Chicago Sports

Friday, January 13, 2023

Boys Basketball

RED NORTH-WEST

Farragut at Clark, 5:00

Lane at Westinghouse, 5:00

North Lawndale at Orr, 5:00

Perspectives-MSA at Lincoln Park, 6:30

Young at Prosser, 6:30

WHITE NORTH

Amundsen at Foreman, 5:00

Mather at Sullivan, 5:00

Schurz at Northside, 5:00

Senn at Taft, 6:30

Von Steuben at Lake View, 5:00

WHITE WEST

Austin at Raby, 5:00

Collins at Jones, 6:30

Crane at Wells, 5:00

Legal Prep at Ogden, 7:00

Marshall at Payton, 5:00

BLUE NORTH

Chicago Academy at CMSA, 5:00

Disney at Steinmetz, 5:00

Intrinsic-Belmont at Uplift, 5:00

North-Grand at ASPIRA, 5:00

Rickover at Alcott, 5:00

Roosevelt at Marine, 5:00

BLUE WEST

Chicago Collegiate at Juarez, 5:00

Chicago Tech at Douglass, 5:00

Clemente at Kelvyn Park, 5:00

Manley at Phoenix, 5:00

Spry at Little Village, 5:00

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Deerfield at Vernon Hills, 7:00

Highland Park at Maine West, 7:00

Maine East at Niles North, 7:00

CENTRAL SUBURBAN SOUTH

Evanston at Glenbrook South, 7:00

New Trier at Maine South, 7:00

Niles West at Glenbrook North, 7:00

CHICAGO CATHOLIC BLUE

Brother Rice at Fenwick, 7:00

Leo at DePaul, 7:00

St. Ignatius at Loyola, 7:00

CHICAGO CATHOLIC WHITE

Montini at De La Salle, 6:30

Providence-St. Mel at St. Laurence, 7:00

CHICAGO PREP

Christ the King at Hope Academy, 7:30

Ellison at Northtown, 7:00

DUPAGE VALLEY

Metea Valley at Naperville Central, 7:00

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

Benet at Joliet Catholic, 7:00

Marian Catholic at Marist, 7:00

Nazareth at Notre Dame, 7:00

St. Patrick at St. Viator, 7:00

FOX VALLEY

Cary-Grove at Crystal Lake Central, 7:30

Crystal Lake South at Hampshire, 7:30

Dundee-Crown at Huntley, 7:30

Jacobs at Prairie Ridge, 7:30

ILLINOIS CENTRAL EIGHT

Herscher at Manteno, 7:00

Lisle at Coal City, 6:45

Wilmington at Peotone, 7:00

INDEPENDENT

Latin at North Shore, 6:00

U-High at Elgin Academy, 6:00

INTERSTATE EIGHT

Kaneland at Sandwich, 6:45

Morris at LaSalle-Peru, 7:00

Ottawa at Plano, 7:00

Sycamore at Rochelle, 7:00

LAKE SHORE

Cruz at Lycee, 5:30

Roycemore at Intrinsic-Downtown, 5:30

Wolcott at Horizon-McKinley, 7:00

LITTLE TEN

Earlville at Hinckley-Big Rock, 6:45

Newark at Leland, 5:30

Serena at LaMoille, 5:30

Somonauk at Indian Creek, 6:45

METRO PREP

Islamic Foundation at Universal, 5:00

METRO SUBURBAN BLUE

Chicago Christian at Aurora Christian, 7:30

IC Catholic at Wheaton Academy, 7:30

Riverside-Brookfield at Timothy Christian, 7:30

METRO SUBURBAN RED

McNamara at Ridgewood, 7:00

Westmont at St. Edward, 7:00

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Elk Grove at Hersey, 7:30

Prospect at Buffalo Grove, 7:30

Rolling Meadows at Wheeling, 7:30

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Barrington at Palatine, 7:30

Conant at Fremd, 7:30

Schaumburg at Hoffman Estates, 7:30

NORTHEASTERN

Mooseheart at Harvest Christian, 6:00

RIVER VALLEY

Momence vs. Beecher at Grant Park, 7:00

Tri-Point at Gardner-South Wilmington, 6:45

SOUTH SUBURBAN RED

Shepard at Argo, 5:30

SOUTH SUBURBAN CROSSOVER

Lemont at Oak Lawn, 6:30

Tinley Park at Richards, 6:30

SOUTHLAND

Bloom at Thornridge, 6:00

Crete-Monee at Thornton, 6:30

Kankakee at Rich, 6:30

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE CROSSOVER

Minooka at Plainfield East, 6:30

Oswego at Plainfield South, 6:30

Oswego East at Joliet West, 6:30

Plainfield North at Romeoville, 6:30

West Aurora at Joliet Central, 6:30

Yorkville at Plainfield Central, 6:30

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE

Bolingbrook at Homewood-Flossmoor, 6:30

Lincoln-Way East at Sandburg, 6:00

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN RED

Lincoln-Way Central at Andrew, 6:00

Stagg at Lincoln-Way West, 6:30

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN CROSSOVER

Bradley-Bourbonnais at Lockport, 6:30

TRI-COUNTY

Dwight at Woodland, 7:15

Ottawa Marquette at Seneca, 7:00

UPSTATE EIGHT

Bartlett at South Elgin, 7:00

East Aurora at West Chicago, 7:00

Elgin at Larkin, 7:00

Fenton at Streamwood, 7:00

Glenbard East at Glenbard South, 7:00

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

Addison Trail at Morton, 7:30

Leyden at Downers Grove South, 7:30

Proviso East at Willowbrook, 7:30

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER

Glenbard West at Downers Grove North, 7:30

Proviso West at Hinsdale Central, 7:30

NONCONFERENCE

Belvidere North at Geneva, 7:00

EPIC at Southland, 5:00

Horizon-Southwest at Holy Trinity, 6:30

Johnson at St. Francis de Sales, 7:00

La Lumiere, Ind. at St. Francis, 6:00

Marengo at McHenry, 7:00

Portage Christian, Ind. at Grace Christian, 7:00

Providence at Oak Forest, 7:30

Schaumburg Christian at Cornerstone, 7:00

South Shore at Mansueto, 5:00

Thornwood at Harlan, 5:00

Unity Christian at Illinois Lutheran, 7:00

Westlake Christian at Christian Life, 7:00

BURLINGTON CENTRAL

Marian Central vs. DeKalb, 5:30

Woodstock North vs. Burlington Central, 7:00

SPRINGFIELD, MO.

St. Rita 60, Bartlett, Tenn. 42

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Before 2005, winter in Chicago had some real silent nights as tours and artists tended to hibernate, leaving scarce pickings in concert calendars.

That was before the advent of the long-running Tomorrow Never Knows festival.

The brainchild of the team at North Side venues Lincoln Hall and Schubas, it’s a five-day multi-venue event in mid-January showcasing the best in rising talent from both local and national music artists. And also proving, in their words, that “music fans will brave the brutal Chicago cold for a good show.”

It may not be brutally cold this year, but the festival runs Jan. 18-22, and is definitely a winter treat.

“I like to say that Tomorrow Never Knows books your next favorite artists. It’s a forward-looking festival and we’re extremely grateful for the fans who join us every year,” says talent buyer Dan Apodaca.

” Whether it’s in terms of music discovery, connecting with other people, or just wanting to get out and have some fun, TNK offers a sanctuary of people, art, and community, regardless of genre or style.”

The event has had much success in the past in picking “tomorrow’s” next big thing — featured artists in past years have included Taylor Bennett, Open Mike Eagle, Caroline Polachek, Ezra Furman, Jukebox the Ghost and others that have risen in the indie spotlight.

Another focus for TKN is highlighting Chicago’s independent venues. In addition to Lincoln Hall and Schubas, this year’s event is also staged at Sleeping Village and Golden Dagger and has also teamed up with Metro and The Hideout in years past.

“Independent venues are a necessary part of the music industry ecosystem, providing outlets for artists who don’t fit corporate expectations, for young artists to develop their craft and for fans to have more affordable ticket prices,” says Apodaca.

Apodaca has one piece of advice for getting the most out of the five days of music courtesy of 50 artists: “I strongly recommend people not overlook any of the opening artists. Some are local and some are touring, but we put just as much thought and care into support booking as we do headliner booking. [It’s] one way that we really get to champion artists we believe in and get them in front of new eyes and ears.”

Here are our picks for who to check out each day:

Jan. 18: Tomberlin

Emotions run high when listening to this contemporary folk artist who once grew up in rural southern Illinois, the daughter of a Baptist preacher. Songs like “Happy Accident” from her 2022 sophomore album “I Don’t Know Who Needs to Hear This…” pack in beautiful vocal reflection with layered strings and percussion to create a sensory narrative that unravels like a good book. Openers include Free Range and V.V. Lightbody. 7 p.m., Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. $25 in advance; lh-st.com

Jan. 19: Cheekface

Though Tomorrow Never Knows might be void of a comedy lineup this year, this trio has enough quips to fill the gaps. Like indie darling Wet Leg’s uber hit “Chaise Lounge” or even “The Distance” from ’90s alterna weirdos Cake, Cheekface engage in the very precise art of talk-singing. Not quite rap, not quite spoken word, but a certain dialect that some rock or indie bands have employed with its own kind of melodic poetry. Openers include Girl K and OK Cool. 9 p.m., Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln. $20 in advance; lh-st.com

Jan. 20: The Stone Foxes

If the past couple decades are any indication, the blues rock revival isn’t going anywhere any time soon. And there’s no reason to doubt that San Francisco’s The Stone Foxes couldn’t be as big an act as The Black Keys, a band they’ve toured with in the past. The horns and backup vocals on latest single “Time Is A Killer” elevate the band out of the garage rock space and provide a neo-soul flair that makes this a real Flashback Friday show. Openers include Shane Guerrette and Blue Dream. 8 p.m., Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln. $22 in advance; lh-st.com

Jan. 21: Doss

Electroclash trendsetter Doss is making her Chicago debut with this showcase. Songs like “Look” are a hyperpop, rave-worthy display with a hint of Chicago house lurking in the bouncy beat, not to mention a steady vocal that could be mistaken for Grimes. Lady Gaga is even a fan, enlisting the beatmaker to craft a remix of her “Chromatica” song “Enigma.” Openers include Ariel Zetina and Sqip. 9 p.m., Lincoln Hall, 2447 N. Halsted. $30 in advance. lh-st.com

Jan. 22: FURY

In addition to national next-ups, TKN has its pulse on local gamechangers, and there’s no better example in this year’s lineup than FURY. The Chicago rapper Samantha Jordan’s alter ego stands for “Finally Understanding the Real You” and her lyrics on songs like “Revolution” live within a space of higher consciousness, particularly when it comes to elevating social causes and the power of music to mobilize. The artist lives on the West Side and recently was awarded one of the $1.5 million Chicago Community Works Grants with the funding going towards beautification efforts for Columbus Park in the Austin neighborhood. Openers include Angelenah. 8 p.m., Golden Dagger, 2424 N. Lincoln. $12 in advance; goldendagger.com

The complete lineup and ticket information can be found at tnkfest.com

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Illinois Running Back Chase Brown 2023 NFL Draft scouting report

Football is very much a team game but if there is one person many Illinois football fans were looking at as the main contributor to the team’s success, it was Chase Brown. Illinois had an incredible defensive year but Chase Brown had an historic year at tail back as Illinois was ranked again and was poised to play for the Big 10 title until the wheels fell off late in the season.

Chase Brown played all 12 games this year, besides the bowl game since he had declared for the draft prior. He had 328 carries with 1,643 yards with an average of 5 yards per carry in those 12 games. He had 10 rushing TD’s and averaged 136.9 rushing yards per game. He had 27 catches for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns as well.

Along with his stellar offensive statistics came the notorious college award nominations. The list of nominations goes on and on. The most important ones include the Doak Walker Award where Brown was one of three nominated as the best running back in the country. He was a Maxwell Award semifinalist as one of the top 20 offensive players in the country. Brown was a Walter Camp semifinalist as one of the best overall college football players in the country. Chase Brown is the only Illinois running back to ever be a finalist for the Doak Walker Award.

As of now it seems the Chicago Bears will be parting ways with David Montgomery who was good for the Bears but was never great due to injuries piling up. Chase Brown is certainly a player that the Bears could use. Not a first round guy or even the second round but if he falls to the 3rd or preferably the 4th it could be worth it to take him. Brown can very obviously run the football, but he is a good pass catcher where that has become necessary for running backs these days.

Lets get into the scouting report for Chase Brown where we will look at strengths, weaknesses and if he is a fit for the Chicago Bears in 2023.

Position: Running Back

Height/Weight: 5 foot 11, 205 pounds

Career Stats: 328 rushes, 1,643 yards, 10 rushing TD’s, 27 catches, 240 yards and 3 receiving TD’s.

Via NFL Draft Buzz: 

Strengths:

His initial burst is excellent, he can play pro style traditional formation or out of shotgun next to the quarterback.He is very effective in catch-and-run situations as Brown can take the top off the defense.He is a natural pass catcher where he is extremely effective in the screen game with his upfield speed as well as effective on wheel routes.His vision is outstanding being able to understand when to hit the hole or wait for development. Great one-cut back.

Weaknesses:

His route tree is limited beyond wheels and screensHe is shaky in pass protection, he can make the right read but relies on cut blocks. If he does stay up he lunges or ducks his head.Not physically imposing. Smaller frame.

How does Chase Brown fit with the Chicago Bears?

As was mentioned earlier with David Montgomery, supposedly he is not returning to the Bears so who knows what that backfield will be. As of current Khalil Herbert is the main man but it doesn’t seem like he can carry the load all himself. If there is one thing the Bears could use to be more effective is a passing game through the running back. It will protect Fields more as it is a quick pass and it could do wonders opening up the rest of the offense as Montgomery and Herbert weren’t amazing in receiving this past season.

Chase Brown isn’t generational where he needs to be taken right away in the first round. I think he is much better than many “draft experts” like to believe but of course we never know until they play. Running backs are unfortunately disposable so to speak around the league. Theres only a few best of the best that even last more than a few years. Considering so many mock drafts have Chase Brown in the 5th round I think he could be a great fit for the Bears if he falls to the 4th round since they currently have two fourths.

Brown played for Illinois and if you have watched him during his time at Illinois, Bears fans will love him just the same as they did in Champaign.

Projected round:

CBS draft prediction (2nd or 3rd Day)

Sports Illustrated projection (2nd day)

NFL mock draft database (3rd round 91st overall) 

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What’s the No. 1 reason people buy professional sports franchises? The easy answer would seem to be money. If you buy a team in a major league, it means that you’re ridiculously rich and that you’re going to be ridiculously richer when you decide to sell it.

The Rams are worth $6.2 billion, double what they were worth just five years ago, according to Forbes. The 50 most valuable sports franchises in the world are worth 30% more combined than they were last year, the magazine reports.

So, money, right? People buy teams to grow bigger stacks of cash?

Nope. The reason so many wealthy folks are dying to own a major sports franchise is ego. Buy a team and you’re officially a Big Deal. You’re in an exclusive club. You’re living every fantasy team owner’s dream. Before, you were the owner of a multi-billion widget company. Now, people who wouldn’t know a widget from a wedgie recognize you in public.

The irony, though, is that, from the moment someone sits in the owner’s chair for the first time, their ego is under attack from fans and media. Who does he think he is, owning our team? By Year 2 or 3, that ego should be beaten to a pulp, but thanks to a phenomenon I’ll get to in a moment, it’s merely bruised.

Put aside the gobs of money that come from owning a team. (I get it: hard to do.) Would you like to be any of the owners of Chicago’s five major franchises? Few people in the city are subjected to as much regular ridicule as they are. That ridicule is a sport itself, on equal footing with the games on the field.

If being an owner could be summed up in one word, it would probably be “boo.”

Fans booed Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts four years ago at the team’s convention. A 2016 World Series title might have given him the impression he was loved, if not beloved, but two years later, the fans at the convention were there to tell him they were not happy about the fees attached to the franchise’s new TV network.

Ricketts and other members of his family are scheduled to take questions from fans Saturday at this year’s convention, and if history is any guide, there will be more blood. Another rebuild means ownership has subjected the fan base to two seasons of enthusiastic losing so far, without much of a letup on the day-to-day shaking of money from fans’ pockets.

How does a person like Ricketts manage to carry on in the face of all that abuse?

With a good amount of obliviousness, I think. He looked genuinely bewildered by the boos at the convention four years ago, as if it never occurred to him that anyone would be upset about such a magnificent idea as Marquee Sports Network. In his mind and in the minds of other people who own pro teams, charging fans for the privilege of watching games at home is obvious. It’s like breathing. It’s what you do.

Eventually, that obliviousness becomes your protector and constant companion.

Why did White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf even begin to think that hiring 76-year-old Tony La Russa as his manager two years ago was a good idea? Because, for years, he has sheltered himself from the storm of abuse that has come his way as the owner of the Sox and the Bulls. He has withdrawn into himself. It’s hard to reach someone wearing earplugs during meetings about managerial candidates. Reinsdorf rarely does media interviews and, when he does, it’s usually with handpicked reporters. That hasn’t stopped the howls from the paying customers.

The way things are going, Ricketts very well could be building a similar bunker.

Bears chairman George McCaskey is The Accidental Owner, as is everyone in his family. His mother, Virginia, is the daughter of team founder George Halas. The football gene did not get passed down, however, and the franchise hasn’t done much in the way of winning games. That hasn’t sat well with fans, who regularly rip him on radio talk shows. To his credit, McCaskey walks through Soldier Field parking lots before games and talks with tailgaters. I chalk up his ability to walk away unscathed from those encounters either to the politeness of fans in the presence of celebrity or to a remarkable talent for regenerating severed limbs.

Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz turned into a hero when it became apparent he wasn’t his father, Bill, whose penny pinching ways made him Public Enemy No. 1 to fans. The Hawks won three Stanley Cups under Rocky Wirtz, but much of the goodwill he had built up went away when it became clear his organization had tried to cover up sexual-assault accusations made by a player against a team employee.

All of these people have money, some through their own efforts and talents, most through the efforts and talents of a successful parent. They came to professional sports looking for something besides more wealth: ego stroking. Then reality set in. Then they shut down.

There’s a reason teams owner rarely walk onto the field, the court or the ice to hand out an award or to address the crowd. They’re likely to get booed. A politician would get a better reception. So would a tax audit announcement.

So you want to own a professional sports franchise.

You sure about that?

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Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher believes in quarterback Justin Fields

With the 2023 NFL draft being months away, the storylines from the national and local media continue to concentrate on quarterback Justin Fields.

With Ryan Poles already coming out and saying the team is committed to Fields for 2023, the best decision is probably not to take a quarterback No. 1 overall. Though Poles did say if they went that way it would have to be because a player ‘blew him away’ in the predraft process. Still, it doesn’t feel like the Bears will go that route.

And one former linebacker is in line with that thinking as well, offering his belief in Fields as a quarterback.

Brian Urlacher was on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio Friday morning and was asked about Fields. He offered up this answer:

“I do believe (Justin) Fields could be good. I mean, you’ve seen him throw the ball. He throws it great when he has time. I want to see him with some players around him, honestly, and they have a chance to do that this year with their free agency and the cap money they have, they have a chance to do that. But having that much money, do you overpay for guys? You know, they have so much money, they’re gonna probably throw a ton of money at players that may not deserve the type of money they’re gonna get. So, we’ll see. I do believe he’s a good quarterback. I mean, the running ability is unmatched by anyone in the NFL. The kid makes some plays. I want to see him throw the ball and I want to see them trust him throwing the football. They were down in a bunch of games, they still wouldn’t let him throw the football. I just don’t that.”

Urlacher also went on to say that Fields does need to improve throwing the football and can take a step forward in that area. He’s also firm with the Bears in terms of addressing a big need in the trenches in the first round.

You can hear the full interview here.

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Each team has a unique history, from the powerhouse Patriots to the underdog Bills. These stories often get lost in the shuffle and are forgotten by sports enthusiasts outside that team’s fanbase. Today, we’re going to take a look at the forgotten stories of some NFL teams.

Whether you’re a diehard fan or just a casual observer, these are stories that you’ll want to know. So sit back, relax, and enjoy as we take a journey through NFL history.

Green Bay Packers

Only a few sports teams have such a storied history as the Green Bay Packers, who can trace their roots back to 1919 when they first donned the jerseys of the Indian Packing Company. Since then, they have become one of the most renowned NFL teams in America, with their victories and defeats giving rise to some of the greatest moments in sports entertainment. Even as teams come and go and stars rise and fall, the Green Bay Packers remain firmly entrenched as one of football’s true titans – a team that has no equal when it comes to being part of our nation’s sporting folklore. The story of the Green Bay Packers is a celebration of resilience and passion for excellence that cuts across generations!

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears also trace their origins back to the early 1900s, starting when the Decatur Staleys moved from Decatur, Illinois, to Chicago in 1921. Led by legendary coach George Halas, the team was renamed the Chicago Bears shortly later, in 1922. Halas chose to name his team after the beloved Chicago Cubs baseball team to gain recognition and attract fans.

The Chicago Bears logo has also been a part of their rich history spanning nearly a century. Featuring a fierce-looking bear with a fierce shield and football, it brilliantly embodies the spirit of competitiveness that has helped make this team one of the most admired in all sports. Seeing this logo on any field is a reminder of an unforgettable story that still lives on today.

Dallas Cowboys

One of the most interesting stories to come out of the NFL is the incredible story behind the Dallas Cowboys stars. Contrary to what you may think, it didn’t always feature prominently atop their iconic helmets! The five-pointed symbol was created by sports artist and equipment manager Tillman Johnson as a way to recognize all that had assisted in making the team from 1960 to 1964.

Although its start wasn’t necessarily planned for eternity, the allegory has maintained its prestige over time and today represents one of America’s most beloved sports franchises. Betting on such a long and storied history is enough passion for any football fan, and it’s an NFL story worth remembering!

San Francisco 49ers

Football fans everywhere know the historic San Francisco 49ers and all they have achieved over the years. But not many know why they are called the 49ers. It’s a homage to the gold miners in California during the height of the Gold Rush, named as such because of their quest for one of life’s most valuable commodities: gold! Named after one of the most famous, influential events in American history, it gives us fans an appreciation for the organization and its place in our country’s history. The team stands as a symbol of the resilient, hardworking spirit that dominated those days – qualities that can be seen in their current players.

The Bottom Line

These are just a few of the forgotten stories that make up NFL history. Whether it’s the Packers’ passionate, resilient spirit or the Cowboys’ iconic star, these moments and symbols represent some of football’s most memorable moments.

And if you are, like many NFL fans, looking to add a bit of extra excitement to your NFL games, why not check out the NFL odds and see how you can win big? With a little bit of luck and knowledge, wagering on NFL teams and games can be an exhilarating experience.

 

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Former Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith is a first team All-Pro for the first time in his career

Starting the year not too many Bears fans would have expected Roquan Smith to be traded. Now Roquan is a Raven and the Ravens gave him a nice contract. Fair to say he earned it as he made the All-Pro team this year against stiff competition.

Roquan is joined by two other linebackers on the first team. Fred Warner from San Francisco and Matt Milano from Buffalo. Solid company Roquan finds himself in. Fred Warner has basically become the best backer in the league and barring injuries Milano has been a top five linebacker for a while now.

Certainly mixed feelings for Bears fans as Roquan was loved in Chicago but obviously the contract talks breaking down, the trade request and his distain about changing positions truly casted a black cloud on his time here. Now he is a Raven for a while and the Ravens are also in the playoffs which leaves even more of a sour taste.

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The Sun-Times’ Mark Potash analyzes the Bears at the end of their 3-14 season:

Rank the Bears’ biggest offseason needs.

1. Defensive line. 2. Right tackle. 3. Wide receiver.

What specifically would you do with the No. 1 overall pick?

The Bears almost certainly will be better off trading the pick for multiple picks. One favorable scenario would be a trade with the Colts that nets the Bears the Colts’ first-round pick (No. 4 overall), second-round pick (No. 36) and a 2024 first-round pick. But as the draft process ensues, the competition for the Bears’ No. 1 overall pick is more likely to heat up than cool down.

How would you assess Justin Fields’ season?

Fields established himself as a franchise quarterback the Bears can build around, but — as was feared before the 2022 season started — he needed a lot more support to prove he can be a dangerous threat in the passing game. Ryan Poles, Luke Getsy and Fields have a lot to prove in 2023, but the best starting point the Bears have had a quarterback since Jim McMahon.

Would you consider drafting a QB?

Yes, if I had the Bears’ resources to draft information and thought one of the top-rated quarterbacks was the next Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. That doesn’t appear to be the case with Alabama’s Bryce Young or any of the top quarterbacks in this draft. But few if any thought Mahomes would be Mahomes at this point of the draft process.

Regardless of their confidence in Fields, the Bears could use a quarterback more similar to Fields as a backup. Lamar Jackson, it’s worth noting, is not playing Sunday in the Ravens’ wild-card game.

The Bears’ hiring of Kevin Warren as CEO/president signifies …

The Bears want a new stadium and want it done right. It remains to be seen if it signifies a desire to alter their own culture of dysfunction and mismanagement that has led to poor on-field results over the last 30 years. But from many reports, Kevin Warren is the right guy to do that as well.

What grade would you give Matt Eberflus?

B-. During a difficult 3-14 rebuilding season, Eberflus rarely looked like he was doing this for the first time. Even with the Bears losing several games they could have won in the fourth quarter, there were few if any instances of poor game-management. The jury’s still out, but Eberflus looks like a coach with a good chance to sustain success if Ryan Poles helps him achieve it.

Which of GM Ryan Poles’ decisions will look the best?

Taking cornerback Kyler Gordon (No. 39) and safety Jaquan Brisker (No. 48) in the second round of the draft when he arguably had a bigger need at wide receiver (George Pickens went to the Steelers at No. 52). Gordon and Brisker look like foundation pieces on a defense that even with them needs a lot of work.

Which decision will Poles regret most?

Trading a second-round draft pick that became the 32nd overall pick for wide receiver Chase Claypool. It still has potential to be a win, but the early returns — on multiple levels — were unimpressive.

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The Blackhawks sent top prospect Lukas Reichel back to the AHL on Friday, reassigning him to Rockford in advance of Patrick Kane’s expected return from injury Saturday against the Kraken.

Reichel’s three-game NHL stint in Kane’s absence was — by far — his best yet. He played very well against the Coyotes, erupted for three points against the Flames in one of the Hawks’ best individual performances by any player this season and held his own — albeit in quieter fashion with less ice time — against the Avalanche. The Hawks won all three games.

Analyzing the move is complicated, because it contrasts with a notable quote from coach Luke Richardson after the Flames game Sunday but aligns with the Hawks’ established ultra-patient development plan for Reichel and other prospects.

Richardson said Sunday that Reichel would likely stick around even once Kane returned, stating that the “the idea of bringing him up now is probably [because] he earned a spot” and that he would be given “extended time to see if he can sustain what he’s doing right now.” Richardson did add that he and general manager Kyle Davidson hadn’t “really talked about it” at the time.

On the other hand, Reichel going back down once Kane returned did seem most likely before Sunday.

Other than a slightly longer run in April of last season to get Reichel over the 10-game threshold, thus burning the first year of his contract and getting him to restricted free agency sooner (and ideally with a lower price tag), the Hawks have consistently given Reichel only brief NHL stints over the past two seasons.

A team source said Friday that was the plan all along for this call-up, as well.

The plentiful ice time Reichel receives in Rockford and the winning culture there — the IceHogs are 19-11-4 — are theoretically better for his short-term development.

Regardless of the strange optics Friday, Reichel’s enormous success this month erased any concerns about his previous difficulties translating AHL production into the NHL. He looked every bit the part of a top-six NHL winger already — at age 20 — and has firmly established himself as the Hawks’ best forward prospect.

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This Weekend Forecast’s focus gets back to some old-school tradition: rivalries and conference showdowns.

Here is a look at some of the best games of the weekend and some picks to go with it.

Last Week: 6-2

Season: 12-4

St. Ignatius (14-4) at Loyola (15-5), Friday

While St. Ignatius has played in marquee games and received plenty of headlines this season, Loyola is quietly laying in the weeds as one of the best unranked teams in the area.

This is always a fun one as the Jesuit Cup means a lot for these two programs and fan bases. But while Ignatius has been ranked all season and reached Champaign a year ago, bringing home a third-place trophy in Class 3A, it’s Loyola that’s had Ignatius’ number in this rivalry game. The Ramblers have won eight of the last nine Jesuit Cup showdowns.

The good news for St. Ignatius? The Wolfpack won 37-24 last year. And it will continue to be a tall task for Loyola this year.

The always stingy and disciplined Loyola defense will have to deal with Richard Barron. The George Mason recruit is averaging 14.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists for Ignatius. Plus, he has a penchant for scoring when it matters. Jackson Kotecki, a 6-9 senior headed to Miami-Ohio, adds 10.3 points and eight rebounds.

Why St. Ignatius is as good — or better — than a year ago is the rapid impact of junior Reggie Ray (11.3 ppg) and sophomore Phoenix Gill (10.9 ppg).

Loyola’s Miles Boland is an under-the-radar junior who is having a rock-solid season averaging 14 points a game. Senior point guard Alex Engro teams up with Boland to form a nice perimeter attack.

A pair of proud basketball programs will once again play it close, likely in a low-scoring affair; these two split two games last year with Loyola winning one 51-49 and Ignatius capturing the regular-season Jesuit Cup matchup 37-24.

The pick: St. Ignatius 46, Loyola 42

Oswego East (16-4) at Joliet West (15-4), Friday

This one has been circled since the Southwest Prairie basketball schedule came out. Both are unbeaten in their respective divisions of the conference.

But this is about two ranked teams with a lot more on their basketball agendas, including a potential No. 1 sectional seed. These two, along with Lincoln-Way East and Bolingbrook, are currently in a fight for the top seeds in the Bolingbrook Sectional. A win here would go a long way in earning that top seed.

Over the past two seasons, Oswego East is a combined 49-6. That’s impressive. Coach Ryan Velasquez has retooled behind returning star Mekhi Lowery, the quintessential Swiss Army knife who fills a stat sheet.

The balance of the Wolves has been a key with the 6-6 Lowery (12 ppg), 6-6 Ryan Johnson (11 ppg) and guards Jehvion Starwood (10 ppg) and Bryce Shoto (9 ppg) all regular double-figure scorers.

With Jeremy Fears, Jr. and Jeremiah Fears, along with junior Justus McNair and big man Matt Moore, Joliet West simply has more firepower — and will be at home in what will surely be a jumping Joliet gym. With so many high-profile shootout dates on the schedule, this is the biggest home game of the season for the Tigers.

The pick: Joliet West 68, Oswego East 62

Barrington (13-1) at Palatine (12-5), Friday

With a win, Barrington will take full control of the Mid-Suburban League West. A Palatine win and the two would be tied through one round of league play.

How Barrington is 13-1 on the year is one of the season’s big surprises. The Broncos lost all five starters from last year’s Class 4A fourth-place finisher.

A new group has stepped in and hasn’t missed a beat, including Donovan Nichols, Dillon Schmidt and Alec Schmidts.

Palatine has stepped up nicely the past two months while playing without the injured Grant Dersnah, a 6-5 all-MSL performer a year ago. He still isn’t expected back for a few more weeks.

But seniors Tyler Swierczek (14.7 ppg) and Sam Millstone (7.9 ppg) have provided a steady presence while 6-6 Connor May has been one of the breakout juniors this season. May is a major scoring threat with his shooting ability and is putting up 18.5 points a game.

Look for the MSL West race to tighten up with a tight Palatine win.

The pick: Palatine 52, Barrington 48

Libertyville (14-3) at Stevenson (13-2), Saturday

A conference showdown featuring two rivals who are both unbeaten in league play in the middle of January. It doesn’t get much better than that in the North Suburban Conference.

Well, at least not until maybe these two collide again Feb. 10 with everything on the line.

Libertyville has been one of the area’s pleasant surprises, though maybe it shouldn’t be as coach Brian Zyrkowski did have several key veterans back from a year ago.

The Wildcats started the season 6-3 but played without injured Will Buchert. They are a different offensive team with Buchert in the backcourt. All the 6-0 senior has done is help the Wildcats to a Wheeling Hardwood Classic championship where Buchert was named tournament MVP.

Libertyville is red-hot, riding an 11-game win streak, and brimming with confidence after taking down ranked Glenbrook North.

Jack Huber, a 6-3 senior, joins Buchert on the perimeter while senior Aidyn Boone has made a nice jump in providing an inside-outside threat at 6-7. With Boone and 6-6 Cole Bonder the Wildcats have size, strength and get on the glass.

Meanwhile, Stevenson is … well, typical Stevenson. Well-coached. Defensive-focused. And just wins games.

Christian Uremovich is a 6-6 junior who leads the Patriots in scoring, while sophomore Aidan Bardic has done a nice job settling in at point guard.

This is a toss-up featuring two extremely balanced teams that share the ball. Stevenson gets the mild upset win at home.

The pick: Stevenson 48, Libertyville 46

Evanston (14-4) at Rolling Meadows (17-2), Saturday

Expect a rejuvenated Rolling Meadows following an emotional loss to Joliet West last week. The Mustangs did smack around Schaumburg earlier in the week, but Evanston, a perennial power, will get the juices flowing.

And it’s a whole lot easier to regroup when there are so many ways the Mustangs can beat opponents, though it does start with star Cameron Christie.

But whether it’s the dynamic scoring of Christie, the matchup nightmare 6-8 Mark Nikolich-Wilson presents or the game-changing three-point shooting of Tsvet Sotirov, coach Kevin Katovich has an offensive arsenal at his disposal.

Evanston will do everything it can to get Rolling Meadows out of its comfort zone. With their athleticism and length, the Wildkits are capable of doing so.

Senior Prince Adams is finishing his career with a bang. He’s been a regular double-double for coach Mike Ellis and was an all-tournament performer, along with Jonah Ross, over the holidays at Centralia.

This is a big weekend for Evanston. The Wildkits get CSL South foe Glenbrook South on Friday night followed by Christie and highly-ranked Rolling Meadows on Saturday.

These two met a year ago in Evanston with Rolling Meadows winning 61-50. Expect a little more of the same.

The pick: Rolling Meadows 67, Evanston 61

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