Get the latest updates and analysis from the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 54 against the Denver Nuggets.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday in Game 54 of the 2017 NBA regular season.

Follow along in the comments section as Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor bring you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Vardon and Fedor on Twitter.

Game 54: Cavs (37-16) vs. Timberwolves (21-34)

Tipoff: 8 p.m. at Target Center.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Ohio, NBA TV; WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM (ESP).

Cavs probable starting lineup: LeBron James, Channing Frye, Tristan Thompson, DeAndre Liggins, Kyrie Irving.

Timberwolves probable starting lineup: Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Brandon Rush, Ricky Rubio, Gorgui Dieng.

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Kyrie Irving's lob to Tristan Thompson gave the Cleveland Cavaliers a lead at Minnesota.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kyrie Irving connected with Tristan Thompson on a lob pass late in the first quarter Tuesday to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a 19-17 lead against Minnesota.

Cleveland trailed by as many as eight in the quarter before 3-point baskets by Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye started a comeback.

Irving's jumper off the glass tied the score before the lob to Thompson gave them the lead with 4:15 left in the first period.

streethistory: Kyrie is Thompson. 12-0 run by Cavs NBA TV NBA Basketball: Cavaliers at Timb... https://t.co/FY8YdZh2rg pic.twitter.com/z1rEfNFndL

-- FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) February 15, 2017

LeBron James bounced a pass between Andrew Wiggins' legs for an assist to Derrick Williams on Tuesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James continues to make the mundane look spectacular, picking up his fifth assist Tuesday with a no-look bounce pass between Minnesota defender Andrew Wiggins' legs for an assist to Derrick Williams.

James had Kyle Korver open in the corner, but instead found Williams, who was cutting to the basket and finished at the rim, drawing a foul against his former team.

#LeBronJames doing @KingJames things pic.twitter.com/Q6Ru12jpev

-- Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 15, 2017

Down by 11 with 10:36 to play, the Akron Zips outscored the Toledo Rockets, 33-16, to pull out a 71-65 victory to extend the homecourt win streak to 30 games.

AKRON, Ohio --  The Akron Zips used a late second-half rally to earn a 71-65 victory over the Toledo Rockets Tuesday evening in Rhodes Arena.

Down, 49-38, with 10:36 to play, the Zips responded with an 18-6 run to regain the lead and pull out the victory. Kwan Cheatham scored 21 points to lead all scorers including 4-of-8 on 3-pointers. But just as effective was the final 10 minutes for Isaiah Johnson who finished with 18 points using his muscle inside.

"When we went down 11 that was a test for our guys, but the rest we gave our main guys at that time won the game for us," Akron coach Keith Dambrot said after winning his 300th game at Akron, and 30th straight victory at home.

At one point in the game the Rockets were dominating the Zips inside, 22-8. But once Akron's size gained control of the paint, that figure ended at 28-26 in Toledo's favor thanks to a meaningless layup at the buzzer.

Before the Zips woke up, this appeared to be Toledo's game to win.

"I look at this as a lost opportunity,'' Toledo head coach Todd Kowalczyk said.

Steve Taylor led Toledo with 13 points, but only three in the second half.

The first half: Defense was optional in the opening half for the Zips as Toledo shot a sizzling 51.9 percent during the first 20 minutes to take a 37-33 halftime lead. The Rockets outscored Akron 9-3 in the final four minutes of the half to take the lead. The two teams combined for 29 3-pointers in the opening half, but the real difference was Toledo's 18-8 advantage in the paint.

Taylor, a 6-9, 240-pond senior transfer from Marquette, had the size and the athleticism to counter Akron's 6-10, 290-pound senior Isaiah Johnson. Taylor had 10 points and seven rebounds at the half to Johnson's five points and three rebounds.

By the numbers: Toledo's record may not look like it, but the Rockets are much like Central Michigan, which is to say very strong on offense. UT entered the Akron game averaging 80.6 points a game in conference play, third best in the league. The Rockets are also decent on defense, sixth in the 12-team league allowing 77.0 points a game. Toledo is also the top field goal shooting team in the league at 50.5-percent.

Akron is second to the Rockets in field goal percentage at 47.4-percent. The Zips average more 3-pointers a game, 10.3 to 8.7 for Toledo. The Zips however are a tad better defensively, ninth in the MAC while Toledo is 10th.

Next up: Akron plays its second straight home game, 7 p.m. Friday, against Kent State before finishing the season with three of its final four games on the road. Toledo remains on the road at Northern Illinois on Saturday, then three of its final four games at home.

David Marsh's 26 points and 10 rebounds served a vital role in Avon Lake's boys basketball win at Olmsted Falls.

OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio – David Marsh has not won a conference title in his four years of playing basketball and football at Avon Lake.

His 26 points and 10 rebounds Tuesday night pulled him and his teammates closer to that feat. They left Olmsted Falls with a 65-62 victory that breaks up a four-way tie atop the Southwestern Conference standings. Avon Lake (14-6, 12-4) remains there with Avon (14-5, 12-4) and Berea-Midpark (13-6, 12-4).

Avon beat Amherst, 64-53, while Berea-Midpark topped North Olmsted, 71-60.

Only two games remain in the SWC’s gauntlet of 18, which was not lost on either Avon Lake coach Eric Smith or Olmsted Falls’ Chris DeLisio. But this one carried some weight.

It marked the Shoremen’s second victory against Falls and their 13th in 15 games. For Smith, this run validated what he told his players when they began the season at 1-4.

“This league is so good that everybody just beats up on each other,” Smith said. “We said the team that wins this league is going to have four or five losses.”

Count Marsh among those who heeded the coach’s words.

The 6-foot-3 senior used his frame to shift inside to beat up the Bulldogs (14-6, 11-5) near the basket. Last time they played, 6-6 senior teammate Barris Coleman reaped the benefits of a big game.

This time, Marsh took his turn. His game-high point total came with 14 points from junior guard Jordan Ball. Coleman added 12 points and five boards.

Jordan Ball has been potent for Avon Lake, but sat the bench late in half w/foul trouble. pic.twitter.com/PgO5AjOpLQ

— Matt Goul (@mgoul) February 15, 2017

“We had an advantage inside all night,” Marsh said. “We did last time. I think Barris had 20 points. They weren’t doubling down, which was an advantage.”

Olmsted Falls doesn’t have a player bigger than 6-2 sophomore Gavin Dietrich. Senior Josh Goodwin led Falls with 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Another sophomore, Braden Galaska, added 17 points and five boards. Sophomore guard Eric Hanna scored 13 with three 3s.

Lookin from first qtr, Goodwin to Hanna for 2 of his 11 - all in that qtr. pic.twitter.com/OwVNrFJ2Ms

— Matt Goul (@mgoul) February 15, 2017

The Bulldogs hit nine shots behind the 3-point arc, which helped them rally from a seven-point deficit early in the fourth quarter. They had a chance to send the game into overtime when Avon Lake was called for a five-second inbounding violation with 22.6 seconds left. Olmsted Falls took multiple shots at the basket, but could not convert them.

Avon Lake could breathe a sigh of relief.

For now.

There are still two more SWC games left.

“With the Tuesday and Friday and the Tuesday and Friday, there are no nights off,” Falls’ DeLisio said. “It’s a war of attrition to see who’s left standing.”

He hopes that means his team could still have a chance at the title. The Bulldogs play Friday at North Olmsted before closing the regular season Feb. 24 at Avon. Meanwhile, Avon Lake is at Midview on Friday before closing the regular season at home vs. North Olmsted a week later.

But at least a share of the SWC is closer for the Shoremen.

“That’s the one thing I said I wanted to do when I came in high school,” Marsh said, “and it’s our ultimate goal. It’s going to come down to the last game when Avon and Falls are playing each other, and we’re playing Midview and North Olmsted. They’re all teams that can beat each other on any night.”

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.

That blueprint worked Tuesday night, as the Cavs topped the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-108.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Cleveland Cavaliers know they can't replace All-Star power forward Kevin Love. If they are going to at least fill the void while he's sidelined for six weeks it will take a total team effort.

That blueprint worked Tuesday night, as the Cavs topped the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-108.

Cleveland's two other All-Stars, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, led a balanced scoring attack. Irving and James each scored 25 points. James also tallied a team-high 14 assists to go with eight rebounds. 

For one night, Channing Frye, who started in place of Love, looked like the ideal fill-in -- spacing the floor, canning 3-pointers and making sure the champs didn't miss Love's presence on the glass.

Frye matched his season high with 21 points, 14 of which came in the first half. He also added 10 rebounds, recording his second double-double of the season. 

Tristan Thompson also reached double figures, with 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

Derrick Williams, playing where his career started, chipped in with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting off the bench. 

"It wasn't too long ago that I got drafted here," Williams said prior to the game. "Every time I come back, I definitely want to play well."

All of the contributions were needed to fend off a second-half Timberwolves rally spurred by what has become a customary Andrew Wiggins' performance against the team that drafted him first overall in 2014.

Wiggins' buzzer-beating jumper tied the game at 93 going into the fourth quarter, but Williams scored first for the Cavs in the fourth and they never relinquished the lead.

Wiggins scored 37 points through the first three quarters, finishing with 41. It's his fourth 40-point game of his career, all coming this season. 

Karl-Anthony Towns poured in 26 points, as the Timberwolves shot 42-of-86 from the field. 

NEXT

The Cavaliers will return home for their final game before the All-Star break. They will play the Indiana Pacers, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. 

Jimmy Hall and Jaylin Walker combined for 41 points to lead Kent State.

Kent State forward Jimmy Hall shown here in a file photo, scored 21 points on Tuesday night against Miami of Ohio. Kent State 

KENT, Ohio (AP) -- Jimmy Hall scored 21 points, Jaylin Walker 20 and Deon Edwin sank three of four foul shots in the final seconds as Kent State held off a late Miami (Ohio) threat for a 76-72 victory on Tuesday night.

Michael Weathers scored a quick basket after a Miami timeout with five seconds left, slicing the gap to 74-72, and the RedHawks quickly fouled Edwin before time expired. But the senior made both to finish with 15 points, including 9 of 10 at the line.

Kent State (14-12, 6-7) Mid-American Conference) halted a two-game skid and remain in the thick of the congested MAC standings.

Michael Weathers led Miami with 22 points, and Marcus Weathers had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Miami (10-16, 3-10), which has yet to win on the road this season.

The top four teams in the final MAC standings receive a bye to the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament.

Will the Patriots part with Jimmy Garoppolo? How does David Lee's hiring impact the interest in Tyrod Taylor. These issues are tackled in this edition of Browns buzz. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A lot has transpired since the end of the Senior Bowl and the Super Bowl, and the Browns have been at the forefront of NFL news because of their No. 1 overall pick, Myles Garrett, Jimmy Garoppolo, Terrelle Pryor and more.

Here's some of the buzz we've been hearing from the past week:

1. Will the Patriots even part with Jimmy Garoppolo?

While teams such as the Browns and Bears will inquire about trading for the Patriots backup, at least two high-profile NFL experts don't think Bill Belichick will trade him.

Monday Morning Quarterback's Peter King, who spent time with Tom Brady at Brady's home in Montana after the Super Bowl, believes the Patriots will hang onto the 2014 second-round pick. In addition, Eric Mangini, former Browns coach and Patriots defensive coordinator, also doesn't see Belichick parting with the 2-0 backup -- and Mangini knows how his former boss thinks.

"No, I don't think so at all," Mangini told Colin Cowherd on FS1's The Herd, via the Boston Herald. "I don't think Bill's made very many mistakes -- especially in the quarterback area -- over time. Remember, his biggest one, his biggest decision early was to cut Bernie Kosar (because of) diminishing skills (in 1995 when Belichick coached the Browns).

"So he brings in Vinny Testaverde. Kosar goes and backs up in Dallas, Vinny actually takes the Jets to the AFC Championship Game. And he trades Drew Bledsoe -- there's a No. 1 draft pick. Drew had an OK time in Buffalo. That was a plus decision for New England. Then you get Matt Cassel for a (second-round pick), then you get Ryan Mallett for a sixth."

So even if the Browns are ready to deal, will the Patriots be?

2. What's next?

If the Browns can't land Garoppolo -- and they've got more ammunition than anyone to pull it off -- they'll move to their next set of options, which could include Tyrod Taylor, A.J. McCarron and Tony Romo. At this point, everything is on the table, and much will depend on who becomes available.

I believe the likelihood of acquiring Taylor increased last week when the Browns hired quarterbacks coach David Lee, who spent the past two years coaching Taylor in Buffalo, where he went 14-14. From what I understand, Lee likes Taylor a lot and would welcome continuing to work with him. By March 11, the Bills must decide if they'll stick with Taylor and guarantee him $30.75 million, release him, or try to renegotiate.

According to Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News, Taylor is unwilling to take a pay cut, and he and his agent, Adisa Bakari, are convinced there's as much or more available on the open market over the next three seasons.

A 2011 sixth-round pick of the Ravens out of Virginia Tech, Taylor made the Pro Bowl in 2015 when he went 8-6 with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions.

I believe Jackson would prefer to a start a veteran next season, because he can't stomach another 1-15 season.  I also think the Browns will release Robert Griffin III, probably before he's due a roster bonus March 11.

3. What about Mitch Trubisky?

One high-level NFL personnel executive told me this week that Mentor native Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina is the best quarterback in the 2017 class and that the Browns should take him No. 1 overall.

"He's as good as Carson Wentz, he's got a big arm and he's athletic,'' the executive told cleveland.com. "He's got a chance to be special, and I can't find holes in him. He's got a quick release, he's accurate and he's tough. He sees the entire field."

Not everyone agrees. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, who's hearing that Trubisky will measure closer to 6-1 at the combine than a listed 6-3, released his top five prospects at each position Tuesday, and he has Trubisky ranked third at QB. No. 1 is Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer and No. 2 is Clemson's DeShaun Watson. Rounding out the top five are Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech and Davis Webb of California.

"All three of these quarterbacks, to me, I would be scared to death in the top 10," Mayock told The College Draft podcast.

He added, "If (Trubisky is) so talented and gifted, and a top-10-type pick, one of the first questions a lot of teams are asking is, why couldn't he beat out Marquise Williams the last couple years at North Carolina? What's the answer to that one?"

4. Was Myles Garrett's video a dealbreaker?

Garrett said he was just joking when he asked the Cowboys to trade up with the Browns to draft him No. 1, and I don't believe the Browns will hold that against him. If they decide he's their man, they won't let that video, or the fact that Garrett said he doesn't want to play in cold weather, impact their draft board. The thing is, they must develop a comfort level with Garrett's game before they deem him worth of that top pick.

Many of his sacks came against lesser competition, including four of his 8 1/2 last season, and that's a concern to some. He also didn't make an impact in the Texas Bowl against Kansas State in December. Gregg Williams will have a lot of say on the defensive draft picks, and if he loves Garrett, that will carry a lot of weight. I've heard that others in the building believe he's a franchise-changer.

5. Terrelle Pryor's new deal

Both sides are motivated to get it done, and hope to finalize a new deal before the start of free agency March 9. Pryor can be franchised as soon as Wednesday, but the Browns don't want to do that. They have until March 1 to make that decision, which would pay him more than $15 million in 2017, and will hold off while trying to hammer out a long-term contract.

Pryor has told his agents, Drew and Jason Rosenhaus, that this is where he wants to be. A source told cleveland.com that 'strong discussions' will take place soon, meaning the Browns are set to make an offer he won't refuse.

6. Will the Browns match an offer for Isaiah Crowell?

Crowell is a restricted free agent, meaning the Browns can tender him and will then have a chance to match any offer. He can receive a first-round tender, second-round tender or a low tender. The higher the tender, the more he'll get paid if he plays it out. In the case of a first-round tender, the Browns would receive a first-round pick from the new team if they don't match the offer.

Talks between the Browns and Crowell's agents heated up during the season, but are currently at a standstill. In December, Jackson called Crowell "a key to our future.'' Crowell, an undrafted free agent in 2014, came just 48 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard season, and would've achieved the milestone easily had the Browns not fallen behind so much and scrapped the run. In six games, Crowell had 10 carries or fewer.

The Buckeyes fell to 15-12 (5-9 Big Ten) with a loss at Michigan State on Tuesday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Marc Loving was spotting up for a 3-pointer with Ohio State down seven points in the final five minutes of Tuesday night's game at Michigan State. The pass from Jae'Sean Tate was a little off the mark, and Loving couldn't get to the ball because a referee got in his way.

Turnover.

Also some bad luck for the Buckeyes, the kind that coach Thad Matta often laments in an "everything that can go wrong does" sort of way.

It was a tough break, but it was preceded on the same possession by JaQuan Lyle passing up an open corner 3, and Loving passing up on a layup. Those two plays, not the official getting in the way of Loving, are portraits of things that have been problematic for Ohio State all season. 

The effort in back-to-back road games was pretty good, the execution not so much. And those lapses led to losses. The Buckeyes had responses for a lot of what Michigan State did on Tuesday, but those failures in execution mounted up in a 74-66 loss in East Lansing.

Down 12 in the first two minutes of the second half, the Buckeyes clawed back to within one at 52-51 with 11:32 left on a bucket inside from Trevor Thompson.

Ohio State (15-12, 5-9 Big Ten) often had that kind of comeback to the Spartans' spurts on Tuesday, but not down the stretch. Michigan State put together a 12-2 run that included two instances of Ohio State getting in position for a defensive rebound, only to have the ball go off a Buckeye out of bounds and lead to a Spartan score.

Up seven inside of two minutes to play, Michigan State's Joshua Langford put back a miss with an emphatic dunk after nobody on Ohio State blocked him out to put the Spartans up 71-62 with 1:35 left. Finally, down seven again with 59 seconds left, the Buckeyes got a stop on a Tate steal, but Tate turned it over when he tried to push the ball up the floor to Lyle.

Those mistakes were compounded by the fact that Ohio State played a long stretch of the second half without Tate, their leading scorer who picked up his fourth foul early in the half. He, Trevor Thompson and Andre Wesson battled foul trouble and kept three key contributors on the bench too long in a game that required everyone firing for the Buckeyes.

Loving led Ohio State with 22 points, but struggled some on the defensive end having to guard Michigan State freshman star Miles Bridges. Bridges finished with 17, while Alvin Ellis led the team with 18 and Nick Ward added 15.

The Spartans were helped by 10 3-pointers, including six off the bench from Ellis. Kam Williams, Tate and Thompson -- three Ohio State starters -- combined to go 7-for-22 from the floor (31.8 percent).

What it means

Michigan State (16-10, 8-5) came in as a team on the NCAA Tournament bubble, and had to win. Ohio State came in as a team hoping it could play its way back onto the bubble, and it didn't.

The NIT became the Buckeyes' most likely postseason destination after they lost at Maryland on Saturday. Now it appears that's the only option, unless Ohio State can win the Big Ten Tournament.

But they have bigger things to worry about before that. Ohio State must now win its final four games to finish with a .500 conference record, and is still in danger of finishing below .500 overall in the regular season.

So really even the NIT isn't a guarantee right now. Three of Ohio State's final four games are at home.

Lyle returns

One good sign for Ohio State was getting Lyle back in the lineup. He missed the game against Maryland and was away from the team since last Thursday while dealing with a family emergency in Indiana. In 28 minutes on Tuesday night, Lyle finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two turnovers.

C.J. Jackson started his fourth game at point guard in place of Lyle.

Buckeyes weather early 3 barrage

Ohio State hung in the game early, even after Ellis made five-straight 3-pointers in a five-minute stretch of the first half that helped the Spartans push their lead to 21-12.

The Buckeyes managed to rally all the way back, taking a brief 24-23 lead on a Williams' 3 that capped a 10-0 run. Ohio State kept pace despite battling serious foul trouble. Tate and Wesson each had three fouls in the first half, while Thompson and Loving each had two.

But a cold streak from the Buckeyes sent Michigan State into the break with the lead.

Ohio State didn't have a made field goal in the final 3:53 of the half, a stretch that included misses at the rim from Lyle, Jackson and David Bell. Loving also missed the front end of two one-and-ones in those final minutes.

Michigan State led 40-34 at the half.

What's next?

Ohio State is back home on Saturday night against Nebraska. Tip-off from Value City Arena is set for 6 p.m., with the game televised on Big Ten Network.

Jesper Svensson is defending champion of the PBA Tournament of Champions.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Round 1 of full-field qualifying is today (Feb. 15) at the 52nd FireLake PBA Tournament of Champions at FireLake Bowling Center, FireLake Arena and the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort in Shawnee, Okla.

The TOC is the second of three consecutive PBA majors that will air live on ESPN in February. The TOC finals will be the only finals in 2017 held in an arena setting. The ESPN telecast begins at noon local time (1 p.m. ET) on Sunday.

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS LIVE SCORING

The nine-day TOC tournament program began last weekend with the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort Winter Open, a PBA Southwest Regional tournament, which also is a qualifying event for PBA Regional, PBA Women's Series and PBA50 Tour title winners who sought berths in the 96-player TOC field.

On Monday night, the PBA inducted former PBA Commissioner Mark Gerberich and three players -- Bryan Goebel of Shawnee, Kan.; Steve Hoskins of Tarpon Springs, Fla., and Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas -- into the PBA Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the Grand Casino.

The PBA revised its TOC schedule because of a logistical problem that delayed the arrival of one of the PBA's semi-trailers transporting bowling ball inventory and equipment from last week's Barbasol PBA Players Championship in Columbus, Ohio.

The official practice session was moved to Tuesday and the TOC officially begins today, a day later than planned. The TOC will be completed as planned, with only a minor adjustment in the format in order to complete the event in time for the televised finals.

Originally consisting of 40 qualifying games, the schedule was revised by reducing the third qualifying round from eight games to seven on Friday to accommodate an earlier start time. The Round of 24 will take place Friday evening. The final eight games of qualifying to determine the five stepladder finalists will begin Saturday morning.

Among those competing are former TOC winners Jason Belmonte, Pete Weber, Sean Rash, Kelly Kulick, Patrick Allen, Tommy Jones, Chris Barnes, Goebel, Norm Duke and defending champion Jesper Svensson. Kulick is the only woman ever with a PBA Tour title.

PBA Hall of Famers in the field include Weber, Duke, Goebel, Scroggins, Parker Bohn III and 57-year-old Walter Ray Williams Jr., who needs a TOC title to complete the PBA Triple Crown and Grand Slam.

All qualifying rounds of the TOC are covered on PBA's live streaming service, Xtra Frame (visit xtraframe.tv for subscription information). The live ESPN stepladder finals also will be live streamed on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN mobile app.

FIRELAKE PBA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS REMAINING SCHEDULE

(all times are local/CST; Eastern Time is 1 hour ahead)

Today
10 a.m. - A Squad, 8 qualifying games.
4 p.m. - B squad, 8 qualifying games.
                                                                                                    
Thursday, Feb. 16
10 a.m. - A Squad, 8 qualifying games.
4 p.m. - B Squad, 8 qualifying games.
                                                                                                    
Friday, Feb. 17
8 a.m. - A squad (bottom half of field after 16 games), 7 qualifying games.
1 p.m. - B squad (top half of field after 16 games), 7 qualifying games.
             Top 24 after 23 games advance to Round of 24
6 p.m. - Top 24, 8 qualifying games
             Top 16 based on 31 games advance to Round of 16

Saturday, Feb. 18
9 a.m. - Top 16, 8 qualifying games                              
            Top five after 39 games advance to ESPN stepladder finals
3 p.m. - PBA TOC Experience Pro-Am
                                    
Sunday, Feb. 19, FireLake Arena
Noon (1 p.m. EST) - Live ESPN stepladder finals.

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

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

Akr. Hoban 55, Can. Cent. Cath. 46

Akr. SVSM 72, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 43

Albany Alexander 55, Southeastern 29

Alliance 71, Akr. Coventry 60

Alliance Marlington 61, Austintown Fitch 59

Arcanum 68, Milton-Union 35

Arlington 79, Dola Hardin Northern 32

Attica Seneca E. 59, Fostoria St. Wendelin 27

Atwater Waterloo 53, Sebring McKinley 51

Avon 64, Amherst Steele 53

Avon Lake 65, Olmsted Falls 62

Barberton 60, Kent Roosevelt 31

Bedford 58, Elyria Cath. 57

Bellbrook 47, Camden Preble Shawnee 44

Beloit W. Branch 93, Hanoverton United 77

Belpre 65, Crown City S. Gallia 62, 2OT

Berea-Midpark 71, N. Olmsted 60

Bethel-Tate 59, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 43

Blanchester 58, Lees Creek E. Clinton 39

Bloom-Carroll 45, Ashville Teays Valley 29

Boyd Co., Ky. 64, Chesapeake 61

Burton Berkshire 53, Perry 40

Canal Fulton Northwest 74, Ravenna 47

Canfield 71, Streetsboro 61

Canfield S. Range 65, Youngs. Mooney 43

Capital, W.Va. 90, Ironton 62

Carlisle 69, W. Alexandria Twin Valley S. 61

Castalia Margaretta 54, Milan Edison 46, OT

Centerville 63, Beavercreek 38

Chardon 64, Chagrin Falls Kenston 58

Chardon NDCL 80, Chesterland W. Geauga 72

Chillicothe 74, Chillicothe Unioto 48

Cin. Glen Este 46, Cin. Anderson 43

Cin. Hills Christian Academy 68, Cin. Shroder 65

Cin. Indian Hill 51, Batavia Amelia 36

Cin. La Salle 58, Day. Chaminade Julienne 43

Cin. N. College Hill 79, Cin. Oyler 60

Cin. Oak Hills 65, Cin. Sycamore 42

Cin. Purcell Marian 79, Cin. Country Day 74

Cin. Summit Country Day 70, Hamilton Badin 47

Cin. Walnut Hills 71, Loveland 49

Cin. Western Hills 70, Cin. NW 46

Cin. Withrow 64, Cin. Turpin 49

Circleville Logan Elm 61, Amanda-Clearcreek 37

Clarksville Clinton-Massie 71, Monroe 54

Cle. E. Tech 81, Orange 50

Cols. Bexley 42, Cols. Grandview Hts. 35

Cols. Briggs 62, Cols. Centennial 47

Cols. Hamilton Twp. 51, Baltimore Liberty Union 46

Cols. Mifflin 58, Delaware Buckeye Valley 36

Cols. Upper Arlington 59, Cols. Wellington 49

Cols. Walnut Ridge 61, Canal Winchester Harvest Prep 50

Copley 102, Aurora 57

Cornerstone Christian 83, Ashtabula Edgewood 60

Corning Miller 64, Reedsville Eastern 54

Cortland Lakeview 55, Newton Falls 35

Coshocton 57, W. Lafayette Ridgewood 36

Covington 51, New Bremen 41

Creston Norwayne 71, Millersburg W. Holmes 50

Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 50, Navarre Fairless 30

Cuyahoga Hts. 47, Kirtland 45

Doylestown Chippewa 75, Hartville Lake Center Christian 60

Dresden Tri-Valley 65, Crooksville 50

Elida 44, Bellefontaine 40

Elyria 78, Strongsville 75

Fairfield Christian 57, Chillicothe Zane Trace 49

Fairview 41, LaGrange Keystone 37

Gahanna Christian 72, Tree of Life 60

Gahanna Cols. Academy 53, London 38

Galion Northmor 72, Bellville Clear Fork 62

Gallipolis Gallia 54, Jackson 49

Galloway Westland 78, Cols. Horizon Science 63

Garfield Hts. 91, Cle. MLK 62

Garfield Hts. Trinity 59, Parma Normandy 53

Gates Mills Gilmour 63, Chagrin Falls 58

Geneva 57, Andover Pymatuning Valley 44

Glouster Trimble 76, Wahama, W.Va. 68

Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 62, Wooster Triway 61

Granville Christian 40, Shekinah Christian 38

Greenfield McClain 67, Lynchburg-Clay 47

Hamilton 60, Cin. Colerain 56

Hamilton Ross 56, Goshen 46

Harrison 49, N. Bend (Cleves) Taylor 47

Hebron Lakewood 43, Sugar Grove Berne Union 5

Hilliard Bradley 60, Logan 50

Hilliard Darby 43, Mt. Vernon 37

Hilliard Davidson 30, Cols. Watterson 24

Houston 56, Bradford 40

Hubbard 62, Brookfield 38

Hudson WRA 60, Warren JFK 59

Hunting Valley University 83, Cle. Collinwood 68

Jeromesville Hillsdale 72, Bellville Clear Fork 62

Johnstown Northridge 66, W. Jefferson 47

Kettering Alter 74, Cin. Hills Christian Academy 34

Kidron Cent. Christian 40, E. Can. 39

Lakewood 54, Grafton Midview 53

Lancaster 65, Cols. DeSales 63

Lancaster Fairfield Union 75, Circleville 42

Latham Western 68, Chillicothe Huntington 62

Leavittsburg LaBrae 95, Niles McKinley 69

Lebanon 58, Trenton Edgewood 44

Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 60, Dublin Scioto 58

Liberty Center 70, Edon 65

Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 41, Middletown 33

Lima Perry 66, Miller City 48

Lima Sr. 56, Findlay 53, OT

Lorain Clearview 76, Medina Buckeye 67

Louisville 60, N. Can. Hoover 45

Lowellville 65, E. Palestine 62

Madison 73, Mayfield 47

Mantua Crestwood 69, Lodi Cloverleaf 41

Maple Hts. 92, Cle. Hts. Lutheran E. 83

Marion Harding 63, Marysville 49

Mason 50, Cin. Princeton 44

Massillon Jackson 80, Wooster 52

Massillon Washington 93, Louisville Aquinas 91, 2OT

Maumee 69, Napoleon 55

McConnelsville Morgan 70, Athens 60

Miamisburg 63, Fairborn 56

Middlefield Cardinal 93, Southington Chalker 73

Milford 55, Kings Mills Kings 41

Mogadore 70, Windham 46

N. Royalton 70, Macedonia Nordonia 39

New Concord John Glenn 72, Thornville Sheridan 42

New Lexington 65, Zanesville W. Muskingum 57

Northwestern, Pa. 67, Conneaut 58

Oak Harbor 61, Kansas Lakota 36

Oberlin 67, Sullivan Black River 45

Old Fort 61, Elmore Woodmore 60

Oregon Stritch 73, Monclova Christian 39

Orrville 61, Akr. Manchester 59, OT

Orrville 61, Manchester 59, OT

Pandora-Gilboa 64, McComb 46

Parma 61, Cle. Lincoln W. 45

Peebles 65, Lucasville Valley 54

Perrysburg 61, Sylvania Northview 51

Philo 60, Zanesville Maysville 50

Piqua 64, Greenville 56

Plain City Jonathan Alder 61, Spring. Kenton Ridge 50

Poland Seminary 70, Campbell Memorial 25

Reynoldsburg 46, Cols. Hartley 33

Richfield Revere 48, Akr. Kenmore 33

Ridgeway Ridgemont 71, Crestline 57

Rootstown 36, Akr. Springfield 35

S. Charleston SE 66, Legacy Christian 52

S. Webster 64, Portsmouth 38

Salem 83, Columbiana Crestview 34

Sandusky 62, Norwalk 54

Sardinia Eastern Brown 61, Georgetown 40

Shelby 75, Willard 40

Sidney Lehman 55, Union City Mississinawa Valley 47

Smithville 72, Norton 54

Spring. Shawnee 45, Washington C.H. 24

Springfield 69, Kettering Fairmont 51

St. Paris Graham 78, Mechanicsburg 51

Stow-Munroe Falls 68, Cuyahoga Falls 54

Struthers 69, Youngs. Liberty 52

Sunbury Big Walnut 63, Pataskala Watkins Memorial 48

Sycamore Mohawk 57, Fremont St. Joseph 42

Sylvania Southview 78, Holland Springfield 57

Tallmadge 66, Medina Highland 57

Tiffin Columbian 59, Bellevue 35

Tol. Cent. Cath. 66, Oregon Clay 49

Tol. Ottawa Hills 69, Northwood 45

Tol. St. John's 74, Tol. St. Francis 47

Tol. Whitmer 52, Fremont Ross 43

Tontogany Otsego 60, Gibsonburg 49

Troy 51, Tipp City Tippecanoe 41

Twinsburg 49, Hudson 43

Vandalia Butler 53, Sidney 47

Vincent Warren 76, Minford 49

W. Chester Lakota W. 56, Fairfield 55, 2OT

Wadsworth 53, Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 39

Warrensville Hts. 66, Cle. JFK 36

Warsaw River View 55, Newcomerstown 46

Washington C.H. Miami Trace 72, McArthur Vinton County 65

Waterford 63, Racine Southern 50

Waverly 57, McDermott Scioto NW 51

West Salem Northwestern High School 67, Conneaut 58

Westlake 48, N. Ridgeville 41

Wheelersburg 60, Wellston 44

Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 58, Bowling Green 46

Wickliffe 69, Fairport Harbor Harding 51

Willoughby S. 45, Painesville Riverside 39

Worthington Christian 54, Whitehall-Yearling 49

Xenia 104, W. Carrollton 67

Youngs. Boardman 83, Ashtabula Lakeside 56

Youngs. East 71, Akr. Garfield 64

Youngs. Valley Christian 81, Mineral Ridge 61

Zanesville 55, Cambridge 50

Zanesville Rosecrans 88, Millersport 44

Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 49, Massillon Tuslaw 36

University, W.Va. 105, Lisbon Beaver 50

Byesville Meadowbrook 74, Richmond Edison 49

Steubenville 90, Rayland Buckeye 56

Lore City Buckeye Trail 68, Beverly Ft. Frye 66, OT

Martins Ferry 58, Linsly, W.Va. 55, OT

Shadyside 60, Toronto 46

Wheeling Central, W.Va. 58, Hannibal River 52

Wellsville 72, Trinity, W.Va. 44

Bellaire 78, Steubenville Cath. Cent. 71

Bellaire St. John 73, Hundred, W.Va. 57

Belmont Union Local 60, Sarahsville Shenandoah 37

Bowerston Conotton Valley 89, Barnesville 83

Cadiz Harrison Cent. 80, Bridgeport 53

Caldwell 58, Paden City, W.Va. 43

Cameron, W.Va. 79, Woodsfield Monroe Cent. 68

St. Clairsville 70, Wheeling Park, W.Va. 65, OT

Weir, W.Va. 64, E. Liverpool 49

Wintersville Indian Creek 52, John Marshall, W.Va. 44

Groveport Madison Christian vs. New Hope Christian, ppd.

Youngs. Ursuline vs. Warren Harding, ppd. to Feb 15.

Frye got the first crack and he was back in his comfort zone, bombing away from 3-point range.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't need (Kevin) Love on Valentine's Day.

But that doesn't mean the team isn't missing its four-time NBA All-Star.

"I just texted him and said, 'Man, this is too much.' I promise you I did," Channing Frye said in the locker room after Tuesday's 116-108 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. "I was like, 'Man, I don't know how you do this. I need something to eat.' Your boy is tired. I have huge respect for Kevin. We miss him. He'll be all right."

If Tuesday is any indication, the Cavs will be as well.

"The coaching staff is going to give us a game plan and it's up to us to go out and execute it," LeBron James said. "One thing we can always rely on is we've played without Kev before. We've had to do that in the playoffs and as much as you don't like to play without your big guns sometimes if it happens then you are just ready for it.

"The acquisition of Derrick (Williams) is going to help us, but Channing stepped up tonight in the absence. Tristan (Thompson) is his normal self and to get Shump (Iman Shumpert) back, another body, that helped us a lot as well."

Earlier in the day, James first attempted to calm any nerves about the six-week stretch coming up without Love, saying as long as he's on the court the Cavs will be fine. Head coach Tyronn Lue said it would take a committee to replace Love, who was averaging 20.0 points and 11.1 rebounds prior to his injury.

Frye, originally acquired last February to space the floor, has been forced into a different role from time to time this season.

As Lue explained before the game, without a ball hander for the second unit (it was Matthew Dellavedova last season), Frye's played more pick-and-roll with James, who has become the group's primary ball handler. Last year, James served as the roller, diving towards the basket, as Frye popped out to the 3-point stripe. This season, Frye is rolling to the basket more.

"That's what they need from me so that's what I'm going to try to do," Frye said of his duty with the second unit. "I'm still trying more and I'm going to get better eventually. They're going to keep yelling at me and I'm going to keep doing it.

"Last year I think I told you guys the biggest thing I wanted to do was have an impact in the Finals so regardless if we go there or not I want to be ready for that. That's my motivation every day -- making sure I'm doing the right things and playing the right way and getting better."

In the starting lineup, playing alongside Thompson -- the team's primary roller -- Frye was able to get off to a quick start from long range, scoring six points in the first quarter. He had 14 in the first half en route to a 21-point night, matching his season high.

On Tuesday, Frye shot 7-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-11 from beyond the arc. It's the fourth time in the last two months he's made that many triples.

"He was good," Lue said. "We started him the last time against Minnesota at home too and he played well. They have basically two 5s playing out there. He's going to be popping back, they're going to be helping a lot, they're help-oriented getting to the paint. He's going to be wide open."

Lue keeps pointing to matchups when discussing Love's fill-in and maybe there isn't a consistent answer. Tuesday with Frye worked in the Cavs' favor so Lue will try it again Wednesday in the final game before the All-Star break. Then he will consider all options, including James Jones, Richard Jefferson and maybe even Williams -- depending on the opponent's lineup. 

But Frye's play made a strong case, logging a season-high 33 minutes while showing how much more effective he can be when asked play his natural game, something that, believe it or not, has changed since the acquisition of Kyle Korver.

"Damn Kyle," Frye said with a laugh. "I'm usually the best shooter on the court so they don't make me roll. But now with old stupidface here, now I've got to do it even more. No, it's good. It's good for us, it's good for me. It's who I'm supposed to be as a player and just going out there and having fun."

The Cavs kept rolling into the All-Star break, building momentum for the stretch run with a 116-108 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Cleveland Cavaliers played their first game in what is expected to be a six-week stretch without Kevin Love.

And despite being short-handed, down two starters now, very little changed. The Cavs kept rolling into the All-Star break, building momentum for the stretch run with a 116-108 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Here are five observations:

Playing like Jason Kidd -- It's always interesting to see what head coach Tyronn Lue's rotation looks like after an injury.

In the case of Love going down, Lue opted for Channing Frye as starter.

But even with that change, Lue stuck with his usual start-of-the-second-quarter group, making sure he pulled both LeBron James and Frye in the final few minutes of the first period so both players, key members of Cleveland's second group, could start the second quarter.

And as per usual, the five-man unit ignited Cleveland's decisive quarter. Down by four, the Cavs started the quarter on a 10-5 run. They ended up scoring 43 points.

Playing with that group has allowed James to flourish, with Lue comparing his star to the guy with the third-most triple-doubles in NBA history: Jason Kidd.

"I think playing with that second unit getting his spacing," Lue said. "He gets the chance to rebound the basketball kind of like Jason Kidd just push it. He gets to the paint a lot with that second unit with Channing, (Kyle) Korver, R.J. (Richard Jefferson) and those guys on the floor. That's when he really gets aggressive in that second quarter. In the first quarter he comes out, feels the game out, gets guys involved early, and then in that second quarter he's still making plays, but he ramps his offense up."

That's exactly what happened Tuesday.

After scoring one point and taking just two shots in the first quarter, James tallied 13 on 6-of-7 from the field in the second. He added six assists, putting his imprint on the game before finishing with 25 points and 14 helpers.

Getting 3-pointer back -- Remember last year's postseason run when teams went under screens, believing James' jumper was damaged? Remember when teams dared him to shoot jumpers, prove that he could knock down 3-pointers consistently?

After shooting 30.6 percent from beyond the arc last year, James went to work this off-season.

"Just repetition," he said. "Just working on it. Just trusting in it and being efficient."

That's a great description. This season, James is connecting on 38 percent, the best he has shot from long range since the 2012-13 season with Miami. On Tuesday, he went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, including a dagger with 2:05 left in the game.

Clinging to a three-point advantage, James got a switch, being guarded by the bigger Gorgui Dieng, who plays his best defense near the rim. James dribbled to get his rhythm, stepped to his left and buried the triple.

Six-point lead. Another late-game 3 by James.

Perhaps that's the best part of his improvement. He's shooting 43.4 percent from beyond the arc in the final period.

James -- and the Cavs -- have talked about making sure they peak at the right time. It's happening. In February, James is averaging 26.6 points, 62.4 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from 3-point range, 11.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds. Cleveland has won six of seven.

"For me it has been a good month so far and for our team -- after a not-so-good January," he said. "We've got one more game tomorrow, the break is coming up and I think we all can use it. Just get ready for the later stage of the season and prepare for the playoffs. I've always looked forward to after the break. It's my favorite part."

Bombs away -- It wasn't just James launching from deep against the Timberwolves. 

Irving, Iman Shumpert, Korver and Frye all made at least a pair of 3-pointers. Frye led the way with four.

"You just have to step up and just trying to be aggressive, trying to go get the ball and just trying to step up and help us win," Frye said.

The Cavs went 13-of-39. Over the last two years, they are 31-15 when making at least 12 triples.

Frye goes back to old role, makes case to be Love's fill-in

Valentine's Day gift -- Irving couldn't wait to leave Minnesota. After his atypical 10-of-27 shooting night, which included a chilly 2-of-10 from beyond the arc, Irving ran off the floor, leading fans to wonder whether Irving had suffered the team's latest injury.

Not quite.

"Yeah, I'm ready to get home," Irving said. "I'm ready to get home. I'm not feeling well. I'm going to go give this cold to my girlfriend."

Who needs chocolates or roses, right? Germs are apparently the way to go this year.

"A very kind Valentine's Day (gift)," Irving joked.

Getting some revenge -- Derrick Williams had a few different jerseys hanging inside his locker.

The new gold No. 3 was obviously there. But he also had some, one in each color, from his Minnesota days, as his mom likes to collect them and frame them. Given the number of teams Williams has played for in his career, that's got to be quite the collection.

He also left the Target Center, a place he called home for the first two and a half years of his career, with another strong performance against the Wolves.

"Every single time I'm out there with the guys we want to get a win but I think this one was definitely, it's always extra special whenever we come back here and get the win," he said.

Williams scored 13 points on 5-of-7 from the field to go with six rebounds.

"He fits perfectly," James said. "Energy and effort. Those West Coast guys love to run the floor and my little league coaches used to tell me I look like a West Coast guy because I like to run the floor as well so we fit in perfect."

Since Progressive Field opened in 1994 when it was called Jacobs Field, it has produced memories and moments for all who have attended Indians' games there. Here are beat writer Paul Hoynes' Top 10 moments. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ballparks are fertile ground for the memory.

One game, one play, one swing of the bat lodges in the limbic system of the brain and sticks. All it takes is a conversation or a nudge to one of your senses to bring it back.

Progressive Field opened in April 4, 1994. It was called Jacobs Field then and wouldn't become Progressive Field until January of 2008.

The Indians have played 23 seasons there since leaving ancient Municipal Stadium. They've won eight AL Central titles and three pennants, but no World Series titles during their stay on the corner of Ontario and Carnegie.

Twice they've reached Game 7 of the World Series and twice they've lost in extra innings. They fell to the Marlins in the 11^th inning in 1997 and last year to the Cubs in the 10^th inning.

The Indians' great players are honored throughout the ballpark with retired numbers, statues, the Heritage Park Hall of Fame, murals and video tributes. For each exalted player, a ballpark should hold an equal measure of disappointment for all the seasons that ended in disappointment and for all the can't-miss players who never bloomed.

Progressive Field has all of that and more. Good ghosts and bad. That's why it is such a comfortable place to watch a game.

With that in mind, here are my Top 10 Progressive Field moments. You can compare them, if you wish, to those voted on by the fans.

10. Albert Belle hits a game-winning grand slam off Lee Smith.

On July 18, 1995, Carlos Baerga drew a walk in the ninth inning to load the bases off Angels' closer Lee Smith. On his way to first base, Baerga turned and screamed at Belle to do what Belle always seemed to do.

Belle, with the Indians down, 5-3, hit a game-winning grand slam over the center field wall for a 7-5 win. "He hit it into the barbecue pit," said Smith after the game.

9. Manny Ramirez hits a game-winning homer off Oakland's Dennis Eckersley.

On July 16, 1995, just two days before Belle's slam, Ramirez hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 12^th inning off Eckersley, the Hall of Fame closer, for a 5-4 victory. The A's took a 4-3 lead in the top of the inning, but Ramirez sent Eckersley's 2-2 pitch deep into the left field bleachers.

As Eckersley walked off the field, he could only say, "Wow!' The Indians, playing in a strike-shortened 144-game season, won 100 games that year.

No. 8. Jason Giambi delivers at crunch time.

Giambi, on Sept. 24, 2013, came off the bench and hit a game-winning two-run, two-out pinch-hit homer off White Sox's closer Addison Reed in the ninth inning for a 5-4 victory. In the top of the ninth, closer Chris Perez allowed two homers to erase the Tribe's 3-2 lead.

The win helped the Indians sustain their season-ending 10-game winning streak. They needed every one of those wins to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2007.

No. 7. Eddie Murray secures first World Series win since 1948.

The Indians opened the 1995 World Series against Atlanta with two straight losses. They were playing in their first Fall Classic since 1954 and it looked like it was going to end the same way - on the wrong-end of a four-game sweep.

Murray, however, singled home the winning run in the 11th inning for the Tribe's first World Series victory since Game 6 of the 1948 World Series.

6. Oakland's Mark McGwire says "This Bud is for me.'

In the third inning on April 30, 1997, McGwire hit a 485-foot homer off Orel Hershiser. The ball reached the left field bleachers, hovered there like a Trevor Bauer drone, before hitting the after burner. It slammed into the red Budweiser sign above the bleachers, leaving a dent near the letter 'i.'

The next day Paul Assenmacher, Hershiser's teammate, made the long climb to the top of the bleachers to inspect the damage. He caught Hershiser's attention on the field during batting practice. Hershiser responded with an obscene gesture.

It is the second longest homer ever hit at Progressive Field.

5. Sandy Alomar saves the day.

The Indians were four outs from elimination in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees on Oct. 5, 1997. Alomar, in the best season of his career, changed the Tribe's fate by hitting a game-tying homer off Super Closer Mariano Rivera in the eighth inning. The Indians won it in the ninth and eliminated the Yankees the next day in Game 5.

4. Kenny Lofton soars like Superman.

On a Sunday afternoon on Aug. 4, 1996, the Indians were coasting to a 14-2 victory over Baltimore. In the eighth inning B.J. Surhoff sent a long fly ball to center field. Lofton tracked the ball to the fence, scaled it and stretched over the top of it to steal a home run from Surhoff.

After the game, Lofton said he felt like an invisible hand gave him an extra lift as he imitated Superman.

3. When all seemed lost, Rajai Davis rang the bell.

In the Game 7 of the World Series on Nov. 2, 2016, the Indians were down, 6-3, with two outs in the eighth inning. Aroldis Chapman, he of the 100 mph fastball, relieved, but allowed an RBI double to Brandon Guyer. Then Davis, choked way up on the bat, turned a seven-pitch at-bat into a game-tying two-run homer.

Progressive Field shook with the shrieks of Indians' fans and the curses Cubs' fans. The Cubs won the title, 8-7, in 10 innings, but anyone who was there will never forget the prehistoric roar that followed Davis' homer.

No.2. Tony Pena delivers an early-morning present.

When Pena's family dropped him off at Progressive Field on the afternoon of Oct. 3, 1995, he gave them a heads up. "I told them I felt like I was going to do something big in the game," said Pena.

Several hours later, in fact it was just after 2 a.m. the next morning, Pena turned his words into reality. He hit a game-winning homer off Boston's Zane Smith with two out in the 13th inning for a 5-4 victory. It was the Tribe's first  postseason game in 41 years.

No. 1. There's no time like the first time.

My top Progressive Field memory was the first game ever played there on April 4, 1994. Seattle's Randy Johnson was throwing a no-hitter on opening day and who should be in the press box watching?

None other than Indians Hall of Famer Bob Feller, still the only pitcher in history to throw an opening day no-hitter. As Johnson kept the Indians hitless, reporters kept stopping to talk with Feller. If Rapid Robert was nervous he was doing a good job hiding it.

Sandy Alomar ended the suspense with a one-out single in the eighth. Wayne Kirby gave the Indians a 5-4 win with a single in the 11^th inning.

Doug, Ari and Bill open up the Ohio State mailbag to talk about J.T. Barrett, Greg Schiano, Michigan and everything Buckeyes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- We opened up the Ohio State mailbag on the latest edition of our Buckeye Talk Podcast. Doug Lesmerises, Ari Wasserman and Bill Landis hit the following Buckeyes topics:

* Michigan recently hired a high school coach (who just happens to be the father of a talented 2019 quarterback). Would Ohio State ever do the same?

* How much longer will defensive coordinator Greg Schiano be at Ohio State?

* Will Kevin Wilson have more power than previous Ohio State offensive coordinators, and how does new quarterbacks coach Ryan Day fit in?

* How much better can J.T. Barrett get before the 2017 season?

* How much will Ohio State's offensive line improve next season?

We talked about that, and a lot more in the podcast, which you can listen to below:

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

We appreciate your continued listening to our Buckeye Talks Podcast, and helping it grow over the last year. If your interests go beyond the Buckeyes, give a listen to our new all-Cleveland sports podcast: Takes by The Lake.

Cleveland Indians' Terry Francona has much to smile about in 2017 with the return of a healthy starting rotation and the addition of a couple key players

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Manager Terry Francona and the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians have much to be upbeat about as spring training begins in Goodyear, Ariz.

Not only do they get a healthy starting rotation back in the form of Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin, the bullpen has all the major players back including lefty Andrew Miller.

The offense could be even better with the pick up of free agent hitter Edward Encarnacion and the hoped for return to full strength of Michael Brantley from shoulder problems the last two years.

In short, the forecast for Cleveland is sunny.

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

Say the Cavs focused on resting LeBron James and others and went 14-14 the rest of the way. Wouldn't they still be the favorite in the East, and maybe more prepared for the playoffs?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers beat Minnesota on Tuesday night and moved to 38-16 on the season with 28 games left in the regular season.

Say the Cavs lost half their remaining games.

Would that be so bad?

The following is an absolute worst-case scenario for the Cavs, which includes a 14-14 mark through the end of the year with LeBron James sitting at least four full games as part of a rest plan that Tyronn Lue somehow finally managed to force on him.

Lue said Tuesday he won't run James into the ground just because Kevin Love is out for six weeks. James said, "I'll rest when I retire."

Maybe getting James to curtail his minutes or sit out some more - he's missed three games so far, but has played in 24 straight, logging at least 40 minutes in 10 of those 24 - is a fantasy. But it's one worth pursuing.

With Love now joining J.R. Smith on the sideline, what should be the priority? The best record and highest seed possible, at nearly any cost? Or does losing two guys out of the starting lineup send the message that maybe rest should move to the top of the list, seed be darned?

The 14-14 idea here would be rest heavy, and good for James. Kyrie Irving could get some rest as well, while Smith and then Love could ease back into the lineup after their recoveries.

In this unlikely scenario, Boston, Washington and Atlanta finish strong, while Toronto, following the Raptors' trade for Serge Ibaka, absolutely catches fire. 

And even this world is one where the Cavs should get to the NBA Finals, maybe in better shape than if they push for the No. 1 seed.

Let's imagine this, first by starting with the current standings that matter in the Eastern Conference.

1. Cavs, 38-16

2. Boston, 36-19, 2.5 back

3. Washington, 33-21, 5 back

4. Atlanta, 32-23, 6.5 back

5. Toronto, 32-24, 7 back

Now, let's move ahead, examining schedules and projecting records for the Cavs and their four closest competitors.

*****

* Projected standings on Feb. 28

1. Cavs, 41-17

2. Boston, 40-20, 2 back

3. Washington, 37-21, 4 back

4. Atlanta, 35-24, 6.5 back

5. Toronto, 35-25, 7 back

After beating Indiana on Wednesday night to go into the All-Star break, the Cavs come off the break with home wins over the Knicks and Chicago, then lose at home to pesky Milwaukee before embarking on a big road stretch.

*****

* Projected standings on March 13

1. Boston, 45-22, 1 up

2. Cavs, 43-22

3. Washington, 43-23, 0.5 back

4. Atlanta, 40-26, 3.5 back

5. Toronto, 40-26, 3.5 back

The Cavs plays six of seven on the road, including two-back-to-backs. They bring James to Miami on March 4 after playing Atlanta on March 3, but he watches the game against the Heat. Smith returns and eases into the lineup, but in anticipation of a game at Houston on March 12, James also sits against Orlando on March 11. Irving gets a day off in there, too, and with the breaks, and some solid efforts by other East playoff teams, the Cavs go 2-5 in in these seven. But James is catching a breather. Meanwhile, the Celtics lose at the Clippers and Warriors but get some other soft wins on their West Coast swing and take over the top spot in the East, as Washington gains ground as well.

*****

* Projected standings on April 1

1. Boston 52-24, 2.5 up

2. Washington 50-26, 0.5 up

3. Cavs, 49-26

4. Toronto, 49-27, 0.5 back

5. Atlanta 47-28, 2 back

The Cavs are ready for the return of Love, but March has been a grind. Six of the last 10 games in the month are on the road, and overall 12 of 17 games in the month are away. James has his minutes limited on an L.A. back-to-back against the Clippers and Lakers, then skips a Charlotte trip to prep for a home game with Washington the next night. The Cavs win that big one against the Wizards, who still have moved into the No. 2 seed. Toronto, with seven of 10 at home to end March, also makes a run.

*****

* Projected standings end of regular reason on April 12

1. Boston, 55-27, 3 up

2. Washington, 53-29, 1 up

3. Toronto, 53-29, 1 up

4. Atlanta, 52-30, tied

5. Cavs, 52-30

The Cavs are finding themselves with the lineup back together, but still lose at surging Boston. They split a home-and-home with Atlanta and come to the final game of the regular season at home against Toronto tied with the Raptors. Kyle Lowry throws in a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to hand the Cavs a one-point loss, as they finish 52-30. That's a game behind the Wizards and Raptors and tied with Atlanta, which won the season series 3-1 (and actually leads it 1-0 right now). The tiebreaker gives the Hawks the No. 4 seed and homecourt on the Cavs in the first round, with Boston looming in the conference semis.

Final breakdown

Crazy? Yes. These final standings would require these records from now until the end of the season:

Boston, 19-8 

Washington, 20-8 

Toronto, 21-5 

Atlanta, 20-7 

Cavs, 14-14

But here's the point. 

The Cavs road ahead won't be the easy regardless, with 13 home games remaining and 15 on the road. 

There are seven games left with these other top four teams in the East.

There are four to play against the top five teams in the West, including trips to San Antonio, Houston the Clippers.

There are seven division games remaining, and so far the Cavs are a combined 4-5 against Indiana, Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee.

And for most of this, the Cavs won't be at their best. Optimistically, they should have both Smith and Love in the lineup for nine of the final 28 games.

What would 52-30 be? Just five games worse than last year. One game worse than 2014-15.

In the last 17 years, the lowest seeds to make the NBA Finals were Dallas in 2006 and Boston in 2010 as No. 4 seeds. But this Cavs team wouldn't be your average No. 5 seed.

No team wants to completely shut it down and then have to get back in gear for the playoffs. But rhe Cavs could scale back and still manage better than 14-14 the rest of the way. Boston, Washington, Toronto and Atlanta all playing better than .700 ball at the same time is also a near impossibility.

But even if that happened, the No. 5 seed is the bottom. A No. 2 or No. 3 seed is much more likely. Even as a No. 5 seed, the Cavs would be the favorites in the East. And they'd be rested. 

Listen to Avon Lake coach Eric Smith describe the Southwestern Conference after his team’s 65-62 win Tuesday night at Olmsted Falls, and it might resemble a 10-car pileup.

OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio – Ten teams can be their own worst enemy.

At least for now.

Listen to Avon Lake coach Eric Smith describe the Southwestern Conference after his team’s 65-62 win Tuesday night at Olmsted Falls, and it might resemble a 10-car pileup.

“This league is so good that everybody just beats up on each other,” he said.

Perhaps that is why four teams — his Shoremen, Olmsted Falls, Berea-Midpark and Avon — entered Tuesday tied for the SWC lead. Westlake is just a game behind, as is Olmsted Falls following its loss.

The knock-down, drag-out affair of the SWC isn’t a bad thing to Smith or his counterpart at Olmsted Falls, Chris DeLisio. Both said they think a payoff is ahead — regardless of how this race shakes out.

“If this league doesn’t prepare you for the postseason, nothing’s going to prepare you for the postseason,” Smith said. “Every game is a two- or three-point game.”

The majority of these teams will be headed to the Division I Elyria Catholic District, which is headlined by defending champion Lorain, the fourth-ranked team in the cleveland.com Top 25.

RELATED: District seeding takeaways.

Nine of the SWC’s 10 teams (Lakewood heads to Strongsville) are in the EC bracket. So expect more SWC teams to beat up SWC teams.

SOUND FAMILIAR?

Make it three straight comebacks for No. 11 Maple Heights. The Mustangs rallied from 10 points against Lutheran East for a 92-83 win. Fonse Hale led Maple Heights with 30 points and seven assists. Tyree Harris had 17 points, while Daray Menefield added 13 points and 12 rebounds.

The effort follows last week’s double-digit comebacks at No. 25 Brecksville and No. 18 Cleveland Heights.

SETTING THE SUBURBAN LEAGUE

Speaking of Brecksville and keeping in line with conference races, Stow is now in control of the Suburban League National Division. No. 22 Wadsworth’s 53-39 win against Brecksville pulls that title race even closer.

No. 23 Stow leads the division by a half game after its 68-54 win at Cuyahoga Falls behind junior Mason McMurray’s 26 points. The performance sets up a trip Friday to Brecksville.

A win keeps Stow in position to win the division with trips to North Royalton and Green still left. A Brecksville win could split the division lead three ways.

"It came down to us missing layups, missing free throws and turning the ball over," Steve Mehalik said. "We took a step backwards tonight" pic.twitter.com/CJ0Q7OIF4S

— Dom DiPasqua (@beevillesports) February 15, 2017

UPSET OF THE NIGHT

Bedford has not won a game in the Lake Erie League, but that didn't stop Pete Priola's Bearcats from leaving No. 21 Elyria Catholic with a 58-57 victory. It marks just the third win of the season for Bedford, which reached last year's Division I Solon District final but was hit hard by graduation.

Six-foot senior guard Desean Reed led the Bearcats with 32 points. EC had a chance to win, but Doug Taylor Jr.'s last-second shot did not fall.

SO MUCH FOR STATE RANKINGS?

The Associated Press state basketball rankings have rarely translated with on-court performances this season. Another example came in Stark County.

Massillon Jackson, ranked second in the Division I state poll, throttled third-ranked and previously unbeaten Wooster, 80-52.

Quick Recap: @PurpleNGoldCrew Hands Wooster Their First Loss https://t.co/IiIXFa1siN pic.twitter.com/QbeixOgc2c

— T.J. Peatross (@NEO_Spotlight) February 15, 2017

CLICK HERE FOR TUESDAY’S SCOREBOARD

GAME BALLS

Readers may vote until noon Friday for the cleveland.com boys basketball Player of the Week. Click here to cast your vote and see highlights of the area’s top performers.

WHAT’S AHEAD

Here is a look at Friday’s games as the regular season winds down. Conference title races will further clear up, while a handful of Top 25 matchups also take place.

No. 2 St. Vincent-St. Mary (14-4) at Massillon Jackson (18-1): The Fighting Irish will test their eight-game win streak against one of the state’s top teams. STVM will play host Wednesday to No. 12 Villa Angela-St. Joseph.

No. 8 Elyria (16-3) at No. 16 Mentor (13-5): The Greater Cleveland Conference picture will clear up after this one. Elyria beat Mentor the first time and has lost only to Brunswick in GCC play.

No. 23 Stow (14-4) at No. 25 Brecksville (14-5): Coach Dave Close’s Bulldogs won this matchup by 12 at home earlier in the season. Another win can seize control of the Suburban League National Division.

No. 24 East Tech (16-5) at Lutheran East (12-9): A pair of senior point guards, East Tech’s Isaiah Washington and Lutheran East’s Maurico Tate, will get late-season tests before tournament play. The Scarabs have won six straight.

Oberlin (15-4) at Clearview (16-3): The Patriot Athletic Conference Stripes Division title is at stake, when the Phoenix challenge last year’s champion. Oberlin won the first meeting, 67-54, but is looking up to Clearview in the standings.

Avon (14-5) at Berea-Midpark (13-6): The SWC plot thickens with this one. The winner will remain in first place. Will Avon Lake? The Shoremen take on Midview.

Madison (16-2) at Brush (17-3): Madison has just two losses despite a shorthanded lineup for coach Pat Moran. The Blue Streaks remain in the Western Reserve Conference chase. If they can pass Wednesday’s home matchup with Willoughby South, WRC-leading Brush awaits. The Arcs beat Madison, 76-67, last time and have clinched a share of the WRC.

Gilmour (12-7) at Hawken (15-5): Call it the “Battle of Gates Mills.” Coach David Pfundstein takes his Lancers, minus senior guard Jackson Clark, to Hawken. Junior point guard Hugh Brown and sharpshooting Brendan Paul will pose a tough test.

CLICK HERE FOR FRIDAY’S 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.

As we head toward the All-Star Game, Prepare for List Off debates the merits of the first-half MVP candidates in the NBA Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James hasn't won the MVP since the 2012-13 season, and now he's contending with two of the great individual statistical seasons in recent NBA history.

Houston's James Harden is averaging 29.1 points (third in the league) and 11.3 assists (first) and has made 182 3-pointers (second).

Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook is averaging 30.9 points (first), 10.1 assists (third) and 10.4 rebounds (12th). 

Where does James, at 25.8 points (10th) and 8.9 assists (fourth) fit into the conversation? And what about San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard, Boston's Isaiah Thomas the two Golden Warriors who combined have won the last three MVPs - Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry?

In this Prepare for List Off, Bud Shaw and I make our midseason MVP picks. Watch ours, then make your choice.

It's not a great crop of free agents at the quarterback position ... yet.