Homers by Mike Napoli and Yan Gomes gave the Indians a 3-2 lead, but the White Sox hammered out five runs against Bryan Shaw in the seventh to win Saturday's game in a romp.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians put on a defensive clinic Friday against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. On Saturday, they auditioned for an MLB Bloopers film to enterain fans during rain delays.

It was just another example that when it's 32 degrees outside baseball is a hard game to play. Still, as former Tribe manager Doc Edwards once said, "Victory is a sponge that soaks up all sins."

The chance for victory flashed in front of the Indians like the bright sunshine that filled the frigid ballpark all day. But then it was gone just as quickly in Chicago's 7-3 victory.

The Indians looked frozen in their tracks through five innings. Left-hander Chris Sale had a 2-0 lead with two out in the sixth. He'd retired 12 straight when Francisco Lindor reached on a harmless single to the hole at short.

Lindor's single grew fangs when Mike Napoli followed with a homer to center to pull the Indians into a 2-2 tie. When Yan Gomes started the seventh with his first homer of the season, the Indians had their first lead of the game.

But Bryan Shaw, starting the seventh in relief of Cody Anderson, allowed five runs on four hits while registering just two outs. Avisail Garcia ended Shaw's painful appearance with a three-run homer.

The Indians' defense improved dramatically last year. It's silly to say one bad game means that was a mirage. Especially after they did so many good things in Friday's 7-1 victory.

Tribe's defense shines on cold day in Chicago

The bullpen, well, that just might be a different story. Shaw has been a cornerstone of manager Terry Francona's pen for the last three years. He's been closer Cody Allen's set-up man for the last two years. In the process he's made a lot of appearances. To be exact, he entered the season with a major-league high 224 trips to the mound over the last three years. Could that be catching up to him?

In his first appearance of the season on Wednesday, Shaw was sharp in a 7-6 win over Boston. Such was not the case Saturday.

Austin Jackson started the seventh with a single. Jimmy Rollins doubled him to third and Jose Abreu, who hit his 12th career homer against the Indians in the third, was intentionally walked.

Todd Frazier scored Jackson with the tying run on a force at second that Jason Kipnis held instead of going to first for the double play. Melky Cabrera, after a 10-pitch at-bat, singled to right to put the White Sox ahead, 4-3. After Brett Lawrie flied out, Garcia homered to right.

Shaw usually pitches the eighth with Zach McAllister handling the seventh. With the top of Chicago's lineup due to bat in the seventh, Francona told reporters in Chicago that he felt Shaw matched up better against those hitters than McAllister. After Garcia's three-run homer, McAllister relieved to get the final out of the inning.

Don't tell Bryan Shaw he's unavailable

The Indians made three errors, one each by center fielder Rajai Davis, Anderson and third baseman Juan Uribe. Anderson added two wild pitches not to mention bad throws by Kipnis and Napoli to scuttle potential double plays.

The quick hands of Lindor saved Kipnis and Napoli from errors as he recorded outs at second base in the second and fourth innings. In the third, Cabrera hit a foul ball behind first base. Napoli drifted back, Kipnis drifted over from second. Then they turned and started at each other as the ball fell between them.

There was no damage done as Cabrera popped up to short. Unfortunately for the Indians there was more than enough damage done before and after that play.

Anderson, under the conditions, pitched well in his first start of the season. He allowed two runs on six hits in six innings.

Thursday conversation with Cody Anderson

He made a mistake against Abreu in the third when he threw him a high first-pitch fastball. Abreu drove it into the seats in left center field for a 1-0 lead. He's not the first Indians' pitcher to do that against Abreu and he won't be the last.

Chicago's other run against Anderson came in the fourth when Alex Avila's single skipped past Davis in center as Garcia to scored from second base for a 2-0 lead.

In the first week of the regular season, the Indians had three postponements. The days in which they actually played baseball this week didn't exactly provide the most tropical of conditions, either. Batting practice on the field has become a foreign concept. Such is life in early April in the Midwest. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At this juncture, the Indians are on pace to go about 45-45.

That's assuming, of course, that Mother Nature continues her intrusive ways. In the first week of the regular season, the Indians had three postponements. The days in which they actually played baseball this week didn't exactly provide the most tropical of conditions, either. Batting practice on the field has become a foreign concept. Such is life in early April in the Midwest.

Consider the first seven days of the Indians' regular-season slate.

Monday: Postponed because of snow flurries, bone-chilling temperatures

Tuesday: 34 degrees at first pitch, the coldest season opener in franchise history

Wednesday: Rain showers pushed back first pitch by 12 minutes

Thursday: Postponed because of rain

Friday: 39 degrees at first pitch, with strong winds and intermittent snow flurries

Saturday: 32 degrees at first pitch and windy

Sunday: Postponed because of rain showers

The Indians will spend Monday in Tampa, far away from any snowflakes. They will not, however, play baseball. The Indians and Rays won't begin their three-game series until Tuesday. Thankfully for the Tribe, the Rays play at Tropicana Field, a dome that, barring some sort of leak, should guarantee them some games this week.

Yes. Forecast calls for 72 degrees with a chance of catwalks. See you Tuesday, @Indians. https://t.co/lvGOKLxOip

-- Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 10, 2016

Corey Kluber will start the series opener, a week after his first outing of the season (which came a day late, because of the postponement of Opening Day). Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar will follow. Cody Anderson will start the Tribe's series opener against the New York Mets at Progressive Field on Friday.

That all means that Josh Tomlin will wait his turn. Tomlin is slated to start on Saturday, 18 days after his most recent appearance, a six-inning effort in a spring training affair on March 29. Tomlin, who was scheduled to start against the White Sox on Sunday, will throw a simulated game on Tuesday.

Mother Nature strikes again on Sunday

The Indians opted to open the season with a 13-man pitching staff. They have only needed 35 innings of work from their hurlers in the season's first seven days (there was no bottom of the ninth in Saturday's 7-3 loss). Closer Cody Allen has appeared in only one game. No one has pitched more than twice. Trevor Bauer, of all people, leads all Tribe relievers with three innings. Had he started the season in the rotation, he might not have pitched at all to this point.

This week wasn't quite as chaotic as the opening week of the Indians' 2007 campaign. Cleveland welcomed a snowstorm that wiped out the Indians' home-opening, four-game set against the Seattle Mariners (only after the first contest was called following 4 2/3 no-hit innings by Paul Byrd). The Indians played their first "home" games at Miller Park in Milwaukee against the Los Angeles Angels.

The club had to make up the missed trials with the Mariners over the course of the season. So far, the Indians already have two games to make up later this year. The Indians and White Sox will play a traditional double header at U.S. Cellular Field on May 23. The Red Sox will find time to venture back to Progressive Field later this summer. The teams had discussed Aug. 15 as a potential match.

If there is a silver lining for the Indians to take from the frigid, uneven week, perhaps it's that Michael Brantley only missed four games instead of six. The left fielder, still on the mend following November shoulder surgery, has been working out with Triple-A Columbus.

The Clippers had some scheduling snafus of their own this week. They endured postponements on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. That limited the amount of work Lonnie Chisenhall could complete while on a rehab assignment with the Clippers. Columbus squared off against Indianapolis in a double header at Huntington Park on Sunday. The Indians will have some twin bills of their own later this season.

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor's first week of his second MLB season included five singles, four runs and two walks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor's MLB arrival in June of last season came with considerable hype. He lived up to it -- and then some.

Lindor had an .835 OPS and 4.6 WAR in 99 games. He finished second to Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

What will Lindor do next? Here is a recap of Week 1 of his 2016 season:

GAME 1: April 5 vs. Boston (L, 6-2)

Season PA No. 1. 1st inning vs. LHP David Price (none on, two outs) -- 91 fastball high and outside; 90 fastball high; 90 fastball outer half, grounder to short.

• Skinny: Reached for pitch in a hitter's count.
• Quality plate appearance: No.

2. 4th inning vs. Price (none on, none out) -- 85 cutter called strike; 81 changeup swinging strike; 87 cutter away, single to right.

• Skinny: Went to school on the first cutter. Advanced to second on Carlos Santana's single and scored on Yan Gomes' single.
• Quality plate appearance (subjective): Yes.

3. 5th inning vs. Price (none on, two outs) -- 90 fastball called strike; 78 curve, single to left.

• Skinny: Pounced on hanger.
• Quality plate appearance: Yes.

4. 8th inning vs. RHP Koji Uehara (none on, one out) -- 78 splitter swinging strike; 78 splitter swinging strike; 86 fastball, liner to left.

• Skinny: Good swing against fastball after being overmatched by two nasty splits.
• Quality plate appearance: Yes.

Totals: Batted third; 2-for-4, run, 11 pitches; 0 errors, 0 DPs.

2-for-3, run, as RHH, 0-for-1 as LHH. 3/4 QPA. 0-for-0 with RISP

GAME 2: April 6 vs. Boston (W, 7-6)

5. 1st inning vs. RHP Clay Buchholz (none on, none out) -- 89 fastball outside; 89 fastball called strike; 79 changeup outside; 87 cutter swinging strike; 89 fastball inside; 85 cutter, swinging strikeout.

• Skinny: Credit Buchholz for excellent cutter under hands.
• Quality plate appearance: No.

6. 2nd inning vs. Buchholz (runner on first, one out) -- 90 fastball called strike; 77 curve swinging strike; 86 cutter foul; 91 fastball, sharp grounder to first.

• Skinny: Turned 0-2 pitch into rip toward first baseman Hanley Ramirez, who failed to field cleanly and only got the out at first.
• Quality plate appearance: Yes.

7. 4th inning vs. Buchholz (none on, one out) -- 79 changeup in dirt; 75 curve called strike; 91 fastball foul; 80 changeup low; 86 cutter, swinging strikeout.

• Skinny: Buchholz went back to pitch that worked so well in first inning.
• Quality plate appearance: No.

8. 6th inning vs. LHP Robbie Ross Jr. (runner on first, two outs) -- 92 fastball foul (pitch to hit); 91 fastball in dirt; 92 fastball foul (lined into corner); 78 breaking pitch in dirt; 81 breaking pitch in dirt; 93 fastball, grounder/error-3B.

• Skinny: Brock Holt mishandled short hop.
• Quality plate appearance: No.

9. 8th inning vs. RHP Matt Barnes (runner on first, one out) -- 93 fastball called strike (Rajai Davis steals second); 84 changeup; 80 curve in dirt; 95 fastball inside; 94 fastball low; 86 changeup outside, walk.

• Skinny: Battled back from 0-2. Davis bothered Barnes.
• Quality plate appearance: Yes.

Totals: Batted leadoff; 0-for-4, walk, 27 pitches; 0 errors, 0 DPs.

0-for-3, walk, as LHH; 0-for-1 as RHH. 2/5 QPA. 0-for-1 with RISP.

GAME 3: April 8 @ White Sox (W, 7-1)

10. 1st inning vs. LHP John Danks (runner on first, one out) -- 88 fastball outside; 81 changeup swinging strike; 88 fastball foul; 89 fastball, single to center.

• Skinny: Punished Danks for 1-2 fastball up. Danks' pitch selection curious. Scored from second on Santana fielder's choice to catcher.
• Quality plate appearance: Yes.

11. 2nd inning vs. Danks (none on, two outs) -- 85 cutter called strike; 76 curve outside; 81 changeup in dirt; 81 changeup foul; 81 changeup away, grounder to catcher.

• Skinny: Previous pitch was the one to hit. Danks refused to give in. Catcher Alex Avila made good play.
• Quality plate appearance: No.

12. 5th inning vs. Danks (none on, two outs) -- 80 changeup low; 80 changeup called strike; 83 changeup swinging strike; 88 fastball, single to left.

• Skinny: Danks did Lindor a favor by not continuing with changeup. Scored from third on Santana's single.
• Quality plate appearance: Yes.

13. 7th inning vs. LHP Dan Jennings (none on, one out) -- 91 fastball called strike; 90 fastball outside; 91 fastball called strike; 86 slider, swinging strikeout.

• Skinny: Jennings set up slider by painting outside corner with fastball. Lindor slammed bat to ground after swing and miss.
• Quality plate appearance: No.

Totals: Batted third; 2-for-4, two runs, 17 pitches; 0 errors, 2 DPs.

2-for-4, two runs, as RHH; 0-for-0 as LHH. 2/4 QPA. 0-for-0 with RISP.

GAME 4: April 9 @ White Sox (L, 7-3)

14. 1st inning vs. LHP Chris Sale (runner on first, one out) -- 91 fastball low; 90 fastball inside; 89 fastball inside; 92 fastball called strike; 90 cutter foul; 95 fastball outside, walk.

• Skinny: Sale missed with two-seamers, then one four-seamer.
• Quality plate appearance: Yes.

15. 3rd inning vs. Sale (none on, two outs) -- 83 changeup called strike; 87 changeup, fly to center.

• Skinny: Listed in some play-by-plays as a liner, but it really wasn't.
• Quality plate appearance: No.

16. Sixth inning vs. Sale (none on, two outs) -- 90 fastball called strike; 84 changeup, single to shortstop.

• Skinny: Chopped elevated changeup past third baseman Todd Frazier and into hole.
• Quality plate appearance: Yes.

17. Eighth inning vs. RHP Matt Albers (runner on first, none out) -- 92 fastball called strike; 92 fastball swinging strike; 93 fastball foul; 95 fastball down and in; 91 fastball low, fly to center.

• Skinny: Near-miss. Good swing sent Austin Jackson to edge of track.
• Quality plate appearance: Yes.

Totals: Batted third; 1-for-3, run, walk, 15 pitches; 0 errors, 0 DPs.

1-for-2 with walk as RHH; 0-for-1 as LHH. 3/4 QPA. 0-for-0 with RISP.

TOTALS FOR WEEK:

4 G, 17 PA, 5-for-15 (five singles), two walks, four runs. 10/17 QPA.

Danny Willett wins the Masters after a stunning collapse by Jordan Spieth.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- Danny Willett in a green jacket was hard to believe considering he wasn't even sure he could play the Masters two weeks ago.

No one was more stunned than Jordan Spieth.

Nine holes away from another wire-to-wire victory, the defending Masters champion threw it away Sunday with a collapse around Amen Corner that was shocking even by Augusta National standards. With a five-shot lead heading to the 10th tee, he dropped six shots in three holes and could never catch up.

"It was a really tough 30 minutes for me that hopefully I never experience again," Spieth said.

Even more painful for Spieth?

He had to go to Butler Cabin and to the 18th green ceremony to present the green jacket to Willett.

"I feel very fortunate to be standing here, and you not putting the jacket on yourself again," Willett said to Spieth at the trophy presentation.

Willett always had this Sunday circled on his calendar -- the due date of his first child. He wasn't planning to be at Augusta National until his wife gave birth to their son, Zachariah James, on March 30 and sent the 28-year-old English on an improbable path to becoming a major champion.

It was a comeback that ranks among the most surprising at the Masters.

Five shots behind with six holes to play, Willett birdied three of his last six holes to polish off a round that might not get its due because of the unforgettable images of Spieth's meltdown. Willett closed with a 5-under 67, with no bogeys on his card, to match the best score of the weekend.

He won by three shots at 5-under 283, the highest winning score at the Masters in nine years.

It already was early Monday in England -- his wife Nicole's 28th birthday.

"We talk about fate, talk about everything else that goes with it," Willett said. "It's just a crazy, crazy week."

Willett ended Europe's 17-year drought at Augusta National, and he became the first player from England in a green jacket since Nick Faldo in 1996.

How fitting.

Twenty years ago, Faldo also shot a bogey-free 67 in a final round remembered just as much for Greg Norman throwing away a six-shot lead.

Spieth was trying to become only the fourth back-to-back winner of the Masters, and the first player in 156 years of championship golf to go wire-to-wire in successive years in a major. And it looked inevitable when he ran off four straight birdies to end the front nine and build a five-shot lead.

This didn't look like one of those Masters that would start on the back nine Sunday.

But it did -- quickly.

Spieth made bogey from the bunker on No. 10. A tee shot into the trees on the 11th, missing an 8-foot par putt. He still had a two-shot lead and only needed to get past the dangerous par-3 12th to settle himself, especially with two par 5s in front of him.

His 9-iron sailed to the right, bounded off the slope and into the water. His wedge from the drop area was fat, and Spieth turned his head as the ball plopped into the water again. He had to get up-and-down from a bunker just to make a quadruple-bogey 7.

"It was a lack of discipline to hit it over the bunker coming off two bogeys, instead of recognizing I was still leading the Masters," Spieth said.

The turnaround left him dazed. Spieth was five shots ahead on the 10th tee and three shots behind when he walked to the 13th tee.

Willett poured it on with a shot into the 14th to about 4 feet, and a tee shot on the par-3 16th to 7 feet for a birdie that stretched his lead. Spieth still had a chance when he birdied both par 5s to get within two shots, and then hit his tee shot to 8 feet behind the hole on the 16th. But he missed the birdie putt, and when he hit into a bunker and failed to save par on the 17th, it was over.

Spieth had led after seven straight rounds at the Masters, a streak that ended in a most cruel fashion. He shot 41 on the back nine for a 73, and was runner-up for the second time in three years.

Lee Westwood, playing with Willett, closed with a 69. He made eagle on the 15th hole to get within one shot of the lead, and then three-putted the 16th hole to fall away. Westwood has played in 72 majors without winning.

Dustin Johnson also had an outside chance, even after four putts for a double bogey on the fifth hole. He missed eagle putts from 15 feet and 20 feet on the par 5s on the back nine, and then took double bogey on the 17th. Johnson closed with a 71 and tied for fourth with Paul Casey (67) and J.B. Holmes (68).

Smylie Kaufman, one shot out of the lead in his Masters debut, closed with an 81.

Willett moves to No. 9 in the world. He once was the leading amateur in the world, only for his professional career to be slowed by back injuries. But he began to show his form on a big stage last year in the Match Play, and by winning in Dubai this year.

The Lake Erie Monsters were shut out by the Rochester Americans on Sunday, 2-0.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Lake Erie Monsters had chances but couldn't convert and wound up falling to the Rochester Americans, 2-0, in an American Hockey League game Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena.

The loss drops the Monsters to 40-22-6-5 and slip to third in the AHL Central Division, while Rochester improves to 34-35-3-1.

Rochester goalie Andrey Makarov stopped 30 shots to get the win and had several spectacular saves to earn Star of the Game honors.

Joonas Korpisalo, returned from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, faced just 15 shots and stopped 13 in falling to 6-8-2 with the Monsters.

Rochester jumped ahead with two goals in the second period. Stu Wilson got the first at 9:27, then Giorgio Estephan scored on a power play at 14:57.

Roster update: Before the game Sunday, the Blue Jackets announced they had assigned defensemen Dean Kukan and Justin Falk, along with Korpisalo, to the Monsters.

Up next: The Monsters play at Grand Rapids on Wednesday at 7 p.m., then return to the Q to close out the regular season against the Charlotte Checkers on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.

RubberDucks infielder Todd Hankins hits two homers and has 4 RBI in the win.

Todd HankinsAkron RubberDucks 

BOWIE, Maryland -- Second baseman Todd Hankins slugged two home runs and had 4 RBI to lead RubberDucks to a 5-4 victory, giving Akron a three-game sweep of the Baysox to start the Class AA Eastern League season.

RubberDucks starter Michael Peoples (1-0, 1.50 ERA) gave up one run and five hits over six innings, striking out three.

Akron got its first run in the third inning after consecutive singles by shortstop Eric Stamets and outfielder Clint Frazier. Stamets scored after outfielder Bradley Zimmer reached base on a fielding error by Baysox second baseman Corban Joseph.

Hankins, batting ninth, broke the game open in the fourth. With one out, outfielder Jordan Smith and catcher Alex Monsalve reached base on singles, and Hankins brought them in with a three-run homer to give Akron a 4-0 lead.

Hankins added a solo shot in the sixth to make it 5-1, which proved important after Bowie scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Bowie managed to get a runner on third with two outs in the eighth, but reliever Perci Garner was able to get Baysox hitter Adrian Marin to ground out.

Reliever Ben Heller pitched a scoreless ninth to get the save.

Go here to see a box score from the game.

Defending Olympic wrestling champion Jordan Burroughs and World champs Kyle Snyder and Adeline Gray secured berths in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials on Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The legend of Ohio State sophomore wrestler Kyle Snyder is Bunyanesque, and he's only 20. He took another swing at wrestling history and chopped down more tall timber Sunday, winning the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials and earning a berth in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Snyder, the reigning World champion, defeated 2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner in the 97 kg/213-pound freestyle final in Iowa City, Iowa. Snyder lost the first match, 4-4 on criteria, but stormed back to beat Varner in the next two matches, 4-0 and 6-1.

The tournament's other Olympic champion, Jordan Burroughs, earned his ticket to Rio at 74 kilos/163 pounds.

Also qualifying Sunday for Rio were Greco-Roman heavyweight Robby Smith; freestyle 57-kilo comebacker Daniel Dennis, who was living in a truck not long ago; reigning three-time world champion Adeline Gray in women's freestyle 75-kilo, who did not surrender a point and two-time World medalist Andy Bisek at Greco-Roman 75 kilos.

The U.S. crowned nine other Trials champions in Iowa City, Iowa, this weekend at weights that are not yet qualified for the 2016 Games.

Burroughs seeks to become the third American to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in more than 100 years.

In the best-of-three championship finals Sunday, Burroughs cruised to 9-3 and 10-0 victories against Andrew Howe, putting each match away early with a takedown and a series of leg-lace spin-exposures.

"I'm just happy to be going to Rio. Man, I've got to get some mosquito repellent,'' he said on NBCSN.

Snyder's checklist: Rarely has someone so young accomplished so much at an upper Olympic weight, and Synder clearly is a rare breed. All that's left on his checklist is a gold medal at the Rio Games in August.

"This is the special one, so far. Last year's world's was awesome. The Olympics are just a little bit different, everybody knows that,'' Snyder told NBCSN.

Olympic gold always has been Snyder's ultimate goal, since skipping his senior season of high school in Woodbine, Maryland, and moving to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado, before enrolling at Ohio State in 2014. He took a brief break from his Olympic tract this winter to wrestle 11 matches for OSU. He moved up a weight class and won the NCAA heavyweight crown, knocking off two-time defending champion Nick Gwiazdowski in March.

Snyder joins his Ohio Regional Training Center sparring partner and mentor Tervel Dlagnev in heading to Rio. Dlagnev won freestyle heavyweight Saturday and is headed to his second Olympics, as are Saturday qualifiers Elena Pirozhkova (women's 63/139) and Ben Provisor (Greco-Roman 85/187).

Snyder vs. Varner: Varner beat Snyder in the first match of a best-of-three championship series, 4-4, on criteria. Snyder was the aggressor early in the second match, but Varner defended patiently. Snyder took a 2-0 lead on penalty and push-out points. Snyder was in on Varner's leg off the second-period whistle and scored a quick takedown and held on for a 4-0 victory.

Snyder continued to be the aggressor in the decisive match, scoring an early takedown on a quick drag that seemed to catch Varner off-guard. Snyder just missed a second takedown, but got the pushout for a 3-0 lead heading into the second period.

Varner gave up a low takedown one minute into the final period and appeared out of gas.

Snyder had a bye to the finals.

Varner defeated Kyven Gadsen, 4-0, in the semifinals and cruised past former Kent State NCAAA champ Dustin Kilgore of Berea in the challenge finals, 6-0. Varner spun behind Kilgore for the lone takedown of the first period for a 2-0 lead. Varner struck quickly in the second, grabbing a high single-leg and led, 4-0.

Kilgore rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat Ohio State grad JD Bergman, 4-3, with a trio of second-period takedowns in their semifinal.

Smith wins Greco heavyweight: Greco-Roman heavyweight Robby Smith earned his first Olympic berth, sweeping his finals against Michigan's Adam Coon. Smith's five-point throw to start the second match helped secure the win. Smith, 29, moved up a weight class after placing third at the 2012 Trials.

Daniel Dennis is back: In a stunning personal comeback, freestyle 57-kilo champ Daniel Dennis was living in a truck and a trailer in recent years after losing in the 2012 Olympic Trials. His main contact with wrestling was as an assistant coach at his old high school in Illinois. Now, he's headed to Rio. He dominated two-time World team member Tony Ramos in the finals. Dennis swept Ramos, winning the second match 10-0 after a spinning Ramos around the mat in a gut-wrench.

Gray dominates: Three-time World champion Adeline Gray won her two finals matches by technical superiority, extending her winning streak to 37 matches and solidifying herself as the gold-medal favorite at women's 75 kilos.

Bisek takes Greco berth: Two-time world medalist Andy Bisek won Greco-Roman 75 kilos, the weight that was supposed to include Akron native Justin (Harry) Lester as a challenger. Lester, a 2012 Olympian, suffered a pectoral muscle injury recently and did not compete Sunday.

Lester, 32, has had a star-crossed career at the Olympic level. He was upset at the 2008 Trials and won in 2012, but wrestled poorly and did not medal in the London Games.

Tomasello out: Parma resident and Ohio State sophomore Nathan Tomasello kicked things off for a strong Ohio contingent Sunday morning with a last-second takedown for a 4-3 victory over Nico Megaludis in the 57-kilo prelims. Tomasello lost in the quarterfinals.

Nine still to qualify: The U.S. has two more chances to qualify its other nine weights at upcoming tournaments in Mongolia and Turkey.

Those weights and the Trials champions are: Frank Molinaro (men's freestyle 65 kilos/143 pounds) and J'Den Cox (86/189); Victoria Anthony (women's freestyle 48/106), Haley Augello (53/117), Kelsey Campbell (58/128), Tamyra Mensah (69/152), and Jesse Thielke (Greco-Roman 59/130), ReVaughn Perkins (66/145) and Joe Rau (98/215).

Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Adeline Gray headline Team USA's 2016 Rio Olympic Games qualifiers who won their weight at the Olympic Wrestling Trials on April 9-10.

Ohio State is clearly interested in adding another elite quarterback to its 2017 recruiting class.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- First it was five-star quarterback Tate Martell of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman, and now Ohio State is hosting another elite quarterback who is currently committed to another school.

That other quarterback is four-star Kellen Mond of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG, who is scheduled to be in Columbus on Saturday for Ohio State's spring game, according to a report from ElevenWarriors.com. 

Rated the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the 2017 recruiting class in the 247Sports composite rankings, Mond has amassed 16 scholarship offers and is currently committed to Baylor. 

Martell, the top-rated dual-threat quarterback in the country, visited Ohio State on March 24. Martell is committed to Texas A&M. 

So Ohio State is clearly interested in adding another elite quarterback to its 2017 class despite having had four-star Danny Clark of Archbishop Hoban committed since he was a freshman.

Though it was once important to Clark to be the only quarterback in Ohio State's 2017 class, he told cleveland.com in early April that he's fine with Urban Meyer pursuing other players at his position.

"Urban Meyer explained it to me. It's a business, you know what I mean? It's a business," Clark said during the Unrivaled Athlete Consulting camp at Hoban on Saturday. "If he feels the need to. They have to be balanced on all points of the game, and I am not worried about competition.

"I honestly don't care who they bring in, I'm going to win." 

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Mond is the quarterback at one of the biggest high school football talent factories in the country. He's currently in his first year replacing Shea Patterson, the top quarterback in the 2016 class who signed with Mississippi. 

Meyer has some help in Mond's recruitment because the Buckeyes have commitments from two IMG players in their 2017 class: Four-star safety Isaiah Pryor and four-star cornerback Marcus Williamson.

Below are Mond's junior highlights:

So far we've picked six Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round. Could Bell sneak in? Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Picking Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2016 NFL Draft with general managers Doug Lesmerises, Ari Wasserman and Bill Landis.

We are on the verge of fake history.

So far we've gone through seven Ohio State players, and six have gone in the first round. One more first-round pick, and that would mean (in our fake world) that the Buckeyes break Miami's record for most first-round selections in one draft.

The Hurricanes had six in 2004. The Buckeyes have six now. Can Vonn Bell become No. 7?

As we act as NFL general managers for the day, Ari, Doug and I are running through 14 draftable Buckeyes and ringing in when we think they should go off the board. Bell is certainly a player with first-round potential. It's just a matter of one of us wanting to take him that high.

You like a guy? You better pick him before someone else on the beat does.

Bell built a reputation for making plays while starting at safety for the Buckeyes, but the NFL has some concerns about his run defense. Some draft analysts like him in the first round, some don't.

Where mock drafts have Bell: ESPN's Mel Kiper is one who likes Bell as a first-round pick. Kiper's partner at ESPN, Todd McShay, has Bell in the second round.

Ohio State Buckeyes in mock drafts

Where did we pick him? Watch the video to see when we rang the bell on Bell and which one of us drafted him and why.

Then vote on how you think we did as general managers. Did we take Bell too high in the draft, or did we wait on him too long? Or did we get this one right?

Vonn Bell draft capsule

Next up Tuesday: Braxton Miller

Previous picks in our draft

Ringing the bell on: Joey Bosa, No. 5

Ringing the bell on: Darron Lee, No. 10

Ringing the bell on: Ezekiel Elliott, No. 12

Ringing the bell on: Michael Thomas, No. 14

Ringing the bell on: Eli Apple, No. 16

Ringing the bell on: Taylor Decker, No. 22

Ringing the bell on: Joshua Perry, Second round, No. 60

Who should the Cleveland Browns draft No. 2 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft? Should it be a quarterback, or not a quarterback? Before you cast your vote, meet the candidates for Browns Decision 2016.

This is a unit featuring a blend of new and old, with a handful of arms at the ready in Triple-A if reinforcements are required. The question is: How long will it take the Indians to pinpoint the combination of relievers that offers the most reliability?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Eight pitchers sit on a bench beyond the outfield fence. There are five familiar faces and three newcomers, though one of the familiar faces is on foreign soil.

The ninth inning is Cody Allen's domain. Sure, Terry Francona doesn't typically hesitate to turn to his closer in the eighth inning -- or even the fifth -- if the situation dictates such a decision. Despite his struggles on Saturday, Bryan Shaw remains the Indians' setup man. Zach McAllister bridges the gap to the pair of late-inning relievers.

But who will lead the charge to the bridge? This is a unit featuring a blend of new and old, with a handful of arms at the ready in Triple-A if reinforcements are required. The question is: How long will it take the Indians to pinpoint the combination of relievers that offers the most reliability?

Jeff Manship joined the Indians in mid-June last year. He didn't earn a hold until the second week of September. For his first 18 appearances, he pitched either in mop-up duty or in extra innings, when the number of available arms in the Tribe 'pen dwindled.

Manship eventually earned enough trust to warrant opportunities to pitch amid high-leverage circumstances. Now, it's Joba Chamberlain's turn to attempt to follow the same path. And Dan Otero's turn. And Ross Detwiler's turn. And Trevor Bauer's turn.

"We're still trying to get a feel for those new guys and what we think they can do," said Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway. "We're comfortable with the three guys and Manship. But it's, 'What does this guy feel comfortable doing? Is he going to be a bases loaded guy to come in and try to get a strikeout, or a man on first guy and try to get a ground ball?' We're still figuring that out."

That can take some time. It can require some trial and error.

"A few guys have an idea of when they're pitching, as opposed to some of the other guys," said bullpen coach Jason Bere, "but as the season goes on, those things shake out."

The first week of the Indians' season didn't really present a clear scope of the situation, since the Indians endured three postponements. Allen and Otero have only pitched once. Detwiler, the only left-hander in the bullpen, appeared in the Tribe's first two games, but hasn't taken the hill since Wednesday.

No reliever has logged more innings than Bauer, who didn't even think he'd be part of the unit until the end of spring training. With Bauer, the Indians have a durable right-hander who has an array of pitches at his disposal. How that will translate to a relief role might remain unknown for some time.

"I think we can use him really any way we want," said manager Terry Francona. "I do think guys settle into roles a little bit as the season progresses and the first month is always -- guys have to be patient. If he pitches like he can, he can be very valuable in any role."

Manship arrived in Cleveland last summer with a 6.46 ERA over parts of six major league seasons. Chamberlain joined the Indians' relief corps with a more accomplished track record.

"A guy like Joba probably has earned that [trust] just from his experience," Callaway said. "We might feel a little more inclined to use him later in the game than we would have [with] Manship last year."

How one tweak made the difference for Manship

Manship didn't have to prove himself this spring, as he posted a 0.92 ERA in 39 1/3 innings last season. The Indians informed him upon his arrival to Goodyear, Arizona, that they had a spot reserved for him in the bullpen. A year earlier, he battled for a job as a non-roster invitee.

Chamberlain, Otero and Detwiler did the same this spring. How long will it take the Indians to learn how they can deploy their newcomers, especially considering how heavily the club has leaned on Allen and Shaw? From 2013-15, Shaw led all big leaguers with 224 outings. Allen ranked second with 223.

"We're trying to figure those things out," Callaway said, "and see where they're comfortable and see who's going to do the right thing with the ball when they get the ball in those situations."

Cleveland Cavaliers Scribbles about the challenges facing Coach Tyronn Lue as the playoffs will soon open. He needs to figure out his rotations and other things.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cavaliers notebook as they come to the end of the regular season:

1. It's time for Tyronn Lue to figure out a few things, starting with his rotations. The Cavs rookie head coach opened the fourth quarter of Saturday's game in Chicago with this group on the court: Kyrie Irving, Channing Frye, Matthew Dellavedova, Richard Jefferson and Timofey Mozgov. He had Kevin Love and LeBron James on the bench.

2. Lue had some problems. He was missing two guards. Mo Williams is out with a knee injury, and that could linger. Iman Shumpert was a late scratch with a knee injury, not supposed to be major. So Lue had to juggle, and his inexperience showed Saturday in the fourth quarter of the 105-102 loss in Chicago.

3. Chicago's game meant something to both teams. The Bulls needed a win to stay alive for a final playoff spot. A victory for the Cavs would have given them the top seed in the Eastern Conference. So this was not one of those games where the coach plays Thomas Edison because absolutely nothing was on the line. Lue either overthought the situation, or didn't think enough. Either way, he made several mistakes.

4. I'm not going to dwell on the end of game and missed opportunities. The coaching decisions actually put them into that perilous situation, along with some players simply disappearing on the court.

5. Lue played James the entire third quarter. Not sure why. The Cavs had a 54-52 lead at the half, so it was not as if they needed a big third quarter to get back into the game. The Cavs won the third quarter, 28-27. James was having a sensational game, so it's hard to take him out. But a coach has to get past that. Rest him at some point with a few minutes left in the third period. Then he receives even more rest during the break before the fourth quarter. That allows him to be fresher in the final period when he returns to the game.

6. The fourth quarter opened with James and Love on the bench. Irving and the four subs missed their first nine shots of the period. They made four turnovers. Irving was swarmed and acted as if he had never seen a double-team on defense before. He just kept dribbling into more trouble.

7. Dellavedova was out there with Irving, but Irving seldom passed him the ball. Delly was having an awful shooting night, but he could help bring the ball up the court against pressure. Lue was not able to come up with anything to help the situation. The bench (plus Irving) was outscored 10-2 to open the fourth quarter.

8. In the playoffs, Lue can't play James the entire third quarter. Not unless he plans to have his star on the floor for about 44 minutes a night. That's a lot to ask. James came back into the game with 7:50 left. He was 2-of-3 from the field, 1-of-2 from the foul line. For whatever reason, he was not in the middle of the action.

9. James finished the game with 33 points (13-of-17 shooting). He was 4-of-5 from 3-point range. He had seven rebounds, three assists. He was terrific. He played 39 minutes, more than enough. The problem was playing him too much, too early.

10. None of this excuses Irving, who was embarrassing with his lack of poise with the ball. He shot 5-of-17 and was credited with eight assists, compared to only four turnovers. I say "only" four, because it seemed like more. Three were in the final period, when he was scoreless.

11. Irving was awful, yet played the entire fourth quarter. Why? When James was on the court, he could handle the ball. Irving was tired and frazzled. He played 39 minutes, and there as no need for him to be on the court the entire fourth period when he was struggling.

12. It's easy to nitpick a coach after a loss, but these are issues Lue needs to resolve in his own mind as the playoffs loom. How much to play Irving? What to do if Irving is having trouble with pressure? When is the best time to give James some rest?

13. Then there's Mozgov. I don't know what to say about the 7-foot-1 Russian, other than he's not the same determined, physical defensive center he was a year ago. The team plays poorly with him on the court. There's a stat called "Real plus/minus" kept by ESPN. There are 77 centers listed. He ranks No. 76 at a minus 3.18. It gets complicated, but the point is he is a very bad fit with the Cavs right now.

14. In the last two games, Mozgov has played 24 minutes and has ZERO field goals. He's scored six points, all from the foul line. He had four rebounds in those 24 minutes. Against the Bulls, it was a disaster: eight minutes with no field goal attempts, no rebounds. He made two free throws. In his eight minutes on the court, the Cavs were outscored by 11 points!

15. Last season, Mozgov ranked No. 11 among centers (66 rated) in real plus/minus. So that shows how his game has deteriorated. I don't know if it's because he had off-season knee surgery and is still having issues. Or if he is pressing because he'll be a free agent. Or maybe it's something else. But it's hard for the Cavs to play him meaningful minutes. Other websites also outline his struggles.

16. Now consider this: Among power forwards, the leaders in real plus/minus are Draymond Green, Paul Millsap, Love and Frye. While Love and Frye have up and down shooting nights, it's obvious the Cavs play well with them on the court. They fit. And Frye can play some center when Tristan Thompson rests.

17. So Lue needs to study his combinations. Does it make sense to use Mozgov in the postseason when the game is close? How about Frye at center? How about giving Irving more rest when James is on the court?

18. None of this is reason for Cavs fans to panic. The Cavs probably will have the top spot in the East. James is in great physical condition. This is not about Lue being a terrible coach, or bringing back David Blatt. It is his first real test as a coach, and Lue has a lot of work to do.

Holmes, a true junior, has one sack in his Ohio State career. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There's a bad version of Ohio State defensive end Jalyn Holmes.

You don't get to see him much because he usually comes out in practice. Holmes gets beat on a particular rep, gets angry, feels like he has to do more but then does too much.

"Just trying to chase a play sometimes isn't good for the defense. Whereas if you play the defense, then the plays will come to me," Holmes said last week.

That's a fine line every player has to straddle.

Even Joey Bosa -- yes, the same Bosa who will likely be a top 10 NFL Draft pick in two weeks -- battled the same thing. Over-pursuit of plays bit Bosa plenty of times. He was just so good that often times he could recover, or he would do something on the next snap that made you forget about it.

But when you're Holmes and you're doing those kind of things in practice, that limits your chances to get it right in games. Holmes is preparing for his third season in Columbus, and he's still very much a mystery.

"I feel like this is year is the year I can get everybody to know me," Holmes said.

He was the fourth man in a four-man defensive end rotation that also featured Bosa, Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard last year. Now Holmes will slide up a spot with Bosa gone. He'll be the third man in, and should get more time because neither Lewis nor Hubbard demand being on the field as much as Bosa did.

It's for that reason that Holmes is hoping this is the breakout season he's been waiting for.

Two seasons and 24 games into his Ohio State career, the player who was a U.S. Army All-American defensive end in high school has just one sack. He's been a second-team, and sometimes third-team player throughout his career. This spring, with Lewis out after shoulder surgery, Holmes is starting opposite Hubbard.

"I just try to take it for what it is, go hard and try to be the best player I can be for Ohio State," Holmes said. "It doesn't matter if it's with the ones, twos or three, it's just do my job and be the best Jalyn Holmes so Ohio State can be better."

So what's the best version of Jalyn Holmes?

It's a fast player whom defensive line coach Larry Johnson said could bring a "change of pace" to the defensive line. Holmes said he can bring energy to the position and fill a playmaking void left by the departure of Bosa. He's been working with Lewis on improving his snap-to-snap consistency.

There's suddenly a lot of opportunity at that position with Ohio State sliding Dre'Mont Jones and Jashon Cornell -- two players recruited as defensive ends -- to defensive tackle.

Holmes still has players behind him, don't forget that. Guys like Rashod Berry and Jonathon Cooper would love to get into that mix behind Lewis and Hubbard. But Holmes has been waiting too, and finally sees his chance to make a move.

"I know who I am. Sam knows who he is. Tyquan knows who he is," Holmes said. "I feel like now the world is gonna have to find out. That's a challenge that we're gonna have to take on."

Cleveland sports fans wonder about the No. 2 pick in the draft, whether Juan Uribe is on his last legs and Kyrie Irving's commitment to defense -- Bud Shaw's You Said It

The Cleveland Cavaliers begin their two-game homestand to close the regular season with the Atlanta Hawks up first this evening.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Cavaliers (56-24) begin their two-game homestand to close the regular season with the Atlanta Hawks (48-32) up first this evening. 

Atlanta has racked up three straight victories.

Tipoff: 7 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Ohio; WTAM 1100, 87.7 La Mega.

Last game: The Chicago Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 105-102 on Saturday, preventing them from clinching the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed. It was te Cavs' second loss in a row.

Cavaliers' probable starting lineup: 6-3 Kyrie Irving (19.3 ppg, 4.7 apg), 6-6 J.R. Smith (12.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 40% 3-pt range), 6-8 LeBron James (25.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 6.8 apg), 6-10 Kevin Love (16.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg) and 7-2 Timofey Mozgov (6.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

Hawks' probable starting lineup: 6-3 Jeff Teague (15.6 ppg, 5.9 apg), 6-7 Kyle Korver (9.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 40% 3-pt range), 6-7 Kent Bazemore (11.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg,), 6-8 Paul Millsap (17.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg) and 6-10 Al Horford (15.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg).

Injuries for Cleveland: Mo Williams (knee) is out. Iman Shumpert (knee) is questionable.

Injuries for Atlanta: Tiago Splitter (hip) is out.

Cavaliers' next opponent: The Detroit Pistons come to town on Wednesday at 8 p.m. for the final game of the regular season. Fox Sports Ohio will have the contest.

The big questions are many as we invite your input on "#BrownsDecision2016" -- a campaign whose impact locally is destined to last longer than the Republican National Convention in July. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Do you look at Jared Goff and think, "Yes, He Can?"

Does Carson Wentz lack the experience to lead?

Is Laremy Tunsil too big to fail?

The big questions are many as we invite your input on "#BrownsDecision2016" -- a campaign whose impact locally is destined to last longer than the Republican National Convention in July.

Early voting is underway, at the bottom of this post.

Will you support the "QB Party" or the "Not-QB Party"?

Get out and vote. Let your voice be heard. The future is hanging in the balance.

Want somebody to build a wall? It's Tunsil. Maybe "Bosa Is The One" to tear down that wall.

Or it's Jack!

Do you believe in a one-player system? Then Goff or Wentz is your man.

#BrownsDecision2016 comes complete with a Super Tuesday primary (April 19), after which the poll results will identify the top candidate from each party.

The winning campaign representatives will meet in an April 21 debate on cleveland.com. I will be the moderator.

Think of me as your Megyn Kelly.

#BrownsDecision2016: Meet the candidates

There is nothing to fear except that image itself.

So start voting today at the bottom of this post, and on social media, endorse your candidate using the hashtag #BrownsDecision2016.

The candidates are split along party lines that might sound familiar to Republicans and Democrats alike. Franchise quarterbacks are the 1 percent of every NFL draft. The rest of the draft? That's the other 99 percent.

Only you can decide which is best suited to produce on the slogan: "Make the Browns Great Again." Or at the least, "Make the Browns 7-9 Again."

Is Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey the answer? Or do you believe the critics who say he can't be pinned down to a specific position. Is Joey Bosa the most trusted candidate?

Then get out and vote. Mock polls show him slipping. "He's sleepier than Ben Carson," one opposing campaign manager says.

You decide.

Candidates have been whittled by attrition, most recently at their public appearance in Indianapolis where they were vetted for their ability to run and also their aptitude for thinking fast.

"Where's the beef?" Tunsil reportedly said, before taking off his shirt. "It's right here."

There are two candidates in the QB Party (Jared Goff and Carson Wentz) four in the Not-QB Party (Laremy Tunsil, Joey Bosa, Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack.)

Sorry, Paxton Lynch isn't around for the QB Party voters to consider.

"His candidacy never recovered after his unprepared appearance in Birmingham," said a campaign insider.

Anticipation is building as Goff and Wentz square off. The focus has moved from Goff's small hands to other issues.

In early sparring, Goff's campaign has raised doubts about Wentz's lack of experience on the big stage.

"Another community-activist type," a Goff advisor snorted.

Wentz's campaign has countered by pointing out Goff's poor record as a California freshman representative and his tender age (21).

"Little Jared," a Wentz supporter chided, adding, "Carson is the adult in the room."

Wentz is two years older.

Some observers believe the maturity issue could backfire on him in Northeast Ohio so soon after Brandon Weeden's term here.

You make the call. Get out and rock the vote.

Here's how it will work:

1. Early voting this week until "Super Tuesday," April 19, in two primaries:

The "QB Party" features two candidates: Jared Goff (QB-Calif.) and Carson Wentz (QB-NDSt.).

The "Non-QB Party" features four candidates: defensive end Joey Bosa (NQB-OhioSt.); linebacker Myles Jack (NQB-Ucla); cornerback Jalen Ramsey (NQB-FlaSt.); and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (NQB-Miss.)

2. The Debate, Thursday, April 21: With the primaries over on April 19, the field in each party will be narrowed to one candidate. On Thursday night, April 21, a live debate nominated by cleveland.com's Bud Shaw will weigh the pros and cons of the QB Party candidate and the Not-QB Party Candidate.

3. The General Election, April 25-27: You will have a choice to pick between the two final candidates in the QB Party and Not-QB Party from Monday, April 25 to Wednesday, April 27, the day before the first round of NFL Draft 2016.

Primary voting is open: Vote below for the QB Party candidate and Not-QB Party candidate you support. You have until Tuesday, April 19. Vote early, vote often. The future of the Browns is at stake.

So vote early. Or often. Or early and often.*

(*Only eligible candidates can receive votes. Votes for write-in candidates will not be counted. Votes for any write-in candidate whose names rhymes with Danziel could result in loss of future voting privileges).

Jackson had Michigan State and Arizona also among his finalists.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Sleep easy, Big Ten basketball coaches. Josh Jackson is going to Kansas.

Jackson, the No. 1 player in the 2016 recruiting class according to 247Sports, announced his commitment to the Jayhawks on Twitter on Monday night. Jackson also had Michigan State and Arizona among his finalists.

The prospect of Jackson committing to Michigan State was a real thing. Although the 6-foot-7 shooting guard plays for Justin-Siena in Napa, Calif., he's originally from Detroit and has long had the Spartans at the top of his list.

The Spartans already have a pair of McDonald's All-Americans committed for 2016 in Miles Bridges and Joshua Langford. Adding Jackson to that class would have been a nightmare scenario for the Big Ten.

That won't happen.

Jackson is the Big 12's problem now.

Coming into Monday, Jackson and Thon Maker were the only two players in 247Sports composite national top 10 who hadn't yet committed. Maker, a 7-foot power forward, will attempt to enter 2016 NBA Draft. Maker would have to convince the NBA that he's really a member of the 2015 recruiting class who played a year of post-graduate ball.

Next year I will be attending Kansas University da$?i, #RCJH pic.twitter.com/rmBiF85n4J

-- Josh Jackson (@j_josh11) April 12, 2016

So Jackson won't be in Big Ten basketball arenas next season.

But the conference is bringing in some good talent.

In addition to the two All-Americans at Michigan State, the Spartans are also adding top-50 prospects in point guard Cassius Winston and power forward Nick Ward. Indiana, Penn State and Minnesota are also adding top-50 national talents for 2016.

The 7 top-50 players signed with Big Ten basketball programs

Even with the addition of Jackson, Kansas' 2016 recruiting class is still ranked No. 13 in the country by 247Sports.

Kentucky, Duke and Michigan State have the top three classes.

LeBron James produced 34 points, six rebounds, and six assists and the Cavaliers clinched the No. 1 seed in the East in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James tried his best before Monday's game to downplay the significance of beating the Atlanta Hawks and clinching the top seed in the East.

And then he went out and made sure it happened.

James destroyed the Hawks with 34 points, six rebounds, and six assists in Cleveland's 109-94 win, a victory that locked the Cavs (57-24) in as the No. 1 seed for their playoff bracket with one regular-season game left.

James shot a blazing 13-of-16 from the field and made 3-of-4 for 3-pointers in 32 minutes. It's the third time in team history and first since 2010 that Cleveland finished first in its conference.

James said Monday morning that there was no added importance on beating the Hawks and avoiding having to potentially clinch on the final day of the season or risk losing out on the top seed to Toronto.

"The no. 1 seed, the no. 2 seed, whatever the seeds, it hasn't been a focus of ours," James said. "It's just about us continuing to work our process, work our habits, and live with the results."

It turned out to be a laughable statement from the Cavs' leader, if only because of what he did once the game started. He sat the entire fourth quarter, but that's only because the Cavs held a 15-point lead through three quarters and his teammates hung in there.

"It's nice to be able to accomplish things along the way," James said afterwards. "I'm grateful for it and the guys have put the work in and the coaching staff. I think it's great for our fans as well. We guaranteed ourselves more home games and if we're able to play well, then our fans will get an opportunity to watch us." 

Kyrie Irving edged him with 35 points; Kevin Love added 20. Both played well into the fourth quarter.

Had it been a tighter game, James would've played a playoff-like 40-plus minutes.

Of course, James played a huge role in building up the big lead. He scored 19 points in the third quarter alone - during which Cleveland took off on a 17-4 run.

James answered Atlanta's 10-0 run to start the game with eight quick points of his own. When the first half was over, James had logged 22 of a possible 24 minutes.

Coach Tyronn Lue - think he didn't want this one? - put James on the floor to start the second quarter, playing him at the No. 4 position with the Cavs down by four points.

James virtually never opens the second quarter on the court. On Monday, he was out there with reserves Matthew Dellavedova, Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson, and Jordan McRae, who was actually shuttled to Cleveland's D-League affiliate in Canton earlier Monday only to be recalled prior to the game.

James entered play Monday shooting nearly 61 percent (111-183) from the field over his previous 10 games, averaging 27.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. Dating back to March 21, he's nailed 14 of his last 27 3-pointers.

"I think when he's taking shots in rhythm, catching and shooting it with confidence and not worried about a hold and taking step back three's, percentages go up," Lue said.

In other words, James is clearly, beyond any shadow of a doubt, ready for the postseason. He has his team where it needed to be - locked as the No. 1 seed - and is guaranteed not to play in the regular-season finale Wednesday against Detroit.

The alternative - Lue having choose whether to rest his key players against Detroit and risk fumbling away the top seed - was a scenario neither he nor the organization wanted to consider.

"I think everything is great," Lue said.

The Cavaliers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the third time in the franchise's history by defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 109-94, Monday evening at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Cavaliers would have liked to have done it on Saturday, but now is better than never.

They clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the third time in the franchise's history by defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 109-94, Monday evening at The Q. They had lost two straight coming in.

A 39-point third quarter by the Cavaliers helped build a 17-point lead, and Cleveland earned home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.

LeBron James continued his dominance. Entering the game, he was averaging 27.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.2 assists in his last 10 games. He scored 19 of his 34 points in that pivotal third quarter and grabbed six rebounds with six assists. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

Kyrie Irving broke out a bit of shooting funk by scoring a game-high 35 points on 14-for-28 from the field. He was left on the floor in the fourth with mostly reserves and he went for 13 in the quarter.

The second half was all about the Cavaliers.

Atlanta (48-33) is desperately trying to hold on to that third seed. Kent Bazemore went on a personal 8-0 run to start the game. Cleveland (57-24) promptly called a timeout to regroup. The Hawks scored another basket after the break to go up 10-0, but then James took matters into his own hands.

He played some quarterback by setting guys up for open shots and was also the triggerman in looking for his own shot. Atlanta tried different tactics in defending him, but James routinely made the right play to keep them off balance. James is an efficient 13-of-16 shooting and is 7-of-9 from downtown in his last two games.

A Matthew Dellavedova-James pick-and-roll led to a beautiful James reverse jam in traffic in the third. Dellavedova squeezed that ball in there perfectly.

James is in such a groove and his intensity level is certainly kicked up a couple of notches. He was seen yelling at Tristan Thompson late in the second quarter for not diving on the floor for a loose ball.

That scolding must have woken Thompson up. At the start of the third, Paul Millsap maneuvered to get inside the lane and was on the verge of stuffing down a one-handed jam, but Thompson came weak-side and blocked his dunk attempt at the rim. It was a filthy play.

Thompson finished with nine points and 10 rebounds. Kevin Love had 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue is preparing his team for the playoffs and as a result, he did some tinkering.

Thompson was named the starting center moving forward, relegating Timofey Mozgov to a reserve role. Lue said, "I just wanted to" when asked why he decided to make the switch. It's hard to argue with result.

Despite losing two of the last three, Lue says he believes the momentum is still on the Cavs' side.

"I think everything is great," he said.

Iman Shumpert (knee) is sidelined the remainder of the regular season, and guard Mo Williams (knee) likely is as well. That depletes a bench that already hasn't been playing well and was outscored 44-11 in Saturday's loss to the Chicago Bulls.

This time around, the Cavaliers' bench produced 19 points to the Hawks' 18. Dellavedova had 10 off the bench.

Lue will sit his main guys on Wednesday to not risk injury before postseason play begins this weekend. A 57-win season is quite impressive. The real season is almost near.

On deck

The Detroit Pistons come to town on Wednesday at 8 p.m. for the final game of the regular season. Fox Sports Ohio will have the contest. Cleveland leads the season series, 2-1.