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Sullivan: Topics to gnaw on until March Madness, from Chicago Bulls’ play-in ‘push’ to Dick…

While March Madness awaits its close-up, the rest of the sports world plugs along at its own deliberate pace.

The NBA and NHL postseasons are still a ways off, and spring training continues its leisurely stroll toward opening day. A rumor spread last week that the professional soccer season had begun, which was confirmed by the first official refund of a game in which Lionel Messi did not play.

As we eagerly await the bracket announcements, tournament pools, CBS’ March Madness theme song and multiple commercial breaks for video replays of out-of-bounds calls, here are some other topics to pass the time.

This Chicago Bulls’ play-in push is riveting, isn’t it? After the Bulls dealt Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings, executive vice-president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas said “the next 30 games will determine if we will be in the play-in and the playoffs,” adding “(the) last three to four years we’re not doing well in the last 30 games.” In other words, it was “30 games or bust.”

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The Bulls' Zach Collins (12), Coby White (0), Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis watch from the bench in the closing minutes of a 139-117 loss to the Cavaliers on March 4 at the United Center in Chicago. Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune/TNS

Many fans rooted for bust, hoping for a better draft pick. Amazingly, the Bulls have gone 2-8 since AK’s news conference yet gained ground as the No. 10 seed for the Eastern Conference play-in, holding a 2½ game lead over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday for the last spot.

The Bulls treated fans to a virtual rerun Tuesday. They were tied with the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers at home with about seven minutes left yet still lost by 22 points, replicating a second-half fold against the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 8 at the United Center. In that one they led by 24 midway through the third quarter but collapsed and lost 132-111.

The roster is depleted, including Ayo Dosunmu’s season-ending shoulder injury, forcing Coby White to carry the load. It’s not exactly a recipe for success, but a crowd of 20,943 attended Tuesday’s game, so perhaps it doesn’t matter if they win or lose. Like Cubs fans, Bulls fans just enjoy the atmosphere.

Dick Allen

Dick Allen loved Chicago. In his final print interview before his death in 2020, the former White Sox slugger lauded fans for treating him with so much respect. “It’s better than anywhere I’ve been my whole baseball career, I might say my whole baseball life,” he told the Chicago Tribune. “I’ve never been treated any better. You guys are the best for my money.”

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The White Sox's Dick Allen during a game in May 1973 at Comiskey Park. Chicago Tribune

Knowing his love for the Sox, some fans were miffed that the Baseball Hall of Fame decided to depict Allen in a Philadelphia Phillies cap on his Hall of Fame plaque for July’s induction ceremony. Hall President Josh Rawitch told me it was a “collaborative process” between the Hall and Allen’s family, and there was little debate in the end. “We all felt comfortable that we came to the right decision,” he said. “And ultimately, all the teams are listed on the plaque.”

Allen won his sole MVP award on the South Side but spent only three of his 15 years playing for the Sox, as opposed to nine years in two stints in Philly.

After a regular season filled with complaints about the barrage of 3-pointers, the NBA could luck out this postseason with a reboot of the LeBron James-Steph Curry rivalry, the best in sports since Magic Johnson versus Larry Bird in the 1970s and ’80s.

The trade-deadline additions of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and Jimmy Butler to the Warriors have made both teams dominant in the last month, and a collision in the playoffs would draw massive ratings. And if ABC’s prayers are answered, we’ll get another Boston Celtics-Lakers Finals, just as ESPN is airing its critically acclaimed mini-series on the Celtics’ dynasty.

A Cavaliers-Oklahoma City Thunder Finals might be more likely, but it wouldn’t draw nearly as many eyeballs or media attention.

Spring training

It was nice to see Sammy Sosa back in Cubs camp reprising his famous role of “1990s Sammy.” But Sosa might have gone a bit overboard when he said: “I’m a good communicator, I’m a likable man. So sometimes when you have that, you don’t have that ego. People pretty much listen to you, and the numbers don’t lie anyway.”

It’s one thing to deny taking PEDs, but Sammy not having an ego? Say it ain’t so.

Illinois basketball

Brad Underwood is not a man afraid to make grand statements. “I’m not afraid to say it — we can be Final Four good,” the Illinois coach said after beating Northwestern on Jan. 26 in Champaign. Underwood said the team only needed to be whole again.

Illinois Michigan Basketball

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell tries to drive past Michigan guard Nimari Burnett, front left, guard Tre Donaldson, back left, and center Vladislav Goldin, right. Jose Juarez, Associated Press

The Illini are 5-5 since, and 5-4 in Big Ten play heading into Friday’s regular-season finale against No. 18 Purdue. A big win Sunday over Michigan was evidence that Illinois has the talent to be a Final Four team. But does it have the coaching?

Big news week for ESPN. Debate-show host and extra-loud talker Stephen A. Smith appeared in an interview on “Good Morning America” and told George Stephanopoulos he has “no desire to run for office.” No, really. Someone apparently thought Smith would make a great candidate for, uh, something.

“Democrats are looking for someone who will forcefully argue our points and not back down,” Democratic strategist Jared Leopold told The Hill. “And it hasn’t been in politics, but Stephen A. Smith has made a career of doing just that.”

On behalf of the party, thank you, Stephen A., for sparing the nation from another epic disaster.

Meanwhile, ESPN also announced the imminent end of a nearly 23-year run for “Around the Horn,” a game show in which sports writers earn points for delivering the “best” take on various topics. If you’ve studiously avoided this program for the last 22 years like me, now is a good time to catch it before it ends on May 23.

High school basketball

The IHSA basketball tournaments are as good as it gets. The “original March Madness” is well underway, with the girls state finals set for Thursday-Saturday at CEFCU Arena in Normal and the boys sectional finals this weekend at various sites, leading to the supersectionals and then the state finals from March 13-15 at State Farm Arena in Champaign.

Both finals weekends will be carried in Chicago on WCIU and WMEU, known as “The U” and “UToo.” I’ve been watching since Thornridge’s first title, a 52-50 nail-biter over Oak Lawn in 1971, followed by the Falcons’ repeat in ’72. That Quinn Buckner-led team is still considered the greatest in Illinois history.

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