WASHINGTON -- The Big Ten Conference displayed its broader footprint Thursday with a landmark visit to the nations capital.All the leagues mens basketball coaches and many of the best players gathered for the first Big Ten Media Day held on the East Coast. Even more significant: The conference tournament will take place in Washington from March 8-12.The addition of Maryland and Rutgers has enabled the Big Ten widen its scope. Although the conference has maintained its deep roots in the Midwest, the league has an office in New York and its annual tournament is on the move. In addition to setting up shop in at Verizon Center next March, the Big Ten will decide its 2018 champion at Madison Square Garden.It really is an example of a traditional conference that continues to change, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said. Our actions are aligned with our plans. This is a very important part of the country for us.The leagues basketball coaches seemed enthused about the shift in the conference landscape.Its great for us to branch out, Illinois coach John Groce said. We recruit in this area. Our alums are in this area, and were just excited about this new opportunity that we have to play and to be here today in D.C.Michigan coach John Beilein said: It really is something really unique, to be able to do this. I think its a fantastic idea. When I walk out on these streets in Washington and in New York, the amount of `Go Blues I hear is incredible.Some things to know about the upcoming basketball season:THE FAVORITEWisconsin has the bulk of its roster back, including Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year Nigel Hayes, which makes it the team to beat.Each team has lost some key people, whether it be an Indiana or even a Purdue, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. Wisconsin has lost the least. So I think everybody has picked them to win it, and rightfully so.This was the first media day for Badgers coach Greg Gard, who took over last December after Bo Ryan announced his retirement.REPLACING YOGIDefending Big Ten champion Indiana will need to find a replacement for Yogi Ferrell, a four-year starter at point guard and the schools career assists leader. Unfortunately, the heir apparent is still recovering from knee surgery.If there was one guy that was going to be that guy, it would probably be Collin Hartman because of his experience, coach Tom Crean said. But he has to do that from the sideline now, so what we have to get is responsibility for one another.FEELING MELOMarylands best returning player is guard Melo Trimble, who opted to stay for his junior season rather than enter the NBA draft.He is at great peace, coach Mark Turgeon said. I think all along Melo wanted to stay. He knew it was the best thing for him, and hes been very happy since he made that decision.Trimble is the lone returning starter from a team that reached the Sweet 16 last season. He led the Terrapins in scoring and assists.BRING IT ONPurdue has an ambitious non-conference schedule that includes games against defending NCAA champion Villanova, Notre Dame and Louisville. Coach Matt Painter hopes those matchups -- and a preseason scrimmage with ball-hawking West Virginia -- will help his team overcome its most glaring weakness of last season.We struggled after getting leads in late games and taking care of the basketball, he said.THE ROOKIERutgers first-year coach Steve Pikiell knows hes got quite a task trying to rebuild the program. Rutgers finished 1-17 in league play and is an overwhelming pick to come in last again.Ive talked about this from the first day I got the job, about embracing the challenge, he said. Were trying to change the culture here.BEST OF THE BUNCHHayes was also a unanimous selection to the preseason All-Big Ten team by media that cover the league. He is joined on the team by Badgers teammates Ethan Happ and Bronson Koenig, Trimble, Illinois Malcolm Hill, Indianas James Blackmon Jr. and Thomas Bryant, Iowas Peter Jok, Michigans Derrick Walton Jr. and Purdues Caleb Swanigan. Cheap Nike Air Max 270 All Red . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Cheap Nike Air Max 270 Grey . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. http://www.airmax270cheap.com/cheap-nike-air-max-270-white/ .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Air Max 270 Black For Sale . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Cheap Nike Air Max 270 Rose . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Mike Rodriguez converted four free throws in the final 1:11 to lift Southern Illinois to a come-from-behind, 74-70 win over Texas Southern Saturday.Dulani Robinsons 3-pointer with 1:30 left gave Texas Southern the lead, 70-68. Robinson was whistled for a foul with 1:11 left, sending Rodriguez to the line for two free throws. After making the first, Texas Southern was whistled for a technical foul and Armon Fletcher converted one of two from the line, after which Rodriguez returned tto hit the second of two.dddddddddddd Rodriguez added two more from the line with eight seconds left.Fletcher finished with 17 points and Rodriguez 15 for the Salukis (5-3), who won their fourth home game in five outings.Zach Lofton, who came in averaging 20.3 points per game for the Tigers (4-4), scored 26 on 11 of 18 shooting from the field, including 4 of 8 from distance. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '