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Several schools met with the media earlier today. For many programs around the conference, these are the first real events of the season and start the progression toward the college basketball season. Among the teams were Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, and Ohio State. All four of these teams made the NCAA Tournament last season and Michigan is the defending Big Ten champs.
Arguably, the biggest news came out of Ann Arbor as John Beilein provided injury information regarding senior Max Bielfeldt and freshman DJ Wilson. Outside of these comments, most of the coverage was pretty general for a media event, but hearing some thoughts on the ways the teams are progressing is always fun. Here are the highlights:
Iowa Hawkeyes
Your 2014-15 Iowa Hawkeyes. pic.twitter.com/oqkNzD1nyD
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
Senior class. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/ss28H1DJ47
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
"There are going to be teams that challenge us this season. We wanted to have high profile games and we really looked at RPI this year...
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
"Guard play is what makes a difference in tight games. You have to have guys that make their free throws late...
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
...and know how to distribute the ball throughout the game." -FM #2014MediaDay
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
"I have enough confidence in Jarrod Uthoff that I want him to shoot the ball all the time. He has the green light." -FM #2014MediaDay
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
...He worked is tail off in the offseason and you'll notice a difference in him." - FM #2014MediaDay
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
"I feel really good about where we are but we haven't arrived. We can't get complacent...
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
...the challenge is that we have to keep improving and I think we have hardworking guys with character that can do that." -FM #2014MediaDay
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
"The guy we should be talking about is Anthony Clemmons. Most guys would transfer but he took ownership of the season he had last year...
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
Having options against the teams we play will help us get through it." -FM #2014MediaDay
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
"It's a challenge being deep, but it will help absorb the length of the season. It's a marathon, not a sprint...
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
"I expect to go that deep again. We have 11 players that are capable and I don't expect to have a short bench." -FM #2014MediaDay
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
"We have 7 upperclassmen so I expect leadership out of more players than Aaron...I think we have a good mix." -FM #2014MediaDay
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 2, 2014
Fran says Woodbury is stronger, building on his finish last year.
— Tom Kakert (@HawkeyeReport) October 2, 2014
Fran really talking up Clemmons at point. Also very high on Trey Dickerson.
— Tom Kakert (@HawkeyeReport) October 2, 2014
Michigan Wolverines
"We're really excited about what we have, and going to Europe created a tremendous advantage for us" -- Coach Beilein
— Michigan Basketball (@umichbball) October 2, 2014
Re. the unrest at U-M, Beilein said, "Passion for Michigan ath is incredible, and people care so deeply about it, that I think you see that"
— Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) October 2, 2014
Entering practice, Muhammed-Ali Abdur-Rahkman playing both guard positions, Aubrey Dawkins playing both forward position.
— Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) October 2, 2014
Max Bielfeldt (hip) also cleared to play.
— Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) October 2, 2014
DJ Wilson (broken finger) has been cleared to play.
— Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) October 2, 2014
Here's video of John Beilein discussing Hoke and Brandon http://t.co/Zr5mYKuTeS
— Matt Pargoff (@MaizeBlueNews) October 2, 2014
I swear that Caris LeVert looks taller than last season. He was still growing from freshman to soph yr, so maybe. No more braces anymore too
— Matt Pargoff (@MaizeBlueNews) October 2, 2014
Beilein: "These guys are as connected as we've been."
— Matt Pargoff (@MaizeBlueNews) October 2, 2014
D.J. Wilson only just recently cleared from finger injury. Beilein says he's picked things up very quickly and added good weight.
— Matt Pargoff (@MaizeBlueNews) October 2, 2014
Max Bielfeldt has also been cleared to play at full speed after back injury held him out in Italy.
— Matt Pargoff (@MaizeBlueNews) October 2, 2014
Beilein: If my sons right now were high school football players, I would love for them to play for Brady Hoke and his staff.
— Matt Pargoff (@MaizeBlueNews) October 2, 2014
Nebraska Cornhuskers
See what @CoachMiles had to say about the 2014-15 Huskers Part 1: http://t.co/VVdImkbhCH) Part 2: http://t.co/0f36OFhMk4
— Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) October 3, 2014
Veteran guys like Terran and Shavon can be leaders...They want to win and have an appetite for work. - Coach Miles.
— Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) October 2, 2014
"A workhorse who cares about winning," Shavon Shields on Terran Petteway.
— Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) October 2, 2014
Petteway said veteran guys have been preaching defensive intensity to younger guys all offseason. They know defense is key to success.
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) October 2, 2014
Coach Miles talks about how the fans played a major role in the success last year at @PinnacleArena #Huskers
— Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) October 2, 2014
They feel like we have to get better, and as long as they have that mindset, we are gonna be OK - @CoachMiles
— Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) October 2, 2014
Miles talking about how to mix and match lineups to take advantage of the players in the program.
— Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) October 2, 2014
Coach Miles highlighting the improvement of Nick Fuller since last year. Says he is playing at the highest level since arriving.
— Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) October 2, 2014
Miles said emphasis on gritty defense will be key to success this season. Said Jim Molinari will be big key in establishing that.
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) October 2, 2014
. @CoachMiles references the two losses in the postseason as motivation for this season #Huskers
— Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) October 2, 2014
Ohio State Buckeyes
Media Day! Your 2014-2015 Ohio State Buckeyes #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/23S5hire7S
— OSU BASKETBALL (@OhioStateHoops) October 2, 2014
Media Day! These two have some of the highest verticals in the country! @BBaptistHoops and @SlamIAm12 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/wTAdXkdo0S
— OSU BASKETBALL (@OhioStateHoops) October 2, 2014
It's Media Day! @D_Russ0 @KBD_33 and @akl_31 getting scoreboard videos done #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/lyez6ALeRu
— OSU BASKETBALL (@OhioStateHoops) October 2, 2014
Sam Thompson said he didn't watch the rest of the NCAA Tournament last year except the national title game: pic.twitter.com/3DGEY0CRBU
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) October 2, 2014
Matta: "I hope we're 1 of those teams where if you come in and take a day off in practice, you're gonna slide down the depth chart quickly."
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) October 2, 2014
Sam Thompson: "In high school, you could roll out of bed and score 20." Well, not all of us, Sam.
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) October 2, 2014
Thad Matta said he'd like to get out and run more in transition with this year's team.
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) October 2, 2014
Thad Matta said this year's team is one of the more versatile he's had. A lot of guys who can play different positions.
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) October 2, 2014
Anthony Lee says his quickness will be a huge advantage in the physical Big Ten: pic.twitter.com/eZatzXt5W3
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) October 2, 2014
OSU freshmen: pic.twitter.com/71T17U0oVx
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) October 2, 2014
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Stay tuned to BTPowerhouse for more media highlights.