>>Illinois Gets By IUPUI
(Champaign, IL) — Malcolm Hill had a game-high 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting as Illinois got by IUPUI 85-77 in Champaign. Leron Black contributed 16 points and nine rebounds as the Fighting Illini won their third straight to run their record to 7-and-3. Illinois hosts Central Michigan on Saturday.
>>Red Sox Acquire Sale
(National Harbor, MD) — The Red Sox are adding another ace to their rotation. Boston has acquired pitcher Chris Sale from the White Sox in exchange for top prospect infielder Yoan Moncada and three other prospects. Sale went 17-and-10 with a 3.34 ERA in 32 starts last season.
>>Cubs Reportedly Close To Deal For Davis
(National Harbor, MD) — The Cubs are reportedly close to finding a replacement for Aroldis Chapman. “USA Today” reports the defending World Series champions are nearing a deal to acquire Wade Davis from the Royals. Kansas City would receive outfielder Jorge Soler in return.
>>Cardinals Make Offer To Fowler
(National Harbor, MD) — The Cardinals are interested in free-agent outfielder Dexter Fowler. ESPN reports they have made an offer to the 30-year-old in the range of four years and 60-million-dollars, the same offer the Blue Jays reportedly made. Fowler hit .276 with 13 home runs for the Cubs last season.
>>Blackhawks Blank Coyotes
(Chicago, IL) — Scott Darling denied all 22 shots he faced to lead the Blackhawks to a 4-0 win over the Coyotes in Chicago. Darling logged the third shutout of his career. Marian Hossa scored twice for the Blackhawks, who had lost their previous two. The ‘Hawks host the Rangers on Friday.
>>Schwartz Rallies Blues Past Canadiens
(St. Louis, MO) — Jaden Schwartz tied the game midway through the third period and won it in overtime as the Blues rallied for a 3-2 win over the Canadiens at Scottrade Center. Paul Stastny also scored for St. Louis, which trailed 2-0. The Blues begin a four-game road trip tomorrow against the Islanders.
>>Pistons Turn Back Bulls
(Auburn Hills, MI) — Tobias Harris had 22 points as the Pistons turned back the Bulls 102-91 at The Palace. Jimmy Butler poured in 32 points for Chicago, which was dealt its third straight loss. Dwyane Wade dropped in 19 points in defeat. The 11-and-10 Bulls host the Spurs tomorrow night.
>>Colts’ Jackson Suspended Four Games
(Indianapolis, IN) — Indianapolis Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson is being suspended four games by the NFL for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy. Jackson will miss Indy’s final four games of the regular-season. He would be eligible to return for the postseason if Indy makes the playoffs. The 6-and-6 Colts are currently in a three-way tie with Houston and Tennessee for first place in the AFC South. Jackson has led the team in tackles each of the last three seasons including 78 tackles this year.
>>Louisiana Man Accused Of Killing Ex-Jet Joe McKnight Is Charged
(New Orleans, LA) — The Louisiana man accused of shooting former NFL running back Joe McKnight in a deadly road rage incident is being charged with manslaughter. Authorities say Ronald Gasser is behind bars after initially being released from custody. McKnight was killed last Thursday near New Orleans.
>>Former Heisman Winner Rashaan Salaam Dies
(Boulder, CO) — The football world is mourning the death of Rashaan Salaam. The 42-year-old was found dead Monday night in a park in Colorado. Police suspect the former running back committed suicide. Salaam won the Heisman Trophy in 1994 after rushing for 2,055 yards and leading Colorado to an 11-and-1 season.