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.

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.

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) smiles and celebrates with his teammates as head coach Dusty May is interviewed following a win over UCLA in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Big Ten Tournament preview: Illinois needs a March mindset — and rebuilt Michigan looks to repeat

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

Michigan coach Dusty May built the Big Ten Tournament's No. 1 seeded-team with a lineup filled with the nation's top transfer talent.

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell takes a shot over Maryland guard Andre Mills during the first half on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Big Ten Tournament: No. 4 seed Illinois has a triple bye, while No. 15 Northwestern opens Tuesday

March 8, 2026 at 7:10 p.m.

Michigan, Nebraska, Michigan State and Illinois received the top four seeds in the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament.

Northwestern field hockey midfielder Greta Hinke, from left, fullback Maja Zivojnovic and goalkeeper Juliana Boon celebrate with the Big Ten and NCAA championship trophies during a men’s basketball game against Oregon on Feb. 28, 2026, at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

What has led to Northwestern’s success in women’s sports the last 20 years? ‘Winning can be contagious.’

March 8, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

When it comes to women’s sports, Northwestern has had a special run over the last 20 years, including five NCAA team championships in the last five years.

Northern Illinois coach Rashon Burno looks on during a game against Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 31, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. (Jeff Dean/AP)

Northern Illinois opens search for new men’s basketball coach after Rashon Burno resigns

March 7, 2026 at 7:10 p.m.

Northern Illinois has hired a consulting firm to help hire a new men's basketball coach before the Huskies move to the Horizon League in the fall.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, right, at the NFL scouting combine Feb. 27, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

NFL draft notes: Fernando Mendoza on having Tom Brady as a mentor — and Luke Altmyer touts reasons to succeed

March 7, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, the projected No. 1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, would relish the chance to learn from minority owner Tom Brady.

The Illinois women’s basketball team gathers around coach Shauna Green during a game against Ohio State on Jan. 7, 2026, at the State Farm Center in Champaign. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Big Ten Tournament preview: Have the Illinois women locked up an NCAA bid? Can anyone stop UCLA?

March 4, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Coach Shauna Green has no doubts Illinois is an NCAA Tournament team — but the Illini can help their case with a couple of Big Ten Tournament wins.

Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Jadarian Price stuck out playing alongside Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame. Will both RBs be 1st-round picks?

March 4, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

NFL teams asked Jadarian Price at the combine: Why didn’t he transfer to a different school instead of playing alongside Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame?

Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots the ball against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on March 1, 2026, in Louisville, Ky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Chicago basketball report: Hannah Hidalgo and Notre Dame gain steam — and WNBA players wary of strike

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

Guard Hannah Hidalgo averaged 28.5 points in two games and was named the ACC player of the week for a league-record seventh time this season.

Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli points to a teammate during the first half against Oregon on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Nick Martinelli feels ‘grateful’ — while eyeing a few more wins — as his record Northwestern career winds down

March 3, 2026 at 6:45 a.m.

Nick Martinelli said he has “a little bit of angst” as he closes out his Northwestern career and looks to the future.

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