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Obama predicts Kansas will top Ohio State in NCAA Final

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President Obama is picking Ohio State to make the championship game in the NCAA basketball tournament ... and lose to Kansas.

obama-marthas-vineyard-ap.JPGView full sizePresident Obama, caught midair in a pickup game on a 2009 vacation to Martha's Vineyard, is picking Ohio State to make the championship game of this year's NCAA tournament. And lose it to Kansas.

Washington -- President Barack Obama still believes in Kansas.

For the third straight year, Obama has filled out an NCAA tournament bracket for ESPN. He says Duke, Kansas, Ohio State and Pittsburgh will make the men's Final Four, with the Jayhawks beating the Buckeyes in the national championship game.

His pick to win it all was revealed Wednesday on SportsCenter.

Obama also picked Kansas to win the title last season, but Northern Iowa upset the Jayhawks in the second round. Duke went on to defeat Butler for the championship.

Obama predicts Baylor, UConn, Stanford and Tennessee will advance to the Final Four in the women's tournament. His full bracket will be unveiled Friday morning.


P.M. Cleveland Indians links: Tigers and a Crimson Indian; strength in the middle

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Tigers take down Indians reliever ... and it's not the Detroit Tigers.

frank-hermann-crow.JPGView full sizeFrank Hermann is the lone Harvard alum in the bigs right now, and is suffering the ignominy of is Crimson falling to the Princeton Tigers of Tribe GM Mark Shapiro and Assistant GM Mike Chernoff to claim a spot in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Those dang Princeton Tigers. They went and ruined -  just RUINED - things for Indians reliever Frank Hermann, who happens to be a Harvard alum.

That's right, Hahvahd. Home of Charles Emerson Winchester III, the Kennedys and -- we think anyway -- Thurston Howell III of "Gilligan's Island" fame.


Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon-Journal used the Tigers' victory in a one-game playoff to see which of the two Ivy League teams would get an NCAA bid (and subsequent early exit) to profile Hermann.

He's currently the only Crimson alum in the Majors. Which isn't surprising, given history. According to Ocker's piece, only 16 Hahvahd alums have made it to the big leagues. Ever. And only one has played in a World Series.

Which, for the record, isn't limited to basketball. It's more concerned with the prospects of Hermann serving a key role out of the Tribe bullpen. Just to get you a little taste of the chowdah Ocker's serving:



The Harvard baseball community was paying attention when Herrmann, an undrafted free agent, beat the odds and got called up. Not long after he arrived in Cleveland, he heard from the Red Sox's assistant director of player development Ben Crockett, Diamondbacks assistant GM Peter Woodfork and David Forst, assistant GM of the Athletics, Harvard graduates all.

Herrmann's promotion also was noted by GoCrimson.com, the official website of Harvard athletics.

''They were proud of me,'' Herrmann said.

Pride of accomplishment is all well and good. But Herrmann wasn't someone being given a gold watch for long years of excellence. He was just starting his career.

Herrmann's 4.03 earned-run average in 40 appearances (44 2/3 innings) last year certainly got the attention of manager Manny Acta and General Manager Chris Antonetti. But they did not offer a guaranteed spot in the bullpen this year.

He has had to pitch his way onto the team. Or maybe he only has had to maintain his place in the pecking order from 2010. Either way, Herrmann is the front-runner to win the final job in the bullpen.

His chances are better today than before the playoff game, seein' as how there are two Princeton grads holding key positions with the Tribe: President Mark Shapiro and  Assistant General Manager Mike Chernoff. Not that they would hold a grudge.

Right?

An unlikely scenario
Given the history of the Indians since ownership changed, who better to carry a prognostication of what lies ahead than a site called mlbtraderumors.com?



Can the Indians become the surprise contender of 2011?  The offense will ideally be elevated by full seasons from Grady Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana.  Position player reinforcements could arrive in the form of top prospects Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis, Nick Weglarz and Cord Phelps. But even if we optimistically grant the Indians an above-average offense, to contend they'd need breakout performances from pitchers such as Justin Masterson and Carlos Carrasco, a strong debut from Alex White, and improvements from several of the relievers behind Chris Perez.  It's a lot to ask.

The Tribe's farm system ranks seventh in baseball, according to Baseball America, which praised the club for having best 2010 draft of any team.  They're stocked at both the lower and upper levels of the minors.  This is a club that will get better in a hurry, even if 2011 is not the year.
Hmm. Wonder if author Tim Dierkes has some Northeast Ohio blood in him? He's already spouting the Tribe fan mantra, albeit not in so many words: Wait until next year!

From The Plain Dealer
The Indians once had what was one of the best middle infields in the history of the game with Omar Vizquel at short and Robby Alomar at second. We're talkin' two Hall of Famers.

In today's piece, beat writer Paul Hoynes notes that while the Cabreras -- SS Asdrubal and 2B Orlando -- aren't that Vizquel-Alomar tandem, they've got the potential to be one of the best combinations the Tribe has had since then.



Steve Smith isn't ready to say the pairing of Asdrubal and Orlando Cabrera will produce instant magic in the middle of the Indians' infield, but he certainly likes what he's seen.

"The good thing is both of these guys can catch it and throw it," said Smith, the Indians' infield coach. "That's a good thing. I like those kind of guys."


And in the Good News At Last Department: It looks as though Grady Sizemore may play his first game in 10 months on Sunday, according to Hoynsie's Indians Insider column.



"If everything continues to go well, and it's going well, there's a chance that Grady can start participating in games on March 20," said manager Manny Acta. "I saw him [Tuesday] working on fundamentals, cutoffs, relays, chasing balls around in the outfield during batting practice like it was nothing. It was very encouraging."

Ochocinco going for futbol, since lockout has put football on hiatus

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Chad Ochocinco swapping football for futbol ... for now. And gets clothes-lined by a judge.

ochocinco-ap.JPGView full sizeThank heavens the NFL lockout came along. It's provided the perfect opportunity for Bengals wideout Chad Ochocinco to pursue a lifelong dream: playing professional soccer.

Kansas City, Mo. -- Chad Ochocinco will try to play a different kind of football during the NFL lockout.

Never short on publicity-grabbing ideas, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is set for a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer starting Tuesday.

The club said Wednesday that after the tryout, it would determine whether to extend the trial period.

"We're always searching for players who can help our team and bringing in new talent," Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. "We know that Chad is an exceptional athlete and that he loves the sport of soccer, and he did play a lot when he was younger. We're excited to see how his skills will translate once he arrives next week and begins training with our team."

Ochocinco started playing soccer at age 4 but chose to focus on football in high school.

"Due to the NFL lockout, I'm excited to be able to follow my childhood dream of playing for a Major League Soccer team," Ochocinco said.

The reality TV star is friends with such big names in soccer as Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. In January, Ochocinco visited Ronaldo, Kaka and the rest of Real Madrid's squad and was introduced to manager Jose Mourinho.

He has said he uses a soccer ball to warm up for NFL practices and games.

Sporting Kansas City, which changed its name from the Wizards in conjunction with moving into a new stadium, opens its MLS season Saturday. It narrowly missed the playoffs last year.

Of course, the lockout may really be behind the move. After all, with no money coming in, Ochocinco might need a little scratch to pay a Cincinnati clothing store the $12,000 he owes it. Here's a snippet from the USA Today piece:

A judge in Ohio has ordered Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco to pay almost $12,000 to a clothing store for unpaid merchandise.

Judge Bernie Bouchard ruled in favor of Amm One/Exclusive Wear after Ochocinco failed to appear in court to answer a charge.

Ochocinco must pay the clothier $11,717.39 for clothes the company said was bought between 2008-2009.


Cleveland Browns: Colt McCoy or someone else?

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Is Colt McCoy really the Browns quarterback for the present and future?

Browns hold practice in Berea TuesdayCleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy.

The Cleveland Browns have given every indication that Colt McCoy is the team's quarterback now and in the future.

Almost.

For example, why are the Browns taking a close look at Cam Newton if they already have "their quarterback?"

And how about this on NFL.com.

“I don’t know how they can ultimately be sold on McCoy,” says resident GM and analyst Michael Lombardi. “His injuries down the stretch, his body is not the biggest or strongest, and can he endure 16 games? These are all questions that have to be answered by the new staff (who) have to be comfortable with the answers and see if they can move forward before they do anything else — draft or trade.”

 

Live high school basketball: Regional semifinals from the Wolstein Center

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Listen live tonight beginning at 6:15 p.m. as St. Edward takes on Garfield Heights and Mentor takes on Berea at the Wolstein Center. You can also jump in on The Plain Dealer's live chat and ask Mentor head coach Bob Krizancic your questions during halftime of Game 1.

cole-krizancic.JPGView full sizeCole Krizancic and Mentor are trying to win their second consecutive regional tournament at the Wolstein Center. They face Berea tonight in the semifinals.

Four Cleveland-area boys basketball teams are just two wins away from advancing to Columbus and the Division I state final four next week.

Listen live online tonight as we'll bring you both regional semifinal games from Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center beginning at 6:15 p.m. The Plain Dealer will also bring you a live blog during both contests where you can ask your questions, get instant analysis and vote in online polls. Mentor head coach Bob Krizancic will be joining readers at halftime of Game 1 to answer questions.

The action starts at 6:15 p.m. as Garfield Heights, appearing in a regional tournament for the first time since 1950, faces off against St. Edward, who lost in the finals of this same tournament last year. Then, at approximately 8:00 p.m., defending regional champion Mentor takes on this year's tournament Cindarella story, the Berea Braves.

You can join us again on Saturday night for a live blog and broadcast as tonight's winners will face off at 7:30 p.m.

Tonight's semifinal schedule (Click to listen to the games live)

Celebrity Bracketology Challenge: Josh Cribbs

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The Browns' special-team ace is putting his chips on the top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes.

CRIBBSREDO.jpgView full size

The Browns' Josh Cribbs is back to defend his title in The Plain Dealer's Celebrity Bracketology Challenge. He's putting his chips on the top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes.

Cribbs has the Buckeyes beating Kansas in the championship game after defeating Duke in the semifinals. This is a pick that will do nothing to hurt Cribbs' status as one of the most popular members of the Cleveland Browns.

The special teams ace didn't go for any surprises in his Final Four, choosing three No. 1 seeds in OSU, Duke and Kansas, and a No. 2 out of the Southeast Region in Florida. The former Kent State quarterback also showed no love for arch-rival Akron, picking the 15th-seeded Zips to lose to Notre Dame on Friday.

Last year, Cribbs scored 290 points, topping former Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook (270), former Cavaliers guard Mo Williams (250) and former Ohio State basketball player Kosta Koufos (205).

Cribbs' bracket was emailed to The Plain Dealer, but could not be reproduced due to technical difficulties, so we here at The PD had to fill out a bracket using Josh's original. The handwriting isn't his, but the picks are. And after all, that's all that matters, right?

About the Celebrity Bracketology Challenge

The first two celebrity brackets -- from Indians closer Chris Perez and Cavaliers center J.J. Hickson -- appeared Wednesday. Former OSU linebacker James Laurinaitis is a Buckeye backer as well. Standings will be updated each Monday, and the winner will be unveiled April 6.

Texas-San Antonio wins, to face Ohio State next in Cleveland

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The Roadrunners (20-13) and their smooth guard head Melvin Johnson to Cleveland for a game Friday against top-seeded Ohio State, which won't allow all those open shots.

Melvin Johnson III, Shareif AdamuTexas-San Antonio guard Melvin Johnson III shoots against Alabama State forward Shareif Adamu (3) in the first half of a first-round NCAA college basketball tournament game, Wednesday, March 16, 2011, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Skip Peterson)

DAYTON, Ohio  — Shot by shot, Melvin Johnson III played up to his penmanship.

The smooth guard with "SWISH" scrawled on the side of each orange shoe scored a career-high 29 points Wednesday night, putting on the most scintillating show so far in the NCAA tournament while leading Texas-San Antonio to a 70-61 victory over Alabama State in the "First Four" round.

The Roadrunners (20-13) and their smooth guard head to Cleveland for a game Friday against top-seeded Ohio State, which won't allow all those open shots.

Against Alabama State (17-18), Johnson took advantage of every one. The 6-foot-5 sophomore had a career high in the first half alone, when he outscored the star-struck Hornets 25-21.

Tramayne Moorer and Jeff Middlebrooks had 12 points apiece for Alabama State, which had the worst record in the expanded 68-team tournament.

VCU 59, USC 46

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Jamie Skeen scored 16 points and Virginia Commonwealth more than held its own inside against bigger and stronger Southern California to beat the Trojans in the finale of the NCAA's inaugural "First Four" tournament games at the University of Dayton Arena.

The 11th-seeded teams traded elbows and punishing defense all night, with the Rams (24-11) pulling away down the stretch to earn the chance to face sixth-seeded Georgetown (21-10) on Friday in Chicago.

Joey Rodriguez had eight points and five assists for VCU. Jio Fontan had 14 points and Nikola Vucevic 11 for USC (19-15), which had just one field goal over the final 9 minutes.

Open practices at The Q, Ohio State watch party at Hard Rock Cafe

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All eight teams playing in the East Regional in Cleveland will practice at Quicken Loans Arena today. Practices are free and open to the public.

Quicken Loans ArenaOpen practices will be at The Q today.
All eight teams playing in the East Regional in Cleveland will practice at The Q today. Practices are free and open to the public.

Noon: Villanova.

12:45 p.m.: Marquette.

1:30 p.m.: George Mason.

2:15 p.m.: Xavier.

4:25 p.m.: Syracuse.

5:10 p.m.: Ohio State.

5:55 p.m.: Indiana State.

6:40 p.m.: Texas-San Antonio

Ohio State rally

The Ohio State Alumni Association will host watch parties at the Hard Rock Cafe during the OSU games over the weekend. If the Buckeyes win Friday, the Alumni Association will host a pep rally for Ohio State on Sunday inside Tower City next to the Hard Rock 2 1⁄2 hours before the first game at The Q.

Friday's games at The Q

George Mason (26-6) vs. Villanova (21-11), 2:10 p.m., TNT.

Ohio State (32-2) vs. UTSA, 30 minutes after first game, TNT.

Xavier (24-7) vs. Marquette (20-14), 7:27 p.m., truTV.

Syracuse (26-7) vs. Indiana State (20-13), 30 minutes after Game 3, truTV.



Cleveland Indians fans: Was the Tribe right in sending 3B Lonnie Chisenhall to the minors? Poll

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Is starting the season in the minors the best way for the Indians to develop third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall?

lonnie-chisenhall-crow.JPGView full sizeLonnie Chisenhall is the Indians' third baseman of the future. The question is, should the future begin on Opening Day?


Dunkin' Donuts didn't have as many holes as the Indians' infield last season, especially after the injury to Asdrubal Cabrera and the trade of Jhonny Peralta.

But Cabrera is back, and the Tribe added veteran shortstop Orlando Cabrera to take over at second base. Unlike the disastrous Shawon Dunston experiment, this one looks like it might work. At least that's the early line on O-Cab's switch.

The problem is that the hole at third remains. Lonnie Chisenhall is the Indians' third baseman of the future. Chiz was hitting .478 before he was sent down, ostensibly to Akron, but more likely to Columbus. He was flat-out tearing up Spring Training pitching.

That means that Jason Donald, a true shortstop who hit .253 for the Tribe last year, is most likely going to open the season at third. IF -- and that's a big if -- his left hand is healed to the point where he can swing a bat. Donald was hit by a pitch on March 5 and has been diagnosed with a deep bruise.

The other option? Jayson Nix, a career .215 hitter.

So why send Chisenhall to the minors? Well, for one thing, he's never played above the Class AA level, and the difference in play between that level and the Majors is as great as the difference between Miss America and Miss Butcher Holler. For another, his Spring Training numbers could be a bit deceiving; after all, it's Spring Training for pitchers, too. They're not so much working on getting outs as getting loose, developing pitches, pickoff moves, etc.

Still, the Indians are not expected to contend this year. We don't really WANT to believe that, and being romantics about this whole baseball thing, we don't TOTALLY buy into it. But if that's the case, why not give the kid a chance to hone is skills at the Major League level? Let him develop WITH the Tribe. There's going to be a transition period between the Majors and Minors anyway. It ain't no kindness to hang a man slowly. Bring him up now, right?

So what do you think, Tribe fans?


NCAA Tournament in Cleveland A.M. Links: Xavier; Marquette; Villanova; George Mason; Indiana State; Texas San Antonio; Syracuse

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APVillanova coach Jay Wright Just in case you didn't know, Cleveland is the NCAA Tournament site for the second and third-round games on Friday and Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena. Those schools include Ohio State, Villanova, Xavier, Marquette, George Mason, Syracuse, Indiana State and Texas-San Antonio. Here's a look around the web at the participating schools: Xavier Shannon Russell of Cincinnati.com writes how Xavier has...

jaywright.jpgVillanova coach Jay Wright

Just in case you didn't know, Cleveland is the NCAA Tournament site for the second and third-round games on Friday and Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena.


Those schools include Ohio State, Villanova, Xavier, Marquette, George Mason, Syracuse, Indiana State and Texas-San Antonio.


Here's a look around the web at the participating schools:


Xavier


Shannon Russell of Cincinnati.com writes how Xavier has experience and as recently as 2008, Xavier reached the Elite Eight and Sweet 16 in 2010 and 2009. Did you know that Xavier and Michigan State are the only teams that have made at least the Sweet 16 the past three years?




So when sixth-seeded Xavier plays 11th-seeded Marquette in Friday's 7:27 p.m. game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, the tournament-tested Muskies will have an idea what it takes to start a postseason run.



"Having that experience is really going to help us down the stretch," center Kenny Frease said.


 


Marquette


Todd Rosiak of The Journal Sentinel writes how Marquette had some heart breaking losses over the years in the NCAA Tournament.


How bad?


Well they've lost four of the last five times they've been in the tournament. Many of those close games.




"I would much rather lose a game by 25 points, so you can just say you did a lot of things wrong," Jimmy Butler said. "Whenever you lose a close game like that you're always, 'Well, if I could have gotten this stop, if I wouldn't have taken that shot.' There's a lot of 'If I's,' and 'If we's.'"


The Golden Eagles' current run of bad luck began in San Diego in 2006.


 


Villanova



Villanova enters Friday's game against George Mason in a good position, because the Wildcats will have had nine days off between games.


That means the Wildcats had plenty of time to heal and rest, and players like Corey Fisher is now 100 percent after his bout with right-knee tendinitis, writes Joe Juliano of Philly.com.




Coach Jay Wright said that entering Friday, "we know what we are" - a rotation of five guards and four forwards in which all players "know what spot they play, who to defend, and how we play ball screens.


"When Stokes was hurt and when we were struggling with [Fisher] a little bit, I was trying to manipulate the lineup," Wright said. "We went big with [Isaiah] Armwood, but it didn't work. Sometimes you try things as a coach that don't work, and you take responsibility."


 


George Mason


Remember George Mason's upset of UConn in the NCAA tournament five years ago? Well, UConn coach Jim Calhoun can't forget it.


This Washington Post article calls it one of the greatest upsets in NCAA tournament history.




"What do I remember from that game?" Calhoun says, two days before he coaches his first tournament game at Verizon since Mason's monumental 2006 upset. "My biggest question was, 'How'd it happen?' That's really it. How'd it happen?"


Five years later, one man's scene of the crime is another's indelible moment in time.


"How often do I think of that game?" Jim Larranaga asks rhetorically. "Every day."


 


Indiana State


It was in 1979 that Larry Bird guided Indiana State to the 1979 NCAA Finals against Magic Johnson and Michigan State. It is still the most-watched NCAA game in history with 35.11 million viewers.


Mike Waters of The Post-Standard writes about that team, and about coach Bill Hodges who guided that team. Hodges is now the coach of a high school team in Virginia.




It’s been 32 years since Hodges coached the Indiana State Sycamores to a 33-1 record and an appearance in the NCAA championship game. So what is Hodges doing coaching high school basketball in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains?


Hodges stuck around for three more seasons, but Indiana State opted not to renew his contract after the 1982 season.


  


Syracuse


Jeff DiVeronica of the DemocratandChronicle.com writes that where Antonio "Scoop" Jardine goes, so goes Syracuse.


He could throw an ill-advised pass or force a shot that puts SU in peril.




"Scoop is like a risk-reward type of player," Carl Arrigale, his high school coach at Neumann-Goretti in Philadelphia, told The Associated Press earlier this month.


"He'll do some things that are just maddening, that'll make you want to kill him. But he usually does more good things than bad. ... He'll make an easy play hard sometimes, but then he'll make a terrific play where he takes that chance that somebody else might not take and he's got the talent to get it done."


 


Texas San Antonio


UTSA advanced to the second round with its victory over Alabama Sate. UTSA is on a six-game winning streak, and it will take that streak against Ohio State on Friday.


UTSA coach Brooks Thompson knows the tournament really begins.


On MySanAntonio.com:




“It's going to be very tough,” Thompson said. “(But) when you ask me what my thoughts are, we're very happy right now to be 1-0 in the NCAA tournament. We're going to try to do everything we can to upset them.”


 

MLB must do something to protect coaches, players, fans from being hurt by foul balls, says Paul Hoynes (SBTV)

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Injury to coach Luis Salazar won't be the last if precautions aren't taken, PD Indians beat writer contends. Watch video

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


The Indians sent down hot-hitting prospect Lonnie Chisenhall earlier this week. Was that a good move? Or should they have given him a chance to be the opening day starter? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.


Today's guest, Plain Dealer Indians beat reporter Paul Hoynes, says it wasn't an easy decision, but he thinks the Indians made the best one by sending him to the minors.


Hoynsie also talks about Grady Sizemore's rehabilitation; why Josh Tomlin is the favorite for the fifth spot in the starting rotation; and why baseball needs to do more to protect players, coaches and fans after coach Luis Salazar lost an eye after being hit by a line drive.


SBTV will return Friday with PD Browns reporter Tony Grossi answering fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.

Ohio State Buckeyes P.M. Links: The defense won't rest; Obama picks Kansas over Ohio State; Difference maker

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Ohio State is great on offense, but it's about their defense in the tournament.

thad matta.JPGOhio State men’s basketball coach Thad Matta.

Ohio State has one of the best offensives in college basketball, but it has also been out the defense for the Buckeyes, writes Columbus Dispatch reporter Bob Baptist.

It's about stopping shots.

"We've lost two games this year," Matta said yesterday before the Buckeyes (32-2) left for Cleveland, where they will make their tournament debut Friday in Quicken Loans Arena, and there was a common denominator.

Guards Jordan Taylor of Wisconsin and E'Twaun Moore of Purdue had career days, scoring 27 and 38 points, respectively, to lead their teams to wins.

"We didn't get the job done. Therefore, we lost the game," Matta said. "I think that's something where our guys have an understanding now of, hey, if somebody gets hot, we've got to do the job of shutting them down."

David Lighty tells The Dispatch that the defense is going to be the key to the Buckeyes winning it all.

Doug Lesmerises writes in The Plain Dealer how Lighty and Aaron Craft have been the key to the defense. 

"There's nobody in the world who can tell me David Lighty is not the best defender in college basketball," OSU coach Thad Matta said before the Big Ten Tournament, having been freshly impressed by Lighty's defense in the last regular-season game against Wisconsin. "As I sat down and watched Wisconsin, I've never seen anything like that. But I'm biased, and I'm more aware of what we're asking Dave to do and what he's capable of doing than anybody else would be."

 

 

Picks

President Obama picks Kansas to beat Ohio State in the NCAA Finals, and Republicans weigh in on Obama's bracket.

 

Difference maker

The supporting cast for the Buckeyes could make the difference, writes Marlen Garcia of USA Today.

P.M. Cleveland Indians Links: Jason Davis back in a Tribe uniform ... for now; is Grady Sizemore really ready?

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Former Indians pitcher Jason Davis, out of baseball for a year, is back for one more try.

jason-davis-victor-martinez-ap.JPGView full sizeJason Davis gets a word from Victor Martinez during an April 2006 game. Out of baseball last year, Davis is giving it one more shot with the Tribe in Goodyear, Ariz.

The beauty of baseball -- and there's a lot of beauty in the game -- is that inside every Major Leaguer is a Little Leaguer pretending to be a Major Leaguer. And there's no age limit.

So it is that Jason Davis, who at one time was the No. 2 Tribe starter behind C.C. Sabathia (tells you how long ago THAT was), is back in Spring Training with the Indians.

Or he was there yesterday. He may not be -- probably won't be -- there much longer. But that's not what matters.

An AP story in USA Today focuses on Davis trying to recapture his dream:

Eight years ago, Davis was Cleveland's No. 2 starter behind CC Sabathia as a raw rookie with a 99 mph fastball. He went 8-11 in 27 starts at age 23, including a complete-game win over Detroit in which he gave up one run and no walks.

Moved to the bullpen in 2005 and traded to Seattle in 2007, Davis' career faded as he had difficulty throwing strikes. He last pitched in the majors for Pittsburgh in 2008, and was 0-8 with a 6.06 ERA at Triple-A Indianapolis in 2009.
Since then, Davis said the only connection he's had with baseball was coaching his little girl's softball team. And yet, the Little Leaguer's fantasy continues.

For now. He renewed his battle with his old nemesis, throwing strikes.

Davis didn't do that in one inning of work in a minor-league game against Cincinnati Reds prospects. He walked the first man he faced, and hit the second in the shoulder with a fastball. Next came a wild pitch behind a batter, followed by another wild pitch when Davis hung on too long to a breaking ball.
Which is OK. Let loose of the ball, Jason. But hold onto the dream. Not just for you, but for all of us who ever wore a Little League uni.

Not so fast
Grady Sizemore is on a pace to play in his first game in 10 months this weekend. Many Tribe fans are eagerly awaiting his return, as well they should. But for at least one -- and we suspect more -- it may be too soon.

Marc Bigelow blogs for deepleftfield.com, and he for one sees no point in rushing Sizemore back into the lineup on a team that's projected to be mediocre at best.

In all reality, barring a miracle the Indians won’t be contending this year. The majority of fans would love to see Grady stealing bases and stuffing the highlight reels on the 11 p.m. 'SportsCenter' as soon as possible, but at what cost? If they bring him back too soon, he may have a major setback and for what, to squeeze out an extra couple wins? Honestly, a few extra W’s in April probably won’t matter to a team like the Indians. What is really going to matter is that Grady is healthy and ready to go in 2012 when the team actually has a chance to make some serious noise in the AL Central. If the have to hold him out until May, fine. All-Star break? That’s kosher with me. Just as long as they don’t rush him, we are all better off, though a guy like Grady is hard to keep of the field and I’m sure he’s itching to get back.

Bigelow could be right. Nobody wants to see Sizemore end up with a setback by rushing into the lineup. But frankly, the Indians need to give fans a good reason to head out to Progressive Field on game days.

From The Plain Dealer
We started with a Little Leaguer livin' a dream allusion and we're gonna finish with a Little Leaguer livin' a dream reality. Beat writer Paul Hoynes, who's been in Goodyear with the Indians throughout Spring Training, took advantage of the Tribe's only scheduled off day of camp to talk to Alex Lavisky, the former St. Edward High School catcher who received a $1 million bonus to sign with the Tribe. He has at last begun his pro journey.

So let's get this right: Hometown kid plays in his favorite big-league team's ballpark when he's growing up, gets drafted and signed by that team and has a chance to return some day to play in the same ballpark as a big leaguer. The only thing missing is the kid hitting a game-winning homer in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series to end his city's long championship drought.

The best thing is, Lavisky gets it.

"You grow up thinking that the Indians are such a big thing. And they are," he said. "It's major league baseball and the Indians are your hometown team. It's almost like everybody who plays for the Indians are on a pedestal.

"It's a cool experience, I'd say. You're not there yet, but you're still part of the organization. There's a little bit of spotlight on you. You wake up in the morning and you feel a little bit blessed on the way it all worked out."
Livin' the dream for all of us, kid. 
 


Akron coach Keith Dambrot press conference

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Akron coach Keith Dambrot press conference.

Keith Dambrot Akron's head coach Keith Dambrot.

 

AKRON COACH KEITH DAMBROT


 

MODERATOR: We have Akron Head Coach Keith Dambrot. Coach, start with an opening statement.
KEITH DAMBROT: We're excited to be here obviously. We've had a long road to get here. We struggled early, and probably most proud of this team of any team I've had as far as their resiliency to play better as the season went on.
So as most of you know me knows we're not happy to be here just to be here. We're going to compete as hard as we can, and we're going to try to win the game.
Q. Just a little bit, when we talked the other day about like compare it a little bit to the world series or the NBA finals, it's not a seven-game thing. It's a one game. Can you expound on that a little bit.
KEITH DAMBROT: Most likely, if we play Notre Dame seven times, they would probably win the series, but we only have to win one game. And that's the beauty of sports. We have to play one great game. They have to be average, or we have to be good, and they have to be below average.
This team has been in enough ball games, two NITs, a CBI, and another NCAA Tournament. We've been in enough games that, if we play well and they're average, we're going to win.
Q. Can you tell the kids are more relaxed than they were in Portland, you think? What are you thinking?
KEITH DAMBROT: Tom, I've coached so long, I can't even remember Portland. I'm sure we're going to be relaxed. I mean, we just -- again, you can't go through what we've been through.
They're excited. I thought Alex (Abreu) was about 100 miles an hour today, which was not surprising. But overall, our older guys have been here before.
Q. What concerns you most about Notre Dame then?
KEITH DAMBROT: Well, they're a terrific offensive team. There's no doubt about that. Probably one of the most skilled teams in the country, if not the most skilled team in the country. They're long in all areas. You know, they're going to be hard for us to score on because they're so big at those length spots. They can contest jump shots and make it difficult for us. I think the biggest thing is can we score enough points to beat them?
The games they've lost, they've been below 60 mostly. I don't know if we can hold them below 60. But I don't know if we could score more than 75 either. So that's probably the biggest dilemma.
Q. Last one. Just Shaka Smart, I don't know if everyone knows it, you worked with him in the VCU. What does it mean to have him here?
KEITH DAMBROT: These guys are putting a lot of pressure on me. I've got Shaka, who's the head coach of VCU, who wins an NCAA Tournament game. And Jeff Boals of Ohio State, they're number one in the country. And Lamont Paris is the assistant at Wisconsin and they're probably going to win their first tournament game. If I don't win, they're going to say it's me.
So we're proud of those guys. Shaka particularly, at 33 years old, he's one of the best coaches, maybe one of the best coaches in the country. But we knew that when he was here.
Q. Will you see him at all?
KEITH DAMBROT: Absolutely.
Q. Coach, in terms of a scouting report, where does it start? Where does your scouting report on Notre Dame start?
KEITH DAMBROT: You mean, individually or as a team?
Q. As a team first and then maybe a couple individuals.
KEITH DAMBROT: It's not a difficult scout. They're going to run motion, and at the end of the motion, they're going to run a quick-hitting play. The head of the whole thing is (Ben) Hansbrough, obviously, and the rest of them are good shooters, good drivers, good length.
They're a simplistic team, which most good teams are. Terrific coach. There's not many motion teams anymore in the country. So that's probably the biggest adjustment for us is we haven't really guarded a motion team all year long. We had to get ready quickly in a four-day period.
So is it an easy game? No. I think any time you play a team that has that kind of offensive capabilities, it's a difficult game. For instance, last night Shaka at VCU, they played USC, which is a great defensive team but kind of lacked a little pop offensively. For us in our two NCAA trips, we've got Gonzaga and Notre Dame, which are two of the best defensive teams in the country.
We're going to have to play terrific defensively and scrap and really work hard to do a great job in the game.
Q. What have you learned about Hansbrough and watching the film and everything else and trying to dissect his play, about how you deal with him?
KEITH DAMBROT: Well, I think first and foremost, he's a guy that's built on intangibles, which is probably the biggest compliment you can give a player. Here's a guy that probably most people thought would be a role player in the Big East when he went to Notre Dame, and when he got there, he turned into one of the best players in the league, which shouldn't really surprise a lot of people because, if you saw the way his brother played, he kind of plays just like his brother only in a different position.
So, you know, we've got to keep him off his right hand. He's terrific passing when he goes to his right. He's got a quick release on his jump shot. He's strong. He's tough. He gets into the passing lanes. He's just a good player.
Q. Was there a team that you've looked at, while you're watching the Notre Dame games, that you kind of might compare to -- your talent might compare to theirs and see how they approach Notre Dame? Were you able to find somebody like that?
KEITH DAMBROT: No, I'm an old school coach really. We have to do the things that we do. And we need to attack to our strengths really and believe in what we have. You know, really. I mean, we have to do the same things we've done all year regardless of the opponent really.
We're not good enough to play away from our strengths. We have to play to our strengths. So in comparing Notre Dame, I would say the closest team that we've ever played to them is Gonzaga. That would be the closest comparison. Gonzaga doesn't shoot the ball like them, but they were an offensive juggernaut really.


 

Akron Student-Athletes
Nikola Cvetinovic
Zeke Marshall
Steve McNees


MODERATOR: Up first today are the Akron student-athletes. Steve McNees, Zeke Marshall and Nikola Cvetinovic. We'll start with questions.
Q. Steve and Nik, it's your second time in the tournament and everything, how much more -- is it more comfortable? What are you feeling then? I guess Steve first.
STEVE MCNEES: I'm sure we're a little more comfortable than the younger guys. But you know, we're excited too.
NIKOLA CVETINOVIC: Definitely excited to be back here and just enjoy it. Like Steve said, just a little bit more comfortable, a little bit more used to this. Just very excited still.
Q. Zeke, how's your life changed in the last three days, three, four days since being the MVP of the (MAC) tournament? A lot of exposure, a lot of talk about you and everything?
ZEKE MARSHALL: Really not a lot different than high school. All that media exposure, since I've gotten that in high school, I kind of know how to deal with it. So I'm not letting it get to me. I'm really focused on trying to play well in this game Friday.
Q. Just their size too, is that what concerns you most inside?
ZEKE MARSHALL: Well, their overall size is a lot bigger than our team. But me individually, I'm taller than everyone.
STEVE MCNEES: That's true.
ZEKE MARSHALL: I do have some slight concern, but I don't have any doubt we're going to be able to play well against them.
Q. Steve, in terms of a scouting report, where does it start with Notre Dame? Where do you -- where's your defensive approach start with them?
STEVE MCNEES: Well, you know, they shoot and pass it well. So I think it starts on the perimeter. You know, taking away their outside jumper as much as we can.
Q. For Steve and Nik, just the whole Portland experience, how you can relate to what happened there and translate it here so you can use it to your advantage.
STEVE MCNEES: Well, as far as the whole process goes with, from Selection Sunday to dealing with a day like this, you know, personally, I think, and the older guys too, we're a little more comfortable. And as far as last time we were here, we played a really good first half and then a pretty good second half.
You know, for us we have a little bit more confidence, I think, maybe than whenever we did it the first time.
NIKOLA CVETINOVIC: It's a different story this year. I mean, like Steve said, we had a great game against Gonzaga. We learned a lot from that experience and I think this year that might show up in our maturity level and the way how we're going to play.
And, again, it's just much more comfortable than two years ago, but, again, very excited and really focused to play this game tomorrow and try to win it.
  

Browns need to find out about McCoy this season - Comment of the Day

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"I don't think there's enough evidence to be persuaded one way or the other on McCoy, and that's why I'm comfortable letting him run the team this year. What you learn about the kid this coming year will be very valuable. I think we'll be improved, and how improved will have a lot to do with how he runs the offense; but even if he plays great, we're still several pieces shy of being championship caliber. If he plays poorly? Then the team finishes with a bad record and can make a serious run at Andrew Luck in the 2012 draft." - Sorry, but you're wrong

carousel colt mccoyView full sizeColt McCoy appears to be the Browns' starting quarterback in 2011.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns: Colt McCoy or someone else?, cleveland.com reader Sorry, but you're wrong thinks the Browns need to find out about McCoy now. This reader writes,

"I don't think there's enough evidence to be persuaded one way or the other on McCoy, and that's why I'm comfortable letting him run the team this year. What you learn about the kid this coming year will be very valuable. I think we'll be improved, and how improved will have a lot to do with how he runs the offense; but even if he plays great, we're still several pieces shy of being championship caliber. If he plays poorly? Then the team finishes with a bad record and can make a serious run at Andrew Luck in the 2012 draft."

To respond to Sorry, but you're wrong's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.


Carlos Santana, back at 1B, finding groove: Cleveland Indians spring training briefing

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Carlos Santana is starting to pull the pieces of his game together in preparation for opening day. Tribe prospect out for 5 weeks with hand injury.

Cleveland Indians spring training, Feb. 15, 2011Carlos Santana's game is starting to come together in the field and at the plate.

 Goodyear, Ariz. -- This is a daily briefing on the Cleveland Indians in spring training as they prepare for the 2011 season.

 March 17, Day 31 -- Catcher Carlos Santana will make his second start of the spring today at first base, but the important thing is that he's starting to pull the pieces of his game together for the regular season.

 Santana seems fully recovered from the surgery on his left knee that ended his 2010 season in August. The Indians, however, didn't want to rush him back and his batting average has suffered from lack of at bats.

 Gradually, his playing time and at bats have increased. With it Santana's batting average has started to rise. Before Wednesday's off day, he went 3-for-3 with a homer in a 9-8 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday to raise his average to .286 (6-for-21).

 He threw out a runner trying to streal second as well.

 "It's all about Carlos getting more at bats," said manager Manny Acta. "We wanted get him as many at bats as possible, but with him coming back from surgery, you can't throw him back behind the plate every day.

 "Then you have to DH Travis Hafner and get Shin-Soo Choo into the swing of things. I think we've mapped it out really well where he's getting at bats at DH and first base."

 Santana's first two hits Tuesday came against left-hander Chris Narveson, who won 12 games for the Brewers last year. The first was a long homer to center in the first inning.

 Last year the switch-hitting Santana hit .146 (7-for-48) against lefties in 46 games with the Tribe.

 "He's worked really hard all spring from the right side," said Acta. "You could see that against Milwuakee."

 Close shave: Reliever Jensen Lewis reported to practice after Wednesday's off day without his beard. It was gone, as in clean shaven.

 "When you give up two homers, you've got to change something," said Lewis.

 Lewis, trying to get the last out in the seventh inning Wednesday, gave up two three-run homers against Mikwaukee.

 Tough break: Shortstop Tony Wolters, Indians No.3 pick in last year's draft, will miss at least five weeks after have a broken hamate bone removed from his right hand. Dr. Thomas Graham performed the operation Wednesday at Cleveland Clinic.

 Wolters, who received a $1.3 million signing bonus, reported to camp with the injury. It's a common injury among hitters.

 He's back: Kenny Lofton is back in Goodyear working with the Indians baserunners and outfielders.

 "I'll be here for a few days," said Lofton.

 Trot Nixon, another former Indian, was in camp Wednesday to talk the the minor leaguers.

 Ahead of the curve: John Mirabelli, Indians director of scouting, said Alex Lavisky is more advanced than a typical high school catcher. The Indians drafted Lavisky last June in the eighth round after he graduated from St. Edward High School in Lakewood.

 "High school catching is a tricky thing," said Mirabelli. "Alex is ahead of the curve in that most high school catchers catch guys who throw 84 mph, 85 mph, 86 mph. He caught Stetson Allie, who threw 100. He's caught guys in the summer who were prospects.

 "From a standpoint of catching and throwing, I'm not saying he's finished by any means, but he's fairly advanced for a high school catcher. So I think there's an opportunity for him to go to Lake County (Class A) and start there.

 "He's handled good starters. That's not something that will surprise him."

 Allie was Lavisky's teammate at St. Edward and was drafted in the second round by the Pirates last year.

 Today's lineups:

Indians: CF Michael Brantley, SS Adam Everett, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 1B
Carlos Santana, DH Travis Hafner, LF Austin Kearns, 3B Jack Hannahan, C Luke Carlin, 2B Luis Valbuena, P Fausto Carmona.

 In the pen: Frank Herrmann, Josh Judy, Joe Martinez and Yohan Pino are scheduled to follow Carmona to the mound.   

 Reds: 3B Kris Negron, SS Zack Cozart, CF Chris Heisey, RF Todd Frazier, LF Jeremy Hermida, 1B Miguel Cairo, 2B Chris Valaika, C Corky Miller, P Mike Leake.

 Let us reason together: By mutual consent, the Indians will use the DH and the Reds will let their pitcher hit in today's game. The Reds are the home team at Goodyear Ballpark.

 What's ahead: The Indians will play split-squad games Friday against Kansas City in Surprise, Ariz. at 4:05 p.m. ET and the Rangers at 10:05 p.m. ET in Goodyear. Jeanmar Gomez starts against Kansas City, while Carlos Carrasco starts against Texas. The game against Texas will not be broadcast on radio or TV, but Friday night's game against Texas will be carried on WTAM.

Not concerned with Cavaliers' effort - Comment of the Day

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"As far as recent effort goes, I haven't noticed a lack of effort as much as I did earlier in the season. I don't think effort was the problem against Oklahoma City - it was their superior talent. Look what they did to a hot Heat team Wednesday night on the road." - timinflorida

12.26 Byron Scott.jpgView full sizeByron Scott questioned his team's effort earlier this week. At least one fan disagrees with him.

In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers show pep, beat Sacramento Kings despite no great expectations, cleveland.com reader timinflorida isn't concerned about the Cavaliers' recent effort level. This reader writes,

"As far as recent effort goes, I haven't noticed a lack of effort as much as I did earlier in the season. I don't think effort was the problem against Oklahoma City - it was their superior talent. Look what they did to a hot Heat team Wednesday night on the road."

To respond to timinflorida's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

OHSAA girls basketball: Hathaway Brown wins state semifinal over Cambridge

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - Hathaway Brown will play for its third straight Division II girls basketball state title Saturday at 10:45 a.m. The Blazers, who battled foul trouble, rebounded after a shaky start to defeat Cambridge, 53-36, in Thursday afternoon's semifinal.

Hathaway Brown's Tanisha Lawler, pictured at right during a Jan. 29 game against Lake Ridge Academy, scored 11 points in the Blazers' state semifinal win over Cambridge. - (Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Hathaway Brown will play for its third straight Division II girls basketball state title Saturday at 10:45 a.m.

The Blazers, who battled foul trouble, rebounded after a shaky start to defeat Cambridge, 53-36, in Thursday afternoon's semifinal.

Much-taller and quicker HB (17-9) was led by senior Tanisha Lawler and sophomore Vanessa Smith with 11 and 12 points, respectively, despite the fact both were saddled with four fouls.

The Blazers will face the winner of Thursday's 3 p.m. semifinal between Dayton Carroll and Clyde.

Sending Chisnehall down the right move - Indians Comment of the Day

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"As a fan, of course I want to see Chisenhall on April 1. But it is best for the organization to send him to AAA. Yes, there is the arbitration clock and that is some of it. However, the organization also needs to see him play regularly at AAA before calling him up. I'd rather see the guy go off in AAA for two months before bringing him up than see him struggle for a month in MLB and then have to send him back to AAA." - berger155

lonnie-chisenhall.jpgView full sizeLonnie Chisenhall made a strong impression on the Indians before being sent to minor league camp.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians fans: Was the Tribe right in sending 3B Lonnie Chisenhall to the minors? Poll, cleveland.com reader berger155 thinks the Indians are doing the right thing sending Chisenhall down. This reader writes,

"As a fan, of course I want to see Chisenhall on April 1. But it is best for the organization to send him to AAA. Yes, there is the arbitration clock and that is some of it. However, the organization also needs to see him play regularly at AAA before calling him up. I'd rather see the guy go off in AAA for two months before bringing him up than see him struggle for a month in MLB and then have to send him back to AAA."

To respond to berger155's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

West Virginia defeats Clemson in first round

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TAMPA, Fla. ---- Darryl Bryant scored 19 points and Kevin Jones added 17 to help fifth-seeded West Virginia overcome a slow start and wear down No. 12 seed Clemson, 84-76 in the second round of the East Regional on Thursday. The Mountaineers (21-11) advanced to play fourth-seeded Kentucky or No. 13 seed Princeton, taking advantage on a fatigued opponent...

bobhuggins.jpgWest Virginia coach Bob Huggins

TAMPA, Fla. ---- Darryl Bryant scored 19 points and Kevin Jones added 17 to help fifth-seeded West Virginia overcome a slow start and wear down No. 12 seed Clemson, 84-76 in the second round of the East Regional on Thursday.

The Mountaineers (21-11) advanced to play fourth-seeded Kentucky or No. 13 seed Princeton, taking advantage on a fatigued opponent playing its second game in just over 36 hours.

Bryant's four-point play and a long 3-pointer by Jones that tied it 40-40 at the half highlighted a game-changing 28-8 run that enabled West Virginia to turn a 10-point deficit into a 57-47 lead. The closest Clemson (22-12) would get the rest of the way was three points.

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