If anyone doubted the Cubs’ sense of urgency this spring, President Theo Epstein reinforced it Sunday.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Ehab Amin sparked Oregon out of a long drought to start the second half and the Ducks became the lone double-digit seed to advance to the Sweet 16 by beating UC Irvine 73-54 on Sunday night.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Back-to-back losses to the Brewers in the National League Central tiebreaker on Oct. 1 and to the Rockies in the NL wild-card game on Oct. 2 brought an abrupt and bitter end to the Cubs’ 95-win season in 2018.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

JUPITER, Fla. — Paul Goldschmidt’s solo homer in the first inning of St. Louis’ Grapefruit League finale Sunday against Miami is indicative of what manager Mike Shildt has been saying all week.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

CARBONDALE — SIU athletic director Jerry Kill might not have to go too far to find the next head coach of the Salukis’ marquee program.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Bradley’s men’s basketball team received the worst NCAA Tournament seed in the history of the Missouri Valley Conference Sunday, drawing a 15 in the East Region.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

The return of Zion Williamson has worked wonders for the Duke Blue Devils.

Here’s a link to the story at Fox Sports.

JUPITER, Fla. • Michael Wacha seems to be having more fun in the Cardinals’ clubhouse this spring than he probably ever has.

Here’s a link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

After their pleas for free-agent slugger Bryce Harper fell on deaf ears and empty wallets, Cubs fans shouldn’t expect a major acquisition to address some of the dents the team’s bullpen has suffered this spring.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Jim Thome was talking to White Sox players about eggs earlier this week.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.