Unbeaten, buzzer-beatin’ Illini basketball ready to face USC

It’s time to find out. Nobody really knows what the future holds for John Groce’s first Illinois team. But the Illini will start learning more when they take on USC, coached by former Northwestern coach Kevin O’Neill, in the Maui Invitational on Monday  (11 p.m., …

Hearn sees Northwestern’s improvement in victory over Farleigh Dickenson

Northwestern senior Reggie Hearn already has seen a difference in his team during its three-game winning streak, including the 80-53 victory Sunday against Fairleigh Dickinson at Welsh-Ryan Arena. ‘‘Compared to last year, our defense and rebounding are better,’’ said Hearn, who led the Wildcats with …

Record-setting Tyler Eifert is the total package at tight end

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly raved about senior Tyler Eifert on Saturday not just for becoming the school’s all-time leader in receptions by a tight end, but for passing up the NFL to return to school and get his degree.Count Wake …

Northwestern edges Michigan State, figures to climb bowl ladder

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State might have entered the game with the higher-ranked defense, but Ibraheim Campbell stood out as the best defender on the field during Northwestern’s 23-20 victory over Michigan State on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. One week after his worst game …

Northwestern defense inspired by Charles Tillman highlight film

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Partial credit for four turnovers forced by Northwestern’s defense in Saturday’s 23-20 victory at Michigan State on Saturday went to an unlikely source — Bears cornerback Charles Tillman. Coach Pat Fitzgerald said he showed his team video of Tillman forcing four …

Illinois falls to Purdue, losing streak at eight

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois took a road less traveled on Saturday. In the first quarter, when it gained 78 yards and held Purdue to eight, it looked like it might be on to something. In the end, though, the Illini reached the same unsatisfying destination. They …

Big Ten might add Maryland, Rutgers

CHAMPAIGN — Some big noise about the Big Ten came out of the East on Saturday. Multiple sources, including ESPN.com and CBSsports.com, reported that Maryland is in serious discussions regarding joining the conference of Legends and Leaders. Rutgers also could join the Big Ten as …

DePaul learns from embarrassing loss, routs Austin Peay

DePaul guard Brandon Young admitted he got “the wake-up call’’ from the Blue Demons’ embarrassing 71-59 loss to Gardner-Webb on Thursday. “That wasn’t DePaul basketball,” he said Saturday. “I wasn’t a leader, and I take that loss on me. It was definitely an eye-opener that …

UIC, Notre Dame prevail; Loyola loses

Gary Talton and Hayden Humes each scored 14 points, and Illinois-Chicago used a 15-0 run early in the second half to pull away to a 62-36 victory Saturday against Mercer in a consolation game of the Paradise Jam tournament in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. …

No. 20 Notre Dame basketball loses to Saint Joseph’s in overtime

NEW YORK — No. 20 Notre Dame just couldn’t score in the final minutes of regulation and overtime and the Fighting Irish lost 79-70 to Saint Joseph’s on Friday night in the semifinals of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Barclays Center.

“What an unbelievable …

Illinois basketball beats Hawaii at OT buzzer on D.J. Richardson’s three

HONOLULU — D.J. Richardson drained a 3-pointer at the overtime buzzer, capping a comeback from a 16-point second-half deficit and giving Illinois a wild 78-77 victory over Hawaii early Saturday. Richardson’s buzzer-beater followed one by Hawaii’s Vander Joaquim, who hit a jumper at the end …

DePaul coach Oliver Purnell says leadership lacking in loss

A one-day turnaround between games didn’t give DePaul much time Friday to work on the flaws exposed in a poorly played 71-59 loss Thursday to Gardner-Webb. But Blue Demons coach Oliver  Purnell said the biggest flaw shouldn’t take time to correct. ‘‘Most of it is …