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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. Darrell Green Redskins Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Sammy Baugh Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. http://www.redskinsfansproshop.com/Redskins+Joe+Theismann+Rush+Jersey.html?cat=1300 . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. John Riggins Jersey . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. Bryce Love Jersey . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. PITTSBURGH -- James Conner is well aware every running back only has so many carries in his body. And for all hes given to Pittsburgh over the last four years, coming back for one more go around couldnt outweigh the chance to see if he can make it as a pro.Running backs already have a short lifespan, Conner said Monday. Wish I could have done more (at Pitt) to be honest, team wise, better records and stuff. I feel like Im ready. Thats my dream, going to the NFL and Im just asking for the opportunity.The ACCs all-time touchdown leader initially planned on putting off a decision until after Pitt (8-4) meets Northwestern (6-6) in the Pinstripe Bowl next week but opted to announce it earlier this month so he wouldnt be a distraction to the teams 19 seniors. Besides, the 21-year-old already had his mind made up, though that didnt keep coach Pat Narduzzi from making one last plea.He didnt want me to leave, Conner said on Monday. Hes saying all the `could bes.Not that Narduzzi put up much of a fight. Hes well aware of the path Conner took to get to this point. Conner hoped to make the jump to the NFL last year but a torn MCL in his right knee in the 2015 season opener and a very public battle with Hodgkin lymphoma last winter. Conner underwent months of draining treatment but returned in time for fall practice and gained strength as the seasoon wore on.dddddddddddd. He finished with 1,060 yards rushing and 20 total touchdowns to push his career total to 56, the most in ACC history .The 2014 ACC player of the year appeared to get stronger as the season wore on. He topped 100 yards rushing in four of Pitts final five games, including 132 in an upset of Clemson on Nov. 12. Yet hes still aware hes got plenty to prove between now and the 2017 NFL draft in late April. Its why he had no interest in skipping the Panthers bowl game, something LSUs Leonard Fournette and Stanfords Christian McCaffrey are doing to avoid risk of injury.I just feel like Im going to take advantage of it really, showing the scouts Im back to my normal self and that I can compete at a high level after everything Ive been through, Conner said. Im playing, thats all I know.Just where the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Conner goes is up in the air. He said hes been unable to avoid draft projections -- most of which have him going in the middle to late rounds.I only need one team out of 32 to like my film, he said. Ive got to prepare myself for a good 40-yard dash time. Its up to me how far I get drafted.---More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '