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High school football: How the Super 25 fared in the second round

1. Mount Carmel (11-0)

7A: Won 24-6 at Downers Grove North

2. Loyola (10-1)

8A: Won 49-21 at Edwardsville

3. Lincoln-Way East (11-0)

8A: Won 17-14 at Neuqua Valley

4. York (11-0)

8A: Won 27-21 (2OT) at No. 10 Marist

5. Simeon (10-1)

6A: Lost 35-12 vs. No. 14 Crete-Monee

6. Glenbard West (10-1)

8A: Won 42-0 vs. No. 22 Glenbrook South

7. Hersey (10-1)

7A: Lost 19-13 (2OT) at No. 18 Batavia

8. Lemont (11-0)

6A: Won 38-24 at Quincy

9. Prospect (9-2)

7A: Lost 38-21 vs. No. 11 St. Rita

10. Marist (8-3)

8A: Lost 27-21 (2OT) vs. No. 4 York

11. St. Rita (9-2)

7A: Won 38-21 at No. 9 Prospect

12. Warren (9-1)

8A: at Andrew

13. Maine South (9-2)

8A: Won 42-0 at No. 24 South Elgin

14. Crete-Monee (9-2)

6A: Won 35-12 at No. 5 Simeon

15. Prairie Ridge (10-1)

6A: Won 57-22 vs. Kaneland

16. St. Charles North (10-1)

7A: Won 25-9 at Hoffman Estates

17. Wheaton North (9-1)

7A: vs. No. 19 Lake Zurich

18. Batavia (8-3)

7A: Won 19-13 (2OT) vs. No. 7 Hersey

19. Lake Zurich (9-1)

7A: at No. 17 Wheaton North

20. Brother Rice (6-4)

7A: vs. Collinsville

21. Plainfield North (10-1)

8A: Lost 24-13 vs. Lyons

22. Glenbrook South (9-2)

8A: Lost 42-0 at No. 6 Glenbard West

23. Sycamore (11-0)

5A: Won 43-0 at Carmel

24. South Elgin (10-1)

8A: Lost 42-0 vs. No. 13 Maine South

25. IC Catholic (10-1)

3A: Won 42-14 vs. Stillman Valley

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Blackhawks blown out by Jets after Arvid Soderblom injury

Something about November in Winnipeg stumps the Blackhawks.

The Jets shut out the Hawks 4-0 on Saturday, one year to the day after a lopsided 5-1 Jets home win over the Hawks cost then-coach Jeremy Colliton his job.

This loss won’t be nearly as consequential as last year’s was. It marked just the Hawks’ seventh defeat in 12 games, after all, compared to 11 in their first 12 games last season. And it was the Hawks’ first noncompetitive game since the season opener, stopping a streak of 10 straight nail-biters that demonstrated the effectiveness of new coach Luke Richardson’s systems.

But make no mistake, it was an ugly afternoon for the Hawks.

Three power-play goals and a “deflating” shorthanded goal by the Jets blew what was a goalless game halfway through into a rout. Scoring chances favored the hosts 22-2 in the third period and 42-16 overall.

“They’re a good team and they really have mobility on the back end at the blue line,” Richardson told reporters in Winnipeg. “The second half of the game, when they started taking it to us…we just started chasing tails in our defensive zone. You’re not going to get a good result after that.”

The Hawks’ special-teams units, both bright spots during the season’s first few weeks, have begun showing cracks. The penalty kill has now conceded nine goals on 22 chances over the last six games and missed some important assignments Saturday. On the Jets’ third goal, for example, Jonathan Toews drifted too high after a faceoff loss and allowed a cross-seam pass from Kyle Connor to Pierre-Luc Dubois to connect.

Richardson attributed those special-teams struggles partially to a lack of practice time during this grueling stretch in the schedule, which mercifully ended Saturday. The Hawks will enjoy four days off before visiting the Kings on Thursday.

The Hawks’ troubles covering opposing players in transition — often due to what Richardson has described as “over-backchecking” — also re-emerged. The team had focused heavily on that in recent video sessions and saw improvement the last two games. On Saturday, that trend reversed. The Jets found plenty of room on counterattacks and scored their fourth goal during such a sequence, when Jujhar Khaira left Nate Schmidt wide-open on the weak side of a rush.

The most concerning takeaway from Saturday moving forward, however, pertains to a now-familiar topic: Goaltender injuries.

Arvid Soderblom (21 saves on 24 shots) exited the game at the second intermission, forcing minor-league journeyman Dylan Wells — the goalie signed to an NHL contract just Wednesday as functionally the Hawks’ fifth-stringer — into the game. Richardson said postgame that trainers told him after the second period Soderblom “wasn’t feeling good;” he didn’t know anything more about his status.

“It’s definitely concerning with our goalie injuries at this point, but hopefully he’s not too bad,” Richardson added.

Wells did save 12 of 13 shots, creating the lone feel-good storyline of the day, but the Hawks will not want to have to rely on him again. They desperately need Petr Mrazek to fully return from his groin injury by Thursday as expected. Mrazek, Alex Stalock (concussion), Soderblom (undisclosed) and Jaxson Stauber (eye) are all currently unavailable.

“[Playing in the NHL has] been a goal of mine since I was a kid, so I’m really happy,” Wells told reporters in Winnipeg. “When I got told I was going in, it was just, ‘Keep the mindset simple, stop the puck.’ And I did a decent job of that.”

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High school football: Joshua Franklin’s 100-yard fake punt TD shocks Simeon, sends Crete-Monee to 6A quarterfinals

There are larger and stronger players in the state than Crete-Monee’s Joshua Franklin. There might even be a few that are faster.

But the Warriors’ standout receiver/defensive back has a blend of experience, confidence and game-breaking swagger that is unrivaled.

The 6-0, 173-pound senior has committed to Western Michigan. It would be a severe miscalculation to assume that Franklin doesn’t have Power Five ability. Franklin is one of the state’s most capable speedster threats since Lincoln-Way East’s AJ Henning, who is now at Michigan.

Simeon wasn’t overlooking Franklin or any of Crete-Monee’s star players on Saturday at Gately Stadium. But in the game’s crucial moment there wasn’t anything the Wolverines could do to stop him.

The Warriors beat undefeated Simeon 35-12 in the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs but the game was much closer than the final score indicates.

Crete-Monee led 19-12 with 6:46 to play. The Warriors were pinned back at their own 5 and punting out of their end zone. There was a massive wind in their face. Crete-Monee coach John Konecki said he considered taking an intentional safety.

Konecki went with the punt and at that point, all the decisions were in Franklin’s hands.

“I wasn’t supposed to [fake it],” Franklin said. “But I saw an opportunity. No one was containing. It was going to be me and the outside linebacker one-on-one. And I usually win one-on-ones. I wasn’t expecting to score a touchdown. I just wanted to get the first down and keep the ball rolling. But when I got to the 50 I knew I was taking it to the crib.”

Franklin went from end zone to end zone, 100 yards for a touchdown. It gave the Warriors a 26-12 lead and completely crushed Simeon’s morale.

“We talked about the punting situation before the game,” Konecki said. “But [Franklin] made the call. It turned out for the better. He took off and I thought we had a first and the next thing you know, there he goes.”

Franklin had seven receptions for 50 yards. Lynel Billups-Williams added four catches for 70 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown pass from Cory Stennis, who was 14-for-21 for 149 yards. Stennis also rushed for a touchdown.

Carmello Steele had 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Most of his success came in the Wildcat while the Warriors used their jumbo set to bully a much bigger Simeon line.

“[Steele] does a heck of a job in that set,” Konecki said. “We have really dynamic playmakers on the edge but in playoff football games you have to be able to run it.”

Simeon (10-1) was able to run it but was undone by turnovers. Andre Crews had 23 carries for 210 yards and two touchdowns for the Wolverines. But he also had a pair of fumbles, including one at the Crete-Monee 2.

Simeon made four turnovers: the two fumbles, a bad snap and an interception.

“That’s stuff we haven’t done all year and it cost us,” Simeon coach Dante Culbreath said. “That’s the worst time to have turnovers. You can’t get back from those type of things. If you make those mistakes in the Public League you might be able to rebound but you can’t do that in the state playoffs.”

Simeon receiver Malik Elzy, who recently decommitted from Cincinnati, had three catches for 110 yards. Wolverines quarterback Keshaun Parker was 7 of 17 for 188 yards.

Crete-Monee (9-2) will travel to East St. Louis for the quarterfinals next week. The Warriors opened the season with losses to Lincoln-Way East and Andrean, Ind. and have won nine consecutive games.

“We’re excited about the matchup,” Konecki said. “We’ve seen them before. We’ve been playing playoff football since Week 3. My kids are prepared and they answered the bell.”

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Deeply Rooted, Malapert Love, and more

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) offers a full slate of conversations and programming exploring art and culture today at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport). Highlights include a (sold out) conversation with filmmaker Jim Jarmusch at 1 PM; a 35mm screening of Charlie Chaplin’s 1921 silent The Kid accompanied by a live performance from guitarist Marc Ribot (4 PM, tickets here); and “Whistleblower,” a conversation between activist Chelsea Manning and artist and activist Nadya Tolokonnikova of the group Pussy Riot. Manning will discuss her recent memoir README.txt and talk with Tolokonnikova about political activism, trans rights, and institutional transparency (7 PM, tickets here). A full schedule of upcoming CHF events is available at the festival’s website. (SCJ)

Facets presents the 39th annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival through November 20, and today’s offerings include Afro-Futurism, a special family program geared toward those ages eight through ten (2 PM, Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th). It’s an hour-long presentation of six short films, including writer and director Ebony Blanding’s Jordan (2022), in which a tween mermaid enthusiast discovers an ailing water creature, and makes a magical wish. This is a non-ticketed event, but festival passes and information about online and in-person screenings is available at the CICFF website. (SCJ)

Here are some concert options for tonight with links to past coverage by our music writers:

Billy Corgan’s Smashing Pumpkins are scheduled at the United Center with Perry Farrell’s Jane’s Addiction (read a 1988 preview of their show that year at the then-named Cabaret Metro here), and the android pop of Poppy (6:30 PM, 1901 W. Madison, $79-$185, all-ages, tickets at Ticketmaster).
Will Sheff of Okkervil River appears at Old Town School of Folk Music’s Maurer Concert Hall tonight; Mmeadows opens (8 PM, 4544 N. Lincoln, $26-$28, all-ages, tickets at the venue’s website).
Elastic Arts executive director Adam Zanolini presents compositions inspired by Phil Cohran with a new ensemble including Zanolini on bass, piano, flute, and more; Fred Jackson on saxophone, flute, percussion, and voice; and Naydja Bruton on drums. Pianist and arranger Sharon Udoh will perform a solo set (3429 W. Diversey, second floor, $15, all-ages, tickets available at the door).
Local “trash-blues necromancersTijuana Hercules play Reggies Music Joint tonight. They open for blues-rock band Left Lane Cruiser, and the James Dean Joint is also on the bill (9 PM, 2105 S. State, $15, tickets at Ticketweb).
The indie-rock duo OK Cool perform at Burlington Bar tonight; space rockers Dreamjacket, the folk-rock of Joe Baughman & the Righteous Few, and Chicago’s Jacob on the Moon (aka artist and producer Jacob Dinneen) are also scheduled. (9 PM, 3425 W. Fullerton, 21+, $10 at the door). (SCJ)

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater takes the stage tonight at 7:30 PM at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells) with a program of four pieces, including the world premiere of Q After Dark, a celebration of Quincy Jones created by four Deeply Rooted company members—artistic director Nicole Clarke-Springer, associate artistic director Gary Abbott, creative/executive director Kevin Iega Jeff, and Joshua L. Ishmon—with live music by a super ensemble of musicians led by Sam Thousand. The other pieces are Vespers by Ulysses Dove (accompanied by an electronic score by Mikel Rouse); an excerpt of Madonna Anno Domini by Clarke-Springer, featuring music by Culoe De Song and Aretha Franklin; and a revival of Aisatnaf, choreographed by Iega Jeff, in which “a woodland creature frolics to ‘Ballet Fantasy for Strings and Harp’ by Lee Holdridge.” Tickets are $25-$69 at auditoriumtheatre.org. (KR)

Siah Berlatsky’s gender-bending spoof of Shakespearean romances, Malapert Love, got an outing this past August with the Artistic Home as part of their developmental Summer on the Patio series. Now the playwright (who graduated this past spring from ChiArts) gets a full run of her comedy with the Artistic Home, opening in previews tonight at 8 PM at the Den Theatre (1331 N. Milwaukee.) As Berlatsky (who is trans) told the Reader this past summer, “I’ve interacted with Shakespeare for a long time, and I’ve always adored all of the tropes and the stock situations that are used in those plays to sort of advance the language and the poetry. And obviously the queerness and the homoeroticism has always really interested me. So really what the play started out as was that I wanted to make a response to a Shakespeare comedy specifically with all of those tropes that I love so much and make it a more explicitly modern piece.” Julian Hester directs. Malapert Love runs through 12/11, Thu-Fri 8 PM, Sun 3 PM (no show 11/24); tickets are $15 for previews through 11/9, $35 during the regular run 11/11-12/11 ($15 students/seniors). Information and reservations at theartistichome.org. (KR)

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Deeply Rooted, Malapert Love, and more

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) offers a full slate of conversations and programming exploring art and culture today at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport). Highlights include a (sold out) conversation with filmmaker Jim Jarmusch at 1 PM; a 35mm screening of Charlie Chaplin’s 1921 silent The Kid accompanied by a live performance from guitarist Marc Ribot (4 PM, tickets here); and “Whistleblower,” a conversation between activist Chelsea Manning and artist and activist Nadya Tolokonnikova of the group Pussy Riot. Manning will discuss her recent memoir README.txt and talk with Tolokonnikova about political activism, trans rights, and institutional transparency (7 PM, tickets here). A full schedule of upcoming CHF events is available at the festival’s website. (SCJ)

Facets presents the 39th annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival through November 20, and today’s offerings include Afro-Futurism, a special family program geared toward those ages eight through ten (2 PM, Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th). It’s an hour-long presentation of six short films, including writer and director Ebony Blanding’s Jordan (2022), in which a tween mermaid enthusiast discovers an ailing water creature, and makes a magical wish. This is a non-ticketed event, but festival passes and information about online and in-person screenings is available at the CICFF website. (SCJ)

Here are some concert options for tonight with links to past coverage by our music writers:

Billy Corgan’s Smashing Pumpkins are scheduled at the United Center with Perry Farrell’s Jane’s Addiction (read a 1988 preview of their show that year at the then-named Cabaret Metro here), and the android pop of Poppy (6:30 PM, 1901 W. Madison, $79-$185, all-ages, tickets at Ticketmaster).
Will Sheff of Okkervil River appears at Old Town School of Folk Music’s Maurer Concert Hall tonight; Mmeadows opens (8 PM, 4544 N. Lincoln, $26-$28, all-ages, tickets at the venue’s website).
Elastic Arts executive director Adam Zanolini presents compositions inspired by Phil Cohran with a new ensemble including Zanolini on bass, piano, flute, and more; Fred Jackson on saxophone, flute, percussion, and voice; and Naydja Bruton on drums. Pianist and arranger Sharon Udoh will perform a solo set (3429 W. Diversey, second floor, $15, all-ages, tickets available at the door).
Local “trash-blues necromancersTijuana Hercules play Reggies Music Joint tonight. They open for blues-rock band Left Lane Cruiser, and the James Dean Joint is also on the bill (9 PM, 2105 S. State, $15, tickets at Ticketweb).
The indie-rock duo OK Cool perform at Burlington Bar tonight; space rockers Dreamjacket, the folk-rock of Joe Baughman & the Righteous Few, and Chicago’s Jacob on the Moon (aka artist and producer Jacob Dinneen) are also scheduled. (9 PM, 3425 W. Fullerton, 21+, $10 at the door). (SCJ)

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater takes the stage tonight at 7:30 PM at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells) with a program of four pieces, including the world premiere of Q After Dark, a celebration of Quincy Jones created by four Deeply Rooted company members—artistic director Nicole Clarke-Springer, associate artistic director Gary Abbott, creative/executive director Kevin Iega Jeff, and Joshua L. Ishmon—with live music by a super ensemble of musicians led by Sam Thousand. The other pieces are Vespers by Ulysses Dove (accompanied by an electronic score by Mikel Rouse); an excerpt of Madonna Anno Domini by Clarke-Springer, featuring music by Culoe De Song and Aretha Franklin; and a revival of Aisatnaf, choreographed by Iega Jeff, in which “a woodland creature frolics to ‘Ballet Fantasy for Strings and Harp’ by Lee Holdridge.” Tickets are $25-$69 at auditoriumtheatre.org. (KR)

Siah Berlatsky’s gender-bending spoof of Shakespearean romances, Malapert Love, got an outing this past August with the Artistic Home as part of their developmental Summer on the Patio series. Now the playwright (who graduated this past spring from ChiArts) gets a full run of her comedy with the Artistic Home, opening in previews tonight at 8 PM at the Den Theatre (1331 N. Milwaukee.) As Berlatsky (who is trans) told the Reader this past summer, “I’ve interacted with Shakespeare for a long time, and I’ve always adored all of the tropes and the stock situations that are used in those plays to sort of advance the language and the poetry. And obviously the queerness and the homoeroticism has always really interested me. So really what the play started out as was that I wanted to make a response to a Shakespeare comedy specifically with all of those tropes that I love so much and make it a more explicitly modern piece.” Julian Hester directs. Malapert Love runs through 12/11, Thu-Fri 8 PM, Sun 3 PM (no show 11/24); tickets are $15 for previews through 11/9, $35 during the regular run 11/11-12/11 ($15 students/seniors). Information and reservations at theartistichome.org. (KR)

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Deeply Rooted, Malapert Love, and moreKerry Reid and Salem Collo-Julinon November 5, 2022 at 6:59 pm

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) offers a full slate of conversations and programming exploring art and culture today at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport). Highlights include a (sold out) conversation with filmmaker Jim Jarmusch at 1 PM; a 35mm screening of Charlie Chaplin’s 1921 silent The Kid accompanied by a live performance from guitarist Marc Ribot (4 PM, tickets here); and “Whistleblower,” a conversation between activist Chelsea Manning and artist and activist Nadya Tolokonnikova of the group Pussy Riot. Manning will discuss her recent memoir README.txt and talk with Tolokonnikova about political activism, trans rights, and institutional transparency (7 PM, tickets here). A full schedule of upcoming CHF events is available at the festival’s website. (SCJ)

Facets presents the 39th annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival through November 20, and today’s offerings include Afro-Futurism, a special family program geared toward those ages eight through ten (2 PM, Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th). It’s an hour-long presentation of six short films, including writer and director Ebony Blanding’s Jordan (2022), in which a tween mermaid enthusiast discovers an ailing water creature, and makes a magical wish. This is a non-ticketed event, but festival passes and information about online and in-person screenings is available at the CICFF website. (SCJ)

Here are some concert options for tonight with links to past coverage by our music writers:

Billy Corgan’s Smashing Pumpkins are scheduled at the United Center with Perry Farrell’s Jane’s Addiction (read a 1988 preview of their show that year at the then-named Cabaret Metro here), and the android pop of Poppy (6:30 PM, 1901 W. Madison, $79-$185, all-ages, tickets at Ticketmaster).
Will Sheff of Okkervil River appears at Old Town School of Folk Music’s Maurer Concert Hall tonight; Mmeadows opens (8 PM, 4544 N. Lincoln, $26-$28, all-ages, tickets at the venue’s website).
Elastic Arts executive director Adam Zanolini presents compositions inspired by Phil Cohran with a new ensemble including Zanolini on bass, piano, flute, and more; Fred Jackson on saxophone, flute, percussion, and voice; and Naydja Bruton on drums. Pianist and arranger Sharon Udoh will perform a solo set (3429 W. Diversey, second floor, $15, all-ages, tickets available at the door).
Local “trash-blues necromancersTijuana Hercules play Reggies Music Joint tonight. They open for blues-rock band Left Lane Cruiser, and the James Dean Joint is also on the bill (9 PM, 2105 S. State, $15, tickets at Ticketweb).
The indie-rock duo OK Cool perform at Burlington Bar tonight; space rockers Dreamjacket, the folk-rock of Joe Baughman & the Righteous Few, and Chicago’s Jacob on the Moon (aka artist and producer Jacob Dinneen) are also scheduled. (9 PM, 3425 W. Fullerton, 21+, $10 at the door). (SCJ)

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater takes the stage tonight at 7:30 PM at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells) with a program of four pieces, including the world premiere of Q After Dark, a celebration of Quincy Jones created by four Deeply Rooted company members—artistic director Nicole Clarke-Springer, associate artistic director Gary Abbott, creative/executive director Kevin Iega Jeff, and Joshua L. Ishmon—with live music by a super ensemble of musicians led by Sam Thousand. The other pieces are Vespers by Ulysses Dove (accompanied by an electronic score by Mikel Rouse); an excerpt of Madonna Anno Domini by Clarke-Springer, featuring music by Culoe De Song and Aretha Franklin; and a revival of Aisatnaf, choreographed by Iega Jeff, in which “a woodland creature frolics to ‘Ballet Fantasy for Strings and Harp’ by Lee Holdridge.” Tickets are $25-$69 at auditoriumtheatre.org. (KR)

Siah Berlatsky’s gender-bending spoof of Shakespearean romances, Malapert Love, got an outing this past August with the Artistic Home as part of their developmental Summer on the Patio series. Now the playwright (who graduated this past spring from ChiArts) gets a full run of her comedy with the Artistic Home, opening in previews tonight at 8 PM at the Den Theatre (1331 N. Milwaukee.) As Berlatsky (who is trans) told the Reader this past summer, “I’ve interacted with Shakespeare for a long time, and I’ve always adored all of the tropes and the stock situations that are used in those plays to sort of advance the language and the poetry. And obviously the queerness and the homoeroticism has always really interested me. So really what the play started out as was that I wanted to make a response to a Shakespeare comedy specifically with all of those tropes that I love so much and make it a more explicitly modern piece.” Julian Hester directs. Malapert Love runs through 12/11, Thu-Fri 8 PM, Sun 3 PM (no show 11/24); tickets are $15 for previews through 11/9, $35 during the regular run 11/11-12/11 ($15 students/seniors). Information and reservations at theartistichome.org. (KR)

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Deeply Rooted, Malapert Love, and moreKerry Reid and Salem Collo-Julinon November 5, 2022 at 6:59 pm Read More »

Bulls guard Zach LaVine may have no choice but to evolve his game

TORONTO – Zach LaVine sat in front of his locker, clad in only a towel and bags of ice on the knees of his outstretched legs.

There was a lot he was seemingly looking to explain after the Friday loss to Boston.

First and foremost, why was the Bulls guard settling for jumpers throughout the first half? And why only one shot attempt in the third? Then when he did get aggressive in the fourth, where was the explosion that has put opposing defenders on posters for years?

If only LaVine had better answers.

Not because he wasn’t willing to give them. He’s just dealing with too many unknowns.

“Obviously, I’m not all the way back yet,” LaVine said of his 6-for-13 shooting night. “I feel that. I’m not going to lie. But it’s coming.”

Not exactly what anyone wanted to hear from a player that just had five years and $215 million invested in him less than four months ago. Then again, LaVine sounded tired of trying to downplay the effects of the offseason left knee surgery. It was time for some transparency.

The good news to come out of Friday was that LaVine even played.

Handcuffed with a load management schedule for the knee throughout the first few weeks of the regular season, it was LaVine’s third game in four nights. Uncharted territory for the two-time All-Star under his current constraints.

So why chance it now?

The truth is this might be LaVine’s norm moving forward. The knee discomfort might be what he has to deal with the rest of this season or even worse, the rest of his career. He needs to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

If that means some shaky nights, so be it.

Like he insisted last year, “Me at 80%, 70%, whatever it is, I’m still one of the best players in the NBA and damn sure one of the best players on the court when we play.”

In the first of the three games last Tuesday in Brooklyn, it was vintage LaVine, scoring 20 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and playing his best game of the season. The follow-up a night later, however, was almost expected, as LaVine shot just 4-for-16 in his first back-to-back.

After a day off on Thursday, LaVine finished with 16 points in the loss to Boston, and when he did go to the rim it was more react than attack.

And that was the other layer that LaVine brought up in the visiting locker room of TD Garden – that maybe it was time for him to evolve his game. Asked if his days of being a high-flier were behind him, LaVine responded, “You might be [right]. You might not be. I don’t know. MJ [Michael Jordan] was better when he came back off of baseball, but he didn’t dunk as much. Maybe I don’t need to keep the wear and tear. It’s about longevity too.”

Again, none of these are answers that should be coming out of the mouth of a max player, but it isn’t like the Bulls can take the contract back. LaVine put himself in position to have a big pay day. Now, he has to put himself in position to try and carry out that contract the best way he can.

Will he ever be able to justify max money? If the knee stays where it is and the defense remains suspect, that’s a hard no. What he needs to do for now, however, is just play. He’s been told that the knee is secure, and he’s getting a grasp of the discomfort and how to deal with it.

There are still a lot of unknowns for LaVine in front of him.

Evolving as those are figured out isn’t a bad thing.

But just in case, keep the ice bags nearby.

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Listen to The Ben Joravsky Show

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

With support from our sponsors

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.


It worked!

Leasing CHA land to the Chicago Fire is part of a longstanding plan to gentrify the city.


MAGA flip-flops

Men from Blago to Bolduc are trying to sing a new song.


Just like we told you

The Bears finally make their play for public money to build their private stadium.

Read More

Listen to The Ben Joravsky Show Read More »

Listen to The Ben Joravsky ShowBen Joravskyon November 5, 2022 at 7:02 am

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

With support from our sponsors

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.


It worked!

Leasing CHA land to the Chicago Fire is part of a longstanding plan to gentrify the city.


MAGA flip-flops

Men from Blago to Bolduc are trying to sing a new song.


Just like we told you

The Bears finally make their play for public money to build their private stadium.

Read More

Listen to The Ben Joravsky ShowBen Joravskyon November 5, 2022 at 7:02 am Read More »

College Football: 12pm primetime games best bets on 11/5

College Football week 10 kicks off on Saturday with barely any good games and it is sad.

Here are the breakdowns and best bets for the 12pm window for college football.

Texas Tech vs. TCU on FOX

If we are being honest with ourselves. This is the only decent game at 12. That’s it. And it is a little bit of a stretch because Texas Tech is 4-4 and they are playing at TCU. Quarterback play is mostly what I talk about because it is simply the most important commodity a college football team can have. Texas Tech doesn’t have it. Donovan Smith was the starter and was ok. He led the big comeback against Texas to win in OT. Now he doesn’t play over a freshman Behren Morton who despite showing a spirited first true start at Oklahoma State where he was injured he also has been ok. Seeing the QB change obviously is shaky especially when the QB coming in isn’t a perennial star and hasn’t done anything to prove he’s the better option currently. To be fair with Texas Tech they can put up points no doubt about that. They stunk against Baylor last week but its hard to stink against TCU and their defense.

TCU has Max Duggan who I have mentioned a couple times before and those couple times I’ve been on the wrong side of him in two horrendously bad beats. I had the idea but this magical season and this tough QB keeps winning and proving me wrong. Nothing has changed the fact that his trowing ability is that great. I’ve watched plenty of his games and he’s just not that accurate. The good thing is he doesn’t have to be as they play Texas Tech and their defense stinks. Duggan I think has a field day and this TCU team will go to 9-0 and maybe the college football playoff committee will respect them.

The Bet: The over 69 is going to be my primary play here. TCU could win by 8 easily especially at home and Texas Tech lost by 10 at Ok St. and lost by 9 at Kansas State in recent weeks who are both ranked teams at away stadiums. If you want to double up it could be a nice sweep there. TCU likes to cover late and Texas Tech likes to not cover late. -8 for TCU could work with over 69.

Tulane vs. Tulsa on ESPNU

I know what you’re thinking why this game? All I can really tell you is that every other college football game that I see over this one has the making to be some of the worst football ever. OSU Northwestern, UNC Virginia, Kentucky Missouri, Florida Texas A&M, Iowa Purdue. The list goes on. I love college football unconditionally but this 12pm window makes me sad. Im choosing this game because it is more fun than it seems. Tulane is now ranked if you can imagine that. It has truly been a sweet year since they went to Kansas State and won and kind of put themselves on the AP poll radar. Losing to Southern Mississippi is stinky to say the least but they’ve played well otherwise. Michael Pratt has been good for Tulane. More than serviceable for a team that hangs their hat on the defense this year. Pratt is a good game manager as long as they run the ball effectively with Tyjae Spears Tulane is in good hands. Tulsa is not good at all stopping the run and that has to be the focal point for success.

Tulsa has had a little bit of a tough go this year. There was a stretch of Ole Miss, Cincy and at NAVY. NAVY isn’t great but after two straight losses going to Annapolis to take on the triple option for a team that can’t defend the run at all is bad luck. By the way only an 8 point loss at Ole Miss and they lost by 10 to Cincy. They can play good college football teams tough and now that Tulane has a ranking in front of their name it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tulsa get up for this game at home. Tulsa does not mind slinging it with Davis Brin regardless of mistakes and turnovers they like to throw it. Unfortunately Tulane is very good at pass defense. Tulane is good but isn’t as bad as Tulsa in run defense so Tulsa has to figure a way to pass very effectively which they would prefer or run effectively enough to open the pass game for Brin.

The Bet: While I can’t call myself an expert on these teams at all I have seen both play a couple times. Tulsa has had a tough go at it this year and the rush defense is abysmal. Coming off a loss seeing Tulane have that ranking and being at home leads me to take Tulsa +7.

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