With Monday's practice in Warrensville Heights, the Gladiators will officially open their first training camp under the ownership of Dan Gilbert.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer"It was a long, long season for me, and I'm happy to turn the page," says Gladiators QB John Dutton, who missed most of the 2011 season with a torn Achilles' tendon. "Now it's time to knock off the rust, which is what camp is for."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With Monday's practice in Warrensville Heights, the Gladiators will officially open their first training camp under the ownership of Dan Gilbert.

Gilbert bought the Arena Football League franchise from Jim Ferraro in January. Ferraro's Gladiators played in Cleveland in 2008, 2010 and 2011. The league went dark in 2009.

"Dan Gilbert is a big figure in Cleveland, and his people know how to get things done," quarterback John Dutton said. "His ownership gives us a lot of credibility going forward. It's great for the players."

No one is more eager to get started than Dutton, 36, one of the league's all-time best at his position. In the 2011 season opener at Spokane, Dutton played superbly into the fourth quarter before tearing his left Achilles' tendon. He did not return until the Gladiators' opening-round playoff loss to Georgia; playing well in relief of a struggling Kurt Rocco.

"It was a long, long season for me, and I'm happy to turn the page," Dutton said. "It was tough to be forced to sit and watch. I've put in the rehab work, and the foot feels pretty good, all things considered. I'm not sure it's going to feel much better. Now it's time to knock off the rust, which is what camp is for."

Mount Union product Rocco stepped into the starter's role last year and showed flashes as a rookie. But he was just inconsistent enough that Gladiators coach Steve Thonn could not guarantee him a starting spot this year, especially with Dutton's projected return to health. Rocco moved on to New Orleans.

"I wouldn't have been surprised if coach Thonn had stayed with Kurt, because he's young and had a good season overall," Dutton said. "You could really see Kurt's potential, so I'm pretty sure coach wanted both of us back. As it stands, I'm excited for the opportunity."

For his 12th Arena season, and third with Cleveland, Dutton will have a dynamic receiving corps at his disposal. The Gladiators return Dominick Goodman, Thyron Lewis and fan favorite Robert Redd. In all, nine players who helped the Gladiators win the East Division return.

Each team may invite up to 35 players to camp. Final rosters will be cut to the regular-season-mandated 24 active players by March 3.

The Gladiators practice at the MultiPlex, located at The Word Church. They open the regular season at Georgia on March 12.

"We are excited to get our guys here and get started," Thonn said. "We are the defending division champions and have a target on our backs. We're confident in our group and eager to see what they can do."

Cheatwood returns: The Gladiators were assigned former Ohio State LB Tim Cheatwood by the league.

Cheatwood spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons with the team. In 2011, the Benedictine product and former Buckeye appeared in all 18 regular-season games for the Gladiators, totaling 34 tackles, 12.5 sacks for 65 yards, four fumble recoveries, one interception and one touchdown.

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

Irving's free throws seal the win. Antawn Jamison had 21 points for the Cavaliers, who also got 14 from Ramon Sessions and 15 from Tristan Thompson.

View full sizeTony Dejak, Associated PressCavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) challenges this first-quarter drive by Sacramento's Tyreke Evans during Sunday night's game at The Q. While Irving's 23 points and two free throws in the final seconds won it for the Cavaliers, Evans struggled, missing 12 of his 17 shot attempts and finishing with 10 points.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The last pick in the rookie class of 2011 outplayed the No. 1 overall selection Sunday night at The Q for 47 minutes and 59 seconds.

Sacramento's Isaiah Thomas was motivated to prove there is not a 58-pick gulf in talent between himself and the Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving. The diminutive point guard registered 23 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and was anything but Mr. Irrelevant in leading the Kings to the cusp of victory.

But one of the many reasons the Cavaliers chose Irving at the top of the draft board was for difference-making moments at ends of games when pulses quicken and less-assured players don't want the outcome in their hands. He has delivered two game-winning baskets in his first 28 games and against the Kings produced in the clutch again.

Irving was fouled with 0.4 seconds remaining and the Cavaliers trailing by a point. He calmly sunk a pair of free throws and his team survived a confusing final sequence for a 93-92 victory.

"I just imagine myself back in my backyard, honestly, just shooting my free throws," said Irving, an 84.6 percent foul shooter. "I practice them almost every day with Coach [Byron] Scott and it was just a routine thing."

Irving has made pressure-laden situations appear routine as a Cavalier. He bailed out his teammates and himself after they squandered a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead. The Kings chipped away at the deficit and their comeback was aided by Antawn Jamison and Alonzo Gee, who each split a pair of free throws in the final 2:05. They took the lead with 2.9 seconds remaining as DeMarcus Cousins accepted an in-bounds pass and beat Jamison with a reverse layup.

The Cavaliers (12-17) called time and set up a play for Irving, who had a subpar second half. He finished the night 8-of-21 from the field with 23 points, four turnovers and only one assist. But there was little question who would attempt the last shot. Irving in-bounded the ball to Jamison, who gave it back to the 19-year-old around the 3-point arc. The rookie drove to the basket and was fouled by Tyreke Evans before he came close to attempting a shot.

Because Sacramento was over the limit, Irving headed to the foul line. The Cavs are the league's third-worst team at the line (69.7 percent), but Scott liked their chances with Irving.

"Two big free throws and we had one of our best free-throw shooters on the line," Scott said. "Him and Sessions are our two best. It was great that he had the ball at that particular time and got fouled and was able to go up there and knock them down."

The Kings received two chances in the final 0.4 seconds. An in-bounds lob pass caromed off the rim and into the hands of a Sacramento player as the horn sounded. But officials ruled the clock started prematurely. On the reset, the ball was in-bounded to Cousins, who did not get his desperation shot off in time.

"We got a little lucky tonight, that's all I can say," said Scott, whose club shot 36 percent. "I didn't think we played the way we are capable of playing. I thought we were kind of messing around in the first half. [The Kings] had a lot of confidence they could win the game. We just tried to turn it on. You just can't turn it on and off."

The game spotlighted a rookie class that has been derided for its lack of quality and depth. Cavaliers rookie forward Tristan Thompson played his best game and recorded his first double-double, logging 15 points and 12 rebounds. Thompson, the No. 4 overall pick, has played better in his last two games while recovering from a sprained ankle.

"The media has been the one that said the class isn't that strong," Thompson said. "That motivates us. We want to go out and prove we can play and we are not a weak class."

Thomas entered the game with ample motivation. He got the better of Irving much of the night in the battle of rookie point guards. He was asked if playing against Irving offered additional incentive.

"I would be lying if I said it [didn't]," Thomas said. "He was the number one pick, I was the last pick. I mean why not? That's extra motivation. He's a great player. He's real [fundamentally sound]. He's got talent. Hopefully [when] we play them again we get the win."

Jamison added 21 points for the winners. Playing against his former team, Omri Casspi grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds and scored six points.

Former Cavs forward J.J. Hickson was scoreless with four rebounds in 16 minutes.

Last month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is considering employing 10 full-time officials -- possibly as soon as the 2012 season -- in the name of consistency.

View full sizeEric Gay, Associated PressSuper Bowl referee John Parry, a financial adviser in Tallmadge when he's not on the football field, earned the chance to look after the Patriots' Tom Brady by having the best grades of any league referee in 2011. Now the NFL is considering employing some full-time officials after always using part-timers in past seasons.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Eli Manning was off to Disney World. Tom Brady was busy shushing Gisele. Referee John Parry, after remembering to take out the trash, was back at his office in Tallmadge, another successful Super Bowl under his belt.

Successful in that no controversial call from his seven-man officiating crew affected the outcome. In fact, not one was overturned by replay and only one call was even challenged.

"I think we did real well," said Parry, who just finished his 12th season as an NFL official and his second Super Bowl.

When the football season ends, the players take time off to heal, coaches dig into the draft and the men in stripes return to their 9-to-5s. By day, Parry, 46, is a financial advisor. He and his 120 colleagues -- 17 seven-men crews, plus two officials who rotate into the mix -- "moonlight" as NFL officials.

That's right, the most-watched athletic event on the planet, one that commands $3.5 million per 30-second commercial and many millions more in sports book bets and Super Bowl board squares, is in the hands, eyes and minds of airline pilots and accountants, firefighters and cabinetmakers, teachers and dentists and just about any other occupation imaginable.

They juggle both jobs from May through the Super Bowl, with two weekends off during the season. Although that may change for some.

Last month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is considering employing 10 full-time officials -- possibly as soon as the 2012 season -- in the name of consistency. Major League Baseball and the NBA employ full-time umpires and referees because their seasons are so long and teams play more than once a week.

The NFL has toyed with the idea of full-time officials before, but not to this extent.

"This is the first time that we're really going to examine it in the off-season," Carl Johnson, the NFL's vice president of officiating, said by phone just before the Super Bowl.

The examination of every nuance of the game, from rules to refs, begins Monday when the NFL competition committee conducts a week of meetings in Indianapolis. Committee members include Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis and Baltimore General Manager Ozzie Newsome. Input is gathered from current and former players, coaches, trainers and game officials. Parry will be there, too.

John Parry discusses his first game as an NFL official

Once the committee has a chance to chew on the idea of full-time officials, the topic is expected to be presented late next month at the league's annual owners' meetings in Palm Beach, Fla.

Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis said team President Mike Holmgren preferred not to comment on whether he favored the idea until the league had a chance to discuss it. But as far as Parry is concerned, only two things separate NFL officials from being full-time already: No healthcare benefits, and fan perception that the job involves simply flying in on Sunday mornings for games and flying out immediately after.

Not hardly.

During the season, Parry figures he spends 20 to 30 hours on travel arrangements, studying game film, communicating with the league and his crew and other advance work leading up to the earliest flight out Saturday morning to arrive at the required 24 hours before kickoff. That day is spent in meetings with his crew and on other pre-game prep.

Then there's the game.

"I think we're about as full-time as we can get," said Mark Steinkerchner, an 18-year NFL official who lives in Bath and runs a family-owned rubber company in Wadsworth.

View full sizeDuane Burleson, Associated Press"Officials are expected to be perfect," says four-year NFL official Dana McKenzie, who grew up in Wellington (taking some heat from San Francisco assistant coach Brad Seely), "and improve from there."

Goodell's comments at a fan forum last month are the extent of what's been offered publicly, so specifics about how many and what benefits full-time officials might provide are unknown. The thought is that more consistency on such calls as roughing the passer and illegal blows to the head is needed.

"We're open to anything that will improve the product on the field, for sure," said four-year NFL official Dana McKenzie, who grew up in Wellington and works as an insurance claims adjuster in Indianapolis. "But I'm a little unclear about what that will entail."

Although they're technically part-time, what's entailed for an official to even reach the NFL isn't much different than the career path for players and coaches. The road usually starts in pee-wee football and leads up the ladder to middle-school games, then junior varsity and varsity, small college and, if they're good enough, major college.

From the first time they put on an official's uniform to stepping onto an NFL field is typically 15 to 22 years. The interview process involves psychological, physical and intelligence tests, an unofficial official's combine, you might say.

Once in, they work with no long-term guarantees past the current season.

"If their performance meets our standard, then they stay," said Johnson, who worked as an NFL line judge for nine years.

Every play is graded by a staff of eight NFL supervisors. The crew chief and his team are chosen for the Super Bowl based on how they're graded during the season. The official with the highest grade at each position is chosen for the big game. They must also have at least five years of NFL experience and have worked previous playoffs.

Of the 2,403 plays Parry's crew officiated this season, 24 were graded as incorrect calls, a league-high 99.4 percent success rate.

"Officials are expected to be perfect," McKenzie said, "and improve from there."

Those who score well enough to stick with the league make some nice change. NFL officials are paid about $70,000 to $180,000, depending on their experience, plus travel and lodging expenses and a health-club allowance to help them (try to) keep up with high-test athletes crashing into 300-pounders and running 4.5 40s. Plus, each season they need to pass specific body-fat measures that vary by age and officiating position.

When the NFL ran a developmental league in Europe, international travel was equally a sweet perk and an inconvenience.

"All my vacation time during those years was spent on NFL Europe," McKenzie said.

There are seven officials on the field, led by the referee, who is most visible to fans because he announces the calls. A head linesman, line judge, umpire, field judge, side judge and back judge make up the rest of the crew.

Managing the gig with full-time jobs and families can feel like spinning plates. Bruce Stritesky, a career airline pilot, has managed to work in NFL officiating the last six years because his US Airways seniority allows him to schedule his flights around his football assignments.

As it is for the players, injuries are part of the game. Most are minor -- accidental knock-downs, bumps, bruises, kicked shins and stepped-on feet -- although Steinkerchner, who has worked two Super Bowls, suffered cracked ribs last year when Oakland defensive tackle Richard Seymour slammed into him as he was signaling an incomplete pass.

"You could tell it was a good hit," he said, "because you could hear the crowd go, 'Ooooooh.'"

Steinkerchner, a former University of Akron football player, was wrapped up and back in uniform the next game.

Tuesday morning after the Super Bowl, Parry was back at work counseling customers about retirement plans and college funds. Less than 48 hours earlier, he was on the world's biggest stage, explaining to New England coach Bill Belichick why he called intentional grounding and a safety on his quarterback.

All in a (part-time) day's work.

The former Cavalier forward sounds like a player who would rather be almost anywhere except Sacramento.

View full sizeAP fileIt's been a difficult transition to the Kings for former Cavaliers forward J.J. Hickson. "I didn't want to come to a situation like this," he said before Sunday night's game at The Q. "I wanted to rebuild (in Cleveland), but I got traded and things happen."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James said last week he might consider returning to Cleveland in two years. J.J. Hickson made it clear Sunday night he never wanted to leave.

The former Cavalier forward was at The Q with his new team and sounded like a player who would rather be almost anywhere except Sacramento. Even Anaheim. Hickson is struggling to adjust to a new team and a return to his natural position of power forward. He is averaging 5.2 points and less than 20 minutes a game all the while costing himself significant money in a contract year.

"I'm not having the year I wanted to have, not just personally but we're not winning," said Hickson, an unrestricted free agent as season's end. "But after going through the season [the Cavs] went through last year, I didn't want to come to a situation like this. I wanted to rebuild here, but I got traded and things happen."

The Cavaliers shipped Hickson to the Kings for Omri Casspi and a much-protected, first-round draft choice on June 30, 2011. They no longer needed to worry about whether to commit long-term to Hickson, who averaged 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds last season, but irritated coaches with his mental lapses and inconsistency.

Hickson said he was surprised by the trade, even though the Cavaliers selected power forward Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 overall pick a week earlier.

"No, even with that pick you can still trade him or do other things with that pick," Hickson said. "I didn't see that coming at all. Unfortunately it happened and I'm a Sacramento King now."

At the Kings' media day in December, Hickson asked whether rumors about the team moving to Anaheim were true. He was heard to say, "I really like Anaheim."

Hickson was asked if he could make it work with the Kings' organization. After a pregnant pause, he responded: "Uh, yeah. I think so, yeah."

He entered action Sunday shooting 38.2 percent from the floor, 10 percentage points below his career average. He is coming off the bench and too often settles for jump shots. Interim coach Keith Smart said Hickson, who played center last season after the injury to Anderson Varejao, is still adjusting to power forward, a position where he believed he could be dominant while in Cleveland.

"Honestly I don't know," said Hickson when asked if the position switch is the problem. "It's more mental than anything being in a new system, two new coaches in less than two months, new style of play, new personnel on the court. New front office, new way of doing things. Everything is a blur to me."

Would Hickson want to return to the Cavs next season?

"Of course, why not?" he said. "I'm not saying 'no, I don't want to come back.' If the opportunity presented itself, why not?"

Uzoh released: The Cavs informed point guard Ben Uzoh that he will not be signed to another 10-day contract. The 10-day deal he was on expired Sunday night. The club likely will sign another guard to a 10-day contract in the coming days.

Uzoh appeared in two games with the Cavs, averaging two points and six-plus minutes.

Injury update: Anthony Parker (back) and Daniel Gibson (ankle) remained out. Coach Byron Scott said Parker, who hasn't played since Jan. 29, will return to practice on Monday.

Teammates turned rivals: Cavaliers rookies Kyrie Irving and Thompson will be pitted against each other in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday as part of NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando. There are no side wagers, Irving said, but the gamesmanship is under way.

"There's no easy buckets for Tristan every time he gets in the post," Irving said. "I've already been in contact with the coaches. We're going to game plan for him."

If you think Ohio State has problems, look at the way Illinois is stumbling into Columbus on Tuesday.

View full sizeTed Kirk, Lincoln (Neb.) Journal StarBeleagured Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber doesn't seem to have any answers for the stumbling Illini, who were routed by lowly Nebraska on Saturday and have lost eight of their last nine games.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State, after two losses in three games, has some fires to put out. Illinois, after eight losses in nine games, is stepping onto a kerosene basketball court every night and embattled coach Bruce Weber is a match.

Since beating the Buckeyes on Jan. 18, the Illini are 1-8, their only win a 42-41 victory over Big Ten leader Michigan State. After Saturday's 23-point loss at Nebraska, Illinois' D.J. Richardson told the Champaign News-Gazette, "We really hit rock bottom tonight," saying the Illini looked as bad as they can look.

By the end of the loss, center Meyers Leonard, who was giving Jared Sullinger problems just over a month ago, was crying on the bench.

"Everyone was sad," Richardson told the News-Gazette. "That's good that you see a lot of people in there crying."

That came after Weber's post-game catharsis following Wednesday's loss to Purdue, when he questioned himself for the way he has coached his team this season. Weber said, among other things, that he and his staff should have challenged Leonard and leading scorer Brandon Paul earlier in the season.

"Instead of creating toughness and developing a team, I coach not to lose all year. And that's really sad, to be honest," Weber told reporters. It is. But it's also not a surprise for anyone watching the Illini the last few years. Weber frequently didn't seem to mesh with his players.

He looked to have a difficult relationship with former point guard Demetri McCamey. Freshman Jereme Richmond declared for the NBA draft after last season, was not selected and wound up with 18 months of probation after a weapons charge. Not winning to their talent level became a regular occurrence for the Illini.

"Many of the players he's recruited to Illinois haven't fit the profile of the players he succeeded with," the News-Gazette's Paul Klee wrote. "The same discipline that worked for decades isn't accepted anymore. And he went along with it, instead of sticking by his own rules."

It's hard to imagine the Illini getting it together now, but they will be a desperate team when they come to Columbus for Tuesday's 7 p.m. tip. They'll come with the confidence of knowing they've beaten the Buckeyes already.

If Illinois isn't already a defeated team, it could be dangerous, especially if Paul is close to as hot as he was in scoring 43 against Ohio State the first time. But if it's the Buckeyes who get back on track at Illinois' expense, have some fire extinguishers in the visiting locker room.

Tournament aspirations: Recently the number thrown around for potential NCAA bids for the Big Ten has been nine. If the conference isn't careful, it could be more like six.

The NCAA hosted a mock selection meeting for the media this week, and the mock bracket produced included seven Big Ten teams, with Illinois sliding in as a No. 12 seed and Minnesota and Northwestern left out. Since then, the Illinois freefall has continued.

Right now, Northwestern is 16-10 and 6-8 in the Big Ten; Minnesota is 17-10 and 5-9; and Illinois is 16-11 and 5-9. The teams don't play each other over the final two weeks of the season, but they do play the Big Ten's best. Illinois is at Ohio State and home against Michigan; Northwestern has both the Wolverines and Buckeyes at home; and Minnesota hosts Michigan State.

All three teams may need a win against one of the best three teams in the conference to get that bid.

Some unranked teams are making regular-season life difficult for the NCAA's blue bloods.

View full sizeEthan Hyman, MCTJeff Peterson (12) and the Florida State Seminoles may not have the national profile of fellow ACC members North Carolina and Duke, but FSU has the clearest path to a regular-season conference title over the Tar Heels and Blue Devils.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There is no clearer example of the difference between conference play and postseason tournament possibilities than contrasting the AP Top 25 poll with some conference standings.

One look at the poll would indicate No. 5 Duke and No. 8 North Carolina are the clear choices in the Atlantic Coast Conference. No doubt coach Roy Williams' Tar Heels and Mike Krzyzewski's Blue Devils will be highly seeded in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. But the conference standings show Leonard Hamilton's No. 20 Florida State in a first-place tie with UNC, a half-game ahead of Duke. FSU holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over both teams.

Duke plays at Tallahassee on Thursday. A FSU triumph puts the Seminoles in control for the regular-season title. The Tar Heels and FSU do not play twice this season.

In the Mountain West, No. 11 UNLV and No. 13 San Diego State are considered strong NCAA teams. But unranked New Mexico (22-4, 8-2) is atop the standings, with a two-game lead. Since coach Steve Alford's Lobos lost back-to-back games to UNLV and SDSU in January the Lobos have won seven straight, including wins in the rematches with the Rebels and Aztecs last week.

New Mexico had few votes in last week's AP and coaches polls, but that will likely change on Monday.

Teams to watch: Unranked Iowa State (19-8, 9-5) is tied with No. 9 Baylor for third in the Big 12, with one of the country's best players in 6-8, 270-pound sophomore Royce White (12.9 ppg, 9.1 ppg). Arizona (19-9) was on a five-game winning streak before losing Saturday at Washington. But even if the hot streak continues, the Wildcats -- fourth in the Pac-12 -- may need a strong conference tournament run to make the NCAA field.

So much for that: BracketBusters weekend did a lot of damage to several teams with NCAA hopes. That was certainly true for Cleveland State (a home loser to Drexel) and Akron (beaten at Oral Roberts).

But one team that did solidify its credentials was No. 16 Murray State. The Racers had no problems with No. 21 Saint Mary's, 65-51. The Gaels have suffered some key injuries, and have lost three of their last four games, all by double digits.

On the Horizon: After a slow start, preseason favorite Detroit (17-12, 10-6) is threatening sagging CSU (20-8, 10-5) for the No. 2 seed in the upcoming league tournament. Detroit only has two games remaining, both on the road -- Thursday at CSU, Saturday at Youngstown State (14-13, 9-7). The Vikings have three games -- Tuesday at Green Bay, then Detroit followed Saturday by Wright State.

MAC attack: Akron's hopes of an assured at-large bid from the NCAA took a big hit on Saturday. Now, the Zips (19-8, 11-1) need to turn their attention to winning the MAC's regular-season title. The first challenge is Bowling Green (14-12, 7-5) on Wednesday in Rhodes Arena. A victory by the Zips would lock up one of the four byes in the MAC Tournament.

The Falcons have been improving steadily, winning five of their last six. The Zips defeated BG earlier this season, 56-55, on a last-second shot from Nick Harney.

Buffalo (16-8, 9-3) and Kent State (19-7, 9-3) are tied for second with UB hosting fourth-place Ohio (21-6, 8-4) on Wednesday while KSU travels to Miami (4-8, 8-16) Tuesday night.

Again this season, the Buckeyes rely heavily on just five players.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer Ohio State and its coach Thad Matta continue to win big, but would the Buckeyes eventually benefit from more playing time for their bench?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's difficult to find much fault with a basketball team like the Ohio State Buckeyes, a team that has a 22-5 record.

Or with the team's coach, in this case, the Buckeyes' Thad Matta.

Some observers, though, question whether Matta does enough to develop Ohio State's bench; or at least whether he gives the Buckeyes' reserves enough playing time to prove they don't deserve more of it.

For instance, in the Buckeyes' last six games -- since their last blowout win, by 78-54 over Penn State -- their bench players have totaled 170 minutes played. Ohio State's starters, despite several instances of playing in foul trouble, have totaled 1,030 minutes. That's more than 34 minutes per game per starter.

In those six games, four of them Buckeyes' wins, the opponents' bench players have totaled exactly 300 minutes played. That's an edge of 21.7 minutes played per game for the opponents' reserves over the Buckeyes backups.

Ohio State's starting lineup of Jared Sullinger, William Buford, Aaron Craft, Deshaun Thomas and Lenzelle Smith Jr. is regarded among the nation's best.

Actually, four different Buckeyes reserves have played from 263 to 303 total minutes this season. The boxscores reveal that much of that playing time occurred during early-season, non-league games against a series of over-matched opponents, and some time was divided prior to Smith's recent emergence as a big-minutes player. A couple reserves were pressed into more action during a four-game stretch in which Sullinger, dealing with injuries, played a total of 31 minutes.

Last season, starting guards Jon Diebler and David Lighty, both since graduated, were among the five Buckeyes who played big, big minutes.

Ohio State finished last season with a 34-3 record. The Buckeyes were ranked first in the nation when they lost an NCAA Tournament regional semifinal to Kentucky, 62-60.

Five Buckeyes played an average of 38.4 minutes in the loss to the Wildcats. Just two others played, totaling eight minutes between them.

Buford finished 2-of-16 against Kentucky, playing all but three minutes. Would have a few more minutes of rest provided Buford a breather to, if not restore his shooting touch, at least give him a fresh perspective on what he needed to do to help the Buckeyes win?

Is the Buckeyes' bench really so bad that Matta can't be blamed for its virtual non-use? Are they that bad in practice? Is Ohio State as successful as it is because Matta depends so much on five players?

On the other hand, how can reserves succeed when little confidence, maybe, is shown in them?

Is it worth it to play the bench more, even if, in the coach's opinion, it might put a game or two in jeopardy? And what's the big deal if the Buckeyes might lose a game trying to find out about another player or two? The difference, theoretically, between a second and third seed? Could another confident player coming off the bench maybe help OSU win a tournament game?

Should Thad Matta give the Buckeyes' bench more of a chance?

Thompson recorded his first double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerTristan Thompson, shown here in preseason, had a strong night Sunday in scoring 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the Cavaliers win.

Here's today's and tonight's sports listings for TV and radio for the Cleveland area.

Associated PressDirk Nowitzki (with the basketball) and the defending champion Dallas Mavericks host the Boston Celtics in a game televised at 8 tonight on TNT.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today on the air

(Click on to links for more team or event information)

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. Connecticut at Villanova, ESPN

9 p.m. Baylor at Texas, ESPN (preview)

NBA

4 p.m. Atlanta at Chicago, ESPN (preview)

8 p.m. Boston at Dallas, TNT

10:30 p.m. Portland at L.A. Lakers, TNT

HOCKEY

1 p.m. AHL, MONSTERS at Toronto, WHKW/1220-AM

(Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Monsters coverage)

7:30 p.m. NHL, Washington at Carolina, NBC Sports Network (preview)

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

2 p.m. Notre Dame at Louisville, ESPN

7 p.m. OHIO STATE at Penn State, ESPN2

(Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Ohio State coverage)

9 p.m. Vanderbilt at Kentucky, ESPN2

The NBA all-star break is this weekend. How can this be? It seems like the season began maybe a week or so ago. But when a greed-infested labor dispute results in a condensed schedule, this is what you get - the All-Star Game this Sunday, the playoffs start the following weekend and Jeremy Lin, I believe, will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame early next month.

View full sizeJim McIsaac/Newsday/MCTIf Jeremy Lin played in Portland or Milwaukee instead of New York, "Linsanity" would be as compelling as pocket "Lint".

Carl Edwards, who lost the championship last season on a tie-breaker to Tony Stewart, won the pole for the season-opening Daytona 500, beating teammate Greg Biffle for the top starting spot during a windy Sunday qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway.

View full sizeAP Photo/Terry RennaGreg Bifflle, left, and Carl Edwards, right, hold up their trophies after securing the top two positions Sunday during qualifying for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway. Edwards won the pole position with a speed of 194.738 mph

For more Cinesport video, go here.

Stipe Miocic knows he's green, but he's working every day to challenge for the UFC heavyweight title. Watch video

View full sizeLonnie Timmons III,
The Plain DealerStipe Miocic works on his kicks with StrongStyle Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness owner Marcus Marinelli. Miocic's 43-second win over Phil De Fries has the Northeast Ohio native primed for a run at the UFC heavyweight title.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Plain Dealer MMA beat writer (and general all-around bon vivant) Chuck Yarborough.

Today's guest is Northeast Ohio native Stipe Miocic, who won knockout of the night in last week's UFC on Fuel, KO'ing Phil De Fries in just 43 seconds. The win is Miocic's second in his UFC career, and his eighth without a loss in his time as an MMA fighter.

Miocic tells Chuck that he realizes he's still "green" and has to work on every aspect of his mixed martial arts game. Happily, it seems that UFC President Dana White and his schedule-makers have the same goal: Each fight they've set for Miocic challenges a different skill set, from standup to grappling.

Miocic's UFC debut against brawler Joey Beltran went the distance, and demonstrated the former Cleveland State Viking baseball player's ability to take a punch.

We talked to Miocic about his career, where it's going and how he got to where he is, and we got him to talk us through a typical week of training at Marcus Marinelli's StrongStyle Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness gym in Independence.

And for the record, he's still working with both Oakwood Village and Valley View as a firefighter and EMT. Which means he can knock you out ... AND treat your injuries.

While we're at it, take a minute to answer today's Starting Blocks poll: Would you attend a UFC fight night if it were held in Cleveland.

SBTV returns on Tuesday.

The 'PD Sports Insiders' talked Tribe with Paul Hoynes, who was live from spring trainnig. They also discussed would Cleveland ever welcome back LeBron, do the Browns do everything they can to get Robert Griffin III and should the Dolans bring back Roberto Hernandez? Watch video

What are the biggest storylines going into spring training for the Indians? Who will win the third-baseman spot? Would LeBron ever be welcomed back to Cleveland?

On today's 'PD Sports Insider', Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and Glenn Moore were joined by Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes. Bud, Dennis and Glenn talked the biggest storylines for the Tribe during spring training, including if Ubaldo Jimenez can repeat what he did a couple years ago.

Other topics discussed:

- Would you welcome LeBron James back to Cleveland?

- If  you were Tom Heckert, do you do anything you can to get Robert Griffin III?

- Would you welcome Roberto Hernandez back to the team when he returns to the United States?

Click on play to watch the video.

About the show: "PD Sports Insider" airs live every Monday and Thursday at noon. Co-hosted by Bud Shaw and Dennis Manoloff, the show features a timely and lively debate of the biggest sports topics of the day and gives readers a chance to interact directly with PD sportswriters and columnists.

Viewers have to the opportunity to ask questions and post comments in a live chat room during the show. They can also Skype in or email their video questions during the week.

Before Jim Thome signed with the Phillies last November, he had not fielded a ground ball since 2007. Not in pre-game work, not in spring training, not in off-season drills.

View full sizeAP Photo/Matt SlocumFormer Tribe slugger and current Philadelphia Phillies' Jim Thome walks the outfield during practice at spring training.

With the majority of pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training over the weekend, the time to show and prove is upon many. However, there is a certain group that might have more to prove than the rest. Whether it was a debilitating injury, a bad streak at a critical point in the season or just an overall disappointing 2011, five pitchers are on the spot 2012.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerUbaldo Jimenez is one of many pitchers that are looking to have a big season for their teams this year.

Cleveland's Kyrie Irving is the only rookie selected to take part in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge on Saturday night during All-Star Weekend.

View full sizeLisa DeJong, The Plain DealerCavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving will take part in the 2012 Taco Bell Skills Challenge to be held on Saturday during NBA All-Star Weekend, the NBA announced Monday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving will take part in the 2012 Taco Bell Skills Challenge to be held on Saturday during NBA All-Star Weekend, the NBA announced Monday.

Irving joins defending champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets in the skills challenge. Irving is the only rookie in the group.

"It's a great honor to be picked for my first year,'' Irving said after practice on Monday. "It will be really exciting. I actually have two things to do while I'm there. The BBVA All-Star Game and the skills competition. I'm excited to be part of Saturday night.''

Irving, the number one overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, currently leads all rookies in scoring (18.3), field goal percentage (.485) and free throw percentage (.846) while ranking second in assists (4.8) and third in 3-point field goal percentage (.419) in 30.5 minutes per game through 26 games. He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in the months of December and January.

The 19-year-old point guard becomes the third player in Cavaliers franchise history to be invited to participate in the skills challenge and the first since Mo Williams in 2009. Irving will be joined by fellow Cavs rookie Tristan Thompson in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, although the two are on different teams.

The Taco Bell Skills Challenge was introduced at NBA All-Star 2003 in Atlanta and features six players competing in a two-round timed “obstacle course” consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations.

Catcher Carlos Santana has dropped weight and says he's ready for the start of spring training.

Chuck Crow/The PlainDealerCarlos Santana returns a throw to a pitcher during the first day of practice at the Cleveland Indians spring training complex in Goodyear, Arizona on Feb. 20, 2012. Pitchers and catchers reported on Monday, but many of the position players are already here, getting their first rounds of batting practice.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Veteran right-hander Jon Garland was scheduled to take his physical today with the Indians, but it didn't happen.

Garland and the Indians came to terms on a minor league deal last week, but it was based on him passing a physical. He underwent rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder last year with the Dodgers and made only nine starts.

It's unknown if the deal is off with the Indians or Garland will try to take a physical later this week.

"We'll have more clarity later in the week," said GM Chris Antonetti.

Garland, a 12-year veteran, is 132-119 overall. In 2010 he went 14-12 for the Padres.

The Indians, looking for depth, have Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe in the first four spots in the rotation. Kevin Slowey, David Huff, Scott Barnes, Zach McAllister and Jeanmar Gomez will compete for the fifth spot.

-Looking good: Catcher Carlos Santana says he weighs between 205 and 208 pounds. Last year he came to camp weight 218 to 220.

He spent the winter working out with Indians athletic trainer Nelson Perez in the Dominican Republic.

"I worked out with Nelson and Ubaldo Jimenez," said Santana. "I feel great. My body feels great."

Roberto Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, worked out with Santana and Jimenez a couple of times.

"But he pitched winter ball so he didn't work out that much with us," said Santana.

Santana says he's talked to Hernandez since he was arrested for using a false identity to try and get a visa at the U.S. Consulate in Santo Domingo in the Dominican.

"Fausto is my friend," said Santana. "I hope he is able to get his visa problems worked out and join us."

Santana says he doesn't know how much first base he'll play this year with the signing of Casey Kotchman.

"I'll play wherever they want me to," said Santana. "I want to help us win."

Along with Santana, Shin-Soo Choo looked slim and trim. 

-New number: Trevor Crowe, in camp as a spring training invitee, has gone from No.4 to No. 80.

-Reporting date: Indians pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report Monday, but there are already plenty of position players in camp.

Infielders Asdrubal Cabrera, Russ Canzler, Jason Donald, Jack Hannahan, Jason Kipnis and Matt LaPorta were working out Monday. So were outfielders Michael Brantley, Ezequiel Carrera, Choo, Aaron Cunningham, Shelley Duncan, Thomas Neal, Nick Weglarz and Ryan Spilborghs.

Pitchers and catchers take physicals Tuesday and go through their first workout Wednesday.

Ramirez, who has 555 career homers and turns 40 on May 30, must serve a 50-game suspension without pay before beginning play for the A's due to his violating baseball's drug policy for the second time.

Scott Shaw, The Plain DealerManny Ramirez, in a 1997 game with the Indians, watches the ball he has just hit sail over the left field wall for a home run.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Manny Ramirez, the erratic outfielder who is arguably among baseball's all-time best right-handed hitters, says he has agreed to a deal with the Oakland Athletics.

Ramirez, who will turn 40 on May 30. reached the big leagues with the Cleveland Indians in 1993. His best seasons were with Cleveland and the Boston Red Sox, whom he left the Indians for as a free agent following the 2000 season.

ESPN.com reports that Ramirez told ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez on Monday that he and Oakland have agreed to a contract:

Sources tell Gomez the deal is worth about $500,000. Ramirez is obligated to serve a 50-game suspension without pay before beginning play for the A's due to violating baseball's drug policy for the second time. With no rainouts, the first game Ramirez would be eligible to play is June 2 at Kansas City.

The A's recently agreed to terms on a $36 million, four-year contract with highly sought after outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, a Cuban defector who has expressed interest in playing with Ramirez.

At baseball's winter meetings in December, it was announced that Ramirez had applied for reinstatement. He had his suspension for a second failed drug test cut to 50 because he sat out nearly all of last season. MLB had announced his retirement April 8, saying he was notified "of an issue" under the drug program.

Ramirez, who will be 40 on May 30, ranks 14th on the career list with 555 home runs. He went 1 for 17 (.059) in five games last season for Tampa Bay, which had signed him to a one-year deal worth $2.02 million.

Ramirez played 22 games with the Indians in 1993 and showed much promise while playing 91 games in the strike-shortened 1994 season.

Over the next six years with Cleveland, Ramirez emerged as one of baseball's most feared hitters, as he hit .319 while averaging 36 home runs and 123 RBI.

Ramirez became a free agent at the end of the 2000 season and signed an eight-year contract with the Red Sox. The contract was reported to be worth $161,904,572, but an adjustment on the interest rate on the deferred payments in the deal lowered the contract value to $141,342,731.

Ramirez has a .312 career batting average. He's among baseball's all-time top 20 leaders in several categories, including slugging percentage (.585, ninth); on-base plus slugging percentages (.996, ninth); home runs (555, 14th); RBI (1,831, 18th).

During his Indians career, Ramirez batted .313. Among Cleveland's all-time leaders, he is first in slugging percentage (.592) and in on-base plus slugging percentages (.998), third in homers (236), fourth in on-base percentage (.407) and eighth in RBI (804).

Ramirez' teams have reached the postseason 11 times. He has played in four World Series, losing with the Indians in 1995 and 1997 and winning with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.

The slugger is baseball's all-time leader in postseason home runs with 29, and is second in RBI with 78. His postseason batting average is .285 in 111 games.

Placing second in all-time postseason home runs is a deceptive stat. Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth, for instance, played during eras when the only postseason games were in the World Series, except for the occasional one- or three-game playoff when teams finished in a first-place tie in the American or National leagues.

Mantle is first in World Series homers with 18; Ruth, second with 15.

Ramirez played in 52 games over 10 postseason series with the Indians from 1995-99. He hit .223 with 13 homers and 26 RBI. 

On today's 'PD Sports Insider', Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and Glenn Moore were joined by Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes. Bud, Dennis and Glenn talked the biggest storylines for the Tribe during spring training, including if Ubaldo Jimenez can repeat what he did a couple years ago. Watch video

What are the biggest storylines going into spring training for the Indians? Who will win the third-baseman spot?

On today's 'PD Sports Insider', Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and Glenn Moore were joined by Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes. Bud, Dennis and Glenn talked the biggest storylines for the Tribe during spring training, including if Ubaldo Jimenez can repeat what he did a couple years ago.

Other Tribe topics discussed:

- Even if Matt LaPorta has a big spring, is there any chance he becomes the Tribe's starting first-baseman?

- The biggest position battles this spring, including third base, the bullpen, the fifth spot in the rotation and who will hold down left field.

- Updates on Tribe starters Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp.

Click on play to watch the video.

About the show: "PD Sports Insider" airs live every Monday and Thursday at noon. Co-hosted by Bud Shaw and Dennis Manoloff, the show features a timely and lively debate of the biggest sports topics of the day and gives readers a chance to interact directly with PD sportswriters and columnists.

Viewers have to the opportunity to ask questions and post comments in a live chat room during the show. They can also Skype in or email their video questions during the week.

"Lets face it--the draft depends on what we do in free agency. It is very realistic to fill the 5 or 6 needs with very good talent. 2 or 3 play makers in free agency PLUS 3 or 4 starters in the draft and this team could be a contender." - browns1day

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerThe acquisition of Matt Flynn in free agency would derail any chance the Browns selecting Robert Griffin III in the draft. One cleveland.com reader makes the point what the Browns do in the draft will all depend on who they get in free agency.

"Lets face it--the draft depends on what we do in free agency. It is very realistic to fill the 5 or 6 needs with very good talent. 2 or 3 play makers in free agency PLUS 3 or 4 starters in the draft and this team could be a contender-----I REALLY BELIEVE THAT. No one can tell me that we cannot get the WR-CB-DE-OL-RB needs in this free agency and draft---------enjoy the ride-GO BROWNS"