Big Ten links: Do these 4 teams have tourney title shot?

Selection Sunday isn?t that far away. And Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News takes a look at 16 teams that could win it all ? maybe.

Four Big Ten teams make his list: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State and Maryland. I have no issue with the Hawkeyes, Spartans and Terrapins. But the Hoosiers? What exactly have they done to inspire this type of confidence? Yes, Indiana has some good guard/wing play led by Yogi Ferrell. But this team has too many defensive lapses and turnover issues to win six tourney games.

Also, thank goodness the NCAA again is calling the first and second round of the hoop tourney the ?first and second round.?

This was beyond absurd.

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Stewart Mandel of FOXSports.com has built his dream coaching staff. One Big Ten assistant made the cut: Michigan State DB boss Harlon Barnett.

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We can't possibly go a day without a Jim Harbaugh link. So, here you go: Is the guy bizarre or brilliant because of his recruiting tactics? I say he's brilliant and a bit bizarre. I just don't think that if you coach at Michigan you need to do off-beat things to attract elite recruits. The place sells itself, right?

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Yes, Wisconsin got off to a slow start under interim coach Greg Gard. But he has the Badgers humming now. Last night was win No. 6 in a row. I think if he guides this team to the Big Dance, he should get the full-time gig. This is a Badger team that lost a lot of talent from a squad that reached the NCAA title game last year.

The Badgers are 8-4 since Gard took over late on the night of Dec. 15.

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NJ.com has graded Rutgers offensive recruits and defensive recruits. Overall, you have to be impressed with what Chris Ash was able to do in a short period of time.

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Sorry, Penn State. But Alabama has built a great case for now being "Linebacker U."

In five of the last seven seasons Alabama has had a consensus/unanimous All-American at linebacker, which easily tops the nation. During that time period only Georgia, Notre Dame and Michigan State have had two, and for the Spartans it was Greg Jones named twice. Since the 2010 NFL draft, there have been 19 linebackers selected in the first round, led by Alabama with three (Rolando McClain, C.J. Mosley and Dont?a Hightower, while Courtney Upshaw just missed). Reggie Ragland appears poised to be the fourth. Consequently, it?s time Alabama claims the "Linebacker U" designation.

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Could Ohio State make it to the Big Dance? Maybe. Just keep playing ugly, Buckeyes. But, it?s gonna be tough. Ohio State basketball should get comfy playing ugly, that's the path to the NCAA Tournament

Cleveland.com notes that Ohio State finishes the season vs. Michigan, at Nebraska, vs. Michigan State, vs. Iowa and at Michigan State. There are some openings for some really nice wins in there. As long as those possible wins are still out there, Ohio State's tournament chances aren't completely dead. The Buckeyes have shown nothing to say they could beat a team like Iowa or Michigan State, but weird things happen when you can muck it up a little bit.

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It was great to see Mark Hagen return to Indiana as d-line coach. He was on Kevin Wilson's original staff but left after two years to work at Texas A&M the last three years. Now Hagen, an IU grad, is back. He's a good coach and recruiter who loves his school.

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