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NU whips Iowa 83-64 for 3rd straight Big Ten victory

By Jack McCarthy, Special to the Tribune — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:17:00 GMT

All 5 starters finish in double figures with Sobolewski scoring career-high 23

Dave Sobolewski can't explain why he's playing so well these days, but Northwestern is happy to take what he's giving.

Indiana makes 35 FTs to down Illinois 84-71

By Shannon Ryan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:03:00 GMT

Freshman center leads Hoosiers with 22 as Illini fade in 2nd half

Freshman leads Hoosiers with 22 as Illini fade in 2nd half.

Sox sign former star QB to minor league deal

By Mark Gonzales — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:23:00 GMT

Mitch Mustain, 23, hasn't pitched since high school.

Bulls' Deng gets NBA All-Star reserve nod

By Teddy Greenstein , Chicago Tribune reporter — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:35:00 GMT

Bulls forward joins Rose on Eastern team after coaches made him reserve pick

Joins Rose after coaches made him reserve pick.

Hawks working to tighten up defense

By Chris Kuc , Chicago Tribune reporter — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:21:00 GMT

Seek to limit breakaways and odd-man rushes that are killing them

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Too often during the Blackhawks' current losing skid their goaltenders have had the unnerving sight of opponents streaking toward them with speed and numbers.

Tiger off to strong start at Pebble Beach

Reuters — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:54:00 GMT

Cards six birdies and two bogeys for a 68

Tiger Woods made a confident start to his 2012 PGA Tour campaign, mixing six birdies with two bogeys Thursday to finish with a 4-under 68 in the first round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Reader Q&A: Pompei's Bears mailbag

By Dan Pompei, Tribune reporter — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:24:00 GMT

The Bears columnist answers your questions. This week: Hiring Bates, looking at possible free agents and who the Bears should draft at No. 19.

The Tribune's Bears columnist answers your questions each week. This week: Hiring Jeremy Bates, looking at possible free agents and who the Bears should draft with the No. 19 pick.

Bates a big boost for QB Cutler

Matt Bowen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:30:00 GMT

Position coach key to QB's success and previous relationship bodes well for future

Bowen: Their previous relationship bodes well for future.

Bulls' Deng selected as All-Star reserve

By Teddy Greenstein, Tribune reporter — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:30:00 GMT

Luol Deng will join teammate Derrick Rose in Orlando for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game after being named as an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve.

Crawford gets call in goal against Sharks

By Chris Kuc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:03:00 GMT

Crawford will get another chance to get back on track.

'Linsanity': Jeremy Lin has Knicks riding high

Reuters — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:17:00 GMT

Jeremy Lin's sudden rise from obscure reserve to the toast of Broadway could not have come at a better time for the New York Knicks.

Lots of talk, but little sense from Sox's Peavy

Steve Rosenbloom — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:43:00 GMT

Steve Rosenbloom: Injury-prone Jake Peavy says he wants to pitch 200 innings for the White Sox in 2012, which is admirable, but he refuses to consider morphing into a pitcher who relies on guile and softer stuff the way many veterans have.

Butler National looks to break barrier

By Teddy Greenstein , Chicago Tribune reporter — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:02:00 GMT

Prospect of hosting lucrative tournament could prompt club to accept female members

Butler National Golf Club is strongly considering opening its doors to women, a move that could bring major championships to Chicago and would mark a major cultural shift for the 40-year-old institution.

Comedy routine: Bulls win joke of game

By Teddy Greenstein — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:40:00 GMT

Hornets horribly hopeless in falling 90-67 after actor's warmup act

Hornets horribly hopeless in falling 90-67 after Will Ferrell's warmup act

Football Final Four idea a worthy one

David Haugh's In the Wake of the News — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:38:00 GMT

With Big Ten on board in some form, it seems demise of BCS at hand

David Haugh: With Big Ten on board in some form, it seems demise of BCS at hand

Back to basics on power play

By Brian Hamilton , Chicago Tribune reporter — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:15:00 GMT

Hawks realize poor production from offense, especially up a man, is killing them

DENVER — The puck hit the back of the net Wednesday and, from the point, Patrick Sharp let out a whoop that echoed throughout the University of Denver's Magness Arena. The Blackhawks forward then threw both arms in the air and pumped them triumphantly.

Rogers' Power rankings: No. 9 Marlins

Phil Rogers — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:46:00 GMT

Guillen and Marlins should be volatile combo in NL East

Former Sox manager Guillen and Marlins should be volatile combo in NL East

Blackhawks search for 'baby steps' to end skid

By Brian Hamilton — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:18:00 GMT

DENVER -- Four Chicago Blackhawks players watched from the stands while teammates practiced at the University of Denver on Wednesday, victims of a flu-like bug that idled them for a day.

Bulls' Rose optimistic he'll play vs. Hornets

By Teddy Greenstein, Tribune reporter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:25:00 GMT

It will be a game-time decision, but Derrick Rose is confident he can play Wednesday night for the Bulls in New Orleans.

Bates can help Cutler get in spots to succeed

Steve Rosenbloom — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:31:00 GMT

Steve Rosenbloom: Jeremy Bates figures to be the Bears' passing game chief with the title of QB coach, sort of opposite the way that Phil Emery seems to be the chief scout with the title of GM. Bates' successful history with Jay Cutler means he should push hard for plays that take advantage of Cutler's assets.

Hawks collapse in 3rd to lose 6th in row

By Brian Hamilton — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:36:00 GMT

Avalanche score 3 straight to take 5-2 victory

DENVER — In one stall of a dressing room infested by frustration and disgust, Brent Seabrook sat hands folded, staring blankly at nothing in particular. A couple stalls down, Niklas Hjalmarsson struck the same gloomy pose. Across the space, Patrick Sharp did likewise.

Bates reuniting with Cutler as Bears QB coach

By Brad Biggs , Chicago Tribune reporter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:57:00 GMT

But he doesn't get passing coordinator title

Two years after he declined an interview opportunity with the Bears to be their offensive coordinator, Jeremy Bates has been hired as quarterbacks coach.

Bulls confident Rose can bounce back quickly

By K.C. Johnson , Chicago Tribune reporter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:37:00 GMT

MVP 'better;' Watson will get call against Hornets if he can't go

The Bulls might long for the days Derrick Rose merely hurt himself with an apple cutter in bed.

Brunette a game-time call for Blackhawks

By Brian Hamilton — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:44:00 GMT

DENVER -- With typical hockey-injury vagueness, Andrew Brunette categorized his recent affliction as part of the "bumps and bruises" all players endure during a season.

New Bears QB coach has Cutler connection

By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:56:00 GMT

Jay Cutler has had a strained relationship with offensive coaches for the Bears, but Tuesday's hiring of Jeremy Bates as quarterbacks coach gives him someone he’s worked closely with in the past.