The Big Ten Tournament opens today at United Center in Chicago today, (Photo by Glorius Gaduang/flickr)

By Eric Stock

The Illinois Fighting Illini hope to use their home-court (or at least home-state advantage) as they open the Big Ten Tournament at United Center in Chicago today.

Illinois, the No. 8 seed in the tournament, will take on No. 9 Minnesota in a first-round matchup.

The Illini (21-11, 8-10 in the Big Ten), can move a step closer to securing an NCAA Tournament bid as they take on the Golden Gophers (20-11, 8-10) who are also in the hunt for a trip to the Big Dance.

You can hear the call on WJBC 93.7 FM at 10:30 a.m.

Cardinals Hot Stove League Show 

Mike Claiborne and Kevin Wheeler talk Cardinals baseball as spring training rolls into its final weeks. You can listen live at 7 p.m. on WJBC 1230 AM, 93.7 FM and here on WJBC.com.
 
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.