Cutler countdown ticks away
Neil Hayes: There was a telling moment during the news conference Jan. 5 announcing offensive coordinator Ron Turner's firing that illustrated the widening gulf between Bears coach Lovie Smith and Grabowskis everywhere. Smith was asked how he could expect the same core players playing the same scheme to bring dramatically improved results.

Turning on the 'D'
The Bulls continued their inconsistent, unpredictable ways Tuesday at Conseco Fieldhouse, this time alternating good and bad play from quarter to quarter instead of from game to game. But with a strong fourth quarter, especially on defense, the Bulls rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit before pulling away down the stretch for a 109-101 victory against the Indiana Pacers.

McCamey's cool at Kohl
Nobody badgers the Badgers in the Kohl Center ... like Illinois. Adding a victory that's even more momentous than its win over then-No. 5 Michigan State on Saturday, Illinois shocked No. 11 Wisconsin 63-56 on Tuesday night. It was the fifth straight victory for Illinois (17-8, 9-3), which is looking more and more like an NCAA tournament team after ending Wisconsin' 18-game home winning streak.