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.

Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic speaks with members of the press after practice before the Final Four game against UConn on April 2, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Andrej Stojaković is ‘both feet in’ the NBA draft process — but returning to Illinois remains a ‘good option’

May 13, 2026 at 5:20 p.m.

Andrej Stojaković said he is attacking workouts at the NBA draft combine before determining whether he will stay in the draft or return to Illinois.

Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić protects the ball from Duke's Patrick Ngongba II on Feb. 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Illinois and Duke will meet in a home-and-home men’s basketball series the next 2 seasons

May 13, 2026 at 11:54 a.m.

Illinois will play at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Nov. 17, and Duke will come to Champaign for the first time on Dec. 4, 2027.

A ladder is set up on the United Center court before an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game between Michigan and Tennessee on March, 29, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

What will the new 76-team NCAA Tournaments look like? Here are the details.

May 7, 2026 at 4:17 p.m.

A 24-team opening round will be among the changes as the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments expand from 68 to 76 teams next year.

Princeton guard Madison St. Rose reacts during a first-round NCAA Tournament game against Oklahoma State on March 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. St. Rose will transfer to Notre Dame for the 2026-27 season. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Who’s gone? Who’s back? Who’s new? Resetting women’s basketball rosters for Illinois, Notre Dame and others.

May 6, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

With women's basketball rosters taking shape, here’s a look at the returns, departures and additions for Notre Dame, Illinois and Northwestern.

Magoon Gwath of San Diego State walks off the court after a loss to Utah State in the Mountain West Tournament final March 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. Gwath is transferring to DePaul for the 2026-27 season. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Who’s gone? Who’s back? Who’s new? Resetting men’s basketball rosters for Illinois, DePaul and more.

May 5, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

With men's basketball rosters taking shape, here’s a look at the returns, departures and additions for Illinois, Northwestern, DePaul and more.

Michigan men's basketball coach Dusty May celebrates by cutting down the net after defeating Connecticut in the NCAA Tournament championship game April 6, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP)

‘Big Ten Dominance’: A look at the NCAA championships the conference has won this school year

May 3, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

In the middle of a banner school year, here’s a look at the NCAA championships that Big Ten schools have won and how they fit within conference history.

Former Loyola star Alfredrick Hughes on March 1, 2018, in Homewood. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune).

Alfredrick Hughes, Loyola basketball’s all-time scoring leader, dies at 63

May 3, 2026 at 8:58 a.m.

Alfredrick Hughes, Loyola's all-time leading scorer who helped the Ramblers end a 16-year NCAA Tournament drought during his All-America senior season, died Friday. He was 63.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood directs players during practice before the Final Four game against UConn on April 3, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

College basketball roster tracker: Illinois signs pair of high school recruits, including 5-star Quentin Coleman

April 20, 2026 at 11:14 a.m.

Tracking the major roster additions, subtractions and announcements of local college basketball teams.

Illinois volleyball coach Chris Tamas leaves the stage after answering media questions during Big Ten media days July 28, 2025, at the Big Ten Network studios in River North. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Big Ten will host its 1st women’s volleyball conference tournament in 2026 in Indiana

April 16, 2026 at 11:39 a.m.

The Big Ten looks to capitalize on and promote the growth of women's volleyball with its first conference tournament in 2026.

Loyola hires former Kansas assistant Morgan Paige to be its women’s basketball coach

April 12, 2026 at 4:47 p.m.

New Loyola women's basketball coach Morgan Paige was an assistant coach at Kansas for five seasons, and played for Wisconsin.

All Stories