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.

Penn's TJ Power cuts down the net following the Ivy League Tournament against Yale on March 15, 2026, at Newman Arena in Ithaca, N.Y. (Nick Textores/ Ivy League Photo)

Penn’s TJ Power sits out practice — and Ethan Roberts out for the year — ahead of 1st-round game vs. Illinois

March 18, 2026 at 9:13 p.m.

Penn coach Fran McCaffery said TJ Power wasn’t up for practicing Wednesday as he deals with an illness ahead of the NCAA Tournament game against Illinois.

Northern Illinois University's Concovation Center has been home to NIU basketball since 2002. (Photos for the Tribune by Erik Unger)

Northern Illinois hires former Northern Michigan men’s basketball coach Matt Majkrzak

March 17, 2026 at 5:22 p.m.

New Northern Illinois coach Matt Majkrzak was a two-time GLIAC coach of the year at Division II Northern Michigan.

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo reacts after making a 3-pointer against Duke during the fourth quarter of an ACC Tournament semifinal March 7, 2026, in Duluth, Ga. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty)

NCAA Tournament: Notre Dame women receive a No. 6 seed and Illinois is seeded 7th

March 15, 2026 at 8:46 p.m.

Notre Dame is making its fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance under coach Niele Ivey, Illinois its third in four seasons under Shauna Green.

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against Wisconsin in the first half of a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal Friday, March 13, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

NCAA Tournament: Illinois men are a No. 3 seed and face Penn — and a familiar foe — in the 1st round

March 15, 2026 at 8:37 p.m.

Illinois enters its sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance under coach Brad Underwood with five losses in its last nine games.

Illinois forward David Mirković bites his jersey as the buzzer sounds on a 91-88 overtime loss to Wisconsin in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Can Illinois make a deep NCAA Tournament run? 4 potential pitfalls to avoid to prevent another early exit.

March 15, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Illinois has lost five of its last nine and has some clear issues. Can the talented Illini fix them and make a deep NCAA Tournament run?

Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) and forward David Mirković head to the locker room after a 91-88 overtime loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament on March 13, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lets big lead slip away in 91-88 OT loss to Wisconsin in Big Ten Tournament: ‘We just lost focus’

March 13, 2026 at 7:19 p.m.

Wisconsin overcame a 15-point second-half deficit to eliminate Illinois and advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals against Michigan.

Illinois forward David Mirković drives toward the basket in the second half against Michigan on Feb. 27, 2026, at the State Farm Center in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

David Mirković — Illinois’ other breakout freshman — brings a fiery personality and a high basketball IQ

March 13, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

If Keaton Wagler is ice, then David Mirković — Illinois’ other breakout freshman — is fire.

Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli (2) is emotional as he leaves the court to shake hands with coach Chris Collins late in the second half against Purdue during the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, March, 12, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Big Ten Tournament run for Northwestern and Nick Martinelli comes to emotional end: ‘It’s been such a great ride’

March 12, 2026 at 9:49 p.m.

Purdue topped Northwestern 81-68 in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, marking an end to Nick Martinelli's Wildcats career.

DePaul guard CJ Gunn passes the ball against Seton Hall on Jan. 24, 2026, at Wintrust Arena. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Big East Tournament preview: DePaul earns its highest seed and looks to keep moving in ‘positive direction’

March 11, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

DePaul earned the program's highest seed in the Big East Tournament and will face 11th-seeded Georgetown on Wednesday.

Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli reaches out for the ball on a pass into the paint in the second half of a Big Ten Tournament First Round game against Penn State at the United Center in Chicago on March 10, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Nick Martinelli, feeling ‘senior urgency,’ drives Northwestern to 76-66 win in Big Ten Tournament opener

March 11, 2026 at 12:23 p.m.

Two-time Big Ten scoring leader Nick Martinelli had 24 points for Northwestern in the win over Penn State on Tuesday.

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