Big Ten links: Michigan football expectations, hoops updates & more

Nick Baumgarder of Mlive.com has a good mailbag dealing with many Michigan topics, including the Wolverines? floor and ceiling when it comes to wins-and the always fascinating quarterback situation.

For Baumgardner, the floor sits at six wins and the ceiling's probably at 10. Sounds about right. So, let?s compromise and say the Wolverines will have eight wins.

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Michigan State co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett says there is no one soft on MSU?s roster. I?d have to agree.

Barnett said anyone who thinks Michigan State defensive backs can't tackle are mistaken.

"We say, 'let's get it on, it doesn't matter to us,"' Barnett said. That's how we coach our guys, there is no fear factor, you can't play the game scared."

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Former Illinois OT Simon Cvijanovic became a celebrity of sorts on Sunday when he took to Twitter to go on the offensive about a variety of subjects.

Cvijanovic, who missed the last four games of the fall after suffering an injury at Ohio State on Nov. 1, said he stopped playing football because of his physical health.

Cvijanovic posted dozens of tweets critical of Tim Beckman, Illinois and the NCAA, among other targets. I hope the kid doesn?t regret doing this. Too late now.

Tim Beckman responded to Cvijanovic's tweets.

"Simon Cvijanovic was a valued member of the University of Illinois football team," he said. "He chose to leave the team during the 2014 regular season and withdrew from the university before the end of the semester. Upon his return for the spring semester, we have continued to support him with medical care, an academic scholarship and academic advising. We cannot make any student accept our support."

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The great Bob Flounders of Pennlive.com looks at the strengths of the Nittany Lions, post spring. They are: quarterback, d-line, secondary.

I also think the wideouts should be pretty good.

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Nebraska hasn?t released a post-spring depth chart, but Omaha.com takes a stab at it.

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Cleveland.com poses an interesting question: Is Mike Conley the best current Ohio State pro player? Yep. I think the Memphis Grizzlies point guard is.

Joey Bosa-or Ezekiel Elliott–may be that guy very soon in the near future. But, for now, let?s say Conley.

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Big pick up for Matt Painter and Purdue, which has added Texas-Arlington point man Johnny Hill, a grad transfer.

After losing Jon Octeus (graduation) and Bryson Scott (transfer), this is just what the doctored ordered for a point guard poor Boilermakers squad that should now contend for the Big Ten title next season. Gold & Black Illustrated notes that the Chicago native also visited Illinois, Baylor and Drake. TCU and DePaul also offered, while Arizona State had just gotten involved. He began his career at Illinois State, but transferred after a coaching change and landed at UT-Arlington.

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Speaking of hoops ? Rick Brown of HawkCentral.com thinks Fran McCaffery will have pieces in 2015-16, but will be make it all fit?

"What you've got to do is figure out who fits where, who picks everything up quicker and who establishes himself," McCaffery said. "There are minutes there. We have one spot open. And we have all those positions coming off the bench. Who is it going to be?"

The one missing starter, Brown notes, is Aaron White, who averaged 31.5 minutes a game. Josh Oglesby (18.9) and Gabe Olaseni (18.6) are also gone. The returning starters - Jarrod Uthoff, Mike Gesell, Adam Woodbury and Peter Jok - have established roles.

"Woody and Mike have started for three years," McCaffery said. "Jok really came into his own last year."

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I am excited to see what Frank Kaminsky can do in the NBA, aren?t you? I think the guy is gonna be more than just a contributor. He has the complete game. NBA Draft insider Sam Vecenie talks to CBS Sports' Jamie Erdahl about where Wisconsin star Frank Kaminsky could land in the draft.

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The debate continues to rage over if Rutgers should invest in athletics.

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