Chicago Basketball Report: Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo Gains Momentum, WNBA Players Consider Strike
The Chicago Bulls' Struggles Continue: A Month Without a Win
The Chicago Bulls' February was a challenging one, as they went winless after a turbulent trade deadline. This marks the worst month in the franchise's history, with 11 losses. However, the team is looking ahead to March, with a game against the Milwaukee Bucks to snap their losing streak.
Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo: A Force to Be Reckoned With
After some rough patches, Notre Dame's women's basketball team is gaining momentum. Guard Hannah Hidalgo has been a standout player, averaging 28.5 points, six steals, nine rebounds, and seven assists in her last two games. Her performance has earned her the ACC Player of the Week title for the seventh time this season, breaking her own single-season steals record.
Hidalgo's impact on the team is undeniable. Coach Niele Ivey praises her consistency and leadership, stating, 'She plays with her heart and soul every time she steps on the floor and in practice.'
WNBA Players' Strike Concerns: A Looming Deadline
As the March 10 deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement approaches, WNBA players are expressing reticence about the possibility of a strike. The league and the players' association have been in negotiations, with the players encouraging the latest concessions made by the league. However, the key issue of revenue sharing remains unresolved.
The players are pushing for a standard of receiving their cut from gross revenue, while the league has only offered revenue sharing from net revenue. This has led to a debate about whether it's better to take a larger share of a smaller pie or a smaller share of a larger pot. The union leadership is signaling that acquiescence might be necessary to avoid a truncation of the WNBA season.
Mid-Major Tournament Watch: Missouri Valley Conference
While major conference men's teams are finishing their regular seasons, the Missouri Valley Conference opens its tournament on Thursday. Belmont is the top seed, but three Illinois teams are also in the top five. The tournament promises to be an exciting one, with teams vying for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
What We're Reading: March Madness and More
- Column: Chicago Bulls say good riddance to February, while sports fans welcome the madness of March.
- Big Ten Tournament: Illinois women are seeded 10th and will open against 15th-seeded Wisconsin on Wednesday.
- Morez Johnson Jr. helps Michigan beat Illinois and clinch the Big Ten title.
- Anfernee Simons' wrist fracture is a concern for the Bulls.
- Coby White returns to Chicago with the Charlotte Hornets.
Quote of the Week: Illinois Coach Brad Underwood on His Team's Performance
'That physicality, that nastiness, that grit, that fight, that’s on me. I’ve got to do a much better job getting us much nastier in those situations. We scrimmaged Florida, and we had way more fight against them than we did tonight. … That’s because we’ve gotten a little bit, maybe, content. That’s on me.'
