COLUMBUS—Deshaun Thomas scored 19 points and No. 8 Ohio State regained its shooting touch, rolling over Illinois 83-67 on Tuesday night to remain in the thick of the Big Ten race.Ohio State shot 65 percent from the field.William Buford, much maligned for his recent poor shooting, had 17 points, and Aaron Craft added 11 to go with five assists. Jared Sullinger, third in the conference at 17.5 points a game, managed just nine before fouling out.The Buckeyes (23-5, 11-4) stayed on the heels of Big Ten leader Michigan State with three games remaining. The Spartans are 11-3 in league play heading into a game at Minnesota on Wednesday night. Ohio State will visit Michigan State in the regular-season finale on March 4.Meyers Leonard had 21 for Illinois (16-12, 5-10), which has lost six in a row and nine of 10.The game was a dramatic turnaround for Brandon Paul, who had 43 points in Illinois’ 79-74 stunner over then-No. 5 Ohio State on Jan. 10. Paul almost destroyed the Buckeyes by himself, making 11 of 15 shots from the field – including 8 of 10 3-pointers – and 13 of 15 free throws.But on this night, he managed just nine points on 2 of 9 shooting.Ohio State improved to 18-1 at home this season, coming off a 58-48 loss at Value City Arena to Michigan State on Feb. 11 that ended a 39-game, home-winning streak. The Buckeyes made only 14 of 53 shots, an arena-record low of 26.4 percent. They connected on 2 of 15 3-pointers.In their most recent game, a 56-51 loss to No. 17 Michigan on Saturday, they shot 38.8 percent.In losing two of their last three, many of the Buckeyes have caught a lot of flak, but none more than Buford, who hit 2 of 12 from the field in the loss to Michigan State and 3 of 12 at Michigan.But he was 7 of 9 – 2 of 3 from behind the arc – against Illinois.The Illini never got closer than 16 points over the last 25 minutes. The loss will add to speculation that ninth-year coach Bruce Weber’s job is in jeopardy.It has gotten so bad that Weber last week bemoaned that he had become too worried about winning and not “developing a culture and a toughness.” In contrast to their most recent games, the Buckeyes came out hot.In the opening 16 minutes against the Illini, they were 16 of 19 from the field (84 percent) and 5 of 7 (71 percent) behind the arc.Ohio State went on 10-0 and 9-0 runs in the first nine minutes to go up 26-8. They had another 8-0 run by the 4-minute mark to make it 40-18. By that point, they had already made more field goals than they had in the Michigan State defeat – with 24 minutes left.Four players had at least seven points in the first 20 minutes, led by Thomas’ 11.Buford, who had four points against Michigan State and only six against Michigan, had seven at the break. He was 3 of 4 from the field. Craft and Smith were both 3 for 3.Leonard was the only Illini able to solve Ohio State’s defensive pressure. He had 14 points at the break, taking advantage of his height advantage over Sullinger and running past backup big man Amir Williams for backdoor dunks.

Between the nasty crossovers and fearless drives, Derrick Rose‘s back problems appear to be in the past — a very good thing for the Bulls.As deep as their roster is, they need their superstar.Rose scored 23 points in his return from a five-game absence due to back pain, and the Bulls hung on to beat the struggling Atlanta Hawks 90-79 on Monday.Derrick Rose’s triumphant return on Monday showed just how important he is to the Bulls.Rose looked sharp and helped the Bulls play more like championship contenders after a brutal loss to New Jersey two days earlier. They led by 18 through the first quarter and were up 55-37 at halftime, but found themselves hanging on in the end after a big push by Atlanta.The Bulls were clinging to an 85-79 lead after a late 3-pointer by Jannero Pargo before Luol Deng nailed a 3 of his own to make it a nine-point game. Rose then buried a turnaround jumper on Pargo to make it 90-79 with 2:10 remaining and the Bulls prevailed, sending Atlanta to its seventh loss in 10 games.Rose also had six assists and five rebounds. Carlos Boozer added 16 points, Ronnie Brewer had 13, and Deng and John Lucas 10 apiece. Joakim Noah chipped in with 16 rebounds.Rose did not make himself available for comment afterward. Coach Tom Thibodeau said his conditioning is “not where it usually is,” but the explosiveness was there.Pargo, a Chicago native who previously played for the Bulls, provided a big spark off the bench for Atlanta with a season-high 19 points, including five 3-pointers. Josh Smith added 17 points and 12 rebounds, but Joe Johnson (12 points) sat out the fourth quarter because of recurring tendinitis in his left knee.The Hawks showed little life in the early going after being blown out by Portland on Sunday and paid for it in the end.The Hawks were without Marvin Williams, who missed the game because of a death in the family, but it’s hard to believe he would have made that big a difference with the way the Bulls played early on.Coming off one of their ugliest performances in two seasons under Thibodeau, they quickly rediscovered their form. Rose was his usual explosive self, whether he was freezing Jeff Teague with a wicked crossover or burying jumpers. He scored nine in the first quarter as the Bulls grabbed a 35-17 lead, and he had plenty of help with Deng and Brewer each adding seven points. It was a big difference from Saturday, when Chicago fell behind 22-3 and never recovered.Of course, this time, the Bulls had their best player. That the Bulls are 7-3 without Rose is a testament to their depth, but the players realize they need him if they’re going to achieve their ultimate goal.The Bulls are eyeing a championship after winning 62 games on the way to the Eastern Conference finals last season, and they’re dominating again even though Rose and veteran guard Richard Hamilton have missed significant time because of injuries.The Bulls insisted they wouldn’t rush Rose back. He had increased his activity in practice but still was a game-time decision on Monday.

NOTES—Drew said he met with Tracy McGrady to discuss his comments after Sunday’s loss at Portland and that it was handled “in-house.” McGrady made it clear he was upset about a lack of playing time, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “I’m tired of this (garbage).” … Hamilton (right thigh) remained sidelined. The Bulls were also without backup point guard C.J. Watson, who left in the third quarter of Saturday’s loss to New Jersey after taking a blow to the head from the Nets’ Kris Humphries.

NEW YORK—Amir Garrett is the new kid on the youngest team you can have.The Los Angeles native is starting to fit in nicely at St. John’s as one of the five freshmen starters.He had season-highs of 18 points and nine rebounds to lead the Red Storm to a 79-72 victory over DePaul on Monday night and a season sweep of the regular-season series.Garrett, a 6-foot-6 left-hander whose fastball has been clocked at 96 mph, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 22nd round in June. He signed a contract with a $1 million signing bonus in August and will begin his professional baseball career this summer. He didn’t become eligible to join St. John’s until Dec. 21 and he may have caught his fellow freshmen.Garrett, whose previous high was 12 points in the first game against the Blue Demons, came in averaging 6.2 points.D’Angelo Harrison scored 23 points and Moe Harkless added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Red Storm (12-16, 5-10 Big East), who have won two straight after losing four in a row. They moved into sole possession of 11th place in the 16-team conference.The Fresh Five are 4-4 as a starting unit. St. John’s has only a six-man rotation.Cleveland Melvin had 18 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for the Blue Demons (11-16, 2-13), who have lost seven straight and 12 of 13.DePaul’s last game was an overtime loss to Louisville, and except for a blowout loss at Connecticut, the team that starts three sophomores and two freshmen has been around at the end of recent games.St. John’s had two field goals — the second with 10 seconds left — over the final 4:46 but the Red Storm went 10 for 12 from the free throw line over that span to hold off DePaul, which stayed within six points until the final basket.The Red Storm came into the game shooting 68.3 percent from the line. They also made them, finishing 25 of 36 with Garrett going 9 for 11 and Harrison 10 of 12. The man with the fastball talked about slowing down. Brandon Young added 17 points and Jamee Crockett had 15 but he was 1 for 11 from 3-point range. The Blue Demons, who came in shooting 34.1 percent from beyond the arc, finished 6 of 31 (19.4 percent). St. John’s which came in last in the conference in 3-point shooting at 27.9 percent, finished 4 for 11 (36.4 percent). Garrett’s previous high was 12 points in the first game against the Blue Demons. He came in averaging 6.2 points. Garrett, a 6-foot-6 left-hander from Los Angeles whose fastball has been clocked at 96 mph, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 22nd round in June. He signed a contract with a $1 million signing bonus in August and will begin his professional baseball career this summer.This was the last game of the season at on-campus Carnesecca Arena where the Red Storm went 7-1. They have one game left at Madison Square Garden — No. 20 Notre Dame on Saturday — where they are 3-7 this season. The St. John’s coaching staff wore blue bow ties as part of On The Line “Statement Week,” an effort to raise awareness for prostate cancer. St. John’s coach Steve Lavin underwent prostate cancer surgery on Oct. 6. He coached four games in November before being told by doctors to follow a modified schedule that keeps him off the bench but allows him to attend some practices and recruit.St. John’s, which has won six straight over DePaul, leads the all-time series 15-14.

ROSEMONT—The Chicago Rush has been assigned veteran WR Troy McBroom (6’3″ 220lb, St. Mary’s) for the 2012 season. Most recently of the Tulsa Talons, the second-year veteran had a banner 2011 season by leading the AFL in catches per game (9.9), hauling in 31 touchdowns and totaling 1,747 yards.

“Troy is an elite receiver in this league. He had a big year last season and with (Reggie) Gray, (Russ) Michna, and the young talent we have at receiver, we can expect an even bigger season from Troy,” stated Head Coach Bob McMillen.

A native of Manteca, CA, the 29 year-old McBroom has 320 receptions, 3,506 receiving yards and 65 touchdowns between his AF2 and AFL career. Being able to play alongside the talented Rush roster seems to be the key motivator in McBroom signing.

“To come to Chicago and team with Russ and Reggie for a championship is a tremendous opportunity,” said McBroom. “I look forward to contributing my skills to help the team in accomplishing its goals.”

After a couple of losing seasons in Tulsa, McBroom also described his excitement for playing with a perennial winning franchise such as the Rush. QB Russ Michna should be able to utilize McBroom’s 6’3″ frame to his advantage as a perfect compliment to the quick and shifty Reggie Gray.

The Rush face the Iowa Barnstormers in a Pre Season Game this coming Saturday night in Moline. The lone Pre Season tuneup will be carried live on arenarush.com starting with the Pre Game Show at 6:45pm.

Dave Bolland got an unlikely assist and the Blackhawks won in their return to the United Center after a long road trip.Bolland’s centering attempt in the third hit the stick of St. Louis’ leading scorer David Backes and went in the net for the go-ahead score Sunday as the Hawks rallied with three final-period goals for a 3-1 victory over the Blues.

“I saw Kaner [Patrick Kane] just to my left and tried to get it to him and it went off Backes,” Bolland said. “I’ll take it. Those are the kind of goals we need. We can’t wait for pretty ones.”

The Hawks couldn’t solve St. Louis goalie Brian Elliott for the first two periods as he was working on his second straight shutout. But Duncan Keith scored a tying goal on a one-timer and then Bolland — or Backes — put the Blackhawks ahead. Marian Hossa added an empty-netter with 49 seconds left.The Blackhawks, coming off a nine-game road trip in which they won only two games, captured their third straight victory. The modest streak comes on the heels of a nine-game losing skid. Corey Crawford made 29 saves in the Blackhawks first first home game since Jan. 24. Andy McDonald scored in the first for the Blues and it looked as if Elliott would make it hold up. He entered the game leading the NHL with a 1.55 goals-against average.Bolland took a pass from Keith at the left side of the net and directed the puck toward the goal. It hit Backes’ stick and went in at 13:03 of the period to make it 2-1, sending the crowd into a frenzy.Keith earlier took a pass from Patrick Sharp and sent a screaming one-timer from the slot past Elliott, tying the game at 4:52 of the final period.And on Bolland’s goal, he had no problem with where Backes was positioned.Shortly after Keith’s tying goal in the third, two Blackhawks crashed into Crawford as he was stopping a shot by McDonald and the collision dislodged the net before the puck crossed the line. Another video review followed and the call on the ice of no goal was upheld.During a scrum in front of the Hawk goal with 24 seconds left in the first period, the Blues’ Jamie Langenbrunner kicked the puck toward the goal and McDonald nudged it in past Crawford, a score upheld by video review.St. Louis has allowed the fewest goals in the league, tied with the Rangers at 114 entering the game. And the Blues made it tough for the Hawks to generate any offense, outshooting the Blackhawks 15-4 in that first period.McDonald, who missed 51 games this season with a concussion, scored for the third time since his return a week ago. He nearly converted earlier in the first with the Blues short-handed.

NOTES—The Blackhawks are 2-1 against the Blues this season and the teams meet three more times…..St. Louis G Jaroslav Halak, who had been slowed by flu-like symptoms, was scratched from the lineup for a second straight game….Niklas Hjalmarsson missed his sixth straight game with an upper body injury. He skated Sunday and will be re-evaluated for Tuesday night’s game against the Red Wings, coach Joel Quenneville said.

EVANSTON— John Shurna set the all-time Northwestern scoring record as he collected 18 points in a 64-53 Big Ten victory over Minnesota on Saturday night.The senior forward topped Billy McKinney’s 35-year-old record of 1,900 points. Shurna now has 1,902 for his three-year career.The record-breaker came on a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 10: 40 left in the second half to give the Wildcats a 50-40 lead.Dave Sobolewski scored a game-high 22 points for Northwestern (16-10, 6-8), while Drew Crawford added 11.Julian Welch scored 21 points and Joe Coleman added 12 for the Gophers (17-10, 5-9).The Gophers have now lost three straight and four of their last five.

LINCOLN—First the Home loss to Purdue and Bruce Weber’s melt down which included throwing Players under the bus. Now an embarressing blow out loss to one of the worst teams in the Big Ten.Bo Spencer scored 27 points and Nebraska used a 36-4 run to roll over the free falling Fighting Illini 80-57 Saturday.The Cornhuskers (12-13, 4-10 Big Ten) snapped a four-game losing streak and sent Illinois(16-11, 5-9) to their fifth consecutive loss.Joining Spencer in double figures were Caleb Walker with 13 points and Brandon Richardson with 12.D.J. Richardson led Illinois with 15 points.Nebraska jumped in front with a 17-2 run to close the first half. The Huskers held the Illini without a basket for more than 7 minutes and forced six turnovers.The Nebraska spurt continued after intermission. The Huskers outscored Illinois 19-2 to open the second half, going up 52-28 on Mike Fox’s 3-pointer with 14:33 remaining. Nebraska’s biggest lead was 32 on Spencer’s layup, which made the score 68-36 with 7 minutes left.Nebraska made 56 percent (30 of 54) and outscored Illinois by 10 in the paint.

Deron Williams scored 29 points, Kris Humphries had 24 points and 18 rebounds, and the New Jersey Nets beat the No-Show Bulls 97-85 Saturday to snap an eight-game losing streak.Derrick Rose missed his fifth straight game because of back pain, and the Nets took advantage, jumping out to a 22-3 lead while rolling to their first victory since Feb. 1.The Bull.s definatly didn’t show up and played like complete crap; throughout.The lopsided win wasn’t the only good news for New Jersey. Coach Avery Johnson said center Brook Lopez will start Sunday against Milwaukee after being sidelined all season by a broken right foot, a big boost for a team that began the day last in the Atlantic Division.Lopez was injured in the preseason and the Nets have floundered all year, but they took control right from the start in a surprisingly easy victory over the Bulls.With Rose sidelined, Williams had his way. He scored 21 points in the first half and hit five 3-pointers in the game. He also had eight assists.Humphries narrowly missed season-highs for points (25) and rebounds (19), while MarShon Brooks added 19 points.The Bulls had won seven of eight, but the way they were rushing shots and slacking off on defense, they never had a chance. For once, they looked like a team that was missing its star.Rose remained day to day and the Bulls simply seemed lost.They shot just over 39 percent, hitting 3 of 13 3-pointers. Things were no better at the foul line, with the Bulls going 16 of 27.Carlos Boozer and journeyman Mike James each scored 16 points, with Luol Deng and Taj Gibson adding 14 apiece.Joakim Noah was a non-factor, going scoreless and grabbing six rebounds.Williams hit three 3s as the Nets jumped out to their big lead early and ended the half with a flurry to make it 59-45.Deng had just hit a 3 to pull the Bulls within seven when Williams answered with two free throws, a 3-pointer and two more foul shots to go up 14. The Nets added to their lead early in the third, Humphries’ rebound-dunk midway through the quarter boosting New Jersey’s lead to 67-48.

NOTES—Johnson said Lopez went through an “extensive” workout Friday and responded well. The plan is for Lopez to sit out Monday’s game against New York and play Wednesday against Orlando. … The Bulls are 7-3 without Rose. He has been limited by toe and back problems at times.

COLUMBUS—Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp each had a goal and two assists and the Blackhawks ended a lengthy nine-game road swing with a 6-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.Patrick Kane added a goal and a helper and Viktor Stalberg continued his magic touch against the Blue Jackets with a goal. Stalberg has scored eight times against Columbus in five games this season — matching his total against the rest of the NHL in 51 games.Corey Crawford had 33 saves as the Blackhawks won their second in a row after ending a nine-game losing skid with a 4-2 win at the New York Rangers on Thursday night.Derick Brassard had the lone goal for Columbus, which has lost all five meetings with the Hawks this season.Marcus Kruger and Sami Lepisto added third-period goals for the Blackhawks, who matched their season high in goals.The game was played before a sell-out crowd of 18,663 – with a high percentage of them rooting for the Blackhawks, who averaged fewer than two goals a game in the losing streak, had two in the first period. And didn’t let up.The Blue Jackets had the upper hand for the first 10 minutes. Lepisto, who played last year in Columbus before being traded at the deadline, passed directly to his former teammate to set up Brassard’s goal. Brassard skated between the hash marks and rocketed a forehand past Crawford.Columbus had a chance to make it 2-0 soon after, but R.J. Umberger’s second shot from in close got past Crawford only to have Brent Seabrook sweep the puck away as it bounced near the goal line.Toews then evened things with his 29th, carrying speed in from the left wing and roaring past Jeff Carter to slide the puck between the leg pads of Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason. The response in the arena wasn’t nearly as loud as it might have been at United Center, but it was close.Stalberg — who else? — then gave the Hawks the lead. Mason mishandled a puck at the back wall and had to scramble back into the net. Meanwhile, Bryan Bickell whisked a centering pass from the left corner, with Stalberg reaching around rookie defenseman John Moore to beat Mason.Up 2-1 in the second, the Blackhawks pulled away with two more goals to send Mason to the bench.Kane slid a perfect cross-ice pass to Sharp who was all alone at the left doorstep for a one-timer for his 24th of the year.Less than 2 minutes later, Kane’s wrister from the high slot appeared to catch Mason by surprise, the puck dribbling behind him and into the net. He was pulled and replaced with rookie Allen York after making 16 stops on 20 shots.Mason could be seen yelling at a fan as he came to the bench.Marcus Kruger and Lepisto then scored 49 seconds apart early in the third to make it 6-1.  

NOTES—With nine days until the NHL trading deadline, nine teams had scouts at the game: St. Louis, Carolina, Ottawa, Washington, Detroit, New York Rangers, Dallas, Philadelphia and Montreal. … The Blackhawks returned immediately after the game to begin a three-game homestand against the Blues on Sunday. … York, a rookie, has changed teams 12 times this year, mostly as an emergency backup between the minors and Blue Columbus, and has played in only 19 games. … The Blackhawks had scored six goals in four previous games this season.

ROSEMONT—Louisville worked its way back Saturday, refusing to panic or wilt when the No. 19 Cardinals found themselves trailing scappy DePaul by 17 points in the first half. The Cardinals, down 10 at the half, survived DePaul’s raging start and with Russ Smith hitting key back-to-back baskets in overtime, rallied for an 90-82 victory at the noisy Allstate Arena where they were back by a large contingent of red-clad Louisville fans. Kyle Kuric scored 25 points, Chris Smith added 20 and Russ Smith 16 to lead the Cardinals (21-6, 9-5 Big East). Kuric had 17 of his points in the second half and was 9 for 17 from the field. He made five 3-pointers. DePaul (11-15, 2-12) has now lost 36 straight games to ranked opponents. The Blue Demons have lost 11 of their last 12 but this was a game they appeared ready to win, building a big first-half lead. Brandon Young scored 27 and Cleveland Melvin chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds for DePaul. After losing their big lead, the Blue Demons tied the game at 77 when Charles McKinney hit a basket with 2.2 seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime.With the game tied at 79 in overtime, Russ Smith hit back-to-back baskets from in-close. Peyton Siva added two free throws and Chris Smith had a layup and three free throws to seal the win. The Cardinals outscored the Blue Demons 13-5 in overtime. In regulation, Chris Smith grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 1:15 to go, giving Louisville the lead at 74-72. And after a DePaul turnover, Kuric drove for a score and a four-point lead.Donnavan Kirk then hit a 3-pointer — his second of the season — to bring the Blue Demons within one with 36 seconds left. After Louisville made one free throw, McKinney hit a shot from in close with 2.2 seconds to go.DePaul shot 54.8 percent in the first half, swarmed the court with scrappy defense, had separate runs of 16-0 and 16-2 and took a 42-32 halftime lead.The teams warmed up in the dark for several minutes when the lights at the Allstate Arena, dimmed for a pre-game video, didn’t come back on quickly enough. After Louisville got the first four points, the Blue Demons reeled off 16 straight as Jeremiah Kelly capped the frantic outburst with a 3-pointer, making it 16-4. Louisville, which shot 37.5 percent in opening half, then ran off nine straight points and had the ball trailing by eight in the closing seconds. But DePaul’s Worrel Clahar hit two free throws with less than a second to go after Louisville was whistled for a foul under its own basket, a call that coach Rick Pitino discussed with an official on the floor after the teams had headed to the locker room. Louisville has now beaten DePaul nine straight times.