For LeBron James, it's a missing piece in the Cleveland Cavaliers' championship puzzle.

Ohio State loves Gorman because Ohio State is Gorman. Watch video

LAS VEGAS -- There are two ways into the Fertitta Athletic Training Center at Bishop Gorman High School, but if you've never been there, the longer, more-scenic entrance gives you the full experience. 

Park in the front of the high school by the visitors check-in, then wrap around the side of the building toward the football field. When you get to the front of the stadium, walk through the gate and navigate the entire 100 yards of the field. 

As you're walking into the stadium, look at the pristine artificial turf, recognize the gorgeous scenery of the mountains rising up over the bleachers, and glance forward at the football facility and 41,324-square-foot athletic center that's situated perfectly behind the end zone. 

The last step? Remember it's a high school. 

Bishop Gorman is the richest program in high school football and it has the unmatched facilities -- which we'll get into later -- to prove it. The Gaels also have more talent than any other program in the country, maybe outside of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG. 

Gorman is the high school version of Ohio State, which is why the Buckeyes are going to regularly recruit the West Coast powerhouse for the foreseeable future. 

Like Ohio State, Gorman hears all the time about how it only has its success because of the facilities and the money and the uniforms and the stadium and whatever else people come up with. 

Gorman is hated. 

"Yes, we are," Gorman coach Kenny Sanchez told cleveland.com during an in-person interview two weeks ago. "So get ready. Good. Keep thinking that way and I'll keep whooping your a--. And when you get up, I'm going to whoop your a-- again.

"You keep pointing your finger while I drive a nice car. 'Why did he get that?' Well, I probably worked harder than you did. ... I don't have time to worry about naysayers.

"I tell my kids all the time, never, ever, ever in your life when you become successful or you become a doctor or whatever, and you want to go buy a (Mercedes) Benz or a Rolex, if you worked your a-- off and you can afford it, get it. People say, 'He only got that because of that.' It's just like, 'Whatever.' Keep pointing your finger and keep being broke. As long as you worked for it, you don't have to apologize to nobody." 

You think Sanchez has been told people don't like his program before? 

But that comes with the territory. Gorman has won three straight high school national championships and hasn't lost a game since 2013. It's about to send more than 10 players from last year's team to Division I programs, two of which are going to Ohio State: Four-star quarterback Tate Martell and four-star defensive tackle Haskell Garrett. It was close to being four, but five-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey flipped to Nebraska earlier this month; and four-star safety Bubba Bolden chose USC over the Buckeyes. 

Still, Ohio State's presence in Gorman is undeniable. And there could be a reason other than just the talent in that expensive athletic center. 

Ohio State would never come out and say it the way Sanchez eloquently put it, but the Buckeyes have a lot in common with the way Sanchez feels. Urban Meyer's program plays in a historic 100,000-plus-seat stadium, the Woody Hayes Athletic Center is a state-of-the-art facility with a waterfall and indoor practice field, and the program has more money than is even worth trying to add up.

You think Ohio State has advantages? Sure it does. And those advantages are major selling points in recruiting, which makes Ohio State extremely attractive to the top-rated players in the country -- a few of which play at Gorman -- every single year.

"You want to go to a place that wins," Martell, who enrolled early at Ohio State earlier this month, told cleveland.com. "And I don't want to sound arrogant or anything, but that's all we're used to. We want to go to a place that knows how to win, a place we're familiar with." 

* How Ohio State built a pipeline at Bishop Gorman and why Tyjon Lindsey will always be a Buckeye

Ohio State has already started recruiting a few 2018 prospects at Gorman, most notably four-star linebacker Palaie "EA" Gaoteote. He's a fast-acting linebacker who plays like the younger version of Ryan Shazier. He's electric. 

Zach Smith, who led Ohio State's charge into Gorman, won't soon be done taking recruiting trips to the desert, because Meyer wants Gaoteote in his 2018 class. Smith probably doesn't mind the trip. 

Fertitta Field and the entrance to the Fertitta Athletic Center at Bishop Gorman High School. Ari Wasserman, cleveland.com 

It's most easy for him to feel at home at Gorman, inside the cushy athletic center. The building is equipped with a huge weight lifting area -- coated in Gorman blue and orange -- and is decked out with modern amenities.

Inside is a multi-lane, 60-yard track for speed training, a 90-seat meeting room for film study and study halls, a beautiful locker room with the Bishop Gorman "G" in the ceiling, a nutrition center and a hydrotherapy pool attached to the training room. On the outside, a 40-yard LED board lights up during game days. 

The facility opened in July of 2012 and rivals many college programs' facilities, held back by only its size. The $100 million project was funded by donations from Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, brothers who are heirs to the Station Casinos business. They also just sold the UFC for $4 billion in July. 

"We feel blessed to be able to take advantage of all the things these facilities offer us," Garrett told cleveland.com. "It makes us work harder to be successful because we want to play for the alumni who gave us a chance to be a part of such an amazing program and practice in a facility like this." 

Money breeds winning. 

Ohio State knows that. 

But Gorman pushes out elite-level football prospects for other reasons. Yes, the facilities and the winning tradition draw talent to the school, but the work regimen Sanchez installed has given the high school the feeling of a college. Sanchez has structured workouts and practices, team meetings, mandatory study halls, offseason training, everything you'd find in a college program. 

The national schedule Gorman plays -- which is assembled by Sanchez -- includes flights. Players have to take their school work with them on the weekends and study in hotels the way a college player would.

By the time the players get to college, they're prepared for the lifestyle. That's appealing to Meyer, who wants seasoned prospects ready for the demands of college life before their first Ohio State practice. 

"We feel like playing at a place like this prepares us for colleges and I think the coaches who recruit us know that," four-star 2018 athlete Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who visited Ohio State with Martell in the spring, told cleveland.com. "There are demands for playing at this school, but everything is preparing us for what's next." 

You won't find another program like this in high school football. 

And for that, Gorman is hated.

But you know what? Ohio State loves Gorman because Ohio State is Gorman. 

Which is why the newfound relationship works so well. 

Since, he has crossed California, Florida, West Virginia, New York, Delaware, Kentucky, Ohio, Montana and Massachusetts off of his list. He completed the last three while receiving chemotherapy treatments.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Matt Englander has completed nine marathons, each one in a different state.

He has coached Case Western Reserve's baseball team to a 197-105 record over the last seven seasons.

Perhaps most impressive, though, is that he can spell "oligodendroglioma" without assistance from Merriam or Webster.

Life would be simpler if he never had to learn how to construct that cumbersome word, but Englander doesn't make excuses. After he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in September 2011, he transformed some habits and established a goal: run 50 marathons, one in each state.

Since, he has crossed California, Florida, West Virginia, New York, Delaware, Kentucky, Ohio, Montana and Massachusetts off of his list. He completed the last three while receiving chemotherapy treatments.

OK, so perhaps the spelling triumph isn't his most extraordinary feat.

'Eat nothing but grapes'

Englander plugged in a few basic keywords in his attempt to identify the perfect diet.

He sought a regimen that would help him combat cancer, and he turned to the medical information wilderness that is the Internet. He scanned the first two search results.

1. For two years, eat nothing but grapes. Only grapes.
2. Never eat a piece of fruit again.

Well, that sure provided some clarity.

"Brain tumors, we don't know much about them," Englander said. "We can't really do a whole lot to cure them. It's this crazy frontier of information and theory. It's really hard to pin anything down."

Matt Englander, left, underwent brain surgery in September 2011. Since, he has completed nine marathons. Gus Chan/The Plain Dealer 

It started with 10 straight, grueling, work days in the summer of 2011. Englander assumed he was understandably dehydrated when he mentioned that his left hand felt "a little sleepy" as he helped a friend move to a new residence.

A month later, Englander's left arm went numb and his ears started ringing and his world started spinning and he couldn't stand any longer. He was rushed to the hospital, where he learned he had suffered a partial seizure. Doctors discovered the tumor in his parietal lobe -- an oligodendroglioma.

He underwent brain surgery three weeks later.

"They can take out as much of the tumor as they can see, but brain tumors always return," Englander said. "They come back. They can't get all of it and then it regrows and you have to deal with it later. That's not something you're too thrilled about."

If he had any self-pity, it wore off quickly.

Through a mutual friend, Englander met a man who was handed a dire prognosis after his own brain surgery. At the time, the man, who had two young sons, said: "I can't die. I have a family."

That was nearly 20 years ago.

"He's alive," Englander said. "It's been a really long time."

Englander started to follow the man's program: a strict vegan diet, the elimination of alcohol and caffeine and a thirst for exercise. If he's celebrating the birthday of one of his two young sons, he'll splurge on a slice of cake. Rarely does he deviate from the plan, though.

Englander's wife suggested he register for a half-marathon. Ultimately, he decided that anyone with some tennis shoes, a water bottle and some free time could will themselves through 13.1 miles. Instead, he set his sights on the full, 26.2-mile gauntlet.

"The consensus is, if you're in reasonably decent shape and you're athletic and you just try to go out and run a marathon, you could potentially kill yourself," Englander said. "Your kidneys would overload and fail and you could die on the course. So I said, 'OK, if the point of this is to train and to motivate myself to get out the door and do it every day, that's going to do it.'"

He ran his first marathon in San Francisco, just 10 months and one day after the surgery to remove the brain tumor.

"This is something that I need to do for my life," Englander said. "So the goal is to run 50 of them in 50 different states. The purpose is to constantly be in training mode, to always be working out and exercising."

Completed in 2016: 12 rounds of chemo, 3 marathons and 1001 miles run. Here's to the adventure that will be 2017 pic.twitter.com/JqlO6sIukb

-- Matt Englander (@MattEnglander) December 31, 2016

'You can get through it'

Each of the last three years, Englander, 36, has spoken to Indians prospects at the team's fall development program. He doesn't stand in front of the players and deliver some sob story about his battle. He isn't seeking sympathy. He highlights the changes he made after his diagnosis and his commitment to his goal and to his health.

"I hope they can get something from it," Englander said, "whether it just be some perspective or an idea or an appreciation for somebody else in their life who's sick, or some motivation to get up when it's dark and cold outside and get their work done.

Englander has led Case Western Reserve to seven straight winning seasons.Gus Chan/The Plain Dealer 

"Any plan for yourself that's going to work, it has to be rooted in a belief that it's going to work. You have to really believe in the course of direction. For me, I really believe that whether or not my diet is going to cure me of my cancer, being as healthy and strong as I can be outside of that tumor is going to help my body and help me fight it as best as humanly possible."

Said Carter Hawkins, the Indians' assistant general manager: "[He's] certainly an inspirational person whose message touches on so many things we feel great development stories are made of -- the mindset to adjust and improve, the understanding of what is needed to make that improvement, the willingness to take on routines that target those goals and stick to them, and the knowledge that it's about more than just yourself. He isn't just talking about those things, he's living them, and it rings true for so many of our players and staff."

Englander's players at Case Western are aware of his battle. He said he tries "not to beat them over the head with it," but he doesn't shy away when they pose questions.

"If I'm going to have this disease, then I'm going to try to use it to make my life and other people's lives better," he said. "Just about everything that I do or say is rooted in that experience."

Englander plans to run his 10th marathon in Madison, Wisconsin, in November. He's in his 11th year coaching at Case. He logged 1,001 miles during his training in 2016, including three marathons.

He also completed 12 rounds of chemo, as his year-long course required him to take a pill for five consecutive days every four weeks. He stressed that it wasn't "the horrible, soul-crushing, can't-get-out-of-bed stuff" that other patients endure. It did sap him of his energy and make him nauseous.

It was a challenge.

But what's a challenge to Englander? He can spell oligodendroglioma, after all.

"There are days when we're coaching when it's really tough," Englander said. "It's really hard, but like anything else, you can get through it."

The Browns had a handful of players with Senior Bowl experience last season. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Browns coach Hue Jackson and his staff are getting their hands all over Senior Bowl players this week. It wouldn't be surprising if a handful of them were seen in Cleveland next season.

That would only follow the pace set last year when seven Senior Bowl players ended up with the Browns, either through the draft or free agency.

Check out the video at the top of this post to see which 2016 Senior Bowl players eventually became Browns. The list includes players who finished the season on the Browns' roster.

So, sorry wide receiver Ed Eagan of Northwestern State, your two weeks in training camp don't make the cut.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 110 points per game in the last 10 games. That's a big reason they are 4-6 in that span, not the lack of a backup point guard.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Talking to myself after the Cleveland Cavaliers have lost 5-of-7 games:

Question: When will the Cavaliers find a veteran point guard?

Answer: We will get to the point guard in a moment, but let's start with this fact -- the lack of a backup point guard is not the Cavs biggest problem right now.

Q: Doesn't LeBron James think it is?

A: LeBron is right, they need a backup point guard. In an interview with the traveling media covering the Cavs, James mentioned they should have signed Raymond Felton this summer. I agree. Felton would have looked good with the Cavs. He signed with the Clippers for $1.5 million.

Q: So the front office messed up?

A: The Milwaukee Bucks signed Matthew Dellavedova to a four-year, $38 million offer sheet. That led to a trade of the backup point guard to the Bucks, the Cavs adding Mike Dunleavy. And Dunleavy didn't pan out, and was traded a few weeks ago for Kyle Korver.

Q: But Korver isn't a point guard?

A: Of course not, he's a shooting guard. He also can play some small forward. He is supposed to help them while J.R. Smith is recovering from thumb surgery.

Q: But how does that address the lack of a backup point guard?

A: Please, let's stop with that for a moment. The Cavs have one very major problem that is well beyond the roster. They have given up at least 100 points in all of the last 10 games. They are allowing 110 points per game in that span. They are 4-6 in that span.

Q: So it's defense?

A: A big part of it. I keep hearing how the Cavs' Big Three of Kyrie Irving (49 points), Kevin Love (22 points) and James (26 points) combined for 97 points, and the Cavs still lost to New Orleans. Want to really know why they lost to the Pelicans? Because they gave up 124 points to a team without its star -- Anthony Davis. The Pelicans shot 49 percent (60 percent in the first half) from the field. The Cavs defense was embarrassing.

Q: So you think....

A: They were out-hustled most of the night. They never led in the game. By the time they decided to take New Orleans seriously, they were in big trouble. They gave up 118 points to a Spurs team playing without starters Pau Gasol and Tony Parker. The Warriors scored 126 against them, including 78 in the first half. They are a bad defensive team right now.

Q: But what about what LeBron said?

A: This isn't to deny the need of some help on the roster. But I don't want the lack of a backup point guard to excuse the team's nonchalance on defense. On the season, they rank 16th in defensive efficiency. Down from No. 10 a year ago. And January has been a disaster, allowing those 110 points.

Q: So what is LeBron doing?

A: He is doing what other stars have done -- pushing the front office to improve the roster. I had not thought about Felton for the Cavs. The 32-year-old is averaging 7.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and shooting .444 from the field in 22 minutes a game for Clippers. Michael Jordan tried to tell the Bulls front office what to do. "Crumbs" is what he called former general manager Jerry Krause. So let's not pretend James is the first to go public with ideas for the front office.

Q: What did James mean when he said, "I hope we're not satisfied as an organization. I just hope we're not satisfied."

A: Just that. He wants to win another title. He knows how hard it is to do so. He won back-to-back titles with the Heat in 2012-13. But it's more than the "organization." It has to be the players, too. There is a sense of complacency on the team that shows up especially on defense.

Q: Where does Tyronn Lue fit in all this?

A: James said it was "unfair" to fault the coach, but I have some issues with how Lue is handling the team. When David Blatt was the head coach, Lue was the defensive coordinator. He was a good one. Blatt credited Lue with improving the defense. He needs to step in and at least have the Cavs play decent defense.

Q: What else?

A: James is playing 37.5 minutes per game, the most in the NBA. I repeat, James is playing the MOST minutes in the NBA -- at least in terms of average per game. He has sat out three games. Lue is playing Irving 35 minutes per game, which is not outlandish. But in the last two games, it's 83 minutes. Lue admitted to the media after Monday's loss that he's playing James and Irving too much, "and that's on me."

Q: So what is he supposed to do?

A: Remember what is the goal -- a title. The real season starts when the regular season ends. The playoffs are what matters. Playing James and Irving so much is not how to prepare for the playoffs. If resting them means some more regular season losses, so be it.

Q: How has Lue been responding?

A: He's not been happy all month. Other than being down 3-1 to the Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, this is the greatest challenge for Lue. "I know what I'm doing," Lue told the media. He said it twice. My guess is he does know, but he needs to get the team to do it. He needs to cut down the minutes for James and Irving -- then find a way for the team to play better defensively.

Q: So what about the backup point guard?

A: In his first three years as general manager, David Griffin has made significant mid-season trades. I assume he'll do that again. But the team can't just wait for another player to show up.

West Coast teams Gonzaga, UCLA and Arizona all have the look of serious threats to Villanova as it tries to repeat it's national championship. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Time to take a look at the West Coast when it comes to college basketball this season as three teams with very solid NCAA Tournament and Final Four credentials reside there.

No. 1 Villanova still has the look of a defending national champion, but there are challengers, and they could come from anywhere. That was proven Tuesday night as Villanova, No. 2 Kansas and No. 4 Kentucky all lost on the road. A-games are mandatory or any team can be beat.

No. 8 UCLA is second in the nation in scoring as one of three teams averaging more than 90 points a game, along with The Citadel and Kentucky. No. 9 North Carolina and Central Michigan are at 89 a game. UCLA, Kentucky and Carolina are near NCAA Tournament locks, while the other two certainly have a shooter's chance at getting there.

Also on the West Coast, No. 3 Gonzaga (20-0) remains undefeated in the West Coast Conference, and will likely rise to No. 1 in the AP Poll next week after Tuesday's carnage.

The Zags show signs of staying there to the end of the regular season. Two games with BYU (Feb. 2, Feb. 25), around a road game at rival St. Mary's (Feb. 11) look to be the only games where Gonzaga could be tripped up.

UCLA's Lonzo Ball and Gonzaga's Nigel Williams-Goss are player-of-the-year candidates. Ball is No. 2 in the nation in assists with 8.2 per game.

Despite a recent loss to Arizona, UCLA still has a quality victory over Kentucky from earlier in the season, which stands as the best game of the season.

Then there is No. 7 Arizona. The Wildcats are on a 12-game winning streak and just got 6-5 wing Alonzo Trier back after serving a long suspension for a NCAA violation.

Trivia of the week: Seven of the top 10 teams in the nation in field goal percentage reside in the AP Top 25, including Villanova, No. 2 Kansas, Gonzaga, Kentucky, No. 6 Florida State, UCLA and No. 16 Creighton. All are shooting 48.9 percent or better, led by UCLA at 53.1 percent a game.

Ohio State is back home on Wednesday for a game against Minnesota. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State basketball is back home on Wednesday night against Minnesota. Here's everything you need to know before tip-off:

GAME INFORMATION

Who: Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-5, 3-4 Big Ten) at Ohio State Buckeyes (12-8, 2-5).

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Value City Arena (18,809).

TV: Big Ten Network, with Dave Revsine and Jon Crispin on the call.

Twitter: Follow cleveland.com's Bill Landis for updates from the game.

Latest line: Ohio State -2.

Series record: Ohio State leads the all-time series vs. Minnesota, 84-57, including a 51-18 mark in Columbus. Minnesota beat Ohio State, 78-68, back on Jan. 8 in Minneapolis.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Minnesota: G Nate Mason (6-2, Jr., 13.7 ppg); G Akeem Springs (6-4, Sr., 8.9 ppg); G Amir Coffey (6-8, Fr., 12.3 ppg); F Jordan Murphy (6-6, Soph., 9.8 ppg); C Reggie Lynch (6-10, Jr., 8.4 ppg).

Ohio State: G JaQuan Lyle (6-5, Soph., 12.4 ppg); G Kam Williams (6-2, Jr., 10.3 ppg); F Marc Loving (6-8, Sr., 11.1 ppg); F Jae'Sean Tate (6-4, Jr., 14.1 ppg); C Trevor Thompson (7-0, Jr., 10.7 ppg).

GAME NOTES

* Since beating Ohio State on Jan. 8, Minnesota has lost three straight to Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin. Ohio State is 2-2 in that span, but saw a two-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday in a 74-72 loss to Northwestern.

* Minnesota is going for the season sweep of Ohio State, something it hasn't done since beating Penn State twice in the 2013-14 season. Minnesota is the first opponent the Buckeyes will have played twice this season. Last year Ohio State was swept in Big Ten play by Maryland and Michigan State.

* Last time against Minnesota, Ohio State went scoreless for more than eight minutes in the first half while the Gophers built a 26-8 lead. Gophers guards Amir Coffey and Akeem Springs scored 19 points and 18 points, respectively, in that game, the most either has scored in a Big Ten game this year.

* The last time out against Minnesota, Ohio State led 40-32 in points scored in the paint. Tate scored 20 points, while Thompson had 15 points and 15 rebounds. Thad Matta was upset the Buckeyes didn't work the ball inside enough against Northwestern. Look for Ohio State to establish Tate and Thompson early.

* Minnesota leads the Big Ten in blocked shots per game at 6.5, and blocked 12 Ohio State shots in that game earlier this month. The Buckeyes are getting blocked 4.0 times per game in Big Ten play, and 2.8 times per game for the season.

PREDICTION

Bill's pick: Ohio State 68, Minnesota 63. Minnesota is 2-2 on the road in the Big Ten, and in its last two conference road games it's scored 47 and 50 points. Ohio State held Northwestern to 37.5 percent shooting on Sunday, its best defensive field goal percentage in nine games. Maybe that's a sign that the Buckeyes are getting their defense back on track. Feed Tate and Thompson.

Ohio State commits Kaleb Wesson and Dane Goodwin combined for 84 points in a head-to-head matchup on Tuesday night. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Somehow, Dane Goodwin ended up on the bottom of a pile of Upper Arlington students, the future Ohio State Buckeye lost in a celebratory mass of high school students on a Tuesday night just two miles or so from Value City Arena.

Kaleb Wesson shook hands with whomever was left on the Upper Arlington bench, then the future Buckeye and his Westerville South teammates navigated their way around the chaos and into the visitors locker room.

It seemed half unfair.

That's not to take anything away from Max Martz, who hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to send Upper Arlington to a 68-67 win in a high school basketball thriller. It's just that Goodwin, a 2018 Ohio State commit, and Wesson, already signed with the Buckeyes for 2017, played so well that they both also deserved hero moments.

They both nearly had them.

Goodwin got fouled while making a layup late in the fourth quarter. His free throw with 35 seconds left put the Golden Bears up 65-64. He finished with 35 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

After Goodwin's go-ahead free throw, Wesson connected on his own tough bucket while getting fouled, and made the free throw to put the Wildcats ahead 67-65 with 15.5 seconds left. Martz' game-winner followed soon after. Wesson's consolation prize was a school-record 49 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists.

Two future Buckeyes playing great in a great high school basketball game just around the corner from Ohio State showed that, while the program is struggling right now, a bright future could not be far off.

"It makes me feel a lot better for the future that these fans are getting excited about me and Kaleb," Goodwin said. "It makes me look even more forward to it."

During the game, which was back-and-forth and had Wesson and Goodwin combining for 84 of the 135 points scored (that's 62 percent for those keeping tabs), fans could be heard both lamenting the current state of Ohio State basketball, but also getting excited for the future with each passing bucket from the Buckeyes-to-be.

Ohio State (12-8, 2-5 Big Ten) plays on Wednesday night against Minnesota (7 p.m., Big Ten Network). A loss there and anyone still holding out hope that this team can get to the NCAA Tournament might be forced to let those hopes fade away.

If you're there already and thinking about the future, then you should have seen what happened in that Upper Arlington gym on Tuesday.

Wesson puts South back in front after Goodwin free throw. South up 66-65 with 15.5 left. Wesson at the line pic.twitter.com/gVx3Jz0Lb5

-- Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) January 25, 2017

Goodwin was deadly from 3-point range, making eight of his 12 tries from deep. Wesson was a load inside, scoring on 15 of his 19 field goals, including a 3 from the 6-foot-9 big man, and was clutch at the line, making 18 of 19 free throws.

It was easy to picture the two of them playing well off of each other someday: Goodwin a knock-down shooter capable of scoring in other ways, and Wesson a skilled big man who understands spacing and is willing to find shooters out of the post.

"I think over the next couple of years, and eventually getting there, we're gonna get really close," Goodwin said. "He's a great guy, and a great player to top it off. I'm really looking forward to it."

* Wesson slimmed down to prep for Ohio State

Earlier on Tuesday, Thad Matta talked about his current team finding ways to make more winning plays that could turn some of the tough losses into victories. Later that night, two of his future players showed they're the type to make those kind of plays.

With the loss, it was understandably a little more difficult for Wesson to take in the Ohio State-ness of the evening. He battled with a future teammate -- put on a show, really -- while Buckeyes assistant coach Greg Paulus, guard JaQuan Lyle, forward Andre Wesson and plenty of fans in Ohio State gear watched.

Afterward, Wesson and Goodwin were able to share a brief moment and take that all in.

"It was just 'I can't wait to play with you.' We talk about that a lot," Wesson said. "When we go to the (Ohio State) games, we sit next to each other and just talk about what we can do to better the team."

If Tuesday was any indication, they can each do plenty.

Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe, Bud Shaw and Doug Lesmerises ponder a big trade offer in this mock exercise, one that would give up the top spot in the 2017 draft. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Wait, wait, wait, wait, before anyone goes crazy over the idea of trading down.

We know Browns fans are tired of that, especially with Atlanta receiver Julio Jones being thrown in Cleveland's face this week. We know the Browns have traded down in half of the last eight drafts, turning their first-round pick from:

* No. 5 to No. 21 in 2009

* No. 6 to No. 21 in 2011

* No. 4 to No. 8 in 2014

* No. 2 to No. 15 in 2016

We know the players taken at the Browns original spot in those years were Mark Sanchez, Jones, Sammy Watkins and Carson Wentz, when the Browns haven't exactly been overflowing with quarterback and receiver talent. And we know, at some point, no one wants to hear about all the extra assets acquired in those trades, even if the hauls were pretty good and the deals made sense.

With that, welcome to our version of the Browns draft war room.

Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe, Bud Shaw and I sat down to ponder what those tense moments will be like before the picks are made on April 27. Imagine much less yelling and much more planning than what you see here.

But imagine similar decisions.

In our first scenario, we made the pick at No. 1, with Labbe having the final say with our input.

In our final scenario, we'll decide what to do with the No. 12 pick, with Cabot making the final call there.

Here, we are entertaining a trade offer. A pretty strong offer. Just to see if, somehow, trading down might make sense again.

The offer we put forth is from Carolina, which has the No. 8 overall pick. The offer is Carolina's first pick at No. 8 and second-round pick this year (No. 40), along with Carolina's first-round pick and second-round pick in 2018.

By comparison, the Browns got Buffalo's pick at No. 9 in the first round in 2014 to move down five spots from No. 4, as well as a future first-rounder and fourth-rounder. In our scenario, moving down seven spots from No. 1 would net that extra first-rounder, but also two second-rounders. It's a lot, but maybe not crazy.

So ... would you think about it?

Watch the video at the top of the page to see the four of us hash it out.

Then watch the video at the bottom to see what our final decision was.

Marcus Keene, who began his college basketball career at Youngstown State, now plays for Central Michigan and leads the nation in scoring averaging 29 points a game. Watch video

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Marcus Keene, the leading scorer in the nation, is headed to Northeast Ohio this weekend as Central Michigan plays at Kent State on Saturday at noon. Keene is coming off a bit of a "down" game Tuesday night as he only scored 28 points, one below his average, in an 82-76 victory over Bowling Green.

This comes after Keene had the top-scoring game in the NCAA this season on Saturday, putting up 50 against Miami.

But Keene, a 5-10 guard, will be playing his first game back in Northeast Ohio since he transferred from Youngstown State after his 2014-2015 sophomore season.

"Looking forward to it because I will have some friends come see me there,'' he said.

Keep on rolling: Akron puts its 10-game winning streak on the line Saturday night against Buffalo as the Zips are coming off a 90-80 road victory at Western Michigan on Tuesday. Kwan Cheatham has continued to stay hot in league play as he posted another double-double, 20 points and 11 rebounds as their conference lead in the MAC continues to swell.

The Zips have a three-game lead over Ohio University in the MAC East and a three-game lead over MAC West quad-leaders Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Toledo and Northern Illinois.

Fire when hot: Central Michigan entered the week leading the MAC in scoring at 85.2 points a game after the first six games of league play. CMU was only shooting 42.4 percent from the field overall, but is at 40.4 percent a game on 3-pointers. CMU is also No. 3 in the MAC in free throw shooting at 75.3 percent.

Interestingly, despite clearly being a perimeter oriented team, the Chippewas also entered the week attempting the most free throws in the league with 158. Another perimeter team, Ball State, was second with 155 attempts. The three teams most identified with inside play -- Akron, Buffalo and Kent State -- were well back of the leaders with 143, 133 and 119 attempts respectively.

Fresh Prince: There is more than one freshman in the MAC making his presence felt in league play, which will make it tough to pick an all-freshman team at the end of the season.

• Michael Weathers: Miami point guard is the leading freshman scorer in the league, averaging 15.8 points and 5.8 assists a game at the start of the week. His twin brother, Marcus, is averaging 11.7, also with the RedHawks.
• Dave DiLeo: CMU forward is averaging 12.0 points a game in conference play.
• Luke Knapke: Toledo center is hitting 64.5 percent of his field goals.
• Jason Carter: Ohio University forward is the leading freshman rebounder, averaging 7.0 a game.
• Tahjai Teague: Ball State forward is averaging 5.8 rebounds a game.
• Reggie Jones: Western Michigan guard is averaging 3.3 assists per game.
• Emmanuel Olojakpoke: Akron center is averaging just under one blocked shot a game coming off the bench.

And while they are not listed in the latest MAC statistical ranks, guard Dylan Frye at Bowling Green, guard Tavian Dunn-Martin at Akron, guard Mitch Peterson at Kent State, guard Eugene German at Northern Illinois, and swingman Rodney Culver at OU are also seeing quality time and/or starting and making key contributions as rookies.

Weary travelers: Cleveland State ends a four-game road swing Saturday at Youngstown State, looking to snap a two-game losing streak. After starting the trip with an upset victory over Oakland, the Vikings lost back-to-back games to Milwaukee and Green Bay.

CSU (6-15, 2-7) is currently last in the Horizon League standings, a half game behind Detroit, a team the Vikings will host next Thursday.

Watch highlights of Glenville’s Senate League showdown with Martin Luther King Jr., including Aaron Loines’ impressive rebounding, and more from Northeast Ohio.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – If Glenville coach Michael Holt has one complaint about Aaron Loines it is that he’s “too nice.”

“The guys are too nice to each other,” Holt said Tuesday after Glenville’s 72-45 win at Martin Luther King Jr. “They pass up a short shot they can make a play for their teammate. You don’t want them to be selfish, but to pass up a good shot for a harder shot isn’t good either.”

The complaint was only for Loines and his teammates on the offensive end. On the glass, Loines uses his lengthy wingspan and 6-foot-5 frame to gobble up rebounds.

See the above video for just how he does it for the Tarblooders (15-2), who are ranked 20th in the cleveland.com Top 25.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A CHAMPION

No. 11 Cornerstone Christian entered the week ranked fifth in Division IV of The Associated Press state poll. The Patriots (12-4) brought back the state’s player of the year and a core from last season’s championship run.

Oh and here’s the four teams they lost to: a Catholic school from Florida and three Division I powers in Ohio. The latest came Tuesday in a 66-60 defeat at Garfield Heights, a statement in the setback for Cornerstone.

Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson told the News-Herald: “They’re a matchup nightmare because they play five-out.”

Brandon McQueen led Cornerstone with 27 points when junior guard Michael Bothwell, the returning player of the year, struggled but finished with 16. The bigger Bulldogs rode a clear rebounding advantage and Cleveland State-bound Shawn Christian’s five 3-pointers.

Considering Cornerstone is the defending state champion and puts up performances like this one, are the Patriots underrated or undervalued by statewide voters? Check in with your opinion on the poll to the right and in the comments section.

Here is a sample of how Cornerstone fared earlier this season against a bigger Northeast Ohio power.

WHAT WE LEARNED TUESDAY

• Octavius Wilson can be more than a rebounder. The 6-3 senior forward for No. 4 Lorain provided 20 points in a 64-56 win against No. 14 Medina.

He also had 14 rebounds.

See Wilson in action below earlier this season against Garfield Heights.

• Rivals can change everything. Avon had plenty going for it: an 11-1 record, unbeaten Southwestern Conference mark and junior guard Delshawn Orr back in the lineup. However, neighboring Avon Lake handed the Eagles their first SWC loss, 54-49, in overtime.

Avon Lake, led by senior David Marsh’s 19 points, has won 10 of its last 11.

• No. 16 Villa Angela-St. Joseph might be a heavy Division III favorite to reach Columbus. The Vikings beat North Coast League foe Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, 77-57, behind sophomore Alonzo Gaffney’s 26 points.

The game was a rematch of last year’s Canton Regional final.

One of the other regional participants, Oberlin, suffered a 54-48 loss to Buckeye.

Of the Division III contenders, few are in stride like VASJ — which will be put to the test this weekend against Central Catholic and St. Edward.

CLICK HERE FOR TUESDAY’S SCOREBOARD

VOTE FOR THE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Speaking of votes, the poll lasts until noon Friday for the cleveland.com Player of the Week. Click here to vote in this week’s Game Balls.

FAST FORWARD

Here is a look ahead at what is coming up this week.

No. 4 Lorain at No. 6 Cleveland Heights, Friday: This not only pits two top 10 teams, but it’s a Lake Erie League showdown. The Titans are 4-0, but Cleveland Heights and Maple Heights are both just a game back.

No. 8 Benedictine at No. 7 Archbishop Hoban: These two met in December for a close game won by Hoban. Benedictine senior forward Marlon Moore missed that game with an ankle injury. He is back now.

No. 16 VASJ at Central Catholic, Friday: Their first meeting in the North Coast League White Division didn’t provide a good barometer of how these teams stack up. Central Catholic played without its varsity players, who served a suspension that time. This one will be a true test for both teams.

No. 9 Holy Name at Elyria Catholic, Friday: EC is just a game back in the Great Lakes Conference.

No. 12 Elyria at No. 21 Brunswick, Friday: The Pioneers hold a half game lead in the Greater Cleveland Conference and head to Brunswick motivated by the Blue Devils’ 58-34 win on their court earlier this season.

No. 16 VASJ at No. 3 St. Edward, Saturday: An entertaining matchup last season, expect more of the same when these two meet up in Lakewood. It will make for a tough back-to-back test for coach Babe Kwasniak’s Vikings.

CLICK HERE FOR A FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SCHEDULE.

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.

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe check in from the Senior Bowl to recap the day in Mobile.

MOBILE, Ala. -- It's the latest edition of our Browns podcast, coming to you from the fitness center of a hotel not far from Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mary Kay Cabot and I check in from Day One of our trip to the Senior Bowl.

Topics for today's podcast include Dabo Swinney's comments on Deshaun Watson. We also talked about Jamie Collins re-signing. Then we gave our first impressions of new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams -- all in a tidy 8 minutes and 59 seconds.

Listen via SoundCloud below or Subscribe to the cleveland.com Sports podcasts channel on iTunes (click the link or search cleveland.com Sports podcasts).

Listen to previous Browns podcasts on our Browns Soundcloud channel or on iTunes.

Midseason candidates for Defensive Player of the Year in the NBA have emerged. Who's your pick? Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NBA regular season has reached its midway point, and cleveland.com is taking a look at candidates for the league's top individual awards.

Today we take a look at the leading candidates for Defensive Player of the Year, including two-time defending award winner Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio.

Check out photos and statistics for the eight candidates in the video above, and look at where they rank among the league leaders below.

Then take our poll and defend your pick in the comments.

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio: The two-time Defensive POY is among the top 5 in the league in steals per game.

Draymond Green, Golden State: The Warriors forward is third in the league in steals and 21st in blocks.

Hassan Whiteside, Miami: Heat center leads the league in defensive rebounding and is 5th in blocks.

Rudy Gobert, Utah: Jazz big man leads the league in blocks and is No. 5 in blocks.

DeAndre Jordan, LA Clippers: Known for his aggressive play in the paint, ranks No. 2 in defensive rebounds and No. 8 in blocks.

Andre Drummond, Detroit: Pistons center is No. 4 in defensive rebounds and No. 16 in steals.

Anthony Davis, New Orleans: Pelicans big man is No. 3 in both blocks and defensive rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee: Greek Freak is No. 6 in blocks, No. 8 in steals and No. 17 in defensive rebounds.

Rumor has it Miocic will defend his title at UFC 211 in May.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Stipe Miocic may finally have the next opponent for his UFC Heavyweight Championship belt and it's sure to make former champ Fabricio Werdum very unhappy.

On Tuesday, Brazilian MMA site Combate reported that Junior dos Santos will face Miocic at UFC 211, set to take place on May 13 in Dallas. UFC 211 was also announced on Tuesday, but a headlining fight has yet to be confirmed.

Miocic versus dos Santos would be a rematch of a 2014 fight that saw the latter win a unanimous decision. However, the UFC 2011 bout is far from a done deal, says MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. Representatives for the UFC also denied that a fight between the two heavyweights is even close to confirmed.

It's likely a fight between dos Santos and Miocic is still in the early talks with both yet to sign on the dotted line. But it makes complete sense.

While the likely next challenger for Miocic seemed to be Werdum, the man he beat for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, the relationship between Werdum has since soured. That should pave the way for dos Santos who was recently removed from the UFC Halifax card.

Cleveland.com sports columnists Bud Shaw and Doug Lesmerises discuss Gregg Williams biggest strengths as part of their video debate series, Prepare for List Off. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Browns new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has declared war on slouching in his meeting rooms.

He has vowed to focus his players like never before, even referencing how he "medicated" those with more squirrely attention spans over the years.

He spoke of receiving a couple hundred calls on Father's Day from former players who appreciate how he brought out the best in them.

All of that figured into the opinion of Cleveland.com columnist Doug Lesmerises when we tackled a question as part of our video debate series, Prepare for List Off: what's the best thing Williams brings to the Browns?

I remember Rob Ryan, who brought some of the same attitude (if in a less hard-nosed manner), as Eric Mangini's defensive coordinator.

So I look to Gregg Williams less as a "culture changer" and more as a coach whose schemes have improved defenses almost everywhere he's gone.

Defenses play multiple fronts. (Even Williams distanced himself from talk of a strict 4-3). Football is situational. I get that.

But some of the Browns young talent (Emmanuel Ogbah, Carl Nassib) seems better suited for a four-man front. I think it's easier to draft for a four-man front, too, though I might have just cost myself a spot on Williams staff by calling it that.

Attitude is good. Attitude in the right place at the right time is even better.

Hear us out on what Gregg Williams brings to the Browns, then come back and tell us if we got it right.

(Full disclosure: I am slouching as I write this.)

Here's where to watch, listen and stream the Cleveland Cavaliers' game vs. the Sacramento Kings tonight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers play Game 44 of the 2016 NBA season Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. Here's how to watch, listen and stream the action online.

What: Cleveland Cavaliers (30-13) vs. Sacramento Kings (17-27).
Where: Quicken Loans Arena.
When: 7 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio.
Radio: WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM La Mega.
Online: Fox Sports Go.

Sacramento notable: DeMarcus Cousins passed Chris Webber for most double-doubles in the Sacramento-Era. Cousins is currently third in the NBA since 2011 in total double-doubles, trailing only Dwight Howard and Kevin Love.

Cleveland notable: Over the last four contests vs. Sacramento, the Cavs have outscored the Kings by an average of 13.0 points (115.3-102.3), while dishing out 23.3 assists and connecting on 13.8 three-pointers per game.

Catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage. For all Cavs information, be sure to check out cleveland.com/cavs.

The Cleveland Indians 2017 payroll will be at least $125 million, the most in team history. So do they have room to make any more free agent moves? Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians have signed all their key players, avoiding arbitration.

Last season's $95 million payroll will increase to at least $125 million in 2017. That's the most in team history.

They added to prized free agent of the off-season in DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion.

So do they have any room for more moves?

We talk about that and more in this video.

LeBron James and the Cavs host the Sacramento Kings (17-27) at 7 p.m. for the start of a three-game homestand. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavs (30-13) host the Sacramento Kings (17-27) at 7 p.m. for the start of a three-game homestand.

Last meeting: The Cavs won 120-108 on Jan. 13 in Sacramento.

Cavs fast fact: Things are going really, really well around here (not really).

Cavs injuries: J.R. Smith (right thumb surgery) and Chris Andersen (torn right ACL) are out.

Kings fast fact: They've lost eight of 10 and are on an eight-game road trip.

Kings injuries: Omri Casspi (foot strain) and Rudy Gay (torn left Achilles) are out.

Probable starters:

Cavs

F LeBron James (25.6 ppg; 7.8 rpg; 8.4 apg)

F Kevin Love (20.5 ppg; 10.9 rpg; 1.8 apg)

C Tristan Thompson (7.2 ppg; 9.6 rpg; 0.7 apg)

G Iman Shumpert (7.7 ppg; 2.8 rpg; 1.6 apg)

G Kyrie Irving (24.5 ppg; 3.4 rpg; 5.6 apg)

Kings

F Garrett Temple (7.8 ppg; 2.8 rpg, 2.2 apg)

F Demarcus Cousins ( 28.0 ppg; 10.3 rpg; 4.3 apg)

C Kosta Koufos ( 6.2 ppg; 5.6 rpg; 0.5 apg)

G Arron Afflalo ( 7.5 ppg; 1.9 rpg; 1.1 apg)

G Darren Collison (12.4 ppg; 2.0 rpg; 4.2 apg)

Usain Bolt lost an Olympic gold medal because a 2008 relay teammate, Nesta Carter, tested positive for a banned substance.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Usain Bolt has been stripped of one of his nine Olympic gold medals after 2008 replay teammate, Nesta Carter, tested positive for a banned substance, the Associated Press reported.

Bolt still holds the record for most Olympic and world medals (21). American Carl Lewis has 20. Both now have eight Olympic gold medals.

Bolt had been the only men's sprinter to sweep three Olympic sprints in three Olympics, winning the 100, 200 and 4x100 in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

The IOC said Wednesday that Carter tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a banned stimulant, in re-analysis of samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Carter and Bolt were teammates on the winning 4x100-meter relay team, which also included Michael Frater and Asafa Powell.

"The Jamaican team is disqualified," the IOC said in a statement. "... the corresponding medals, medalist pins and diplomas are withdrawn and shall be returned."

The relay title in Beijing completed the first of Bolt's three gold medal sweeps in the 100, 200 and relay at three straight Olympics.

Trinidad and Tobago is in line to get the gold medal from 2008, Japan could be upgraded to silver, and fourth-place finisher Brazil could get the bronze medal.

Carter testified by videoconference to an IOC disciplinary hearing held in Lausanne on Oct. 17.

The IOC's ruling states that Carter noted he was taking supplements in 2008 "advised in this respect by his coach, Mr. Stephen Francis."

"The athlete explained that he had given several samples for doping controls whilst he was taking Cell Tech and Nitro Tech before the 2008 Olympic Games and he had never tested positive for a prohibited substance," the detailed verdict stated.

"He therefore did not believe that these supplements could contain prohibited substances. He did not understand how methylhexaneamine could have been found in 2016."

Though methylhexaneamine was not specifically named on the 2008 list of prohibited substances, it "fell within the scope of the general prohibition of stimulants having a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect as the listed stimulants," the three-member IOC panel wrote.

Carter can appeal the sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. However, the IOC panel already anticipated one challenge in its written verdict.

"The Court of Arbitration for Sport ("CAS") has confirmed that the presence or use of substances falling within the scope of generic definitions of the prohibited list, can be used as a basis of establishing anti-doping rules violations," the verdict said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The New England Patriots' Tom Brady was preceded in ball tampering by New York Knicks, former Cleveland Cavaiier Shaquille O'Neal, and several baseball players.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 1970 New York Knicks took pro basketball out of obscurity.

Before them, the NBA was, said Jerry West, whose Lakers lost to New York in the NBA Finals in seven games, "a minor league acting like a pro league."

The Knicks' championship turned pro basketball into a sport of consequence in the nation's media capital. Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, Willis Reed, Phil Jackson and the other Knicks played basketball the way it ought to be played, passing, cutting, working for the best shot, hitting the open man -- except for the cheating.

Some 45 years before the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots and their quarterback, Tom Brady, were caught using under-inflated footballs in the Deflategate scandal, the Knicks were releasing more gas than in the campfire scene of "Blazing Saddles."

Until the Patriots, NFL ball doctoring was believed confined to special teams' balls. Teams heated them in microwaves, clothes dryers and saunas to make them fly farther. The introduction of the K-ball (for special teams' use) near the turn of the century stopped that.

The Knicks and Shaq

The Knicks took the air out of the ball literally the same way college teams sometimes did figuratively in the days before a shot clock.

The Knicks were a small team by NBA standards, so they didn't want a lively ball that could be claimed above the rim on rebounds by the likes of 1970 NBA Finals rival Wilt Chamberlain. They wanted a tame, submissive ball, that rewarded below-the-rim rebounding by boxing out.

They ensured this by a team-wide conspiracy to reduce the air pressure in the ball.

Three decades later, former Cleveland Cavalier Shaquille O'Neal admitted he liked an illegally deflated ball too so he could control it better with one hand.

Can't a man do his nails at work?

Baseball with its rich history of ball-scuffing, ball-cutting and spitballing was always considered the major sport that treated the rules with a wink and a nudge.

The pitchers who cut the ball knew an uneven, scuffed surface caused it to move erratically through the air currents.

Knuckeballer Joe Niekro of the Twins, asked in 1987 to empty his pockets by a suspicious umpire, turned them inside out and tried surreptitiously to toss away an emery board hidden in them.

Knucklehead

The Mariners' Rick Honeycutt brashly taped a thumbtack to a finger to cut the ball. He was caught, in part because he gashed his own forehead with an unthinking swipe to flick away sweat.

Power pitcher?

The Houston Astros' Mike Scott was the terror of the 1986 National League season, apparently by scuffing balls with an implement as powerful as a Black and Decker power sander.

In the playoffs, New York Mets manager Davey Johnson displayed a series of foul balls New York employees obtained after one game. Each was roughly abraded between the seams.

"You should get him to autograph them," New York Times sports columnist Dave Anderson said in Johnson's office.

"He already has," said Johnson.

Salvation by salivation

A spitball alters the wind resistance and weight on the "baptized" side of the ball. The pitch made former Cleveland Indians Cy Young winner Gaylord Perry a Baseball Hall of Famer. 

One night at the Texas Rangers' park, a foul ball off Perry slammed against the protective glass in the press box, leaving an amoeba-shaped stain. As reporters chorused, "Eeeuuuwww!", it slowly oozed its way to the window sill.

The famous tater trick

In 1987, Indians farmhand Dave Bresnahan, a back-up catcher and great-nephew of Baseball hall of Famer Roger Bresnahan, peeled a potato, sculpted it to look like a baseball, painted "seams" on it, then hid the real ball in his mitt while flinging the spudball into left field in a deliberately wild pick-off attempt of a runner on third.  

The runner was tagged out at the plate. The Indians soon ejected Bresnahan from their farm system.

The incredible, edible piecrust ball

Another crazy scheme was that of outfielder and third baseman Pepper Martin of St. Louis' famed Depression Era Gas House Gang.

With a runner on third, Martin planned to exchange a ball made of piecrust for the real ball with pitcher Dizzy Dean. Martin would then tag out the unwary runner when he took his lead while Dean ate the evidence.

They never tried it in a game, but Martin wistfully said years later, "I know Dizzy could have done it easy."