Colleen Kane

Colleen Kane is the college sports reporter for the Chicago Tribune. She has worked at the Tribune since 2007, starting in high school sports before moving to the White Sox and then the Bears. Before the Tribune, Kane was a sports reporter at the Cincinnati Enquirer following her graduation from the University of Illinois.

Andrej Stojaković of Illinois dribbles the ball while guarded by Tylen Riley of Cincinnati in the first half of an exhibition game Oct. 17, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Can the No. 3 Illini men meet sky-high expectations? What to know about Illinois basketball this season.

October 27, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

A mix of returning talent from the Final Four team and promising newcomers gives Illinois the look of another contender entering the 2026-27 season.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has a discussion with sideline judge Chris Junjulas during the first half against BYU on Oct. 17, 2026, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

4 things we heard from Marcus Freeman as Notre Dame looks to bounce back, including the skill-player rotation

October 26, 2026 at 4:20 p.m.

Marcus Freeman said No. 5 Notre Dame used some of its bye week to take ownership of all that went wrong in the loss to BYU.

Illinois wide receiver Collin Dixon (17) makes a touchdown reception against the defense of Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney (4) in the fourth quarter at Gies Memorial Stadium on Oct. 24, 2026, in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Freshman QB Michael Clayton II throws 2 TD passes to help Illinois upset Oregon 21-10 in 1st career start

October 24, 2026 at 8:27 p.m.

Michael Clayton II threw two touchdown passes, Aidan Laughery ran for 123 yards and a TD and the Illinois defense delivered in a 21-10 win over Oregon on Saturday.

Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald heads to the locker room after a 24-21 loss to Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich. (Duane Burleson/AP)

David Braun makes a ‘horrible decision’ vs. Michigan State and Pat Fitzgerald — but Northwestern wins anyway

October 17, 2026 at 5:49 p.m.

David Braun's call for a fake punt failed, but Northwestern still pulled off a 24-21 Big Ten win at Michigan State against former coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles celebrates after a victory over Penn State on Oct. 2, 2026, at the new Ryan Field in Evanston. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles says he’s confident and having fun again as he prepares to face his former team

October 16, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles said his football journey has made him "resilient." Now he's looking for bigger things under coordinator Chip Kelly.

Illinois quarterback Katin Houser throws a pass in the first quarter against Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Illinois QB Katin Houser out 4-6 weeks after hand surgery, with freshman Michael Clayton II taking over

October 14, 2026 at 2:36 p.m.

A four-week recovery for Illinois QB Katin Houser would mean he potentially could return for the last two or three games of the regular season.

Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald runs off the field with his team after pregame warmups before playing Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Michigan State’s Pat Fitzgerald says his 1st game vs. his former Northwestern team ‘is not about me’

October 12, 2026 at 4:27 p.m.

Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald didn’t offer up any barbs or criticisms of his former program as he gets ready to face Northwestern for the first time.

Jordan Faison of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish avoids a tackle on a punt return from Tyler Kuo #of the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend, Ind. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Notre Dame eases by Stanford 58-7 as the season’s tougher second half awaits

October 10, 2026 at 7:50 p.m.

Notre Dame's win over Stanford on Saturday in South Bend was the end of a six-week warm-up. The real competition awaits.

Illinois wing Andrej Stojaković runs onto the court before the Final Four game against UConn on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

5 takeaways from Big Ten men’s basketball media day, including ‘completely changed’ Andrej Stojaković at Illinois

October 10, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Big Ten men's basketball coaches and players from Illinois, Northwestern, Oregon, Iowa and Michigan talked about what's ahead this season.

UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. fouls Illinois forward David Mirković during the second half of a Final Four semifinal April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois taking a cautious approach with David Mirković’s recovery — but expects big things when he returns

October 8, 2026 at 6:05 p.m.

Illinois is being intentional about the recovery from foot surgery of David Mirković, who's expected to be the centerpiece of their bid to return to the Final Four.

All Stories