Impressive Road Victories for Northwestern, Bulls

January 30, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Random thoughts (well, what passes for such things around here) while wondering whether the more surprising road victory Wednesday came from Northwestern University or the Chicago Bulls.

Belated Australia Day wishes from model Khloe Terae.

* Northwestern’s 65-56 Big Ten Conference victory against Wisconsin was its first at the Kohl Center (which opened in 1998). The victory was Northwestern’s first in Madison since 1996. First-year coach Chris Collins definitely is making history with NU. If his team continues to have success, one has to wonder how long before he’s history on the Evanston campus and moves on to a more proven basketball program.

* Speaking of historic success, for all those Wildcat fans thinking their team might go to the NCAA tourney for the first time in school history, let the record show the victory vs. Wisconsin improved NU to 11-11 overall. Meaning Northwestern still is the only team in the league that does not have a record better than .500.

* Speaking of .500, the Bulls’ 96-86 victory at San Antonio means they are 23-22. Shows how much some of us who thought their road trip would be a complete disaster were wrong. Now the question becomes how many games can the Bulls win. With the Pelicans up next Saturday in New Orleans, the possibility of a successful road trip (six games overall with visits to Sacramento, Phoenix, Golden State and the Los Angeles Lakers also on their odyssey) looms a possibility. Anything .500 or better qualifying as a successful road trip.

* For what it’s worth, guard D.J. Augustin (15 points) had the best plus-minus rating on the Bulls with a plus-22. Guard Kirk Hinrich (11 points) had the worst at minus-11. Center Joakim Noah added to his list of almost-triple-doubles with 10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. When all-star reserves are announced Thursday, Noah is expected to be one. And the only one from the Bulls.

* If this is Thursday (which the statistical analysis department around here says it is, based on the fact that yesterday was Wednesday — provided that today is January 29, 2014, or a subsequent Thursday), then it is time once again for the weekly “Sports & Torts” show at noon Central time on Talkzone.com. The guests on the program hosted by David Spada and Elliott Harris is broadcasting legend Keith Jackson. If you are unable to tune in to the highly acclaimed show (well, it is held in such regard in the Harris and Spada households) or if you would like to enjoy an encore performance, the program will be available later in the day via podcast at the Talkzone.com site.

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