Category Archives: Big Ten Conference

UPDATE: Michigan St. yanks rapper’s scholarship

May 14, 2013 – 7:08 pm

DatBull spun it like he has better things to do than play dat ball.

Michigan State sees it a little differently.

As we blogged last night, according to this story, a Michigan State wide receiver recruit from Pennsylvania informed his parents and the school that he’s picking a rap career over a college football career.

But this Philly.com story says Jay Harris was stripped of his scholarship after releasing a rap video that showed him lighting a marijuana cigarette and using explicit lyrics.

Genius.

Harris does have an album slated for a June 1 release, and it’s not like we’re rooting against him. He was removed from the roster of the prestigious Big 33 Game set for June and is apparently done with football. Dat is bold.

By Zac | Also posted in NCAA Football | Tagged , , |


Travis Howard, other Buckeyes awaiting NFL calls

April 27, 2013 – 8:22 am

Several Ohio State players, most notably John Simon and Reid Fragel, are still waiting to hear their names called in the NFL Draft.

Cornerback Travis Howard is one who could be a seventh-round pick — or could have to go the long route and try to make it as  an undrafted free agent. Howard had a solid senior season and plays a priority position, but he really only has the one good season of tape to state his draft case.

His position coach last season, Kerry Coombs, believes Howard will and should be drafted today. Now, that’s neither unusual nor groundbreaking; of course a coach is going to stand up for his guys. But Coombs does everything with extra energy and passion, and he’s passionate that Howard is primed to have a successful pro career.

“Travis, in my estimation, is an NFL defensive back — no doubt about it,” Coombs said. “I’ve coached seven guys who have been in NFL camps and I think he’s every bit as good or better than those guys. He has a tremendous upside. He’s nowhere near a finished product. He’s explosive, he’s long, he can play man to man and he sees the ball well in zone. He gets off the ground.

“He’s a great kid. You don’t have to worry about, is he hanging out in the bar at 2am? That kind of stuff? No. Travis is who he is. He loves the game. He’ll play special teams. He’ll make your team. That’s what I tell scouts. He’ll make your team. I would take him, and I think he’ll be a good player.

“Coming into last year his effort was minimal, his academics were poor, his work ethic was questionable. I think all those things. And I think he had a real good look in the mirror, and he had a lot of help from head coach and his position coach. He didn’t like what he saw and we didn’t like what we saw. I remember driving on vacation last July with my wife and calling him, and what I heard was, ‘I got you coach, I got you coach.’

“I called him every day from the dog gone beach because I wanted to make sure he was taking care of business, and he was. There’s something to be said for that.

“He’s not as good as he would have been had he taken that approach for four years. He has first-round talent. Now, he won’t be drafted that high but he’s a better player than a lot of guys (who got invited) to the NFL Combine. Travis is going to play a lot of football.”

Johnathan Hankins is the only Buckeye selected so far, having gone to the New York Giants in Friday night’s second round.

Fellow Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby, a third-year sophomore last season, elected to stay in school another year. I asked Coombs if he thought Roby would be a first-round pick next year, and he looked at me like I’d asked a silly question.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”

Only a surprise pick of Wisconsin center Travis Frederick by the Dallas Cowboys at No. 31 overall on Thursday night saved the Big Ten from not having a player drafted in the first round for the first time since 1953.

Here’s a hint: With Urban Meyer in Columbus, that streak is probably safe for a while.

By Zac | Also posted in Draft 2013, NCAA Football, NFL, Ohio State Buckeyes |


Final rundown: OSU spring game details

April 12, 2013 – 9:12 pm

CINCINNATI – One more rundown on the details for Ohio State’s spring game Saturday…

WHERE: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati. Renovations at Ohio State have forced the Buckeyes on the road, and their day trip to Cincinnati will include a stop at Montgomery Inn and a pregame pep talk from Bengals coach Marvin Lewis.

WHEN: First snap at 1 p.m. There will be no kickoffs, but the game will be played in four timed quarters. It very much will be a game as Urban Meyer believes in evaluating players — especially those lacking real-game experience — in a game-like environment. The players have been divided into teams, Scarlet and Gray, though some will play for both. Look for the likes of Braxton Miller, Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall to see limited action.

This is a big opportunity for many of Ohio State’s younger and less-heralded players.

TICKETS: $12 for adults, $5 for kids 2-6 at the Paul Brown Stadium north ticket office.

BROADCAST: No live TV. Live radio on 97.1 FM in Columbus and 1480 AM Cincinnati.  The game will air on BTN Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET.

MORE: Parking in stadium lots will be $10. The early weather forecast calls for a temperature of about 60 degrees. The Buckeyes won’t get their (highly inflated) announced crowd of 81,000-plus from last year but could surpass the 2011 spring game attendance of 44,276.

NOTABLE NAMES ON THE SCARLET TEAM: Miller, Hall, Devin Smith (now wearing No. 9), both Corey Browns, Andrew Norwell, Jeff Heuerman, Jack Mewhort, Marcus Hall (essentially the starting offense). Backup quarterbacks Kenny Guiton and Cardale Jones will play for both teams.

AND ON THE GRAY TEAM: Bradley Roby, Christian Bryant, C.J. Barnett, Hyde, Michael Bennett, Adolphus Washington, Noah Spence, Curtis Grant (essentially the starting defense).

NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY: Linebacker Ryan Shazier, running back Rod Smith, cornerback Bradley Roby.

By Zac | Also posted in NCAA Football, Ohio State Buckeyes |


Opportunity knocks for Ball and Dunn

April 11, 2013 – 2:40 pm

Ohio State spring game is significant for a lot of reasons.

It’s really big for young running backs Warren Ball and Brionte Dunn. The Buckeye backfield is crowded, and it’s going to get more crowded this summer when highly-touted freshman Ezekiel Elliot joins the mix.

Speaking on the Big Ten spring teleconference Wednesday, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said junior running back Rod Smith suffered a concussion in practice and might not be able to play Saturday. With senior Carlos Hyde entrenched as the starter and quarterback Braxton Miller due to get more than his share of carries when the real games start, the time is now for Ball for Dunn to make a lasting impression.

Ball, a gifted and powerful runner out of Columbus DeSales, suffered a foot injury in training camp last August and had season-ending surgery. Meyer said he’s come back strong this spring and played like he wants to have a role.

“He’s certainly not where we need him,” Meyer said. “It was a tough injury but he’s a tough kid. He’s been a little hesitant at times but he’s shown he can help us.”

Dunn, a decorated runner out of Canton GlenOak who was in for spring practice a year ago couldn’t pass Hyde or Smith in the pecking order last year, even before Hyde established himself as the starter. Meyer said he got good reports on Dunn from the strength coaches from the work he did this winter but that hasn’t translated to the field, at least not consistently.

“He’s doing OK, not bad,” Meyer said.

OK won’t cut it on this Ohio State team. Dunn is a big, between the tackles back who might not be the best fit for Meyer’s spread offense, and he figures to get lots of chances on Saturday to show he can fit and produce. He should be ahead of Ball given what Ball missed and that this is Dunn’s second spring, and the spring game will bring a chance to show that he is.

Meyer said the current order at running back is “Hyde, followed by Smith, and with the other two it depends on what day.”

Returning senior Jordan Hall has been moved to the “H” position and will play in the slot and even at wide receiver, another area of concern for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has experimented with a shotgun, three-back look at times this spring with Miller, Hyde, Smith and Hall. With those guys either out or expected to play limited roles Saturday, the door is open for Dunn and Ball.

Meyer said Smith “would probably be one of the five most improved players on offense” this spring before he suffered the concussion.

Meyer said the spring game gives his coaches an idea of how guys react “in a big-time environment” and can leave a lasting impression. This Ohio State staff uses the spring to tinker and evaluate and sets its fall depth chart soon.

“In the spring, it’s ‘go earn a spot,’” Meyer said. “In the fall, we’re trying to go win a game.”

By Zac | Also posted in NCAA Football, Ohio State Buckeyes | Tagged , , , , |


Final Four theories and picks

April 6, 2013 – 3:02 pm

I have theories.

Yes, I usually do.

Anyway, my theory regarding Michigan is just that the season is too long, and the young Wolverines were tired, and Big Ten teams knew them well enough to slow them down, and there were times Trey Burke tried to do too much.

Losing on Friday at the Big Ten tournament was a blessing in disguise. The Wolverines got rested, and refocused, and got a good draw that allowed them to get out and run and have fun again.

Oh, and Mitch McGary started playing like the 7-foot monster he is.

Oh, and when Burke made that 3-pointer from Waco to force overtime vs. Kansas, it became clear that Michigan was a little charmed, too.

Syracuse is playing really good defense and got a draw with opponents who needed pace and tempo to succeed, Syracuse just halted that pace and turned games into grinders. It’s a good thing Indiana cut down that net back on March 5, because the Hoosiers might not have beaten Syracuse in five tries.

I think that zone and those athletes will slow down Michigan the way Big Ten teams.

We’ll see if I know anything.

I have two theories on why there’s not a ton of buzz about Wichita State’s run to the Final Four.

One, Butler spoiled everybody. We’ve seen this before — recently, and in back to back years. Especially the second time around when Butler and VCU made the Final Four in the same year.

Here, it’s because Wichita State beat Ohio State. Especially with Michigan still going on the other side, basketball season ended for much of Ohio around 9 last Saturday night.

I have another theory, too. It would take a near miracle for any of these teams to beat Louisville.

The Cardinals are rolling. They have a cause, a mission and a nasty demeanor. Keeping up for 40 minutes is just tough.

Those are my theories. Here are my picks…

Louisville 74, Wichita State 61

Syracuse 62, Michigan 60

MONDAY NIGHT

Louisville 68, Syracuse 63

By Zac | Also posted in Big East Conference, NCAA Basketball |


Meyer: Buckeyes “not yet worthy” of national title talk

April 2, 2013 – 12:56 pm

There’s never a dull moment with Urban Meyer.

The Ohio State football coach is again inviting students to come see the Buckeyes practice this weekend. They can bring their brothers and sisters and parents, too, as it’s sibling’s weekend at Ohio State.

In talking about the event with the student newspaper, Meyer said his team is “not yet worthy” of national championship conversation.

He knows his words carry weight and that his quotes travel quickly, including through the locker room. He genuinely believes in things like the importance of his players interacting with the general student body, and those students feeling like they’re a part of the monster that Meyer is building.

The story from Meyer’s interview with The Lantern can be viewed here.

The video of his message to students regarding Saturday’s practice is here.

By Zac | Also posted in NCAA Football, Ohio State Buckeyes |


NCAA tournament glory is fleeting

March 26, 2013 – 1:16 am

Remember last year at this time, when there were four Ohio teams in the Sweet 16?

Yeah, that was fun. Truthfully, though, it’s hard to remember last week at this time, when all seemed right in the college basketball world for 68 teams and probably 65 of those teams had at least some reason for optimism.

The one thing visiting two different NCAA tournament sites on the tournament’s first weekend reminded me of is how quickly it all ends.

The first thing I saw in Auburn Hills last Thursday was a dejected Saint Mary’s team walking to its bus.

On Sunday, I saw Iowa State making the same walk in Dayton. It was snowy and windy and miserable. Fittingly miserable.

Man, it stings. Especially for the seniors. Especially when the games are so close. We live for the madness, the magic and the one shining moment that happens when Aaron Craft beats the buzzer and Florida Gulf Coast dances to the Sweet 16.

Enjoy the hell out of it, FGCU. It probably ends with a beatdown this Friday. It ends for 67 teams at least a little too soon.

Whatever happens, FGCU made it a lot longer than over half the field. Thinking about makes Ohio State’s run of four straight Sweet 16s that much more impressive, really.

Last Thursday night I saw the three VCU players being escorted to the media area after their rout of Akron laughing. How could you blame them?

About 40 minutes later, I saw VCU coach Shaka Smart leading a pack of VCU employees of some sort (I’m guessing) turn a corner on his way out of that media area, unaware that Akron coach Keith Dambrot and some of his assistants were just to his left as he turned right.

Smart gave a quick wave as he turned right. It was a little awkward, to say the least, after Smart and Dambrot talked last  week about being best friends and then VCU beat Akron past submission, 88-42. What Dambrot and the Akron contingent were thinking at that point, I really don’t know. I can guess that the jubilant Akron show selection party four nights earlier felt like it had been 40 nights earlier.

I know, at the point of that awkward wave, that Smart was already thinking about Michigan.

Exactly 36 hours later, Michigan ran VCU off the floor and ran VCU out of the tournament.

Ran ‘em right back to the bus. It was probably cold, windy and miserable. I don’t know for sure because I was in Dayton, wondering how in 2013 the NCAA could play a first weekend at a place that doesn’t have a single restaurant or bar within a 20-minute walk of the arena.

It’s the walks these players and coaches make out of the arena that provide some of the most powerful images I remember in every tournament. It’s gone in a flash; it’s great while it lasts.

Is it Thursday yet? I’m ready for some more win or go home basketball.

By Zac | Also posted in Akron Zips, Atlantic 10 Conference, NCAA Basketball | Tagged , , , , , , |


Ohio St. – Arizona gets early tip time

March 25, 2013 – 12:22 am

DAYTON, Ohio – Ohio State will play Arizona on Thursday at 7:47 p.m. ET.

The game will tip at 4:47 p.m. at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Indiana – Syracuse is the CBS marquee late game on Thursday. Miami and Marquette play the early game opposite Ohio State – Arizona, which will air on TBS.

On Friday night, Michigan – Kansas will be the early game in Dallas and Michigan State – Duke is the marquee late game from the Midwest regional in Indianapolis.

The Buckeyes tipping in the middle of the afternoon in Los Angeles against Arizona is surprising, but the bottom line is CBS chose Indiana – Syracuse as its marquee game. Arizona will likely have the biggest crowd of the four teams playing at Staples Center. Tucson is in the Mountain time zone.

The full bracket with times is here

By Zac | Also posted in NCAA Basketball, Ohio State Buckeyes | Tagged , , , |


Thoughts on Saturday’s NCAA games

March 23, 2013 – 11:08 am

DAYTON, Ohio – Just some thoughts on today’s NCAA tournament games below.

I actually didn’t do terribly in trying to help with my analysis earlier this week. On my “official” bracket I guessed correctly on 23 of 32 first-round games, and considering the number of upsets, I’m patting myself on the back.

I generally do. Here goes…

Michigan – VCU: To me, it’s the must-see game of the day, though there certainly will be good games at night. VCU probably isn’t as great as it looked against Akron, but Michigan has been trending in the wrong direction for a month now. Trey Burke will create scoring opportunities by beating VCU’s pressure, but Michigan’s inside struggles and inconsistent shooting are of major concern. VCU’s Troy Daniels is locked in, and I think the Rams win another one

VCU 68, Michigan 66

Michigan State – Memphis: The Spartans have a lot going for them, including an advantage inside with Derrick Nix and the home-crowd advantage in Auburn Hills. They’ll be a tough out for a gifted Memphis team that played a smart, steady game in holding off Saint Mary’s on Thursday. Expect a close one throughout, but wait ’til later for a true upset

Michigan State 65, Memphis 58

Colorado State – Louisville: Strange things happen in March, but not in this game.

Louisville 72, Colorado State 52

Harvard – Arizona: The wide-open West region gives us another intriguing pairing. Harvard comes in off a huge upset of New Mexico and won’t be intimidated on this stage. Arizona has the talent to make a deep run and should see the door open here, but don’t expect it to be easy. Maybe Mark Lyons vs. Ohio State next Thursday?

Arizona 67, Harvard 65

Oregon – Saint Louis: The Ducks aren’t your typical 12 seed and are playing their best basketball right now. So are the Billikens, who can play with anybody. Unfortunately, Louisville is probably next, but this will be an outstanding game.

Saint Louis 58, Oregon 55

Butler – Marquette: I’m not sure if anybody knows just how Marquette managed to win that game Thursday against Davidson. I am sure nobody wants to see Butler in a tournament setting. The longer the Bulldogs hang around, the more dangerous they become.

Butler 65, Marquette 60

Wichita State – Gonzaga: Not your typical No. 1 seed vs. No. 9 matchup, especially when compared to Louisville-Colorado State. Wichita State has guards, experience and won’t be rattled. Gonzaga seems to be playing a little burdened, and though I expect the Zags to be better than they were against Southern, I don’t think they’ll be good enough.

Wichita 63, Gonzaga 60

Cal – Syracuse: The Orange cruised over Montana by 47 in the first round and Cal showed it’s also not your typical 12 seed by running past UNLV. Cal has the guards (as previously advertised) to take on the Syracuse zone, and I’d expect the Bears to be right in it all the way. Upset Saturday? Yes, why not? Upset Saturday it is.

Cal 68, Syracuse 67

By Zac | Also posted in Atlantic 10 Conference, Big East Conference, Butler, NCAA Basketball |


Sam Thompson can fly

March 22, 2013 – 10:01 pm

DAYTON – Is Sam Thompson human?

After watching this Friday night, I’m not sure.

Ohio State beat Iona the way it should have Friday night. Iona knows one speed, wasn’t going to change and was going against one of the best perimeter defense teams in the country — and one that has the athletes to take a track meet against an inferior opponent and turn it into a rout.

Hence, 95-70.

I actually thought Thompson’s first alley-oop dunk, early in the game, was as good as any I’d seen. Then he reached into the rafters and did this.

By Zac | Also posted in NCAA Basketball, Ohio State Buckeyes |