Although Indiana 39 years ago was the last undefeated major college team, in the shot-clock and 3-pointer era, the metric for (near)-greatness is UNLV 24 years ago.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - Controversial coach, overpowering team, undefeated record, NBA prospects everywhere, good enough to make taking the whole quarry against Goliath look like a sucker bet.

The team was not the Kentucky of 2015 with its 34-0 record, heading for 40-0, dynasty-in-the-making. 

It was Nevada-Las Vegas, 1991, the college basketball dynasty that never quite was.

UNLV, too, was 34-0 24 years ago. Unlike Kentucky, the Runnin' Rebels were a veteran, senior-laden team.

Unlike Kentucky, UNLV had already won one national championship in a 103-73 blitz of Duke the year before.

There was a last-hurrah feel to that tournament run. Euclid-born coach Jerry Tarkanian had gotten a stay of execution in his ongoing fight with the NCAA's infractions sleuths, with probation deferred for one season so UNLV could try to defend its national championship.

Transgressions at UMass and Memphis, misdeeds in which Kentucky coach John Calipari has been formally absolved and which are always brought up about him, were not as sordid.

Because the Rebels lost in one of the greatest NCAA upsets in the national semifinals, 79-77, to a Duke team that had been bolstered by Grant Hill -- one of the great players of our generation, for all that injuries diminished his promise in the NBA -- they are not normally the metric by which Kentucky is measured.

Kentucky vs. 1975-76 Indiana

That is usually Bobby Knight's 1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers, the last undefeated major college team (32-0), who were on a two-year rampage in which they won 63 of 64 games.

By margin of victory, Indiana does not stack up. This, as we shall see, is not necessarily a detriment, but a strength.

Indiana won eight games by single-digit margins and played two overtime games.

Match ups were still determined strictly by geography, and seeding was not an established practice. The Hoosiers beat five teams ranked in the top 20 of the final Associated Press poll in their tournament run -- No. 2 Marquette, No. 5 UCLA, No. 6 Alabama, No. 10 Michigan (in an all-Big Ten final, the first-ever with teams from one conference due to relaxation of the conference champions-only rule) and No. 17 St. John's.

The closest scare was against Alabama in the regional semifinals, a 74-69 victory that turned on a block/charge call which, had it gone the other way, would have fouled out Indiana center Kent Benson, rather than burdening Crimson Tide big man Leon Douglas with four fouls.

Although Alabama took the lead after that, the Tide's coach C.M. Newton never got over the call. Respected so thoroughly by Knight that Newton was on his staff for the gold medal-winning 1984 U.S. Olympic team, Newton said to me, 13 years later, "I've told Bob this. It was just a bad-(sounds like "sass") call."

One of the caveats to Indiana's case is that the shot clock and 3-pointer, which created revolutionary changes in the game, were still 11 years in the future.

In fact, 3-pointers were the difference in Knight's third and last national championship, a one-point squeaker over Syracuse in the first year of the shot's legalization. I discussed the game in the "luckiest/unluckiest coach in a championship game" section of a recent column.

Kentucky vs. 1990-91 UNLV

"You forget sometimes just how old and dominant that Vegas team was. Unlike this Kentucky team, they had won the national championship when they blew out a very good Duke team the year before," said Hill, who was a difference-maker as a freshman for the Blue Devils in 1991.

"They returned everybody from that team," Hill added on a national conference call. "Anderson Hunt might have been the only junior. They were extremely experienced, and they had blown everybody out -- regular season, (Big West) conference tournament, and NCAA Tournament."

The Rebels' closest game had been a 62-54 victory over Georgetown on the road to the Final Four. It was their only victory by under 10 points.

Until they lost to Duke.

"There was even talk they could've played and beaten lot of NBA teams," said Hill.

This is a ludicrous concept occasionally floated by college fans. Every NBA team is a college all-star team, whether that is true literally or only figuratively.

Still, UNLV had three players who went on to substantial NBA careers in Larry Johnson (10 years), Greg Anthony (11) and Stacey Augmon (15.)

"Do I believe they could beat an NBA team?" Hill said. "No, but that was the talk at the time."

How Duke won

"The one benefit we had was we had been in close games," said Hill. "We had improved over the course of the regular season. We had won some close ones, lost some close ones, and learned from the experience. So our game plan was let's keep it close. Let's hit them in the mouth early. Let's manage the game and  when we get in the last 5-6 minutes, they're going to be be uncomfortable."

After the two-point loss, the "what-if's" proliferated for UNLV fans.

What if point guard and floor leader Greg Antony hadn't fouled out with 3:51 to play?

What if Duke point guard Bobby Hurley had been called for an intentional foul against Hunt ?

What if Johnson hadn't gotten a technical for going after Hurley?

Most of all, what if Johnson hadn't passed up an open 3-pointer in the final seconds, leaving Hunt to try a desperation triple that missed badly?

How the model applies to Kentucky

Frankly, not very well.

"Greg Anthony was their leader, but that Vegas team, dominant as they were. they weren't that deep," said Hill. "They had the luxury of beating teams so bad so early (that they didn't need a bench). I don't know if their bench was an integral part of their strategy."

"Kentucky is different," he continued. "They've been in some close games, been down in the second half against Georgia in recent weeks.

"They are a younger team, but they've been in those gut check times, those moments in timeouts, or when you're in a huddle at the free throw line, and you've got to right the ship, got to turn it loose. They've got a handle on whatever adversity has been thrown at them."

Actually, Kentucky is not as young as many think.

Some veterans are still there, determined to atone for a loss to Robert Morris in the first round of the NIT after the 2012 national title and/or to get the ring that eluded them in last year's title game loss to Connecticut. Among them are junior defensive stopper Willie Cauley-Stein, injured junior Alex Poythress, plus sophomore twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison.

As a result, Kentucky has great depth and can go 10-deep.

The biggest difference between Vegas and Kentucky is in style of defense.

"Kentucky has great rim protectors. I thought UNLV's defensive strength was on the perimeter," said Hill. "Kentucky's strength is interior-wise. Cauley-Stein is their defensive anchor, but they have other big bodies if he gets in foul trouble."

So what recourse is left to challengers?

The Hampton team coach Edward Joyner Jr., beat Manhattan on Tuesday night and earned the 16^th seed against Kentucky in Thursday's game here. After the Manhattan game, Joyner pulled out his cell phone and said, "I told you I have Jesus on speed dial."

Tim Tebow is working with former major league reliever and pitching coach Tom House, who proclaims Tebow "ready" for a comeback. The Browns should be interested, but only if Tebow wants to play tight end -- Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Just because there was a Tim Tebow sighting in Philly last week, slow those emails down (you know who you are) suggesting the Browns take a hard look at the unorthodox former Heisman Trophy winner.

And not only because they already have their own unorthodox former Heisman Trophy winner.

If you listen to Tom House, the former major league relief pitcher who now works with quarterbacks, Tebow "spins the ball better than he did and he's much more accurate than he was.

"I think he's ready," House told Albert Breer of NFL Media.

Ready for what is the critical question.

Tebow worked out for Chip Kelly and departed without signing a contract. There's talk that if the Eagles could get something for Matt Barkley they might sign Tebow as a No. 3 quarterback.

My guess is Kelly would use Tebow in unorthodox ways if he's serious about swapping out Barkley. Like at tight end. Or fullback.

House says Tebow has dedicated himself over the past 18 months as if he were a No. 1 draft pick, not a player who's been out of  football since August 2003 when Bill Belichick cut him in New England.

House is best known in baseball circles as the guy who caught Hank Aaron's 715^th home run as a member of the Atlanta bullpen.

He was Nolan Ryan's pitching coach for a stretch with the Rangers. Ryan felt so strongly about House he made a point to thank House at his Hall of Fame induction.

I last talked to House in 2009 after Indians' righthander Anthony Reyes had spent the offseason at his alma mater, USC, trying to fine tune his pitching motion. House was the pitching coach at USC at the time.

He was famous for a couple other baseball-related things: admitting he dabbled in steroids in the 1970s to his physical detriment. And delving into biomechanics and kinetics in coaching pitchers.

You could tell a House client. He was usually the pitcher throwing footballs around the field as part of his training regimen.

House, who retired as USC's pitching coach in 2011, says he works with numerous NFL quarterbacks including Tom Brady. I don't doubt his credentials or his sincerity.

And who wouldn't wish Tebow well in a comeback?

But the fact remains, the Browns should be focused on finding a starter. Not another backup.

Especially not another backup to the backup QB.

Then again, if he's willing to play tight end sign him up.

Carlos Moncrief's father is pleased to hear the confidence spewing from his son's mouth. It reminds him of himself, once a cocky pitcher certain he was destined for the spoils of big-league glory. Homer didn't make it, though.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Carlos Moncrief digs his left cleat into the powdery dirt surrounding home plate. He rests his bat on his back shoulder and stares at the man on the mound.

It's a right-handed pitcher, a guy Moncrief has heard about. Word is, the hurler throws "BBs." Moncrief has never faced him, never even seen him sling one of his patented heaters toward the plate. For years, though, he has heard tales about the man.

It's his father.

Moncrief says he would hit a home run off of his father. Homer Moncrief says "no chance."

He's pleased to hear the confidence spewing from his son's mouth, though. It reminds him of himself, once a cocky pitcher certain he was destined for the spoils of big-league glory.

Homer didn't make it, though. By the time he realized what such a mission required, it was too late. His professional baseball career had ended.

Now, Moncrief is attempting to live out that major-league dream for both father and son.

"I have to share the past"

Moncrief was 7 when a parent in the stands asked Homer if he had ever played the sport. Homer assured the parent it was his son's first taste of organized baseball.

With a man on first and Moncrief playing second base, the first-grader fielded a ground ball, tagged the runner and, without hesitation, threw to first to complete the double play. The parent turned to Homer again and asked: "Are you sure he never played before?"

"It was a natural thing to do," Moncrief said.

Homer can recall a squeaky-voiced boy telling him, "Dad, I'm going to make it to the league."

Moncrief never saw his father play professionally. Homer's career fizzled in Double-A around his 26th birthday. His dream lived on, though. Once he had a family, he played in an over-30 league. He couldn't let go of the game. He couldn't swallow the fact that he never reached the majors.

"That was to show my kids what I used to do and also to have closure," Homer said. "In my heart, I wasn't done. I got released and I wasn't really ready to be through with the game."

The Tigers drafted Homer out of Jackson State in the ninth round of the 1980 amateur draft. In his first professional outing, for Class A Lakeland, Homer tossed a shutout against the Vero Beach Dodgers. In his first full season, he went 9-6 with a 3.74 ERA and four complete games in 20 starts. He was confident. He threw hard. His ability alone, he was convinced, could propel him up the minor league ladder.

"I was so talented, I never had to work hard," Homer said. "That's what makes me say in a regretful way that I don't think I put forth the hard work that I should have. I should have worked harder. I should have been more serious about the game. I took it for granted."

Homer reached Double-A in 1982, but he never climbed above that level. He went 6-13 with a 5.50 ERA for the White Sox Double-A affiliate in 1983. After posting a 7.50 ERA in 12 appearances in 1984, he was released. Homer assumed his agent was working the phones, setting up the next stop along his journey. No one wanted him.

The man who built a reputation for throwing "BBs" was out of ammunition.

"Baseball was something I loved to do, but I didn't have the work ethic," Homer said.

Homer had to find a regular job, no easy task for someone with no experience and no desire to settle upon anything that wasn't on a baseball diamond. He rifled through a series of jobs, including about a decade as a barber. He returned to Mississippi, married his wife, Tracy, and had two sons. From the get-go, he advised them of the consequences of slacking off.

"You use your life to encourage and motivate your son, whose trying to do the same thing," Homer said. "It was more about using my past to help him with his future. I have to share the past that wasn't productive so there won't be the same choices."

Said Moncrief: "He told me at a young age, before pro ball was even mentioned, how I should carry myself. He kept me on track to be successful in the game."

"That would really warm my heart up"

Moncrief resides in Goodyear, the site of the Indians' spring training complex, with his wife, Brandy, and their two children. Moncrief, 26, spent the 2014 season with Triple-A Columbus, where he compiled a .271/.328/.431 slash line with 12 home runs, 63 RBIs, 33 doubles and a league-leading 22 outfield assists. Once the Clippers' season ended, he immediately shifted his focus to spring training and the impression he'd have to make to earn consideration for the big-league roster.

"It's not like [spring training] snuck up on me," Moncrief said. "Inside, I was burning and waiting for it to come."

The Indians have a crowded outfield picture, and not just at the major-league level, with David Murphy, Brandon Moss, Ryan Raburn and Nick Swisher all vying for time in right field. Moncrief, Tyler Holt, James Ramsey, Tyler Naquin and Zach Walters could all compete for outfield at-bats at Triple-A.

"The opportunities will present themselves for all of these guys over time," said Carter Hawkins, the Indians' director of player development. "We'll see who takes advantage."

Moncrief could be in line for a promotion, should the Indians need an outfielder at some point this summer.

"I think he has a chance to be an everyday player in the major leagues," said Tribe manager Terry Francona.

To think, just six years ago, Moncrief was wallowing away on the mound for the Indians' rookie league team. Cleveland selected him in the 14th round of the 2008 amateur draft, with the intention that he would pitch. In 28 appearances in 2008-09, Moncrief logged a 7.75 ERA and suffered a pair of shoulder injuries. He first told trainer James Quinlan that he wanted to switch to the outfield.

"It was eating me up that I couldn't hit," Moncrief said, "and I felt that I could hit and play the outfield and run the bases, everything that it takes to be a good position player. I felt like I had more to offer there than I had on the mound."

Moncrief met with Ross Atkins, then the Indians' director of player development. The Indians accepted Moncrief's request. Hawkins said the organization receives such requests about once per year. Francona said the club always honors the player's wishes.

"I let him know that it's in my heart and if you let me do it, I won't let anybody down," Moncrief said.

He hasn't thus far, especially his father. Moncrief's outfield assist total from last season is an indication of his arm strength and of the genes he inherited from his old man. Those BBs sail in from right field now.

"He clearly has a strong arm and is not afraid to wield it," Hawkins said.

We'll never know how Moncrief would have fared against his father, with both players in their primes. Homer watched his son play in Columbus last year. He would love the chance to see him on a big-league diamond and live out the dream he chased for so long. Moncrief said it's part of his motivation.

Said Homer: "That would really warm my heart up, to see that."

Three regional semifinals tipoff on Thursday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Four local boys basketball teams advanced to regional finals on Wednesday, and three more teams could join them there on Thursday.

Check out everything you need to know about Wednesday and Thursday's action:

A LOOK BACK

Game of the night

St. Edward 68, Lorain 60

Division I Akron regional semifinal

St. Edward jumped ahead of Lorain early in the first quarter and never gave back its lead, as the Eagles held on for a 68-60 win on Wednesday to ends the Titans' perfect season.

The Eagles had little difficulty with the Lorain press and were able to get to the basket with ease on Wednesday, which is why St. Edward is now only three wins away from repeating as Division I state champion.

"We thought it would be harder to get to the rim," Nichols said. "Once we saw their defense we knew we would be able to penetrate, and we started taking advantage of that."

Nichols had a game-high 31 points in the victory, while Lorain senior Devon Andrews finished with 24 points.

Reporter David Cassilo was at the game and has a full recap of the night's events here.

Four other things you need to know

1) Garfield Heights holds off Uniontown Lake for regional final berth

On Wednesday, Garfield Heights jumped out to a 17-5 lead and held on for a 54-48 regional semifinal win over Uniontown Lake. The Bulldogs' depth showed off as the team was led by 12 points from sophomore reserve Marreon Jackson.

"When you can share the ball like that and get multiple guys touching the ball, that leads to success," said Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson.

Reporter Tim Bielik was at the game and breaks down how the Bulldogs were able to wear down Uniontown Lake.

2) Shaker Heights wins conference battle with Medina

Behind 25 points and 12 rebounds from senior Esa Ahmad, Shaker Heights beat Medina, 53-44, in Wednesday regional semifinal. The victory sets up a regional final showdown between Shaker Heights and Garfield Heights.

While Ahmad got the job done, everybody contributed to Wednesday's win.

"That was a quality, team win," said Shaker Heights coach Danny Young. "Everybody contributed and that's something we talked about. Together, everybody adds more."

Reporter Robert Rozboril was the game and discusses what made Ahmad so hard to slow down on Wednesday.

3) Villa Angela-St. Joseph cruises into regional final

A 23-point night from Simon Texidor was part of an easy win for Villa Angela-St. Joseph, as the Vikings beat Massillon Tuslaw 88-48 in a Division III regional semifinal.

Texidor delivered seven 3-pointers in the win and rose up to get his team an early lead.

"He’s as talented as shooting the basketball as anyone I’ve seen," said Villa Angela-St. Joseph coach Babe Kwasniak.

Freelancer Michael Fitzpatrick was at the game and goes into detail on the easy win for the Vikings.

4) Cincinnati Purcell Marian removed from Division III tournament

The Division III field got shaken up before a game even began on Wednesday. Cincinnati Purcell Marian was removed from the regional tournament because of a violation of transfer rules.

Versailles, the last team Purcell Marian beat, replaces the team in the regional tournament and will play Cincinnati Shorder on Thursday.

A LOOK AHEAD

Game of the night

Holy Name vs. Sandusky

Division II Bowling Green regional semifinal

Two programs seemingly on the rise meet on Thursday at Bowling Green for a chance to move on to the regional final.

The local squad, Holy Name, won its first district title since 1954 when it beat Vermilion on Saturday. Overall, it's a young group, led by freshman Dwayne Cohill, but by this point, the Green Wave aren't showing any signs of their youth.

"This has been the most fun I've had coaching a group because they are so coachable and work to improve," said Holy Name coach Jeff Huber. "We focus on the process of getting better and not being consumed by wins and losses."

Meanwhile, Sandusky has turned things around this season under first-year head coach Colin Irish. The Blue Streaks are in the regional round after winning just five games all of last season.

Sandusky has an electric player in Jayrese Williams, and Holy Name must slow him down to find a way to win.

Reporter Tim Bielik will be covering the game in Bowling Green. You can follow his updates on Twitter at @bielik_tim and come back to cleveland.com after the game for a full recap, including pictures and video.

Two other things you need to know:

1) St. Vincent-St. Mary braces for rematch with Poland Seminary

The Irish will meet a familiar foe on Thursday when they take on Poland Seminary. The two teams met in last year's regional final, which St. Vincent-St. Mary won 54-42.

While it was the postgame comments of Poland Seminary coach Ken Grisdale about private v. public schools that made most of the news, it was the Irish's ability to attack a zone defense that was the difference. Coach Dru Joyce expects similar defense this year. 

"They're probably going to one us," Joyce said. "They might be a little more aggressive in the zone. This year they do a little more trapping. They want to make you shoot jump shots."

Reporter Scott Patsko will be covering the game at Canton. You can follow his updates on Twitter at @ScottPatsko and come back to cleveland.com after the game for a full recap, including video.

2) Central Catholic not looking past Chagrin Falls

Central Catholic is on a mission, and part of that mission includes avenging an earlier loss to St. Vincent-St. Mary on the way to a state title. But before that even happens, the Ironmen must be Chagrin Falls on Thursday, and the team isn't taking them lightly.

"Anybody can win at this point at any given day," said Central Catholic coach Jeremy Holmes. "They shoot well. They play together. They consistently run their sets."

Holmes believes that his team's defense and rebounding has improved, and those two areas will make his team a tough out in the regional round.

Reporter David Cassilo will be covering the game at Canton. You can follow his updates on Twitter at @dcassilo and come back to cleveland.com after the game for a full recap, including video.

COMPLETE LIST OF THURSDAY'S GAMES

Division II

Bowling Green region

Holy Name vs. Sandusky at Bowling Green University, 6:15 p.m.

Canton region

St. Vincent-St. Mary vs. Poland Seminary at Canton Memorial Civic Center, 6:15 p.m.

Central Catholic vs. Chagrin Falls at Canton Memorial Civic Center, 8 p.m.

CBS sideline reporter Allie LaForce, 26, already is working her third NCAA Tournament, and is in Louisville this week with Verne Lundquist and Jim Spanarkel.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - Allie LaForce calls herself Verne Lundquist's personal photographer. Whenever a fan at the 2015 NCAA Tournament wants to take a picture with the legendary broadcaster, she's often the one holding the phone.

"I say, get in there, let me take it,'' she said with a laugh at the Louisville regional this week.

LaForce, the former Fox 8 reporter and Miss Teen Ohio, is working her third NCAA Tournament as a sideline reporter, and is teamed this week with Lundquist and new partner Jim Spanarkel. She spent the regular season working SEC games with Lundquist.

"It's a true honor. I pinch myself every morning that I wake up. Every time a fan comes up to Verne and says, 'It's so incredible to meet you; I've watched you my entire life,' it just humbles me every time I hear that,'' said LaForce, 26.

Can't wait to get to Louisville with Verne Lundquist & Jim Spanarkel for some hoops!! @marchmadness @CBSSports

-- Allie LaForce (@ALaForce) March 17, 2015

LaForce was a standout multi-sport athlete at Vermilion High and played guard at Ohio University for then-coach Semeka Randall, the former Trinity High star.

Basketball tournaments are in LaForce's blood. She grew up attending the Ohio girls state tournament every year with her aunt, former Buckeye coach Connie Rummell. One of LaForce's first jobs after graduating from OU was as a sideline reporter for OHSAA state tournament broadcasts.

"To think that was only a couple years ago just blows my mind. This is a big tournament for me,'' she said.

LaForce and her husband, former Indians reliever Joe Smith, live in Orange County, Calif. She maintains many Cleveland connections, including TV ads for a local car dealership. She and Smith have partnered with the Cleveland Clinic and a foundation to research a cure for Huntington's Disease (HelpCureHD.com). Smith's mother, Lee, was diagnosed with the disease in 2012.

"We're still very connected with Cleveland and try to get back as much as possible,'' she said.

Check out a photo feature on Berea-Midpark forward Joey Bachie with 12 pictures of the junior boys basketball standout.

BEREA, Ohio -- Berea-Midpark junior forward Joey Bachie's defense was a big reason why the Titans' home gym was one of the toughest places to play in 2015.

Scroll through the gallery above to see 12 pictures of Bachie during a 41-29 win against Brecksville on Feb. 13. 

The 6-foot-2 forward was named All-Northeast Lakes District Special Mention. He is committed to play football at Western Michigan where he will be a linebacker.

Keep an eye out for more special cleveland.com player photo galleries featuring some of Northeast Ohio's top high school basketball stars. Visit this page for links to every player photo gallery. 

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

Check out a photo feature on Shaker Heights forward Esa Ahmad with 29 pictures of the senior boys basketball standout.

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Esa Ahmad found a way to follow up a stellar junior season with an even better effort as a Shaker Heights senior.

The reigning cleveland.com boys basketball player of the year, Ahmad was named to the All-Northeast Lakes District first team and was selected player of the year.

Scroll through the gallery above to see 17 pictures of Lucien during a 65-57 loss against St. Vincent-St. Mary on Feb. 10. 

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 25.3 points while leading the Raiders to the Division I regional final at Cleveland State.  

He is committed to play next season at West Virginia.

Keep an eye out for more special cleveland.com player photo galleries featuring some of Northeast Ohio's top high school basketball stars. Visit this page for links to every player photo gallery. 

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

Check out a photo feature on Markell Johnson with 15 pictures of the East Tech boys basketball standout.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- East Tech sophomore guard Markell Johnson did not suffer a letdown following his fantastic freshman season.

As a sophomore, Johnson was named to the All-Northeast Lakes District first team, and is widely regarded as one of the top underclass recruits in Northeast Ohio.

Scroll through the gallery above to see 15 pictures of Johnson during a 67-58 win against Bedford on March 12. 

The 6-foot guard averaged 22.5 points in leading the Scarabs to the Division I district final against Garfield Heights.  

Keep an eye out for more special cleveland.com player photo galleries featuring some of Northeast Ohio's top high school basketball stars. Visit this page for links to every player photo gallery. 

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

Check out a photo feature on Nolan Gerrity with 19 pictures of the Berea-Midpark senior boys basketball standout.

BEREA, Ohio -- At 6-foot-11, Berea-Midpark center Nolan Gerrity stands out in a crowd. 

Scroll through the gallery above to see 19 pictures of Gerrity during a 41-29 win against Brecksville on Feb. 13.

Gerrity averaged 13 points and 9.4 rebounds per game this season while leading the Titans to a spot in the district semifinals.  He was named All-Northeast Lakes District second team last week.

He is committed to the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Keep an eye out for more special cleveland.com player photo galleries featuring some of Northeast Ohio's top high school basketball stars. Visit this page for links to every player photo gallery. 

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

The NFL is popular as ever, but Borland's retirement will resonate, especially with parents. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Chris Borland sent a jolt through the NFL this week, temporarily halting its marauding momentum the way he did Ohio State's Carlos Hyde at the goal line two years ago in the Horseshoe.

The Niners rookie linebacker, who played with a recklessness football fans love, retired at age 24 on Monday. Not because of injury, but over the fear of it.

Borland walked away from potential millions in earnings after two documented concussions, one in youth soccer, the other in high school football. He suffered a possible third head trauma in Niners training camp last year, but played through it in part because he feared not making the team.    

"I just thought to myself, 'What am I doing?'" he told ESPN's Outside the Lines. "Is this how I'm going to live my adult life, banging my head, especially with what I've learned and know about the dangers?'"

The morning after Borland's announcement, the line of scrimmage was crowded with braying supporters on both sides of the future-of-football argument. Steelers' team neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon told NFL Network that while the need to make the game safer is ongoing, "it's much more dangerous riding a bike or a skateboard than playing youth football."

No word if the league tested Dr. Maroon for a concussion after the segment. Probably not seeing as the NFL for years turned a blind eye to the health risks related to head injuries.

Some are calling Borland's retirement -- the fourth by a pro player age 30 or younger in the past two weeks -- a game changer and tipping point for the NFL. That seems a bit hyperbolic. The league's finances and popularity have never been stronger. Commissioner Roger Goodell is setting a $25 billion revenue goal by 2027.

And for every Chris Borland there probably are four Jordan Camerons eager to continue their careers and build nest eggs despite three concussions in the past two seasons. The former Browns tight end signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Dolphins last week.

That doesn't mean Borland's stunning move won't have a serious impact. With salaries soaring and concussion awareness rising, it would not be surprising to see some stars starting to call it quits earlier in their careers.

The suicides of former players such as Junior Seau and Dave Duerson is having a cumulative effect. So is research that shows more than 70 former NFL players have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease that can lead to depression and erratic behavior.

The league has taken a proactive approach to safety in recent years, but only after mounting lawsuits from former players and escalating medical evidence regarding the dangers of concussions. 

Browns legend Jim Brown told NEOMG the "game has never been safer," but understands how some players might decide not to chase a third contract into their 30s.

"I can see that," said Brown, who retired at age 29. "I can see ... with investment opportunities, with the kind of money they are making now they don't have to play 12 and 15 years if they handle it right. I think that could be part of the thinking: the kind of money I can make in five or six years why should I play 15?"

Where Borland's story will resonate most is with parents who are deciding whether to allow their kids to play football or continue to do so.

Even before leading the Niners in tackles and earning one vote for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the third-round draft pick had worries. In preseason, the former Wisconsin product wrote a letter to his parents stating he thought his career would be brief due to concerns over his long-term health. After the season, he consulted independent concussion experts and spoke to former players.

How do you think that plays around the dinner table as families mull youth football signups?

USA Football reported that youth and high-school tackle football participation has dropped from 3.2 million to 2.6 million since 2007, according to a Columbus Dispatch story last August. Pop Warner, the nation's largest youth football program, saw its numbers drop 9.5 percent from 2010 to 2012, its largest dip ever.

And what happens if insurance companies no longer want to provide coverage to youth and prep programs?

Work needs to be done on many levels to ensure the game's future. It's good to see programs like USA Football's Heads Up Football taking hold. The game is going to be jeopardized more from the bottom up than the top down. Because why some parents won't permit their kids to play they'll still watch other parents' kids take the risks on Saturdays and Sundays in the fall.

Some will follow Borland's courageous lead, but the majority of NFL players won't leave the game and its riches and its notoriety. Former linebacker Scott Fujita told Monday Morning Quarterback he almost retired after sustaining a concussion in Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints, but opted to sign a three-year, $14 million deal with the Browns in 2010.

"I can tell you this: No matter how intelligently you think about your future, and a decision like that, it's tough to get off the hamster wheel and stop playing," Fujita said.

A year ago, the top storylines of the 2014 NFL combine were Johnny Manziel, Michael Sam, Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Jadeveon Clowney. I was drawn, however, to a balding, 5-foot-11 inside linebacker who looked like he had wandered in from an NCAA Division III player-of-the-year banquet.

Surrounded by a group of reporters, the player said his short stature and stubby arms would not prevent him from being a quality pro. He reminded me of Chris Spielman and I thought the Browns should consider drafting him in the middle rounds.

"Football is extremely important to me, it's my passion," the player said that day. "I put everything into it, and I think that's more valuable than a half inch or an inch (of height)."

That kid's name? Chris Borland.

See when and where to watch Ohio State's NCAA Tournament opener against VCU.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State Buckeyes will open play in the 2015 NCAA Tournament against VCU on Thursday.

* See the full bracket here

* Is Ohio State the fourth-best Ohio team in the NCAA Tournament behind Xavier, Cincinnati and Dayton?

The Buckeyes, the 10th seed in the West Region, and seventh-seeded Rams will tip off at approximately 4:40 p.m. Eastern Time at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore. The game will be televised on TNT with Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Rachel Nichols will be on the call.

You can see a list of Ohio State basketball's radio affiliates here.

No. 2 Arizona will play No. 15 Texas Southern at 2:10 p.m. in Portland. The Buckeyes and Rams will follow 30 minutes after that game concludes. The winners will play on Saturday in Portland for a spot in the Sweet 16.

Thursday's meeting will be the first ever between Ohio State (23-10) and VCU (26-9). The Rams earned an automatic bid into the tournament by beating Dayton on Sunday in the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship. The Buckeyes earned an at-large bid after losing to Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday.

VCU plays 40 minutes of pressure and hope to turn its opponent over and get it out of its rhythm. Do the Buckeyes have the tools to overcome that? Watch video

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Because teams in the NCAA Tournament are matched up with random ones from different conferences and different areas of the country, it's natural to try and find a way to gauge things. 

Perhaps a common opponent? Or at the very least, an opponent from earlier in the season that may play similarly to the new, strange team waiting in the tournament's first round. 

For No. 10 Ohio State, who is facing No. 7 Virginia Commonwealth in its NCAA Tournament opener on Thursday, that team was Minnesota. The Gophers sometimes like to press and they shoot from the outside, and Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said his team's experience vs. the Gophers will help. 

Here's the thing, though. When you ask VCU coach Shaka Smart about similarities between the Rams and Minnesota, there really aren't that many. 

"It's a stretch," Smart said of the comparison to Minnesota. "I did watch film of us play and the way Minnesota plays. They play more zone than we play and they didn't really press Ohio State very much, which I think shows a little respect for Ohio State. 

"But people like to simplify, but the reality is, teams are different. Everyone presents different challenges." 

VCU's challenge is that it plans to be in Ohio State's face for every second of the game. The Rams will press, they'll trap and they'll play intense defense, anything, really, to get Ohio State to turn the ball over. 

Minnesota was a comparison because the Gophers forced the Buckeyes to turn the ball over 15 times in the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago last weekend. Smart hopes that what VCU brings is something Ohio State hasn't yet seen before. 

Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart hopes his team's defensive strategy will rattle Ohio State. Don Ryan, AP 

What does VCU bring? Havoc. That's the nickname for the Rams full-court, trapping defense that doesn't stop. 

"We're going to be who we are," Smart said. 

That'll be new for Ohio State. But here's the good news: The Buckeyes have the tools to withstand some of that. 

When Ohio State has struggled most this season it has been against great size and teams with a solid post presence. It's not that VCU can't force turnovers, but if there's anything that can be labeled a strength for Ohio State, it's that senior Shannon Scott is well equipped to break the press. So is freshman D'Angelo Russell.

"Their style, it's a unique style offensively and defensively," Matta said. "There's not a lot of teams that play the way they play in terms of defensive pressure, for 40 minutes, the pressing, trapping."

So here Ohio State is, again having to rely on a freshman in Russell, on the biggest stage of his career, to take care of the basketball and play smart. And here Ohio State is again, hoping it can get some production for a senior in Scott, who, at least for the last week, has been playing with some poise with the basketball. 

Ohio State has seen its shot get cold at times this year. If Scott and Russell turn it over, that could be the reason for an early trip home back to Columbus. 

Can the Buckeyes withstand the Havoc? 

"My biggest thing is to stay in control, not get rattled," Scott said. "They're going to want to speed me up, get me going places I don't want to go. I have to remember to stay cautious and definitely not force anything. Just let the game come to me."

The top of the pack is separating itself in the postseason.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In the middle of the postseason, it's becoming apparent that four players have stood above the rest this season in Northeast Ohio. Their nightly production and drive to victory has elevated them to the next level this season.

Every week we will look at the Top 10 players in the area. This will supply a way to follow the race to be named as the cleveland.com Player of the Year at the conclusion of the season.

To be clear, these are not rankings for who is the top college recruit or who will be the best college player. These rankings are based purely on which players are having the best seasons in Northeast Ohio.

There's also a poll at the bottom of the post to have your input heard. But remember, those votes are just for fun and don't actually determine who wins the award at the end of the season.

(Points per game averages as of Wednesday; all other stats as of noted date below; players ranked alphabetically in each category)

FINAL FOUR

Esa Ahmad

Shaker Heights, senior, forward.

2014-15 stats: 24.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 4 blocks per game (as of March 6).

Former jockey Jessica Endres and retired 9-year-old gelding Favorite Flashback will compete in the $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover Challenge in Lexington, Kentucky on Oct. 23-25.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Former jockey Jessica Endres and 9-year-old bay gelding Favorite Flashback have both retired from thoroughbred racing, but they're still in training at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Austintown to compete in the $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover Challenge in Lexington, Kentucky on Oct. 23-25.

The Retired Racehorse Project sponsors the TMC. The non-profit begun in 2009 gives retired thoroughbred race horses a chance for a new life in the show horse arena. Training Favorite Flashback for barrel racing and show competitions fits right into Endres's schedule, and her experience as a young barrel racer.

"Favorite Flashback is an awesome horse, very smart and very classy," said Endres. "His owners were looking for a good home after they decided to retire him. I wanted to give him a future after horse racing."

Favorite Flashback won 9 of 76 career starts and $135,639. His final race was on Jan. 19 at Mahoning Valley.

Endres, 38, had ridden in more than 3,200 races, retiring after her son, Aidan, was born five years ago. Because of a love of horses, Endres made the transition to pony person at Mahoning Valley Race Course this winter, escorting race horses from paddock to post.

She has a dozen horses at the track or her Columbiana home, and teaches amateurs to ride. Her finance, Mark Harding, is an auctioneer who raises livestock.

"Mark is a cow and pig guy," said Endres. "I'm the horse gal."

Favorite Flashback quickly joined Endres's string of horses working the morning training sessions and afternoon live racing programs at the Austintown track. He's been quick to learn his new duties, she said, but still shows an eagerness to enter the starting gate.

Endres relished her racing career, winning 127 races and more than $1 million. She said her focus changed after her son was born, but she is still considering a return to racing.

Endres and Favorite Flashback will team in Barrel Racing and Show competition in the Thoroughbred Makeover Challenge, held at Kentucky Horse Park. Ten disciplines and classes are being held for the thoroughbreds, a chance for the TRRP to show the horses have talent and a career after racing.

Railbird makes his return: Bob "Railbird" Roberts is returning to the Cleveland horse racing scene. Handicapping seminars by the veteran horse racing writer will be featured at Northfield Park on the mornings of Triple Crown race days, which include the Kentucky Derby on May 2, the Preakness Stakes on May 16 and the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

Horses needed: Northfield Park has sent out a call for trotters and pacers. The track races every week of the year, and despite purses that have jumped to $90,000 for each 15-race program, there are some empty stalls on the grounds. Stall rent is free for stables whose horses average two starts per month for each horse stabled on the grounds.

Starting gate a Paddy's Day hit: ThistleDown Racino's starting gate rolled through the St. Paddy's Day parade on Tuesday, making a return to the celebration after 60 years. "It was really cool, watching our 15,000 pound hunk of steel in the parade," said Racing Secretary Pat Ellsworth.

New series at Northfield: Three new spring late closing series will begin in April at Northfield Park for pacers and trotters. The Spring Break Series for male pacers begins a four-race Tuesday night series April 21. The Wallflower Series on Thursday nights for filly and mare pacers will begin April 16. The Gin Blossom Series for trotters on Wednesdays starts April 22.

The three series are offering $5,500 purses for each leg and a $17,500 final.

Callahan in the mix: Drivers Aaron Merriman and Ronnie Wrenn Jr., regulars at Northfield Park, are mixing it up with red-hot Corey Callahan for the North American dash lead. Callahan has been burning up Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware this past week while Northfield Park had to shut down a couple of race cards when a quick thaw created unsafe racing conditions, Callahan is tied with Merriman at 177 wins, followed by Wrenn's 172 victories.

Baffert in driver's seat: Trainer Bob Baffert is in the driver's seat early in the Triple Crown season. Baffert's American Pharoah went wire-to-wire in the sloppy $750,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was the colt's first outing outside of California for the Zayat Stable, and the colt won despite a loose shoe.

Baffert said having American Pharoah and highly-rated Dortmund in the Run for the Roses is like have quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota in his stable.

Grand Circuit races begin: Yonkers Raceway in New York hosts the first Grand Circuit races of the season this weekend, including the George Morton Levy Series for open pacers. The Levy on Saturday night attracted 35 horses, including the legendary Foiled Again, the harness racing record holder with $6.9 million in earnings for Pennsylvania trainer Ron Burke.

McGary heads west: Mahoning Valley Race Course announcer John McGary has a summer gig calling the races for the California Authority of Racing Fairs. The first announcer for the Austintown track, McGary called races at Louisiana's Evangeline Downs from 2005-2014, as well as the California Fair races from 2000-2005.

The Chiefs recently released Bowe, unwilling to take the $14 million hit against the salary cap that he carried this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are signing former Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe to a two-year deal, a league source confirmed for Northeast Ohio Media Group.

The eight-year Chiefs veteran, who was released last week by Kansas City, is in the process of finalizing the deal with the Browns, NFL Network and ESPN reported.

Bowe, 30, visited the Browns Saturday and Sunday.

He's the second veteran receiver released by a team this offseason that the Browns have signed to upgrade their receiving corps. The first was former Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline, who signed with the Browns last week.

Bowe (6-2, 221) was released by the Chiefs last Thursday in an attempt to gain some cap relief. His cap number for 2015 was $14 million, and the Chiefs created $5 million in cap space by letting him go.

The No. 23 overall pick in 2007 out of Louisiana State, Bowe (6-2, 221) has spent his entire career with the Chiefs, including six years there with Browns general manager Ray Farmer.

Over the past two years, Bowe averaged 58 catches for 713 yards under coach Andy Reid.

Bowe's best season was in  2010 when he caught 72 passes for 1,162 yards (16.1-yard average) with an NFL-high 15 touchdown catches. He was voted to the Pro Bowl that year and earned second-team All-Pro honors.

Bowe became expendable when the Chiefs signed former Eagles star receiver Jeremy Maclin.

Last season, he was part of a Chiefs receiving corps that failed to catch a TD pass. The 18 TDs were caught by tight ends and running backs.

Bowe, who's registered three 1,000-yard seasons, leaves Kansas City as the Chiefs' second all-time leader in receptions (532) behind tight end Tony Gonzalez.

The acquisition of Bowe and Hartline, 28, gives the Browns some much-needed veteran experience, and two former 1,000-yard receivers to help make up for the absence of Pro Bowler Josh Gordon, who's suspended for at least all of 2015.

We talked Cavaliers, Browns and Indians on today's Sports Insider. Watch video

What impression did Kyrie Irving leave Chris Haynes with after their interview? What grade does Mary Kay Cabot give the Browns in free agency?

Chris Fedor and I talked about all that and more on today's Sports Insider. Along with Haynes and Cabot, Paul Hoynes called in from Goodyear to talke Indians. Bud Shaw gave us his weekly spin-offs. Please note, this show was taped prior to Dwayne Bowe signing with the Browns.

Watch the show above and make sure to tune in every Thursday at noon at cleveland.com/sports to watch live.

Notre Dame advances to the third round against the Butler/Texas winner.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Notre Dame regrouped from a sluggish first half and rallied in an NCAA second-round, 69-65, victory over Northeastern on Thursday in the first game at the Consol Energy Center.

Northeastern had a chance to tie or take the lead late but Notre Dame steal with two seconds left followed by two free throws sealed the victory for the Fighting Irish.

Zach Auguste led Notre Dame (30-5) with 25 points. Scott Eatherton led Northeastern (23-12) with 18 points. Stow's David Walker had 15 for Northeastern.

Notre Dame rallied to a 9-point lead in the second half and appeared ready to roll away from the pesky Northeastern, but the Huskies would not go away. Walker, who hurt ND from 3-point range, ended a route on a layup and free throw and trailed 43-41.

The Fighting Irish, however, found holes in the Huskies zone and went on a layup drill. Zach Auguste's layup with 16:52 left gave Notre Dame an 11-point lead. But Northeastern put on a rally of its own and trailed by two with 33 seconds left. A Notre Dame turnover gave the Huskies one more chance but Jerian Grant's steal and two free throws by Auguste did Northeastern in.
 
In the first half, Northeastern lulled Notre Dame into a patient pace. An inside out game produced balancing scoring and two 3-pointers and four assists from Walker gave the Huskies a two-point lead late in the half.

Two early fouls also limited Notre Dame's Auguste to nine minutes. He managed to score eight points during that span.

Notre Dame led 31-27 at the half.

Welcome to the dance: Stow's David Walker nailed the first points of the game with a trey from the top of the key. He held up three fingers just in case.

Highlight reel: Late in the second half, Notre Dame's Demetrius Jackson picked up a loose ball, went Earl Monroe (look him up kids) with a spin move and pass to Zach Auguste for a dunk.

Forty years ago, Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner hit Richfield Coliseum for a legendary boxing match that inspired Sylvester Stallone to make "Rocky."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chuck was sitting on the couch, drinking a beer, watching "Kojack."

He loved Telly Savalas and he really loved "Kojack." A lot.

So much so that his friends and family knew it - and they knew something else, straight from Chuck's mouth: "Don't ever  bother me or call me when 'Kojack's on. This is my show."

One night his mom did not heed the warning. She rang up Chuck and, for some inexplicable reason, he answered the phone.

Chuck was not unlike any of the millions of red-blooded American men who loved the 1970s cop show. It only made his life story so much more dramatic when he answered the phone.

FAST FORWARD FIVE MONTHS...

THE BOXING ANNOUNCER BELLOWS: Oh! A vicious shot to the ribs of Muhammad Ali, what a surprise! Muhammad Ali is against the ropes! Chuck Wepner gets to the body of Muhammad Ali!

"That was the high point of my life," says Wepner, via phone from his home in Bayonne, New Jersey.  "I was a 40-1 underdog  and I went 15 rounds against Muhammad Ali."

"Nobody gave me a chance," adds Wepner. "But I went toe to toe with one of the greatest fighters ever and I knocked him down in the 9^th round. It was the greatest night in my life."

You could say it was also the greatest night in Sylvester Stallone's life. The struggling actor watched the fight and saw the unfolding of The Great American Underdog Story that he would turn into "Rocky."

The night was March 24, 1975, when Wepner and Ali squared off for the Heavyweight Championship at the old Richfield Coliseum.

The fight remains one of boxing's shockers. Not because the 36-year-old Wepner won; he didn't.  Rather, because expectations were so low that the 40-1 longshot would only last a handful of rounds.

Instead, Wepner took Ali into the 15^th round. Even in victory, Ali was shaken by Wepner's showing - and, of course, getting down in the ninth round.

"It was one of the most heroic underdog stories we've ever seen," says filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig, who directed the ESPN  documentary "The Real Rocky." "Without Chuck, there is no 'Rocky' - which started a whole new kind of American underdog story structure that has become a big part of Hollywood. It all goes back to Chuck."

A lot of fighters in Wepner's shoes would've been dubbed "The Great White Hope."  Not Wepner - and not because people thought he was the not-so-great No Hope going up against Ali.

You see, Wepner already had a nicknamed, "The Bayonne Bleeder," because he was known to spill blood in the ring - his own.

He fought in what was called  the "bloodiest fight in history" --  a 1970 bout against Sonny Liston  in which Wepner received 72 stitches, to go with severe cuts over both eyes, a broken nose and cracked cheekbone.

His days as a fighter seemed to be over. At 31, he would not be a contender.

But Wepner kept on dreaming and punching away, even as he worked a day job as a liquor salesman.

"I've worked as a liquor salesman for 46 years - the same job - the whole time I was boxing," says Wepner, 76. "For years, I would run in the morning, then go take a shower,  then work all day, then train, then have  a bite to eat, then go to sleep, then wake up and do it all over again."

He took a leave from work to train for the Ali fight - the first time and the only time he did such a thing in his entire career.

Cue the "Rocky" theme song.

"I had a full-time trainer for the first time my life and I worked out full-time for those seven weeks leading up to the Ali fight," says Wepner. "I was in the best shape of my life for that fight with Ali."

Wepner got $100,000 for the fight and another $25,000 to train. Ali received $1.2 million. The fight was booked by Cleveland native Don King.

"Some people say things about Don, but he was great to me," says Wepner. "I love Don and he's one helluva promoter."

Ali was one helluva promoter, though Wepner wasn't too keen on the pitch.

"He wanted to turn the fight into some kind of race war and so he wanted me to call him the N-word on TV to drum up attention for the fight," says Wepner. "I couldn't do that - a lot of my friends were black and I would never say something like that."

The stunt was all showbiz with Ali.

"We became good friends - he's a good person," says Wepner. "I love the guy and it breaks my heart to see him in this condition."

Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984. They kept in contact for many years after the fight - though Wepner would always give him his business card as if they had met for the first time.

"I used that picture of me knocking Ali down to the ground and used it as the back of my business card," says Wepner. "I would give Ali one every time I'd see him and he'd turn it upside down and look at that photo - we both got a charge out of that one."

The fight became the define Wepner: He was The Real Rocky.

"It turned him into the King of New Jersey," says Feuerzeig, a New Jersey native. "You have to understand, people in Jersey have an underdog complex and to them just having one of their own go toe-to-toe in the ring with the champ meant that he was already a winner."

Being known as "The Real Rocky" helped his liquor business and landed him a number of speaking engagements. But deep down inside, it kept on eating at him.

"Chuck felt cheated because all these years he was going out and everyone's calling him 'The Real Rocky' and the he's not making a dime off of it," says Feuerzeig, who grew up admiring Wepner. "You have this multi-billion dollar enterprise that owes everything to Chuck and he's getting zero."

Stallone, who admitted early on that he had gotten the idea for "Rocky" from Wepner, later denied it.

"There were clips of him saying it and he had people working on 'Rocky' call Chuck during the filming," adds Feuerzeig.

In a 2001 interview that became part of a "Rocky" DVD, Stallone admitted as much:

"What I saw was pretty extraordinary," he said. "I saw a man they call 'the Bayonne Bleeder' who didn't have a chance at all against the greatest fighting machine supposedly that ever lived."

These similarities also kept on showing up in subsequent "Rocky" movies. In "Rocky III," Stallone gets in the ring with wrestler Hulk Hogan in a scene that looks remarkably similar to a fight Wepner once had with Andre the Giant.

"Finally, Chuck woke up one morning like Rip van Winkle and said, 'Oh (expletive), this guy's been ripping me off this whole time,'" says Feuerzeig.

In 2003, Wepner sued Stallone for using his name to promote the "Rocky" films. They settled out of court three years later.

Now, years later, after art imitated life, it looks like it's Wepner's turn.

"There's going to be a feature film made about my life called 'The Bleeder,'" says Wepner, referring to a script written by Feurzeig that the filmmaker also plans to direct. "Finally, I'm going to have my story told my way."

The shooting date is still TBD. But one date is certain - March 24, 1975.

That night at the Richfield Coliseum will be featured prominently, when an American underdog got his chance and became a hero to millions of Americans that never got theirs.

"That night in Cleveland," says Wepner. "That night changed my life."

Watch Sports Insider live at noon as we talk all things Cleveland sports.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NBA playoffs are inching closer, the Browns have added a few free agents and Opening Day is almost here. We'll talk about all of that and more on Sports Insider at noon.

Join Chris Fedor and me for our live half-hour show talking all things Cleveland sports. Cavaliers reporter Chris Haynes will join us to talk about the Cavaliers approach as the postseason nears. Mary Kay Cabot will join us to talk about Browns free agency. Paul Hoynes will call in from Arizona to talk spring training.

Click play on the player above when the red "Live" icon appears on the bottom to watch the show. A complete archive of the show will be made available later today.

The Cleveland Browns added Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline to their receiving corps over the offseason. That should help as long as it doesn't convince them to call off the talent search at the position -- Bud Shaw's Sports Spin.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The state of the Browns' receiving corps is such that it is entirely possible to sign a wideout with no TDs last year and a suspension in his past, and feel as if GM Ray Farmer made a move that can help his team.

Sounds like we're describing Josh Gordon, but Gordon's only part in the acquisition was to Tweet his support of Dwayne Bowe, who is five years removed from his best season but who brings experience and size to a position stretched beyond the limit of its talents in 2014.

@DwayneBowe82 Congrats, do it big bruh, hold it down for me.. #newbrowns

-- Flash Gordon (@JOSH_GORDONXII) March 19, 2015

No one should we waiting for Gordon's return. Nobody should be expecting Bowe to hold down the fort. But with Bowe and Brian Hartline signed up, the receiving corps isn't exactly F Troop either. So that's something.

One caveat to Bowe's season spent outside the end zone is no Kansas City receiver caught a TD pass last season. That seems almost impossible but it's true.

 Gordon was the only Browns' wide receiver who didn't catch a TD pass last year, and that required him missing 10 games and running terrible routes when he did return.

Bowe had 15 touchdowns in 2010 but has averaged fewer than three touchdowns over the past three seasons. So he can help but he's not the answer.

Next we find out if Farmer acknowledges that in the draft. Signing Bowe may give him more flexibility in how he uses his top picks but it doesn't erase the need to acquire a home run hitter.

You know what Farmer has said about the wide receiver position. And you know what he's said about how he likes to throw up smoke screens to hide his real intentions.

The Bowe and Hartline signings are in line with his insistence No. 1 wide receivers aren't value acquisitions.

The draft is where we find out if he's wed to that philosophy. Certainly last year's draft suggests that it's an intrinsic belief. How else to explain ignoring the position in a receiver-rich talent pool given Gordon's status. 

This year it's aready determined that Gordon is not walking through that door.  Bowe is 30 and in decline. Hartline saw his targets significantly cut last year.

Just because Bowe and Hartline have answered the "help wanted" sign is no reason to take down the shingle.