Hey guys, sorry for the huge gap between posts, we have been figuring some things out and are finally back to business! There has already been some big news around the Big Ten with Nebraska and Illinois hiring coaches, Michigan State's Derrick Nix getting arrested, kicked off the team and then reinstated and the Big Ten Network announcing The Journey for football... it has been busy. The links are below!

• Andy Katz: Indiana Hoosiers still lead revised Top 25, but plenty of changes elsewhere - ESPN
  With several underclassmen and recruiting decisions in the books, Andy Katz takes another look at the Top 25 for 2012-13.

  Big Ten basketball: How the Ohio State roster and conference race shape up next season | cleveland.com
  The Buckeyes will be a top 25 team in the preseason but could have four or five Big Ten teams, including highly-ranked Indiana, ahead of them.

  NBA decisions good news for Big Ten hoops
  Big Ten basketball is in good standing, especially with several key players staying in school.

  Michigan State's Derrick Nix back on team after guilty plea | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
  "From this point on, I’ve got to become a man," Nix said, wearing a suit as tears rolled down his cheeks.

  (CLICK BELOW FOR MORE LINKS)

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Most basketball fans have been giving their attention the past couple of weeks to the tournament, but a lot has been happening off the court. It's time to catch up on some recent events in the conference.

Nebraska hires Tim Miles as Coach

Miles previously coached at Colorado State, where this year he took the Rams to their first NCAA tournament in nine years. He was also named District VIII Coach of the Year by the US Basketball Writers Association. The folks at Corn Nation seem underwhelmed, but are optimistic about Ronald Coleman, an assistant who has deep Chicago ties. It's clear to everyone that the Nebraska program is miles away from competing at the top of the league, so maybe hiring a coach named Miles is a good idea. Check out the following links for more info:

Official Press Release from Nebraska

Husker CornCast: Tim Miles—Bad Hire?: The folks at Corn Nation discuss the hire on their podcast

Tim Miles Biography from Huskers.com

More news bites after the jump.

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People are talking Big Ten basketball all over the web, from the Carrier Classic jerseys to team previews. Without further ado, I give you the links!

Illinois Fighting Illini ban sophomore guard Crandall Head four games - ESPN Chicago
Illinois sophomore guard Crandall Head has been suspended for four games after violating a team rule, an Illinois spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Jared Sullinger of Ohio State Buckeyes leads AP preseason All-America team - ESPN
Jordan Taylor is in a class by himself on The Associated Press' preseason All-America team.

2011 Big Ten Media Day - ESPN
Eamonn Brennan's recap of the Big Ten's preseason gathering of players and coaches.

CLICK BELOW TO VIEW EIGHT MORE LINKS!

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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.

Illinois Fighting Illini:

Illinois men's basketball beats West Virginia in Italy - chicagotribune.com
In the most anticipated games of Illinois' exhibition tour in Italy, the Illini defeated West Virginia 47-26 in front of about 500 military personnel and their families at the Aviano Air Base.

Indiana Hoosiers:

Kiel or 2012 basketball recruits: Which is more important to IU? | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
The Indiana University football and men's basketball teams are coming off a combined 4-22 Big Ten record in 2010-11 . . . and Hoosiers fans haven't been this excited in years.

Iowa Hawkeyes:

Guard Patrick Ingram of Indianapolis makes verbal commitment to join Iowa’s basketball program | TheGazette

The University of Iowa is adding a basketball player who was part of Indiana's Class 4A state-championship team this year.

Michigan Wolverines:

Michigan's John Beilein talks money, Big Ten, Darius Morris and more | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Michigan basketball coach John Beilein was a guest on ESPNU’s "Katz Corner: College Basketball Coaches Special" on Tuesday. On a panel with Vanderbilt's Kevin Stallings and Mississippi’s Andy Kennedy, Beilein addressed a number of topics:

Michigan St. Spartans:

MSU’s Draymond Green, UDM's Ray McCallum keep U.S. perfect at World University Games | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Michigan State’s Draymond Green scored six points, and Detroit Mercy’s Ray McCallum added four as the United States defeated Israel, 94-84, at the World University Games this morning in Shenzhen, China.

Minnesota Golden Gophers:

Gophers get first 2012 basketball commitment from Wisconsin wing Wally Ellenson - TwinCities.com

Tubby Smith picked up his first oral commitment for the 2012 recruiting class Monday with Rice Lake (Wis.) wing Wally Ellenson.

Nebraska Cornhuskers:

Point guard commits to Huskers' 2013 class

Still without a known oral commitment for its upcoming recruiting class, the Nebraska men's basketball team has a jump-start on the 2013 class.

Northwestern Wildcats:

Northwestern Basketball: Purple Court? | SportsGrid

We were amazed when the design for Oregon's new basketball court was unveiled last year, but something that might happen at Northwestern could take the court craziness factor to heretofore-unseen levels.

Ohio St. Buckeyes:

ESPN College GameDay Coming to Ann Arbor for Michigan-Ohio State Game - University of Michigan Official Athletic Site

ESPN's College Basketball GameDay will visit Ann Arbor for the first time on Saturday, Feb. 18, for U-M's game against Ohio State.

Penn St. Nittany Lions:

Recruiting Central: Lions' Newbill wants company | Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/18/2011

Penn State looking toward future.

Purdue Boilermakers:

Purdue's Bade ready to get physical | Journal and Courier | jconline.com

Patrick Bade's decision to leave the Purdue men's basketball program and join the Boilermaker football team was about opportunity.

Wisconsin Badgers:

GT's Showalter commits to play hoops at Wisconsin - GermantownNOW 

Wisconsin gets another commitment.

While we get ready for regionals, here's some stories from around SB Nation and the web to keep you busy:

Three of the last four times that Wisconsin has been bounced from the NCAA Tournament, it has been because of a loss to a lower seeded non-BCS school. It's no wonder then, that Bucky's 5th isn't feeling great about this Butler matchup.

Also from Bucky's 5th: The Badgers will need more than just Jodran Taylor and Jon Leuer to step up versus Butler. But where can they find this additional scoring and rebounding? It's sophomores to the rescue!

IlliniHQ.com did a great job quizzing a benchwarmer from each Big Ten squad to get some rare insider info. Check it out and you might even learn something about your own team. For example, Northwestern's Drew Crawford calls himself "Young Doo Doo." What?!

There's a lot of pressure on Ohio State to at least make the Final Four, and Along the Olentangy wonders if his Bucks are up to the challenge. Thad Matta's got a great team made of great players. Now they just need to heed Ric Flair's words and "beat the man."

Purdue fans are bummed after a stunning loss to VCU, but Hammer and Rails remains optimistic for the future. Despite losing outstanding seniors E`Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson, a Final Four appearance in 2012 is still possible. There's a lot that needs to go right, though.

Maize-Colored Glass goes back to October and looks at how Michigan was predicted to perform this season. It's safe to say that John Beilein's team surpassed expectations.And boy did Darius Morris turn into a heck of a player.

Sippin' on Purple previews Northwestern's NIT quarterfinal versus Washington State tonight. Yes, the Wildcats are still without an NCAA Tournament bid in their entire history, but even a trip to New York for the NIT semis would be a great win for the program. Since the preview was written, we have learned that Washington State's DeAngelo Casto has been reinstated just in time for the game. Casto had been on suspension for marijuana possession. What great timing for the Cougars...

All right that's it for tonight. Get some sleep and get ready for some more March Madness on Thursday.

In advance of his team's challenging match-up versus the Badgers tonight, Indiana head coach Tom Crean is tweeting nice things about Bo Ryan's squad. Bucky's 5th Quarter is labeling the game a "must-win" for Wisconsin. While it's true that some fans of bubble teams may take exception to that notion, a loss to the Hoosiers would deal quite a dent to Wisconsin's resume.

Meanwhile, the Crimson Quarry says goodbye to Jeremiah Rivers while praising the Georgetown transfer's hustle and defense.

Fans of IU rival Illinois are busy themselves sending off a trio of senior starters. Today, Mike Davis was profiled by Hail to the Orange. Davis' outstanding sophomore season sent expectations for the athletic forward through the roof, and though he never turned into "a poor-man's Kevin Durant," he will still be remembered fondly by Illini fans.

How about a list of bars around Conseco Fieldhouse for those attending the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis? Thanks Hammer and Rails!

Minnesota is lucky they are still allowed in the Big Ten tourney after dropping 8 of their last 9. Also, Trevor Mbakwe is now thinking he may not be back for his senior year. Pioneer Press reporter Marcus Fuller describes the forward's NBA prospects.

"I've heard from scouts that Mbakwe could be at best a mid- to-high second-round pick, not a first-rounder. A strong last couple of games and postseason run would surely help. But Mbakwe would likely have to grow two inches and develop a jump shot in time for the NBA teams to evaluate him as a higher pick than that."

In that case, maybe one more year with Tubby would help.

Oh boy. When was the last time so much was riding on a Michigan vs. MSU basketball game? Coach Izzo is loving the bubble life, saying that fighting to get into the tourney is exciting "in a sick sort of way."

All righty then! It should be an exhilarating final Big Ten regular season weekend. But first, make sure to enjoy Wisconsin at Indiana tonight at 9 EST on ESPN.

Big Ten basketball links from around the web. Have a link you think everyone should see? Post it in the comments!

ESPN Weekend Watch- Jay Bilas previews the games on tap for this weekend including Purdue at Michigan State.

ESPN NCAA Tournament Locks/Bubble Teams- Three Big Ten teams are locks, three Big Teams on the bubble.

ESPN #1 Seeds/Bubble Watch- *INSIDER Special* Which teams will get a one seed in the NCAA Tournament? Ohio State, more than likely, but Purdue is also in line. Minnesota gets thrown out of tournament, see their odds to make it. 

CBS Sports Weekend Look Ahead- Gary Parrish previews Purdue/MSU game and makes his prediction.

CBS Sports 2011 NCAA Tournament Predictions- CBS's version of Bracketology.

CBS Sports Bubble Watch- CBS has Michigan, Minnesota and Michigan State on the bubble.

Purdue Proving Critics Wrong- Fox Sports talks about the Boilers proving doubters wrong. 

Top Leaders in College Basketball- 10 players who's teams would be lost without them.