Manny Ramirez wants to make a comeback but he has a lot of explaining to do before anyone welcomes his return, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin column.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerThere was a time when the most adventurous aspect about paying attention to Manny Ramirez was making sure that he didn't hurt anyone while fielding the ball. Now, it's his credibility that is error-prone, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If he wants to prove he's changed, he could start by talking about himself in the first person...

Manny Ramirez wants Manny Ramirez to make a comeback.

"I want to show people that Manny can change, that he can do the right thing..." Ramirez told ESPN. Manny's always had an out-of-body appreciation for his work and an out-of-this-world capacity to forgive himself. He didn't use steroids. The other Manny must've done it behind his back.

But even he must know he's a hard sell, and not just because he must sit out the first 50 games of the season. He had nine home runs and 42 RBI in 2010. Last year he played five games before retiring to dodge a suspension after testing positive for performance enhancers. What does he have left to offer?

"Hitting is about repetition," Ramirez said. Yep. The Clear. The Cream. Rinse and repeat.

A suddenly contrite Ramirez is an improvement over the fool who walked away from baseball and the Tampa Bay Rays in early April, saying he was at "ease" in part because "God knows what's best [for me]."

Now he's basically saying he got some bad, if divine, advice? That's his story and he can bend it any way that suits him. More intriguing is why anybody would bite. You mean there's a hitter available who will turn 40 in May and won't enjoy the benefit of PEDs? How could any team turn its back on such a prize?

Indians' General Manager Chris Antonetti told a media gathering Friday the Indians won't pursue Ramirez.

"With where we are, it's probably not the best positional fit for us," Antonetti said. "Manny, his contributions would be more in the batter's box, and we already have a DH."

Hopefully, Antonetti was just being polite. Hopefully, the real reason the Indians aren't interested is that bringing a habitual cheater and quitter into the clubhouse -- even if he were still productive -- would be sending the worst message possible.

Ramirez says he wants to be a "role model" now. Nothing is as simple as Ramirez has always tried to make it sound, least of all a transformation to good example for boys and girls everywhere.

"I don't want to leave the game like I did," Ramirez told ESPN's Pedro Gomez. "I also want to show my kids that if you make a mistake, don't quit. Just go back and fix it. And if you're going to leave, leave the right way."

Wonder if he feels the same way about coming back? There is a right way to do it, after all. In fact, any semi-interested GM should deem it absolutely necessary. Full disclosure. When did he start using PEDs? For how long? Why did he keep using long after a policy went into effect?

A tryout can only tell so much. Teams should want to know the extent of his PED use before they could judge what kind of hitter they'd be getting.

Besides, you'd expect nothing less from a "role model."

He meant to liken it to a fire drill, or something...

Good thing 2011 is in Gordon Gee's rearview mirror. It wasn't a very good year for Ohio State's Gaffe Master of Ceremonies. He ticked off the Little Sisters of the Poor, TCU and Boise State in an impressive hat trick. He made light of scandal at Ohio State when he said that not only wouldn't he fire Jim Tressel, "I'm just hoping the coach doesn't dismiss me."

Happy to get that behind him, Gee addressed a group of friendly faces in Columbus this week and everything went smoothly, except for the part where he insulted an entire country.

"When we had these 18 colleges all kind of floating around," Gee said of the difficulty in coordinating OSU's independent schools and colleges, "they were kind of like PT boats, they were shooting each other."

OK. OK. Stay safe, Dr. Gee. You're almost out of danger.

Uh-oh ... Incoming!

"It was kind of like the Polish army or something. I have no idea what it was."

Gee had to apologize to a Polish-American group that called his comments "slanderous." Only 15 days into the new year, it's going to take great effort for OSU to keep Gee under wraps so that 2012 doesn't match 2011.

That would be a tie not even Gordon Gee could consider a victory.

SPINOFFS

OK, OK, it's easy to pick on Gee, who has been in much demand as a university president throughout his successful academic career. To only point out his gaffes would give Gee reason to call Spin what he called former Ohio Gov. George Voinovich back in 1992 – "a damn dummy..."

The NFL will apparently consider implementing a rule preventing in-season coaching moves like the one former Broncos' head coach Josh McDaniels made to New England this past week in advance of Saturday night's game between the Patriots and Broncos.What's the harm? It's not as if letting Bill Belichick get away with that will lead to him spying on other teams...

View full sizeAP fileHe gets plenty of laughs for playing a nerd.

A ESPN poll says Tim Tebow is America's favorite athlete after Tebow garnered 3 percent of the vote. I find that conclusive only if the margin for error is plus or minus 97 percent...

Shaquille O'Neal insisted during the TNT studio show that in a 2000 game when he shot 18-of-39 from the free-throw line that it constituted "over 50 percent." When Charles Barkley contested his numbers, O'Neal said, "Look it up. 18 plus 18 equals 36. I went 18-for-39."

That's the kind of math that led one AP voter to vote O'Neal's alma mater, LSU, No. 1 after Alabama beat the Tigers, 21-0...

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan and Cigar Guy from the 2010 Ryder Cup -- B.A., Mayfield Heights

View full sizeAP fileHe doesn't exactly look like an athlete (and doesn't really look like this, anymore), but plenty of folks have paid great attention to his words.

Brent Musberger and Simon Helberg (Howard Wolowitz of the Big Bang Theory) -- Jeff Sords

Prince and Joe Haden -- David Orloff

HE SAID IT

"I love to see what a guy can do when his back is up against the wall and everybody counts him out. I'm in that same boat sometimes." -- LeBron James, on what he allegedly shares with Tebow.

When will people stop expecting so much from a poor, overachieving basketball player who only wants to be considered, you know, one of the guys who just happens to have a "Chosen 1" tattoo on his back.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Sermon Edition)

"Bud:

"What is more humiliating: Buffalo having a better W-L record than the Browns, or Cleveland being the only team in their division not to win a playoff spot?" -- Jim D, Richmond Heights

Hanging my journalistic hat on "You Said It."

"Bud:

"Scholars in Denver found this script, supposedly cut from the Bible: 'On the eighth day, God created Tim Tebow to defeat quarterbacks who prey on drunk girls in public restrooms.' Do you think it's authentic?" -- Adam, Columbia Station

Allegedly.

"Bud:

"'Prepareth Maynard, Hillis up the middle.' Is that the official translation of 3:16 in the Shurmur Bible?" -- Michael Sarro

Hard to say. There is no unanimity. One version, for instance, says, "Forgetteth Maynard and Hillis, lo, pitcheth to Armond Smith."

"Bud:

"When you write a better column than [Bill] Livingston, do you go into his office vigorously nodding your head, or vigorously shaking your head?" -- Ron

Given my professional status at this point in my career, I don't do anything without asking myself "WWTLD" -- what would Thaddeus Lewis do?

"Bud:

"If it is said that those who forget the past tend to repeat it, shouldn't the Browns forget 1946 to about 1966?" -- Ron Emch, Hubbard

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"Are you afraid of a tax audit over past Browns playoff tickets?" -- Joe S

Repeat winners get a visit from the IRS.

On Twitter: @budshaw

The Browns have to make decisions on five prominent players who are eligible for unrestricted free agency.

View full sizePlain Dealer file photoThere have been plenty of hints that Peyton Hillis has played his last game as a Brown.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Before the Browns can plot their strategy in NFL free agency, which begins on March 13, they have to finalize decisions on their own potential free agents.

They have five key players who will be unrestricted free agents if they don't re-sign. Here's a look at each and the circumstances that may influence the Browns' decisions.

Running back Peyton Hillis: Each of the Browns' top decision-makers has repeatedly declined to say he wants Hillis back.

At his season-ending press conference, coach Pat Shurmur said, "That's one of those questions I really can't answer at this point."

President Mike Holmgren said at his season-ender, "That's one of our players that is a free agent and we're not going to talk about it today."

General Manager Tom Heckert said this week on 92.3 FM: "Would we be averse to bringing him back? No. We have to see what else is available and what our plans are for all our free agents."

Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

A late spurt by Hillis lifted him to the top of the Browns' rushing list in 2011 with 587 yards and three touchdowns. Injuries and controversy limited him to 10 games.

Before contract negotiations broke down, the sides were wide apart in their estimation of Hillis' value. Reportedly, Hillis was looking for $10 million in guarantees and the Browns were offering about $4 million.

Prediction: Hillis leaves.

Kicker Phil Dawson: Dawson is the only player to receive the franchise tag in the Browns' expansion era. The Browns made this surprise move a year ago when talks for a multiyear deal went nowhere. Dawson signed the one-year deal for $3.25 million.

If the Browns elect to franchise Dawson again, he would receive a 20 percent pay hike to about $3.9 million. That's a hefty sum for a kicker, even one as reliable as Dawson.

The more sensible thing would be to resume talks for a multiyear deal, but it doesn't appear to be in the cards. No doubt, Dawson is the franchise's premier player of the expansion era. He recently turned 37 and last year relocated his family to Austin, Texas -- a strong indication he would like to leave in free agency.

Prediction: Dawson leaves.

Middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson: Jackson proved to be a bedrock in the middle of Dick Jauron's 4-3 defense, leading the team by plenty in tackles and establishing himself as a locker-room leader. He is the leading contender for the league's comeback player of the year award.

Heckert has pretty much said Jackson will be back in 2012. The big question is whether they sign him long-term or use the franchise tag on him. If they choose the latter, it wouldn't be available for Dawson.

Prediction: Jackson returns.

Cornerback Dimitri Patterson: He didn't have any interceptions and was credited with only 27 tackles, yet Patterson logged a lot of plays in his role as the nickel cornerback covering the slot in three-receiver formations.

Towards the end, the Browns gave him some reps in Sheldon Brown's cornerback position. It appeared the Browns were testing Patterson as a replacement for Brown. If they liked what they saw, they could proceed with a transition of Brown to free safety.

Brown will be 33 in March. He is agreeable to moving to free safety, but it is a transition that the team must commit to in the off-season. If they go ahead with it, Patterson or somebody else must move into the starting cornerback spot.

Patterson will be 29 in June. That means he doesn't have too much time left as a starter. His price tag surely will dictate this move.

Prediction: Patterson returns.

Safety Mike Adams: In five seasons with the Browns, Adams played for three head coaches. Each would come to appreciate Adams' versatility on the field and value as a locker-room leader.

Every year Adams has been with the Browns, he was pegged as a special teamer and backup safety. This year, the Browns signed Usama Young in free agency and drafted Eric Hagg with the expectation of phasing out Adams.

In fact, Adams, 30, went on to have his finest NFL season in eight campaigns. He made 16 starts for the first time, and posted career highs in tackles and interceptions (three).

Adams' future with the Browns would appear to be tied to that of Brown. If the Browns intend to move Brown to safety, there would be no room for two safeties over the age of 30. Odds are that Heckert would favor Brown, whom he drafted in Philadelphia and traded for in Cleveland.

Prediction: Adams leaves.

On Twitter: @Tony Grossi

Bogard has been fencing for about eight years, and next month he will compete in Finland. He finished 28th in the under-17 World Cup in Sweden in 2010. He finished 25th in the under-20 World Cup in Finland in 2011.

Matt Bogard, 17, of Westlake, would like to make a name for himself in the world of international fencing. He's a member of the Hooked on Fencing club in North Royalton. He's been fencing for about eight years, and next month he will compete in Finland. He finished 28th in the under-17 World Cup in Sweden in 2010. He finished 25th in the under-20 World Cup in Finland in 2011. He ranks sixth in the United States in under-20 epee. Next year, he will join the Ohio State University's fencing team. He spoke with PDQ's Michael Heaton.

How old were you when you first began fencing?

I started fencing when I was about 8 or 9.

How did you first become aware of the sport?

There was a class being held at the local recreation center around the time, so my dad and I decided to try it out.

Did you like sword-fighting movies?

Oh yeah, sometimes they're pretty cheesy though.

Do you have a favorite sword-fighting movie?

"The Princess Bride" is definitely up there.

How much do parents of a fencer of your caliber spend on lessons, equipment, travel, etc.?

For most people, lessons are very expensive, around $30 or $40 per. . . . Equipment and travel does get rather expensive. I would say into the thousands. I'm a little afraid to ask my parents.

Which kind of sword fighting do you enjoy watching most: lightsabers, "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Braveheart" or another one?

"Braveheart" definitely. You can't beat that claymore [sword] of his.

What are most the important skills in fencing?

Patience and speed.

What aspect of fencing did you have to work hardest on?

Footwork. I try to make sure my footwork is perfect when I get into a competition. Some people have even told me it looks like dancing.

How many different countries have you competed in?

Outside of the United States, three -- France which was horrible (the fencing, I mean). And Sweden and Finland, both of which were very fine countries.

In your opinion which country has the best fencers?

Italy, definitely.

Why is that?

They bring so much energy and emotion to every match. It makes it very exiting and amusing to watch.

What kind of dedication is required to excel in fencing?

I spend almost all my spare time and weekends training. I always want to be on top of my game.

Do you know of anyone who has been accidentally stabbed in fencing?

A friend of mine from New York City was stabbed through the hand one time. It was wild.

Is that a legitimate fear?

No. Not at all. That was a freak accident.

If you had to choose to be one of these in a sword fight, which would it be: a musketeer, a gladiator or a viking?

A gladiator. Gladiators mess people up bad, man.

The matches don't seem to take long? Do you ever feel it's a lot of work for a little amount of sword time?

They take about 15 minutes for an elimination match, which in perspective to other sports really isn't that long, but it feels like an eternity when you are out there. Only sometimes. Like when I lose.

What are your fencing plans for the future?

Well, I will be fencing for Ohio State next season. Then after that, who knows? Maybe the Olympics.

Describe your greatest fencing triumph?

At the World Cup in Sweden, I was fencing the kid who was ranked first in the world at the time, and I ended up winning at the last second.

The Ravens forced two turnovers in the first quarter and moved to a 17-3 lead, and interceptions by Lardarius Webb and Reed in the final eight minutes preserved the advantage.

View full sizePatrick Semansky, Associated PressEd Reed snuffs out the Texans' last best shot at scoring with this interception over Andre Johnson late in the fourth quarter Sunday in Baltimore.

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens didn't just earn another home win. They stole it away from the Houston Texans.

Ed Reed sealed a 20-13 victory Sunday with Baltimore's fourth takeaway, and when he finally limped off the field, the Ravens were assured their second trip to the AFC championship game in four seasons.

Baltimore (13-4) will visit the New England Patriots next Sunday, with the winner moving on to the Super Bowl. The Patriots lead the series, 6-1, but Baltimore's lone win came in the postseason.

The Ravens have been in the playoffs for four years running, but this was their first home game since 2006. It was anything but easy. Baltimore forced two turnovers in the first quarter in building a 17-3 lead thanks to touchdown passes by Joe Flacco, and interceptions by Lardarius Webb and Reed in the fourth quarter helped the advantage stand up.

One week earlier, in the first playoff game in Texans history, Houston (11-7) didn't commit a turnover in a 31-10 home rout of Cincinnati. Against Baltimore, the Texans couldn't hold onto the ball and quickly fell behind by two touchdowns.

Arian Foster ran for 132 yards, the first player to rush for 100 yards in the playoffs against the Ravens. But rookie quarterback T.J. Yates threw three interceptions.

Down, 17-13, at halftime, Houston twice held the Ravens without a first down in the third quarter before driving to the Baltimore 32. From there, Neil Rackers' 50-yard field goal try hit the crossbar and dropped into the end zone.

• Texans-Ravens final boxscore

Baltimore then launched a drive in which seldom-used Lee Evans made a sensational one-handed catch for a 30-yard gain on third-and-5 from the Houston 39. On fourth-and-goal inside the 1, Ray Rice was stuffed by linebacker Tim Dobbins for no gain.

The Texans couldn't move the ball, and the Ravens took the ensuing punt at the Houston 49. But three plays netted only four yards, and Sam Koch punted for the seventh time.

Minutes later, the Ravens went three and out for the fourth time in five second-half possessions. Fortunately for Baltimore, the defense compensated for the team's inability to add to its early lead.

Webb's second interception came with 71/2 minutes left and the Ravens clinging to 17-13 advantage. Baltimore moved 45 yards to get a field goal by Billy Cundiff with 2:52 left.

Reed ended the Texans' subsequent drive with his eighth career playoff interception inside the 5-yard line.

Houston's Danieal Manning muffled the record crowd of 71,547 by taking the opening kickoff 60 yards to the Baltimore 41. Yates then completed two straight passes, and after the Ravens stuffed Foster on a third-and-1, Rackers kicked a 40-yard field goal.

Baltimore failed to get a first down on its first possession and had to punt. Jacoby Jones inexplicably attempted to field the bouncing ball at the 13-yard line, was immediately hit by Cary Williams and lost the ball, which was recovered by rookie Jimmy Smith at the 2.

On third down, Flacco threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Kris Wilson -- the tight end's first catch of the season.

After a Houston punt, Flacco completed a 21-yard pass to Anquan Boldin to set up a 48-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead.

Later in the first quarter, Webb stepped in front of Andre Johnson for an interception at the Houston 35. Five plays later, Flacco tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Boldin in the right side of the end zone.

Yates then completed a pair of third-down passes in a 59-yard drive that ended with a field goal.

After Yates misfired on third down from the Baltimore 10, the rookie came off the field he was greeted by coach Gary Kubiak, who put a hand on the back of the quarterback's jersey while chatting.

Yates returned after a Baltimore punt to direct a 12-play, 86-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Foster, who accounted for 66 yards -- including 54 on the ground.

Yates went 17 for 35 for 184 yards. Johnson had eight catches for 111 yards.

Browns say they are open to trading their first pick, the fourth overall in April's draft, if the return is right. More links to Browns stories.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerTom Heckert is preparing for his third draft as the Browns' general manager.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns, thanks to their 4-12 record in 2011, own the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2012 draft.

The Browns are also scheduled for the 22nd overall selection, a pick obtained from the Atlanta Falcons in a blockbuster trade during the first round of the 2011 draft.

The Browns are saying they would entertain the possibility of trading the No. 4 pick. Such a deal would probably bring Cleveland another, though lower, first-rounder and another pick or picks in return.

Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository writes about the possibility of the Browns trading No. 4, referring to Cleveland general manager Tom Heckert: 

Those who know Tom Heckert have no doubt he isn’t bluffing when he says he MIGHT trade out of the Browns’ No. 4 spot in the first round.

Here’s what he says by way of warning any anti-trade contingent:

“In a perfect world, we would stay at 4, but it’s not a perfect world. If we think we can get the same guy by moving down a few spots getting an extra pick or picks, why not do that?”

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Bill Lubinger's detailed look at what it takes for a losing NFL team to become a winner; Tony Grossi's analysis of five decisions the Browns face regarding their own free agents; Grossi's "Hey, Tony!," replying to readers' questions about the Browns; "Terry Pluto's Talkin;' " and much more.

Post patterns

Analysis of the 2011 Browns, by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

The series of position reviews on clevelandbrowns.com continues, as Matt Florjancic writes about the Browns' wide receivers.

For the blog "Dawgs by Nature," Chris Pokorny refers to a Pro Football Focus review of how NFL cornerbacks -- including the Browns' Joe Haden and Sheldon Brown -- fared during the 2011 season.

With Tim Tebow helping the Broncos to the playoffs, do the Browns follow Denver's example? A "Fan Take" on Yahoo! Sports. And, Browns coach Pat Shurmur needs more time. Another "Fan Take" on Yahoo! Sports.

Will Colt McCoy be the Browns' starting quarterback next season? And, a poll on the subject. By Steve DiMatteo for the blog "Dawg Pound Daily."

Four options for the Browns' pick at No. 4. A Bleacher Report slideshow.

Appearing fatigued, the Vikings (15-4, 5-2) saw the Crusaders go 5-for-5 to start the first half and 6-for-7 to start the second, and couldn't overcome Valpo's 60 percent field goal shooting.

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Cleveland State had its fast-start philosophy stolen away by Valparaiso in a 72-66 loss Sunday afternoon.

Appearing emotionally drained and physically fatigued, the Vikings (15-4, 5-2) saw the Crusaders go 5-for-5 to start the first half and 6-for-7 to start the second, anchoring 60 percent field goal shooting for the game. That CSU still managed to take a 55-51 lead at one point in the second half spoke volumes for the Vikings' grit.

But a youthful bench that had a chance to rescue the Vikings came up short. Freshman forward Anton Grady produced nine points and 10 rebounds, but Charlie Lee, Marlin Mason and Luda Ndaye all came up scoreless. Meanwhile, the Vikings were unable to defend the Crusaders (12-7, 5-2) in the paint.

• CSU-Valparaiso boxscore

Valpo's 6-8 center, Kevin Van Wijk, hit 10 of his first 11 shots for a game-high 23 points to go with three blocks and a pair of assists. The Horizon League's top scorer, Ryan Broekhoff, was one point off his scoring average with 14. The Crusaders' bench out-scored CSU, 24-9.

The Vikings shot 40.7 percent, with D'Aundray Brown and Trevon Harmon a combined 8 of 30. Tim Kamczyc (18 points) was the only Viking who seemed to have his legs under him.

"When you get into an offensive game like this, you either got to match it, or you have got to stop it," CSU head coach Gary Waters said. "We didn't do either one."

The Vikings did, however, earn a split on this road trip following Friday's win at Butler, which was the minimum goal. While they are tied for second in league play, all the front-runners now come to them.

"Now we get to go home," Waters said. "And in the locker room, the kids said this is the last [loss]."

At the start, the Crusaders turned the first five minutes into their personal playground. They jumped to an 8-0 lead before a pair of Kamczyc free throws broke the ice for the Vikings. Aaron Pogue scored CSU's first field goal at the 15:45 mark.

The Crusaders were running their offense directly to the rim. Their first 12 points all came from point-blank range. Waters was rotating his post players like a revolving door, but Pogue in particular was having a tough night while Grady seemed out of step.

At one point the Vikings went six minutes without scoring, but the Crusaders could not take full advantage. A 10-4 run by Cleveland State to close out the half, anchored by a 3-pointer from Montgomery on CSU's last possession, closed the deficit down to 29-25 at the break.

Valpo got its lead up to 42-34 to start the second half before CSU made its push, ending with five straight points from Grady to take the lead. But once the Vikings' bench rotated into the game, CSU could not hold off the Crusaders and ultimately fell for the second time in league play.

Ohio State football lost an assistant coach and two players but also added a highly-ranked recruit.

View full sizeNeal C. Lauron, Columbus DispatchOhio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell smiles after being introduced to the crowd at Sunday's basketball game against Indiana by new head coach Urban Meyer.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer took the microphone at halftime of Sunday's basketball game between the Buckeyes and Indiana, introduced his family and then one by one introduced his coaching staff.

Former head coach Luke Fickell, staying on as defensive coordinator, received a round of cheers and "Luke" calls that dwarfed even the reception Meyer had received.

"That was strong," Meyer said to Fickell with a smile.

When Meyer was finished, there was one coach that didn't join him on the court at Value City Arena and won't be present for the 2012 season. Cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson, who also did much of the Cleveland-area recruiting for the Buckeyes, left the staff to become the linebackers coach and assistant head coach at Arkansas.

Johnson spent five seasons with the Buckeyes, joining in March of 2007. He was the Browns' special teams coach in 2004. He had been retained by Meyer, but is moving to join Paul Haynes, who left the OSU staff in December to become the Arkansas defensive coordinator.

Meyer also retained Fickell and Mike Vrabel, with former North Carolina coach Everett Withers the only new addition on the defensive staff. At a news conference last week, Meyer mentioned how he didn't have previous relationships with many of his assistants. So replacing Johnson with a coach who has a past with Meyer wouldn't be a shock.

After the introductions, Meyer closed with these words to the crowd.

"We're here for one purpose and one purpose only, and that's to make the great state of Ohio very proud of your football team and your coaching staff and we will get that done," Meyer said.

The coaches posed for a group photo on the court. Johnson's replacement will have to be added in later.

Two players dismissed: Ohio State announced that two players have been dismissed from the team. Redshirt sophomore cornerback Dominic Clarke and freshman defensive back DerJuan Gambrell were released from their scholarships for what a team spokesman called violations of team rules. Clarke was a backup who started the first two games of the season after Travis Howard was suspended, while Gambrell redshirted this season and did not play.

Both faced charges in the last week. Clarke was charged with drunk driving, to which he pleaded not guilty, after an incident on Jan. 7. Asked Thursday about the matter, Meyer said he was very disappointed and it would be dealt with "swiftly and sternly."

Gambrell faces charges of assault, aggravated menacing and unlawful restraint from an incident on Jan. 8. He also pleaded not guilty this week.

Another recruit: Both Rivals.com and Scout.com reported that four-star offensive lineman Taylor Decker of Vandalia, gave an oral commitment to Ohio State on Sunday after previously being pledged to Notre Dame. Decker would be the 20th recruit in the Class of 2012. When he originally gave his commitment to Notre Dame, his offensive line coach at with the Fighting Irish was Ed Warinner, who has since been hired by Meyer for the same position.

Antawn Jamison used to hate playing against Anderson Varejao, but now that they're teammates, he admires his 'phenomenal' teammate.

View full sizeJim Mone, Associated PressAnderson Varejao has been back to his typical pesky standards this season, as Minnesota's Kevin Love learned on this play earlier this month in Minneapolis.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Long before he joined the Cavaliers at the trading deadline in 2010, Antawn Jamison used to dread playing against Cleveland for one reason -- Anderson Varejao.

"I used to hate guarding him because of the effort that he brings and the offensive rebounding," Jamison said Sunday as the Cavs prepared for Monday's game at Charlotte. Of course, now that they're teammates, Jamison feels entirely differently.

"He's phenomenal," Jamison said of Varejao. "I'm glad to see him healthy and contributing the way he is on the court."

After missing the last 51 games of the 2010-11 season with a torn tendon in his right foot, Varejao is on a tear. He had 11 points and 14 rebounds, including six on the offensive end, in the 97-92 loss to the Lakers at Staples Center on Friday night. It was his fourth double-double this season.

Varejao is averaging 11.2 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the league, and 4.8 offensive rebounds, second in the NBA. He has 10 or more rebounds in six straight games, the longest such streak of his career.

"I'm getting more consistent minutes -- that helps the stats," he said Sunday. "They don't really matter to me. That's not my game. It's all about helping the team and trying to get to the playoffs."

The statistics -- and effort -- do matter to Byron Scott.

"He's playing fantastic," the head coach said. "He's rebounding the ball extremely well on both ends of the floor. He just plays with that energy that you love to see out there on the floor. He plays so hard every single night, every single second or minute that he's on the floor.

"Obviously, with our [5-6] record being what it is, it wouldn't be there without him -- even though we think we should be a little better. He's meant the world to the team on both ends of the floor. He's given us everything we expected and more."

When Scott looks back to last season, the loss of Varejao during the team's long West Coast trip in January almost sealed their fate in what turned out to be a 19-63 debacle.

"Last year I remember saying the one guy we can't afford to lose is Andy," Scott recalled. "Then three days later we lost him. I might have cursed myself.

"It's almost the same this year. He has to stay healthy for us as much as possible for us to have a chance to be successful. Obviously, when he's on the floor we're just a much better basketball team."

Building a resume: Rookie Kyrie Irving admitted he is still considering trying to play for Australia in the Olympics. He was born there while his dad was playing professional basketball.

"I haven't done too much research," he said. "Right now I'm not really focused on it, but I'm not going to rule me playing for Australia out until it gets closer to the time period where I have to make a decision."

Scott said the rookie also has All-Star potential, but it will depend on how much he wants it.

"I want it pretty bad," Irving said. "I've dreamt about this. Now I'm finally here and I have the tools and the facility to do it and the coaching staff. ... I feel like the sky's the limit."

Going home: Jamison returns to his hometown of Charlotte. He recently told a Charlotte reporter he wouldn't mind finishing his career with the Bobcats -- although he's not worrying about that right now.

"It's always been a dream of mine to play in front of my family and friends night in and night out," he said. "We're just scratching the surface of this season. All my concentration is on that."

The Indians have basically the same nucleus from the team that went 80-82 last season.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerThe Indians need Ubaldo Jimenez to pitch better than he did during the last two months of last season, after they acquired him in a trade with the Colorado Rockies.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What do we make of the 2011 Cleveland Indians?

Was their 30-15 start a total fluke? Were they really as bad as it seemed when they lost 39 of their next 63 games to fall to .500? Did the resilient bunch that overcame a siege of injuries to play respectably over the next several weeks -- going 26-25 -- offer legitimate hope for the future?

The Indians then closed the season with three losses to finish 80-82.

As many questions linger about the 2011 Indians, there is no shortage of questions about the team that will take the field this season. Tribe pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Feb. 20. The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com covers the Indians. Beat writer Paul Hoynes will cover spring training, which includes a March 3 exhibition game-opener against the Cincinnati Reds. Cleveland and Cincinnati train at the same site in Goodyear, Arizona.

As of now, the players you'll soon see in the third base-side dugout at Progressive Field are essentially the same ones you saw through most of last season.

The Indians' season opens on Thursday, April 5, with a six-game homestand, playing three games against the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox.

The Wolverines swept a weekend set against Ohio State, including a 4-0 victory on Friday in Columbus.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State had the better national ranking and perceived home-ice advantage, but Michigan had most of the fun Sunday at Progressive Field.

The Wolverines scored twice in each of the first two periods en route to a 4-1 victory in front of 25,864 fans at the inaugural "Frozen Diamond Faceoff." The Buckeyes, ranked No. 2 nationally, slipped to 14-6-3 overall. They are 10-5-3-1 in the CCHA. Michigan, ranked No. 15, improved to 14-8-4, 8-6-4-1. The Wolverines are 7-0-2 since Dec. 3.

The Wolverines swept a weekend set against Ohio State, including a 4-0 victory on Friday in Columbus.

"Let's give credit where credit's due: Michigan is very good,'' Ohio State coach Mark Osiecki said. "They certainly were better than we were (Sunday). I think they're a top five team in the country.''

Michigan upperclassmen participated in their third outdoor game in three seasons. The Ohio State program had not been outdoors since playing Wisconsin in Lambeau Field on Feb. 11, 2006 -- its first outdoor contest.

"This was a good game for Michigan to win, and an important victory in the big picture,'' Wolverines coach Red Berenson said. "It was a great spectacle. I think it came off really well.''

Buckeyes personnel, as much as those on the losing side can, relished the opportunity. Among their foremost thoughts postgame was a rematch -- same venue, same 20-something temperature.

"It's a hockey player's dream to be able to play on a big stage like this, especially against one of your biggest rivals,'' Ohio State sophomore forward Chris Crane said. "It was a blast, an unbelievable experience. It would be great to get a shot at redemption.''

Opening faceoff occurred at 5:10 p.m. in an electric atmopshere. The weather was positively dreamy for such an occasion: cold (27 degrees) with a few harmless clouds, no snow, excellent visibility and negligible wind. Skaters on both teams, no doubt feeding off the crowd's energy, traversed the ice in fifth gear in the early going. But Michigan did a better job on the forecheck and in getting to the front of the net.

At 7:31, the Wolverines' work paid off. Junior right winger Chris Brown executed a spin-o-rama from the edge of the left circle and beat goalie Cal Heeter for his ninth goal of the season. Defenseman Kevin Clare and left winger Alex Guptill earned the assists.

Brown and Guptill, part of Michigan's first line, were at it again six minutes later. In the middle of Michigan's effective high-low offense, Brown gathered a loose puck near the left post and feathered a no-look pass to Guptill, who scored his team-best 11th goal.

Guptill is a 6-3, 189-pound freshman with serious skill. The Dallas Stars drafted him in 2010.

"You could tell in the first period that we were a bit in awe,'' Ohio State captain Cory Schneider said. "They had some experience outdoors. But I'm not using that as an excuse. We weren't consistent with our compete level.''

Ohio State finally broke through at :50 of the second period when Crane beat goalie Shawn Hunwick. Just as Ohio State appeared to have found its form, however, Michigan struck with two goals in a 28-second span midway through the second.

At 9:47, sophomore forward Derek Deblois scored on a deflection off a well-timed line change. At 10:15, senior forward David Wohlberg stuffed the puck through Heeter's pads. Moments later, Hetter was pulled in favor of Brady Hjelle. Ohio State's backup goalie performed well.

Hunwick finished with 31 saves. On Friday, he made a career-high 46.

"Our team knows what it takes to play in a game like this,'' Berenson said.

The temperature had slipped to 25 degrees by the third period.

Eli Manning threw for 330 yards, sending the Giants to San Francisco for the NFC championship game next Sunday night.

View full sizeJeffrey Phelps, Associated PressThe biggest play of Sunday's NFC playoff game was Hakeem Nicks' catch of a 37-yard Hail Mary from Eli Manning on the final snap of the first half at Lambeau Field. The touchdown gave New York a 20-10 halftime lead and the Giants controlled the second half in claiming a 37-20 win.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- For Eli Manning and the New York Giants, Lambeau Field has become a familiar launching pad. After beating the Green Bay Packers at home for the second time in four years, they only hope this trip ends the same way -- at the Super Bowl.

Manning threw three touchdown passes and the Giants shocked the Packers, 37-20, in an NFC divisional playoff game Sunday. Manning threw for 330 yards, sending the Giants to San Francisco for the NFC championship game next Sunday night.

The Packers might have been the reigning Super Bowl champs, but the Giants might be the hottest team in the NFL.

"I think we're a dangerous team," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "I like where we are and how we're playing."

The Giants stunned the Packers with a touchdown off a long heave from Manning to Hakeem Nicks just before halftime, then knocked them out with a late touchdown off a turnover. Lambeau Field fell silent as the Giants swarmed the field in celebration, with a handful of New York fans chanting, "Let's go, Giants!"

The win came four years after the Giants beat a Brett Favre-led Packers team in the NFC title game. It wasn't nearly as frigid this time around, and the Packers' vulnerable defense seemed to be waiting to get sliced up.

Manning found six different receivers against a porous Packers defense. But Manning did the most damage with his throws to Nicks, who caught seven passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

Nicks' biggest play was a 66-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. His score at the end of the half came on a 37-yard pass into the end zone with defenders all around.

"It was a big momentum play for them, but we were not deflated as a football team," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

The Giants' defense also was able to defuse the big-play abilities of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' defense.

Rodgers was 26-of-46 for 264 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. He also was the Packers' leading rusher with 66 yards on seven carries. Meanwhile, the Packers' past problems with dropped balls by their talented group of wide receivers returned at the worst time imaginable. While the Packers' defense has been porous all season, giving up far too many yards and big plays, they've typically made up for it by forcing turnovers.

This time, the Packers were the ones giving the ball away. Green Bay lost three fumbles, including one on a rare giveaway by Rodgers. The Giants also sacked Rodgers four times.

With the Packers trailing, 20-10, at halftime but finally beginning to look like themselves on offense to start the second half, Osi Umenyiora swatted the ball away from Rodgers, and Deon Grant recovered the fumble at the Green Bay 37.

But the mistake didn't cost the Packers points, and Green Bay cut the lead to seven points on a 35-yard field goal by Mason Crosby late in the third quarter.

The Packers put together another drive early in the fourth quarter, but Michael Boley and Umenyiora combined to sack Rodgers on fourth-and-5 in Giants territory.

After carving up the Packers in the first half, the Giants' offense hit a lull in the second half. But they broke out of it to drive for a 35-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes to take a 23-13 lead with 7:48 left to play.

Packers running back Ryan Grant then fumbled after catching a pass and the Giants recovered, taking the ball back deep into Green Bay territory.

Manning then threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham and the Giants took a 30-13 lead. Rodgers rallied the Packers for a 16-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver, cutting the lead to 30-20 with 4:46 left.

The Packers then tried on onside kick, but the Giants' Victor Cruz recovered.

New York's Brandon Jacobs scored on a 14-yard run with 2:36 left to put the game away.

Racial pioneer Charles Scott, the first African-American scholarship player in the Atlantic Coast Conference and father of Ohio State backup point guard Shannon Scott, reflects on Martin Luther King Jr., and the way it was.

View full sizeChapelHillMemories.comCharles Scott averaged 22 points and seven rebounds while becoming the first black basketball player at North Carolina in the late 1960s. Sunday, Scott's son, Shannon, saw action in the Buckeyes' rout of Indiana.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One of the men of the hours that changed so much so long ago was in Value City Arena Sunday.

Charles Scott was watching Ohio State crush Indiana, while seated no farther from the press seats than the shot his son knocked ferociously away an instant after an Indiana player took it.

Shannon Scott is the player, a freshman whose resounding block of the Hoosiers' 6-6 Will Sheehy showed off the 6-1 Ohio State backup point guard's quickness and athleticism in the nine minutes he was on the court in the Buckeyes' 80-63 rout. But this story really isn't about how Shannon Scott plays now. On Martin Luther King Day, it is about Shannon's father, Charles, and how he lived when he was Shannon's age.

Charles Scott has moved his family, including his wife, Trudy, and daughter, Simone, from Georgia to Columbus to follow Shannon's games. A son, Shaun, is a student at North Carolina, where he tried out for the Tar Heels' basketball team, but did not make it. The elder Scott was the first scholarship African-American player in the Atlantic Coast Conference at North Carolina in the late 1960s. A high-school valedictorian, he always prefers to be called Charles, not Charlie. Sportswriters on Tobacco Road were the ones who called him Charlie.

"My mother named me Charles," said Scott. "Coach [Dean] Smith was the only coach who cared enough to ask me what I felt and what I wanted to be called. He always put his emphasis on you as an individual, on your maturation as a person, not just as a basketball player. Today, because of the one-and-done rule [for NBA eligibility], it's all about winning games, at the expense of the rest."

One of the ways Smith won Scott's loyalty was by inviting him to attend the coach's church.

"The blacks and whites took communion together," Scott said. "You didn't see that in the South at that time. If the church had black members, they took communion as a group after the whites."

It was a different country then, on the court and off.

In 1967, in a week of upsets, Duke, Davidson and North Carolina all came to Nashville to play Vanderbilt and lost. It was a huge basketball story in 1967, in part because the Commodores were starting the first African-American in Southeastern Conference history, Perry Wallace. Scott and Wallace knew each other and gravitated to each other as racial pioneers.

"I wanted to hang out before the game, so I went over to where Tennessee State, the black school, was," Scott said. "I had a great time there, but when it was time to go back to the hotel where we stayed downtown, no taxi I called would come into that part of town. Coach Smith had to get a car and come and pick me up."

Scott had seen worse. Looking down the barrel of a loaded shotgun constituted far worse. At Laurinburg Prep in high school in North Carolina, Scott and two friends were walking down the street when they were arrested by the town's sheriff on suspicion of gang rape.

"The sheriff had a shotgun. People in the crowd had shotguns and were standing outside the house of a white woman who said she had been raped by three black men," Scott said. "If she had said it was us, I have no doubt I would not be here talking to you today."

At North Carolina, Scott helped the Tar Heels reach two straight Final Fours in 1968-69, hitting the game-winning shot at the buzzer for his 31st and 32nd points in the regional final against Davidson in 1969. Attitudes started changing years before that shot in places like Chapel Hill, Durham and Winston-Salem and Davidson. Scott had been recruited by UNC, Duke and Wake Forest, along with Davidson. But they hadn't changed everywhere.

"The worst thing that happened was at South Carolina," Scott said. "A man ran up to me and called me a big black baboon. Coach Smith had to be held back by another coach because he went after the guy."

Years later, Smith received a letter from the heckler, who identified himself and said he was ashamed of what he had done and been years ago.

Scott went on to an illustrious professional basketball career, setting the one-season scoring record (a 34.6-point average) in the free-wheeling American Basketball Association, playing with Julius Erving, Connie Hawkins, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and John Havlicek in his various career stops. He helped the Boston Celtics win the 1976 NBA championship, beating the "Miracle of Richfield" Cavaliers along the way in the Eastern Conference finals.

Decades later, Scott clearly remembers the first time he met King, when Scott was still growing up in New York. It would prove impossible to forget.

"Dr. King had a great perseverance for the truth, for what we should be as people," Scott said. "Those were exciting times. We all felt we had such a responsibility to do something in society. It's why I went to North Carolina. It's why I am who I am."

On Twitter: @LivyPD

It's early, early, early, but going into today, Cavs held what would be the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. More links to Cavaliers stories.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCavaliers Kyrie Irving (in white warm-up jersey), Luke Harangody (behind Irving) and (left to right) Omri Casspi, Mychel Thompson (wearing a suit) and Anthony Parker watch during Cleveland's 115-101 homecourt win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Jan. 3.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers have played 11 games, and though the NBA schedule is reduced due to the lockout, 83 percent of their games remain to be played.

Cleveland is 5-6, after going 19-63 last season. All five Cavs wins have been by 11 points or more. The Cavaliers did not win a game by more than eight points last season until their 73rd game, when they defeated the Miami Heat, 102-90, at Quicken Loans Arena.

Bob Finnan writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal that this season, the Cavs could contend for something besides the draft lottery. Many fans would prefer the Cavaliers finish out of the playoffs and be in the running for a high draft pick, but that discussion is for another day.

Regardless, Finnan writes, referring to Cavs coach Byron Scott:

Scott is pushing the right buttons and getting the most out of his young squad. They just might be better than anyone thought. If the playoffs started after Friday's games, the Cavs would have been the No. 8 seed in the East.

The Cavaliers finish their seven-game road trip on Monday afternoon, when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats (3-10). The Cavs play at home against the Golden State Warriors (3-8 going into Sunday night's game at Detroit) on Tuesday night.

Cleveland.com and Plain Dealer Cavaliers coverage includes Mary Schmitt Boyer's story on Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao; Tom Reed's NBA Insider, highlighting this season's rookie class; his "Tom Reed's Tipoff," featuring Cavs' second-year forward Alonzo Gee; his "Hey, Tom!;" replying to readers' questions about the Cavaliers; his "Tom Reed's power rankings" of NBA teams; "Terry Pluto's Talkin;' " Mary Schmitt Boyer's report on how coach Byron Scott regards the Cavs' long road trip; her NBA rookie rankings.

Cavs post-ups

Rookie point guard Kyrie Irving has the Cavs, minus LeBron James, back on track. By Steve Luhm for the Salt Lake City Tribune.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown isn't bitter over being fired by the Cavaliers following the 2009-10 season. By Dave McMenamin for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

The top 10 early-season NBA Rookie of the Year candidates. A Bleacher Report slideshow.

It looks like Cavs fans have reason to put the past behind. By Conrad Kaczmarek for the blog "Hardwood Paroxysm."

Kyrie Irving could be facing a major decision regarding the 2012 Summer Olympics. By Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Hugh Jessiman scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season with 50 seconds left in overtime for the game-winner.

MILWAUKEE -- Hugh Jessiman scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season with 50 seconds left in overtime to give the Lake Erie Monsters a 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Admirals in American Hockey League play Sunday.

Mark Olver scored the first goal at 1:44 of the second period off a pass from Patrick Rissmiller. David Liffiton also assisted on the goal. Olver was playing in just his third game this season after being out with an injury. As a rookie with the Monsters last year, he scored 23 goals.

Luke Walker extended the Monsters' lead to 2-0 at 2:46 of the third period with a power-play goal. Brad Malone and Cameron Gaunce earned assists.

Goalie Gerald Coleman registered 27 saves in his first game with the Monsters after signing a tryout contract. He had been playing with the Alaska Aces in the East Coast Hockey League and had a 1.80 goals-against average and 17 wins in 23 games.

Kyle Wilson and Juuso Puustinen both scored in the third period for the Admirals to force overtime.

A career-high 28 points from Ohio State sophomore Lenzelle Smith Jr. in an easy win over Indiana showed the Buckeyes how their offense could take them deep into the postseason.

View full sizeJay LaPrete, Associated PressFrom start to finish, Indiana's Kory Bennett and the rest of the Hoosiers struggled to find any room against the Ohio State defense during the Buckeyes' easy win on Sunday. Defending Barnett on this play is Shannon Scott (left) and Evan Ravenel.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Lenzelle Smith Jr., averaging 5.2 points per game with a career high of 12, scored 28 points for Ohio State on Sunday. How big a difference could it make if the Buckeyes get some offense from the fifth offensive option among their starters?

"They can win the national championship with that," Indiana coach Tom Crean said.

The No. 5 Buckeyes' easy 80-63 win over the No. 7 Hoosiers was the revenge they were looking for after falling at Indiana on Dec. 31 and the bounce back they wanted after a loss at Illinois on Tuesday that caused Aaron Craft and Jared Sullinger to question the effort and togetherness of the team.

"This is exactly what we wanted," Sullinger said. "We wanted to come out and play our game and give these fans a good show. And I believe Lenzelle did that."

Looking ahead, the Buckeyes (16-3, 4-2 Big Ten) exhibited two traits that will be a must in getting back to the top of the Big Ten and taking them into March. Smith made the Hoosiers (15-3, 3-3) pay for leaving him open while doubling Sullinger, and the up-and-down defense was up again, getting aggressive with the Hoosiers while stifling them in the first half. Of that type of defense, OSU coach Thad Matta said, "It's what I dream about at night."

The halftime scores were Ohio State 35, Indiana 14, and Smith 18, Indiana 14.

"We were kind of playing with an edge coming off a loss," Craft said. "I think we were really connected on defense. ... We have five guys connected when everyone is moving and everyone is talking and that's the biggest thing we have to do."

All season, the defense has alternated between smothering and not good enough, but Smith's offensive emergence came out of nowhere. Maybe not nowhere. His only other game in double figures this season was his 12-point effort against Indiana, when the Hoosiers also left him open.

Despite missing two days of practice this week with strep throat, Smith said the Buckeyes managed to put in a few extra plays for when that happened again, and he didn't miss his chance, going 10-for-12 from the field and 4-for-5 on 3-pointers.

"If they double off Jared and leave me wide open, hopefully I can make shots," Smith said. "If it's another guy, hopefully I can help rotate the ball to that guy."

More often than not it may be Smith. Crean said this is what the Buckeyes had last season, when Sullinger, Craft, William Buford, David Lighty and Jon Diebler on the court together were all offensive threats. This season, the shooting guard spot on the floor hadn't done much offensively.

No one sees the effect more than Sullinger. In the first half Sunday, he had two points on 1-of-5 shooting while facing regular double teams, as Smith was 7-of-9 for 18 points. In the second half, Indiana started staying with Smith and Sullinger scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting.

"The second half, they stopped leaving Lenzelle," Sullinger said. "The first couple times I kicked it to Lenzelle, they were still there, so Lenzelle threw it back to me. It's a two-way street and it worked perfectly in the game plan."

"If they don't double him, he's going to score every time," Smith said. "So when he kicks it out to us and they're sticking to us, we give it right back to him, and he's going to score."

Sullinger finished with 16 points and nine rebounds while Buford added 12 and Deshaun Thomas had 11. There wasn't as much scoring for the Hoosiers, who were led by 16 from Cody Zeller, but were never within 10 points after the first seven minutes.

"They got up into us," Crean said of the OSU defense. "It sounds simple but it's not. They really got up into us and we weren't as strong as they needed to be."

After a tough loss Tuesday that brought out some tough words, the Buckeyes were just as they needed to be.

Xavier has gone from 8-0 and ranked No. 8 nationally to losing five of six and dropping out of the polls before going on a current three-game winning streak.

View full sizeAl Behrman, Associated PressThe cuts and bruises may have healed, but Kenny Frease and the rest of the Xavier basketball team are still feeling the aftereffects of December's late-game brawl with Cincinnati.

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Can't we all just get along?

When it comes to basketball in southern Ohio, that seems tough. Xavier travels to rival Dayton Saturday. Considering how the Musketeers' last rivalry game played out vs. Cincinnati, it will be interesting to see what Xavier players and fans have learned since.

Let's review.

Xavier took the perceived bully's robe off UC on Dec. 10 and draped it around itself. Constant trash talking during Xavier's 76-53 victory erupted in a bloody fight at the end. Afterward Xavier guard Tu Holloway made it clear he and his team would never back down.

"We got a whole bunch of gangstas in the locker room," he said.

Cincinnati officials immediately suspended and reprimanded UC players involved in the incident and took ownership over cleaning up a rivalry that has become downright nasty. Xavier, following Holloway's comments, was not quite as strident and later turned its attention to students who had chanted vulgarities at the Bearcats.

When Xavier's administration sent a Jan. 5 e-mail to students making a "Reflection Session" mandatory for those who attended the UC-Xavier game, a 24-hour Internet revolt followed. A thread at xavierhoops.com/forums/ that began at 2:37 p.m. Jan. 5, was up to 23 pages by midnight and 39 pages less than 24 hours later before Web site administrators ended the thread completely.

Included among the student rants was "not all the gangstas are on the floor." By the afternoon of Jan. 6 a new administrative e-mail went out "based on feedback" Xavier had received. In part it read, "we need to move forward on a different path."

The mandatory session was dropped. Students were then "invited" to a "discussion" on Jan. 10. According to yet another thread, no more than 20 students attended.

The aftermath: Cincinnati (14-4, 4-1), playing short-handed for several games as players sat out suspensions and made public apologies, went on a seven-game winning streak and has won nine of 10. Xavier (12-5, 3-1) has gone from 8-0 and ranked No. 8 nationally to losing five of six and dropping out of the polls before going on a current three-game winning streak.

Flight time: With the UC-X drama, Ohio State's top-25 status and Cleveland State's push in the Horizon, the spotlight has not found Dayton (13-5, 3-1), which joins at least eight teams in the state (including Ohio, Akron and Kent State) with viable NCAA Tournament hopes.

The Flyers have been on a roll since back-to-back losses to Buffalo and Murray State, winning seven of eight before a conference loss at St. Bonaventure. The Flyers responded with a 79-75 victory over LaSalle to knock the Explorers out of first place in the Atlantic 10.

On the Horizon: Had Cleveland State pulled off wins at Butler and Valparaiso, the Vikings could have earned some Top 25 votes. An impressive road win, like CSU's 76-69 triumph over Butler Friday night, will always catch the eye of at least a few voters. Even though Butler is barely .500, it is a brand-name victory that sits right beside CSU's season-opening triumph over Vanderbilt.

Sunday's loss canceled that. However, CSU's at-large resume for a NCAA Tournament bid is bolstered by every road win. The Vikings have the most road wins in the country (8-2), which will help as long as the Vikings get back on the winning track.

MAC attack: Akron (11-6, 3-0) has yet to play near its peak, yet is the only MAC team undefeated in league play. The hottest team entering conference play, Ohio (13-4, 1-2), has struggled a bit. The Bobcats play a pair of home games this week, Wednesday against Kent State (12-4, 2-1) and Saturday against rival Miami (5-10, 1-2).

In the West, Northern Illinois (2-13, 1-2) and Eastern Michigan (7-10, 2-1) pulled upsets over Central Michigan (7-9, 2-1) and Ball State (10-5, 2-1). The only winless team in conference play is Toledo (8-9, 0-3).

A rough last week for the Big Ten favorites should be a sign of things to come.

View full sizeBrian Kersey, Associated PressThis emphatic dunk by Northwestern's Davide Curletti on Michigan State's Adreian Payne on Saturday reflected both the Wildcats' home triumph and the hazardous nature of the Big Ten schedule this season, says Doug Lesmerises.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- First Ohio State suffered the crushing loss. Then Indiana. Then Michigan State. Then Michigan.

The Big Ten's four ranked teams, all between No. 5 and No. 13 in the AP poll, entered last week with a combined 12-3 record in conference play and then went a combined 3-5. Ohio State coach Thad Matta was asked in the days before Sunday's win over the Hoosiers if that was a crossroads game for the Buckeyes, and his answer was basically that if Ohio State was at a crossroads, then maybe everyone in the conference was.

That was before Saturday, when Michigan State was the last Big Ten team to lose a conference game, going down at Northwestern, and Michigan was defeated by an Iowa team that had lost its previous two games by a combined 63 points.

"I think [Saturday] kind of opened our guys' eyes, like, 'wow, it's a dogfight,'" Matta said. "That's why, like I tell our staff, I don't think we can get down. We've just got to get better and find ways to make this team better."

It also helps to be a bit philosophical.

"I just think that's life in the Big Ten, anybody can beat anybody," MSU coach Tom Izzo said after the Northwestern loss. "That was a very good team that beat us, and a very good team that's lost to a couple other people."

That's the kind of thing that coaches say every season, but it might apply in the Big Ten as much as in any recent year. The conference could have an SEC-football kind of thing going on, where upsets are viewed as proof of the league's strength, not weakness. The upsets could come in handy for some of the middle-of-the-pack Big Ten teams when NCAA Tournament bids are handed out, and the losses may not hurt the best teams too much.

Beyond Nebraska and Penn State, the league's other 10 teams really could beat any opponent on any night. So each team is going to have games, like Tuesday's loss at Illinois for the Buckeyes, where a defeat is going to create some questions. The winner of the conference will get those questions answered before the next tipoff.

The Big Ten winner, or winners, very well may have four or five losses in an 18-game conference schedule, but probably won't have any losing streaks. In four of the five previous seasons, the Big Ten champ has lost three conference games or fewer, but this is feeling a lot more like 2009-10, when Purdue, Ohio State and Michigan State shared the title at 14-4 and Wisconsin went 13-5.

"I think that's the sign of a great basketball conference," Matta said. "It's never going to go the way you want it to. At the start of the conference season, I always say there's going to be that one team that gets on a roll and if they stay healthy they're going to be right there to contend."

That team still may be Michigan State, which wasn't ranked in the preseason top 25 and after opening the season with losses to North Carolina and Duke had won 15 straight before Saturday. The Spartans have a big one at Michigan on Tuesday. But this season, more often than not, if you're on the court, it's a big one.

Seen and heard from Ohio State vs. Michigan hockey game at Progressive Field on Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Seen and heard from Ohio State vs. Michigan hockey game at Progressive Field on Sunday.

Indians President Mark Shapiro met with reporters an hour before the puck dropped. Hewas a happy man, confident his Ohio State-Michigan hockey venture would be successful.

"Pretty cool out there, isn't it?" he said. "I liked driving up East Ninth and seeing all the tailgating, the smoke coming off the grills, the colors. Doing this was as much about the event as the game."

Shapiro said he had been tracking ticket sales "every three hours." He said Sunday's attendance (officially announced later as 25,864) exceeded that which was required for profitability, but declined to give specifics.

Michigan defeated Ohio State, 4-1. Both sides were well-represented in the stands.

"We didn't feel it would be a challenge to get people here," he said. "The challenge would be operational: Could we take a building that's normally winterized and turn it on for an event like this? We wanted to provide a unique opportunity at a time when the building normally would be in mothballs."

Shapiro said he and his staff will evaluate all aspects of the event before determining if some sort of sequel is worth pursuing. If it does happen again, it might come after a year's hiatus.

"We'll look at the success of the event, and at the strain two years in a row puts on a staff," he said.

Shapiro said he did not think an NHL game is an option because Cleveland is not an NHL city. "What's important is that we execute this game well," he said.

As it turned out, Shapiro and his crew received high marks from Michigan media and hockey personnel. Wolverines coach Red Berenson called it a "great spectacle."

Dog days: The Frozen Diamond Faceoff is part of Progressive Field's "Snow Days," which wraps its second straight year. Shapiro said attendance for "Snow Days" is down from the first edition, and that the event will lose money again. A mild winter proved to be the bank-breaker this time.

"We got a lot of positive feedback, but weather created a significant challenge as far as attendance is concerned," he said.

Sunday's regular Snow Days activities ended about two hours before faceoff.

Keeping it real: Shapiro was asked if free-agent first baseman Carlos Pena, whom the Indians reportedly are pursuing, would participate in the ceremonial puck drop.

"Who?" Shapiro said, with a chuckle.

Pena was nowhere to be found on the premises. Nor, for that matter, were free-agent first basemen Prince Fielder and Casey Kotchman.

Strike the pose: Former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, executed the ceremonial puck drop.

Nice view: The Indians organization sold the vast majority of press box seats. Displaced media members moved into adjacent booths.

Hard note: During the Ohio State band's on-ice practice three hours before the game, one of the trumpet players slipped and fell. Credit the trumpeter for keeping the instrument from contacting the ice.

The band performed "Script Ohio" on the ice during the first intermission. It was an impressive display of music and balance.

Maize and Blue pride: Early arrivals to Progressive Field included a quintet clad in Michigan gear from head to toe. They stayed close together and laughed a lot.

Baseball links: In the first period, Ohio State defended the goal located on what, in April, is the infield near third base and the pitcher's mound. Michigan's goal was in shallow right field.

Ohio State entered and exited through the Indians' dugout on the third-base side; Michigan used the visitors' facilities.

Horn o' plenty: Brutus Buckeye took part in a race down the Batterhorn during the first intermission.

Repairs needed: The game was delayed at 3:49 of the first period, and again before the third period, to fix ice indentations. On balance, though, the surface held up well.

"The ice was fine, as good as any of our outdoor games," Berenson said. The Wolverines played their third outdoor game in the past three seasons.

Locked in: Berenson must have been thrilled to see his full squad attend an optional skate in the morning. Players shoveled snow off the ice to make sure they could practice.

Gritty performances: Fox Sports reporters Shannon Hogan (Detroit) and Dionne Miller (Cleveland) braved the cold to provide quality nuggets throughout. Hogan highlighted Ohio State senior forward Danny Dries and his father, Ray, who once played for Michigan. Danny Dries is a native of Lake Orion, Mich.

Browns' last two drafts have been, so far, somewhat successful. Will at least one more player from those draft classes emerge as a key contributor?

Lisa DeJong, The Plain DealerCould wide receiver Carlton Mitchell, who has played little in his first two seasons, emerge as a solid NFL player?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns went 5-11 in 2010 and 4-12 in 2011.

Obviously, any number of players were not able to turn the team in the right direction. Many, of course, helped prevent the Browns from going 0-16, 0-16. Hey, don't laugh.

Some of the better players on the Browns have emerged from the last two drafts, both conducted by Tom Heckert, the team's general manager the last two years. Others from the two draft classes have been starters for one or both seasons or have seen considerable action.

Here, we ask Browns fans what player they most believe could emerge as a very good NFL player.

We don't include the players you have seen the most of: Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Colt McCoy, Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard and Greg Little.

We do include two players who started all 16 games in 2011: offensive linemen Shawn Lauvao and Jason Pinkston. Due to the nature of their positions, given the Browns' circumstances, it's probably unreasonable to have formed a firm opinion on either -- thus, they're in the poll.

The Browns' 2010 draft: Round 1, 7th overall pick, Joe Haden, cornerback, Florida; 2-38, T.J. Ward, safety, Oregon; 2-59, Montario Hardesty, running back, Tennessee; 3-85, Colt McCoy, quarterback, Texas; 3-92, Shawn Lauvao, offensive lineman, Arizona State; 5-160, Larry Asante, defensive back, Nebraska; 6-177, Carlton Mitchell, wide receiver, South Florida; 6-186, Clifton Geathers, defensive end, South Carolina.

Neither Asante nor Geathers played in a regular season game for the Browns.

The Browns' 2011 draft: Round 1, 21st overall pick, Phil Taylor, defensive tackle, Baylor; 2-37, Jabaal Sheard, defensive end, Pittsburgh; 2-59, Greg Little, wide receiver, North Carolina; 4-102, Jordan Cameron, tight end, USC; 4-124, Owen Marecic, fullback, Stanford; 5-137, Buster Skrine, defensive back, Tennessee-Chattanooga; 5-150, Jason Pinkston, offensive lineman, Pittsburgh; 7-248, Eric Hagg, defensive back, Nebraska.

"At the moment, the Clippers coach is Vinny Del Negro. Now I have nothing against Vinny Del Negro, but at the end of the day — and, more importantly, at the end of any NBA game — he’s still Vinny del Negro," Norman Chad writes.

RON T. ENNIS FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM/MCTPhil Jackson, 66, retires every several years, but after a few weeks of transcendental meditation and tofu salads, he tends to get restless.

Phil Jackson — Zen master, book author, motorcycling savant, wilderness apostle and basketball guru — says he doesn’t want to coach again, but in all likelihood, he’s lying to himself.

I’ll bet his 11 NBA championships he will coach again, in Tinseltown, at Staples Center, for your Los Angeles Clippers.

Since 1999, the Lakers and the Clippers have shared Staples Center, but not the L.A. spotlight. The Lakers are forever “Showtime.” The Clippers have always been “How Low Can You Go Time.” No longer. With Blake Griffin and Chris Paul aboard, the Clippers are suddenly riveting and relevant, like a Mark Wahlberg movie.

Uh, but there’s a problem.

At the moment, the Clippers coach is Vinny Del Negro. Now I have nothing against Vinny Del Negro, but at the end of the day — and, more importantly, at the end of any NBA game — he’s still Vinny del Negro.

Del Negro came to the Clippers last season after the Bulls fired him. The Bulls made the conference finals once freed of Del Negro.

Del Negro reminds me of this unbelievable bargain you pick up at Tuesday Morning, then you go home and, by Friday evening, you realize why they were selling it at such a cheap price.

Del Negro doesn’t make your team better, he just makes sure all the players get on the team bus.

For those of you who have never seen Del Negro coach an NBA game, it’s sort of like watching a head-bobbing pigeon in the park searching the path for bread crumbs.

I never want the Clippers to call a timeout because I have no idea what Del Negro might tell them.

Which brings us to Jackson, famous for not calling timeouts. In Chicago, he once replaced Doug Collins and then led the Michael Jordan Bulls to six NBA titles in nine years. Del Negro is essentially Collins in a darker suit.

(Comedian John Caponera used to do a hilarious impersonation of Collins during a Bulls timeout: As the team gathered on the bench, the dapper coach would walk out onto the court, away from the players, adjust his necktie, pull on his shirtsleeves and, just before the break was over, come back to the huddle and whisper, “Give it to Michael.” I’m not sure Del Negro would have even been that sharp.)

Jackson, 66, retires every several years, but after a few weeks of transcendental meditation and Tahini tofu salads, he gets restless for the triangle offense and Joey Crawford. Besides, what else is the self-exiled former Lakers coach going to do? Buy an NBA League Pass? Play Twister nightly with Jeanie Buss? Wander through Big & Tall discount warehouses?

Jackson knows how to pick his spots — Jordan and Scottie Pippen with the Bulls, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in his first Lakers tenure, Bryant and eventually Pau Gasol in his second Lakers go-round. And now, he could inherit Shake ’n’ Blake and CP3.

One big downside for Jackson: Ownerwise, he would be going from Jerry Buss to Donald Sterling. That would be like going from escargot to fish sticks. Jackson has also tweaked Sterling in the past, saying the so-called Clippers curse could be “karma in effect,” intimating that Sterling is being victimized by his own bad deeds.

But the bigger roadblock for a Jackson-Clippers marriage: the dowry. Sterling tends to be — how shall I say? — thrifty. He might offer Jackson $350,000 a year, plus one-month’s free rent at one of his many apartment properties.

Heck, I suspect Sterling found Del Negro on eBay.

Anyway, there is no call for Del Negro’s job today, but at season’s end, after the Clippers plunge below reasonable expectations, there might be. Beyond the “Lob City” hype, this is probably a 48-win team — in a full season — that should survive a playoff series or two.

Del Negro, though, is programmed for 42 to 40 and/or a postseason collapse.

Inevitably, Del Negro’s Clippers will be a tease. And after they disappoint, somebody from the Clippers will dial the number of a tall man sitting in a hot tub — probably in Montana — with a Ganesh necklace and a cellphone. And he’ll answer the call.

Ask The Slouch

Q. With so many football teams using a no- huddle offense, how can I grab a beer or go to the bathroom? — Bob Willis, Silver Spring, Md.

A. You apparently are unaware of new technology: You can now pause live TV. In fact, in certain homes, you can also pause a live marriage.

Q. Why no PBR mentions lately? Are you on the wagon, or did you switch exclusively to perky Pinot Grigios? — Martin Stone, Pittsburgh

A. I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with Pabst due to ownership changes. In the meantime, I am sucking down Orange Crush.

Q. Should Thai tennis player Noppawan Lertcheewakam change her name to a more broadcast-friendly one, and, if so, what would you suggest? — Howard Walderman, Columbia, Md.

A. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Q. When it’s cold, football players forgo long sleeves to give the appearance that they aren’t affected by the weather. So when it’s hot, why don’t they wear jackets and gloves? — Karl Kunc, Burke, Va.

A. Pay the man, Shirley.

You, too, can enter the $1.25 Ask The Slouch Cash Giveaway. Just email asktheslouch@aol.com, and if your question is used, you win $1.25 in cash!

Norman Chad is a freelance writer in Los Angeles.