The Chicago Bulls are reportedly reopening their attempts to trade Zach LaVine this summer.
In college basketball, Aneesah Morrow is preparing for her first NCAA tournament with LSU. Boo Buie and Terrence Shannon Jr. earned Big Ten honors. And Loyola is aiming for an NCAA tournament berth in the Atlantic 10 tournament.
Every Wednesday throughout the season, Tribune editors will provide an update on what’s been happening – and what lies ahead – for the Bulls and local basketball.
Bulls reportedly intend to reopen Zach LaVine’s trade market this summer
The Bulls could dive back into the trade market this summer once Zach LaVine recovers following end-of-season foot surgery.
The front office plans to attempt to trade LaVine this summer according to a report from NBC Sports Chicago. The Bulls initially began attempting to trade LaVine in November, when the guard requested a move away from Chicago for the first time in his tenure with the team.
LaVine missed most of the season with a right foot injury for which he underwent season-ending surgery in February. In Los Angeles this weekendLaVine said the injury was a non-union Jones fracture that required surgery for full recovery.
Despite his initial attempts to leave the team, LaVine has publicly supported a return to Chicago since his injury derailed his season, ruling out any trade talks this weekend.
“There’s a lot of things that don’t bother me,” LaVine said. “If I let myself be bothered or influenced by people’s opinions, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I go out there and I continue to do myself. I haven’t spoken to anyone but we will continue to move forward.
The Bulls failed to establish serious trade conversations for LaVine as the guard struggled on the court, averaging 19.5 points and 3.9 assists in 25 appearances before being shut down for the season. Although he is expected to be medically cleared to return to basketball activities by mid-summer, it is unclear what market will exist for LaVine as he enters the third year of his maximum contract. $215 million.
Aneesah Morrow and LSU heading to the NCAA Tournament
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— LSU women’s basketball (@LSUwbkb) March 10, 2024
After two years at DePaul, Aneesah Morrow is ready for her first NCAA tournament with LSU.
The SEC tournament ended on a bad note for Morrow and the Tigers after a loss to No. 1 South Carolina was further spoiled when an altercation between South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso and Flau’jae LSU’s Johnson started a fight. Cardoso and the benches of both teams were sent off during the last two minutes of the match. Johnson’s brother was arrested after entering the field and making contact with Cardoso.
Despite the 79-72 loss, Morrow fueled LSU’s offense with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
THE final ranking for the NCAA tournament will be announced Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Boo Buie and Terrence Shannon Jr. receive All-Big Ten honors
The Big Ten announced its all-conference honors Tuesday, placing Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. and Northwestern’s Boo Buie on its all-conference first team. Buie was unanimously chosen by coaches and media for the honor.
Buie broke the North West’s all-time record this season, averaging 18.9 points and 5.2 assists in his fifth and final year for the Wildcats. Illinois forward Marcus Domask was also named to the conference’s first team in coaches’ voting and to the second team by media voting.
Shannon averaged 21.6 points and 2.2 assists per game in his freshman year for Illinois. He missed six games for Illinois when he was suspended by the university following his arrest in December for rape in Kansas. On January 19, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction returning Shannon to the team.
Former Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg was named co-coach of the year after leading Nebraska to a 22-9 season to finish third in the Big Ten.
THE The Big Ten tournament begins Wednesday in Minneapolis.
Loyola seeks NCAA tournament bid for Atlantic 10 tournament
Drew Valentine and Loyola head to Brooklyn on Tuesday where they will wait to find out their opponent for Thursday’s quarterfinal match of the Atlantic 10 tournament.
On Saturday, the Ramblers (23-8, 15-3 Atlantic 10) defeated La Salle 64-54 in their final regular-season home game, finishing in a tie for the conference championship in their second season in the Atlantic 10. After finishing last in 2022-23, the Ramblers opened this year’s campaign with a 75-62 loss to Florida Atlantic and went 3-3 in their first six games. Loyola hit its stride late in the season with a seven-game winning streak in February and a big victory at home against the number 1 at the time. 21 Dayton on March 1st.
Valentine attributed the team’s turnaround from last to first to his pride.
“This year we showed by the way we won, a lot of pride for ourselves, but especially for the program, this university,” Valentine said. “Being able to cut down those nets in front of our home crowd definitely restored that pride in our program.” »
The Atlantic 10 announced player honors Tuesday: Des Watson was named to the second team, while Braden Norris and Philip Alston were named to the third team. Miles Rubin – one of the best shot blockers in the country – also earned all-defensive and all-rookie nominations. The Atlantic 10 tournament will be played through Sunday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The second-seeded Ramblers play Thursday at 4 p.m. on USA Network. With a conference tournament championship, Loyola would receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Number of the week: 8
DeMar DeRozan was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday, the 15th honor of his career. He is only the eighth active NBA player to win 15 or more weekly awards during his career. LeBron James leads all active players with 58 player of the week designations during his career.
With this selection, DeRozan became the 24th player in NBA history to receive at least 15 weekly awards since the league first created the award in 1979.
Week Ahead: Bulls
- Wednesday: @ Indiana Pacers, 6:30 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
- THURSDAY: Los Angeles Clippers, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
- Friday: Disabled
- SATURDAY: Washington Wizards, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
- Sunday: Disabled
- Monday: Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
- Tuesday: Disabled
What we read this morning
Quotable
“I don’t think anyone else could say that (about them).” — Zach LaVine on Coby White’s campaign for Most Improved Player
Zach LaVine praised his longtime teammate Coby White today.
And he added to the Most Improved Player campaign: “Coby probably has the most points per skipped game. Field goal percentage, 3-point totals, assists, rebounds – you name it, it’s all in place. pic.twitter.com/6MCEyi8XlO
– Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) March 10, 2024
