Six people were hurt in a crash early Sunday on Lake Shore Drive near Belmont Avenue on the North Side.
A driver, traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control and rolled over into a tree after 4 a.m. near Belmont Avenue, according to Chicagofire officials.
Six people were hospitalized, all with non-life-threatening injuries, fire officials said.
Three vehicles were involved in the crash, according to Chicago police.
Authorities have not yet released additional details.
A man was killed and another critically wounded in a shooting early Sunday in Roseland on the Far South Side, police said.
A 31-year-old man was arguing with two people about 1:30 a.m. in the 200 block of West 108th Street when one person fired multiple shots at him, Chicago police said.
He suffered 14 gunshot wounds to the upper body and was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead, according to police.
A 45-year-old man tried to intervene and was also shot, police said.
He suffered two gunshot wounds to the chest and was taken to the same hospital in critical condition, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not yet released information on the fatality.
No one is in custody, according to police.
Area Two detectives are investigating the shooting.
An Easter craft idea: dyeing beer bottles like Easter eggs. Flickr photo by Shawn Allen.
The big news this week is that Revolution is finally opening its Milwaukee Ave. brewpub on April 7. Still at reduced capacity. And over the weekend, a few places have had to shut down temporarily when one of their staff tested positive for COVID exposure. I try to keep up with those on my Facebook page.
While cases are trending upwards again, so are vaccinations. I finally found out that I got the shot and not the placebo in a clinical reial of the Johnson & Johnson shot.
And if you need another sign that things are hoping to return to normal, check out all of the trivia nights starting this week.
Monday, April 5
3:00 – 7:00 pm • Country Grill Chicken Truck Evil Horse Brewing Co., 1338 Main St., Crete, IL 708-304-2907 Map
We are a food truck company offering rotisserie chicken and ribs fresh from the spit, homemade salads and pretzels.
7:00 – 8:30 pm • Yahtzee Game Night Evil Horse Brewing Co., 1338 Main St., Crete, IL 708-304-2907 Map
We’re playing YAHTZEE (in a socially distanced way, of course!). Come with a group of your besties, or just by yourself. We will play 4 rounds of Yahtzee, and the group with the best average score wins! You can play with 2 or more in your group. If you don’t have a group, we’ll set you up! Feel free to bring your own Yahtzee set if you’d prefer, but we’ll have plenty of sets to play with as well.
8:00 pm • Loteria Monday Simone’s Bar, 960 W. 18th St., Chicago 312-666-8601 Map
Join us the first Monday of every month for an evening of drinks, (socially distanced) Lotería and charitable causes!
How to play: Each Lotería card is received through a $5 donation (100% of the donations raised go directly to various non-for-profit organizations around the city of Chicago).
Every Lotería winner receives a prize that is provided by a local brewery/distillery.
This month: The beneficary is My Block, My Hood, My City. Learn more about what their organization does by visiting their website.
April’s prizes are provided by New Belgium Brewing Co.!
Tuesday, April 6
4:00 – 10:00 pm • Margarita & Taco Flight Tuesdays Tapville Social – Naperville, 216 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL (630) 536-8739 Map
Join us each Tuesday for Margarita & Taco Flight Tuesdays. The weather is warming up and what could be better than a flight of tacos and Margaritas on our patio?
Reservations: tapvillesocial.com/naperville
6:30 – 9:00 pm • Tuesday Trivia: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia One Allegiance Brewing, 10215 S. Harlem Ave., Chicago Ridge, IL Map
Flip, flip & FLIPADELPHIA! Join One Allegiance Brewing and Binge Entertainment for a night of trivia dedicated to the TV show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia! We’ll keep the drinks flowing as long as you promise to enjoy them in good company!
*All events are socially distanced. Masks required to order beverages.
*Seating is limited so early attendance encouraged.
*Registration will start at 6:30pm and Trivia will start at 7pm.
*Prizes include a gift card and beer to go!!
Wednesday, April 7
12:00 – 10:00 pm • Revolution Brewpub Reopens Revolution Brewing Brewpub, 2323 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago (773) 227-BREW Map
The Revolution Brewpub is ready to welcome you back to Logan Square for fresh beer and scratch-made food starting Wednesday, April 7.
Hours of Operation
Monday-Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday-Thursday: 12-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 12-11 p.m.
Sunday: 12-10 p.m.
Our capacity at opening will be 50 people, and the maximum party size will be six people. We won’t be taking reservations, but you can check the waitlist and put yourself on it through our Yelp page.
We’ve got a new online ordering system for takeout that will go live closer to the reopening date, and Rev Rewards members can earn points, apply earned credits, or use gift cards.
5:00 – 9:00 pm • Tone Capone’s Taco Truck! Steam Hollow Brewing Co., 450 S. Spruce St. Unit C, Manteno, IL Map
This is some amazing food! Burritos, empanadas, tacos and nachos along with vegetarian & vegan options!
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Weekly Trivia Night Black & Gray Brewing Co., 311 Barrington Ave., East Dundee, IL (224) 484-8200 Map
Join Chicago Trivia Guys for the first night of weekly trivia!!
Subjects include current events, geography, history, movies, music, pop culture, science, sports, & more.
Play solo or bring a team and enjoy a brew or two. Top teams win prizes.
Please observe social distancing policies so everyone can enjoy a fun night of trivia. Thanks in advance.
7:00 pm • Ozark Trivia The Brass Tap, 14225 95th Ave. Ste. 400, Orland Park, IL 708‑226‑1827 Map
The Byrde family moves to Ozark, MO from which midwestern city?
What is the name of the first business that Marty acquires to launder money?
Who does Ruth Langmore accidentally kill with the high voltage rig at the boat dock?
How many symbols are shown in the “O” of Ozark at the beginning of each episode?
If you can answer these questions, or can binge-watch 3 seasons before April 7th, grab you team of up to 4 people and come play some trivia hosted by Finer Points Trivia!
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. We can accommodate teams up to 4 people. Call today to reserve your spot 708-226-1827.
Wednesday Specials:
50% off ALL Bottles of Wine • $6 Glasses of House Wine Large Pours
$7 Flatbreads • $2 off ALL 2oz Whiskey Pours
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Trivia Night! Sketchbook Brewing Co., 821 Chicago Ave. # E2, Evanston, IL (847) 859-9051 Map
NEW! Trivia courtesy of Pub Trivia USA. Prizes for the winning teams: $25 for 1st place, $15 for 2nd. BYOFood, or order from our snack and food menu (including pizza).
Thursday, April 8
5:00 pm • Mamma Mia Wood Fired Pizza Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing, 216 W. Clayton St., Waukegan, IL (847) 445-2467 Map
Mamma Mia Pizza comes to downtown Waukegan at last. Hand Tossed Wood Fired Tuscan style thin crust pizza made to order with great fresh ingredients.
6:30 – 9:30 pm • Noon Whistle Beer Dinner SixtyFour – Reserve Room, 23 Water St., Suite 105, Naperville, IL (331) 472-4767 Map
We are teaming up with Noon Whistle for an amazing beer dinner! Enjoy 5 Noon Whistle brews paired with 5 amazing family style courses (seated only with guests in your reservation). Menu available in the discussions tab!
$64 per person. Email [email protected] to book your table today!
7:30 – 9:00 pm • Trivia Night at Miskatonic Brewing Company Miskatonic Brewing Co., 1000 N. Frontage Rd., Darien, IL (630) 541-9414 Map
Are you tired of sitting at home answering every question correct on Jeopardy with nothing to show for it?
Join Heather with Baig of Tricks Entertainment at Miskatonic Brewing Company for two full hours of general knowledge trivia, including awesome themed bonus rounds and everyone’s favorite – the music round!
While we’re testing your wit, Miskatonic will keep you fueled up with their fantastic selection of craft brews!
Trivia is always free to play, but we’re not just playing for fun – the top teams each night take home some awesome prizes! Please follow ALL Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions put in place by the venue, and here are a few extra tips:
1) Please bring your own pen/pencil. Our host will have pencils just in case, but it would be best to use your own for everyone’s safety & comfort.
2) The questions will be read by your host over our PA system, but may not be displayed on a screen if one is not easily available.
3) Any and all rules/restrictions are subject to change.
Fresh Beer Events, occasional bacon, but always spam free, opt out any time.
Meet The Blogger
Mark McDermott
Writer, trivia maven, fan of many things. I thought to learn all there is to know about beer as a way to stay interested in learning. It is my pleasure to bring Chicago’s craft beer scene to you.
Wide receiver Tony Tate returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown Saturday in Macomb to help Western Illinois beat Youngstown State, 27-24. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
For the first time in 518 days, the Western Illinois football team was able to celebrate a victory.
On Saturday night in Macomb, in Week 6 of the unique spring 2021 season, the Leathernecks earned a Missouri Valley Football Conference win thanks to a potent offense – at times – two return touchdowns and a stifling second-half defense that held off Youngstown State, 27-24.
The win was Western’s first since a 38-34 triumph against South Dakota on Nov. 2, 2019.
“It definitely feels great,” WIU senior quarterback Connor Sampson said. “Today, we played complimentary football, which we’ve been talking about all season.”
After Sampson threw a 28-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Tony Tate with 6 minutes, 35 seconds left in the game, Western’s defense collected a pair of sacks. Defensive back Justin Nutof sealed the victory with an interception of YSU quarterback Mark Waid with 1:41 to go one of two WIU picks in the second half.
“Wins in this conference are very hard to come by, and one thing I don’t think anyone can say about our team is that we aren’t a gusty team that fights,” WIU coach Jared Elliott said. “I got a bunch of warriors in that locker room. Regardless of the score or situation, those guys play hard. That gives me more pride than anything.”
Now 1-5, Western dropped YSU to the identical record.
Here are three things Prairie State Pigskin learned from the Western triumph.
Defense gets it done
A late first-half touchdown gave the Penguins a 21-13 halftime lead. YSU moved the ball on their first second-half drive to WIU’s 15-yard line but only managed a field goal for an 11-point lead at 24-13. “That was huge,” Elliott said. The defense also forced a fumble on a fourth-down strip sack of Waid, picked off two passes, piled up 11 tackles for loss and had four sacks. Despite yielding a 73-yard touchdown run to standout YSU running back Jaleel McLaughlin in the first half, Western limited the Penguins to 103 yards on YSU’s other 44 rushing attempts in the game. Michael Lawson intercepted Waid at the 7:22 mark of the fourth quarter.
2. Special teams pay dividends
With Tate on the sidelines after a big hit, a new face returned the first Youngstown State punt of the game. Despite not fielding a punt since the 2019 season at Lamar University, Lawson broke away for a 36-yard TD return at the 9:34 mark of the first quarter. One play after Western’s defense limited YSU to a field goal on the Penguins’ initial third-quarter drive, Tate fielded a kickoff at the WIU 4 and outraced the coverage unit for a 96-yard score, the ninth-longest return in school history.
3. Run game takes steps
Freshman Ludovick Choquette rushed for a career-best 62 yards for the Leathernecks, who mixed in the run with Sampson’s 301-yard passing game. “We just had to keep going back to it,” Sampson said. Chouquette, a freshman from Canada, rushed for 36 of those yards in the fourth quarter for Western.
What’s up next?
Western visits Southern Illinois for a noon game on Saturday, April 10.
Blog co-authors Barry Bottino and Dan Verdun bring years of experience covering collegiate athletics. Barry has covered college athletes for more than two decades in his “On Campus” column, which is published weekly by Shaw Media. Dan has written four books about the state’s football programs–“NIU Huskies Football” (released in 2013), “EIU Panthers Football (2014), “ISU Redbirds” (2016) and “SIU Salukis Football” (2017).
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Capricorn.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
The moon is high in your chart, which means you are more high visibility. People notice you more than usual. They might even be discussing personal details about your private life. (Like what’s with that?) Just so you know.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today you want to shake things up a little. You want stimulation and change! This is why you have a strong urge to “get away from it all” and do something exciting. You might meet someone from another country or a different culture. Hola!
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Today your emotional reaction to others is more intense than usual. You will also be drawn to people who are more intense. Don’t be surprised if you feel possessive about familiar things that you own, and maybe even people. (It’s just one of those days.)
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Today your attention will turn to your most personal relationships. Loved ones and partners will be more important to you than usual. By extension, if you have a conflict with others, it will be more emotional as well. (Oh dear.) Therefore, guard against knee-jerk reactions. Play things cool.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Today you might have to put the wants and needs of someone else before your own. You not being a martyr, it’s just what’s happening. You have a generous heart so you won’t mind doing this. Remember — “It’s a joy to labor for those you love.” (But it’s nice to get paid.)
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is a romantic day. Your romantic experiences will be emotionally deep and intense. Others might feel this same influence in a way that makes you feel protective and nurturing about someone, especially a child. This is also a playful day!
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Today you will welcome an opportunity to retire by yourself to your own private place. You want to cocoon at home among pleasant, familiar surroundings. If you can do this, you will also enjoy being reflective and having a chance to be introspective. (“What will I do with the time left to me?”)
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
A female relative might play an important role. Meanwhile, your communications will be more subjective than usual. You will more likely rely on your instincts and your feelings as opposed to your intellect. “I’ve got this hunch. …”
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Because the moon is traveling through one of your Money Houses, it’s easy for you to identify with your possessions. You will enjoy being surrounded by the things that you like. Meanwhile, don’t react to someone who makes you feel you have to defend yourself. Move on.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Because the moon is in your sign, everything is a bit more emotional than usual. However, the moon is in your sign for two days every month, and when this occurs, it also slightly improves your good luck. Why not ask the universe for a favor? See what happens.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
The moon is hiding in your chart, which makes you tempted to withdraw and keep your feelings secret. You’re not being antisocial; you need time by yourself to do what you want to do. You might want to explore a mystical or spiritual discipline because it intrigues you.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Your emotional contact with a friend will be important to you. You will want them to know that you need them and you hope that they need you. This is why you will feel protective to someone and more supportive than usual.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Robert Downey Jr. (1965) shares your birthday. You are playful, mischievous and yet straightforward and ready to tell it like it is. You’re a hard worker. Now you will start to see the benefit of all your hard work. About time! Focus on building solid foundations now and for the future. Work with purpose. Physical exercise will be important, which is why you will enjoy physical activities and sports.
Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Upton (10) celebrates with teammates after he hit a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 3, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Jared Walsh also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) | AP Photos
Justin Upton’s homer against Evan Marshall caps a three-run rally in the eighth inning and sends the Sox to a 5-3 loss.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Yermin Mercedes made history with hits in his first eight plate appearances, the last one giving the White Sox a lead against the host Angels.
So much for enjoying a piece of Sox history.
The Sox (1-2) had another poor defensive game and their bullpen failed to hold a late lead for the second time in their first three games, adding up to a 5-3 loss to the Angels Saturday night. Right-hander Evan Marshall allowed a tying RBI triple to Jared Walsh before Justin Upton broke the tie with a two-run homer in the eighth.
“Those guys have the same goals as we do,” Marshall said. “Tomorrow is a new day.”
Who knows what tomorrow will bring for Mercedes. A night after going 5-for-5 in his first major league start, Mercedes homered, singled and doubled in his first three plate appearances before flying out to center field, falling two hits shy of the Sox record for consecutive hits. Hall of Famer Frank Thomas (1997) is one of three players who share the record.
“He didn’t hit for the cycle so I’m going to have to hold that against him,” manager Tony La Russa quipped.
Mercedes is the first player in the modern era of the major leagues to begin a season 8-for-8, with one Sox win and one loss to show for it in the games he was the designated hitter.
Lance Lynn needed 99 pitches to get through 4 2⁄3 innings in his first start as a Sox, allowing two unearned runs as the Sox defense continued a bad opening series. The Angels have scored seven unearned runs in three games.
Two unearned runs in the third inning resulted from a comical error by Gold Glove center fielder Luis Robert, who called off shortstop Tim Anderson on Anthony Rendon’s popup, only to have it bounce off the bill of his cap for a two-out error allowing the Angels’ David Fletcher to score from first.
Jared Walsh followed with a single scoring Rendon — who had moved into scoring position when Eaton picked up the Robert drop and skipped the throw into the infield off the pitcher’s mound for another error — to give the Angels another unearned run and a 2-1 lead.
“If you take the mound, your job is to pick guys up. They pick you up when you have bad games,” Lynn said. “This game is nasty. There is no blame, you’re all about making the next pitch and that’s the truth of the matter.”
Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs shoots over UCLA guard David Singleton to win the game in overtime Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Michael Conroy/AP
The showdown between Baylor and Gonzaga that was called off in December because of the pandemic is finally back on, with the biggest stakes of all.
INDIANAPOLIS — Baylor made a mockery of the first Final Four game, stifling Houston for a chance at the program’s first national title.
Gonzaga made miracles happen, winning on one of the greatest shots in NCAA Tournament history.
The showdown between Baylor and Gonzaga that was called off in December because of the pandemic is finally back on, with the biggest stakes of all: The two best teams all season will play for the national championship Monday night.
The wait was worth it.
The Bears opened the first Final Four in two years by overwhelming Houston, 78-59, cruising to their first national championship game since 1948.
Gonzaga’s free-flowing offense was struck down in the nightcap by UCLA, who slogged the game down enough to get it to overtime. Freshman Jalen Suggs came to Bulldogs’ rescue, banking in a 3-pointer from just inside the half-court line at the buzzer for a 93-90 win.
“At the end of it, you could tell how both staffs and all the players reacted that it was an all-timer,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said.
The bid for the first undefeated team since Indiana in 1976 is still intact.
“It was nuts. I still can’t speak,” Suggs said. “I have a million things going on in my head. I just can’t believe that it happened.”
Baylor had seemed to lose some of its defensive mojo during a three-week COVID-19 pause late in the season. The rotations, not as sharp. The closeouts, not quite as close. But the Bears (27-2) rolled through the first four NCAA Tournament games, winning at a nearly 15-points clip, and seemed to have an extra jolt of energy in their first Final Four game since 1950.
Flying around Lucas Oil Stadium, Baylor had the Cougars (28-4) stumbling across the floor with wave after wave of defenders. They made every shot a chore for Houston, switching or trapping ball screens to prevent open looks and collapsing in the paint whenever the Cougars did break free.
A defensive demolition that bodes well for the title game against the ultra-efficient Zags.
“It’s starting to feel like we’re back to where we were before the pause,” said Baylor’s Jared Butler, who had 17 points. “It’s great that this is the right time. We thought it was the worst thing possible when we stopped and it was a three-week break, but I think it worked out perfectly for us.”
UCLA’s upset bid against college basketball’s juggernaut hinged on two big factors: bogging down the game and making shots.
The Bruins (22-10) did both to perfection in the first half.
The bogging down came via the slow roll. With coach Mick Cronin giving slow-down hand gestures, UCLA refused to run even when it had opportunities and methodically worked its offense in half-court sets.
The shot-making part is something UCLA has been doing all through the bracket. Tough shots have fallen since the Bruins arrived in Indy and they kept dropping in the Final Four – 15 of 26, 4 of 7 from 3.
All those shots going in meant fewer rebounds, in turn meaning fewer opportunities for the Bulldogs to get out and do what they do best: run. Gonzaga made 17 of 28 shots, but only led 45-44 at halftime.
The Zags (31-0) were in a similar position in the West Coast Conference Tournament title game. They trailed by 14 in the first half, found their rhythm and won by 10.
The Bruins wouldn’t let it happen to them. They kept making shots, taking it down to the wire.
Drew Timme took a late charge against Johnny Juzang in regulation to send it to overtime. After Juzang scored on a putback, Suggs provided the did-that-just-happen flourish, dribbling over the half-court and letting it fly for the first buzzer-beater of the tournament.
“He’s got that magical aura,” Few said. “It’s been crazy this year how many he’s made in practice where (it’s on) last-second shots. I felt pretty good. I was staring right at it. I was like, ‘That’s in,’ and it was.”
A miracle finish, setting up what is sure to be a mesmerizing title game college basketball fans have waited two years to see.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Closer Liam Hendriks’ White Sox debut wasn’t how he would have drawn it up, allowing a two-run homer to Shohei Ohtani in a rocky ninth inning of a 12-8 win Friday.
But all was not lost.
“We’re going to be on TV in Japan for about a month after that one so it’s good to be building my brand a little bit,” Hendriks quipped Saturday, before the Sox played the Angels in a late game at Angel Stadium.
Hendriks can take a mulligan, having been derailed for eight days because of a kidney stone late in spring training, having to wait through “the longest half inning in history” in the top of the ninth. The Sox scored five runs to break open a close game in which Hendriks had entered with two outs in the eighth.
The normal adrenaline flow was thereby tempered, and it took 34 pitches to get four outs and his first save.
Hendriks ended it with a strikeout of Anthony Rendon, and didn’t hide his emotions even though the outcome wasn’t on the line with the pitch.
“It was a little bit of relief, a little bit of frustration on my part,” Hendriks said. “Obviously, I shouldn’t have let things get to where they were but it happened. At the end of the day a save is a save is a save is a save.”
Hendriks signed a $54 million contract as a free agent in the offseason.
“I got a little emotional at the end of that one,” he said. “First outing in the black and white.”
Defending the defense
The Sox made three errors (Nick Madrigal, Jose Abreu, Adam Eaton) in their first two games, creating two unearned runs on opening night and three Friday.
Manager Tony La Russa knows it must be better but isn’t concerned.
“We’ll have in my opinion, one of the top-five, six defensive clubs in the league as the schedule gets played out,” La Russa said. “I’m very confident about that.
“We have a very strong defensive club. It’s just the way we started with some mistakes here or there. We’re going to be really good.”
Yoan Moncada bobbled a ground ball costing the Sox a double play Friday, but La Russa said it had tricky spin.
Upon further review
La Russa came under fire for not challenging an out call on Nick Madrigal’s stolen base attempt during the seventh inning on opening night, and it’s fair to say the play was close enough and late enough in the game to be challenged. But a major league source familiar with MLB’s replay operations said that video evidence wouldn’t have provided enough evidence to overturn the call.
The Sox lost 4-3. After his first game managing since 2011, La Russa alluded to a new rule reducing the time to make a replay decision from 30 seconds to 20 seconds, essentially admitting the trigger wasn’t pulled in time. But in the end, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.
Jeremy Colliton made Vinnie Hinostroza into a productive player during the 2017-18 season and brought him back based on that relationship. | AP file phot/David Zalubowski
Plus, Brandon Hagel leaves COVID-19 protocol after positive test determined to be false, and faceoff woes continue to plague the Hawks.
Vinnie Hinostroza clearly wasn’t part of Joel Quenneville’s plans for the Panthers the rest of this season, considering how eagerly they dumped him in Friday’s trade.
But the Blackhawks see Hinostroza as someone who can play a significant role.
“I feel confident that he can contribute,” Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said Saturday. “We need more of those guys, so [I’m] happy that he’s going to get an opportunity. We’ll see what happens.”
If anyone knows how to maximize Hinostroza’s strengths, it’s probably Colliton.
The two are familiar with each other from the 2017-18 AHL season, when Colliton took over as the Rockford IceHogs’ coach and Hinostroza was sent there after Hawks training camp.
Under Colliton’s watch, Hinostroza dominated the minor leagues to the tune of 22 points in his first 23 games. That earned him an early December call-up and he hasn’t been back to the AHL since.
Any more time in Florida and he likely would’ve ended up back in the minors, though, so Colliton expects him to be “hungry for the opportunity” with the Hawks. He’s driving the 20 hours to Chicago, rather than flying, in order to reduce his required quarantine time.
Colliton also insisted Hinostroza’s addition wouldn’t cost a young player like Philipp Kurashev a roster spot or block a prospect’s route to the NHL.
“It won’t block anyone,” he said. “Ultimately, the guys earn what they get. They’re going to get an opportunity to show what they deserve. But you want to have quality surrounding your young players that play.”
Hagel had false positive
Brandon Hagel was placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list Friday because of a false positive, Colliton said.
After several negative tests in the past 24 hours, Hagel was removed from the list Saturday. He played in the Hawks’ 3-0 loss to the Predators, although Colliton said he “had had to jump through quite a few hoops to get” to Nashville since he wasn’t allowed on the team flight Friday.
That news is certainly a relief for the Hawks — especially in light of the disastrous ongoing outbreak with the Canucks that has so far reportedly infected 14 players and three coaches, some severely.
Faceoff woes continue
The Hawks squandered a crucial one minute, 55 seconds of a five-on-three power play Saturday in part because Kirby Dach lost all three faceoffs during it, giving the Preds three easy clears.
It turns out that has been happening all year. The Hawks entered the day 30th in the NHL in power-play faceoff percentage at 46.6% — just slightly better than their 28th-place ranking in overall faceoff percentage.
David Kampf and Carl Soderberg are the Hawks’ only centers above 48% — much less 50% — on draws this year.
Baylor guard Davion Mitchell shoots over Houston guard Marcus Sasser on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Darron Cummings/AP
Jared Butler scored 17 points to lead five Baylor players in double figures, and the Bears roared to a 78-59 victory over the Cougars in the Final Four.
INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly two decades ago, Scott Drew decided to leave his comfort zone at tiny Valparaiso for the scandal-plagued basketball program at Baylor, explaining to his father that there was nowhere for the Bears to go but up.
Now, they’re one win away from the top.
Led by Jared Butler and the rest of their brilliant backcourt, a defense that refused to give Houston an inch, and a coach intent on making the most of his first trip to the Final Four, the Bears roared to a 78-59 victory Saturday night in their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament semifinals in 71 long years.
“Every day you’re grinding, and you don’t really look back. You’re pressing forward,” Drew said, “but I’m so blessed to have these unbelievable players that bought into what we like to do with the program.”
Or, as Butler put it: “This is what we came to Baylor to do.”
Butler scored all 17 of his points in the first half, but just about everyone from Baylor (27-2) got in on the act, with five players scoring in double figures. They doubled up Houston after 10 minutes, built a 45-20 lead by halftime and coasted the rest of the way in the first Final Four showdown between schools from the Lonestar State.
They’ll face Gonzaga, the overall No. 1 seed, or upstart UCLA on Monday night for their first national championship.
“That was one of my goals, to leave a legacy at Baylor,” Butler said. “And you have to win national championships. You have to win. You have to be a great program, be about great things, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Marcus Sasser had 20 points for the cold-shooting Cougars (28-4), whose dream path to their first Final Four since 1984 — they faced teams seeded 15th, 10th, 11th and 12th along the way — ended with a whimper against a team focused squarely on this night since the moment last year’s tournament was canceled because of the pandemic.
For Drew, the wait had been even longer.
He took over a program 18 years ago embroiled in arguably the biggest controversy in the history of the sport: the graphic shooting death of player Patrick Dennehy, his teammate Devon Dotson pleading guilty to his murder, attempts by then-coach Dave Bliss to cover it all up, and NCAA sanctions that lasted well into Drew’s own tenure.
Yet somehow, the son of longtime Valpo coach Homer Drew always pictured the very scene that unfolded Saturday night: His team playing selflessly, almost effortlessly, never once feeling the pressure of college basketball’s biggest stage.
Well, there were a few things Drew probably didn’t picture.
Instead of 70,000 fans reaching to the rafters, the Bears were cheered in the lower bowl by thousands of cardboard cutouts — from the late Georgetown coach John Thompson to New Mexico State mascot Pistol Pete — due to measures against COVID-19 that have forced them to live in a bubble for the last three weeks.
The roughly 8,000 fans that were allowed through the doors, socially distanced in a vast ocean of blue seats, provided a muted soundtrack to the blowout inside the cavernous home of the Indianapolis Colts.
The only cheering? That came from those in green and gold.
The Bears controlled the game from the jump, unleashing an early 14-3 run fueled by the crisp passing, silky shooting and dastardly defense that made them unbeatable before a 23-day COVID-19 pause late in the regular season.
When the Cougars finally scored, the Bears ripped off another 16-3 run later in the first half, carving up the nation’s top 3-point field-goal defense with ruthless efficiency. By the time Davion Mitchell knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to end the first half, the Bears had a 45-20 lead that felt insurmountable.
Probably because it just about was.
Sasser did everything he could to keep Houston alive, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring 17 himself. But the rest of the Cougars were 1 of 15 from the field, including All-American guard Quentin Grimes (0 for 5) and DeJon Jarreau (1 for 7), who earned MVP honors in the Midwest Region.
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, whose reputation for being a master tactician was stretched to the limit, tried to get the guard-heavy Cougars to forget about the 3-point line and go right to the basket in the second half.
The Cougars cut their deficit to 16 at one point, but there was no coming back on this night.
The big cushion down the stretch gave the Bears — mullet-haired Matthew Mayer, MaCio Teague and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua in their bright pink sneakers, Butler and Mitchell and the rest of their guys lounging on the bench — plenty of time to celebrate the program’s second trip to the national title game.
Chicago’s Favorite Food Critics and Bloggers
Leave a comment