Northwestern coach Chris Collins seemed assured about the return of leading scorer Scottie Lindsey. He just wasn't sure when the 6-foot-5 junior guard from Fenwick would make said return.

Lindsey missed the Wildcats' loss at Purdue last week and won't suit up Tuesday against Illinois in Evanston.

Lindsey, who is averaging 15.4 points and 2.5 assists, has mononucleosis and will come back "when he's ready to get back out there," Collins said Monday.

"He's champing at the bit," Collins said. "Losing Scottie is a big blow. Everybody in this league is going through that.

Wild weekend shuffles ranks, but Gonzaga stays No. 1 Shannon Ryan

Anyone who watches college basketball should know the top 25 will see some shuffling this week.

Five teams I had ranked in the top 10 last week lost with four falling to unranked teams. Also Northwestern drops out of Top 25 after losing to Purdue.

The steady mainstay? Top-ranked Gonzaga remaining...

Anyone who watches college basketball should know the top 25 will see some shuffling this week.

Five teams I had ranked in the top 10 last week lost with four falling to unranked teams. Also Northwestern drops out of Top 25 after losing to Purdue.

The steady mainstay? Top-ranked Gonzaga remaining...

(Shannon Ryan)

"Scottie will be back. We know that. We have to play good basketball without him."

Lindsey often guarded the opponent's second-best offensive player, leaving a void on the other end of the floor, too, as the Wildcats enter a crucial part of their schedule while trying to qualify for the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.

Northwestern plays at No. 7 Wisconsin on Sunday before facing No. 21 Maryland at home Feb. 15. The Wildcats finish the regular season at Indiana, against Michigan and against No. 16 Purdue.

NCAA reportedly on the verge of blackballing North Carolina for years over 'bathroom bill' Matt Bonesteel

North Carolina already has lost out on hosting a number of sporting events because of House Bill 2, which mandates that transgender people use the bathroom corresponding with their birth gender in state-run facilities and bans the state's municipalities from enacting anti-discrimination policies.

...

North Carolina already has lost out on hosting a number of sporting events because of House Bill 2, which mandates that transgender people use the bathroom corresponding with their birth gender in state-run facilities and bans the state's municipalities from enacting anti-discrimination policies.

... (Matt Bonesteel)

Freshman Isiah Brown likely will make his second career start against the Illini.

Collins said senior forward Nathan Taphorn, who missed the Purdue game after rolling his right ankle against Indiana on Jan. 29, should be available Tuesday barring any setbacks.

Northwestern is 18-5, the best 23-game start in school history, and 7-3 in the Big Ten. Illinois is 13-11 and 3-8.

pskrbina@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @ChiTribSkrbina

(Shannon Ryan)

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