Big Ten tournament action

"If we don't do something in the NCAA, we're stupid, to use a bad word," Izzo said of the growing number of players transferring in college basketball. "That's how, I think if you ask any one of these guys, I don't know who would say it publicly, but it's just getting to be a shame. Are we teaching kids anything to fight through? But because of that, you're always recruiting. And we may fill the spot, we may not."

"We are aware of the recent actions in Indiana and have made a point to talk about this sensitive and important issue among ourselves and our teams. Each of us strongly supports the positions of the NCAA and our respective institutions on this matter — that discrimination of any kind should not be tolerated. As a part of America’s higher education system, college basketball plays and important role in diversity, equality, fairness and inclusion, and will continue to do so in the future."

The University of Wisconsin Department of Athletics is aware of the involvement of current UW student-athlete Nigel Hayes in the Kessler/Jenkins lawsuit. Nigel Hayes is a valued member of the UW men’s basketball team. The department fully supports Nigel as a student, student-athlete and team member. In a free society, people can reasonably disagree about any issue, express their views and seek to vindicate them through the legal process. The department supports the many ongoing efforts to reform the regulation of intercollegiate athletics through the appropriate NCAA processes, including those reforms which seek to improve the welfare and educational experience of all student-athletes. The department is committed to the collegiate experience with education as its centerpiece. It does not believe that the professionalization of intercollegiate athletics is the proper path to reform, or likely to benefit all student-athletes.

"Michigan State, Iowa, Iowa State, Ohio State, Miami (FL), Purdue, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, and West Virginia have been on me the hardest." - Nick Ward

"I enjoyed it. Their fans are awesome. The coaches and people around campus treated me like I was one of the players on the team. To be the face of the program and make sure we win a national championship if I decided to go there," he said.

"It was great! The best unofficial I've had."

Kansas is thought to be Kasongo's leader to this point, but the Big Ten powerhouses(excuse me) aren't counting themselves out here.

This has nothing to do with Big Ten basketball but today was a tragic day in our nation. Please keep Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of the Arizona shooting in your thoughts and prayers. We will continue to stand united as a nation. Thank you, -- BT Powerhouse

BT Powerhouse welcomes Adam Bittner! Adam is a new author for BT Powerhouse and will be posting from time to time. We look forward to his contribution and to creating a better blog for you to read!