Concerns grow for the Cleveland Cavaliers about the lack of playmakers other than the Big Three, LeBron James' minutes, the poor defense, and the missed defensive adjustments.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The last time, it did not end well when LeBron James called the Cleveland Cavaliers' front office out the way he did in New Orleans on Monday night.

The good times rolled, as New Orleans promises visitors they will, just not for the Cavs, despite the absence of the Pelicans' best player, Anthony Davis. The 124-122 loss was the NBA champions' fifth in seven games. 

James' remarks afterward about the Cavs staying the same and the other contenders getting better was an echo of 2008 and a loss in the toughest playoff series the champion Boston Celtics would face.

James scored 45 points in the seventh game at Boston, but Paul Pierce answered with 41. The Celtics won, 97-92. Delonte West was the only other Cavalier in double figures with 15 points.

Three is not enough

Everybody remembers the 2010 six-game playoff upset by Boston, after which James took his talents to South Beach.

That, however, was only the culmination of the disaffection James felt in 2008, when he noted that other contenders -- Boston, to name one -- got better in the off-season, adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to Paul Pierce for a Big Three.

The Cavs, swept in the NBA Finals the year before, ran in place.

Say, no Mo?

James has complained about no rim protector after Timofey Mozgov left as a free agent and, even more, about no back-up point guard.

After the loss of Matthew Dellavedova to free agency, the Cavs' season was wrenched utterly out of synch by the other back-up at point, Mo Williams.

Often a playoff disappointment in the past, Williams decided to get the letdown over with before the season even started. He abruptly retired, leaving the Cavs' roster as thin as their interior defense against the Pelicans' Terrence Jones. It was a great disservice to an organization that got him a championship ring.

The Spurs and Warriors

The Spurs beat the Cavs in overtime at The Q on Saturday with two starters down in Tony Parker and Pau Gasol.

Against New Orleans, James had a triple double (26 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists), Kyrie Irving had 49 points, and Kevin Love had a 22-16 double-double. When 97 points by the Big Three isn't enough, there are serious non-support problems on the roster.

Minutes

James played over 89 of a possible 101 minutes in the past two games. Irving played over 83. It didn't bother the younger Irving, who had a spectacular second half in New Orleans. 

In fact, he probably should have taken the last shot of a tied game on the last fourth quarter possession against the Spurs, not James. The Spurs could not cope with Irving in the pick-and-roll.

Against the Pelicans, James had another game in which he was loose with the ball. His sixth turnover on a drive ended the comeback. He simply has to handle it too much currently.

Jones, playing the game of his life (36 and 11), also blocked a James dunk in the final minutes. That's fatigue's effect on a 32-year-old player in his 14th season.

James knows the clock is ticking and the proper pieces aren't in place.

Lue

Not a lot of this matters if the Cavs continue to play "efense" in the no-D manner they adopted in New Orleans. Coach Tyronn Lue said recently that playing great defense is not who they are, but it would help if obvious adjustments were made.

He also said the Cavs disrespected the Pelicans without Davis. That's true.

But when Jones was allowed to work one-on-one in the paint late in the game, Cavs television analyst Austin Carr's incredulity at the failure to double-team him reflected that of armchair strategists around the area. The patently obvious move was to make him give up the ball.

I flashed back to one of Lue's early games as head coach last year, when Toronto's Kyle Lowry was finishing off a career-best 43-point game with the winning shot in the last seconds. Lue left him to go one-on-one. 

Bad coaching, both times.

Myles Garrett? Reuben Foster? Solomon Thomas? In this Prepare for List Off, Bud Shaw and Doug Lesmerises discuss which college defenders should wind up with the Browns. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns need a quarterback, but after taking care of that one way or another, I think their other three picks in the first two rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft (remember, they have two first-rounders and two second-rounders) need to be used on defenders.

So who would you like to see?

There are plenty of options, like defensive linemen Myles Garrett or Jonathan Allen if you want to go defense at No. 1.

There are some players like LSU safety Jamal Adams and Ohio State safety Malik Hooker that you could hope somehow fall to No. 12.

And then there are potential difference makers like Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas and Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster who could be there at 12 with a little less finger-crossing.

But while focusing on the quarterback is necessary, rebuilding this defense is also a part of this draft that the Browns have to get right.

In this Prepare for List Off, Bud Shaw and I name the three defenders we'd each like to see end up in Cleveland.

Every year, reactions to the Pro Bowl are mixed.

The NFL Pro Bowl game will take place on Sunday (Jan. 29) at 8 p.m. ET. The Pro Bowl game is a highly-rated fun, exhibition game for selected players (not playing in the Super Bowl) and their families to enjoy. And for that reason, critics argue that the Pro Bowl doesn't really serve a purpose in the playoffs. What do you think? 

PERSPECTIVES

Every year, reactions to the Pro Bowl are mixed. Some argue that regardless of the complaining, football lovers will still watch. Others say that the game is pointless and should just be eliminated. Is having fun enough reason to keep the Pro Bowl around?

The Pro Bowl introduced some changes this year. The game has moved to Orlando from Honolulu, Hawaii. And it's AFC players versus NFC players. But that isn't enough for critics. Sports Journalist Brandon Lee Gowton called the Pro Bowl a complete waste of time, and many agree. In fact, the ratings were down last year. Actually, the ratings are dropping year after year.

thetylt.com 

Yet, the NFL announced changes to the game to make it even more fun. And that's the point. The game is meant to be just for fun. Isn't that enough of a purpose? It's a way for players and teams who lost out on a chance at the Super Bowl to play one last "fun" game and have a good time. Isn't that what good sportsmanship is really about?

Here are the changes, according to the NFL.com:

• Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball: Pro Bowlers will compete in a game of dodgeball.
• Power Relay Challenge: Four team members will compete in a timed relay race.
• Precision Passing: Two players on each team will battle it out, trying to hit moving targets of varying size and distance.
• Best Hands: Quarterback and wide receiver duos from each team will show off their skills, connecting on as many pass attempts as possible before time runs out.

Writer Brad Berry noted that the NFL has no incentive to eliminate the game. It's highly-watched, regardless of lower ratings in recent years. But he also recommended that if any critics have a problem with the Pro Bowl, it's simple -- don't watch it!

thetylt.com 

Many NFL fanatics literally agree that the Pro Bowl game serves no real purpose.

@babyfaceJQ pro bowl is stupid and pointless.

-- [?] neitosiyumituto [?] (@NuclearShrimp22) January 23, 2017

But like the Super Bowl, there are fans who enjoy the Pro Bowl.

If yall have a chance to go to any of the Super or Pro bowl events. Please go. They are really fun.

-- Bodacious arms [?] (@That1guyJeff) January 23, 2017

The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Digital, Inc. property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.

Erin Andrews has revealed that she battled cervical cancer during the NFL season. The Fox Sports sideline reporter and "Dancing with the Stars" co-host tells Sports Illustrated's MMQB that she underwent surgery for the cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 11 and was back on the sidelines five days later.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Erin Andrews has revealed that she battled cervical cancer during the NFL season. The Fox Sports sideline reporter and "Dancing with the Stars" co-host tells Sports Illustrated's MMQB that she underwent surgery for the cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 11 and was back on the sidelines five days later.

The 38-year-old says that her doctor didn't recommend that she return to work so soon but that "sports were my escape."

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James made it clear he wants the team to improve its roster midway through the season. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Postgame comments by LeBron James made after the Cleveland Cavaliers' 124-122 loss Monday to New Orleans have once again fired up the NBA trade rumor mill, as fans wonder what can be done to fix the flailing franchise.

James said he hopes the club "is not satisfied" with where the roster stands midway through the season following a championship run in 2016.

The team has lost five of its last seven games and has been exposed for having a lack of playmaking coming off the bench, along with the need for a rim protector in the paint.

General Manager David Griffin's options may be slightly limited, having already traded away future draft picks to compose the current roster. The team still possesses trade exceptions ($4.4M, $4.8M and $2.2M), one of which expires before the Feb. 23 trade deadline.

James has made it clear the team needs a veteran backup point guard. Among the free agents available are James' former Miami Heat teammate Mario Chalmers and former Cavalier Dhantay Jones.

Trade options at point guard are rumored to include Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams, Monta Ellis and Jameer Nelson.

Among the post players rumored to be on the Cavs' radar are Andrew Bogut, Bismack Biyombo and Nerlens Noel.

LeBron paints picture of Cavs' roster mismanagement

It's time to put on your General Manager's cap and tell us how YOU would fix the Cleveland Cavaliers roster. Would you make a trade for a point guard, sign a free agent or focus on a big man? Does your plan include staying put and seeing if the team can work through its problems as-is?

Take the poll and defend your response in the comments section below.

LeBron: Improvements needed if Cavs are going to win

Ben Roethlisberger wouldn't commit in an interview to playing in 2017.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ben Roethlisberger was interviewed Tuesday by 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh. When the 34-year-old Steelers quarterback was asked how much he has left, his response wasn't what Steelers fans wanted to hear.

"It's one of those things, and I was talking to my wife about it last night and I've talked to my agent about it, coach about it, I'm going to take this offseason to evaluate, to consider all options, to consider health and family and things like that and just kind of take some time away to evaluate next season, if there's going to be a next season, all those things," Roethlisberger said. "I think that's, in my point of my career and my age, that's the prudent thing to do each year."

This led to the follow-up question asking if Roethlisberger will be back next season. Instead of a definitive yes, Roethlisberger repeated that he'd take time to evaluate his situation with his family and pray.

Roethlisberger went on to say that he's not "by any means saying I'm not coming back." And he also seemed to indicate that offseason reflecting is something he's done in the past.

But that didn't stop news of his potential retirement from spreading quickly. Although, you should consider the Tweets from Ed Bouchette, Steelers beat reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Ben Roethlisberger in his spot just now on The Fan said he is not sure he will return for 2017. Hard to take that seriously, though.

-- Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) January 24, 2017

This is not the first time MIke Tomlin said he's heard Ben indicate he might not come back for the following season.

-- Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) January 24, 2017

Mike Tomlin said Ben has told him in the past that he might not return for a following season. So this is not a first

-- Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) January 24, 2017

Of course, the Browns and the rest of the AFC North would welcome Roethlisberger's retirement. He has a 21-2 record vs. the Browns, and his 10 wins at FirstEnergy Stadium are tied for the most by any quarterback.

Here's the interview audio.

After painting a broad picture of roster mismanagement on the Cavs Monday night, LeBron James said on Twitter Tuesday the team needs to "improve in order to repeat" as NBA champions. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After painting a broad picture of roster mismanagement on the Cavs Monday night, LeBron James said on Twitter Tuesday the team needs to "improve in order to repeat" as NBA champions.

"I not mad or upset at management cause Griff (general manager David Griffin) and staff have done a great job, I just feel we still need to improve in order to repeat, if that's what we want to do," James said.

I not mad or upset at management cause Griff and staff have done a great job, I just feel we still need to improve in order to repeat...

-- LeBron James (@KingJames) January 24, 2017

if that's what we wanna do.

-- LeBron James (@KingJames) January 24, 2017

Following the Cavs' 124-122 loss to the Pelicans in New Orleans, the team's fifth in seven games, James shared with Cleveland-based beat writers not only his desire for the team to add veteran talent, but his frustrations with the roster as currently constructed and moves that were not made over the summer.

James said the Cavs didn't improve after winning the Finals and that he hopes the organization wasn't "satisfied" with just the one championship -- a statement that suggests complacency. Meanwhile the Golden State Warriors changed their roster. And teams like the San Antonio Spurs and even the Pelicans were able to overcome injuries to key players and beat the Cavs in recent days.

"They've got bodies," James said. "For the most part, all championship contending teams has got guys that are ready to step in. Knock on wood, what if Ky goes down? For two weeks. Let's say two. What if I went down for three weeks?"

James' statements would seem to pit him against Griffin, who's the roster architect and bristled a little earlier this month at James' demands for another big man and backup point guard immediately after the team traded for Kyle Korver.

A team source said that James' statements Monday didn't change the Cavs' plans. They were already trying to improve the roster.

The Cavs have one open roster spot, created by including Mo Williams in the trade for Korver. A second spot could open if Griffin can trade Chris Andersen's contract, and maybe a third if a player like Jordan McRrae is moved for a second-round pick.

Cleveland has two trade exceptions -- worth $4.8 million and $2.2 million -- and the rights to Cedi Osman, who's playing in Turkey. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 23 and the deadline to sign a free agent who's eligible for the playoffs is March 1.

After trading for Korver earlier this month, Griffin indicated he was in no hurry to fill the open roster spot, and would instead look for the best deals with the weeks he had leading up to the aforementioned deadlines.

But James and Kyrie Irving are playing too many minutes because the Cavs have no reliable ball handlers behind them, which could move up Griffin's timetable.

James and Irving have both played more than 40 minutes in each of the last two games.

"It's too many minutes for LeBron, too many for Kyrie," coach Tyronn Lue said. "We got going and that's on me. It don't matter the game, we still have to worry about our players' safety and I shouldn't have had them out there that long."

Later Tuesday, James was more positive on Twitter.

Lately taken L's, but very soon we'll bounce back
Boy, frustrating as hell, I know my team we'll bounce back
If you a real one.....

-- LeBron James (@KingJames) January 24, 2017

then you know how to bounce back

-- LeBron James (@KingJames) January 24, 2017

Cleveland hosts Sacramento Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Stephen Curry and the Warriors stayed on top of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers when it comes to jersey and merchandise sales.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers may have wrestled the NBA championship crown from Stephen Curry and Golden State in 2016, but the Warriors remain in the top spot when it comes to the league's most popular jerseys and merchandise.

Curry's No. 30 jersey outranked James' No. 23 based on NBAStore.com sales from October 2016 through December 2016, according to figures released Tuesday by the league.

Curry's new Warriors teammate Kevin Durant ranks No. 3 while James' teammate, Kyrie Irving, checks in at No. 4.

Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, who is averaging a triple-double this season, rounds out the top five.

The Warriors hold on as the top-selling team, followed by the Cavaliers at No. 2, the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 3, the Chicago Bulls at No. 4 and the New York Knicks at No. 5.

The NBA does not release specific sales figures. Sales figures are released quarterly and occasionally use different metrics.

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo appears on the list for the first time at No. 14, while Chicago's Jimmy Butler checks in at No. 9 -- his highest rating ever.

Dwyane Wade (No. 6) and Derrick Rose (No. 10) may be on new teams this year, but their jersey sales remain strong.

Most Popular NBA Jerseys:
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
4. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
6. Dwyane Wade, Chicago Bulls
7. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
8. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
9. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
10. Derrick Rose, New York Knicks
11. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
12. James Harden, Houston Rockets
13. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
14. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
15. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Most Popular Team Merchandise:
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Chicago Bulls
5. New York Knicks
6. San Antonio Spurs
7. Oklahoma City Thunder
8. Boston Celtics
9. Philadelphia 76ers
10. Toronto Raptors

Cleveland sports fans wonder about Ben Roethlisberger's possible retirement and whether Johnny Manziel has been a Twitter advisor to anyone other than Donald Trump.

The defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers have lost five of their past seven games. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- OneUp Sports called to ask about LeBron James' comments in the wake of the Cleveland Cavaliers' fifth loss in seven games.

The Cavs fell to the depleted and bad New Orleans Pelicans, 124-122, Monday night in New Orleans. It was an embarrassing loss, to say the least -- especially for a defending NBA champion.

Before the game, LeBron did not sound overly concerned about his team's play. After the game, he did. A large part of his message was passive-aggressively directed at the front office, which he thinks needs to provide more help.

I typically agree with LeBron -- but I don't completely buy what he's selling in this case.

Jackson said it would be a coup for the Browns to re-sign the linebacker. Monday night, it became official.

MOBILE, Ala. -- Hue Jackson said it would be a coup for the Browns to keep linebacker Jamie Collins after they acquired the linebacker. Monday night, Jackson and the Browns officially pulled their coup off.

"It's huge," Jackson said following the South team practice at the Reese's Senior Bowl. "It's one of the things that I thought was important to our organization to get done. He's one of our better players and it says that we're in the right process of keeping our own players home, on our football team, guys that have been there."

The Browns signed Collins to a four-year contract extension worth $50 million, $26 million guaranteed. They acquired Collins on October 31 in exchange for what will be a third-round compensatory pick in 2017.

Collins played both inside and outside linebacker and it didn't take long for him to establish himself as one of the Browns most athletic and talented defenders. That versatility and athleticism is something Jackson believes will fit nicely in new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' scheme.

"There's a lot of things we know he can do and we'll give him an opportunity to do that," Jackson said. "Coach Williams has a very diverse system that's going to put him in a lot of different places to make plays for him and I think Jamie's up to that."

Collins registered 69 tackles and two sacks in eight games with the Browns. He played nearly every defensive snap from the moment he stepped on the field for the team. He never ruled out re-signing with the Browns whenever he was asked during the season.

"(Losing is a deterrent)," he said during the week leading up to the Browns' final game of the season, "but at the same time, money comes into play around that time.If the money is right then I could stay here. Obviously I'm not going to turn it down.''

Not only did he not turn it down, he even paid a visit to his head coach and defensive coordinator here on Monday.

"It was great," Jackson said. "It says that the relationship's strong, for him to be heading where he needed to go and say, 'Oh, Coach, I want to come see you,' and me, Coach Williams and the rest of the staff, I think that said a lot, that he's in it all the way, and I think that's the way we have to be as we move forward."

Jackson is also hoping that, now that Collins is in the fold longterm, his leadership ability will start to show through.

"Jamie's not a big rah-rah guy," he said. "He's a do your job, come to work everyday, blue collar, work hard, but I know it's in there. I think now that he's going to start with us from the start to the end, I think we'll see a lot of those leadership qualities come out."

For now, though, Jackson is simply hoping that Collins' re-signing will lead the way for the Browns turning the corner when it comes to keeping their own talent.

"Hopefully that sends the right message to everyone," Jackson said, "that our organization's willing to do what it takes to keep our good players on our football team and not let them go someplace else. Hopefully that's just the start of it."

-----

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Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said if Hue Jackson passes on Deshaun Watson, he's passing on Michael Jordan: 'He's one in a million.'

MOBILE, Ala. -- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney stopped by the Senior Bowl Tuesday and said Hue Jackson would be making a big mistake if he passes on quarterback Deshaun Watson with the No. 1 pick in the draft.

"I'm just telling you if they pass on Deshaun Watson, they're passing on Michael Jordan,'' Swinney said. "I'm just telling you. I don't know what the heck I'm talking about. I'm just an old funky college coach. (But) Deshaun Watson is the best -- by a long shot.''

Swinney was glad to hear that Hue Jackson isn't holding it against Watson that he skipping the Senior Bowl this week and a chance to work with Jackson and his staff. The Browns, who are coaching the South team that Watson would've played on, have the No. 1 and No. 12 overall picks.

"He's 28-2 the last two years, beat Alabama and put up 75 points against Alabama in two games,'' Swinney said. "He played 15 games this year. I think he's done plenty. If they can't evaluate that, a week at the Senior Bowl ain't going to change that. So he'll be ready. He'll have all the workouts, the Combines, the pro days and all that stuff. But just turn on the tape and get to know him. When people really get to know who he is, not just watching him on film, he's one in a million."

He said Watson, the national championship MVP, would be a great match for Jackson.

#Clemson's Dabo Swinney says If #Browns Hue Jackson passes on Deshaun Watson at 1 he's "passing on Michael Jordan" pic.twitter.com/OLxZGwrliD

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 24, 2017

LeBron James was LeBron James Monday in New Orleans and again Tuesday when he Tweeted his followup to post-game criticism of the Cavs roster. Which is to say he was passive-aggressive.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James wants to make it clear he's not upset with Cavs GM David Griffin.

Good thing. Or he might be questioning Griffin's roster management with a bullhorn on a street corner in Manhattan instead of a post-game interview in New Orleans.

I not mad or upset at management cause Griff and staff have done a great job, I just feel we still need to improve in order to repeat...

-- LeBron James (@KingJames) January 24, 2017

if that's what we wanna do.

-- LeBron James (@KingJames) January 24, 2017

Hope that's clear. Nothing big. Except the chances for a title. Not upset at all. Except, you know, for being bothered enough to go public with his frustration Monday.

This is classic James and the price the Cavs willingly paid to have him run into their arms again after that dalliance in Miami.

James isn't way off base with his roster analysis. As always, it's the way he goes about it that's wrong.

He actually made some valid points as usual to Cavs reporters after an embarrassing loss that had more to do with focus and defensive effort than with personnel inferiority.

Even he admitted the fifth loss in seven games was a matter of "energy and effort."

If the Cavs aren't the equal of a Pelicans team playing without Anthony Davis, after all, Griffin would have to be miracle worker to fix the roster issues before May and June roll around. (He may have to be anyway.)

This is the cost of doing business with James in Cleveland. (A lot of things were different in Miami). He says he spoke privately with Griffin but then felt the need to go public.

Because? Well, only he can say.

A team that sank to great depths in four years without him and won a championship upon his return can't possibly question his greatness or his commitment. That's the context for everything with James. He knows it. And uses it.

So Griffin can't comment. And the team quietly lets everyone know James' words don't change the plan, which has been to add a playmaker and take the burden off the Big Three.

Griffin doesn't answer James post-game comments.

James needs to play fewer minutes. No doubt about that. But that's something Tyronn Lue can address much more quickly than the GM can.

James says he understands Griffin is limited by circumstances. Of course he does. How could he not understand that after pushing hard to bring J.R. Smith under contract, salary cap be damned, and then watching Smith get sidelined?

Of course, James could keep his opinions and suggestions between himself and Griffin. But that would just be one half of the LeBron Package the Cavs should know so well by now.

The passive half.

Aaron Loines' double-double, a momentum-capping 3-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer and Glenville's depth pushed the Tarblooders past Martin Luther King Jr. in their boys basketball game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A smile beamed from Glenville boys basketball coach Michael Holt as he left Martin Luther King Jr. High School on Tuesday.

His Tarblooders clinched the top seed in next week’s Senate League tournament, just cruised to a 72-45 win against MLK and proved him right.

Entering this season, Holt said struggled to cut his varsity roster to fewer than 14 players. The last player to make the team, senior guard Mike Smith, set off an instinctive pulse to keep him.

“He hit a jump shot in practice, and I was about to cut him,” Holt said.

“Most teams go six, seven or eight deep. But I just couldn’t let my nine through 14 go.”

Smith scored just three points Tuesday, but in dramatic fashion, knocking down an off-balanced shot at the buzzer that encapsulated Glenville’s victory. A frantic final few seconds set it up before pumped back his left arm in midair and released in front of the MLK bench.

It sent Smith’s teammates into a frenzy and provided all the momentum Glenville (15-2, 11-0) needed for this Senate showdown.

The Tarblooders, ranked No. 20 in the cleveland.com Top 25, will face John Hay in Wednesday in the four-team Senate tournament. MLK (13-4, 10-1) must face defending champion East Tech.

To senior Aaron Loines, this step showed how far his team progress.

“A lot of people doubted us because of players we lost and things,” he said. “This really means a lot to us.”

Loines scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Reggie Holmes added 14 points, while guard Nelson Wheatley had 10. Glenville never trailed and slowed MLK standouts Ronald Vann (13 points) and Robert Carr (nine points) on the Crusaders’ night.

Glenville played in the last three Senate title games but lost all three to East Tech, while the Scarabs enjoyed Markell Johnson’s three years of basketball. Before that, Holt’s program ruled the league and now has a chance to re-establish itself.

Glenville endured the loss of last season’s leading scorer — junior forward Christian Guess, who transferred to Shaker Heights — and is riding a nine-game win streak. Its last loss came Dec. 17 at third-ranked St. Edward, and another test looms before the Senate tournament with a trip Saturday to No. 25 Lutheran East.

Holt said he thinks his team is ready for such challenges now. He questioned them a month ago.

“At the beginning of the year, we kind of looked goofy,” Holt said. “Now we’re tournament ready.”

The coach acknowledged having 14 players — and using all of them — is why his team struggled early.

And why it has succeeded to this point. 

“It’s almost like we have three platoons and an army of one,” Holt said. “I’m excited about the guys and how they’ve bought into what we’re try to do.”

Holt shuffles them in and out as squadrons. The results Tuesday included 11 players scoring baskets and five grabbing at least five rebounds.

Smith didn’t achieve any of those marks, but almost didn’t try out this season.

The senior said doctors discovered he had a crooked spine in middle school while examining him after a football injury. His parents let him play football again in the fall and subsequently try out for basketball.

Smith said he also plans to run track in the spring.

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

Check out some sights and sounds from Tuesday's South team practice at the Senior Bowl. Watch video

MOBILE, Ala. -- The Cleveland Browns' coaching staff led the South team for the first time at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday. Hue Jackson also debuted his new defensive staff, led by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Take a look at some sights and sounds from Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Tuesday. You'll see a little bit of Williams coaching. You'll also get a look at Hue Jackson working with the quarterbacks. Plus, some 11-on-11 team drills.

Get complete Senior Bowl coverage all week at cleveland.com/browns.

Browns' Hue Jackson says it's premature to write off RG3, and he doesn't know yet who his No. 1 pick is. Watch video

MOBILE, Ala. -- Hue Jackson is still on a nationwide search for his starting quarterback, and doesn't know if he'll come from this draft.

Furthermore, he hasn't written Robert Griffin III off yet, despite that most folks assume he's gone.

"That's interesting,'' said Jackson. "Who made that announcement? I didn't."

So, it's premature to speculate that Jackson's pet project from last season won't be back for his second season?

"Everything's premature right now,'' he said. "You guys haven't heard that from me. So I wouldn't read into any of that. My job is to continue to evaluate and look just like I told you guys I would. I haven't come to any conclusions. Everybody else can jump to those conclusions but we're going to keep looking at this thing.

"It's too important to our football team, to our fan base, to our organization. We've got to make the right decision. We've got to make the right decision. We've got to get that part of it right, and I plan on doing that."

Likewise, he said the Browns haven't yet determined who their No. 1 overall pick will be.

"It's a little early,'' he said. "There's still a lot of work to do to make those kinds of decisions."

He won't commit to finding his franchise QB in this draft. The top prospects are Deshaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky and DeShone Kizer, none of whom are participating in the Senior Bowl. The Browns will also consider signing free agents and/or trading for veterans such as Jimmy Garoppolo and Tony Romo.  

"It could (come from this draft),'' he said. "It could come from a lot of different ways. I don't want to get pigeonholed into just one way. There's a lot of different ways it can come as we continue to move forward."

Regardless of where he comes from, Jackson knows it's job No. 1 to find and/or develop a championship-caliber QB. All one need do is look at the conference championship games to see that a premier QB is what it takes to go deep in the playoffs.

"We've got to have a quarterback that plays winning football for us, and that's what we're going to do,'' he said. "We're going to find that guy. We're going to find a guy that can win for us, and that's what we have to do. That's my job. That's what I came to Cleveland for, and I'm not going to stop till we get that guy."

On a day in which Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger hinted at the end of his career approaching, Jackson acknowledged that he hasn't had the quarterback play to compete in the AFC North.

"It's stopping us from being where we want to be,'' he said. "We haven't established that guy yet. We haven't established who he is. Until you can do that, then I think we can make the next jump. So that's what we're trying to do. It's going to be a great off-season. We have free agency and we have the draft coming, so there's going to be a lot of opportunity for us to evaluate and make good decisions about what to do for our football team."

Jackson stressed that the departure of Pep Hamilton to Michigan wouldn't crimp the quarterback evaluation process.

"I coached the quarterback, met with the quarterback, called the offense's plays, so I think we're making more of this than what it is,'' said Jackson. "I came here to coach that position and get it better, and I plan on doing that. ... We're going to do it collectively as a group. But hopefully we're going to lean on my expertise and what I need at that position to win."

By the same token, he has total faith in Greg Seamon to tutor the quarterbacks.

"He coached me (at Pacific), so I know what I'm getting there,'' he said. "The person that coaches that position, you've have to have a lot of trust because it's like my baby and at the end of the day I know what I want it to do and how I want it to be and I know Greg will do exactly that.

"I'm standing here today because of Greg Seamon. He helped me as a quarterback see the game better, understand the game better, but he also made me a tough individual playing the game under him. He's really driven. He gets guys to play well for him. I know that."

The Cleveland Monsters scored three times in the second period and defeated the Milwaukee Admirals on Tuesday, 5-2.

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin -- The Cleveland Monsters scored three goals in the second period enroute to a 5-2 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals in an American Hockey League game on Tuesday at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.

The Monsters, who had been shut out in two of their last three games, are now 19-16-1-3 on the season, fourth in the Central Division. They stand 2-2-1-0 against the Admirals, who are 23-14-2-2 and in second place in the Central.

• Game summary
• AHL standings

Justin Scott got the Monsters on the board with his eighth goal of the season at 14:55 of the first period. Sonny Milano and Oleg Yevenko assisted.

The Monsters scored three times in a 10-minute span of the second period to build a 4-1 lead entering the third.

Alex Broadhurst started the scoring with his ninth of the season at 10:50 on a power play, then Pontus Aberg countered for Milwaukee at 16:23, also on a power play.

Cleveland made it 3-1 when Bjorkstrand scored his ninth of the season at 18:00, then Shawn Szydlowski recorded his first of the season with 13 seconds left in the second.

Aberg's second goal made it 4-2 just 31 seconds into the third period, then Jordan Maletta closed the scoring for the Monsters with an unassisted goal at 8:15.

Anton Forsberg stopped 30 of 32 shots for the Monsters.

All-Star bound: Monsters Oliver Bjorkstrand, Ryan Craig and Anton Forsberg will head to the AHL All-Star Classic on Sunday and Monday at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa., home of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. SportsTime Ohio will televise the Skills Competition on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. and the All-Star Game on Monday at 7 p.m.

Up next: The Monsters are back at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday and Saturday to take on the Chicago Wolves, both games at 7 p.m. ... The Monsters will then have a week of for the AHL All-Star break before taking on the Iowa Wild on Feb. 3-4 at the Q.

Check out Tuesday's boys basketball scores from around the OHSAA, courtesy of The Associated Press.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Check out Tuesday's boys basketball scores from around the state, courtesy of The Associated Press.

Akr. Buchtel 49, Akr. Kenmore 43

Akr. Ellet 81, Akr. Garfield 60

Akr. Hoban 74, Chardon NDCL 53

Akr. Manchester 75, Massillon Tuslaw 67

Albany Alexander 43, Wellston 36

Alliance 51, Minerva 47

Alliance Marlington 57, Can. South 44

Andover Pymatuning Valley 70, N. Bloomfield 15

Anna 35, Jackson Center 32

Arlington 56, Ada 43

Ashland 48, Mt. Vernon 44

Ashland Mapleton 62, Doylestown Chippewa 46

Ashville Teays Valley 74, Cols. Hamilton Twp. 49

Athens 81, Bidwell River Valley 47

Atwater Waterloo 72, Kingsway Christian 29

Aurora 72, Streetsboro 56

Avon Lake 54, Avon 49, OT

Batavia 63, Williamsburg 59

Batavia Amelia 54, Cin. Winton Woods 32

Beaver Eastern 68, Willow Wood Symmes Valley 61

Bellaire 63, Oak Glen, W.Va. 55

Berea-Midpark 75, Lakewood 73

Berlin Center Western Reserve 88, Columbiana Crestview 42

Bloom-Carroll 45, Baltimore Liberty Union 28

Botkins 50, Houston 47

Bristol 52, Orwell Grand Valley 28

Brookville 49, Carlisle 48

Burton Berkshire 45, Independence 25

Byesville Meadowbrook 60, Cambridge 37

Caldwell 73, Sarahsville Shenandoah 68, 2OT

Cameron, W.Va. 67, Bridgeport 49

Can. McKinley 64, Green 54

Canfield S. Range 79, Sebring McKinley 39

Carrollton 51, Salem 41

Casstown Miami E. 47, Milton-Union 36

Cedarville 68, Mechanicsburg 60

Chagrin Falls 55, Geneva 44

Chagrin Falls Kenston 55, Bedford 52

Chillicothe 65, Greenfield McClain 44

Cin. Colerain 48, Cin. Princeton 44

Cin. College Prep. 71, Cin. SCPA 43

Cin. Glen Este 59, Cin. Turpin 49

Cin. Indian Hill 45, Cin. Wyoming 41

Cin. Madeira 54, Cin. Finneytown 42

Cin. McNicholas 81, Mt. Orab Western Brown 42

Cin. Oak Hills 51, Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 34

Cin. Seven Hills 56, Cin. Clark Montessori 44

Cin. Summit Country Day 56, Cin. Christian 41

Cin. Sycamore 37, W. Chester Lakota W. 34

Cin. Withrow 56, Cin. Walnut Hills 49

Circleville 54, Amanda-Clearcreek 46

Clarksville Clinton-Massie 69, Hillsboro 64

Clayton Northmont 56, Day. Chaminade Julienne 53

Cle. Benedictine 66, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 37

Cle. Cent. Cath. 72, Youngs. Valley Christian 37

Cle. Collinwood 63, Cle. Whitney Young 62

Cle. E. Tech 91, Cle. Max Hayes 25

Cle. Glenville 72, Cle. MLK 45

Cle. Hay 72, Cle. JFK 49

Cle. Lincoln W. 61, Cle. Rhodes 43

Cle. VASJ 77, Louisville Aquinas 57

Cols. Beechcroft 95, Cols. Centennial 51

Cols. Briggs 48, Cols. West 44

Cols. East 58, Cols. Linden McKinley 56

Cols. Eastmoor 78, Cols. Marion-Franklin 55

Cols. Grandview Hts. 71, W. Jefferson 59

Cols. Horizon Science 75, Groveport Madison Christian 46

Cols. Independence 49, Cols. Walnut Ridge 45

Cols. Mifflin 93, Cols. International 27

Cols. Northland 61, Cols. Whetstone 46

Cols. Upper Arlington 68, Westerville S. 67

Columbiana 76, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 73

Copley 97, Twinsburg 62

Corning Miller 71, Belpre 67

Cortland Maplewood 72, Southington Chalker 39

Cuyahoga Falls 49, Tallmadge 47

Danville 47, Warsaw River View 31

Day. Dunbar 81, Beavercreek 63

Day. Oakwood 63, Day. Carroll 47

DeGraff Riverside 56, Spring. Greenon 34

Dublin Jerome 52, Logan 49

Dublin Scioto 53, Hilliard Darby 41

E. Can. 65, Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 46

Eaton 64, Arcanum 55

Edon 64, Hamilton, Ind. 62

Elyria 66, Bay Village Bay 53

Fairborn 75, Piqua 48

Fairview 77, Sullivan Black River 52

Felicity-Franklin 85, St. Patrick, Ky. 69

Findlay 74, Tol. Woodward 62

Franklin 70, Camden Preble Shawnee 47

Gahanna Christian 84, Northside Christian 58

Gahanna Cols. Academy 55, Whitehall-Yearling 49

Gahanna Lincoln 48, Westerville Cent. 47

Gallipolis Gallia 40, Chesapeake 36

Garfield Hts. 66, Cornerstone Christian 60

Garrettsville Garfield 89, Ravenna 45

Gates Mills Gilmour 72, Chardon 49

Gates Mills Hawken 65, Kirtland 62

Girard 58, Newton Falls 50

Glouster Trimble 66, Crown City S. Gallia 63

Granville 47, Johnstown Northridge 45

Greenville 83, Miamisburg 75

Grove City Christian 88, Patriot Preparatory Academy 63

Groveport-Madison 55, Lancaster 46

Hamilton 47, Fairfield 44

Hamilton Badin 64, Trenton Edgewood 46

Hannibal River 54, Belmont Union Local 35

Hanoverton United 81, Lisbon Beaver 68

Harrod Allen E. 70, Ottoville 60

Hartville Lake Center Christian 62, Kidron Cent. Christian 44

Heath 76, Pataskala Licking Hts. 75

Hebron Lakewood 56, Utica 52

Hilliard Bradley 64, Worthington Kilbourne 35

Holgate 48, Ft. Jennings 36

Hubbard 67, Cortland Lakeview 51

Huber Hts. Wayne 42, Centerville 38

Hudson 48, Youngs. Boardman 32

Hudson WRA 55, Akr. Coventry 40

Kalida 45, Van Wert 44

Kenton 63, Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 37

Kettering Alter 63, Springboro 37

Lakeside Danbury 53, Northwood 42

Lancaster Fairfield Union 44, Circleville Logan Elm 38

Lancaster Fisher Cath. 59, Granville Christian 54

Latham Western 80, New Boston Glenwood 45

Leavittsburg LaBrae 82, Youngs. Liberty 59

Leesburg Fairfield 72, Fayetteville-Perry 61

Leetonia 69, Heartland Christian 33

Lewis Center Olentangy 61, Hilliard Davidson 58

Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 73, Cols. Franklin Hts. 34

Lexington 86, Millersburg W. Holmes 52

Lima Shawnee 61, Convoy Crestview 59

Lima Sr. 64, Lima Cent. Cath. 55

Lisbon David Anderson 84, Mineral Ridge 55

Lockland 67, Hamilton New Miami 51

London Madison Plains 56, W. Liberty-Salem 46

Lorain 64, Medina 56

Lorain Clearview 72, LaGrange Keystone 64

Lore City Buckeye Trail 71, New Matamoras Frontier 49

Louisville 56, Beloit W. Branch 38

Loveland 56, Milford 42

Lowellville 56, Salineville Southern 48

Magnolia Sandy Valley 63, W. Lafayette Ridgewood 42

Mansfield Sr. 51, Bellville Clear Fork 41

Mansfield St. Peter's 62, Crestline 59

Maple Hts. 77, Willoughby S. 60

Marion Elgin 59, Ridgeway Ridgemont 41

Marion Pleasant 53, Mt. Gilead 39

Marysville 46, Sunbury Big Walnut 42

Mason 53, Middletown 51

Massillon Jackson 76, Massillon Perry 36

McArthur Vinton County 100, Nelsonville-York 52

McComb 70, Defiance Ayersville 29

McConnelsville Morgan 74, Philo 68

McDonald 91, E. Palestine 69

Medina Buckeye 54, Oberlin 48

Medina Highland 72, Parma Hts. Valley Forge 56

Minford 55, McDermott Scioto NW 48

Morrow Little Miami 40, Lebanon 37

N. Olmsted 54, Grafton Midview 43

N. Ridgeville 79, Amherst Steele 67

N. Royalton 66, Strongsville 50

Napoleon 57, Maumee 55

Navarre Fairless 65, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 54

New Albany 51, Pickerington Cent. 45

New Concord John Glenn 70, Crooksville 49

New Lebanon Dixie 45, Lewisburg Tri-County N. 32

New Middletown Spring. 60, Campbell Memorial 56

New Philadelphia 54, Can. Cent. Cath. 39

Newark 71, Powell Olentangy Liberty 67

Norwalk St. Paul 62, Willard 59

Oak Hill 57, Waverly 47

Oberlin Firelands 54, Brooklyn 43

Orange 74, Chesterland W. Geauga 62

Parma 64, Cle. Horizon Science 50

Parma Padua 63, Mentor Lake Cath. 60

Pataskala Watkins Memorial 44, Newark Cath. 42

Peebles 69, Piketon 60

Peninsula Woodridge 55, Mantua Crestwood 50

Perrysburg 65, Sylvania Northview 49

Pickerington N. 67, Canal Winchester 51

Plain City Jonathan Alder 38, Bellefontaine 35

Poland Seminary 70, Niles McKinley 48

Portsmouth 69, Ironton 63

Portsmouth Clay 88, Portsmouth Sciotoville 59

Portsmouth Notre Dame 51, Franklin Furnace Green 39

Portsmouth W. 61, Lucasville Valley 47

Proctorville Fairland 79, Ironton Rock Hill 42

Reading 41, Cin. Deer Park 37

Reedsville Eastern 57, Stewart Federal Hocking 47

Reynoldsburg 64, Grove City Cent. Crossing 62Richfield Revere 54, Rocky River 47

Richmond Edison 75, Bowerston Conotton Valley 74

Rittman 62, Norton 45

S. Point 54, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant 43

Sheffield Brookside 75, Rocky River Lutheran W. 62

Sidney 70, Riverside Stebbins 60

Sidney Fairlawn 55, Ft. Loramie 34

Sidney Lehman 56, Newton Local 41

Solon 113, Mayfield 42

Spring. Cath. Cent. 54, Jamestown Greeneview 52

St. Bernard-Elmwood Place 55, Cin. Country Day 48

Steubenville 55, Dover 50

Strasburg-Franklin 77, Newcomerstown 39

Sugarcreek Garaway 64, Malvern 59

Swanton 50, Gorham Fayette 36

Swanton 50, Fayette Christian 36

Sylvania Southview 82, Holland Springfield 81

Thomas Worthington 48, Delaware Hayes 41

Thornville Sheridan 46, New Lexington 42, OT

Tol. Bowsher 78, Tol. Cent. Cath. 52

Tol. Maumee Valley 79, Tol. Emmanuel Baptist 51

Tol. Ottawa Hills 45, Oregon Stritch 43

Tol. Whitmer 87, Tol. Scott 67

Toronto 53, Steubenville Cath. Cent. 46

Trotwood-Madison 92, Tipp City Tippecanoe 60

Uhrichsville Claymont 53, Cadiz Harrison Cent. 50

Uniontown Lake 57, Can. Glenoak 55

Vincent Warren 63, Fairfield Christian 51

W. Union 65, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 46

Wahama, W.Va. 69, Racine Southern 57

Warren Champion 86, Brookfield 79

Warren Harding 79, Ashtabula Lakeside 64

Warren JFK 79, Garfield Hts. Trinity 54

Washington C.H. 51, Lees Creek E. Clinton 42

Westerville N. 81, Dublin Coffman 71

Westlake 57, Olmsted Falls 47

Wheelersburg 68, S. Webster 55

Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 51, Bowling Green 45

Wickliffe 58, Painesville Harvey 45

Wilmington 44, Washington C.H. Miami Trace 40

Wintersville Indian Creek 44, St. Clairsville 33

Wood County Christian, W.Va. 72, Beallsville 59

Woodsfield Monroe Cent. 71, Barnesville 62

Wooster 65, Mansfield Madison 55

Wooster Triway 55, Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 48

Worthington Christian 61, London 49

Xenia 72, Vandalia Butler 62

Youngs. East 91, Warren Howland 72

Youngs. Ursuline 77, Massillon Washington 59

Zanesville 49, Dresden Tri-Valley 39

Zanesville Rosecrans 60, Millersport 50

Zanesville W. Muskingum 75, Zanesville Maysville 71

Grove City 93, Galloway Westland 63

Tol. Waite vs. Tol. St. Francis, ppd.

Doug, Ari and Bill discuss Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class in depth: How it came together, and how the players fit in the Buckeyes' plans.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- We're one week out from Ohio State officially signing arguably its best recruiting class ever.

Nine members of the Buckeyes' 2017 recruiting class are already enrolled, and the rest will sign on Feb. 1 -- National Signing Day 2017. We're breaking down that class in depth now on our latest Buckeye Talk Podcast.

This is one of our longer podcasts, so if you don't have the full hour-plus to listen, here's how it's broken down:

* We talk about how the class came together, the areas Ohio State attacked and why for the first 28 minutes or so.

* The rest of the podcast is a player by player breakdown of how each commit fits into the class, plus who we think could still be added before or on Feb. 1.

You can listen to the full podcast below:

If you missed it last week, we took a look at the depth chart on each side of the ball, and which incoming players could find a spot in the two-deep.

Our Buckeye Talk Ohio State podcast is available on iTunes, Stitcher and Soundcloud.

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James calls for more support from the team's bench after tough loss to New Orleans Pelicans

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Monday night's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans was the Cleveland Cavaliers' second in a row and dropped their record to 5-6 in the new year.

The loss left LeBron James feeling like Cleveland needs a roster shakeup. He believes the Cavs are top heavy, with not enough support coming off of the bench. Understandable when James, Irving and Love combined scored 97 points and still lost to a team that was missing its best player.

It's only January though, so the Cavs still have time to figure things out and go after what they need before the trade deadline on February 23.

Crowquill, by Plain Dealer artist Ted Crow, appears three times a week on cleveland.com.