The Bulls are running out of time to change their standing in the Eastern Conference. Coby White is getting back into rhythm after a brief injury absence.
Northwestern’s men’s team is out of the NCAA tournament. Illinois is headed to the men’s Sweet 16 to face Iowa State. And Aneesah Morrow is headed to the women’s Sweet 16 with LSU.
Every Wednesday throughout the season, Tribune writers will provide an update on what happened — and what’s ahead — for the Bulls, Sky and local basketball.
The Bulls are running out of time to rise in the standings
Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan dribbles behind his back as he tries to elude Boston Celtics guard Jaden Springer at the United Center on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
With 10 games left in the regular season, the Bulls are running out of time to improve their standings in the Eastern Conference. But after a three-game losing streak, the concern for the team is twofold — is there enough time to fall lower than the ninth seed?
The Bulls are all but locked into a play-in position, seven games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets, who are the first team out in the 11th spot in the East. But they’ve fallen to just 1.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Hawks, who are currently 10th. If the Bulls can’t shake out of this current skid, they could lose their home-court advantage for the tournament.
Photos: Boston Celtics 124, Chicago Bulls 113
More importantly, the Bulls need to utilize this final stretch of the season to regain their rhythm and compete in the postseason.
“We definitely have time,” forward DeMar DeRozan said. “All it takes is doing it one game, competing all out, understanding and living with the results. As long as we do that, that’s all that matters.”
Aneesah Morrow advances to Sweet 16 amid LSU controversy
LSU guard Aneesah Morrow battles for a rebound against Middle Tennessee forward Courtney Whitson, center Anastasiia Boldyreva and guard Jalynn Gregory during the women’s NCAA Tournament in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The Tigers kept rolling with a dominant 83-56 win over Middle Tennessee, featuring a double-double performance from Chicago native and DePaul transfer Aneesah Morrow, who logged 19 points and a team-high 13 rebounds in the second-round win on Sunday.
LSU will return to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year, facing No. 2 seed UCLA on Saturday.
But the focus this week shifted elsewhere for LSU — squarely on head coach Kim Mulkey, who delivered several statements slamming unnamed journalists after claiming the Washington Post plans to publish an article on her sometime in the coming weeks.
The Tigers will have to balance on-court and off-court challenges as they continue with their title defense.
Illinois to face Iowa State; Northwestern ends tournament with UConn loss
The tournament came to an end on Sunday for Northwestern, who couldn’t withstand the overwhelming offensive force of the reigning champion UConn Huskies in a 75-58 loss.
Coach Chris Collins subbed Boo Buie out with a little more than a minute left on the game clock, embracing the fifth-year star on the sideline in an emotional scene for both player and coach.
“I love you,” Collins said. “You’re like family. We did it together.”
Boo Buie checks out for the last time as a @NUMensBball player #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/MA0meeaKiy
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2024
Buie finished his career as Northwestern’s all-time leading scorer with 2,187 points as a Wildcat.
No. 3 seed Illinois will continue its campaign Thursday against No. 2 seed Iowa State after a dominant 89-63 win over Duquesne on Saturday. This is the team’s first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2005.
Number of the week: 33
Chicago Bulls’ Coby White collides with Washington Wizards’ Corey Kispert on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the United Center. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Coby White scored 22 points in Monday’s loss to the Washington Wizards, which marked his 33rd game with 20 or more points this season.
Before this year, White had recorded 44 total games with 20 or more points across four seasons in the NBA.
Week ahead: Bulls
Wednesday: Indiana Pacers, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
Thursday: Off
Friday: @ Brooklyn Nets, 6:30 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
Saturday: Off
Sunday: @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 6 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
Monday: Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
Tuesday: Off
What we’re reading this morning
Some Chicago Bulls frustrated by the reality of sports gambling in the NBA: ‘It takes away the purity of the game’
Ex-NBA guard Ben Gordon, arrested for juice shop disturbance, could see charges erased under probation program
Hanif Abdurraqib explores the romance of basketball — and futility of LeBron vs. MJ debate — in his latest book
Chicago Bulls have lost their consistent defense since the All-Star break. Can they get it back?
Column: Illinois soaks it in after an 89-63 rout of Duquesne puts them in the Sweet 16 for the 1st time since 2005
Javonte Green rejoins Chicago Bulls on 10-day contract before loss to undermanned Boston Celtics: ‘I’ll just go out there and be myself’
Will the Chicago Bulls return to .500? With 12 games remaining, they’re poised for yet another losing season.
Coby White hopes to return Thursday after missing 3 games with a hip strain: ‘I dodged a bullet,’ Chicago Bulls guard says
Utah women’s coach says team was shaken after experiencing ‘racist hate crimes’ during NCAA Tournament
Quotable
“If you a fan, you a fan. I just feel like it takes away the purity of the game and the love of the game. It should be about being a fan. I don’t think you can necessarily be a complete fan if you’re worrying about somebody getting three assists or whatever it may be.” — DeMar DeRozan on the impact of sports betting in the NBA
