Illini great DEON THOMAS says former coach BRUCE PEARL doesn't belong on TV — and he's right. chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media...

CBS 2 will air an #Illini special at 6:30 pm Friday, "CBS Center Court: Road to the Championship." Ryan Baker & Jermont Terry will be live in Indianapolis. Matt Zahn will anchor from the studio. CBS 2 is the only Chicago TV station that has traveled for the Illini's entire run.

For the Cubs-Guardians game Saturday night on Fox, Adam Amin, John Smoltz and Ken Rosenthal will have the call.

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring QB Caleb Williams, whom GM Ryan Poles is very close to locking up long-term. mrf.lu/65g6

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring former Bulls guard Jaden Ivey, who was dumped for "conduct detrimental to the team." mrf.lu/89p-

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring Connor Bedard, who has learned how to create space for playmaking on his own.

NEWSPAPER VIEW

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring a brutal Opening Day for both sides of town, but the Illini end the day with a bang.

How Marquee Sports Network's TAYLOR MCGREGOR turned public-speaking skills into broadcasting career. chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media...

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring the Cubs and White Sox, who open their seasons Thursday.

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has a lot to smile about after agreeing to a huge contract. mrf.lu/f6GC

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring the Illini, whose NCAA path is blocked by a powerhouse Houston team, by @slgreenberg.bsky.social. mrf.lu/ftct

Seemed fitting with the #Illini heading to Texas (I can't take credit):

Zvonimir Ivisic poster slam, as called on Croatian TV:

The Sun-Times Sports Sunday cover, featuring the Illini, who routed VCU to reach the Sweet 16. mrf.lu/rWz-

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring Brad Underwood, who's eying the Sweet 16 but is aiming much higher, by @slgreenberg.bsky.social. mrf.lu/r_Nw

NEWSPAPER VIEW

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring Akron coach John Groce, who has crushed it since Illinois fired him in 2017, by @slgreenberg.bsky.social. mrf.lu/r0Qg

MLB games will be in new places this season. Here's a viewing guide catered to CUBS & WHITE SOX fans. chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media...

The U (WCIU-Ch. 26) will simulcast 10 WHITE SOX games, plus pre/postgame shows: 5/8 vs. SEA, 6:40 5/15 vs. Cubs, 6:40 5/16 vs. Cubs, 6:10 5/17 vs. Cubs, 1:10 6/14 vs. LAD, 1:10 6/27 vs. KC, 3:10 7/10 vs. ATH, 6:40 7/29 vs. NYY, 6:40 8/17 at Cubs, 7:05 9/4 vs. MIN, 6:40

Gold Glove outfielder KEVIN KIERMAIER, whose more famous brother DAN is the head groundskeeper at Wrigley Field, will join MLB Network as a studio analyst, debuting March 25. Kiermaier retired from playing after the 2024 season.

🏀 NIT FIRST ROUND TONIGHT 🏀 UIC at CALIFORNIA, 10 pm CT ESPN2: Roxy Bernstein, Corey Williams It's the Flames' first postseason berth since 2018 (CIT) and first NIT berth since 2003. Their last NCAA bid was in 2004.

BREAKING: Marquee Sports Network now available on Hulu + Live TV chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media...

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki, who will return to spring workouts after injuring his knee in the WBC. mrf.lu/rNCj

Bruce Pearl went from being kicked out of his sport for lying to the NCAA to becoming the face of CBS’s Selection Sunday coverage. Yet, he still cannot escape controversy, claiming Miami (OH) doesn’t belong in the tournament and defending Auburn’s résumé, while on their payroll.

Blackhawks next two games are national broadcasts: Tuesday: vs. Wild, 6:30, TNT - Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher Thursday: at Wild, 6:30, ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu - John Buccigross, Cassie Campbell-Pascall

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring the Illini, whose ceiling in the NCAA Tournament might be a mere two wins, by @slgreenberg.bsky.social. mrf.lu/06nJ

The Sun-Times Sports Sunday cover, featuring Marist, which won its first basketball state championship, by @michaelsobrien.bsky.social. mrf.lu/03Kc

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring the Illini, who have serious questions after Big Ten Tournament ouster, by @slgreenberg.bsky.social. mrf.lu/0kGM

SPRING-TRAINING ⚾️ CUBS at WHITE SOX, 3 pm CT CHSN: John Schriffen, Steve Stone *-Free on the CHSN app ESPN 1000: Len Kasper, Darrin Jackson

BIG TEN QUARTERFINAL ILLINOIS vs. WISCONSIN, 1:30 pm CT BTN: Jeff Levering, Don MacLean, reporter Rick Pizzo WLS 890: Brian Barnhart, Deon Thomas Compass: Matt Smith, Mike Wozniak

NEWSPAPER VIEW

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring Bruce Weber, who’s back in town for the Big Ten Tournament. mrf.lu/dKn-

BRUCE WEBER rekindles connection with Chicago, enjoys newfound popularity as Big Ten Network analyst. chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media...

AREA COLLEGE 🏀 TODAY NORTHWESTERN vs. PURDUE, 5:30 pm CT BTN: Kevin Kugler, Robbie Hummel, Andy Katz WGN 720: Dave Eanet, Billy McKinney LOYOLA vs. DAVIDSON, 6:30 USA: Steve Schlanger, John Giannini, Marty Snider Rambler Sports Network: Scott Sudikoff, Christian Thomas

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring the Bears, who have a second crack at Raiders DE Maxx Crosby. mrf.lu/dY_t

Cubs games that will air on APPLE TV through June: April 24 at Dodgers, 9:15 May 22 vs. Astros, 1:20 June 26 at Brewers, 6:45

AREA COLLEGE 🏀 ON TV TODAY LOYOLA vs. RICHMOND, 1 pm CT USA: Steve Schlanger, John Giannini, Marty Snider NORTHWESTERN vs. INDIANA, 5:30 BTN: Guy Haberman, Jordan Taylor, Andy Katz DEPAUL vs. GEORGETOWN, 8 NBCSN/Peacock: John Fanta, Donny Marshall, Caroline Pineda

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring Northwestern coach Chris Collins, whose team extended one of his worst seasons for at least another day, by @slgreenberg.bsky.social. mrf.lu/dfv1

AREA COLLEGE 🏀 TODAY BIG TEN TOURNAMENT #15 NORTHWESTERN vs. #18 PENN STATE, 6:30 pm CT NBCSN/Peacock: Paul Burmeister, Robbie Hummel, reporter Nicole Auerbach WGN 720: Dave Eanet, Billy McKinney.

IHSA boys basketball state finals schedule on The U (WCIU-Channel 26). Chicago-area schools listed in red. Games in Champaign.

Dave Revsine, Mike Hall and Pizzo will lead BTN’s studio coverage for the entire tournament, with appearances by Katz, Taylor, Rapheal Davis, Seth Davis and Bruce Weber.

Broadcasters for Big Ten Network’s 10 B1G Tournament games: PBPs Kevin Kugler, Jeff Levering and Guy Haberman. Analysts: Robbie Hummel, Don MacLean and Jordan Taylor. Sideline reporters: Rick Pizzo and Andy Katz.

Beautiful setup in the radio booth in honor of Troy Murray.

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring the Bears, who will be in the market for a pass rusher when NFL free agency opens Monday. mrf.lu/dt1J

NEWSPAPER VIEW (Sunday edition)

AREA COLLEGE 🏀 TODAY UIC vs. DRAKE, 11 am CBS 2: Kevin Harlan, Robbie Hummel, reporter Evan Washburn UICFlames.com: Jonathan Hood, Kenny Williams #11 ILLINOIS at MARYLAND, 2 pm Fox 32: Brandon Gaudin, Steve Smith WLS 890: Brian Barnhart, Deon Thomas

The Sun-Times Sports Sunday cover, featuring baseball, which offers plenty to bet on, including some no-brainers. mrf.lu/m4kq

This goal by TROY MURRAY sent the Blackhawks on an improbable run to the 1989 Campbell Conference finals. He was a special player and person. #RIP youtu.be/zko64dyOMAU?...

The Sun-Times Sports cover, featuring the Blackhawks, who will follow the lead of their young players after trading away their veteran leaders, by @benpopecst.bsky.social. mrf.lu/mYFt