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Big 10 makes formal pitch to Notre Dame, Rutgers, Nebraska and Mizzou

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By Paul M. Banks A Kansas City radio station reports that the Big Ten has made initial expansion offers to Notre Dame, Rutgers, Nebraska and Missouri, citing multiple unnamed sources close to the situation. This is how we have to get Big Ten expansion news, through "multiple unnamed sources," since commissioner Jim Delany says absolutely NOTHING about the situation every … [Read more...] about Big 10 makes formal pitch to Notre Dame, Rutgers, Nebraska and Mizzou

Midwest Swing: Championship & Selection Sunday Edition

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By Paul M. Banks CHICAGO- I’m back in my hometown and I’ve now had a whole day to take in all that transpired on Championship/Selection Sunday. “The Chi” is also home to Kansas’ Sherron Collins and Ohio State’s Evan Turner, two of the five members of the United States Basketball Writers Association All-America Team. Just announced today. I voted for both in my USBWA … [Read more...] about Midwest Swing: Championship & Selection Sunday Edition

All-Big Ten All-2000s Team

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By Paul M. Banks The 2000s was a great decade for a few programs in the Big Ten. Indiana, Ohio State and Illinois all had a national runner-up season. In 2005, the Illini tied the record for the most single season victories. Wisconsin and Ohio State treated us to an epic #1 vs. #2 game during one of their two 2007 meetings. And Michigan St. started the decade off with a … [Read more...] about All-Big Ten All-2000s Team

Big 10 Power Rankings 12-17

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By Paul M. Banks 1. Purdue (9-0) Their nucleus has an excellent mix of NBA level athletes, college talent that excels in their system, and tough hard-working role players. In other words, they have the blue print in place that you need to go far in March in today's college game. 2. Michigan State (8-2) So this a typical (H to tha) Izzo team? That redeems themselves … [Read more...] about Big 10 Power Rankings 12-17

Big Ten Power Rankings 12-10

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By Paul M. Banks 1. Purdue (8-0) Matt Painter has to be considered one of the top young coaches in the game today. Making the Gene Keady coaching tree looking even stronger. Here he is in his own words. 2. Michigan State (7-2) What a uninspiring, ho-hum preconference season so far. The nice win over Gonzaga is cancelled out by their flat and unexciting wins over … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 12-10

Jim Jackson’s Fearless Big Ten Forecast

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For Part one click here By Paul M. Banks At Big Ten Media Day, Ohio State alum Jim Jackson was just like the rest of us journalists, he participated in the college hoops version of speed dating that is Media Day, as he went from table to table interviewing players and coaches. At the same time, the season NBA veteran and current Big Ten Network analyst was utterly NOT … [Read more...] about Jim Jackson’s Fearless Big Ten Forecast

Big Ten Power Rankings 11-20

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By Paul M. Banks For this week I’m including the insights of a very special guest for my Power Rankings. I recently had an exclusive with Ohio State legend Jim Jackson, the only man every to win the Big Ten Player of the Year Award twice, and current Big Ten Network analyst. I’ll be using some of the best information nuggets he gave when rating the conference 1. Michigan … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 11-20

Jim Jackson on the Big Ten’s Strengths & Weaknesses

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By Paul M. Banks At Big Ten Media Day, Ohio State alum Jim Jackson was just like the rest of us journalists, he participated in the college hoops version of speed dating that is Media Day, as he went from table to table interviewing players and coaches. At the same time, the NBA veteran of 14 seasons, 1992 #4 overall draft pick and current Big Ten Network analyst was … [Read more...] about Jim Jackson on the Big Ten’s Strengths & Weaknesses

Big Ten Power Rankings 11/12

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By Paul M. Banks Forget about what the Big Ten lacks in football, in hoops they're the best or second best conference by pretty much all hoops experts. #16 Ohio State has already opened the season with a rip-roaring victory over Alcorn St. and by the end of the next couple of days, pretty much every team will have tipped off. Let's get it started in here! 1. Michigan … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 11/12