>>Illinois Beats IU For First Big Ten Win
(Champaign, IL) — Illinois is celebrating its first Big Ten win of the season. Trent Frazier and Leron Black each scored 19 points as the Fighting Illini beat Indiana 73-71 at the State Farm Center. Illinois snapped a six-game skid to improve to 11-and-11 overall and 1-and-8 in conference play. The Illini’s next game is Tuesday at home against Rutgers.
>>College Hoops Roundup
(Undated) — Elsewhere around college hoops, DePaul clipped Georgetown, 74-73. Tonight, Eastern Illinois is at Belmont and Western Illinois travels to play Denver.
>>Missouri Valley Conference Roundup
(Undated) — Over in the Missouri Valley Conference, Northern Iowa put down Illinois State, 83-72. Southern Illinois took care of Indiana State, 82-77. Loyola-Chicago hammered Drake 80-57 to take over first place.
>>Chipper, Thome Among Four Headed To Baseball Hall Of Fame
(Cooperstown, NY) — First-time eligibles Chipper Jones and Jim Thome [[ TOE-mee ]] are among four new members headed to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Joining Jones and Thome in Cooperstown are Vladimir Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman. Inductions will take place July 29th. Players needed 75-percent of the vote by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to earn the honor.
>>MSU President Announces Resignation After Nassar Scandal
(East Lansing, MI) — The president of Michigan State University is resigning after the sexual abuse case of former MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing young women and girls. Lou Anna Simon said in her resignation letter that she’s sorry Nassar was “such an evil, evil person who inflicted such harm under the guise of medical treatment.”
>>Sixers Dominate Bulls
(Philadelphia, PA) — Ben Simmons posted a triple-double with 19 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists as the 76ers hammered the Bulls 115-101 at Well Fargo Center. Zach LaVine tallied 21 on 8-of-15 shooting for the Bulls, who have lost three-of-four. Chicago hosts the Lakers tomorrow night.
>>NBA Pushing For Legalized Gambling
(Undated) — The NBA is making a push for legalized wagering on their games nationwide. The league has made a formal request for a set of laws to the New York State Senate committee. The NBA wants one-percent of all action placed on its game, plus more regulations. The NBA would also like betting to become legal on smartphones and strategically placed kiosks, not just at racetracks and casinos.
>>Blackhawks Fall To Leafs In OT
(Chicago, IL) — William Nylander lit the lamp six seconds into OT as the Maple Leafs dropped the Blackhawks 3-2 at the United Center. Brent Seabrook and Nick Schamltz each lit the lamp for Chicago, which has lost four straight. They’re at the Red Wings tonight.
>>Blues Host Avalanche Tonight
(St. Louis, MO) — The Blues play their final game before the NHL All-Star break tonight. They host the Avalanche at Scottrade Center, with faceoff at 7 o’clock. The Blues shut out the Senators 3-0 on Tuesday. St. Louis has won three of its last four games and is third in the Central Division with 61 points, four behind the first-place Winnipeg Jets.
>>Pats’ Gronkowski Listed With Concussion On Injury Report
(Foxboro, MA) — The first injury report for Super Bowl 52 between the Patriots and Eagles is out. New England tight end Rob Gronkowski was listed with a concussion, which is the first time it’s been officially acknowledged by the Pats. He suffered the head injury in the AFC Championship Game against the Jaguars. Philadelphia and New England don’t play until a week from Sunday in Minneapolis.
>>Steelers’ Bell Happy With Contract Negotiations
(Lake Buena Vista, FL) — Steelers running back Le’Veon [[ LAY-vee-on ]] Bell is happier than expected at Pro Bowl practice in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Bell told reporters on Wednesday that he and the organization are making “progress” on a contract extension. He played under the franchise tag last season and has made it clear he doesn’t want to do that again.
Tonight, on the Talk 101 High School Game of the Week presented by Landmark of Taylorville, the Lady Panthers of Eisenhower play host to Normal U High. The Dale’s Southlake Pharmacy Pregame Show gets underway at 7:15p.m. The tip-off follows at 7:30p.m. Join Scott Busboom and Kevin Hale with the call, tonight from Eisenhower on Talk 101 FM!