Tag: BIG Ten Conference

Big Ten Conference announces mental health initiatives

The Big Ten announced the formation of a mental health conference and other initiatives surrounding the mental health of its members.

This is a long time coming, and we give a tip of the cap to the Big Ten on this. In case you didn’t know, the month of May is mental health month.

On that note, Monday, the conference announced the formation of a mental health cabinet to assist its members and their student-athletes. It compromises all fourteen Big Ten institutions as well as sport affiliate members John Hopkins and Notre Dame.

As part of the initiative, all Big Ten student-athletes, coaches, full-time members of university athletic departments and conference staff members will receive free, unlimited access to Calm, the No. 1 mental fitness app for helping individuals experience lower stress, less anxiety, improved focus and more restful sleep — something we could all use these days.

“When I was hired as the Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, a core pillar of my vision was to make sure that we educate, embrace, engage and empower our more than 9,500 student-athletes. This is a complex and stressful time in our society and the mental health and wellness of our Big Ten family is a critical component of our focus,” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren in the release. “The Cabinet will be instrumental for us both short and long term, as we pursue our goal of creating and maintaining the most comprehensive mental health and wellness platform in college athletics.”

“Our hope is that the Calm mental fitness app will provide an immediate resource for all Big Ten student-athletes, coaches, athletic department staff members and conference staff during these unprecedented times and is only the first of many steps that we will take in the area of mental health and wellness. We are fortunate to have so many professionals on our campuses who have dedicated their lives to tackling mental health issues. We were driven to supplement their inspiring work with additional resources, important under normal circumstances, but even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Count head football coach Ryan Day as a big proponent of these moves by the conference. He started his own foundation to assist juveniles with mental health, and it’s been something that he has championed since his arrival.

“I think the work the Big Ten Conference is doing with regard to mental health initiatives is incredibly important,” Day said. “Forming a Mental Health and Wellness Cabinet is a reflection of the conference’s leadership, engagement and support for mental health initiatives. These efforts will help bring much-needed attention and awareness to the subject of mental health.”

Here is the complete membership and school affiliations for the cabinet:

The membership of the Big Ten Mental Health and Wellness Cabinet can be found below by visiting the Big Ten’s website.

Big Ten announces suspension of organized team activities will extend through June 1

The conference will re-evaluate at that time.

The Big Ten announced on Monday that it has extended the previously announced suspension of all organized team activities through June 1, 2020, and will re-evaluate again at that time.

The Big Ten suspended organized athletic team activities in March at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference also said in a release that the moratorium on recruiting activities, both on and off campus, will continue.

Michigan State University moved students to online classes on March 11 and extended the period of online only classes through at least the end of the first summer session. A decision has yet to be made on whether or not the second summer session, which begins June 29, will be online only or if students will be allowed to return to campus by then. Students returning to campus is speculated as a major milestone in the ability for athletics–notably football–to return.

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Big Ten extends ban on organized team activities

The Big Ten announced an extension of the ban of all organized team activities through June 1 Monday.

Just when things are starting to get back to a path of normal in some states with reopening activities occurring, the Big Ten sends us all a reminder that this COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.

According to a release by the conference Monday, the order to suspend all Big Ten organized team activities has been extended through June 1. That’s an additional timeframe added to the order already in place to suspend all activities until the end of the academic year, which is quickly approaching for all schools in the conference.

This also includes the suspension of all on and off-campus recruiting activities that were originally shelved until further notice. That too will remain in effect.

The Big Ten Conference will continue to use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps relative to the COVID-19 pandemic according to the release.

Luka Garza’s NBA decision could be very significant for the Badgers

The best player in the Big Ten Conference has his NBA decision looming

The Big Ten Conference is gearing up for another year on top of the college basketball world, and the Badgers have plans to be on top of the conference in 2021. A common theme among the way-too-early projections for college basketball rankings see Iowa playing second fiddle to Wisconsin in top-25 lists among a variety of major networks. The Badgers and the Hawkeyes have consistently been projected to be top-10 teams next season. Although no coach or player wants to focus on what other teams and players are doing, Iowa basketball recently made news that could have a major effect on Big Ten supremacy.

The battle for the Big Ten runs through Iowa City and Madison in 2021, although the path could be come much clearer for the Badgers given the results of a pending decision. Iowa star Luka Garza recently made headlines with a decision on his future. The 2019-20 Big Ten Player of the Year has decided to enter the NBA Draft without losing his senior season eligibility, per his Twitter account. “If it ends up not being the right time to make the move to the NBA, I’m excited about the potential of what my senior season as a Hawkeye could have in store,” Garza said via Twitter.

 

The Iowa center had a career junior season in which he averaged 23.9 points per game and 9.8 rebounds in an award-filled campaign. Garza would not only be the popular pick to repeat as Big Ten Player of the Year, but also the clear favorite to take home the Wooden Award for best college basketball player in the nation, an honor that he narrowly missed out on this year when Dayton star Obi Toppin took home the hardware. As the biggest pre-season threat to the Badgers repeating as Big Ten Champions, the Hawkeyes would certainly look extremely different without their best player.

So how does this decision work for Garza? According to NCAA rules he is now able to keep his eligibility through the draft process, and participate in workouts, the NBA Draft Combine and other events with teams. His name can still be entered in the NBA Draft pool, and given where he feels like he would fall Garza can make a decision on his future after the pre-draft process plays out. Another interesting element in his decision could be an NBA Draft process that looks extremely different. If the NFL Draft is any indication, the draft process in a global pandemic will certainly change drastically. Badger fans should keep their eye on Garza throughout his process, as the big man’s decision could have a major say in who wins the conference next season.

Big Ten extends suspension of all organized team activities to May 4

The Big Ten released a statement Friday extending the suspension of all organized team activities through May 4.

As we know more and more about the surge of cases during this COVID-19 health crisis, we’re starting to realize that things may not get back to normal anytime soon. The Big Ten had already suspended all organized team activities until April 6, but it clear that won’t be long enough with what’s going on in the world. That suspension has now been extended to May 4.

Here is the complete release from the conference released Friday.

The Big Ten Conference announced today that it will extend the previously announced suspension of all organized team activities through May 4, 2020 and will re-evaluate again at that time.

This is an additional measure to the previously announced cancellation of all conference and non-conference competitions through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year. The Conference also has previously announced a moratorium on all on- and off-campus recruiting activities for the foreseeable future. 

The Big Ten Conference will continue to use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps relative to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The main priority of the Big Ten Conference is to ensure the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.

This is clearly the right move by the Big Ten, and you have to wonder if even May 4 will be enough. There is a growing sentiment that we may not even peak until around that time.

Say safe everyone.

 

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Greg Gard named NABC District 7 Coach of the Year

Despite having no Badger players on the District 7 first team or second team, Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard has been named the Coach of the Year in District 7. The honor comes from the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and can be added to …

Despite having no Badger players on the District 7 first team or second team, Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard has been named the Coach of the Year in District 7.

The honor comes from the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and can be added to an already illustrious award season for Wisconsin’s head coach. Gard took home the Big Ten Coach of the Year award earlier this month, once again despite having any Badgers on the all-Big Ten first or second team.

Gard led the Badgers to eight-straight victories to end the year, and a share of the Big Ten regular-season title. A Wisconsin team that in the preseason was picked to finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten Conference ended up with a 14-6 conference record, and a 21-10 record overall.

Per the NABC website, here are the first and second team’s for District 7:

First Team

Cassius Winston, Michigan State

Lamar Stevens, Penn State

Luke Garza, Iowa

Anthony Cowan Jr., Maryland

Daniel Oturu, Minnesota

Second Team

Jalen Smith, Maryland

Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois

Joe Wieskamp, Iowa

Kaleb Wesson, Ohio State

Zavier Simpson, Michigan

Big Ten to re-evaluate competitive team activities after April 6

The Big Ten Conference has suspended all organized team activities until April 6 and will reassess the situation at that time.

Recently, the Big Ten Conference canceled all-conference and non-conference events through the end of the academic year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Today, the Big Ten suspends all organized team activities will be re-evaluated after April 6.

Here is a full press release per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic:

The cancellation and reassessment include Spring Football. Michigan State even canceled Pro Day earlier today, which was scheduled for March 18th. I understand the frustration of fans and players but completely support this move. Safety is more important than anything else in this particular situation.

We will continue to provide updates on the Big Ten suspension and all other NCAA related news involving the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay locked on SpartansWire for more information and coverage to come.

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BREAKING: Big Ten cancels all athletic competitions through end of academic year

The Big Ten has already canceled the men’s basketball tournament, and now it has made the tough decision to cancel all athletic events through the entire current academic year. This goes a step further than what other schools have done on their own. …

The Big Ten has already canceled the men’s basketball tournament, and now it has made the tough decision to cancel all athletic events through the entire current academic year.

This goes a step further than what other schools have done on their own. Some have gone through the end of March as a starting point, but the end of the academic year would stretch far into May for all schools in the conference. By all athletic events, that means everything. It even involves championships and postseason events that could stretch beyond the academic year like softball and baseball.

There will also be significant limits put on recruiting events and gatherings until further notice as well.

Here is the complete release from the Big Ten that was released on Thursday.

The Big Ten Conference announced today that in addition to the Men’s Basketball Tournament it will be canceling all conference and non-conference competitions through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year, and participation in all NCAA tournaments and competitions. In addition, the Conference has announced a moratorium on all on- and off-campus recruiting activities for the foreseeable future.

The Big Ten Conference will use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.

These are truly historic times, and as further news and commentary breaks, we’ll do our best to have it for you here at Buckeyes Wire.

 

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Micah Potter should be the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year

First things first, let us not take anything away from the impact that Aaron Wiggins has had at Maryland. Wiggins was named the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year on Monday, and helped lead the Terps to a co-Big Ten regular season title. The sophomore …

First things first, let us not take anything away from the impact that Aaron Wiggins has had at Maryland. Wiggins was named the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year on Monday, and helped lead the Terps to a co-Big Ten regular season title. The sophomore combo guard finished the year averaging 10.4 points per game to go along with nearly five rebounds, and is coming off of an excellent month. The North Carolina native lead Maryland in scoring in back-to-back games against Ohio State and Minnesota during the final week of February. This argument is a reflection of how well Micah Potter played rather than taking anything away from the significant impact of Wiggins for the Terrapins.

With that being said, Micah Potter completely deserves this award. A common first thought about why the Ohio State transfer did not come away with the hardware could be games missed. This award, however, is only indicative of conference performance and Potter only missed two conference games out of the 20. Not only was he an energy-providing stretch big for this team, but he was also one of the key differences between a team that started conference play with a loss at Rutgers (this loss did not turn out to look so bad), and a team that ended the year as co-Big Ten regular season champions. Once Kobe King left the program, Potter, for matchup reasons, was inserted into the starting lineup for a total of three Big Ten games including the Badger win at Indiana. Despite those three games, the Ohio native’s main role was as a key contributor off the pine. Now let’s break it down statistically.

There are certain arguments with Potter and Wiggins that cancel each other out. They both averaged right around ten points per contest, Potter had a slight edge in the rebounding category as a big, their teams both won the same amount of conference games, and they each had games where they led their respective squads to w’s. One major separating factor, however, is how Potter and Wiggins individually got their respective numbers. For the Badger big man, efficiency was incredibly high in conference play. Potter shot an incredible 48.9% from beyond the arc, nearly 55% on all field goals, and 83% from the line. He did all of that while only playing nearly 19 minutes per game. Potter only played in three games that were not conference clashes. He did not make a three in those three games, and he averaged just under five points a game. The Mentor, Ohio product elevated his game, got his legs under him, and did damage in conference play.

Wiggins, on the flip side, got to his numbers in a much less efficient way. In conference play, the sophomore guard shot just 38% from the field and a bit under 32% from distance. His scoring average actually dropped slightly down to 10.0 points per conference game in comparison to the non-conference slate. Additionally, Wiggins played nearly eight more minutes than the Badger big man on average in conference play. In college basketball terms, Wiggins has not actually been incredibly inefficient. Once again, this is an argument about the incredible efficiency of Potter in conference play.

Had Maryland and Wisconsin’s records been significantly different, which at the beginning of February looked likely, it would have made sense to reward winning and therefore reward Wiggins. With these two teams tied at 14-6 in the conference after an eight-game Wisconsin winning streak? It’s truly hard to see how Potter did not come away with a well-deserved trophy.

Big Ten proposal for one-time transfer exception will have mixed consequences

The Big Ten has proposed a one-time transfer allowance for all student-athletes. It’ll have mixed consequences.

If you stopped watching college football, or college sports in general about ten years ago and decided to pick it back up this past year or two, there’s a good chance you’d be shocked by all the changes. One of the movements that’s changed things drastically is the transfer portal.

It’s now easier to transfer thanks to the ability to simply put your name in the portal rather than going through the red tape of engineering discussions with opposing programs and coaching staffs through your own athletic department. It’s also has become easier to get waivers approved for the NCAA’s undergraduate transfer rule that makes athletes sit out a year.

What has resulted is not exactly free agency in college sports, but something moving closer towards it. Heck, just last year alone, three of the four Heisman finalists were kids that transferred to greener pastures and carved out a better situation for themselves. That, of course, will do nothing to curb some of the transfer of top-end athletes.

It’s been a management nightmare though for coaches, players and administrators. You now have to try and figure out how many scholarships are available, manage to any defections, and even recruit players out of the transfer portal that could make a difference for your program.

What has ensued is not the wild, wild, west exactly, but something closer to a car auction without a garage. All parties involved agree there needs to be better oversight, but nobody has the answers.

But the Big Ten is trying to get in front of it by waving the white flag just a bit. This past week news surfaced about the conference quietly proposing a one-time transfer option for all athletes. It would allow them a one-time exemption to transfer as an undergraduate without having to sit out a year. This according to a report from CBS Sports.

The “year-in-residency” rule has been in place since 1951, but it currently only pertains to five sports — football, baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and hockey. Now, the Big Ten believes it’s time to make it uniform and make things more transparent and understandable.

We’ll see where this goes, but there are pros and cons that are evident on the surface. While instituting a one-time transfer would take away the ambiguity of when and who can get an exception to the one-year in residency rule, it would further open the flood gates for kids to transfer. Given the opportunity to move on instead of develop and stick things out, many might pull the rip-chord early and miss out on a better situation in front of them.

There will be two schools of thought. Many will push the benefits of sticking with something, working through adversity and coming out the better end with a life lesson. There will be another — and perhaps more vocal — side of the argument that will praise the advocate for the individual’s freedom of choice. Yes, there will be Twitter fights.

Anyway, there’s going to more come out on this. Other conferences, and the NCAA itself, will need to study and weigh in on this proposal. The earliest the Big Ten could adopt the rule would be in 2021, so there’s at least a little bit of time, though that’ll be here before you know it.

Whatever happens, between the name, image, and likeness stuff and this, big-time college athletics continues to evolve.