Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, February 24, 2014

The Big Ten is Michigan?s to lose after that big win on Sunday vs. Michigan State. I mean, look at the rest of the Wolverines? schedule: at Purdue; Minnesota; at Illinois; Indiana. See what I mean? The victory put Michigan is a good spot to at least share the league crown, as long as it wins three of its last four. But I?m sure the Wolverines would like to win out and claim the school?s first out-right league crown since 1986.

As for this intense Michigan-MSU rivalry, it appears as though after years of dominance, the Wolverines have pulled even with the Spartans, who have lost three in a row to Michigan.

How about Caris LeVert? The sophomore continues to emerge as a key player for this team. On Sunday, he tallied 23 points. I love this kid and think he?s a true X-factor.

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The Spartans still have hope to win the league title, but they will need to win out and get help in the form of a Michigan loss. It?s just too bad we haven?t been able to see this Spartans team at full strength, as it has battled injury after injury. No doubt, MSU needs more from Adreian Payne on the offensive end.

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Nebrasketball is an indomitable force that seemingly can?t be stopped. On Sunday, the Cornhuskers mashed a listless Purdue team that is circling the drain.

That?s five victories in a row for Nebraska, as it continues to chug toward the program?s first NCAA appearance since 1998. And the prospect of more victories looms with games left at Illinois, vs. Northwestern, at Indiana, vs. Wisconsin. The Cornhuskers are a half-game out of fourth place. Why is that significant? The fourth-place team gets a bye in the Big Ten tourney.

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Gophers guard Dre Mathieu hopes his team makes it to the Big Dance. Why? Because he thinks Minnesota can make a run. Watch him in this video.

Mathieu may be correct, but the Gophers need to re-discover their offense. But for now, Minnesota sits squarely on the NCAA bubble.

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I still can?t get my head around Iowa, which lost another game I thought it would win when it fell at home to Wisconsin on Saturday. So much for those Big Ten title hopes. But I still think this can be a very dangerous team in the postseason. However, the loss to the Badgers brought out some ugliness in fans.

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The NFL Combine is in full swing. And no Big Ten school is represented better than Ohio State. Hated seeing Carlos Hyde hurt his hammy.

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MSU linebacker Max Bullough ended the season in dubious fashion with his suspension from the Rose Bowl. He never offered an explanation. And he now has missed a chance to clear the air at the Combine, as Bullough continues to refuse to discuss details of his suspension.

Oh, America eventually will find out, Max.

TWEETS THAT MATTER

My take: Simple but effective.

My take: Fear PBA.

My take: Again, fear PBA.

My take: Where is that MSU defense?

My take: Amen to that.

My take: Guy is a beast.

My take: A great rise by the Badgers.

My take: Hard to ignore that.

My take: He is gonna be a good pro.

My take: Wow. What an indictment.

About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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