SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Defeating the No. 1 team in the area can be a big deal -- if you want it to be. The way Shaker Heights' boys basketball team walked off its home court after upsetting Mentor, 77-65, on Friday said as much about this team as the 32-minute domination they imposed moments earlier.

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Defeating the No. 1 team in the area can be a big deal -- if you want it to be.

The way Shaker Heights' boys basketball team walked off its home court after upsetting Mentor, 77-65, on Friday said as much about this team as the 32-minute domination they imposed moments earlier.

The Raiders didn't celebrate much and looked as confident walking to the locker room as they did when they started the game.

"We were ready," said senior forward Otis Barrow, who had a team-high 25 points and 14 rebounds. "We can do anything when we play together. If we do the things we're supposed to, we can do a lot of big things this year."

Knocking off the No. 1 team in The Plain Dealer's Top 25 qualifies as a big thing. Sixth-ranked Shaker Heights (5-4, 2-2 Lake Erie League) has had an up and down season. It was coming off a home loss to St. Vincent-St. Mary. Beating Mentor (7-2, 2-1) qualified as a big up.

"We need to use this and build upon it," coach Danny Young said. "I got their attention after the [SVSM] loss, and we had a very focused practice [Thursday]."

Mentor coach Bob Krizancic said: "We didn't play a physical game. When it came to physicalness, they were and we weren't."

Shaker Heights played the same 3-2 zone defense it used to defeat Mentor last February, and the Cardinals had a poor night shooting 3-pointers. Ashland University recruit Cole Krizancic made six treys and scored 30 points, fellow guard Justin Fritts scored 16, and no one else had more than seven.

While Shaker Heights routinely made second- and third-chance shots, the Red Raiders did an even better job on defense grabbing long rebounds when Mentor's 3-point shooting went awry.

"The key is limiting them to one-and-done on the 3-point line because they usually make most of their second-chance 3-pointers," Barrow said.

Barrow's nine-point second quarter helped Shaker Heights erase a 20-15 deficit. He had six points as Shaker grabbed a 25-22 lead that it never relinquished. Junior point guard Terry Rozier hit three 3-pointers late in the quarter, and the Raiders led at the half, 38-25. Rozier finished with 17 points.

The lead was in double digits most of the second half. Mentor went to a full-court press late in the third quarter and cut the margin to seven, 56-49, with 6:20 to play in the fourth. Barrow and Al Stokes responded with inside baskets to restore order.

Mentor plays SVSM, and Shaker faces John Hay on Sunday at Cleveland State in the Villa Classic.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

The Monsters' defense falters, allowing 41 shots to reach goalkeeper Jason Bacashihua, and the offense is blanked despite five power-play opportunities.

The Lake Erie Monsters began their stretch of seven straight road games Friday with a 3-0 loss to the Aeros in Houston.

The Monsters' defense faltered, allowing 41 shots to reach goalkeeper Jason Bacashihua, and the offense was blanked despite five power-play opportunities.

The Aeros' Jean-Michel Daoust opened the scoring on a penalty shot awarded at 13:08 of the first period. Center Chad Rau and left wing Robbie Earl each scored in the second period. The Aeros improved to 20-17-1-2.

The Monsters (15-17-3-4) are in Cedar Park, Texas, tonight to play the Texas Stars. They play at Oklahoma City on Sunday before heading back east to play Hamilton, Ontario, on Wednesday and Rochester, N.Y., on Friday.

The Vikings have had more turnovers than the opposition in every road game so far.

View full sizeMichelle Pemberton / Indianapolis StarButler's Shawn Vanzant drives to the basket during Friday's game against Cleveland State in Indianapolis.

CSU's 18 miscues tied for the most the Vikings have had this season, dating back to the second game vs. Iona. In it previous four games, Cleveland State had 11 turnovers twice, six in one game and four in another. But there is a different trend on the road in Horizon League play. The Vikings have had more turnovers than the opposition in every road game so far.

Surprisingly, it was CSU's veteran guards with the bulk (14) of the miscues against Butler. In the first half alone -- when Cleveland State had 10 turnovers overall and six in a string of seven possessions -- senior Norris Cole, junior Jeremy Montgomery and junior Tre Harmon had eight of those miscues.

So, what if? Should Butler and Cleveland State finish the season tied for the Horizon League lead, what is the tiebreaker for hosting the Horizon League Tournament?

According to the league office there will never be a coin flip to determine the host. There are five tiebreakers beginning with head-to-head. The last and deciding tiebreaker, if it comes down to it, will be the team with the highest RPI per College Basketball News.

Add 'em up: While some people might think three Horizon League teams making the NCAA Tournament is a pipe dream, HL Commissioner Jon LeCrone is not one of them. "Yes, we can get three, if everything plays out. The door is open."

The door LeCrone looks into has only one of the six powerhouse conferences -- Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC, Big East and Pac-10 -- landing more than a traditional number of teams. "The Big Ten is down, the ACC is down, the Pac 10 is down," he said. "The only one that's really strong is the Big East. There are going to be some slots available."

LeCrone said strong conference play by both Cleveland State and Butler, each with three losses or less, combined with a team like Detroit, Valparaiso or Wright State rising up and winning the tournament cloud lead to three Horizon League teams making the 68-team cut.

The one team the commissioner said that is starting to play well is Detroit.

"I think that team might be a little better than their record," he said.

In the stands: There were 14 NBA scouts in attendance for the Butler-CSU game as there were three, and possibly four players who have caught their attention including CSU's Cole and Butler's Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard and possible defensive specialist Ron Nored.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

UPDATED: Tait has been out since the preseason, when he suffered a bout of pneumonia that led to other problems, including blood clots in his lungs. His intention is to be back before the end of the season.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerJoe Tait, lower left, has been out since the preseason. 

Tait will be in the cardiac intensive care unit for a few days, and the Cavs will update his status as appropriate.

Tait has been out since the preseason, when he suffered a bout of pneumonia that led to other problems, including blood clots in his lungs. He told The Plain Dealer last week his intention is to be back before the end of the season. He hopes to return to the microphone after the All-Star break in late February.

More injury news: All the injury updates were bad news for the Cavs, starting with the fact Berkeley, Calif., native and former Cal star Leon Powe will be out six weeks after surgery Friday in Cleveland to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee suffered Wednesday against Toronto.

View full sizePDGuard Daniel Gibson, left, and center Anderson Varejao are both out with injuries.

Cavs coach Byron Scott said Powe was visibly upset when he got the news he needed surgery, and Scott didn't take it too well, either.

"When he came in the other day and I knew he had to have surgery, I was honest with him," Scott said. "I said, 'Leon, I don't know what to say. I really don't. I feel so bad for you. I'm at a loss for words.' "

Also out are Daniel Gibson (sprained left ankle), Joey Graham (strained right quad), Anthony Parker (strained lower back) and Anderson Varejao (sprained right ankle.)

Varejao, playing with a broken cheekbone, has a walking boot to accompany his face mask. He injured his ankle while running sprints after practice Thursday. It was so painful, the Cavs flight to San Francisco was delayed two hours while Varejao went to the doctor for an X-ray and MRI scan.

"I'm in a lot of pain right now," he told reporters before Friday's shootaround.

Parker missed his second straight game with a bad back, something he had no history of before missing Wednesday's game against Toronto. His back acted up in the second half of the game against Dallas on Jan. 2, and he saw the doctor Wednesday.

"I blame me because of all the minutes he's had to log," Scott said. "I did not have in my plan to play him that many minutes this year -- 38 or 40 minutes a game. I think it finally took its toll."

Smart man: Golden State coach Keith Smart has fond memories of his three seasons with the Cavs, even though he went 9-31 as interim coach after taking over for John Lucas, who was fired Jan. 20, 2003. Smart never thought the Cavs would be toting that kind of record again once they got LeBron James.

"I don't think anyone in their wildest dream would ever have thought that they would probably be in the situation they're in right now," said Smart, who does charity work with Gordon Gund.

"Whoever would have thought that young man would not be in that wine and gold? You never thought that. . . . I hoped that would happen, I believed it would happen, but that's how it is.

"Free agency will do that to you."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

Cleveland -- Boats are in the spotlight as the 54th Mid-America Boat & Fishing Show drops anchor Jan. 14 at the International Exposition Center, with an expanded Angler's Alley ready to give boaters a lot of good reasons to spend time on the water.  "Smaller fishing boats have been driving boat sales the last couple of years," said manager...

Cleveland -- Boats are in the spotlight as the 54th Mid-America Boat & Fishing Show drops anchor Jan. 14 at the International Exposition Center, with an expanded Angler's Alley ready to give boaters a lot of good reasons to spend time on the water. 

"Smaller fishing boats have been driving boat sales the last couple of years," said manager Brian Parker of Buckeye Sports Center in Peninsula. "Our top sellers the past year have been aluminum fishing boats, such as the 16-foot Lund Rebel. They're more affordable, and can be used on both inland lakes and Lake Erie." 

To get people in a fishing mood, the boat show is featuring four special "colleges," starting with the Walleye College that teams tournament star Mark Brumbaugh with Travis Hartman, Jeff Liskay and Jim and Rich Stedke. 

The Bass College will feature Joe Balog, Bryan Coates and Mike Oberski. 

Sonar and GPS are the prime fishing tools installed on new fishing boats. A Fishing Electronics College has angling experts Johnnie Candle and Lance Valentine covering the basics and fine points of the electronic units. 

Wrapping up the sessions is the Steelhead College with Dan Pribanic, Liskay and Kevin Kayle. 

"This is the most extensive lineup of fishing experts we've ever had at the show," said Travis Hartman, a two-time Lake Erie Walleye Trail points champion. "We're covering many facets of fishing, but wanted to focus on walleye fishing because of its popularity." 

There is no doubt walleye fishing drives the boat market in Northern Ohio. 

"The economical small boats used by walleye fishermen have been selling well for a variety of reasons," said Bob Hanko of Huron's Cranberry Creek Marina, which features Evinrude-powered Starcraft boats. "They're easy to trailer, giving fishermen the chance to tow their boat to the fishing hot spots. They're light, so you don't need an inboard powerhouse to push them, and they use far less fuel. And they're easier on the pocketbook, whether you're buying a new or a used boat." 

The Angler's Alley section also has more fishing tackle exhibits than in the past, featuring rods, reels and a variety of lures and trolling gear. 

There will be speed at the show, with the Time Bandit offshore power boat on display Jan. 20-23. Owner-driver Bob Mazikowski, who has 40 wins and two world championships, will have tales of racing in the Super V Lite Series. 

Ohio Sea Grant's Lake Erie Day is Jan. 17, which will include a lineup of stage shows ranging from a Lake Erie sportfishing update to sessions on harmful algae, Asian carp and Lake Erie water snakes. 

Put-In-Bay Days have been expanded to Jan. 19-20, with island entertainers Mike "Mad Dog" Adams, Ray Fogg and Westside Steve Simmons performing after 5 p.m., when admission is reduced to $5. 

UPDATED: The Browns complete their interview with Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur on Friday and will interview Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey today in Atlanta. Giants defensive coodinator Perry Fewell is up on Tuesday or Wednesday in Berea.

Associated PressAtlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey will interview with the Browns on Saturday.

Keeping things moving along at a brisk pace, the Browns will then interview Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell on Tuesday or Wednesday in Cleveland, a source said. They're also expected to interview Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg next week, either in Berea or Philadelphia, depending on if the Eagles advance to the divisional round.

EPSN reported that Mornhinweg is a possible candidate for the Stanford job now that Jim Harbaugh has taken the 49ers job. Harbaugh had turned down an opportunity to interview with the Browns, as reported this week in The Plain Dealer.

Shurmur, 45, arrived in town Thursday evening, and left the Browns' facility in Berea at 2 p.m. Friday.

Shurmur worked with Browns GM Tom Heckert in Philadelphia and runs the same version of the West Coast offense that Browns President Mike Holmgren taught to Eagles coach Andy Reid.

Shurmur comes highly recommended by Reid, a Holmgren disciple and close friend. Shurmur spent nine seasons with the Eagles, including seven as quarterbacks coach, helping Donovan McNabb make the Pro Bowl three times. He's also credited with helping to develop rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, who is one of five finalists for the NFL Rookie of the Year award. Browns cornerback Joe Haden is also a finalist.

The Falcons requested the Browns come to Atlanta to conduct their interview with Mularkey because he's preparing for the divisional round of the playoffs next week.

Mularkey, 49, was the head coach for two seasons in Buffalo (2004-05), where he went 9-7 and 5-11 before resigning over philosophical differences. The Bills won six straight games in 2004 and missed the playoffs with a loss to the Steelers (15-1) in Week 17.

Fewell, who led the Giants' defense to a No. 7 ranking in 2010, is also being pursued by the Broncos and Panthers. Fewell reportedly interviewed with the Panthers on Thursday. The 49ers also had interest in Fewell before they hired Harbaugh. Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has interviewed for the Panthers job as well.

Top rookies: In addition to Haden and Bradford, the other finalists for rookie of the year are Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams. Fans can determine the winner by voting at NFL.com/rookies until 9 p.m. Feb. 1.

Haden's six interceptions this year were tied for third in the NFL. He led the Browns with 18 pass break-ups and added 57 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and eight special teams tackles. His six interceptions were the most by a Brown since 2007 and the most by a Browns rookie since 2001. Haden became the first Brown to record an interception in four straight games (Weeks 10-13) since Ernie Kellerman in 1968.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

Golden State's Monte Ellis has 32 points, and David Lee has 22 points and 14 rebounds as the Cavaliers drop yet another game.

Cleveland's Mo Williams and Golden State's David Lee were called for flagrant fouls in the second half, and Williams got a technical as the Cavs suffered their ninth straight loss, their 19th in 20 games, and dropped to 8-29 despite 21 points from former Warrior Antawn Jamison.

Monte Ellis had 32 points, and Lee had 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Warriors, who improved to 15-21.

The game capped a long, frustrating day for the Cavs and coach Byron Scott. Reporters approached Scott cautiously before the team's pregame shootaround.

"Is it still appropriate to say good morning?" one of them asked.

Across the floor, Anderson Varejao had taken the walking boot off his sprained right ankle and was getting treatment next to Joey Graham, who remains out with a strained right quad.

Behind Scott, Anthony Parker was telling the media how his back had tightened up in the second half of the Dallas game and still wasn't loose enough for him to play.

Back in Cleveland, Leon Powe was having surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee, while Daniel Gibson was rehabbing his sprained left ankle.

But Scott remained almost defiantly optimistic.

"It's still appropriate to say good morning," he said.

With losses mounting along with the injuries, he dismissed any talk of a Cleveland curse.

Scott also dismissed the notion his former employer, the New Jersey Nets, was cursed for selling Julius Erving to the Sixers in 1976.

And yet, he admitted this season was close to getting beyond what he had envisioned as the worst-case scenario.

"I didn't envision these types of injuries," he said, calling the loss of Varejao and Gibson "devastating."

"But you know what? I'm equipped for this. I understand this.

"I'm able to deal with it.

"Every morning I wake up with a smile knowing I'm going to work to get better as a coach and get these guys better as players. That's how I approach it. In the long run, it's going to be something that's going to really benefit not only the players but the whole organization.

"The biggest thing I think that's in me is that I always look at the glass as being half full. I have a positive spin on everything. The thing about this right now, when we turn this all around, it's going to be so much more gratifying. That's how I look at it."

And when will that be?

"Sooner rather than later," he said. "Nobody knows what's happening next year with this [possible] lockout and all that going on.

"But I truly believe next year we'll be a much better basketball team . . . if there is a year."

He was asked if it's too late to save this year.

"I don't think it's too late but, obviously, time is running out," he said, "and when you have the guys injured that we have injured, it really makes it doubly hard.

"I never give up on the season. That's just not in me. I'm going to fight until it's game 82. I want these guys to be the same way. That's just my makeup. I don't care. So I would say right now, no it's not too late. And I'll say that until game 81 or 82 of the season."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

People clamoring for the Browns to hire someone with experience as an NFL head coach need only look at the current playoff landscape to realize that's no guarantee for success.

View full sizeDavid J. Phillip / Associated PressSean Payton had never coached an NFL team before taking over the New Orleans Saints in 2006. Now he has a Super Bowl ring.

Try two -- New England's Bill Belichick (Browns) and Seattle's Pete Carroll (Patriots and Jets). 

So what does that mean for the Browns as they search for a new head coach? 

You can say that previous head coaching experience isn't necessary, although most of us would love to see Jon Gruden hired after his success in Oakland and Tampa Bay. 

Former Carolina head coach John Fox also should be interviewed. 

But think about that statistic: Only two of the 12 playoff coaches were head coaches with another NFL team. 

One of the best head coaches is Philadelphia's Andy Reid. Before taking over the Eagles, he was the quarterbacks coach at Green Bay. He wasn't even the offensive coordinator. 

John Harbaugh has done an excellent job in Baltimore. He was a career special teams coach before Ozzie Newsome hired him. 

That's right, special teams! This is not a knock on special teams coaches, and the Browns would be out of their minds to replace Brad Seely. But you don't exactly think about special teams coaches when looking for a head coach. 

Sean Payton has done a great job in New Orleans. His previous position? Quarterbacks coach at Dallas. 

Jim Caldwell took over for Tony Dungy in Indianapolis, and has kept the Colts in contention. He was a head coach at Wake Forest, then Dungy's quarterbacks coach. 

Let's mention that before Dungy won a Super Bowl with the Colts, he was the head coach at Tampa Bay. I'd hire him yesterday, but so far, Dungy has expressed no interest in returning to coaching. 

When it comes to defensive coordinators-turned-playoff head coaches, here's the list: Mike Smith (Falcons), Rex Ryan (Jets), Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Lovie Smith (Bears). 

Offensive coordinators? Just two: Mike McCarthy (Packers) and Todd Haley (Chiefs). 

Quarterbacks coaches? Reid, Payton and Caldwell. 

So we have two previous head coaches, two offensive coordinators, four defensive coordinators, three quarterbacks coaches and one special teams coach. 

Where is the pattern? 

There is none, other than it sure helps to be hooked up with the right quarterback. 

You can say Drew Brees made Payton a Super Bowl-winning coach. It's doubtful Belichick would be headed to the Hall of Fame without Tom Brady. Surely Payton Manning made life easier for Dungy and now Caldwell in Indianapolis. The rise of Joe Flacco in Baltimore made Harbaugh appear to know a lot about the passing game. 

Here is something else to consider: Of the 12 playoff teams, nine have quarterbacks rated in the top 12. 

The only exceptions are the Bears' Jay Cutler (No. 16), the Jets' Mark Sanchez (No. 27) and the Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck (No. 29). 

As for the Browns, rookie Colt McCoy ranked No. 28. 

So when the Browns pick a coach, it better be a guy who can squeeze the most out of McCoy because it seems a good quarterback can impact a coach just as much as a coach can help a quarterback.  

EUCLID, Ohio — It was ugly all the way around. The game was ugly and some of the teenaged fans were even uglier on Friday when Cleveland Heights escaped Harold (Doc) Daugherty gymnasium with a 69-43 victory in a Lake Erie League game that was halted by police and school officials with 1:59 remaining and chaos on the Euclid...

EUCLID, Ohio — It was ugly all the way around.

The game was ugly and some of the teenaged fans were even uglier on Friday when Cleveland Heights escaped Harold (Doc) Daugherty gymnasium with a 69-43 victory in a Lake Erie League game that was halted by police and school officials with 1:59 remaining and chaos on the Euclid side.

"It was embarrassing," Euclid coach Andy Suttell said of the fighting that broke out in the stands, prompting the premature ending. "It was embarrassing for our school and our community."

Suttell, who left shortly after the game's end to be at the side of his wife, Lori, who is about to deliver the couple's fourth child, apologized to Cleveland Heights coach Barry Egan and the Tigers during the postgame handshake.

"I thought our kids handled themselves well," said Egan, whose team never trailed in improving to 8-2 overall and 1-2 in the LEL's rugged Lake Division. "We can only control what goes on in the game. What happens in the stands is out of our control."

Euclid scorer Jim Grinstead said he had never seen a basketball game called early because of fighting in the stands in his 48 years on the job.

The game was interrupted twice after fighting broke out on the Euclid side and the players were ordered to their respective benches. After the second outburst, a decision was made to end the game.

Euclid Police had at least one dog in the gymnasium. One officer said some the culprits were former students and some were from different schools.

The Tigers, ranked seventh in The Plain Dealer, had 26 baskets to the Panthers' 12. They made 15 of 30 free throws to 15-of-23 for the Panthers, who fell to 5-2, 1-2.

Cleveland Heights junior point guard Tyree Gaiter led all scorers with 14 points and his replacement, junior Sean Dominick, came off the bench to score 11. Senior forward Cody Martin scored 12 points and had seven rebounds. Sophomore Maurice O'Field finished with seven points, three blocked shots and had nine rebounds, leading the Panthers to a 32-22 advantage on the boards.

Euclid, ranked fourth in The Plain Dealer, was led by junior Arthur Cook, who finished with 11 points and no one else was even close to double figures.

"I was disappointed in our lack of attack and our lack of aggressiveness," said Suttell. "It was shocking. We were completely non-existent."

The Tigers' lopsided victory, coupled with Shaker Heights' stunning win over Mentor, lent credence to the LEL's competitive status.

"Every game in our league is a tournament game," said Egan. "You have to come ready to play every night or you are going to lose. It's that simple."

Euclid, which shot a dismal 12-of-47 from the field, fell behind 18-5 through the opening quarter and the closest the Panthers were able to get after that was 10 points.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:trogers@plaind.com; 2126-999-5169

A CSU team that prides itself on defense has little to offer as the Bulldogs build a 20-point lead early in the first half and maintain it all night for a resounding 79-56 victory.

View full sizeMichelle Pemberton / The Indianapolis StarButler 6-11 sophomore center Andrew Smith, right, had 22 points and 10 rebounds against the Vikings on Friday night in Indianapolis.

A CSU team that prides itself on defense had little to offer as the Bulldogs built a 20-point lead early in the first half and maintained it all night for a resounding 79-56 victory.

"We weren't in this game after the 10-minute mark," CSU coach Gary Waters said.

Cleveland State (15-2, 4-1 Horizon League) is a team that forces turnovers, but it committed a whopping 18 against the Bulldogs (11-5, 3-1) leading to 26 points.

Fourteen turnovers came from CSU veterans Norris Cole, Jeremy Montgomery, Tre Harmon and Aaron Pogue.

CSU has had more turnovers than the opposition (44-35) in every Horizon League road game this season. Only this time, it cost them, big time.

View full sizeIndianapolis StarButler's Chase Stigall, right, intercepts a pass as Andrew Smith, center, is knocked to the ground by Cleveland State's Aaron Pogue.

"We tried to be active, pay their guards a lot of attention, get the ball out of their hands as much as possible" Butler coach Brad Stevens said.

After that, the Bulldogs attacked the rim with a vengeance.

Tip-ins, alley-oop passes, fast-break dunks, 3-pointers and more followed, all by Butler to build a 21-4 lead before a Tim Kamczyc 3-pointer stopped CSU's run of turnovers.

However, it did not stop Butler's roll as the Bulldogs lead grew to 19, 26-7, before the Vikings put together a string of points.

"We took it on the chin today," Cole said. "We didn't expect to go undefeated, but we didn't expect this."

Without easy buckets off the press, CSU shot a miserly 33.9 percent, even as Cole led all scorers with 26 points and had 10 rebounds. Aaron Pogue was the only other Viking in double figures with 11 points.

Inside Butler's numbers was 48.1 percent shooting for the game -- better than 50 percent until the final two minutes of scrub work -- anchored by a career-high double double performance of 22 points and 10 rebounds from 6-11 sophomore center Andrew Smith. CSU's interior defense has been suspect all season, but normally the perimeter pressure the Vikings apply keeps the ball from consistently getting into the paint.

Not against Butler. It was the Bulldogs who released the hounds, jumping into passing lanes, back-tipping and trapping with CSU looking befuddled as score mounted. While the CSU turnovers, including a string of six in seven straight possessions that helped the Bulldogs build a 35-16 lead, set the table, Smith served up the setback.

He had five offensive rebounds, and was 7-of-9 from the floor in 24 minutes. Combined with 6-8 senior Matt Howard (17 points, six boards), the Bulldogs got 39 points in the paint, and there was little CSU could do about it.

It was a humbling setback for a team that might have been riding a bit too high on its early success as the college basketball season edges close to the midway point.

"We may have thought a little bit too much of ourselves," Waters said. "This was out of our character today."

Cleveland State now has to regroup quickly as it plays Sunday at Valparaiso (10-5, 2-1). As there are now no undefeated teams in conference play, every road win becomes critical.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

Purdue, like Ohio State, hasn't been tested much while off to a 15-1/4-0 start.

View full sizeMichael Conroy / Associated PressJaJuan Johnson and the Boilermakers have started fast to claim one of the top spots in the Big Ten this season.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State, despite some scares in its last two games, is the best team in the Big Ten. But who's No. 2?

At the moment, not Michigan State, which started the year ranked No. 2 in the polls and played an incredibly tough non-conference schedule, but now also counts a loss to Penn State among its five losses.

Not Illinois, which threw in a clunker of a loss against Illinois-Chicago three weeks ago. Not quite Wisconsin, though the Badgers have been their usual dominant selves at home. Not Michigan, which gave an overtime scare to No. 3 Kansas on Sunday and may gave Ohio State fits in Ann Arbor on Wednesday.

So it may have to be Purdue, which like Ohio State, hasn't been tested much while off to a 15-1/4-0 start. The Boilermakers have conference wins over Michigan, Northwestern, Penn State and Iowa by an average of 19 points, but they may get their first real Big Ten test at Minnesota on Thursday. Jan. 22 is the first real day of reckoning in the Big Ten, though -- Michigan State at Purdue and Ohio State at Illinois.

Seniors JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, as expected, are both averaging more than 19 points per game for the Boilermakers. No one else averages in double figures, but the player to watch is junior shooter Ryne Smith of Toledo, who in Big Ten play is averaging 17 points per game while making 18 of 27 3-pointers.

Talking Tubby: Minnesota has been tested early in Big Ten play, off to a 1-3 start with losses at Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State, three of the four toughest road games in the Big Ten.

After starting Sunday's postgame news conference after a 67-64 loss in Columbus by saying he believed a foul should have been called on Minnesota's final 3-pointer, Gophers' coach Tubby Smith was entertainingly prickly, though apparently it wasn't unusual.

On his strategy behind switching his defense at times? "Just bad coaching. I'm a terrible coach."

On the Gophers' pressure that triggered their late rally? "We were behind. When you're behind, you pressure."

On the play design on the final shot? "The ball was supposed to go in the basket."

Asked if he was more peeved about the last non-call or letting a chance at a win slip away when he wasn't happy with some sloppy offense, Smith said it wasn't the refs.

"That didn't cost us the game," Smith said. "We've got to finish. We had our chances and we turned the ball over and you can't do those things. That's what cost us the game."

Browns hope to find a winning coach, of course, and hope their 2011 draft can match the quality - at least for now - of their 2010 draft.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer The Browns' 2010 first-round draft pick, cornerback Joe Haden (23), had an impressive rookie season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns' search for a new coach is on.

One of the first issues for the new coaching staff will be its participation with the front office and team's scouts in April's NFL draft.

James Walker wrote about the Browns' 2010 season and their future for ESPN.com, including: 

I'm usually against drafting receivers in the top 10, but that's clearly Cleveland's biggest need. Receiver prospects A.J. Green and Julio Jones could be some early names to consider this offseason. The Browns also could use another pass-rushing linebacker or defensive end. Last season, Cleveland got cornerback Joe Haden, safety T.J. Ward and McCoy in the draft, and securing three rookie starters is tremendous. Another solid draft class would be a great step in the right direction for Cleveland, which also has to find its next head coach.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes beat writer Tony Grossi's look at what coaches Browns president Mike Holmgren might be interested in; beat writer Mary Kay Cabot's report that Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur might be a leading candidate for the Browns job; Grossi's analysis of why Holmgren decided to dismiss Eric Mangini as the Browns coach; Bill Livingston's commentary that quarterback Colt McCoy boosts Browns' future playoff hopes; Bud Shaw's commentary that Mangini left the Browns with some positives, as he did two years ago with the New York Jets; Cabot's report on the Browns' interview of Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey; Grossi's ranking, No. 1 to No. 45, of Browns players in the 2010 season; Grossi's "Hey, Tony!"

Predicts pick Nick

The Browns own the sixth pick in the first round of the draft, barring a trade. In Rob Rang's mock draft for NFLDraftScout.com and CBSSports.com, he projects the Browns taking:  

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: The Browns are building their defensive line, and Fairley is versatile enough to play end or tackle in the 3-4.

Post patterns

Browns Final Report, Part Two, by Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Jounral, following Saturday's Part One.

Mike Mularkey isn't saying much about his interview with the Browns. An Associated Press report carried by the Canton Repository.

Looking ahead to 2011 for the Browns, by Mike McLain of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

A report on the Browns' coach search by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

A Browns' coach search report by Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

A look at the Browns' roster and its needs, by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Jounral.

Auburn last won a title more than a half-century ago. Oregon has never been college football's champion.

APAuburn coach Gene Chizik (left) and Oregon coach Chip Kelly at Sunday's press conference.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Come Monday, it will have been 37 days since Oregon's Ducks played a football game; and 37 days since Auburn's Tigers played, too.

That wait is no big deal to either school. Auburn has waited since 1957 to win a national championship. Oregon has waited since...well, the Ducks have never been the national champs.

Monday night, Auburn and Oregon play in the BCS National Championship Game at Glendale, Arizona.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com sister publications continue their extensive coverage of the buildup to the game. OregonLive.com, the website for some newspapers in Oregon, covers Oregon's Ducks. Al.com, the website for several papers in Alabama, keeps everyone updated on Auburn's Tigers.

An Associated Press report on the game, accompanied by Plain Dealer Ohio State beat writer "Doug Lesmerises' 4 Things on the BCS," is on cleveland.com. 

Ducks vs. Tigers

From around the web.....

Auburn's defense vs. Oregon's offense, by Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

Oregon's innovative football program, by Pat Forde of ESPN.com.

Different paths have led coaches Gene Chizik of Auburn and Chip Kelly or Oregon to meet in the national title game, by Christine Brennan for USAToday.com.

Auburn's superb offensive line, by Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com.

On SportingNews.com, Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley won't slow down, despite his critics.

What Oregon coach Chip Kelly talked about at today's press conference, on Scout.com.

What Auburn coach Gene Chizik talked about at his press conference today, on Scout.com.

Before his first-quarter injury against the Cavaliers, Hill was averaging 14.5 points for the Suns.

View full sizeDavid Kadlubowski / Arizona RepublicGrant Hill writhes in pain after suffering a sprained right knee in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Cavaliers in Phoenix. Hill left for treatment and did not return to the game.

PHOENIX -- Byron Scott is a huge fan of Grant Hill.

"When he first came in the league, he was special, no doubt about it," the Cavaliers coach said before the Cavs faced Hill and the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night at USAirways Center. "Looking at the tape today, I asked Chris Jent, 'How old is Grant? 45?' He's still running up and down the floor like he's a 20-year-old.

"He looks great. That's a big-time tribute to him, keeping himself in that type of condition and having that determination. He could have called it quits a long time ago with the injuries he's had in his career.

"But you can tell that he has a serious love of basketball by the way he plays, by the way he approaches the game. ... When he came in the league, he was a totally different player than he what he is now. He was a star, a superstar in this league. he's still a very good basketball player but he's more of a team player, which he's always been. It's not on his shoulders any more. He can be Robin instead of Batman."

Hill, who's really only 37, is starting at small forward for the Suns, averaging 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists -- or at least he was until suffering a mild right knee sprain and leaving Sunday's game in the first quarter. He's one of the few current players who was playing in Scott's last year -- 1996-97. Grant started in 1994-95 with Detroit.

Difference of opinion: Scott and Jamario Moon aren't seeing eye to eye. Moon, who started the season as the starting small forward, has fallen completely out of the rotation, although the current injury situation may change that.

An assistant coach told Moon they don't think he's serious enough, while Scott is unhappy with his defense.

"I basically told him then that on the defensive end he had to get better," Scott said. "He has to communicate. Some of the things that we talk about doing on the defensive end he doesn't do. To me, it's as simple as that."

Moon seemed surprised to hear that. Asked what he thought he could do to get back into the rotation, he said, "I don't know what it is. It's all on them. I come in every day. I do my job.

"It's frustrating. I've been a lot of places and I've been in a lot of situations. But if you want to be in a situation like this, what better place to be in this situation than in the NBA? If I can go through it in some of those minor-league teams I went through it, this is not going to kill me."

Familiar territory: Scott feels at home in Arizona after attending college at Arizona State, which he chose over his hometown team -- UCLA.

"There's a lot of guys who want to stay at home and play college ball," Scott said. "I had a great opportunity to do that at UCLA but I really wanted to get on my own and get away from home. Arizona State was a great fit for me.

"I didn't know until I signed that I had family in Arizona, especially in Phoenix. My father went to high school in Phoenix. So I had a lot of connections here after I signed that I started to find out about. It was a great choice. I wouldn't do anything differently."

Barons' power play too much for Lake Erie in loss.

Ryan Stoa scored for the Monsters in the first period after the Barons had already potted two power-play goals.

Oklahoma City added a goal in the second period and two in the third.

Lake Erie had 21 shots on goal, the Barons had 23, 19 of which Monsters goalie John Grahame kept out of the net.

Lake Erie is 1-2-0-0 on a stretch of seven straight road games. Up next for the Monsters is a trip Wednesday to Hamilton, Ontario, to play the Bulldogs.

Already this season, the Red Storm have wins over Arizona State, Northwestern, West Virginia, Providence and No. 13 Georgetown.

View full sizeHenny Ray Abrams / Associated PressDwight Hardy and the rest of the St. John's Red Storm are helping make college basketball cool once again in the Big Apple.

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Get those loud sweaters out of the closet. There's good college basketball being played again in the Big Apple.

Lou Carnesecca can once more walk the New York streets with pride. St. John's is back!

The Red Storm (10-4, 3-1 Big East) hasn't been relevant in hoops since Carnesecca and his colorful sweaters last patrolled the sidelines in 1992. Since then coaches Norm Roberts, Fran Fraschilla and Mike Jarvis have come and gone with varying degrees of success. Now Steve Lavin sits in the first chair and it looks like St. John's is being revitalized.

Already this season Lavin, the former UCLA coach and ESPN broadcaster, has led his team to wins over Arizona State, Northwestern, West Virginia, Providence and No. 13 Georgetown.

The Red Storm has a top 20 recruiting class coming next season that that includes former Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary standout JaKaar Sampson, a 6-7 forward.

St. John's can make a national statement Wednesday night on ESPNU when it hosts No. 4 Syracuse (16-0, 3-0).

Surprise II: No. 19 Central Florida.

Schools with directional names are generally discounted as upstarts that will fade as fast as they emerge, but the Knights (14-1, 1-1 Conference USA) appear to have some staying power.

The school has an enrollment of 56,000 and just built an $85 million, 10,000-seat arena. New coach Donnie Jones has an annual salary of $500,000 plus incentives.

Marcus Jordan (16.7 ppg), son of basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, and 7-0, 250-pound Tom Herzog, a transfer from Michigan State, have led the Knights to victories over in-state rivals South Florida, Miami and Florida.

The Knights, despite their first loss of the season Saturday at Houston, are among the C-USA elite right now. But there are home and road hurdles to cross -- No. 21 Memphis, UTEP and UAB.

Jones, who has built a reputation for developing post players, has received what some might call a tenuous verbal commitment from 7-0 Indiana high school recruit Michael Chandler. A top 50 prospect and top five post player, Chandler has given verbal commitments to Louisville, UConn, and Xavier within the past year.

Cleveland bound: Before the holiday, Cleveland State officials said less than 2,500 tickets remained for the first-round NCAA Tournament games at The Q (March 18, 20).

Tickets for all six games cost $237 and are available through Ticketmaster.

Single-game tickets -- should any remain -- will not be sold until game days.

MAC madness: Akron coach Keith Dambrot doesn't agree with where some national publications and preseason predictors ranked the Zips in the MAC.

Ohio was nearly a unanimous choice to win the conference, but Dambrot said the league's power remains where it has been for quite some time.

"I still think it's Akron and Kent. Everybody just glorified [Ohio] to start the season and said they were the best team in the league," Dambrot said last week. "But they played the best for two weeks [to win the 2010 MAC Tournament], that's all. Kent has been good for 12 years ... and we have been good for 61/2 years. Let's see if somebody can be that good, consistently before we say Kent [and Akron] is no good anymore."

Akron hosts Ohio on Wednesday.

Innocent, guilty? Pardon Kentucky fans for being up in arms.

Enes Kanter, a 6-10 post player from Turkey, was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA on Friday because he and/or his parents accepted roughly $35,000 'above expenses' when Kanter played for a professional team in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton at Auburn has been cleared by the NCAA to play football for the Tigers even though it has been alleged, and is still being investigated, that Newton's father negotiated his son's recruitment to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars.

The difference is the Kanters admitted what they did. The Newtons have denied everything.

And while the NCAA continues to investigate, Newton is allowed to play while his dad has "limited access to the program." None of which sits well at UK.

"I am very disappointed in what appears to me to be a very inconsistent decision [by the NCAA] ..." Kentucky president Lee T. Todd Jr. told the Lexington (Ky.) Herald Leader.

Manny Harris and J.J. Hickson play well, but Cavaliers falter at the finish once again.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain DealerJ.J. Hickson starts at center tonight for the short-handed Cavaliers, who lost Anderson Varejao for probably the rest of the season.

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Final observations from the Cavs' 108=100 loss to the Suns Sunday night at USAirways Center:

The evening started out on a total downer with the news that Anderson Varejao would miss the rest of the season with a torn tendon in his right foot. But five hours later, after an exciting display by the young Cavaliers, there actually seemed to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Manny Harris is blossoming into a legitimate NBA player, and J.J. Hickson seems to have accepted the challenge of trying to replace Varejao at center.

There has been much talk about the learning process this season, and growing up, and Hickson took a big step in those directions behind closed doors.

After his stunning 23-point, career-high-17-rebound performance, Hickson owned up to some of his shortcomings to this point. Before the game, he admitted that he needed to change his attitude and the negative energy he was bringing to the team. After the game, reporters were asking about this apparently new-found rebounding ability. Earlier this season, when he couldn't seem to buy a board, he told reporters he was trying but he just couldn't seem to corral the loose balls. "I was making excuses,'' he said on Sunday.

There are those who think he's more suited for the center position, where his role is more defined than it was when he was playing power forward out on the wing, making poor decisions and launching jump shots.

But the growth he showed by admitting his failings and then trying to correct them will serve him well no matter which position he's playing.

Final: Suns 108, Cavs 100: The Phoenix Suns finally put away the short-handed Cavaliers, but if this is the future of pro basketball in Cleveland, it sure is going to be fun to watch.

Just hours after learning that they would be without Anderson Varejao for the rest of the season because of a torn tendon in his right foot, the young Cavs pulled themselves together and gave the Suns all they could handle for the better part of 48 minutes.

The Cavs trailed, 93-92, with just over six minutes left, but Phoenix held Cleveland without a field goal for almost six minutes. The Suns closed out the game on a 15-8 run to send the Cavs to their 10th straight loss, their 20th in 21 games.

Manny Harris had a career high 27 points and 11 rebounds, and J.J. Hickson, in his first start at center this season, had 23 points and a career-high 17 rebounds as the Cavs fell to 8-29. Antawn Jamison added 23 points, and Mo Williams had 12 assists.

Jared Dudley had 21 points, and Steve Nash added 20 points and 17 assists for the for the Suns, who improved to 15-20. The victory was the first in January for the struggling Suns, who came into the game with a three-game losing streak. They had averaged 93 points in their last four games, 12.8 under their season average. It was the first time since December 9-14, 2005, that the Suns had been held under 100 points in four straight games.

Third quarter update: Cavs 81, Suns 81. Suns pulled out to a 79-71 lead, but Cavs kiddie corps didn't know enough to fold, so they fought back and closed out the quarter with a 10-2 run, including six points from Alonzo Gee.

Not sure what's going to happen, but it's fun to watch.

Halftime update: Cavs 52, Suns 51. Young, energetic Cavs have held the lead the entire first half. Manny Harris has 15 points and 6 rebounds, while J.J. Hickson's return to center has paid dividends as he has 13 points and 7 boards. Mo Williams has 7 assists to go with 5 points. Channing Frye leads the Suns with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

First quarter update: Cavs 26, Suns 26. The Cavs tried to make the best of things in the wake of the devastating news that center Anderson Varejao, their defensive anchor, would be out for the rest of the season after tearing a tendon in his right foot.

Cavs coach Byron Scott juggled his starting lineup, inserting rookie Christian Eyenga at small forward in place of Anthony Parker, out with a bad back. Eyenga earned his first start after newcomer Alonzo Gee struggled a bit at Golden State.

Scott also started J.J. Hickson at center, giving him a second chance after being benched for missing a mandatory practice last week. Ryan Hollins started for Anderson Varejao on Friday at Golden State, but Scott thought Hickson deserved another look.

"He's definitely moving forward,'' Scott said of Hickson, who started 22 games at center last year and averaged 11.4 points per game. "The incident with missing a practice and talking about that ... he's changed the last few days, which is good. I think he understands that was a mistake. Hopefully it's something that won't happen again. We've all moved on from it. I thought this was a great opportunity to put him at the five spot. With Christian out there, we have some athleticism.''

Hickson called the start bittersweet because of the loss of Varejao, but admitted he’d changed.

"There’s been a change in my behavior in my attitude toward the coaching staff and the team and I think it shows on the court,'' he said.

Manny Harris had 10 points to lead the Cavs in the first quarter, while Hickson had eight and Eyenga four.

Cavs starters: F Christian Eyenga, F Antawn Jamison, C J.J. Hickson, G Manny Harris, G Mo Williams.

Suns starters: F Grant Hill, F Channing Frye, C Robin Lopez, G Vince Carter, G Steve Nash.

Injuries: Daniel Gibson (sprained left ankle), Joey Graham (strained right quad), Anthony Parker (strained low back), Leon Powe (right knee surgery), Anderson Varejao (torn tendon right foot) out for Cavs. Gani Lawal (torn right ACL) out for Suns.

Inactives: Gibson, Graham, Powe for Cavs. Lawal, Garret Siler for Suns.

Officials: Dan Crawford, Matt Boland, Brian Forte.

Three things to watch

1. How will the Cavs respond after the devastating loss of Anderson Varejao for the rest of the season with a torn tendon in his right foot?

2. Will J.J. Hickson take advantage of his second chance in the starting lineup?

3. Neither of these teams plays any defense, so it will be interesting to see how high the score might go.

It was a lost weekend for the Vikings (15-3, 4-2) as they dropped out of first place and now have to regroup for a third straight road game at Youngstown State next Saturday.

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- A furious rally the final minutes came up short for Cleveland State Sunday afternoon, as the Vikings absorbed a second loss in Horizon League play, 64-58, to Valparaiso.

It was a lost weekend for the Vikings (15-3, 4-2) as they fell at Butler and Valpo, dropped out of first place and now have to regroup for a third straight road game at Youngstown State next Saturday.

Perhaps the day's key stat was a quiet 10 points from CSU's leading scorer Norris Cole. That was just half of his season average in a game in which CSU shot 37.5 percent.

Throughout the game, head coach Gary Waters told his assistants that Norris needed a rest. But the opportunities were few and far between, as he played 36 minutes. Cole also had six of CSU's 16 turnovers.

"I had to leave him out there when nobody is scoring, and others are in foul trouble," Waters said. "I have to leave him on the floor."

Tre Harmon led CSU with 20 points, but he played just four minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. Aaron Pogue could have had his way inside, but a pair of needless fouls -- an elbow in the first half and a push in the second -- limited his play to just 20 minutes and 12 points and seven boards.

That gave Valparaiso's 6-7 Cory Johnson room to work inside and he scored 20 points -- 14 in the second half -- as the only double-figure scorer for the Crusaders (12-5, 4-1).

Trailing by 15 with 3:36 to play the Vikings scored 12 straight points as Valpo turnovers and three missed one-and-bonus opportunities gave Cleveland State hope. But with 29 seconds left, a deep Ryan Broekhoff 3-pointer made it 63-57 to close the doors.

"I hadn't been shooting too well, but coach [Homer Drew] said if you're open, shoot it," Broekhoff said. "I was down, I was ready, I was set. I went through my rhythm, followed through and hoped it went in."

Both teams looked like teams playing a second game in 48 hours. Valparaiso had its troubles with Cleveland State's physical defense. Perhaps in an attempt to diffuse CSU's pressure, the Crusaders were not shy about flipping up jump shots.

But Valpo was shooting just 25.9 percent at the half. Cleveland State held the Crusaders without a field goal for 9:11 during one stretch as the Vikings built leads of 13-8 and 21-12. But with four of five starters with two fouls each, CSU could not extend its lead.

Over the final 3:26 of the opening half, the Crusaders cashed in a pair of offensive rebounds and scored another layup in transition to close the deficit to 21-18 at the break. When Valpo made its first 10 shots of the second half, they were in control until the final minutes.

Cavaliers' energetic center is done for the season with a torn tendon in his right foot.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer Anderson Varejao will miss the rest of the season with a tendon injury to his right foot.

PHOENIX -- Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for the Cavaliers, the team announced Sunday that center Anderson Varejao will miss the rest of the season with a torn peroneus longus tendon in his right foot that will require surgery.

"It's devastating," said Mo Williams. "Obviously he's a big part of what we do offensively and especially defensively. It's a tough one to swallow. It's hard."

Coach Byron Scott said he had not talked to Varejao, their defensive anchor who was averaging 9.1 points and 9.7 rebounds this season.

"When I heard the news, I'm not going to say I didn't buckle," Scott said before Sunday night's game against the Suns in USAirways Center. "A lot of it was because Andy's been playing great. He's been unbelievable. He's arguably our best player and for him to go down that way -- in practice on the last drill just running up and down the floor, no contact whatsoever -- that's tough.

"I feel more saddened for him because of what he has put into this season and all the other stuff he's been through. He's been through a lot this season. To come out and play the way he's been playing all season long, I feel real bad for him."

Varejao left the team during training camp when his grandfather died in Brazil. A short time later, his father had heart surgery. On Dec. 29, he broke his cheekbone during a game in Charlotte and has had to wear a mask to protect it.

Scott said he and the team have no choice but to soldier on. "I've got to keep coaching," Scott said. "I've got to keep these guys playing hard and competing. I get to find out a lot about some of our young players."

Scott elected to start J.J. Hickson at center on Sunday. Ryan Hollins started on Friday at Golden State.

"That's bittersweet," Hickson said. "If Andy was healthy, would I be starting? But it's an opportunity and I'll make the best out of it. I feel bad for him but I know Andy is the type of guy he doesn't want anyone to feel sorry for him."

Varejao, who attended the game but did not speak to the media on Sunday, hurt himself in running drills after practice on Thursday. He had an MRI then that indicated the problem and a second MRI on Sunday that confirmed it.

He is expected to accompany the team to Los Angeles, where he has family and friends and then likely will return to Cleveland for further consultation and treatment. The Cavs face the Lakers on Tuesday. The team said further updates will be provided as available and appropriate.

Both the Tigers and Ducks are determined to address their detractors in Monday's national championship game.

View full sizeRoss D. Franklin / Associated PressAt 6-6 and 250 pounds, Auburn's Heisman Trophy QB Cam Newton is bigger than eight members of the Oregon starting defense.

• BCS Championship: Oregon vs. Auburn, Monday, 8:30 p.m. TV: ESPN

Andy Bitter

McClatchy Newspapers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- For weeks all Oregon has heard is how the big-bodied brutes from the SEC are going to push it all over the field, driving home the point that Southern-style football trumps all.

For weeks all Auburn has heard is how the fleet-footed fliers from the Pac-10 are going to run circles around its plodding defenders, once and for all proving that West Coast speed is king.

The great debate -- Auburn's power and size vs. Oregon's speed and elusiveness -- will be settled at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale Monday night, when, after 37 days of preparation, the No. 1 Tigers and No. 2 Ducks meet in the BCS national championship game.

"It's hard for everybody. I think that's the nature of the sport," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. "We can't simulate Cam Newton. No one can. ... I think it is difficult on both sides of the ball just because no one has scout players that are good enough to really give you exactly the speed and tempo that we practice at."

The teams' styles fall in line with the conventions of their respective conferences.

Oregon pushes the pace better than anyone in the country, moving at what Auburn head coach Gene Chizik called "warp speed." It's not unusual for the Ducks to run plays 10 to 13 seconds after the referee sets the ball from the previous play, the goal being to cause confusion on defense and wear teams down.

The Tigers might be better equipped to handle it than most teams in the country -- Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn's no-huddle scheme is based on being fast -- but even they concede it's faster than anything they've seen.

"Their pace is unmatched by anybody in the nation," Auburn linebacker Josh Bynes. "I've haven't seen a pace like that against any opponent this year.

"It's insane for one, and their speed is outrageous."

That blazing speed is across the board, highlighted by running backs LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner, who both run track.

"I think they're loaded with speed from beginning to end," Chizik said. "It is just the tempo is what everybody talks about. But the reality of it is they have got some really great players on that offense, and let's not lose sight of that."

Although Auburn's defense has generally fared better against power-based teams (think LSU) than those with smaller, shiftier backs (think Kentucky), defensive coordinator Ted Roof doesn't believe his team is slow.

Asked endlessly this week about how fast Auburn's defense actually is, Roof finally shot back, "Fast enough to win 13 games."

The Ducks are probably as tired of hearing about the Tigers' distinct size advantage. Auburn's offensive line outweighs Oregon's defensive front by 45 pounds a man and quarterback Cam Newton is bigger than eight of the Ducks' defensive starters.

A glance at Auburn's defensive front reminds Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich of some standout teams on the West Coast of recent vintage.

"The great USC teams in the past are probably the closest representation of just the size, the speed, the strength of these guys," he said. "You know, we don't see these guys on a weekly basis for sure." It's the norm for the Ducks, however.

"Have you ever seen any other team we played?" James said. "Everybody's bigger than us. So I don't think that really matters. I think we are probably the smallest team in college football. Size doesn't matter at all."

The Ducks have tried just as hard to ignore talk of the mighty SEC, which is boastful for a reason, having produced the last four national champions.

"We can play football with anyone," Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris said. "We'll line up with any team and we'll go toe-to-toe. If the SEC thinks they're going to just walk over us because they're the SEC and we're the Pac-10, then they've got another thing coming to them."