You don't need a long list of big-name schools recruiting you or a picture-perfect jump shot to make a mark in basketball. Today's case in point: Northwestern forward John Shurna.

The question has been asked, in various ways, since the beginning of the season, and the answer figured to get a little more clarity here last night. How good is this enigmatic Ohio State basketball team?

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is in the hunt for a cornerbacks coach again. Bill Sheridan, who had been on the job just over two weeks, yesterday asked for a release so he could "pursue other opportunities," according to an OSU spokesman.

Kelsey Barlow's Purdue basketball career is over, and teammate D.J. Byrd has been suspended for Sunday's game against seventh-ranked Michigan State following an incident at a West Lafayette bar.

The last time someone broke Northwestern's all-time scoring record, the feat barely got noticed. The game did stop briefly after Billy McKinney hit a top-of-the-key jumper at Michigan on March 6, 1976, to best Jim Burns' mark. But McKinney did not keep the basketball. No one did.

Bruce Weber should've taken the Oklahoma job last year. I believed it then. I believe it more than ever now because the Illinois coach lost for the seventh time in eight games Wednesday night when his Illini fell 67-62 at home to Purdue.

The Iowa senior has scored 1,452 points in his career, ranking 13th on Iowa's all-time list.

It's never pleasant being benched, especially when it's seniors who have represented a basketball program and their university in excellent fashion. But after starting 23 consecutive games to begin their senior seasons, point guard Lewis Jackson and shooting guard Ryne Smith learned hours before Purdue's Feb. 7 game at Ohio State that they were being replaced in the starting lineup.

When his team lost early in the Big Ten season at Indiana and Illinois, Ohio State coach Thad Matta spoke of a still young and developing group not being able to handle the adversity that comes with playing on the road in the conference.

Iowa sophomore forward Melsahn Basabe has disappointed many with his inconsistent play this season, but he says no one has taken it harder than himself.

No delicate way exists to approach the following topic ? especially with four weeks left in the season ? so here goes: The world of college basketball knows that Nebraska (11-13 overall, tied for last in the Big Ten at 3-10) is headed toward a coaching search. As if any confirmation were needed, I took phone calls from three current and former Division I coaching friends after Saturday's mess against Penn State in which the first words weren't "Hello'' or "What's up?'' but "Who are they going to hire?''

Big Ten men's basketball ratings by World-Herald staff writer Lee Barfknecht. Published Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Big Ten officials are considering Werner Park in Papillion as a venue for the conference baseball tournament beginning in 2013. Omaha Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro said Monday night that Sarpy County officials took Big Ten officials on a tour of the 9,000-seat stadium and made a presentation. The Storm Chasers are the top farm club of the Kansas City Royals and the primary tenant at Werner Park.

Can a player on a team tied for last place with a month to go earn first-team All-Big Ten honors? Penn State point guard Tim Frazier is making a case.

When Tracy Dildy watches the Selection Sunday show, he can't help but wonder what if. And reminisce about the old days. A city native, the Chicago State coach helped erect one of the more prominent area teams as an assistant at DePaul at a time when the state produced NCAA tournament-bound teams annually.