Mike Davis scores the final points in the Illini's win over Michigan State. (Photo By Robin Scholz)

Illinois will travel to Wisconsin for a match-up of second place, Big Ten teams. The Illini hope to get another hard fought victory, and keep their Big Ten title hopes alive.

Read more: Illinois-Wisconsin Preview

Why, Colts, Why?

Since it took two hours to pry my eyes open through my dried tears, today, we'll play headlines as we go!

First up, dear old Blago got a forum in the Tribune, and managed to say quite a bit. Here he is comparing himself and the Cubs:

Under Hendry and Piniella, the Cubs are a top-tier team. I tried to make the case that the Cubs were doing so good because I was the governor. Look at my record as governor, and look at the Cubs, right? Last year we both got hijacked. I had a worse year than the Cubs.

Read more: Monday Cubs Headlines: Super Bowl Hangover

Ron West completes Coach Ron Zook's coaching staff, which has plenty of work to do getting ready for spring drills, which begin late next month.

Feb. 8, 2010

University of Illinois head football coach Ron Zook announced today the hiring of Ron West as the final addition to the Illini staff, bringing with him 30 years of collegiate coaching experience. Zook also made two other announcements naming tight ends coach Greg Nord recruiting coordinator and adding the title of Assistant Head Coach to offensive line coach Joe Gilbert.

"I am excited to complete this staff with the hiring of Ron West," Zook said. "He and Vic (Koenning) have a great working relationship and that will add a needed cohesiveness as we move forward on the defensive side of the ball. Ron shares our passion for getting this program back on track and will be a great teacher and leader for our young men."

"I am very excited about being a part of this staff and working in the Big Ten," West said. "This is a program that has been established and is just two years removed from the Rose Bowl, so I felt like it was a great opportunity to compete for a championship, especially with Coach Zook working hard to get back to that level. I am excited about being reunited with Vic (Koenning). The last time we were together, the defense was in the top 10 in the country. We'll expect to create that passion on defense that puts us in national rankings. "

Read more: West Completes Illini Football Staff

Will we see Wisniewski back with the Hawks?

For those that have been reading 312Sports all season, you might remember that back on Dec. 8 we wondered out loud whether or not the Blackhawks could strike a deal with Anaheim to bring back James Wisniewski. On Saturday, the Daily Herald's Barry Rozner reported that the Hawks have inquired about doing just that.

A quick refresher on the scenario: Wisniewski played for the Blackhawks for three and a half years before being dealt to the Ducks at last year's deadline for Sami Pahlsson. Wisniewski was always a tough defenseman who loved to mix it up, but too often paid the price; he has never played more than 68 games in a season.

However, this year has been the best in Wisniewski's career. In 53 games, he's averaging a career-high 24:12 in average ice time and has scored 24 points (3 G, 21 A). His career

Read more: James Wisniewski-Blackhawks Trade Rumor: FINALLY!

The White Sox bullpen was a big question mark in 2009.  The addition of J.J. Putz was supposed to sure up the pen in 2010, but the losses of D.J. Carrasco and Octavio Dotel leave the Sox in a similar situation as they were in last year.  Jenks is still a strong closer at the back and the Thornton/Putz combo in late relief gives the bullpen some hope.  But there are still questions in the middle relief with Tony Pena and Randy Williams.

In the division the Sox fall somewhere in the middle.  The Twins consistently have the best bullpen in the division and there's no reason to think that will change this year.  With Nathan at the back end, and Mijares, Guerrier, and Condrey nailing down middle relief the Twins pen is nothing to take lightly.  With the addition of Jose Valverde, the Tigers vaulted themselves into the race for top bullpen.  The Royals still have the dominant closer in Soria, but they didn't make any real strides to make the rest of the pen any better.  Finally there are the Indians.  Easily the worst bullpen in the division last season, and returning basically the entire team, they are most likely going to be right there at the bottom again.

Read more: How the Sox Stack Up: Bullpen

Former Purdue Star Drew Brees Leads Saints To Super Bowl.

Drew Brees will be the third QB from Purdue to play on Super Sunday, he has already cemented his mark as on of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. He led the most exciting offense in the league this season to get the New Orleans Saints their first Super Bowl trip in their history.

Brees was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1999 and 2000. He is Purdue University's all-time leader in passing yards (11,792), touchdowns (90), total offensive yards (12,693), completion percentage (.611), completions (1,026) and attempts (1,678). Drafted 32nd overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL draft.

Read more: Two Former Purdue QB's To Play In Super Bowl