Mac On Sports

Illinois will open the 2021-22 season at No. 11 in the Associated Press Top 25. This is the second straight season the Illini are ranked in the preseason poll, after starting at No. 8 in 2020-21. The Illini were ranked in the Top 25 every week last season and ended the year at No. 2, the…

   Alex Reyes He’s the “philosophical differences” John Mozeliak used to justify the firing of Manager Mike Shildt. With Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas  available, Shildt gave the ball to Reyes and we all know what happened—Reyes gave up a two run walk off homer in the bottom of the ninth. Fans, including Kevin Breheny and yours…

The Illinois Men’s Basketball home game vs. Notre Dame on Nov. 29 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge has been set for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2. I will have more on this developing story in a future print edition of the Decatur Tribune.

      We were unable to get LSA and St. Teresa stories and statistics in this week’s Decatur Tribune print edition.         Here are some highlights from the two schools.         St. Teresa statistics:     Denim Cook had 5 rushing touchdowns.     Christion Harper had a 76 yard…

     Miles Schnaer and Dave Kreps dropped me emails to let me know that Dick Nagy, their longtime friend and assistant to the late Lou Henson passed away.        Schnaer wrote, “ Hi Tom Thought I would let you know that Dick Nagy passed away early this morning. He put up a great…

     Fighting Illini fans can get an early look at Coach Brad Underwood’s fifth squad this Homecoming weekend as Illinois continues preparing for the highly anticipated 2021-22 season. Illinois will hold an open practice Saturday morning at State Farm Center, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Fans should arrive through the Grand West Entrance (First St. side of arena). Doors open at 8…

       Start times and television designations have been assigned for the majority of games on the 2021-22 Illinois Men’s Basketball Schedule. TV Notables • Illinois’ season opener will air on BTN, with the conference network televising the Nov. 9 game vs. Jackson State. • Illinois will appear five times on ESPN/2, twice on FOX, once on CBS, four…

        Fighting Illini student-athletes have partnered with Decatur, Illinois-based T/CCI Manufacturing to promote manufacturing jobs and electrification in the company’s upcoming social engagement campaign. In an effort led by Vice President and Global Marketing Director Kara Demirjian Huss and President Richard Demirjian, the program will be headlined by All-American Center Kofi Cockburn and…

      Argenta-Oreana officials announced late this afternoon (Monday) that it will not play the rest of the season.       The announcement came in an administrative news release.       I will have more on this developing story in a future print edition of the Decatur Tribune.

      Jon Adkins’ Mahomet-Seymour football team will face a nonconference opponent for the second consecutive week this coming Friday instead of returning to Apollo Conference action as planned. Bulldogs athletic director Matt Hensley announced Sunday that M-S will visit Peoria Richwoods this coming Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The contest replaces a scheduled…