Linking Laconically Has Made the Big Time, Plus MSU #4 in Big Ten Preseason Poll

New NIU coach Mark Montgomery brings Izzo philosophy with him -- CNNSI.com  Congratulations to our own Steve Hendershot, who had this profile of current Northern Illinois/previous MSU assistant Mark Montgomery.  It's a great read, complete with quotes from Montgomery and Izzo comparing and contrasting the two coaches, and explaining the new challenges Montgomery will face with the Huskies.

The poll that ranks every Big Ten team -- The Columbus Dispatch  The Big Ten Media preseason basketball poll has been released, and Michigan State is at #4 behind Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State.  Ohio State got every first place vote (as they should), and I'm alright with MSU at #4.  Wisconsin has Jordan Taylor back and always seems to do well every year, and Michigan had the same record and lost just about as much as MSU.  In my opinion you could have any combination of MSU, Michigan, and Wisconsin (maybe even Purdue) in any combination and I wouldn't quibble.  Two things piqued my interest in this poll:

• Two writers voted Indiana in the cellar, below Penn State.  Either the Nittany Lion beat writers are bullish on Penn State's chances last year, Hammer and Rails and Boiled Sports have finally infiltrated the media poll, or confused Nebraska basketball writers are confused.
• Someone thinks Minnesota will finish third.  If teams were not allowed to play with guards, this would be a possibility.

BONUS LINK!  Black Heart Gold Pants breaks down win probability and other cool stats during State's final drive on Saturday.