NIU football big changes, Mountain West Conference
By Bobby Narang Northern Illinois University football is embarking on new era this spring. In many ways, it will be a transformative season for the Huskies. In January, Northern Illinois announced it accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference as a football only member in 2026. The Huskies,
NFL 2026 draft
The NFL draft take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pa.. The can be viewed on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. Round 1: Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m..Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 24, 6 p.m..Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.. Bears selectionsRound 1, Pick 25Round 2, Pick 25Round 2, Pick 28Round
College flag football: Aurora University vs. Purdue Northwest
Aurora University’s Emily Gabrelcik (8) carries the ball against a Purdue Northwest defender at Vago Field in Aurora Saturday, April 4.
College Basketball NCAA Men’s Division I tournament champions
2026: Michigan 69, UConn 632025: Florida 65, Houston 632024: UConn 75, Purdue 602023: UConn 76, San Diego State 592022: Kansas 72, North Carolina 692021: Baylor 86, Gonzaga 702020: Canceled due to COVID 192019: Virginia 85, Texas Tech 77, ot2018: Villanova 79, Michigan 622017: North Carolina 71, Gonzaga 652016: Villanova 77,
Lockport girls soccer team undergoing massive changes
By Bobby Narang The Lockport High School girls soccer team is undergoing a massive roster turnover this spring. But the Porters are keeping their sights set on another double-digit winning season. Junior midfielder Yurida Hernandez, a Bowling Green recruit who has scored over 22 goals in her first two seasons,
NCAA Division III Hockey tournament results
Sunday, March 29ChampionshipHamilton 2, Hobart 1, 2 p.m. Friday, March 27SemifinalsHamilton 6, Aurora 3Hobart 4, Wisconsin-Stout 2 Saturday, March 21QuarterfinalsHobart 2, St. Norbert 1Wisconsin-Stout 5, Utica 1Aurora 3, Endicott 2, 2 otHamilton 2, Norwich 1, ot Saturday, March 14First RoundAurora 6, Saint John’s (Minnesota) 1Hamilton 6, Neumann 2Norwich 6, Salve
High school baseball: Aurora Central Catholic vs. Plano
Aurora Central Catholic High School’s Luke Torrance hits the ball against Plano March 28. Host Aurora won, 7-5.
High school softball: Aurora Central Catholic vs. St. Ignatius
Aurora Central Catholic High School’s Corina Maratea (15) throws against St. Ignatius March 28. Visiting St. Ignatius won, 3-2.
Benet Academy’s Jayden Wright, outstanding career
By Bobby Narang Benet Academy senior point guard Jayden Wright cemented his name in program lore this season. The Eastern Illinois recruit capped off an outstanding career with a stellar final season. In his junior season, Wright was one of the key starters behind Benet’s run to its first state
High School baseball: Aurora Central Catholic vs. Guilford
Aurora Central Catholic High School’s Jack Hughes (19) goes airborne while Guilford shortstop Sam Goodrum makes the tag at second base March 21.
College Baseball: Aurora University vs. Lakeland University
Aurora University’s Connor Hogan (Joliet West /Shorewood) pitches March 21, in Aurora’s season home opener against visiting Lakeland University.
NCAA Division III Hockey Tournament
Saturday, March 14First RoundAurora 6, Saint John’s (Minnesota) 1Hamilton 6, Neumann 2Norwich 6, Salve Regina 1Utica 3, Williams 0Saint Norbert 5, U New England 4Wisconsin-Stout 4, Anna Maria 1 Saturday, March 21QuarterfinalsHobart 2, St. Norbert 1Wisconsin-Stout 5, Utica 1Aurora 3, Endicott 2, 2 otHamilton 2, Norwich 1, ot Friday, March
Benet Academy’s boys basketball team takes second in Class 4A
By Bobby Narang Benet’s quest for a second straight Class 4A State championship hit a small snag Saturday, March 14. Playing a familiar foe in East Suburban Catholic Conference member Marist, Benet struggled scoring points in the first half. Marist relied on its athletic guard to gain a lead in
Boys high school basketball results March 12-14, championships
Saturday, March 14IHSA State Tournament Class 4AChampionshipMarist 44, Benet 28IHSA State Tournament Class 3AChampionshipEast St. Louis 52, Deerfield 46IHSA State Tournament Class 2AChampionshipManual 60, Notre Dame (Quincy) 55IHSA State Tournament Class1AChampionshipMarshall 52, Goreville 44 Friday, March 13IHSA State Tournament Class 4ASemi-finalsMarist 55, York 38Benet 39, DePaul 38Third placeDePaul 56, York
Men’s college basketball Big Ten tournament
Sunday, March 15ChampionshipPurdue 80, Michigan 72 Saturday, March 14SemifinalsMichigan 68, Wisconsin 65Purdue 73, UCLA 66 Friday, March 13QuarterfinalsMichigan 71, Ohio State 67Wisconsin 91, Illinois 88Purdue 74, Nebraska 58UCLA 88, Michigan State 84 Thursday, March 12Third RoundOhio State 72, Iowa 69Wisconsin 85, Washington 82Purdue 81, Northwestern 68UCLA 72, Rutgers 59 Wednesday,