The daily pitch from Sports Editor : Nov. 3, 2026

Nov. 3—➜ . Our Hall of Fame columnist and institution at The News-Gazette celebrates his latest birthday on Tuesday when Tate turns 95 years young.

➜ . He’ll be there again on Thursday night when the Illini host Penn and at Gies Memorial Stadium on Friday night in Champaign when a suddenly revitalized Illinois football program hosts Nebraska.

➜ . Thank you, Loren.

points is the average margin of victory for the Illinois women’s basketball program in its season openers during the era. Green will start her fifth season in charge of the Illini at 6 p.m. on Wednesday when Illinois hosts Detroit Mercy at State Farm Center in Champaign. Illinois is 4-0 in openers under Green, defeating Long Island 75-40 in 2022, Morehead State 81-61 in 2023, Florida State 83-74 in 2024 and Southeast Missouri 91-67 in 2025.

➜ . Westville (32-4) is the lone area Class 2A team still playing, and the Tigers will try to reach the Sweet 16 if they can knock off the Hornets (30-6) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in a Pontiac Sectional semifinal match.

➜ . Fisher (28-7) won its first Class 1A regional title since 2011 last week, and the Bunnies will try to keep their run going when they face the Turks (29-7) at 6 p.m. Tuesday in a Lexington Sectional semifinal match.

➜ . Cissna Park (22-13) is the reigning Class 1A state champion, and the Timberwolves meet the Tigers (27-4) at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Lexington in a sectional semifinal match.

➜ Michael Jordan, Emma Halter and Laney Choboy.

➜ “Dance Moms.”

➜ my birthday.