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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU women's basketball graduate student Brooke Stonebraker drives toward the hoop, making contact with a University of Iowa defender in NIU's 91-73 loss against Iowa on Nov. 6. This season, the Huskies currently sit at a record of 3-3. (Joseph Segreti | Northern Star)

MILLER: Three takeaways from the NIU women’s basketball 2024-2025 season

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | December 3, 2024

Nearly a month into the 2024-2025 season, the NIU women’s basketball team sits at a record of 3-3, with an even win percentage of .500. Needless to say, the Huskies have a boatload of potential.  Here are my three takeaways after covering the team...

A graphic shows NIU student-athletes from various sports with arrows indicating highs and lows. Sports Editor Lucas Didier shared the best and worst moments for Huskie sports in November. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

DIDIER: Highs and lows for Huskie sports in November

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | December 1, 2024

With another month of Huskie sports comes more enchanting moments to accompany feelings of dread. From clutch wins to program-worst finishes, these are the most captivating and devastating moments from the last month of NIU Athletics. HIGH: FOOTBALL...

Chicago White Sox's new manager Will Venable listens to a question during a press conference on Nov. 8 in Chicago. Sports Reporter Joseph Segreti breaks down which free agent signings and trades could help the White Sox bounce back in 2025. (Charles Rex Arbogast | AP Photo)

SEGRETI: Key offseason moves to save the White Sox

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | November 21, 2024

The Chicago White Sox were one of the worst teams ever in 2024, but here are some things they can do to improve in 2025. For as bad as the White Sox have been over the last few years, their farm system is underwhelming, having only four prospects in...

First baseman Anthony Rizzo walks back to the dugout after striking out to end the eighth inning in Game 5 of the baseball World Series on Oct. 30 in New York. Sports Editor Lucas Didier believes Rizzo is one free agent that should be signed by the Chicago Cubs this offseason. (Godofredo A. Vásquez | AP Photo)

DIDIER: 5 key free agency targets for Cubs

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | November 13, 2024

As baseball fans await the signing of some of the game’s brightest stars, Chicago Cubs fans hope to see big news from the Friendly Confines in the upcoming months. While the Cubs may not be able to compete with the league’s elite for the biggest...

NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock, coaching staff and players watch from the sidelines during the third quarter. NIU’s next home game is on Wednesday against the University of Akron. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

KISELLUS: NIU’s wild, wacky path to the MAC title game

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 8, 2024

The final month of the regular season is upon us, which means the race for the Mid-American Conference Championship is heating up. The return of midweek MACtion saw conference frontrunner Western Michigan University (5-4, 4-1 MAC) fall by the hand of...

A graphic shows NIU student-athletes from various sports with arrows indicating highs and lows. Sports Editor Lucas Didier shared the best and worst moments for Huskie sports in October. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

DIDIER: Highs and lows for Huskie sports in October

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | November 1, 2024

With another month of Huskie sports comes another batch of heroics and heartbreak. From lengthy losing streaks to game-changing goals, these are the most thrilling and stinging moments from the last month of NIU Athletics. HIGH: MEN’S SOCCER SNAPS...

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is congratulated by Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) after the Commanders won 18-15 on Sunday in Landover, Maryland. Assistant Sports Editor Edison Miller revisits his draft grades for the Bears' 2024 draft class. (Stephanie Scarbrough | AP Photo)

Miller: Revisiting the Chicago Bears 2024 draft class

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | October 29, 2024

Halfway through the 2024 NFL season, the Chicago Bears sit at the bottom of the NFC North with a record of 4-3. Despite being one tipped Hail Mary away from a 5-2 record, the Bears have still been successful and have a shot at a playoff appearance in...

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on during a timeout in the second half of an NBA preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 14 in Milwaukee. Donovan is entering his fifth season coaching the Bulls. (Kayla Wolf | AP Photo)

Inboden: Bulls face crucial season in 2024-25

By Andy Inboden, Sports Reporter | October 22, 2024

As the crisp autumn air settles over the Windy City, the Chicago Bulls find themselves at a pivotal crossroads, poised to embark on their 2024-25 NBA journey. The once-dominant franchise, which captivated the world during the Michael Jordan era, faces...

Chicago Blackhawks center Teuvo Teräväinen (86) prepares for the face-off against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period of a preseason game on Sept. 25 in Chicago. Teräväinen signed with the Blackhawks in the 2024 off-season after being traded from Chicago in 2016. (Erin Hooley | AP Photo)

COLUMN: Blackhawks can bounce back in 2024-25

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter | October 7, 2024

A phenom can’t carry dead weight forever.  I, like most of Chicago last season, sat in anguish watching the Blackhawks set a franchise record of 22 consecutive road losses in a season. I witnessed the injury bug infect a new player seemingly every...

A graphic shows NIU student-athletes from various sports with arrows pointing up and down. Sports Editor Lucas Didier summarized the best and worst moments for Huskie sports in September. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Highs and lows for Huskie sports in September

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | October 2, 2024

After the first full month of collegiate athletics, the Huskies have put fans through a range of emotions. From historic performances to embarrassing shortcomings, these are the most exciting and dejecting incidents from the last month of NIU Athletics. HIGH:...

Cleveland Guardians' third baseman Jose Ramirez watches his double during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros on Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians are one of 12 teams competing in the 2024 MLB Postseason, which begins on Tuesday. (Phil Long | AP Photo)

COLUMN: Previewing the 2024 MLB postseason

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | September 30, 2024

The 2024 MLB playoffs are set to begin this week and here are some storylines to watch for this October.  The Cleveland Guardians come into this postseason with a record of 92-69, the second-best in the American League. Backed by its stellar bullpen,...

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams gets ready to throw a football before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sports Reporter James Bennett believes that Williams still has potential to be successful in the NFL after a slow start in 2024. (Michael Conroy | AP Photo)

COLUMN: Caleb Williams still has hope

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | September 26, 2024

We are three games into the 2024 NFL season. Sam Darnold looks like an MVP candidate, Andy Dalton has given the Carolina Panthers life and Derek Carr and Baker Mayfield are tied for 3rd in passing touchdowns.  Needless to say, it’s been a weird...