It’s time to reach into the mailbag and answer your questions. Lots of variety with hoops in full swing, Signing Day on the horizon and the Super Bowl around the corner.

The Big Ten race is starting to firm up—at least a little bit. Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan and Wisconsin look like they may be the best teams in the league. But it’s too early to count out Indiana and Illinois. It’s gonna be a fun title chase to watch unfold.

The great debate of 2011-12 has only heated up: Who is the best men’s basketball player in the Big Ten? It looks like a case can be made by and for several players. Is it Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger? Michigan State’s Draymond Green? Penn State’s Tim Frazier? Here’s a look at my latest weekly ranking of the Big Ten’s top 20 players. It’s my way of gauging the talent (see my previous rankings), and there’s a poll at the bottom of this post with my top 10 and an open invitation for you to vote your No. 1 guy.

It’s time to release my latest Big Ten men’s hoops power rankings. The rankings are not meant to mimic the Big Ten standings. What fun would that be? They aren’t scientific, either. They’re simply my thoughts on where each Big Ten team stands right now and who would win on a neutral court. Agree? Disagree? Tweet @BTNBrentYarina or leave your comments below. See Brent’s rankings in this post.

Not all games are created equally. Here’s a ranking of this week’s nine Big Ten games, from 1 to 9. Plan accordingly.