B1G Basketball Links: 8/24/2011

There hasn't been a lot of basketball news recently, but here are a few stories that may be of interest.

Painter's U.S. team rallies for fifth place | Journal and Courier | jconline.com
Team USA ended up tied with the best record at the World University Games, but a loss in the quarterfinals sent the Americans home without a medal. USA beat Germany to finish in fifth place.

Tom Izzo favors 'right way' in life, NCAA - Evansville Courier & Press
Izzo speaks at a fundraiser in Owensboro, Kentucky. He talks a bit about Tom Crean, and says he expects IU to be a .500 team this year.

Expectations rise for Trevor Mbakwe | StarTribune.com
A short article about the second most dominant big man returning to a Big Ten team next year.

Weber happy with Illini's play in Italy - Chicago Colleges Blog - ESPN Chicago
"It was the worst officiating in the history of basketball." - Bruce Weber. At least they didn't get into a brawl like Georgetown in China.

2011-12 Big Ten Potential Breakout Players — UMHoops.com
UMHoops.com takes a look at players who had limited roles last season, but are expected to make big leaps in the upcoming season.

Big Ten's 2011-12 basketball schedule delayed | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Those of you who are eager to see the 2011-12 Big Ten men’s basketball schedule will have to be patient for at least another week. 

The Milwaukee Journal - Google News Archive Search
A blast from the past courtesy of Google: Short article from The Milwaukee Journal from November 28, 1939. Just like this year, the Buckeyes were defending champs. The basketball story is in the middle of the paper; there is a pretty good football story in the leftmost column.