North: A review of pro and college sports in Illinois
It's time for a review of some pro and collegiate sports in the fine state of Illinois.
Let's start with the cream of the crop: the Chicago Blackhawks. They are setting the table for another run at the Stanley Cup.
Once a franchise that was the worst in sports, now it's considered the best. I think they are well on their way to achieving my previous prediction of five championships in 10 years having won three Cups since 2010.
• The Chicago Bulls continue to disappoint fans. Egos upstairs, inexperience at the head coaching position, injuries and players who play hard only twice a week make for a lackluster season.
Of course, injuries have plagued the Bulls the past few years and they still managed to make the playoffs, but that might be difficult this year.
• Northwestern University is a bit of a mixed bag. The football program under head coach Pat Fitzgerald went a respectable 10-3 this past season. Fitz coaches with a passion, his teams play hard, and he adjusts well to his talent.
The basketball program has long been a disappointment, but the program seems to be on the upswing. Chris Collins is 45-45 as head coach, and has improved the Wildcats to 17-10 this season (5-9 in the Big Ten).
Athletic Director Jim Phillips has been stronger as a football AD, first at Northern and now at NU, than at basketball, but he did inherit a mess and Collins has the chops to turn things around.
• DePaul has disappeared from major college basketball discussion. The Lady Blue Demons are the toast of the school, but the men's basketball team is an afterthought.
AD Jean Lenti Ponsetto should have addressed the lack of a campus facility a long time ago. Her coaching hires have been weak; she even hired Dave Leitao twice, and the men's program has tremendously suffered under her leadership, yet no one seems to care.
• The Cubs are ready to roll, but it was puzzling why they didn't resign center fielder Dexter Fowler.
• The White Sox are talking playoffs. While it's possible, they still need another bat and a decent starting pitcher.
•Hey, I almost forgot about the Illini. Well, um … never mind.
Program notes:
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