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 forward David Mirković shoots during the first half against Penn on March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

NCAA Tournament: Illinois bounces back from Big Ten Tournament disappointment by dominating Penn 105-70

March 20, 2026 at 12:16 a.m.

Illinois turned a 10-point halftime lead into a 105-70 rout, wearing Penn down with its powerful, deep offense to advance to Saturday’s second round against No. 11 seed VCU.

Duke coach Jon Scheyer looks on from the sideline during the first half against Siena in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, S.C. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty)

NCAA Tournament: Jon Scheyer says he was outcoached as Duke narrowly averts No. 16 seed Siena’s upset bid

March 19, 2026 at 6:33 p.m.

Duke's Jon Scheyer said coach Gerry McNamara had his No. 16 seed Siena players “way more ready to play” in the first-round NCAA Tournament game Thursday.

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell aims for the basket as Wisconsin guard John Blackwell defends during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

For Illinois guard Kylan Boswell, an NCAA Tournament veteran, the time for leadership is now

March 19, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

On an Illinois team headlined by freshmen Keaton Wagler and David Mirković, Kylan Boswell is the voice of experience in this NCAA Tournament.

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.

All Stories