On one hand, the Raiders could benefit from moving and building a new stadium. On the other hand, residents fear that too much public money will be used to pay the bills for a sports franchise.

The Oakland Raiders filed paperwork to move the team to Las Vegas -- after the team was unable to secure public funding for a new stadium. But not all Vegas residents are keen about their taxpayer dollars going towards a new stadium either. Supporters argue tourists will pay for the tax increases. Advocates in U.S. cities across America say communities never recoup the cost. But sports fans argue teams like the Raiders benefit the community in other less tangible ways. What do you think? 

PERSPECTIVES

On one hand, the Raiders could benefit from moving and building a new stadium. On the other hand, residents fear that too much public money will be used to pay the bills for a sports franchise worth millions. Others argue the Raiders move brings up a larger debate -- should fans be left to pay the taxes on these super flashy sports stadiums in cities across the U.S.?

It's not just the Raiders owners who want the team to move into a shiny, new stadium. Some business people and politicians thinks the city of Las Vegas could benefit from owning an NFL team. And there are ways for sports organizations to build new stadiums that won't hurt the city or local taxpayers. Yes, public money will be used, but there's nothing wrong with weighing the benefits of a cities owning a sports team and building new stadiums for these organizations. Residents love sports! Football is an American pastime, and the team is expected to bring in revenue in Vegas.

The Denver Post reported: 

Actually, there is a price on it. Tourists will pay increased room taxes to fund $750 million of the cost of a new $1.9 billion stadium as part of a deal rammed through a special session of the Nevada Legislature by powerful casino owner Sheldon Adelson's family.

The Chicago Tribune wrote:

A report produced last year by a Nevada state tourism committee estimated the stadium would generate $530 million in new annual spending in Clark County. Hill said officials are estimating the stadium will attract 450,000 people to Las Vegas each year who otherwise wouldn't have visited. Stanford economist Roger Noll zeroed in on the forecasts for Raiders games to explain his skepticism of these estimates.

thetylt.com 

Still -- if the Raiders move, public money will be used to build the new stadium. Cities across the U.S. can use taxpayer money for so many other issues or programs that are much more urgent. At a time when city and state budgets are struggling to help pay for health care, education and homelessness... should hard-working taxpayers be subsidizing stadiums for millionaires and billionaires?

The Chicago Tribune also wrote:

Clark County (Nevada) Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani has a long list of things she would spend $750 million in public money on, if it was up to her. A light rail system, so Las Vegas can compete with cities with better public transportation. Firefighters, because her county has not hired a new one in years. And teachers, as public schools in Nevada perennially rank among the worst in the nation.

Nowhere on Giunchigliani's $750 million public wish list would you find "help a wealthy NFL team owner and a mega-rich casino magnate build a $1.9 billion football stadium." 

thetylt.com 

Advocates encourage local taxpayers to protest their hard-earned money being used to build stadiums.

Residents of cities and counties across the country should fight against billionaires using public money to build stadiums. https://t.co/QA3KE4JERA

-- Dion Degennaro (@TheDukeNGS) January 20, 2017

Others argue teams like the Raiders need new stadiums to develop new sources of revenue that benefit both owners and the community.

When the @RAIDERS move to Vegas all hell is gona break loose...but it will be a good move....we need a new stadium. pic.twitter.com/FaAtECY6Wv

-- Matty Matt (@MattyMatt52) January 12, 2017

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The Cavs are considering "all options" to add to and improve their roster in the coming days, ranging from the promotion of D-leaguers to signing name free agents to searching for a diamond in a rough trade market.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavs are considering "all options" to add to and improve their roster in the coming days, ranging from the promotion of D-leaguers to signing name free agents to searching for a diamond in a rough trade market, a source told cleveland.com.

Neither the Cavs nor player agents would confirm an ESPN report that free agent guards Mario Chalmers and Kirk Hinrich, as well as free-agent wing Lance Stephenson, would work out for Cleveland Wednesday.

However, Chalmers, a former teammate of LeBron James in Miami, tweeted that he was headed for Cleveland.

On the way to Cleveland. Lets get it.

-- Mario Chalmers (@mchalmers15) January 31, 2017

A source told cleveland.com that "everything was on the table" as the Cavs try to bolster their forces. As it stands, they have one open roster spot, but only 11 available players (you're allowed to have 15) because of injuries to Chris Andersen, J.R. Smith and now Kevin Love.

They went 7-8 in January and, by the way, James publicly called out the front office for failing to address shortcomings on the roster -- from trusting younger players to failing to fill these dead spots.

The Cavs were stung in a 104-97 loss Monday night to Dallas by Yogi Ferrell, who's playing on a 10-day contract and scored 19 points. Cleveland has had an open roster spot for more than three weeks, but chose not to promote anyone from the D-League or sign a player like Ferrell.

Since the start of training camp the Cavs have needed a backup point guard. For months, cleveland.com has reported that Chalmers, 30, and Hinrich, 36, were on the Cavs' radar, though Chalmers' torn Achilles suffered last season and Hinrich's age made the team leery of both.

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 23, and the deadline for a free agent to eligible for the playoffs is March 1.

Love's back injury kept him out Monday and will force him out of Wednesday's game against Minnesota, but doctors found no structural damage in the lower back and the injury is not believed to be serious.

But Smith isn't expected back for maybe another two months. To bring in two healthy players, the Cavs would need to waive or trade Andersen's contract -- they'd obviously prefer to trade it as they haven't cut him in the nearly two months since his injury.

Weeks ago, general manager David Griffin traded Mike Dunleavy, Mo Williams (creating an open roster spot), cash, and a 2019 first-round pick to Atlanta for Kyle Korver, a trade universally applauded for Cleveland.

Griffin has found making a second trade more difficult, as his assets are few.

LeBron James owns three rings; Charles Barkley, none.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- OneUp Sports called to ask about LeBron James having gone off on TNT studio analyst Charles Barkley.

LeBron, speaking exclusively with ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin after the Cleveland Cavaliers' loss at Dallas on Monday night, has grown tired of Sir Charles' sniping.

Here is McMenamin's story

If I were advising LeBron, I would tell him simply: Keep it up. Don't soft-pedal now. And continue to remind Barkley that one side of the feud owns three rings; the other, none. Zero. Zip. Zilch.

"This commercial shows the start of Budweiser's journey, and while it is set in the 1800's, it's a story we believe will resonate with today's entrepreneurial generation -- those who continue strive for their dreams," Budweiser executive Ricardo Marques said in a news release. "There's really no correlation with anything else that's happening in the country," he told AdWeek. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Budweiser's new Super Bowl ad, entitled "Born the Hard Way," tells the story of it's co-founder Adolphus Busch, who in 1857, faced an arduous journey as he emigrated from Germany to St. Louis.

Upon his arrival, he's told he's not wanted here and to go back home. The commercial ends with the fateful meeting of Busch and Eberhard Anheuser, who together created the largest brewing company in the world.

While the release of the ad, which chronicles an immigrant's arrival in America, might appear to be a dig on President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration, the timing is purely coincidental.

"This commercial shows the start of Budweiser's journey, and while it is set in the 1800's, it's a story we believe will resonate with today's entrepreneurial generation -- those who continue strive for their dreams," Budweiser executive Ricardo Marques said in a news release. "There's really no correlation with anything else that's happening in the country," he told AdWeek.

AdWeek says the 60-second commercial, which resembles a short film, cost between $2 million to $3 million to produce. No word how much the airtime cost, but the reported going rate for a 30-second spot is a whopping $5 million.

Cleveland.com sports columnists Doug Lesmerises and Bud Shaw talk about the Jamie Collins signing and what it says about the Browns as part of the video debate series, Prepare for List Off. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -  Outside the visiting locker room in Pittsburgh on the final Sunday of a soul-crushing season, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam mentioned the importance of keeping the team's best players.

Jamie Collins wasn't mentioned by name but that wasn't necessary. The Browns talked about wanting to sign him long-term before he even stepped on the field.

When they did make good on their pledge a few weeks ago, they showered Collins with a Top 5 contract for players at his position. The ensuing discussion in the media about whether they overpaid quickly lost what little steam it had.

I mean, did anybody expect 1-15 to sell itself?

 That was one of my points when I talked about the Collins' signing with cleveland.com columnist Doug Lesmerises as part of our video debate series, Prepare for List Off.

I thought the Browns made a mistake a year ago when they didn't keep players they helped groom who were coming into their prime. They didn't need to strip the roster to its bare bones.

Nobody exemplified that more than right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.

No one would recommend the Browns continue to overpay (though they have the cap space to justify it). But there shouldn't be the need once the better talent on this roster begins pushing them to playoff contention.

Given the cap room and the draft picks at their disposal, there's no good reason not to get things figured out. That should happen any day now, right?

Hear us out and come back and tell us who got closer to describing what the Jamie Collins signing means for the Browns.

Francona resides in Tucson, Arizona, during the off-season. He played for the Wildcats from 1978-80. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians manager Terry Francona has pledged $1 million to his alma mater, the University of Arizona.

The school announced the donation on Tuesday. Francona resides in Tucson, Arizona during the off-season. He played for the Wildcats from 1978-80. He helped guide Arizona to a national championship in his final year of college.

In 1980, Francona earned the Golden Spikes Award, bestowed annually upon the top player in college baseball. He batted .401 with nine home runs and 26 doubles during that championship season. He was also named College World Series MVP. Francona was a first-round draft selection of the Montreal Expos in 1980. His No. 32 collegiate jersey is retired and on display at Hi Corbett Field.

The university has plans to use the monetary commitment to construct an indoor hitting facility named after Francona. The school hopes to have the building completed by the fall.

Arizona relocated to Hi Corbett Field before the 2012 season. The venue hosted the Indians during spring training for nearly a half-century before the club shifted across the country to Florida in 1993. The Indians returned to Arizona in 2009 with a new complex in Goodyear.

Francona, 57, has managed the Indians for four seasons. During that time, the Indians have tallied more wins than any other American League club. His contract with the club runs through the 2020 season.

Related: Francona talks Larry Doby Youth Fund

The group that will sign with the Buckeyes on Wednesday are rated higher than any class in OSU history. But from Woody Hayes to the best of Urban Meyer, here are five other classes the 2017 group will try to live up to. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class is the best in the program's history.

Depending.

With five five-stars, 11 players in the top 70 and 16 players in the top 200 among the 20 future Buckeyes currently committed, there's no arguing with the incoming numbers. 

* Ohio State's average player rating highest in modern recruiting

But though you judge recruiting classes now based on promise, that's not how you judge them in the end. So this class will have to hang some titles and honors on the wall to keep this "best recruiting class ever" moniker once National Signing Day passes on Wednesday.

Their competition includes two classes that produced a load of NFL Draft picks, but only after that recruiting class led the Buckeyes to national titles as sophomores.

To lay out the future standard for this 2017 class, let's examine the top recruiting classes for Ohio State's last five full-time coaches, from Urban Meyer back to Woody Hayes.

WOODY HAYES: 1967

The class that created the 1968 Super Sophs, who led the Buckeyes to the national championship that season and who over three seasons went 27-2, will be difficult for any group to top.

They came in with hype -- the group included 11 high school All-Americans -- and lived up to it. 

New Jersey defensive back Jack Tatum; Lancaster, Ohio quarterback Rex Kern; and defensive lineman Jim Stillwagon, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, would become College Football Hall of Famers. They were joined by three other members of the class -- fullback John Brockington, tight end Jan White and defensive back Mike Sensibaugh -- on Ohio State's All-Century team.

Brockington, Tatum, Tim Anderson and Leo Hayden were all picked in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft, among the 13 members of the 1967 recruiting class drafted that year. 

* Comparing the Super Sophs from 1968 and 2014

EARLE BRUCE: 1984

If two players can make a class, then this is an all-time. Bruce landed two Ohio stars, linebacker Chris Spielman and receiver Cris Carter in this group, and you know what happened.

But they weren't it. 

Punter and quarterback Tom Tupa, offensive lineman Jeff Uhlenhake, cornerback William White (whose son, Brendon, is part of the 2017 class) and linebacker Michael McCray also made lasting impacts as Ohio State starters. Their greatest success came as juniors in 1986, when the Buckeyes went 10-3 and 7-1 in the Big Ten, winning the Cotton Bowl to finish No. 7 in the country.

JOHN COOPER: 1996

Cooper brought Ohio State recruiting into the light with a national approach that still hauled in many of the top players in Ohio.

His 1996 class featured linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer and receiver David Boston and was ranked No. 1 in the nation by ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, and also featured future starters Na'il Diggs, Gary Berry, Michael Wiley and Tyson Walter.

The group helped form the heart of the 1998 team that went 11-1 and finished No. 2 in the nation.

The 1994 class was ranked No. 2 and included left tackle Orlando Pace and future starters Pepe Pearson, Winfield Garnett and Jerry Rudzinski.

But it's possible Cooper's most productive class was a smaller 16-person class in 1998 that didn't even crack the top 10. However, 11 of the 16 players would be drafted by the NFL, led by center LeCharles Bentley from St. Ignatius and Florida defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, and 13 were starters.

JIM TRESSEL: 2002

His first full recruiting class was his highest-ranked, at No. 4, and also clearly his best. It included six top-100 players, led by linebacker Mike D'Andrea of Avon Lake. But the four future first-round NFL picks and the Heisman trophy winners who emerged from the class weren't in the 100.

According to the 247sports.com website, linebacker A.J. Hawk was the No. 665 player, center Nick Mangold was No. 388, receiver Santonio Holmes was No. 293, linebacker Bobby Carpenter was No. 130 and future QB and Heisman winner Troy Smith was No. 136.

Fifteen players wound up as starters, including running back Maurice Clarett, who helped lead the Buckeyes to the national title as a freshman. Smith, offensive linemen Doug Datish and T.J. Downing, defensive linemen Quinn Pitcock and Jay Richardson and fullback Stan White among others stuck around and started as fifth-year seniors for the 2006 team that reached the national title game.

URBAN MEYER: 2013

The greatest hurdle for this 2017 class may be this 2013 class, which produced four first-round picks in the 2016 NFL Draft and formed the backbone of the 2014 National Championship team.

Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott, Eli Apple and Darron Lee were those first-rounders, while Vonn Bell was a second-round pick and Jalin Marshall also made it in the NFL.

And there's more to come.

Quarterback J.T. Barrett, offensive lineman Billy Price, defensive end Tyquan Lewis, tight end Marcus Baugh, linebacker Chris Worley and defensive tackles Michael Hill and Tracy Sprinkle will all be back in 2017 as fifth-year seniors and projected starters.

In all, 16 of the 23 players in the class will have started for major parts of their careers, and cornerback Gareon Conley could be another first-round pick in this class.

CONCLUSION

Both the 1967 and 2013 classes, with what they accomplished individually and what they did for their teams, achieved everything you would have wanted out of them.

What's that mean? The 2017 class will have to serve as the foundation for a championship, or they won't be carrying the Best Class Ever title when they're done.

LeBron James told ESPN, "There's a new sheriff in town" after taking aim on Charles Barkley for his recent criticism. Fine. But James doesn't need to take any more shots at his own organization.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James warns there's a new sheriff in town.

It's a peculiar reference given his earlier objection to his management team being called a "posse."

No one knows exactly what it means. If Marshal James' quick draws are limited to firing back at Charles Barkley as he did through ESPN Monday, OK. Firing more public criticism at the Cavaliers organization, though, would only support Barkley's point that James rant a week ago Monday was "inappropriate."

He's right. It was.

Going beyond that is where Barkley got himself in trouble with James. He basically called him an entitled whiner and questioned whether James wants to compete -- seven months after James brought the Cavs back from 3-1.

Kevin Durant got a similar rip from Barkley when he decided to join the Warriors. Durant, though, hasn't lifted his team to a title yet against tall odds as James did in June.

No reason to doubt James seeing the Warriors improve themselves factors into his frustration, but it would be too convenient to say all of his recent public spats are born from that same source.

Phil Jackson's aloof smugness likely stood on its own when he referenced James' "posse." Barkley has chided him for many years.

Hopefully the Marshal is being selective, because the last thing this organization needs is James shooting from the hip on the roster and other issues through the remainder of the regular season.

James wasn't wrong when he pointed out Barkley's issues on and off the court during his career. James has handled himself much better. And the way he's handled himself is part of his legacy.

That changes if James lets himself keep going in the direction taken in New Orleans when he criticized the roster and, more subtly, when he referenced the Cavs being shorthanded.

"We got 14 guys in here," James told reporters after the Sacramento loss. "We need to be ready every night, who we got in here we gotta play.

"We can't play fantasy basketball. We got who we got and we gotta go out and play."

We get it. There's an open roster spot. It's barely February. No doubt David Griffin is trying to make the best use of it.

So James had his say about the organization. That should be over now. As for Barkley, if you do what he does for a living, you're supposed to have opinions. If you criticize as he does, you shouldn't mind being criticized.

If you throw heat at somebody, they might feel they have a moral obligation - as Barkley once said in support of Draymond Green's groin shot to James in Game 4 -- to fire back.

That's what James did. Better that than taking shots in-house.

Barkley, whose phone started going crazy while he was on the golf course earlier in the day, said he "wasn't overly concerned" about James' remarks in a private conversation with ESPN. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Charles Barkley shrugged off LeBron James' explosive comments about him during his first interview since the story broke early Tuesday morning.

"I have no problem with what LeBron said, some of it was true," Barkley told ESPN 1000's Waddle and Silvy in Chicago Tuesday afternoon. "I don't overreact and I'm not going to say anything bad about him and I'm never going to get personal. I stick by what I said.

"If I'm going to be straightforward like I always try to be I know guys are going to come back at me sometimes."

Barkley, whose phone started going crazy while he was on the golf course earlier in the day, said he "wasn't overly concerned" about James' remarks, which were unveiled in a private conversation with ESPN following the Cavaliers' loss Monday against the Dallas Mavericks.

"I'm not the one who threw somebody through a window," James said. "I never spit on a kid. I never had unpaid debt in Las Vegas. I never said, 'I'm not a role model.' I never showed up to All-Star Weekend on Sunday because I was in Vegas all weekend partying.

"All I've done for my entire career is represent the NBA the right way. Fourteen years, never got in trouble. Respected the game. Print that."

FACT CHECKING: Did Barkley do the things LeBron said?

Barkley went through the list of jabs, including the idea that he was late to the All-Star Game one year. Barkley also said he paid back his Las Vegas debt while owning up to the numerous other mistakes he made in his life, saying it was "valid criticism" from James and even appreciated James Googling him to get more info.

"My job is to give my opinion on basketball," Barkley said. "My basketball opinion is strictly about basketball. I never talk about a guy's personal life. That's inappropriate. He was clearly offended because he took it to a personal level."

During the interview, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but moved up one day, Barkley reiterated that he believes his initial comments from Inside the NBA last Thursday were "fair" and continued to call James "whiny" because of his recent calls for more help.

"I think when you don't like the message you just kill the messenger," Barkley said. "Some of those things he said about me are correct, but that does not make my message incorrect."

Among other things, Barkley questioned James' will to compete that night, which helped spark the recent feud. James initially said Barkley's role as a TNT analyst forced him to make those fiery comments because they were good for ratings. But then James opened up even more following Monday's loss, which cemented the Cavs' first losing month in the new James era. 

"He's a hater. What makes what he says credible? Because he's on TV?," James said. "I know he wanted to retire a long time ago, but he can't. He's stuck up on that stage every week."

As for any future relationship, a clearing-of-the-air meeting between the two, which James mentioned, Barkley didn't seem interested.

"Why I got to clear the air," Barkley asked. "It's not going to change my opinion."

Barkley added: "I've only met LeBron casually, he's always been great to me and I think I've been great and cordial to him, but this notion that we have to be friends, we're never going to be friends, and that's not a negative thing. I'm not friends with none of these young guys. My job is to do my job."

Ohio State dropped to 3-7 in Big Ten play with a loss to Maryland on Tuesday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When Maryland needed clutch buckets, it had a star player it could turn to. That's something Ohio State basketball has been lacking since D'Angelo Russell left.

Melo Trimble had been playing a poor game by his standards for the first 38 minutes of Tuesday night's game against the Buckeyes. Of course he hit two monster shots in the final two minutes to help keep Ohio State from pulling off a comeback win.

No. 17 Maryland beat Ohio State, 77-71, on Tuesday at Value City Arena, likely ending whatever hopes the Buckeyes had left of making the NCAA Tournament. That's unless you think this Buckeyes team can win out or win the Big Ten Tournament. Neither seems very likely.

Trimble hit a scramble 3-pointer late in the shot clock, his first make in six tries, to put Maryland up 73-69 with 2:02 left. He then drove for a clutch layup with 32.4 seconds left to put the Terrapins up 75-71.

The Buckeyes (13-10, 3-7 Big Ten) were a bucket away from the tie or the lead six times in the final 11 minutes of the game, and could never get the big shot or stop it needed. Three times Ohio State had it within one and couldn't get over the hump.

Trimble finished with 13 points, four assists and five turnovers for Maryland, which moved to 5-0 on the road in the Big Ten. Justin Jackson led Ohio State with 22 points. Maryland had 13 offensive rebounds, and 14 second-chance points.

Ohio State was led by 20 points from Jae'Sean Tate. Marc Loving had 18, and Kam Williams had 10.

What it means

Ohio State had chances left on its schedule to get big wins, and that didn't change with a lackluster performance at Iowa over the weekend. But the Buckeyes had to come out differently against Maryland, and struggled defensively in the first half. So they missed out again on a winnable game at home, just as against Purdue and Northwestern earlier this year.

* RELATED: More Ohio State basketball coverage

Maryland closes first half strong

A bit of Ohio State's defense from the loss to Iowa carried over to Tuesday's first half. Maryland, one of the better 3-point shooting teams in the country already, was 7-for-16 from deep in the first half.

The Terrapins closed on a 7-0 run and led 42-36 at the break.

That run broke open a game that was tied at 31 with 3:36 left after Lyle hit a fade-away jumper late in the shot clock. On Maryland's next trip, Loving fouled Jared Nickens while he was shooting a 3. Nickens completed the four-point play, and Maryland outscored the Buckeyes' 11-5 in the final three minutes.

Potter starts

Ohio State freshman center Micah Potter started his 12th game of the season on Tuesday, replacing Trevor Thompson, who had started the previous 11 games. Thompson didn't score as he battled foul trouble and eventually fouled out without scoring against Iowa.

Potter started the first 11 games of the season ahead of Thompson, a junior, to help keep Thompson out of early foul trouble. It seems Thad Matta went back to that plan against Maryland.

What's next?

Ohio State is on the road on Saturday for its only game against Michigan in the regular season. Tip-off from Ann Arbor, Mich., is set for 6 p.m. with the game televised on ESPN2.

The Indians are close to signing veteran slugger Wily Mo Pena to a minor league deal. The deal does not include an invitation to big league camp.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians have reached back into the past to take a look at slugger Wily Mo Pena.

The 6-1, 260-pound Pena is close to signing a minor league deal with the Indians. The deal would not include an invitation to big league camp, meaning Pena would report to Goodyear, Ariz., with the Indians' minor leaguers.

Pena, 35, did not play last season. The right-handed hitter has not played in the big leagues since 2011 with Seattle and Arizona when he combined to hit seven homers in 113 at-bats. In parts of eight big league seasons, Pena batted .250 with 84 homers and 240 RBI.

He played in Japan from 2012 through 2015, hitting 71 homers in 1,519 at-bats.

In the big leagues, Pena played for the Reds, Red Sox, Nationals, Diamondbacks and Mariners. In 2004, he hit .259 with 26 homers, 66 RBI and .843 OPS. He struck out 108 times in 336 at-bats.

Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reported that Pena will make $700,000 if he makes the Indians big league roster.

Indians' pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., on Feb. 12. Position players report on Feb. 16.

The Mets signed Pena in the Dominican Republic as a free agent in 1998. He made his big league debut with the Reds on Sept. 10, 2002.

The Buckeyes dropped to 3-7 in the Big Ten with Tuesday's home loss to No. 17 Maryland.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- (WARNING: The following is a column that criticizes the current state of Ohio State basketball without discussing the job status of coach Thad Matta, because it's possible to find plenty of fault with this situation without thinking a coach with five Sweet 16 trips should be fired. Read at your own risk.)

What did the Ohio State Buckeyes mean after their 77-71 home loss to Maryland on Tuesday?

"I felt like tonight at times some guys were in and some guys were out, including myself," senior Marc Loving said after the loss, which is the kind of thing that players say when they're forced to sit with microphones near their faces and explain what went wrong.

A six-point loss to at Maryland team that's No. 17 in the country, 20-2, in first place in the Big Ten at 8-1 and on a seven-game winning streak isn't exactly a "what the heck is wrong with you guys?" kind of moment.

But for a Buckeye team that returned its six leading scorers, was at home coming off a blowout road loss at Iowa and hasn't beaten a ranked team all year, yeah, what the heck is wrong with you guys?

Some in, some out? Are we really talking focus and effort 23 games into the season with a team next-to-last in the Big Ten at 3-7?

"Part of it could be effort, but part of it could just be are you locked in through the whole game?" Loving explained.

Focus. Effort. How could there be questions about that in a game when the Buckeyes cut the Maryland lead to a single point four times in the final seven minutes, but never got over the top in search of a win that could have saved their season?

Shouldn't that be a given?

"I mean, like you said, it should," junior Jae'Sean Tate said. "But I don't really have an explanation for that. I just don't have an explanation. Like you said, it should. But at times, it didn't happen."

OK. Let's reset. The leading scorers Tuesday - Tate had 20 and Loving 18 - thought something was missing in a can't-miss opportunity. Despite that, the Buckeyes still had a shot to tie when Loving missed a leaner in the lane with 1:01 to play.

Two other points to consider.

Starting center Trevor Thompson, the hero of the Minnesota win last Wednesday when he scored a season-high 19 points, went back to the bench Tuesday, with freshman Micah Potter starting again. Maybe Matta just wanted to help Thompson avoid the foul trouble that ruined his no-point, 13-minute effort at Iowa. He called it a coach's decision.

Then starting point guard JaQuan Lyle, the primary ball handler and second-leading scorer, sat for the final 12 minutes of the game (after playing 26 of the first 28) and the Buckeyes looked better without him. Lyle posted a team-worst negative-12 plus-minus, and Matta said he just rode a hot small-ball lineup with backup point guard C.J. Jackson, who was playing better. Jackson also played much better defense

How can the Buckeyes be better in that spot by benching one of their supposed top three players?

"It was more of a matchup," Matta said. "We just thought that C.J. was being more disruptive ... C.J. just had a much better feel for what he was supposed to do with the guy he was guarding."

OK. Let's reset again.

Focus and effort talk, changing roles for two of your top five guys, and a 6-12 conference season staring you in the face the way the schedule looks.

We've seen how Matta wants to play, how his best teams have played: tight defense, run whenever it's there, confident shots, spread the ball, lean on a superstar when you've got him. 

That's not this. So does Matta like this team?

"I do," Matta said. 

Effort. Focus. How he wants to play. All that?

"This is a team, we've got to keep our eyes on our blind spots and we've got a ton of them," Matta said.

But having everybody in at this point of the season, he said that never happens. It's not just this year.

"I can say this, 100 percent guaranteed, on Jan. 31 for 13 years that I've been here, ain't everybody been in at this time of the season," Matta said laughing. "That's life in college basketball."

So guys drift. Teams struggle. Games are lost. 

Say it like that, throw in the fact that the Buckeyes have Loving as their only senior, which Matta did mention, and you can spin, not progress, but the hope that there will be progress.

But then you remember the microphone is on and he has to say something.

"Sitting up here, having to answer," Matta said, "I'm not real happy right now."

This is not what he wants to be talking about. Not focus, not effort, not defensive lapses, not 3-7 in the Big Ten, not whether he likes the team for which he's responsible.

Does he like what he sees? How can he? But this, on Jan. 31, this is what he's built.

The Browns are intrigued by Jimmy Garoppolo and not sold yet on Deshaun Watson. These are some of the QB rumblings from Senior Bowl week. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With Senior Bowl week teeming with NFL scouts, coaches and general managers, there's always plenty of buzz in Mobile, Ala. about the draft, free agency and trades.

Last week, when Hue Jackson and his staff spent the week coaching the South team, was no different. Here's some of what we heard about the Browns' quarterback situation:

1. Jackson is responsible for finding a starting QB

Jackson repeatedly referred to "his job'' of finding a quarterback of the future, and he will be the point man on this task. Sources say he wasn't as all in on the pick of Cody Kessler as he made it seem last when he said "trust me.'' This year, the QB buck will stop at his desk.

"I came here to coach that position and get it better, and I plan on doing that,'' he said. "I've been doing this for a long time and I'll put a quarterback on this football team that can win. That's my job. 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."

2. The Browns will make a pitch for Jimmy Garoppolo

Sources say the Browns' interest in Garoppolo is real and that they'll try to trade for him depending on how their draft evaluations go over the next five weeks or so.

If the Browns decide to draft Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson in the first round, they'll be much less likely to pursue the Patriots' backup -- but wouldn't rule it out.

But they'll have competition for Garoppolo that will drive up the price. Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan liked him coming out of the draft, and might pursue a deal once he formally becomes the 49ers' head coach.

The 49ers have the No. 2 pick in the draft, and are also looking for a quarterback.

But the Browns are intrigued, sources say, and they'll strongly consider it. The cost could be the No. 12 overall pick and more.

3. Deshaun Watson must still win over the Browns

I talked to several quarterback experts in Mobile who would take Watson No. 1, including one general manager, one director of player personnel and one offensive coordinator. One said "he's the best player in this draft.'' Former NFL GM Bill Polian, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, told cleveland.com "he certainly checks all of the boxes.'' And when I asked Clemson's Dabo Swinney about him, he said, "If the Browns pass on Deshaun Watson, they're passing on Michael Jordan.''

But I don't think the Browns are convinced yet, and Watson missed an opportunity to win them over by skipping the Senior Bowl and a chance to work with Jackson and his staff. Jackson talked to Watson about his decision not to participate, and told cleveland.com he won't hold it against him.

"We had a great conversation,'' Jackson said. "I get it. I understand where he is and I'm sure he understood what we wanted to accomplish.''

But while he might not hold it against Watson, Jackson didn't get a chance to see firsthand if his skills will translate to the NFL. He certainly didn't help himself by sitting out. At this point, I believe Watson has a steep climb to No. 1.

4. Mitch Trubisky gaining some momentum

While most of the experts I talked to believe Watson is at the head of this quarterback class, some prefer Mentor, Ohio native Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina. One raved about him, saying he likes him better than last year's top two QBs, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. If that's the case, the Browns wouldn't hesitate to take him No. 1 overall.

Another said he's "head and shoulders above Deshaun Watson.''

Still others expressed concern over his 13 college starts, saying plenty of quarterbacks with such limited experience often struggle in the NFL, or in their final year of college once teams break down their film.

Draft experts Mike Mayock also said on NFL Network that scouts have told him Trubisky will measure only a little over 6-1 at the scouting combine in Indianapolis next month instead of the 6-3 he's listed at, and that it could cause him to fall in the draft. One person close to the situation that he'd be surprised if Trubisky came in at 6-1, and another said scouts aren't permitted to measure players on campus visits, so the report must be taken with a grain of salt.

If the Browns draft Trubisky, they might have to develop him for a while, but could be set for years to come.

5. Will Kirk Cousins be an option?

Redskins coach Jay Gruden told reporters at the Senior Bowl last week that they want impending free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins back. But will they be willing to pay him the estimated $24 million a year he would command or franchise him again for $25 million this off-season?

"We totally anticipate Kirk coming back to the Washington Redskins, and we're very excited about parlaying two very good years as the starting quarterback into a third year and watching him grow," Gruden said, via The Washington Post.

Redskins President Bruce Allen also told Sirius-XM NFL Radio "Kirk's our quarterback. He played well the last two years, and I know there's other speculation, but it doesn't come from the Redskins."

If the Redskins, who went 8-7-1, determine that they can win with Colt McCoy or another quarterback, they might be willing to trade Cousins. Coming off back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons, he's more of a proven commodity than Garoppolo.

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported the Browns and 49ers are interested. Shanahan coached Cousins in Washington.

Meyer is going to sign the best class in the history of the program on Wednesday. And there's no drama about it. That doesn't mean there won't be news, though. Stick with us.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- National Signing Day is usually a day filled with drama and excitement and uncertainty. That's what makes it fun. 

But with Ohio State this year, that's not necessarily the case. 

Urban Meyer enters the day with 20 verbal commitments, and yes, he'll be waiting around like everyone else at roughly 4:30 p.m. (ET) waiting on a decision from five-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson of Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal. 

The reality, though, is that Meyer is going to sign the best class in the history of the program on Wednesday. And there's no drama about it. 

That doesn't mean there won't be a lot to report throughout the day, so stay tuned below with cleveland.com for live updates from around National Signing Day. 

Related National Signing Day reading: 

* Signing Day 2017: Meet Ohio State's recruiting class

* Signing Day 2017: Where did the nation's top football players commit?

* Signing Day 2017: National ranking of the top football recruiting classes

10:09 a.m.: Garrett is in. All of Ohio State commits are officially Buckeyes. 

Congrats to the Rushman @HASKELL_808 on joining the family! #Select17

-- Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 1, 2017

10:08 a.m.: Davis is in. Now Ohio State is only waiting on one letter from Garrett. 

Congrats to the Bigfella @wyattdavis53 on officially becoming a Buckeye!! #Select17

-- Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 1, 2017

10:00 a.m.: Here's a Tweet from a play-by-play guy in Texas about Wilson. Take it for what it's worth. 

So to recap: I have talked to multiple sources close to Marvin Wilson. All of them are expecting him to sign with Ohio State. #signingday

-- Will Scott (@WScottSports) February 1, 2017

9:58 a.m.: Four-star LB Levi Jones of Austin (Texas) Westlake brought a new twist with his commitment to USC. 

That's a lot of shirts...#NSD17 pic.twitter.com/cFSRiDrMc2

-- ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) February 1, 2017

9:53 a.m.: This was interesting and the reason for that may be because Ohio State has three of those top 10 kids. Ohio State has this dominant of a recruiting class because of what it did in Texas. 

Assuming K'Lavon Chaisson signs with LSU, as now expected, Texas will finish without a Top 10 kid from Texas for the first time ever.

-- Geoff Ketchum (@gkketch) February 1, 2017

9:49 a.m.: Ohio State is still waiting on five-star OL Wyatt Davis of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco and four-star DT Haskell Garrett of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman

8:46 a.m.: Ohio State is still waiting on Davis and Garrett. Don't fret, both are on the west coast. 

8:36 a.m.: Everything went well for Ohio State this morning. Waiting on two more letters, but no drama at all, which is what player personnel director Mark Pantoni wanted. 

8:21 a.m.: Four-star OT Thayer Munford sending in his letter. We'll find out later this morning if he'll be a Buckeye.  

@Big_Grizze62 sends his NLI in to... #TIG pic.twitter.com/L1NQV6D0sO

-- Nate Moore (@CoachNMoore) February 1, 2017

8:18 a.m.: Former Ohio State running back commit Todd Sibley of Archbishop Hoban officially sent in his letter to become a Pittsburgh Panther. 

Officially a Pitt Panther [?] [?] [?] [?]

-- Todd Sibley (@ToddSib23) February 1, 2017

8:16 a.m.: Three-star wide receiver Elijah Gardiner, who Ohio State flipped from Missouri this week, sent in his letter. Two more to go. 

Congrats to @elijahgardiner! Official! #Select17 #Zone6

-- Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 1, 2017

8:13 a.m.: Former Ohio State receiver Torrance Gibson officially became a Cincinnati Bearcat this morning. 

And it's official...Welcome to the #CinCityPride Torrance Gibson! #BearcatsNSD17 pic.twitter.com/0IyiUirwEi

-- Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) February 1, 2017

My favorite part about the Cincinnati Gibson graphic was that they used his high school uniform for the announcement, not his Buckeyes uniform. 

8:12 a.m.: I think if Ohio State has signed letters of intent from all prospects committed before signing day by 9 a.m. ... That's a record?

8:09 a.m.: The Notre Dame flip rumors can finally stop now. Four-star DT Jerron Cage of Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods sent in his letter. Only three more to go, not including commitments the Buckeyes may pick up later today. 

Congrats to the bigfella @CageJerron! Official! #Select17

-- Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 1, 2017

8:08 a.m.: Five-star DE Chase Young sent in his letter. 

Congrats to the next Freak Rushmen @youngchase907! #Select17

-- Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 1, 2017

8:06 a.m.: Here's a tweet from former Ohio State commit Tyjon Lindsey of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman, who abruptly decommitted earlier this month:

I sign to The University of Nebraska, Lincoln tomorrow afternoon at 1pm Pacific Time at Bishop Gorman HS. Family & friends are welcome. #GBR

-- T-WAYNE...[?] (@tyjonlindsey) January 31, 2017

8:04 a.m.: Four-star WR Jaylen Harris of Cleveland Heights already faxed in his letter. Here's a video of him talking. 

Meet the latest edition to #Zone6, Cleveland's @JHarris5_.#Select17 #NSD17 pic.twitter.com/Ht1OVPEvnt

-- Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) February 1, 2017

 8:02 a.m.: It has been 35 minutes since Ohio State received its last letter of intent. 

7:59 a.m.: Everyone is excited about how Amir Riep drove from Cincinnati to Columbus to hand deliver his NLOI, but that was actually easier than locating a fax machine. Kidding. Kind of. 

7:56 a.m.: Ohio State is still waiting on Chase Young, Wyatt Davis, Jerron Cage, Haskell Garrett and Elijah Gardiner. Also will need letters from commits they add later, obviously. 

7:55 a.m.: We should give Wyatt Davis of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco and Haskell Garrett of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman breaks on the speed in which they get in their letters. It's not even 5 a.m. out there.

7:50 a.m.: Ohio State's Twitter account is posting letters from players to fans. Here is one written by Werner, who was the first to get his letter in. He's an overachiever. 

[?] A letter to Buckeye Nation from #Select17's @petewerner23.#NSD17 pic.twitter.com/oHzItRgV6s

-- Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) February 1, 2017

7:40 a.m.: Ohio State had nine early-enrollees and has six faxes already sent in. That means there are only five more letters needed from the players who came into the day committed for it to be everyone. 

7:34 a.m.: Munford, a four-star OT from Massillon (Ohio) Washington, is announcing at 11:00 a.m. (ET), so stay tuned with cleveland.com for a his decision. Word is he'll be a Buckeye.

7:30 a.m.: Four-star WR Jaylen Harris of Cleveland Heights is the latest to fax in his letter of intent:

Congrats to @JHarris5_!! Official!! #Select17 #Zone6

-- Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 1, 2017

7:23 a.m.: My predictions for Ohio State's three announcements today: 

Four-star OT Thayer Munford: Ohio State

Four-star DT Jay Tufele: Utah

Five-star DT Marvin Wilson: LSU 

7:12 a.m.: Four-star WR Trevon Grimes of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas sends his is letter of intent. 

Congrats to @TrevonGrimes7! Official! #Select17 #Zone6

-- Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 1, 2017

7:10 a.m.: Four-star CB Amir Riep of Cincinnati (Ohio) Colerain personally delivered his letter of intent to Kerry Coombs this morning. 

An inside look at how Ohio State assistant Kerry Coombs recruits Colerain, his old high school program https://t.co/GVr06qTfGs https://t.co/P0go5Iz4ih

-- Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) February 1, 2017

7:08 a.m.: Three-star K Blake Haubiel sends in letter of intent. 

Congrats to @BlakeHaubeil! #Select17 [?] [?]

-- Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 1, 2017

7:06 a.m.: Four-star LB Pete Werner is the first to fax in his National Letter of Intent. The official Ohio State Twitter account also introduced JUCO CB transfer Kendall Sheffield. 

Congrats to @petewerner23!! First fax to come in!! #Select17 [?] [?]

-- Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 1, 2017

6:58 a.m.: Ohio State comes into the day with 20 verbal commitments, but remember that there are nine early-enrollees. That means nearly half of Ohio State's recruiting class is already in school. 

LeBron James tells Charles Barkley there's a new sheriff in town after Barkley had criticized James for publicly calling out the Cleveland Cavaliers' front office.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After finishing the month of January with a 7-8 record by losing to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, LeBron told ESPN that there's a new sheriff in town. One who was not going to bite his tongue and accept criticism from talking heads such as TNT's Charles Barkley.

Last week, Barkley had criticized LeBron for publicly calling out the Cavs' front office to make additions to the roster. In his response to Charles, LeBron pointed out several missteps Barkley had made over the years. Missteps such as spitting on a kid and throwing a guy through a window, to name a couple.

The new sheriff in town can effectively have the last word by continuing to represent the right way and if necessary, by changing the channel.

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

LeBron James reflects on women in sports (video) Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Females athletes around the county celebrate their achievements today on National Girls & Women in Sports Day.

LeBron James talked about women athletes who have transcended their sport when asked about it after the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Thunder Sunday.

"You give respect, where respect is due," James repeated throughout the discussion.  "it's about equality," he added.

Along with events around the country, leaders of the NGWSD Coalition will meet with members of congress today to rally support for important legislation and policies that provide critical access to sports for girls and women.

Which female athlete had the most influence in James' life?  The answer is in the video above.

Follow on Twitter: @CLEvideos

Capturing a territory in recruiting is as important -- if not more important -- as getting a player. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- You may look at the relationship Urban Meyer built with Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman this past year and wonder, "What-if?" 

You may long for the days when Ohio State had three commitments from that program with the chance of landing a fourth. 

You may wish things would have ultimately turned out differently. 

Don't. 

Even though there was a time it seemed as if the high school powerhouse in the Southwest was going to account for nearly 25 percent of Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class, things turned out pretty well for Ohio State. Be thankful for it.

As we examine how Ohio State built the best recruiting class in the history of the program, we arrive at part three: Annexing Bishop Gorman. That's how important this burgeoning pipeline is to the Buckeyes. 

Yes, there was a time not long ago when the Buckeyes had a commitment from five-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey and were close to getting four-star safety Bubba Bolden. Lindsey abruptly decommitted and changed his commitment to Nebraska and Bolden committed to USC -- where he issued his original pledge -- at the U.S. Army All-American Game earlier this month. 

* How Urban Meyer assembled Ohio State's best recruiting class ever, part 1: Taking care of Ohio

* How Urban Meyer assembled Ohio State's best recruiting class ever, part 2: Conquering Texas

But Ohio State got two really, really good players from one of the most advanced high school programs in the country. And though those two players are the only ones that account for the math in this year's recruiting class, capturing a territory in recruiting is as important -- if not more important -- as getting a player. 

Don't take this the wrong way. Getting four-star quarterback Tate Martell, who could be the face of the program in two years, and four-star Haskell Garrett, a top-six defensive tackle, were huge for Ohio State. Huge. You can never underestimate the importance of getting top-rated players at premium positions. 

Look at the big picture, too. 

Gorman has roughly 10 Division I players on its roster every single season, and now that Ohio State is a go-to program there, this could be a relationship that pays dividends for years to come. That's even more valuable now, as Glenville, Ohio State's more traditional recruiting pipeline, has reach a lull with its elite-level talent. It could matter as soon as next year's class, as Meyer pursues four-star linebacker Palaie "EA" Gaoteote 

Ohio State struck gold in Martell and Garrett. Those two are cornerstone talents in the deepest class in Ohio State history. 

But with those commitments, Ohio State also has the map to the gold mine. 

It's in Las Vegas. 

Related reading: 

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

* Bishop Gorman is the high school version of Ohio State: Why the Buckeyes feel at home in Las Vegas

Each year we survey area notables and celebrities and ask them who they think will win the Super Bowl, what they think the score will be and a brief reason why. Here are this year's predictions for Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons.

Akron Zips have won 12 straight and remain unbeaten in the Mid-American Conference; Kent State rebounds from a stunning loss and Cleveland State looks to snap a three-game losing streak.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Akron Zips rarely play well at Northern Illinois and Tuesday was no different. Yet the Zips were able to come back from 14 points down for a 76-73 victory to remain unbeaten at the halfway point of the Mid-American Conference basketball season.

That latest win should put to rest any notion there is a team out there waiting to ambush the Zips, even with a hot night. Akron has won 12 straight games and stands 19-3, 9-0, even after NIU shot 52.8 percent for the game and a sizzling 66.7 percent on 3-pointers. The Huskies also out-rebounded Akron, 34-28.

And still the Huskies were not able to put the Zips away as Antino Jackson scored 22 points on his 21st birthday and Isaiah Johnson scored 21 points with seven rebounds.

Jackson was 4 of 8 on 3-pointers and 6-for-6 at the foul line, including four in the final 23 seconds. He also had five steals, including four in the second half.

"In the second half we ran out of energy and our turnovers (16) cost us,'' NIU coach Mark Montgomery told the media after seeing his team lose a 47-33 halftime lead.

The Zips look to make it 20 wins on the season Saturday at Ohio University.

Hot and cold: Kent State looks to make it two straight on the road, and four wins in the last five games at Miami on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

The inconsistent Flashes stand at 12-10, 4-5 after a rugged 70-64 victory at Eastern Michigan on Tuesday. The win comes after a 105-98 overtime heartbreaker at home to Central Michigan on Saturday.

Senior forward Jimmy Hall posted 24 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out Tuesday, but freshmen Mitch Peterson (13 points) and Jaylin Walker (11) made clutch free throws inside the final minute to lock down the victory.

Finally home: The calendar has flipped to February and the Cleveland State Vikings hope to flip ahead with it. A four-game road trip is behind them leaving CSU standing 6-15 on the season and 2-7 in Horizon League play.

But this month the Vikings play the bulk of their games at home, beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. against Detroit in the Wolstein Center.

While going 1-3 on the road, CSU did show signs of fight, first taking down Oakland in a major upset before closes losses to Milwaukee, Green Bay and Youngstown State.

Cleveland.com columnists Bud Shaw and Doug Lesmerises debate the best reinforcements for the Cavaliers as the calendar turns to February and the team tries to put a tough month behind it. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -  It's February. The Cavaliers are holding a day of auditions at Quicken Loans Arena.

The job opening? Something more important to their title chances than a national anthem singer.

The goal has been the same for awhile, even before LeBron James decided to publicly prod ownership and the front office: fill out the roster with someone who can share the playmaking burden.

GM David Griffin needs to put the finishing touches on a team that requires reinforcements to defend its NBA title.

The search will go far and wide, big-ish and small. A rim defender doesn't seem to be at the top of Griffin's list as he looks for a backup point guard or wing player who can take some of the scoring burden off his Big Three.

Mario Chalmers, Lance Stephenson and Kirk Hinrich were invited to an audition. That happened after we kicked around the topic as part of our video debate series, Prepare for List Off.

I'm not sure it would've changed my answers. Cleveland.com columnist Doug Lesmerises would have to answer that for himself but we were both thinking along the same lines except for one name.

I still think the Cavs need a big man in addition to a backup point guard, which is why one name keeps showing up on my list  in discussions of how the Cavs can improve themselves for another title run.

Griffin admitted the Cavs have a narrow margin for error. That's as true in the frontcourt as it is in the backcourt.

Hear us out and come back and tell us who got closer to nailing down what the Cavs need for the stretch run.