Few programs in the Big Ten can match the feel-good vibe that’s circulating in the Twin Cities. This is a Minnesota program that’s ascending and looks to have a legit shot to perhaps win the new Big Ten West. Jerry Kill continues to put his stamp on this team, a squad that plays smart and is stocked with personnel that fits what Kill wants to do on both sides of the ball.

Michigan sophomores Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III both declared for the NBA draft at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. Fellow sophomore Mitch McGary is still weighing his future plans.

If you watched closely, you could see the improvement in Illinois this spring. Good thing, because Tim Beckman needs to pad his win total as he embarks on this third season in Champaign. He is 6-18 overall and 1-15 in the Big Ten. And that one league win came vs. arguably the worst Purdue team in that school’s history. But, I digress. All eyes in Champaign this spring were on the quarterback derby and defense.

The 2014 WNBA Draft was Monday night and a pair of Big Ten standouts were selected in the second round. Nebraska’s Jordan Hooper was the first Big Ten player off the board, going No. 13 overall to the Tulsa Shock. Hooper was the 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year and an AP Second-Team All-American. She averaged 20.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game this season, both of which ranked among the top five in the Big Ten.

Michigan State sophomore Gary Harris will turn pro, the school announced Monday afternoon. This surprises no one, as Harris is projected by most to be a lottery selection.

It’s already mid-April, which means that the NBA draft is quickly approaching. Several Big Ten players have yet to officially announce their future plans. That list includes the likes of Branden Dawson (Michigan State), A.J. Hammons (Purdue), Gary Harris (Michigan State), Mitch McGary (Michigan), Glenn Robinson III (Michigan) and Nik Stauskas (Michigan).