Around the Big Ten: June 21st, 2011

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Off-season news and notes from around the conference.

Illinois: Illinois picked up a late commitment from a 6-foot-8 240lb center, Ibrahima Djimde, but he’s still waiting to find out whether he’s been cleared. Meyers Leonard made the USA U19 World Championship team along with Tim Hardaway Jr.

Indiana: The Hoosiers hired Calbert Cheaney as their new Director of Basketball Operations. 2012 commitment Hanner Perea is also very good at dunking. The Hoosiers also picked up a late commitment from combo guard Remy Abell.

Iowa: Freshman sensation Melsahn Basabe was cut from the U19 World Championship team. The Hawkeyes also announced their non-conference schedule, highlighted Clemson, Drake and Iowa State.

Michigan State: The two big additions in East Lansing were Valpo 5th-year transfer Brandon Wood and assistant coach Dane Fife. Delvon Roe will miss six weeks this off season with a severe ankle sprain. This is the second major MSU injury this season as Russell Byrd is sidelined until fall with a third ankle surgery. Draymond Green will try out for the USA team that will travel China in August to participate in the 2011 World University Games, Keith Appling is trying out for the U19 squad with Tim Hardaway Jr. The MSU-UNC game on an aircraft carrier will be played on the same boat that buried Osama bin Laden at sea. Michigan is getting a new scoreboard this summer and apparently Michigan State is too.

Minnesota: Tubby Smith was diagnosed with prostate cancer but is now “cancer free” after treatment. Trevor Mbakwe will try out for the USA World University Games squad. Ralph Sampson III is returning to school despite odd NBA rumors.

Nebraska: Nebraska is revamping its “hoops environment” in Lincoln but don’t expect this to be Michigan’s toughest road Big Ten game by any measure.

Northwestern: John Shurna will try out for the USA World University Games squad. The Wildcats hired former Rutgers coach Fred Hill, as an assistant coach and also added a transfer from TCU,

Ohio State: Assistant coach Brandon Miller resigned and the 32 year old head man wants his next job to be away from basketball. The Buckeyes also hired Greg Paulus as a video coordinator. Amir Williams was late to campus at Ohio State with what appears to be an issue with standardized test timing at this point and should be resolved.

Penn State: Ed DeChellis packed his bags and went to Navy and now it’s all about Pat Chambers in State College and PSU fans are excited about their new head man. Chambers also wants to revive the PSU-Pitt rivalry on the hardwood. He also was stabbed.

Purdue: Ronnie Johnson, a PG rated in the 2012 top-100, committed to Purdue. Patrick Bade left the program, making the switch to football. The Boilermakers also hired a pair of new assistant coaches in Micah Shrewsberry and Greg Gary. Purdue also released its non-conference schedule.

Wisconsin: Jordan Taylor will try out for the USA World University Games squad. Mike Miller notes that Taylor could be headed for a monster season, I ask how he would define last year.

Don’t hesitate to post any updates that we may have missed in the comments.