Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, February 24, 2012
Spanning the Big Ten globe while we wait for those red-hot Iowa Hawkeyes to cool off. I think Matt Gatens is still shooting three-pointers from somewhere near Keokuk. Swish-again. Light it up! Sweet-shooting Matt Gatens and the fans brought electricity back to Carver Hawkeye, writes Marc Hansen of the Des Moines Register. And as far as bobblehead nights go, this was one to remember, says Rick Brown of Des Moines Register. And a win over ranked Indiana? A win over ranked Wisconsin? Yep, this was the best week for Iowa basketball in a long time, writes Mike Hlas of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Read more Big Ten links in this post.
Indiana
At the top of my links today: Terry Hutchens of the Indianapolis Star wonders: 28 games in, what is Indiana?s best starting lineup?
Michigan
Nick Baumgarder of AnnArbor.com shares the top five Zack Novak and Stu Douglass moments you?ll never forget. Did Baumgarder miss anything?
Michigan State
When it mattered the most, Keith Appling turned it around at the end, writes Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News. The kid is becoming quite a point guard.
Minnesota
Amelia Rayno of the Minneapolis Star Tribune glances around the Big Ten.
Nebraska
It?s official: The Huskers have finalizes their 2012 football schedule, writes Brian Christopherson of the Lincoln Journal Star. What do you think?
Bo Pelini doesn?t mind fighting over an official?s call. But he won?t fight a ticket for running a stop sign, writes Leslie Reed of the Omaha World-Herald.
Ohio State
The Cleveland Browns talked to Mike Adams about playing right tackle, writes Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Ohio State halts retiring numbers of its stars, says Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch. Too bad for you, Dennis Hopson. And Jared Sullinger.
Mike Adams and Michael Brewster had divergent paths at Ohio State, writes Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch. But, they ended up at the same spot.
Penn State
Go ahead, grow out that beard, big fella. Penn State football players can do that now. Even kickers, if they can grow a beard. Radical, huh? Relax, it doesn?t mean the program will crash and burn, says Stefanie Loh of the Harrisburg Patriot-News.
Yes, Bill O?Brien is making significant recruiting progress. But he still trails Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer, says Bob Flounders of the Harrisburg Patriot-News. So, O?Brien is like every other Big Ten coach in that respect.
Secondary coach John Butler eagerly awaits spring drills, says Stefanie Loh of the Harrisburg Patriot-News. Good, because he has lots of work to do.
Billy Ball! It excites Matt McGloin, says Ben Jones of StateCollege.com.
Seven Penn State players are showing their skills at the Combine, writes Dustin Hockensmith of the Harrisburg Patriot-News.
Purdue
Robbie Hummel feels as good as his game, writes Jeff Washburn of the Lafayette Journal-Courier. Is there a hotter player in the Big Ten? Ok, maybe Iowa?s Matt Gatens. But, other than Gatens? No.
Wisconsin
The Badgers are the lone Big Ten school to oppose multi-year scholarships, writes Tom Finkelmeyer of the Wisconsin State Journal. I wonder if this is prudent.
Russell Wilson will take part in Jon Gruden?s quarterback camp, says Tom Mulhern of the Wisconsin State Journal. I hope he packs his visor and sneer.
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