Big Ten defensive backfields are loaded with talent, including cornerbacks like Michigan State’s Johnny Adams, Iowa’s Micah Hyde and Purdue’s Ricardo Allen, along with safeties like Ohio State’s C.J. Barnett, Michigan State’s Isaiah Lewis and Michigan’s Jordan Kovacs. And some of the units figure to rank among the best in the nation, including those at Ohio State, Michigan State and Nebraska.

BTN’s Jim Jackson caught up with six Big Ten names working out at the NBA’s pre-draft combine in Chicago. Jackson talked to Jared Sullinger, William Buford, Draymond Green, Jordan Taylor, Meyers Leonard, and Robbie Hummel. If you’re running games down at the gym, that’s a pretty good first six right there.Sullinger talks about getting into NBA shape this spring while Hummel tells Jackson about his numerous workouts  and how his knees are feeling so far. Watch all of the interviews down in this post. Also, The Sporting News has a quick look at the combine here, and the NBA Draft is June 28. The draft order is set with New Orleans holding the No. 1 pick.And if you want to see the official NBA prospect profile with strengths and weakness for  each of these Big Ten players, check them out: Jared Sullinger, William Buford, Draymond Green, Jordan Taylor, Meyers Leonard, and Robbie Hummel.***************

Linebacker play in the Big Ten should be strong this season, led by players like Wisconsin’s Mike Taylor, Penn State’s Gerald Hodges, Illinois’ Jonathan Brown and Michigan’s Kenny Demens, among many others. But which Big Ten schools have the best linebacking corps? Find out in my Big Ten unit rankings in this post. Don’t agree? Leave your thoughts in the comment box at the bottom of the post. Also, don’t forget about all of my 2012 unit rankings.

The trenches are where games are won–ask any coach. And the Big Ten, led by a strong crop in the Leaders Division, has some good defensive fronts that will rate among the best in the nation. Where does your Big Ten school’s defensive line rank? Check out my entire list in this post. Don’t agree with my rankings? Leave your thoughts in the comment box at the bottom of the post. Also, don’t forget about all of my 2012 unit rankings.

The 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft wrapped up Wednesday, with Rounds 16-40, and a total of 30 Big Ten products were selected during the three-day event. You can relive the entire draft with MLB.com’s Draft Tracker. On Monday, Purdue catcher and Big Ten Player of the Year Kevin Plawecki was taken with the 35th pick by the New York Mets. See all the Big Ten selections in this post, along with tweets and video. Also, visit MLB.com’s Draft Central for all your draft needs.

Like many of us, Big Ten products are all over Twitter. They let us into their lives and put their personalities on display in 140 characters or less, and they often delight and enlighten in the process. See some of our favorite Big Ten-centric tweets from Monday in this post.