward manner, do the once-proud Bulls.

Billy Donovan goes, but abysmal run of Bull-y ball remains. Why would anyone bet on a change for the better? chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2026/0...

Luis Robert Jr. — once the 'next Mike Trout' — just trying to get to 'pretty good' with struggling Mets Where has Robert’s All-Star talent gone? The Mets haven’t really seen it yet, much as the White Sox didn’t really see it after his 38-homer season in 2023.

Luis Robert Jr. — once the 'next Mike Trout' — just trying to get to 'pretty good' with struggling Mets chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...

Cubs couldn't fall apart like these miserable Mets … or could they? If early-season disaster and despair can befall the $370 million Mets, it could happen to anybody. And the one-injury-after-another Cubs are vulnerable.

Cubs couldn't fall apart like these miserable Mets … or could they? chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04...

Ex-Cub Kyle Hendricks in no rush to figure out what comes after baseball; says, 'Not knowing, it's awesome' “Your whole life being baseball, it’s always just go, go, go," he told the Sun-Times. "I feel so lucky, all the experiences I had.”

Ex-Cub Kyle Hendricks in no rush to figure out what comes after baseball; says, 'Not knowing, it's awesome' chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04...

it’s taking everything the pope’s got to keep the white sox at .400, the rest of chicago’s teams have been left to fend for themselves

Michigan beats UConn 69-63 for first championship since 1989 and Big Ten's first since 2000 The Wolverines were too big, too strong, too talented and had too many ways to win. In the end, they were too much for the tough Huskies.

Michigan beats UConn 69-63 for first championship since 1989 and Big Ten's first since 2000 chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Angel Reese is gone, the Bulls are starting over and another Cubs pitcher is hurt? Been one heck of a day Holy sports meltdown, Chicago.

Angel Reese is gone, the Bulls are starting over and another Cubs pitcher is hurt — all in one day? Holy sports meltdown, Chicago. Column: chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2026/0...

Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr., Nimari Burnett know how to rep Chicago in title game: 'Be legends' "Young legends putting on for the people and their city,” Burnett said a day before the Wolverines' clash with UConn in Indianapolis.

Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr., Nimari Burnett know how to rep Chicago in title game: 'Be legends' chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Sorry, UConn, but Michigan has a Big Ten championship drought to end Michigan — which clearly has the best collection of players, and likely spent in the very low eight figures to pull them together — is the perfect team for this moment.

Sorry, UConn, but Michigan has a Big Ten championship drought to end. Column: chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

UConn beats cold-shooting Illinois 71-62, ending Illini's NCAA run in national semifinal Illinois’ first Final Four run in 21 years was well worth the ride. Whether or not it went as far as it could have is up for debate.

The tears flowed. They always do when the end of something this good, this worthwhile, comes too damn soon. On the end of the line for the Illini:
chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

UConn beats cold-shooting Illinois 71-62, ending Illini's NCAA run in national semifinal Illinois’ first Final Four run in 21 years was well worth the ride. Whether or not it went as far as it could have is up for debate.

UConn beats cold-shooting Illinois 71-62, ending Illini's NCAA run in national semifinal chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois-Michigan final would be first NCAA title game between conference foes since 'Miracle' finish in 1988. Stacey King remembers it all too well: chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois' Final Four marching orders: Have fun, spill guts, no regrets A national semifinal against UConn will go by in a blink. It also could go sideways if the Illini aren't fully locked in.

Illinois' Final Four marching orders: Have fun, spill guts, no regrets. Column from Indy: chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois will face UConn — again — in Final Four rematch of Huskies' November win Just when still-walking-on-air Illini fans were sure the team’s NCAA Tournament semifinal opponent would be Duke, UConn staged an Elite Eight comeback that belongs on the short list of the greatest in...

Illinois will face UConn — again — in Final Four rematch of Huskies' November win. Did Brad Underwood get his wish? chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois, Michigan give Big Ten two shots at ending 25-year title drought. Is this the year? What happened the last couple of times the Big Ten had multiple teams in the Final Four?

Illinois, Michigan give Big Ten two shots at ending quarter-century-long title drought. Is this the year? chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

WNBA Players Had an Ace Up Their Sleeve in Pay Negotiations: A Nobel Laureate Harvard economist Claudia Goldin helped WNBA players win a nearly 400% raise. Starting this season, players’ average salary will top $580,000.

After Claudia Goldin became the first woman to win a solo Nobel in economics, she got hundreds of invitations.

She accepted three.

One was advising WNBA players on a labor deal. She helped players land the biggest % raise in US sports history.
www.wsj.com/economy/wnba...

Illinois Final Four-bound for first time since 2005 after beating Iowa in South Region final The Illini will face either Duke or UConn in a national semifinal next Saturday.

Hug your orange-and-blue neighbors. Call your Illini-mad friends.

If you’re dancing in the street as you read this, you must be part of the same giddy club.

For the first time since 2005, Illinois is in the Final Four. Why stop now? Column: chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois Final Four-bound for first time since 2005 after beating Iowa in South Region final The Illini will face either Duke or UConn in a national semifinal next Saturday.

Illinois Final Four-bound for first time since 2005 after beating Iowa in South Region final chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois vs. Iowa: a rivalry so Elite, it might as well be 1989 The Illini and Hawkeyes will clash Saturday with a Final Four berth on the line. That'll stir up some old feelings.

Illinois vs. Iowa: a rivalry so Elite, it might as well be 1989 chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Whether White Sox think they can or can't take a real step forward in 2026, they're right Even with Opening Day here, though, Sox general manager Chris Getz and manager Will Venable still treat any discussions of total wins and losses this season as a rhetorical third rail.

Whether White Sox think they can or can't take a real step forward in 2026, they're right. Column from Milwaukee: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...

Six Big Ten teams, five Sweet 16 games and one intrepid writer's picks An all-Big Ten Final Four, anyone? First, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Nebraska and Iowa will try to break through to the Elite Eight.

Six Big Ten teams. Five Sweet 16 games. My picks to advance to the Elite Eight of the men's tournament: chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois' Sweet 16 date with Houston — the team and the city — is cause for some perspective It's the NCAA Tournament. There's no time for complaining, is there?

Illinois' Sweet 16 date with Houston — the team and the city — is cause for some perspective chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Cubs over Brewers in division? National League Central's back-to-back-to-back champs aren't worried “We’ve become accustomed to winning and being a postseason team, being a team that’s competing for the division," on Brewer said. "That’s definitely not changing this year.”

Cubs over Brewers in division? National League Central's back-to-back-to-back champs aren't worried. Column from Milwaukee: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/03...

Is Big Ten-packed Sweet 16 the dream scenario for championship-starved conference? If ever there were a year to end the Big Ten's title drought, which dates back to 2000, it would seem to be this one.

Is Big Ten-packed Sweet 16 the dream scenario for championship-starved conference? chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois' NCAA path blocked by Houston, a powerhouse that will hard to handle in Sweet 16 “Just let it rip,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said, repeating his postseason mantra.

Illinois' NCAA path blocked by Houston, a powerhouse that will hard to handle in the Sweet 16. What a battle it will be: chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Can Illinois' Keaton Wagler, David Mirkovic keep carrying their team? And how far? If freshmen Wagler and Mirkovic pay against VCU on Saturday as they did against Penn in the first round, it'll be on to the Sweet 16 for the Illini.

Can Illinois' Keaton Wagler, David Mirkovic keep carrying their team? And how far? chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Akron coach John Groce has crushed it since Illinois fired him in 2017. Will this be his Cinderella moment? "I'm grateful for that experience [at Illinois]," Groce told the Sun-Times as his Zips prepared for their fourth NCAA Tournament in five years.

Caught up this week with Akron coach John Groce, who has crushed it since Illinois fired him in 2017. Will this NCAA Tournament be his Cinderella moment? chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois vs. Penn is a Brad Underwood-Fran McCaffery reunion, and nobody's upset — yet McCaffery — whom Illinois fans loved to not love when he was at Iowa — is coaching his alma mater in his hometown these days. The Illini are big favorites in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Illinois vs. Penn is a Brad Underwood-Fran McCaffery reunion, and nobody's upset — yet chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

Illinois' path to Sweet 16 is nice, but then? Trouble — real trouble Two wins in the NCAA Tournament might be more of a ceiling for the Illini than it is a launching point.

Illinois' path to Sweet 16 is nice, but then? Trouble — real trouble chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...

My NCAA Tournament pick: Arizona will win it all in a Big 12-heavy Final Four The 32-win Wildcats check all the boxes — starting with just the star guard they need in Jaden Bradley.

Arizona will win it all in a Big 12-heavy Final Four. My instant NCAA bracket picks: chicago.suntimes.com/college-spor...