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NCAA wants everyone out, then back inside The Q in 30 minutes

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Until this year, there was a window of at least two hours between the first grouping of games at most men's basketball sites and the second session. The earliest games would begin from noon to 12:30 p.m.

ncaa-the-q-television-networks.JPGA new NCAA requirement that managers at The Q get crowds in and out of the venue in 30 minutes between games will be a challenge. "With all hands on deck, it can be done, even if you have to manage a little bit of chaos," said one manager.

With Stan Donaldson

Managers of The Q are puzzling over an enormous logistical problem only days before the NCAA games tip off here Friday: how to move about 20,000 fans out of the building, tidy up the place, then seat the people again -- all in about 30 minutes.

Until this year, there was a window of at least two hours between the first grouping of games at most men's basketball sites and the second session. The earliest games would begin from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Now the NCAA is spreading tournament coverage over four TV networks, so that every game is available to viewers. To do that, start times of many early games were pushed back. Cleveland found out Sunday night that it was getting the biggest bump. Our first game, George Mason vs. Villanova, won't begin until 2:10 p.m. The second game, featuring Ohio State, won't start until at least 4:40 p.m., with its end brushing up on 7 p.m.

Since the networks don't want games lasting much past midnight, the start of the second session of games weren't altered much. The Cleveland night games are set for 7:27 and 9:57.

Coordinators are working with the NCAA on a plan to manage the flow of people out of the facility and back in, Tad Carper, vice president of communications for the Cavaliers and The Q, said Monday. Separate tickets are required for each session.

"We're very confident that we can put our experience and the NCAA's expertise to good work and have a plan in place that will do the job," Carper said.

Fewer than 1,000 tickets remained for the general public Monday. They must be purchased in the three-session package over The Q's website, theqarena.com.

Tucson has the same predicament as The Q. Their games are Thursday, but they have done this before.

In 2000 and 2005, the event staff at the University of Arizona's McKale Center had 20 minutes between sessions to clean the place and move about 15,000 fans out of the building through a single bank of doors and back through the ticketing line, said Suzy Mason, tournament director.

Cleaning crews mobilized to tackle restrooms long before the last game ended, she said. The concession stands closed during the last four minutes of the game to encourage fans to stay in their seats -- and out of the crew's way. And ticket takers, security officers and media coordinators all threw on rubber gloves, grabbed plastic bags and frantically collected trash the moment seats were vacated.

Mason is hoping the networks offer enough flexibility to trim halftimes from 20 to 15 minutes and even eliminate the national anthem to save about two minutes between games.

"With all hands on deck, it can be done, even if you have to manage a little bit of chaos," Mason said. "I just assumed that's why they call it March Madness."

In Cleveland, only 2,200 seats are reserved each session for people from the competing schools, who have tickets to individual games. The rest of the spectators will have tickets for both Friday sessions and a two-game grouping Sunday.

Usually during the break between first-day sessions, the spectators scramble from the arenas in search of food and drink at nearby restaurants and bars. Time will be a problem Friday.

Restaurants near The Q


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Still, the establishments predict a busy weekend. Managers of spots adjacent to The Q said they should do well because of the surge of Ohio State alumni and fans expected to visit. Some said schools with other teams coming here have called to secure space for private parties.

"I don't know who is going to stay in there for 10 hours and watch basketball all day," said Steve Zornes, general manager of the City Tap on Prospect Avenue. "It may not be as good as a 2½-hour break, but there will be plenty of business for everyone."

Sean O'Donnell, general manager of Flannery's Pub on Prospect, said he expects busy crowds all weekend.

"You can't drink at the game, and there will be a lot of people who want to come to the pub before, after and during the tournament," he said. "Then you have the people who just want to be a part of the moment. We will take them all."


Talk sports with Terry Pluto today at noon

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Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports. The NCAA Tournament is in Cleveland this week. The Indians made some roster moves. And Mike Holmgren addressed the media We'll talk about those topics and more.

Terry Pluto use this new head shotTerry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports.

The NCAA Tournament is in Cleveland this week. The Indians made some roster moves. And Mike Holmgren addressed the media We'll talk about those topics and more.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Terry's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.



P.M. Cleveland Indians links: A's closer has to leave; Tribe's Chris Perez is such a card

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A's All-Star closer leaves game with an injury; Tribe closer spends some of his new salary.

chris-perez-ap.JPGView full sizeIndians closer Chris Perez hobnobs with a few fans during Spring Training in Goodyear, Ariz.
You don't want to jinx things by saying, "Whew! That could've been so-and-so." But ... "Whew! That could've been Chris Perez."

A's closer Andrew Bailey pitched to three Indians before leaving Monday's 9-8 loss to the Tribe. Bailey, the 26-year-old 2009 AL rookie of the year, has already undergone Tommy John surgery once. Jane Hall, who blogs about the A's for mlb.com, had this to say:

It's really hard to speculate on the extent of Andrew Bailey's injury right now. The A's announced he left the game with elbow discomfort, but (manager Bob) Geren said after the game he "felt tightness in the forearm area." He'll be checked out as soon as possible, though Geren wasn't certain if he'd be examined by a doctor today or tomorrow. The A's skipper said Bailey had been experiencing normal soreness that creeps up during Spring Training, but that they believed he was ready to go today. Geren also noted that his velocity was good -- said he even hit 94. But, "anytime you see someone leave the game with tightness, it's concerning."
Bailey didn't finish the 2010 season, having been shut down for elbow soreness two weeks before the season ended. He had the ligament transplant operation known as Tommy John surgery when he was in college.

The A's bullpen is a little deeper than the Tribe's, and may be able to withstand a loss, if it comes to that. But losing Perez, who emerged as an elite closer after the trade of Kerry Wood last year, would be a devastating blow to an Indians team already projected to contend with Kansas City for the AL Central cellar.

Last season, Perez was successful in 23 of 27 save opportunities, and had a remarkable ERA of 1.71, 0.09 better than the Yankees Mariano Rivera, who many consider the best closer in baseball.

Bleep you, Jobu. I do it myself
Here at Starting Blocks, we love baseball movies. Jimmy Stewart was great in "The (Monty) Stratton Story." Dan Dailey was fun, a-learnin' 'em baseball as Dizzy Dean in "The Pride of St. Louis." Nobody can touch Gary Cooper "The Pride of the Yankees" (apparently, there was a shortage of creativity in baseball movie titles; either that or Woolworth's was having a sale on "The Pride of blank" t-shirts). And of course, William Bendix was ... well, William Bendix played the title character in "The Babe Ruth Story."

More recently, we've had "Rookie of the Year," "Sandlot" and "Bull Durham."

Ah, but what's the BEST baseball movie ever? Twinkietown.com, a blog devoted to the Minnesota Twins, has been running a series of polls, and now, it's down to the biggie. The Finals. The World Series. The contenders: "Field of Dreams" and (drum roll, please) "Major League."

Note that we're talking the FIRST "Major League." We like Omar Epps but he's no Willie Mays Hayes.

Field of Dreams (1989, 3 Oscar nominations) -- Kevin Costner's first appearance in the tournament (and final remaining Costner nominee) is this classic, wherein a novice farmer hears voices ("If you build it, he will come"), goes against all advice and builds a baseball field behind his house.  He chases down Darth Vader James Earl Jones, Moonlight foregoes youth to step off the field and save Costner's daughter because he's a doctor but he's dead which is great because it makes sense, and of course the great revelation at the end is that one of the ghost players on the field is Costner's old man.  Great message about hopes and overcoming regrets...if you want to look deeper than time travel, ghosts and JEJ's voice.

Major League (1989) -- When the new owner of the Cleveland Indians decides she can make tons of money by selling off the franchise, she loads the team up with youngers and has-beens, in the hope of driving fans away a giving her the excuse she needs to make the sale.  Things look bleak early, but the team and a grizzled manager come together to face their common enemy.  Wild Thing gets glasses, Willy Mays Hayes steals like 70 bases in the last month of the season (seriously, how many gloves does he get there during the montage?), the veteran who wants to become an interior designer starts diving for balls, voodoo finally works and Tom Berenger proves once and for all that if you stalk a girl long enough she'll love you.
So, what's it gonna be, fans? Gonna stay local or head to Iowa? And for the record, we didn't HAVE to put this up. But we knew (wait for it) ... "If you post it, they will vote."

How to spend $2.2 million
We were driving in to work today and passed the billboard noting that the Megamillions jackpot is up to $172 million. Naturally, we got to thinking, "Hmmm. How would I spend that money?"

Our sainthood is assured as the first choice was to set aside a million each for the grandsons, the daughter and her hubby. The second was to do the same for some friends about to have their first child (and we weren't even going to require naming rights). Next up was a vacation home somewhere in the Caribbean big enough to accommodate all our scuba-diving friends. A new boat, a custom-made drum set and a lifetime supply of Yuengeling also passed through our minds. As did a used, rusted-out Yugo for the ex (there goes the sainthood).

But what DIDN'T occur to us was the first thing that occurred to Tribe closer Chris Perez upon signing his new $2.2 million deal: a baseball card. Here's Chris Olds' take on it for ESPN.com:

Now, it's not just any card, either. Perez purchased a one-of-a-kind Topps card, a fold-out booklet with the signatures of nine 1927 New York Yankees attached. The two biggies? Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, while the seven other autographs are the rest of the starters in the legendary lineup known as "Murderers' Row."

The cost? A mere $20,000.

"This is definitely a nice little gift I'm giving myself for my new contract," Perez said from spring training in Goodyear, Ariz. "Some people buy cars, jewelry, houses. I wanted to buy something a little different. I could barely talk my wife into letting me bid the initial $20,000 let alone get in a bidding war."
BTW, Perez appears on 235 baseball cards, and has every one. Well, except for the one-of-a-kind ones. But he said he DOES check eBay and other auction sites to see if their prints of 'em.

Personally, we wouldn't want to trade bids with Perez, even if we made $2.2 mill a year. He's clearly pretty good at closing a deal.

From The Plain Dealer
In Spring Training, we're more likely to give the honchos a little leeway for some of their moves. Which is why we're not indignantly stamping our feet and crying, "What the HECK are you thinking by sending Lonnie Chisenhall to the minors?"

Beat writer Paul Hoynes talked to Tribe GM Chris Antonetti about the move made yesterday, in which seven Indians were sent down, including Chisenhall. That's the same Chisenhall who's hitting .478 this spring and playing a good third base. Maybe not a Brooks Robinson third base, but a good third base.

Here's some of what Antonetti had to say:

"I think that would be short-sighted," he said. "We can't just focus on generating excitement. Our focus has to be on winning championships. That's what we want to get back to. ... The landscape is filled with guys who have had good years. They get progressed too quickly to the big-league level. Then they're back at Triple-A, back in the big leagues, back in Triple-A.

"We want to do everything possible to avoid that. There are no certainties, but when Lonnie comes up, or any player comes up, we want to make sure he's as well positioned as possible to succeed."

Antonetti said Chisenhall, 22, needs to hit better against left-handers and continue to learn the nuances of third base. Most of all, he needs experience. He spent all last season at Class AA Akron. Now the Indians want to see if he can handle Class AAA pitching.

Antonetti said the move had nothing to do with the organization's refusal to start Chisenhall's service-time clock, making him eligible for salary arbitration as a Super Two player instead of waiting until he had three full seasons in the big leagues.
All right. But we're starting the clock now on just how soon the Indians recall him to the Bigs.

Those roster moves also come into play in the Hoynsie's Indians Insider column. The Tribe has an abundance of infielders -- including second baseman of the future Jason Kipnis -- who either already have been designated for the minors or could end up there. So how do you get 'em all playing time?

Ohio State Buckeyes: Kirk Herbstreit moves from Columbus because of a few overzealous fans

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Fans force Kirk Herbstreit to leave Columbus.

herbietb.jpgKirk Herbstreit

Did you hear how former Buckeye Kirk Herbstreit moved from Columbus to Tennessee because fans think he wasn't much of a homer since he is also an ESPN college football analyst.

Bob Hunter of The Columbus Dispatch writes:

Herbstreit said the move to Nashville, Tenn., was because of the constant criticism he has received from a vocal minority of Ohio State fans who don't understand that his job at the network demands objectivity and fairness.

"Nobody loves Ohio State more than me," said Herbstreit, a former Buckeyes quarterback. "I still have a picture of Woody Hayes and my dad (Jim, a former OSU player) in my office, and nobody will do more than I do for the university behind the scenes. But I've got a job to do, and I'm going to continue to be fair and objective. To continue to have to defend myself and my family in regards to my love and devotion to Ohio State is unfair."

 

Ohio State Buckeyes A.M. Links: No national love; OSU women are in

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The Buckeyes are not receiving much national love when it comes to the tournament.

charles barkley.JPGFormer NBA star and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley does not think much about Ohio State in the tournament.

We all know the Ohio State Buckeyes are not getting any respect nationally when it comes to OSU winning it all.

None of the national basketball folks -- like Charles Barkley (stick to the NBA Chuck), Kenny Smith, Jay Bilas or Seth Davis -- have faith in the Buckeyes.

Columbus Dispatch columnist Rob Oller writes there are many reasons why the national media is not picking OSU to win it all. Some believe Ohio State is only a football school, while others have different reasons.

Like

Which brings us back to Barkley, whose performance during the CBS selection show on Sunday was a mumbling mess of reading notes with head lowered. Basically, Sir Charles likes Kansas because, well, it's Kansas.

Again, to be fair, it's not just OSU that does not wow the media wags. More than any other season in memory, the majority opinion this year is that college lacks any super team. There is no North Carolina of 2008-09, which had three players taken in the first round of the 2009 NBA draft.

 

OSU women

The OSU women will enter the tournament as a No. 4 seed in the Dayton Regional. Jim Massie of The Columbus Dispatch writes how the Buckeyes (22-9) won the final nine games of the season, which included the Big Ten tournament championship.

The Buckeyes will play in a first-round game against Central Florida (22-10) at about 1:50 p.m. Saturday in St.John Arena.

Notre Dame fined in death of student videographer killed when lift toppled in windstorm

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Indiana regulators have ruled that Notre Dame is responsible for the death of a student videographer who died when high winds toppled the hydraulic lift from which he was filming football practice.

declan-sullivan-ap-notre-dame-observer.JPGView full sizeIndiana has ruled that Notre Dame University did not "maintain a safe working environment," leading to the death of student videographer Declan Sullivan. Sullivan was filming football practice when high winds toppled a hyraulic lift he was using.

South Bend, Ind. -- Indiana regulators fined Notre Dame $77,500 on Tuesday for six safety violations in the October death of a 20-year-old student who was killed when the hydraulic lift he was on toppled over in high winds while he was filming football practice.

The school failed to maintain safe working conditions or heed National Weather Service warnings on a day wind speeds in the area reached 53 mph, the Indiana Department of Labor said.

"The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrated that the university made a decision to utilize its scissor lifts in known adverse weather conditions," agency Commissioner Lori Torres said.

Declan Sullivan, a junior film student from Long Grove, Ill., died Oct. 27 after the lift he was on fell over. Less than an hour earlier, he had tweeted his concerns about what he described as "terrifying" weather.

"Gusts of wind up to 60 mph today will be fun at work ... I guess I've lived long enough," he wrote.

The scissor lift was not supposed to be used in winds above 28 mph, but the weather service had issued a warning saying winds of 25 mph to 35 mph were expected with gusts of up to 45 mph. Torres said the university was at fault for allowing Sullivan to be in the lift after the weather service had issued the advisory.

The school has until April 7 to accept the findings and pay the fines, contest the safety orders or meet with the agency.

University spokesman Dennis Brown said the school had no immediate response because officials were reviewing the report. The Rev. John Jenkins, the university president, said in an e-mail in November to students, faculty, staff and alumni that the school was responsible for Sullivan's death because it failed to protect him.

Sullivan's parents, Barry and Alison, issued a statement saying they appreciated the thorough investigation.

"This report is an important step in preventing future accidents, but its findings do not change the fact that Declan is not with us," they wrote.

Sullivan's uncle, Mike Miley, said the report hadn't changed the family's opinion, saying they hope others will learn from Sullivan's death and take appropriate safety steps in the future.

The other violations included a failure to make annual, monthly or weekly inspections of the lifts for more than a year; a failure to have the scissor lift serviced as required by the manufacturer; and a failure to have an operator's manual on the unit. The lift was also missing some warning labels while others were faded and weathered.

Notre Dame announced last week that it will no longer use hydraulic lifts for videographers at football practices and has begun installing remote-controlled cameras at its outdoor practice fields. The new cameras are expected to be in operation by the start of spring football practice on March 23.

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Associated Press writer Hasan Dudar in Indianapolis contributed to this report.


Brian McKnight on music, acting and basketball

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R&B sensation Brian McKnight talks about his music, acting and playing his last season of ProAm basketball in Los Angeles. Watch video


CLEVELAND, Ohio ----- Brian McKnight has long been considered one of the best basketball players whose full time job is in entertainment.


He competed in tryout camps overseas, and he was invited to training camp with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but a broken ankle prior to camp halted McKnight's attempt.


McKnight, a multi platinum R&B singer, has competed in several ProAM summer basketball leagues with the likes of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Baron Davis and many others.


McKnight will begin a music tour this summer. He was in town recently starring in the play Cheaper to Keep Her when he conducted this interview with Branson Wright.

2011 NCAA Tournament: Akron Zips' style makes them tough to play against, says Elton Alexander (SBTV)

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But Zips will have their work cut out against sharp-shooting Notre Dame, says PD sports writer. Watch video


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright, who welcome today's guest, Plain Dealer sports writer Elton Alexander, in studio.


Which No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tourament has the toughest road to the Final Four? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.


Elton talks about why Akron's style of play is an interesting mix that can make them a tough team to prepare for. He also discusses his Final Four picks (North Carolina, San Diego State, Pitt, Kansas) and why he's eager to see a second-round matchup between Duke and Tennessee.


SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises breaking down the Buckeyes' chances.


Related links:


$10,000 Bracket Challenge | Printable bracket


Oddsmakers like Ohio State's chances in NCAA Tournament




Terry Pluto talks Ohio State, Browns, Cavaliers and Indians - Podcast

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What did Terry think of the Jim Tressel punishment and press conference? Are the Browns really considering Cam Newton at No. 6? Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto talked about that and more in his weekly podcast.

jim-tressel2.jpgView full sizeJim Tressel received a 2-game suspension and a fine from Ohio State.

Join Terry Pluto, Paul Hoynes and Dennis Manoloff for an Indians roundtable and breakfast on Opening Day, April 1, at 7:30 a.m. Find out more info here.

What did Terry think of the Jim Tressel punishment and press conference? Are the Browns really considering Cam Newton at No. 6?

Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto talked about that and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• How long could this labor strife go on in the NFL?

• Can NBA players stay united if faced with something similar in their league?

• What do you expect out of Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament?

• What, if anything, is keeping you interested in this Cavaliers' season?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player below.

















Clemson, Asheville win in first games of 2011 NCAA Tournament

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As happy as Clemson and UNC Asheville were to win NCAA tournament games, there was no time to celebrate.

Jerai GrantClemson center Jerai Grant clenches his fists after making a basket while being fouled in the first half of a first-round NCAA college basketball tournament game against UAB, Tuesday, March 15, 2011, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo)

DAYTON, Ohio — As happy as Clemson and UNC Asheville were to win NCAA tournament games, there was no time to celebrate.

A group hug with your teammates, handshakes for the opponents, a few postgame remarks and both teams were airborne.

Jerai Grant scored a career-best 22 points and the fast-starting Tigers built a double-figure lead and never backed off in beating Alabama-Birmingham 70-52 on Tuesday night in an NCAA tournament "First Four" game at the University of Dayton Arena.

Then the Tigers (22-11) hurried to catch a flight to their second-round game against fifth-seeded West Virginia (20-11) on Thursday afternoon in Tampa, Fla. — almost exactly 36 hours after their first game ended.

"We'll go to the mandatory shootaround (on Wednesday) but certainly that will be the only physical thing that we do," Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. "I'll have to watch film through the night, obviously."

In the earlier game, Matt Dickey led a late run that brought overtime, and J.P. Primm hit five free throws and had a decisive steal in the closing seconds, sending UNC Asheville to an 81-77 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock.

Like Clemson, the Bulldogs (20-13) didn't have time for a curtain call. They quickly headed to the airport for a charter flight to Washington, D.C., where they'll play Pittsburgh — the Southeast's top seed — on Thursday.

The Bulldogs had never flown a charter before this week, and joked they felt "presidential" on their trip to Dayton.

"We're going to feel presidential again, and we're going to D.C.," Primm said. "So it's going to feel even better."

UNC Asheville pulled it out with a tournament-worthy performance by its best player. The Bulldogs led for only 51 seconds in regulation, before Dickey asserted himself. He scored 14 of the Bulldogs' last 18 points in regulation, including a 3-pointer with 10.5 seconds to go that tied it.

Dickey, who was the Big South tournament's MVP, took only two shots in the first half.

"I came in at halftime and they kept telling me to keep being aggressive, my shots will start falling," Dickey said. "I started getting open looks, my shot started falling and it felt good."

Primm and Dickey had 22 points apiece.

Alex Garcia-Mendoza matched his career high with 21 points for Arkansas-Little Rock (19-17). The Trojans played overtime without Solomon Bozeman, the Sun Belt's player of the year who fouled out with 55 seconds to go in regulation. He finished with 18 points.

Each year, the tournament turns into a big stage looking for a star. Dickey became the first to take the spotlight.

"He made some big plays coming off ball screens," Bozeman said. "We weren't able to contain him."

The shooting guard took control with nine minutes left, leading the late surge that culminated in his 3-pointer from the left corner. Primm had missed a 3, but the Bulldogs got the rebound and passed it around to Dickey, who was open and didn't hesitate.

"I didn't know how much time was left on the clock," he said. "I was pretty sure it was under 15 or 20 seconds."

His timing was perfect.

In the nightcap, Clemson had blown a big lead in losing to North Carolina in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament on Saturday. So this time the Tigers decided to just build such a big lead that they couldn't fritter it away.

"We clearly had North Carolina in a difficult position and didn't close the game," Brownell said. "The more games like that you're in, I do think it hardens your guys. And I'm sure it helped in some way (tonight)."

In a matchup of No. 12 seeds, part of the expanded tournament's new look, the Tigers went on a 21-2 run in the first half. UAB (22-9) made a run but never got closer than eight points again.

Milton Jennings added 11 points and Tanner Smith and Devin Booker each had 10 for Clemson, picked to finish seventh in the ACC. The win was its first in the NCAA tournament since the 1997 team advanced to the round of 16.

UAB's hopes wilted when, already trailing 61-42, it lost point guard Aaron Johnson.

Johnson, leading the nation in assists at 7.7 per game, was injured while trying to prevent an easy layup by Grant. After lying on the floor for several minutes, he left the court on crutches with what coach Mike Davis called a broken leg. Johnson received a round of applause from the crowd of 10,025.

Jamarr Sanders had 19 points and Dexter Fields 12 for UAB, regular-season champions of Conference USA.

"Clemson is a real good team," Davis said.

And, he could have added, a real tired one, too.

Kyrie Irving could return for Duke's opener

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Injured Duke point guard Kyrie Irving could return for the Blue Devils' NCAA tournament opener, coach Mike Krzyzewski said Tuesday night.

Kyrie IrvingInjured Duke point guard Kyrie Irving has played since he suffered a turf toe injury on Dec. 4.  (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
DURHAM, N.C. - Injured Duke point guard Kyrie Irving could return for the Blue Devils' NCAA tournament opener, coach Mike Krzyzewski said Tuesday night.

Krzyzewski said Irving practiced "a little bit" with the team Tuesday, but he won't know for a few days whether the freshman will be available for the top-seeded Blue Devils' West Regional opener against 16th-seeded Hampton on Friday in Charlotte.

"There is a chance that he would play," Krzyzewski said.

The coach added that if Irving does come back, he won't start, would see only limited minutes and wouldn't be on the court for extended periods of time.

"You don't want to get where he gets hurt and hurts something else because you extend him past" his limits, Krzyzewski said.

The Blue Devils will hold their pre-NCAA tournament open practice Thursday at the arena in Charlotte and "we'll know a heck of a lot more by then," Krzyzewski said.

Irving, a playmaking point guard with a quick first step, was the leader of Duke's uptempo attack - and the team's leading scorer with an average of 17.4 points - when he injured the big toe on his right foot in a win against Butler on Dec. 4.

Not long after that, Krzyzewski said the Blue Devils were prepared to play the rest of the season without him. Irving spent nearly two months in a hard cast to keep the toe immobilized, and his right foot was in a boot after that.

Speculation about his status intensified during the past week. Irving performed on-court drills in shorts and sneakers with the Blue Devils' training staff before their ACC quarterfinal against Maryland, switching to street clothes for the game.

Then after Duke's title-game victory, Irving said there was a chance he could return sometime during the tournament. Krzyzewski later said that was a long way off and downplayed the comments as a young player getting caught up in the emotion of missing out on a championship.

"I'm going day by day, because I never expected him to be where he's at today," Krzyzewski said. "This is like uncharted waters."

Both Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils insist Irving's possible return wouldn't threaten the chemistry developed over the past three months without him. Duke (30-4) went 22-4 in his absence, rolling to a third straight ACC tournament title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament for the second straight year.

"All the guys, if he's able to play, would welcome him back," Krzyzewski said. "He's been the best guy ever on a sideline with his teammates. It'd be different if he wasn't that way. I think that would be a smooth transition, and if we're fortunate enough to win, and he's able to play, then you get more accustomed to it."

Said forward Kyle Singler: "Personally, I don't think he's missed a beat. ... He just fits in."

Irving's injury forced senior Nolan Smith to shift to the point and help make up for his absence at both ends of the court.

After a rough first game in that role, Smith responded. He not only became Duke's leading scorer, he led the ACC in scoring. Smith finished the season with at least 15 points in 22 straight games and 24 of 25 overall. Along the way, he flirted with the conference lead in assists and claimed two of the ACC's top awards: Player of the year and MVP of the tournament.

Irving's possible return would take some pressure off Smith, who might not have to guard the opposing team's primary ball-handler quite as often.

"If (Irving) does happen to come back and play, I think it would be very easy for him to fit right in and help us win games," Smith said. "He's obviously that talented. He wants to be part of winning, more than anything. If he gets back on the court with us, we'll just keep on rolling."


Talk Indians with Paul Hoynes Wednesday at noon

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Get your Indians questions ready and join Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes today at noon as he talks Tribe live from spring training in Goodyear, Arizona. Hear Paul's thoughts on Lonnie Chisenhall's demotion, Fausto Carmona's spring, the starting rotation, Grady Sizemore's return and more.

hoynes-headshot.jpgPaul Hoynes answers your Indians questions on Wednesdays at noon.

Get your Indians questions ready and join Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes today at noon as he talks Tribe live from spring training in Goodyear, Arizona.

Hear Paul's thoughts on Lonnie Chisenhall's demotion, Fausto Carmona's spring, the starting rotation, Grady Sizemore's return and more.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Hoynsie's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.



How can Ohio State coach Jim Tressel best remove the stain from his image? Poll

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How can embattled Ohio State coach Jim Tressel best salvage his reputation?

jim-tressel=ap.JPGView full sizeOhio State coach Jim Tressel speaks at a luncheon sponsored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Monday in Canton. Tressel apologized to a room full of fans during his first public speaking engagement since being suspended two games and fined for violating NCAA rules.


Ohio State coach Jim Tressel knew last April that at least two of his players, quarterback Terrelle Pryor and receiver DeVier Posey, had had some dealings with a tattoo shop owner who was being investigated on drug charges.

Pryor and Posey were not part of the drug probe; instead, they apparently had traded memorabilia for discounted tattoos and cash. But under NCAA rules, they could -- and probably should -- have been ruled ineligible.

The details emerged just as the Buckeyes were preparing to play in the post-season Sugar Bowl. The revelation that Tressel knew about it seven months earlier and didn't report it to his superiors -- including Athletic Director Gene Smith and President E. Gordon Gee -- came out only weeks ago. As a result, Tressel, whose reputation had somehow emerged unscathed by scandals at Youngstown State, the Troy Smith booster question and the whole Maurice Clarett fiasco, has been suspended for the first two (meaningless) games of 2011, and fined $250,000 by the university. Further penalties from the NCAA are possible, even likely.

Has this latest episode permanently removed the Teflon coating that seems to have surrounded the coach? Maybe. He HAS shown a remarkable ability to survive such things.

How best can he do that? That's what we'd like to know. We're putting a few suggestions in our poll; if you have other ideas, please use the comments section below.




Pat Shurmur sounds like a leader: Browns Comment of the Day

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"Shurmur is making a good case to be our leader so far. Even when Holmgren admits to a daunting challenge ahead, Shurmur maintains a positive approach. A true sign of a leader." - glough

Pat ShurmurPat Shurmur says he's not worried about installing new systems while having no access to players during the lockout.

New Browns head coach Pat Shurmur talked about the challenges involved with installing new offensive and defensive system without having access to locked out players.

Shurmur told The Plain Dealer, "I feel as though the systems we're teaching are proven. I've seen them be taught in a short amount of time. I'm not anxious about it."

Browns fans such as glough likes what he hears from Shurmur. The fan writes,

"Shurmur is making a good case to be our leader so far. Even when Holmgren admits to a daunting challenge ahead, Shurmur maintains a positive approach. A true sign of a leader. Holmgren can be the realist, but the head Coach of a football team should never show any signs of weakness or vulnerability."

Do you have confidence in Pat Shurmur as the lockout continues? Post your comments below.

Cleveland Cavaliers A.M. Links: Kings feel the Cavaliers' pain; NCAA scouting; not clicking

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The Kings and Cavaliers play tonight.

jj hickson.JPGJ.J. Hickson

Tonight's game between the Cavaliers and the Sacramento Kings is a battle between the worst team in the East and the worst team in the West.

Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee writes that this season is about improvement even if it doesn't lead to wins.

The Kings would tell you they are a better team, and Westphal said the Cavaliers are competing and improving after enduring an NBA-record 26-game losing streak.

But rebuilding can be slow and filled with losses, as the Kings and Cavaliers know.

"The timetable is never fast enough," Westphal said. "But at the same time, as a coach you try to set a goal that you have to reach but still be realistic that if you're going toward that goal, you're doing well. I'm sure that's what Byron's saying and all of us that are coaching young teams. You try to climb up that ladder. You try to focus on the success and progress."

The difference between the two teams is that the Kings have been rebuilding for the last few seasons, and the Cavs' rebuilding process started after LeBron took his talents to South Beach.

 

NCAA Tournament

New Cavaliers big man Luke Harangody has provided a scouting report of the Akron Zips to his alma mater Notre Dame, writes Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com. Harangody is Notre Dame's second-leading scorer behind Austin Carr.

''Akron is not a bad team, but I definitely have the Irish's back in the first round,'' Harangody said. ''Sorry, Akron fans.''

 

Clicking along

J.J. Hickson and Samardo Samuels haven't exactly clicked on the court, writes Bob Finnan of The News-Herald.

It's because Samuels' numbers continue to rise, and Hickson is still trying to find his way, writes Finnan.

Hickson is shooting 35.6 percent from the field (26 of 73) in the last six games — when Samuels moved into the starting lineup at power forward in place of the injured Antawn Jamison.

The 6-foot-9, 242-pounder is averaging 12 points and 9.2 rebounds in that span, very similar to his numbers on the season.

Since he moved into the starting lineup on March 2, Samuels is averaging 14.2 points and 8.0 rebounds and is shooting 47.2 percent from the field.

 


Cabrera to Cabrera has a nice ring to it: Indians Comment of the Day

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"It seems like signing the elder Cabrera is a shot in the arm for the younger Cabrera. I like the fact that they play cards together and take batting practice together." - gryff

ocabrera-swing-spring11-ap.jpgOrlando Cabrera is hitting .348 for the Indians this spring.
If all things continue to go right in spring training, we could be hearing the phrase "Cabrera-to-Cabrera" a lot during Indians broadcasts.

As Paul Hoynes reported today, second baseman Orlando Cabrera and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera are having a good spring both collectively and individually. It's a double-play tandem Indians fans like gryff enjoy seeing out there.

He writes,

"It seems like signing the elder Cabrera is a shot in the arm for the younger Cabrera. I like the fact that they play cards together and take batting practice together. Anything that helps gel familiarity is always a good thing, especially in the infield. It's funny. They share the same last name but the simularity between the two players does not end there."

What do you think of the Cabrera-Cabrera connection? Post  your comments below.



2011 NCAA Tournament: Kansas Jayhawks depth will overpower Ohio State Buckeyes in final, says Doug Lesmerises (SBTV)

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Jayhawks' ability to go to a deep bench will make the difference, says Plain Dealer OSU reporter. Watch video


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.


Jim Tressel has had a rough month in Columbus. What do you think is the best way for him to repair his image? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.


Today's guest, Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises, says that a combination of time, winning and staying clean will help to repair some of the damage done to Tressel's legacy.


Doug also talks about why Cleveland native David Lighty is so important to Ohio State's chances; why he's picking Kansas over Ohio State in the NCAA chamiponship game; and what he thinks of the 68-team format for this year's tournament.


SBTV will return Thursday.


Related links:


$10,000 Bracket Challenge | Printable bracket


Oddsmakers like Ohio State's chances in NCAA Tournament



Paul Hoynes talks Chisenhall's demotion, Sizemore's return: Podcast

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Did the Indians make the right move by sending Lonnie Chisenhall to the minors? When will Grady Sizemore make his regular season debut? Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

lonnie chisenhall.jpgDid the Indians make a mistake by sending Lonnie Chisenhall down to the minors?

Did the Indians make the right move by sending Lonnie Chisenhall to the minors?

Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes answered that question and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• How is Jason Donald's injured hand? If he can't open at third, who will?

• Has Fausto Carmona figured out his problems after a slow start?

• If Grady Sizemore returns to the lineup this weekend, when will he start playing games once the season starts?

• What will the order of the starting rotation be?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player below.


Ramon Sessions should just play and not worry about his starting job: Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"You don't earn and keep a starting job unless you produce. These guys get paid good money to either play or come off the bench. It all goes into winning games. Right now Sessions is doing nothing that warrants him either starting or coming off the bench." - tudefit

sessions-def-collison-horiz-jk.jpgCavs guard Ramon Sessions, left, has struggled as of late.

Cavaliers guard Ramon Sessions was playing so well before the NBA trade deadline, many fans called him "untouchable." Flash forward three weeks later and Sessions is struggling.

He's only averaged 9.6 points on 28.3-percent shooting since Baron Davis' arrival. Some wonder if Sessions is looking over his shoulder at Davis taking his starting job away.

However, Cavaliers fan tudefit writes,

"You don't earn and keep a starting job unless you produce. These guys get paid good money to either play or come off the bench. It all goes into winning games. Right now Sessions is doing nothing that warrants him either starting or coming off the bench."

What do you think of Sessions future with the Cavaliers? Get in on the discussion in the comments section below.

Dajuan Wagner, former Cleveland Cavaliers guard, plans an NBA comeback

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Remember former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dajuan Wagner? The Cavaliers selected Wagner with the No. 6 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. It was the year before the Cavaliers selected LeBron James. Former Cavaliers coach John Lucas dreamed of having Wagner and James in the same backcourt. That didn't work out exactly because Lucas got fired, and Wagner's three-year career with...

cavs-wagner-02-horiz-ap.jpgDajuan Wagner

Remember former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dajuan Wagner? The Cavaliers selected Wagner with the No. 6 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. It was the year before the Cavaliers selected LeBron James.

Former Cavaliers coach John Lucas dreamed of having Wagner and James in the same backcourt.

That didn't work out exactly because Lucas got fired, and Wagner's three-year career with the Cavaliers was filled with injuries.

Matthew Stanmyre of The News-Ledger writes this profile on how Wagner went from being the high school player of the year, to a guy with dreams of playing again in the NBA.

Wagner, now 28, hasn’t played competitive basketball for three years, but says he’s in the process of making one last NBA comeback. He had surgery on his right knee last year and recently was cleared to resume playing.

His schedule is perpetually flexible because he has not worked the past three years. And while he declines to discuss the specifics of his finances, or invite outsiders to see his home in nearby West Deptford, friends say he has plenty of money and lives comfortably. The rookie contract he signed with Cleveland nine years ago was worth $10.7 million over four years.

What Wagner has been up to the past three years seems mysterious — if not entirely simple.

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