Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 14, 2014

Badgers quarterback Joel Stave missed the Wisconsin spring game with injury. And Tanner McEvoy took advantage by excelling. It has been a weird career for McEvoy, who arrived from a JC as a quarterback, moved to safety and is now back at quarterback.

No doubt, Wisconsin needs better play from under center. Maybe McEvoy can be the guy. At the least, the competition at the position has to be good, right?

 ***

Michigan State will miss Max Bullough at inside linebacker, a productive player who doubled as a heart-and-soul guy. But the Spartans think they have found a replacement in Taiwan Jones.

"He's working exclusively in the middle right now, but he has the ability to go back outside in a heartbeat," Mark Dantonio said. "I think that Coach Narduzzi and (linebackers coach) Mike Tressel want to have that squared away some time in summer camp, because the transition could be made back in a week's time. I think (Jones) is very capable of that.

"But you've got to give him reps and saturate him at that (middle linebacker) position right now. He's doing a good job, there are some different things he needs to get better at, but that's to be expected."

If Jones is ?the man,? MSU?s defense again figures to be one of the best in the Big Ten-if not the nation. I can?t wait to watch how a MSU linebacking corps that also lost Denicos Allen looks.

 ***

Pat McKewon of Omaha.com likes what he sees from the 2014 Nebraska team. In fact, he thinks this is Bo Pelini?s best team since the 2009 squad that almost beat Texas in the Big 12 title game. And, I have to agree. Why? I?m in love with a defense that looks like it could be a killer along the front seven. The overall team key will be quarterback Tommy Armstrong. Can he pass better?

***

Michigan followers may wanna read this: the student government has released its reports on sexual misconduct of policy following the Brendan Gibbons? expulsion.

***

No one covers Penn State better than Bob Flounders and David Jones of Pennlive.com. So, check out this video of the duo putting a wrap on the Nittany Lions? spring.

The spring game showed us what we already knew: depth remains a big, big issue for Penn State. Oh, and the quarterbacks have some catching up to do with the new offense.

 ***

Nice ?get? for Ohio State in landing Virginia Tech 7-footer Trevor Thompson.

The Buckeyes could use him next season. Alas, Thompson has to sit out. But his father has health issues that were the basis for his transfer and could perhaps earn him an NCAA waiver to play right away.

Either way, lack of consistent production from its big men was a major issue for Ohio State last season, so just landing Thompson was key. Earlier, the Buckeyes nabbed Temple transfer Anthony Lee, who can play next season ? and will be a big help. In fact, Lee figures to be OSU?s main interior force even with Amir Williams and Trey McDonald back.

***

Speaking of the Buckeyes ? they drew 61,058 for their spring game. How does that stack up with other power schools?

***

An interesting look at some key numbers from Iowa?s hoop season. I know, I know. The 1-7 finish to the season was a bummer. Still, there was a lot to like about what went on during the season. To wit: Iowa won 20 or more games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2005-06. Heck, you only have to go back to 2010-11 to find the last time Iowa lost 20 or more games in consecutive years. Also, the Hawkeyes made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006.

***

Great read in the L.A. Daily News on Adreain Payne and his relationship with Lacey Holsworth. The Michigan State big man wanted to keep winning to give her something to look forward to.

TWEETS THAT MATTER

My take: No doubt about that.

My take: Yes, OSU has a lot of good options at running back. True freshman Curtis Samuel is a guy many are raving about.

My take: Best recruiting class in the Big Ten.

My take: The run of great Badger running backs continues.

https://twitter.com/SLGreenberg/status/455125797980733440

My take: A 6-6 mark would be very good.

My take: Could be in store for a big senior season. At least I hope he is.

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.

And if you want to leave a comment on this post, use the box below. All comments need to be approved by a moderator.