Get ready for an exciting update on Chicago's basketball scene! We're diving into the latest news and what's on the horizon for the Bulls, Sky, and local college teams. But first, let's address the elephant in the room: the Chicago Bulls' winless February. Ouch! That's a tough month to swallow, but fear not, sports fans, because March is here, and with it, a fresh start.
Notre Dame's Rising Stars
Notre Dame's women's basketball team is on a roll! After some bumps in the road, they've turned it around and won their final five games of the regular season. Talk about a comeback! Guard Hannah Hidalgo has been a force to be reckoned with, averaging an impressive 28.5 points per game and earning the ACC Player of the Week title a record-breaking seven times this season. She's a true leader and a key player for the Irish.
WNBA Strike Talk: A Controversial Decision?
Now, here's where it gets interesting and a bit controversial. As the WNBA approaches its March 10th deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement, players are divided on the idea of a strike. While some are warming up to the concept, others are hesitant. The league and the players' union have been negotiating, with the league making concessions on player housing and salaries, but the big issue remains: revenue sharing.
The WNBA wants to share revenue from the net income, while the players push for a cut from the gross revenue. It's a tricky situation, and union leaders are signaling that a compromise might be necessary to avoid disrupting the WNBA season.
Kelsey Plum, vice president of the WNBPA, said, "I want to play, and players want to play. We're negotiating hard, but a strike would be devastating for both sides."
Sky's Roster Challenges
For the Sky, the upcoming season presents a unique challenge. With only four players under contract for 2026, General Manager Jeff Pagliocca has his work cut out for him. Veteran Courtney Vandersloot is expected to re-sign, and the team is looking to add more talent, including Ajša Sivka from Europe and a lottery draft pick. It's a race against time to fill the roster and improve their position as a free-agent destination.
Men's Basketball: Mid-Major Tournament Watch
While the men's teams in major conferences are wrapping up their regular seasons, the Missouri Valley Conference is about to kick off its tournament. Belmont has secured the top seed, but three Illinois teams are hot on their heels, including Bradley, led by Jaquan Johnson. Keep an eye on Valparaiso, coached by Roger Powell Jr., as they aim to make a run in St. Louis.
Bulls' Historic Losing Streak
The Bulls' losing streak in February was historic, marking the worst month in franchise history. While it wasn't the longest losing streak, it's a significant moment for the team. No team has ever gone back-to-back months without a win, and the Bulls came close, but they snapped the streak with a blowout win over the Milwaukee Bucks to start March.
Week Ahead: Bulls and College Basketball
Here's a look at the upcoming games:
- Tuesday: Bulls vs. Thunder, 7 p.m., CHSN
- Thursday: Bulls @ Suns, 8 p.m., CHSN
Sunday: Bulls @ Kings, 8 p.m., CHSN+
Tuesday: Oregon men at No. 11 Illinois, 8 p.m., NBCSN and Peacock
Wednesday: Illinois women vs. Wisconsin at Big Ten Tournament, 5 p.m., Big Ten Network
Wednesday: Villanova men at DePaul, 7 p.m., Peacock
Thursday: Notre Dame women vs. Stanford/Miami at ACC Tournament, 12:30 p.m., ACC Network
Sunday: No. 11 Illinois men at Maryland, 2 p.m., FOX
Honoring Senior Night
Senior night will be a special occasion for Illinois and Northwestern, as they honor two remarkable players. Kylan Boswell, a Champaign native, has been a leader and defensive powerhouse for the Illini. Meanwhile, Northwestern will bid farewell to Big Ten scoring leader Nick Martinelli.
What We're Reading
- Column: Chicago Bulls say goodbye to February and hello to March Madness
- Big Ten Tournament: Illinois women's seeding and pairings
- Morez Johnson Jr. leads No. 3 Michigan to victory over No. 10 Illinois
- Anfernee Simons' injury concerns for the Bulls
- Coby White returns to Chicago with the Charlotte Hornets
Quote of the Week
"That fight, that grit, it's on me. I need to get us nastier. We scrimmaged Florida and showed more fight than we did tonight. We can't get content." - Illinois coach Brad Underwood, reflecting on his team's performance ahead of the NCAA Tournament.
Stay tuned for more basketball updates and insights! Don't forget to subscribe to the Chicago Tribune for all the latest sports news and analysis.
