ROSEMONT - Football season is dominating the mainstream, but Big Ten basketball coaches gathered in Rosemont on Wednesday and Thursday to look ahead at the madness to come.

The Big Ten hosted its media days in Rosemont, where reporters got a chance to get a glimpse of Northwestern and Illinois' programs.

Here’s what we learned from Big Ten Basketball Media Days.

Northwestern:

The Wildcats had a tough year.

They were lined up to take another run at an NCAA Tournament. A third consecutive tournament berth would have solidified the ‘Cats as a perennial postseason player, something the program had never been before Chris Collins was able to settle in as head coach.

Instead, NU suffered season-ending injuries to Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach. That took away the team’s best player and

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