In forty minutes, we got a glimpse of the two Northwestern basketball teams that fans have grown to love and hate over the course of this season. With lackluster defense, little hustle, and poor shot selection, the ‘Cats of the first half resembled the team that staggered onto the court against teams like Texas-Pan American, Ohio State, and the first game against Michigan State. But in the second half, out of the locker room ran an inspired, tough team with a sense of urgency, not unlike the team that upset Purdue, demolished Michigan, and handed Illinois a tough loss. Unfortunately for Northwestern, it took way too long for the team to finally realize how vital this game was, something that becomes very apparent in the report card. Continue reading →

It ain’t exactly the NCAA’s Big Dance, but to a large portion of students, the intramural basketball playoffs mean more. And if that’s you, you’re in the right spot. By now, you’ve probably dissected and analyzed every corner of the tournament, every hypothetical matchup, and every possible scenario to put your squad in the finals, hosted at Welsh-Ryan arena. Unfortunately, you might be delusional. That’s where we come in. Behold, the full breakdown of who’s a player and who’s a poser in this year’s IM playoffs. For the full brackets and mathematical power rankings, hit the official NUIM web site. Continue reading →

When an elderly woman describes your college basketball team as “embarrassing,” that’s, well, embarrassing.

If there is any benefit to supporting a perennially awful basketball team, it’s that you don’t have to experience devastating losses that kill postseason hopes. The football team has had its fair share (if I may digress: 1995 Miami (OH), 1996 Rose Bowl, 2000 Iowa, 2004 Hawaii, 2005 Sun Bowl, 2006 New Hampshire, 2007 Duke, 2008 Indiana, 2008 Alamo Bowl, 2010 Outback Bowl–to name a few). Continue reading →

Figuring out your spring break plans is probably the last item on your lengthy to-do list right now, though it’s the first thing on your mind. Continue reading →

Don’t know CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour? You’re not alone! (Just for the sake of color, here’s one Fox News-watcher’s response to the news: “WTF? Who is that? Woop de doo. What happened to McCain and Obama. We used to have pull.”) Well, Christiane Amanpour is great, and not just because of how cool that name sounds when she says it in her clipped English tones. As proof, forthwith lies a veritable bevy of the CNN chief international correspondent’s greatest broadcast moments. Cheerio! Continue reading →

I love a restaurant where I can draw on the tablecloth. Even better if the crayons (and toy dinosaurs!) are provided for me. And so it was last Saturday while I dined on casual Greek and American fare at Cross Rhodes, a family-filled bistro near the intersection of Chicago and Main. Continue reading →