Loren Tate

May 12—We all love money. Every one of us. That's one thing we can agree on. And it's no more obvious than in once-amateur college sports where the flood of TV and donor dollars has thoroughly consumed it.

TV money, donors and NIL deals are remaking college football and basketball into pro-style businesses driven by million-dollar payrolls.

So, even if every number above is imperfect, it gives you an idea why CBS Sports and most other polls put Illinois closer to the middle of the Big Ten

May 19—Much of what we do in this business is speculation. It was appropriate that a columnist for my first newspaper called his words "Speculating in Sports."

Estimated NIL payouts place Illinois near the bottom of the Big Ten, showing how far the Illini trail Ohio State and Oregon.

Dan Hartleb's Illinois baseball team won the Big Ten regular-season championship two years ago.

— Goosebumps! Andre Stojakovic's return is “a powerful message that brings goosebumps.”

➜ Goosebumps! Andrej Stojakovic's return is “a powerful message that brings goosebumps.”

Jun. 2—➜ Goosebumps! Andrej Stojakovic's return is "a powerful message that brings goosebumps." ➜ Illinois now has "the scariest roster in college basketball ... no obvious weakness ... absolutely terrifying." ➜ With Stojakovic back, "this lineup is absolutely dirty." The Athletic chimed in with a too-early No. 1 rating. Whoa there, Nellie! Hold your horses. The tension-building wait for ...