Why is this news?: B1G spring meetings, Michigan in mix for Eron Harris

"We’ve got a lot to talk about relative to different sports with Maryland and Rutgers coming in."

-Ohio State Director of Athletics Gene Smith to the Columbus Dispatch's Todd Jones

The Big Ten's annual spring meetings began today in Chicago and will continue for the next three days. With the conference set to welcome Maryland and Rutgers to the mix, the Big Ten is preparing for the addition of 47 varsity teams.

But there are other issues beyond the scope of the Big Ten's soon-to-be 14 members athletic department leaders and their attorneys will be forced to discuss. Issues relative to the entirety of the college sports landscape from football scheduling to the Ed O'Bannon litigation, universities having the ability to increase stipends to cover the full cost of attendance along with seeking autonomy for the NCAA's big five conferences, are expected to be discussed.

"I think it's essentially what we need," Smith told Jones regarding the power conferences having more autonomy . "I have some trepidation about the super-majority (voting) requirement, but in the end, I'm very comfortable with its direction."

"Now that spring practice is in the books, Meyer has narrowed in on Wilson, who was named the starting H-back (known as the "Percy Harvin position") for the Buckeyes this year."

-Bleacher Report columnist David Remigbal

With the loss of running back Carlos Hyde to graduation, Ohio State will need returning players to step up if the Buckeyes want to continue their strong running game. Bleacher Report's David Remigbal looks at one returning ball carrier in sophomore Dontre Wilson.

Anchoring the H-Back/Pivot position Percy Harvin excelled in as a Florida Gator under Urban Meyer, Remigbal provides a tale of the tape between the two and provides formations and players Wilson may be able thrive in. As Wilson spoke to feeling like a decoy during his freshmen season, year two may see him provide a greater impact in the offense next year, alleviating quarterback Braxton Miller of some of the ground responsibilities in turning into a dynamic threat.

"While the rest of the league has gone with finesse, the 49ers have stuck with power. This not only allows them to take advantage of defenses unaccustomed to a strong rushing game, it has a benefit in the draft."

-Matthew Barrows, the Sacramento Bee

Where Wilson's identity is speed, the departing Hyde is known for being a hard-up-the-middle runner. Players of Hyde's nature are becoming less and less valued in today's NFL, but one team remains true to the power game, and it was the one that drafted the former Buckeye.

A second-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers, Hyde lasted 57 picks in this year's draft before former Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh and company selected him. With teams focusing on using the football field's entire 53-yard width, an unparalleled era in passing prowess, Hyde provides the 49ers with a great value in being a talented second-rounder that perfectly fits their mold.

Barrows also notes that 49ers GM Trent Baalke said the hiccups in the return to form of 49er and former South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore did not weigh into the decision to draft Hyde, but that it signals the once Gamecock does not appear to be the heir apparent to current 49er starter Frank Gore.

"We’re never done. But we’ll look at this last (scholarship) that we may have and we’ll be very judicious with it because it would be coming to ’15 right away and ’16."

-Michigan men's basketball coach John Beilein

Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press pens Michigan head basketball coach John Beilein refused to say next year's Wolverines roster is complete, noting the Maize and Blue have one scholarship available. That open scholie may be of interest to Ohio State fans as Michigan made contact with West Virginia point guard Eron Harris who is tranferring from the Mountaineer program.

Harris would have to sit out the 2014-15 year before being eligible in 2015-16 with two years of eligibility. Harris average 17.2 points this past season for West Virginia. A native of of Indianapolis with a desire to be closer to home, Harris father told the Indianapolis Star the point guard has received interest from Butler, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Purdue, New Mexico, Notre Dame and Ohio State.

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