Category: Big Ten

Big Ten Notebook: Illinois falls to UConn

Another Big Ten team is down with UConn beating Illinois.

On Saturday, March Madness came to an end for the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Big Ten champs took on No.1 UConn and struggled offensively in a 77-52 loss. While they kept things close in the first half, UConn dominated in the final 20 minutes.

The Huskies pulled away in the second half thanks to a 30-0 run. As UConn punched its ticket to the Elite Eight, it recorded a March Madness record tenth straight double-digit victory.

Thank you 🧡💙#Illini | #HTTO | #EveryDayGuys pic.twitter.com/KXv1mlz6Xr

— Illinois Men’s Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 31, 2024

While the Elite Eight did not go as planned for Illinois, there were a few bright spots. That includes Marcus Domask, who scored a team-high 17 points while adding three rebounds to his resume. The Waupun, Wisconsin native, was the only Fighting Illini who scored more than 10 points.

In this matchup, UConn was able to take advantage of their opportunities close to the basket. They outscored Illinois in the paint 52-20. The Huskies also prevented Illinois from having a lead the entire game an never took the pressure off.

Following their latest win, UConn is only a win away from a chance to defend their title. Their next opponent will be No.4 Alabama, who beat Clemson on Saturday night.

 

Huskers fall to No. 3 Oregon State in second round of NCAA Tournament

The Nebraska women’s basketball team entered the second round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday afternoon, the Nebraska women’s basketball team entered the second round of the NCAA tournament. The No. 6 Huskers faced off against host No. 3 Oregon State for a chance to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2013. However, this did not come to pass. Nebraska fell to the Beavers 61-51, ending its run and the season.

The Beavers took a 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and kept their cushion of a lead for the remainder of the game. The middle quarters resulted in 34 total points combined, with Nebraska outscoring Oregon State 18-16. The Huskers scored 22 points in the fourth, but the Beavers scored 26.

Jaz Shelley scored 10 points, leading Nebraska in the field as its only double-digit scorer. Alexis Markowski and Annika Stewart both scored eight points in the loss. Markowski also hauled in eight rebounds to lead the team. Oregon State meanwhile finished with three players in double-digits for scoring.

Nebraska concluded the season with a final record of 23-12, the second-best record under head coach Amy Williams.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Big Ten in the NCAA Tournament Notebook: Michigan State, Illinois advance to Round of 32

The Big Ten is off to a good start in the NCAA Tournament.

For the Big Ten, the first day of March Madness couldn’t have gone better. Michigan State and Illinois were able to punch their tickets to the Round of 32. While they both took different routes to a win, there title hopes are alive for at least another two days.

Between the two No.9 Michigan State entered as the underdog. They took on No.8 Mississippi State and applied relentless pressure for 40 minutes. As they recorded a 69-51 win they were led by Tyson Walker.

In 34 minutes of action, Walker recorded 20 points and added three rebounds to his resume. He was one of three Spartans to score 10 or more points. The Spartans’ next test will be No.1 North Carolina on Saturday.

Marcus Domask recorded just the 10th-ever triple-double in #MarchMadness history 🙌 @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/bM0EmW9hTo

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2024

Just hours after the Spartans advanced, No.3 Illinois took on No.14 Morehead State. While the Eagles kept things close in the first half, Illinois pulled away in the final 20 minutes.

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The Fighting Illini were led by Terrence Shannon Jr. in their latest win. The Chicago native scored 26 points and added four rebounds. He also got some help from Dan Dainja, who scored 21 points while hauling in eight rebounds. On Saturday, Illinois will take on Duquesne, who won their first game NCAA tournament game since 1969 on Thursday.

What Nebraska football players are saying heading into spring ball

The Nebraska football team is preparing to enter the spring practice period and, with it, the start of the 2024 season. Head football coach Matt Rhule told the media that he’s excited about his team heading into the spring game. I’ve met amazing …

The Nebraska football team is preparing to enter the spring practice period and, with it, the start of the 2024 season. Head football coach Matt Rhule told the media that he’s excited about his team heading into the spring game.

I’ve met amazing people but I’m here for that reason and I’m looking for players that are here for that reason, that want to build something, that want to leave something. I just want to somebody be able to, like Coach Osborne, walk back into the building and have people be happy to see me. Sometimes we go out to eat, with my family and we’ll sit down and I’m like ‘man I hope we have a good season next year’ but I just believe so much in the fans and the people in the state of Nebraska that even if they’re disappointed when we lose a game or excited when we win a game, they’ve always treated myself and my family with such great dignity and respect. That was maybe just me saying ‘Hey we’re all in. My team’s all in. My coaches are all in and we’re all doing it in a way that responds to this state.

Below are more social media comments from three Nebraska players (Jahmal Banks, Jimari Butler, and Marques Buford Jr.).

Early Big Ten ranking brings loads of intrigue and uncertainty

The new look Big Ten conference brings a lot of intrigue heading into the 2024 season. The early power rankings breaks down what you should expect early on.

Spring practice is kicking off all across college football, getting everyone super excited for the 2024 season. The Big Ten conference is one that is going to be very interesting, especially with its new look and additions. That makes it a pretty difficult one to predict, but it is still fun to try and do so.

In a recent series, we ranked each 2024 Big Ten squad heading into the new season. If you missed any part of the series, you can find it HERE. The season promises to be one for the ages, the first of its kind. Get ready for all the possibilities to be on the table.

Can Michigan repeat? Is Ohio State for real? Can Oregon or Washington crash the party? Only time will tell.

Full Big Ten Rankings

  1. Ohio State Buckeyes
  2. Oregon Ducks
  3. Michigan Wolverines
  4. Penn State Nittany Lions
  5. Iowa Hawkeyes 
  6. USC Trojans
  7. Wisconsin Badgers
  8. Washington Huskies
  9. Minnesota Golden Gophers
  10. Nebraska Cornhuskers
  11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
  12. Indiana Hoosiers
  13. Michigan State Spartans
  14. Purdue Boilermakers
  15. UCLA Bruins
  16. Maryland Terrapins
  17. Illinois Fighting Illini 
  18. Northwestern Wildcats 

Nebraska shortstop named Big Ten Softball Player of the Week

A Nebraska shortstop has been named the Big Ten Softball Player of the Week.

A Nebraska shortstop has been named the Big Ten Softball Player of the Week. Billie Andrews was honored by the conference for the second time in three weeks.

It is also the third time in her career that she has earned the weekly honor. So far this season, Nebraska has won four of the seven Big Ten Player of the Week awards this season.

In six games last week, Andrews hit .455 with four home runs and 14 RBIs. She also slugged 1.45 with a .520 on-base percentage.

Nebraska would finish with a 5-1 record as a team. Northwestern’s Ashley Miller was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week, while Michigan’s Jenissa Conway was recognized as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Big Ten Notebook: Illinois men’s basketball wins fourth Big Ten title

Illinois basketball won the Big Ten Tournament on Sunday

For the fourth time in program history, the Illinois Fighting Illini are Big Ten Tournament champions. On Sunday, they defeated Wisconsin 93-87 in a hard-fought championship game battle that went down to the wire. They were led by the talented duo of Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask.

As Illinois pulled away in the second half, Shannon Jr. set the tone offensively. The Chicago native scored a team-high 34 points while draining three-pointers. He got some help from Domask, who scored 26 points and only missed one shot.

While Wisconsin’s Big Ten Tournament ended in disappointing fashion, there were a few bright spots. That includes Chucky Hepburn and AJ Storr. Just like he has done all season, Storr was a scoring machine. He added 24 points and three steals to his resume. Hepburn had one of his best games of the season, scoring 20 points.

 

 

Part of Illinois’s ability to take control late was due to its success close to the basket. They scored 40 points in the paint, while Wisconsin only scored 36. The Fighting Illini also shot over 50 percent from the field and made seven three-pointers.

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Once the confetti was released, Illinois had a reason to celebrate beyond winning a title. Their star, Terrence Shannon Jr., was named the 2024 Jim and Kitty Delany Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten Tournament

Nebraska softball splits final day of the Razorback Rumble

The Huskers entered the final day of the Razorback Rumble with a doubleheader against St. Francis and South Alabama.

The Huskers entered the final day of the Razorback Rumble with a doubleheader against St. Francis and South Alabama. Nebraska split the last day, falling to St. Francis and defeating South Alabama.

In the loss to St. Francis, the Huskers led 2-0 after five innings but failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities. Nebraska finished the game with ten runners left on base. St. Francis took advantage by forcing extra innings before jumping out to take the 6-3 win in eight innings.

Ava Bredwell led Nebraska in the batter’s box, hitting 2-of-3 with a double, a triple, and a walk. Bella Bacon hit a pair of RBIs, while Billie Andrews doubled to extend her hitting streak to 16 games.

Sarah Harness took the loss for Nebraska. Harness started in the circle and tossed 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits. Emmerson Cope pitched the sixth and seventh innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Harness re-entered the game and pitched the eighth inning, giving up four runs.

In the win over South Alabama, Nebraska took control of the lead in the first inning and held it to the end. Bacon put the Huskers on the board with her lone hit of the game, resulting in an RBI.

Sydney Gray dominated the game for Nebraska, delivering three hits, two home runs, a double, and three RBIs. Alina Felix brought in the final run for the Huskers with an RBI off a fielder’s choice.

Kaylin Kinney pitched the whole game and faced 29 batters. Kinney earned the win and threw two strikeouts while surrendering six hits and a run.

Nebraska moves to 11-11 on the season and will return home to host the Big Red Spring Classic from Thursday to Sunday. The Huskers will start the tournament against Northern Colorado on Thursday night. The first pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Illinois Fighting Illini need a bounce back season in 2024

In each part of this series, we will unveil where each of the 18 teams in the new look Big Ten conference begins. Illinois under the leadership of Bret Bielema is No. 17 out of 18.

It’s never too early for a “way too early” Big Ten power ranking! Things will change. Players will hurt the portal, players will transfer in, and injuries will happen but for the most part, we have a pretty good understanding of rosters after National Signing Day and so much transfer portal movement.

In each part of this series, we will unveil where each of the 18 teams in the new look conference begins. We started at No. 1 with the revamped Ohio State Buckeyes. Then, the Oregon Ducks come in at the second spot. Coming in at No. 3 were the defending National Champion Michigan Wolverines, who are in a bit of a transition period.

At No. 4, we unveiled the Penn State Nittany Lions, who are returning a lot of talent from their 2023 roster. Then we made way for the old reliable, the Iowa Hawkeyes. At No. 6, another new addition to the conference, the USC Trojans. Next up at No. 7, the Wisconsin Badgers came in, followed by the Washington Huskies at No. 8 in the ranking.

Coming in at No. 9, another pretty consistent program with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. They come into the 2024 season as a real wildcard. Speaking of wildcards, there may not be a bigger one than the Nebraska Cornhuskers. They come in at No. 10 on the ranking.

Following Nebraska is the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at No. 11, coming off a bit of a breakout season in 2023 under head coach Greg Schiano. A team in transition, but an exciting one, is the Indiana Hoosiers. At No. 13 is the Michigan State Spartans, who are another team in transition. Then you have the Purdue Boilermakers at No. 14 who enter the second year under former Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters.

Another new entrant into the new look Big Ten conference, the UCLA Bruins enter with a lot of uncertainty at No. 15. Coming in at No. 16, the Maryland Terrapins have a more familiar face in Mike Locksley heading into year seven, followed by the Illinois Fighting Illini at No. 17. 

Bret Bielema had the team heading in a great direction in 2022, showing an elite defense and lots of signs that the program is being built well. Unfortunately, they took a step back in 2023, limping to a 5-7 record. In 2024, the team will have to lean on the defense, which returns a lot of talent. They should be led by pass rushers Seth Coleman and Gabriel Jacas,  both of whom are on NFL radars. 

Offensively, there is a lot of doubt about how good Illinois could be. They have two huge defections on the offensive line, but did grab former New Mexico offensive tackle JC Davis the portal who is one of the more underrated players at his positional national. Davis will be helping to pave the way for sophomore running back Kaden Feagin, who is a load at 240 pounds.

Full Big Ten Rankings

  1. Ohio State Buckeyes
  2. Oregon Ducks
  3. Michigan Wolverines
  4. Penn State Nittany Lions
  5. Iowa Hawkeyes 
  6. USC Trojans
  7. Wisconsin Badgers
  8. Washington Huskies
  9. Minnesota Golden Gophers
  10. Nebraska Cornhuskers
  11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
  12. Indiana Hoosiers
  13. Michigan State Spartans
  14. Purdue Boilermakers
  15. UCLA Bruins
  16. Maryland Terrapins
  17. Illinois Fighting Illini 
  18. TBD

How to watch the 2024 Big Ten wresting championships

Check out the five of the country’s top-10 ranked wrestling teams this weekend at the Big Ten championships.

Get ready for collegiate wrestling action on Saturday, Mar. 9, and Sunday, Mar. 10 at the 2023-24 Big Ten Tournament, headlined by the No. 1 Penn State Nittany Lions and No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes.  

The annual Big Ten Wrestling Championships, set to take place at Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland, will include competitors from 10 ranked teams in the NWCA top 25 including No. 1 Penn State, No. 2 Iowa, No. 3 Nebraska, No. 6 Ohio State, and No. 9 Michigan. 

If you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place. All action will be airing on BTN and B1G+.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Big Ten Wrestling Championship session 1″ link=”http://bit.ly/WR24Sesh1″]

Last year the Nittany Lions took home the conference championship competing in the toughest wrestling conference in the country. With a lot of their roster returning from last season, Penn State is the likely favorite once again.

Big Ten Wrestling Sessions

Date Session Broadcast Time (ET) Stream
Mar. 9 Session 1 – First Round, Quarterfinals, Wrestlebacks BTN 10 a.m. Click here
Mar. 9 Session 2 – Consolation Matches, Wrestlebacks B1G+ 5 p.m. Click here
Mar. 9 Session 2 – Semifinals BTN 7 p.m. Click here
Mar. 10 Session 3 – Consolation Semifinals, 7th Place Matches B1G+ Noon Click here
Mar. 10 Session 4 – Championship, 3rd and 5th-Place Matches BTN 4:30 p.m. Click here

Get more Big Ten coverage from our network of team sites

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Big Ten Wrestling Championships Quaterfinals” link=”http://bit.ly/WR24Sesh1″]