Chicago Tribune Sports

Chicago basketball report: Hannah Hidalgo and Notre Dame gain steam — and WNBA players wary of strike Guard Hannah Hidalgo averaged 28.5 points in two games and was named the ACC player of the week for a league-record seventh time this season.

After some rough spots this season, the Notre Dame women rose up down the stretch to win their final five games of the regular season to secure a No. 5 seed and a first-round bye in the ACC Tournament.

US shows offensive muscle in a 15-1 exhibition win before the World Baseball Classic Alex Bregman hit a solo home run as the United States won 15-1 in an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

Alex Bregman hit a solo home run as the United States won 15-1 in an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson keep up Bears stadium pitches During groundbreaking for the Chicago Fire’s new privately funded soccer stadium near Soldier Field, the mayor said he hasn’t given up on the Bears staying in Chicago.

During groundbreaking for the Chicago Fire’s new privately funded soccer stadium near Soldier Field, Mayor Brandon Johnson said he hasn’t given up on the Bears staying in Chicago.

Seiya Suzuki embracing his World Baseball Classic opportunity as springboard to a big season for Chicago Cubs Getting to play in the World Baseball Classic next month has been a long time coming for Seiya Suzuki. The slugger is a key piece for Japan as they look to repeat as champions.

An oblique strain forced Seiya Suzuki to pull out of the last WBC in 2023.

Getting to play in the tournament has been a long time coming for Suzuki. The 31-year-old Cubs slugger is a key piece for Japan as they look to repeat as WBC champions.

Snowballs and strikes: New Chicago baseball team ready to hit the diamond Come May 3, the Chicago Snowballs will put their spin — a la the Savannah Bananas — on America’s pastime, a moment owners say already has thousands of fans on a waitlist to score tickets.

Like any professional baseball team as the winter months start to thaw, the Snowballs have spent weeks in spring training.

Hours of batting practice, conditioning, jazz squares. A shimmy here, a swing there. The familiar buzz of a whole new season, new routines ahead.

Showtime, Chicago.

College basketball conference tournaments: When will women’s automatic NCAA bids be handed out? Conference tournament play is underway in women’s college basketball, with 31 automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament to be handed out.

Conference tournament play is underway in women’s college basketball, with 31 automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament to be handed out.

Chicago Cubs opening day roster projection: Bullpen and bench spots up for grabs There are roster battles in camp that are starting to take shape, giving a little clarity on the Cubs’ direction for the 26-man roster together ahead of opening day on March 26.

There are roster battles in camp that are starting to take shape, giving a little clarity on the Cubs' direction for the 26-man roster together ahead of opening day on March 26.

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Nick Martinelli feels ‘grateful’ — while eyeing a few more wins — as his record Northwestern career winds down Nick Martinelli said he has “a little bit of angst” as he closes out his Northwestern career and looks to the future.

Nick Martinelli is trying to live in the moment in the last weeks of his Northwestern career.

Senior night against Purdue on Wednesday. Regular-season finale Saturday at Minnesota. Big Ten Tournament next week at the United Center.

And then? Well, that question comes with “a little bit of angst.”

Chicago White Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi participates in media day during Spring Training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago White Sox second baseman Lenyn Sosa participates in media day during Spring Training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery participates in media day during Spring Training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Grant Taylor participates in media day during Spring Training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Portraits of White Sox players on photo day at spring training.

📷 Elieen T. Meslar

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Connor Bedard ready to play ‘normal hockey’ again as Chicago Blackhawks return to action after Olympic break Connor Bedard is returning to his “true center role” for the Chicago Blackhawks, who resume NHL action Thursday after a three-week break for the Winter Olympics.

Blackhawks coach Blashill said Connor Bedard will be taking faceoffs again and going back to a "true center role" — in other words, normal hockey for the Canadian standout.

"It's nice to play your full position, I'm looking forward to that," Bedard said.

‘It leaves you hungry’: Michael Conforto motivated to make the Chicago Cubs — and get back to World Series As he entered free agency for a fourth time, Michael Conforto wanted to be part of a winning team after getting a taste of it in Los Angeles.

The Cubs had a lot of what non-roster invite Michael Conforto was looking for in his next destination, even with the roster situation.

"It ended up feeling like in my gut, it's what I wanted to do."

Big Ten Tournament: Illinois women are seeded 10th and will open vs. 15th-seeded Wisconsin on Wednesday Illinois (19-10, 9-9) received the No. 10 seed in the 15-team tournament. The Illini open tournament play Wednesday against 15th-seeded Wisconsin.

UCLA, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota received the top four seeds in the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament and will receive automatic bids into the quarterfinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

‘Stacking days together’: Chicago White Sox’s Shane Smith, Anthony Kay and Davis Martin assess recent starts Chicago White Sox pitchers Shane Smith, Anthony Kay and Davis Martin have each made two starts so far this spring as they build up for the regular season.

Chicago White Sox pitchers Shane Smith, Anthony Kay and Davis Martin have each made two starts so far this spring as they build up for the regular season.

📝 @lamondpope.bsky.social in 🌵

Wilmette asking Evanston to nix 17 Chicago Stars games at Northwestern’s Ryan Field Wilmette officials are objecting to a proposal that would permit the Chicago Stars soccer team to play home matches at the new Ryan Field following the expected stadium opening later this year.

Wilmette officials are objecting to a proposal that would permit the Chicago Stars to play home matches at the new Ryan Field.

Because the stadium at 1501 Central Street sits along the Evanston-Wilmette border, Wilmette officials say the additional events could negatively affect village residents.

Munetaka Murakami makes strong early impression at Chicago White Sox camp before joining Team Japan for WBC Munetaka Murakami checked a number of boxes during his first portion of spring training with the Chicago White Sox before heading to Tokyo to join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic.

White Sox's Munetaka Murakami heads to Tokyo after playing four Cactus League games.

He went 5-for-13 (.385) with two doubles, two RBIs and five strikeouts. He also got plenty of defensive work in.

Column: Chicago Bulls were late to the tanking trend. That’s nothing new for this front office. The NBA could change its tanking rules — just after the Chicago Bulls tried to tank for the first time under Artūras Karnišovas.

The Bulls are late.

Again.

It happens too often with this front office.

This time, it's about tanking.

📝 @juliapoe.bsky.social

Drew Dalman, the Pro Bowl Chicago Bears center, reportedly is retiring at age 27 Drew Dalman earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season, his first with the Chicago Bears and his fifth NFL season overall.

Drew Dalman played every single snap for the Bears offense last season. He's the only player who can say that.

In an unexpected move, Dalman is retiring at age 27.

Drew Dalman, the Pro Bowl Chicago Bears center, reportedly is retiring at age 27 Drew Dalman earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season, his first with the Chicago Bears and his fifth NFL season overall.

Bears center Drew Dalman has informed the team he is retiring at age 27, according to multiple reports.

He started at center in all 17 regular-season games and both playoff games and earned his 1st Pro Bowl selection. He was the only Bears player to play every offensive snap in the 2026 season.

Gov. JB Pritzker suggests no matter how Indiana vs. Illinois fight goes, new Bears home won’t be in Chicago Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said, “I think we’re down to the question of whether they’re going to build in Arlington Heights or they’re going to build something in the state of Indiana.&#…

As lawmakers spar over the Bears, even Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged that the team’s next home is unlikely to rise within Chicago.

"I think we're down to the question of whether they’re going to build in Arlington Heights or they’re going to build something in the state of Indiana."

OF prospect Braden Montgomery ironing out details of his game as he works through Chicago White Sox system Outfielder Braden Montgomery, ranked the No. 36 prospect by MLB.com, is working his way through the Chicago White Sox minor-league system.

Braden Montgomery experienced just how relentless baseball can be during his 1st season with the White Sox organization.

"You have a bad game, you have a good game, it doesn’t matter. The next 18 hours, you are preparing for your next game."

Preparation for 2026 is underway for the prospect.

Chicago Cubs newcomer Edward Cabrera flashes elite stuff in perfect Cactus League debut Edward Cabrera flashed the type of electric stuff Friday in his Cactus League debut that showed why the Chicago Cubs coveted the 27-year-old right-hander since last offseason.

Edward Cabrera needed just three words to convey how he felt in his first spring start for the Cubs.

"Good, very good," a grinning Cabrera said.

Chicago Bears are trying to thread a needle this offseason. Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts from the NFL combine. NFL narratives can shift quickly, as the Chicago Bears have seen in the last year. Unloading the combine notebook while looking ahead to free agency and the draft.

NFL narratives can shift quickly, as the Chicago Bears have seen in the last year.

@bradbiggs.bsky.social's 10 thoughts from the scouting combine — while also looking ahead to free agency and the draft.

US Olympic gold medalists Hilary Knight and the Hughes brothers appear on ‘Tonight Show’ Jimmy Fallon made fun of Jack Hughes for getting a tooth knocked out and praised Hilary Knight for winning at her fifth Olympics as the U.S. gold medal-winning hockey players made another late-nigh…

Jimmy Fallon made fun of Jack Hughes for getting a tooth knocked out before scoring his Olympic-final overtime goal and praised Hilary Knight for winning at her 5th Games as the U.S. gold medal-winning hockey players made another late-night TV appearance.

Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw participates in media day during spring training at Sloan Park, Feb. 17, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson participates in media day during spring training at Sloan Park, Feb. 17, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya participates in media day during spring training at Sloan Park, Feb. 17, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs pitcher Ethan Roberts participates in media day during spring training at Sloan Park, Feb. 17, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Portraits of Cubs players on photo day at spring training.

📷 @mandophotos.bsky.social

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Chicago basketball report: Hannah Hidalgo and Notre Dame gain steam — and WNBA players wary of strike Guard Hannah Hidalgo averaged 28.5 points in two games and was named the ACC player of the week for a league-record seventh time this season.

Chicago basketball report:

- Hannah Hidalgo and Notre Dame gain steam before tournament
- WNBA players voice strike reticence as deadline looms
- Mid-major tournament watch
- Bulls' winless February stats
- What games to watch this week

‘I like hitting with people on base’: Chicago White Sox catcher Edgar Quero has a sizzling start to the spring Chicago White Sox catcher Edgar Quero entered Monday tied for the major-league spring training lead with nine RBIs.

"I feel like I’m more aggressive. I’m the hitter that I like hitting with people on base. More aggressive, trying to do more damage."

White Sox's Edgar Quero has been especially effective with runners on base. He entered Monday tied for the major-league lead with 9 RBIs in spring training games.

Trade up, trade down or stand pat? 3 questions facing the Chicago Bears with the No. 25 pick in the NFL draft. It’s way too early to have any clear idea of what the Chicago Bears will do with the No. 25 pick in the NFL draft. Here are three questions they’ll need to answer.

Trade up, trade down or stand pat? 3 questions facing the Bears with the No. 25 pick in the NFL draft.

Nick Martinelli feels ‘grateful’ — while eyeing a few more wins — as his record Northwestern career winds down Nick Martinelli said he has “a little bit of angst” as he closes out his Northwestern career and looks to the future.

For four years, Nick Martinelli has called Northwestern home, rising from a freshman reserve on the first of back-to-back NCAA Tournament teams to become one of the best scorers in program history.

It’s a career arc that is becoming rarer in the transfer-portal era.

📝 @colleenkane.bsky.social

Chicago Cubs prospect Jefferson Rojas, 20, showing off his elite bat in impressive camp performance One of the most encouraging parts of Chicago Cubs prospect Jefferson Rojas’ journey is the damage he’s doing offensively, predominantly against pitchers older than him.

Jefferson Rojas' performance this spring has made him a standout in Cubs camp.

An advanced hitter who reached Double A for the first time last year, being part of big-league camp and rising through the farm system has an arrival to the majors in the 20-year-old shortstop's path.

Nick Martinelli feels ‘grateful’ — while eyeing a few more wins — as his record Northwestern career winds down Nick Martinelli said he has “a little bit of angst” as he closes out his Northwestern career and looks to the future.

Nick Martinelli feels 'grateful' — while eyeing a few more wins — as his record Northwestern career winds down. Reflections from the Big Ten scoring leader ahead of his last home game tomorrow: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/03/n...