The daily pitch from Sports Editor Matt Daniels: May 4, 2024
May 4—➜ . The event will take place May 12-19 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
➜ . The Illinois men's tennis team did just that on Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament, beating Toledo 4-1 in Lexington, Ky. Next up? A 3 p.m. second-round match against host Kentucky on Saturday.
➜ . The Cobras will have former Champaign Central boys' soccer standout and former St. Thomas More girls' soccer coach Kip McDaniel roaming the sidelines when their season starts in August.
Illinois men's golfers who have won Big Ten Player of the Year honors. became the latest on Friday, sharing the award with from Purdue. Sekne was the sole winner earlier this week before an update was issued Friday because of an incorrect ballot submission. Buchanan joins former Illini (2021-23), (2018), (2017), (2016), (2015), (2014), (2013), (2012), (2010), (2003) and (1988-89) in this elite group.
➜ l. The finale of the three-game series between the Illini and Buckeyes is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Illinois Field. Still wanting to see Illini baseball in Champaign after this weekend? You're in luck. Iowa pays a visit next weekend for a three-game series.
➜ . The top two teams in The News-Gazette's weekly rankings are scheduled to meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Meier Field after the previous matchup was rained out this past Monday.
➜ . The top two teams in the NL Central meet again at 1:20 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Wrigley Field after the Brewers won Friday's series opener 3-1.
➜ the Illini track and field teams.
➜ Bill Belichick, Nick Saban and Gregg Popovich.
➜ folks that are not punctual and do not pay attention to detail.
