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

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCenter Zeke Marshall (44) and Akron's Zips play at Ohio University tonight at 8, in a game that will be televised on ESPNU.

Today's TV and radio listings

AUTO RACING

Noon Daytona 500 WJW

BOWLING

3 p.m. U.S. Open ESPN

GOLF

9 a.m. Match Play Championship semifinals Golf Channel

2 p.m. Match Play Championship final WKYC

2 p.m. Women's Champions (tape) Golf Channel

7 p.m. Mayakoba Classic (tape) Golf Channel

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Noon Maine at Stony Brook CBSSN

1 p.m. Indiana at Minnesota ESPN

2 p.m. Northern Illinois at Central Michigan SportsTime Ohio

2 p.m. Pittsburgh at Louisville WOIO

4 p.m. Wisconsin at OHIO STATE WOIO; AM/850

5:30 p.m. California at Colorado Fox Sports Ohio

6 p.m. Florida State at Miami (Fla.) ESPNU

6 p.m. Iowa at Illinois BTN

7:30 p.m. Oregon at Oregon State Fox Sports Ohio

8 p.m. AKRON at Ohio ESPNU

MOTORSPORTS

2:30 p.m. FIM World Superbike (tape) Speed

NBA

7:30 p.m. All-Star Game TNT

NHL

1 p.m. COLUMBUS at Pittsburgh Fox Sports Ohio

7 p.m. Chicago at Anaheim NBCSN

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Noon Indiana at Purdue BTN

2 p.m. Kentucky at Mississippi State ESPNU

2 p.m. Minnesota at Penn State BTN

2 p.m. UMass at Xavier CBSSN

3 p.m. Duke at North Carolina ESPN2

3:30 p.m. Florida at Tennessee ESPNU

4 p.m. OHIO STATE at Nebraska BTN

5 p.m. LSU at Georgia ESPN2

His nickname is the Human Pogo Stick and Utah's Jeremy Evans set out to put some bounce back into the Slam Dunk Contest.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — His nickname is the Human Pogo Stick and Utah's Jeremy Evans set out to put some bounce back into the Slam Dunk Contest.

Evans endeared himself to the fans with a mix of props and creativity, and they voted him the winner of one of the marquee events of the NBA's All-Star Saturday festivities.

Evans, who got into the competition as a replacement for injured New York guard Iman Shumpert, earned 29 percent of the 3 million votes cast. He beat out Houston's Chase Budinger, Indiana's Paul George and Minnesota's Derrick Williams for the Jazz's first-ever trophy in the contest.

In a departure from past dunk competitions, fans were given complete voting power and cast their ballots by text message after each of the four participants competed in three one-dunk rounds.

Evans dunked with a camera on his head, slammed two basketballs while jumping over a seated assistant and donned a Karl Malone jersey to dunk over mailman-dressed comedian Kevin Hart.

Evans said the Jazz didn't have any input in the Malone-themed idea.

"Not at all," he said. "I was just thanking the Jazz fans. You want to do something to get them in it. So I felt that was a good way. And Dwight Howard, he helped me big time. That was huge."

Budinger got just as many cheers from the Amway Center fans as Evans, and some in the celebrity-filled crowd sighed when the winner was announced.

Budinger got his biggest reaction when he donned a Cedric Ceballos jersey and imitated his 1992 blindfolded dunk, completing it with a reverse slam.

"I've very happy with my performance. I went out there, I had a plan and I executed the plan and the fans voted and I didn't win and that happens sometimes," Budinger said. "But I had great dunks and they're going to be great memories as well."

Kevin Love knows something about dunking. He does most of his dirty work inside for Minnesota, but he got to show off his outside touch on Saturday night.

Love beat out Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant to win the 3-Point Shootout. The former UCLA star was consistent throughout, but had to survive a tiebreaker in the first round and sweat out the last few shots from Durant to pull out the 17-14 victory in the final.

Love is in the middle for a breakout year for Minnesota, averaging 25 points and 9.9 rebounds a game. But he also has connected on 49 of 141 3-point attempts for the Timberwolves.

"You know, I'm a guy that loves to rebound the ball, a guy that loves to play inside, really a physical player," Love said. "But for me, coming into the league, I was told not to shoot 3-point shots, so to be where I am now and continue to work on my game; I think this definitely speaks to my versatility. I think I'll just continue to improve year in and year out."

Celebrities lined the court for the appetizer before Sunday's NBA All-Star game, and the first event saw the continuation of the good vibes that New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin has brought to the Big Apple recently

With Knicks super fan Spike Lee looking on, Team New York had the touch from the outside and won the Shooting Stars event. Former Knicks star Allan Houston nailed his third attempt at a half-court shot to give his team consisting of current Knicks guard Landry Fields and Cappie Pondexter of the WNBA's New York Liberty the victory.

San Antonio point guard Tony Parker then won the Skills Competition. Parker was the only one of six participants to break 30 seconds in the first round (29.2) and this time of 32.8 in the final run on the obstacle course was better than Boston's Rajon Rondo (34.6) and New Jersey's Deron Williams (41.4).

Love was tied for third after the opening round of the Shootout and beat Miami's Mario Chalmers 5-4 in a tiebreaker. Defending champion James Jones led all shooters in the opening round with 22 and Durant was next with 20.

Orlando's Ryan Anderson just missed eliminating both Love and Chalmers, totaling 17 after missing his final 2-point money ball.

Love and Durant both had 16 in Round 2 to advance to the finals, with Jones posting 12.

Houston, Fields and Pondexter completed the shooting course in 37.3 seconds in the final round. It was better than the 47.6 posted by the Team Texas trio of former Houston Rockets star and TNT analyst Kenny Smith, current Rocket Chandler Parsons and Sophia Young of the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Team Orlando and Atlanta posted the slowest times of Round 1 and were eliminated.

The speedy Parker put together an impressive display on the skills obstacle course, which involves participants moving through a dribbling circuit, successfully throwing chest passes through a hanging tire and driving for a layup.

Williams, the 2008 winner, holds the record for the skills' course at 25 seconds, but had trouble completing a pass in the final round on Saturday.

Baylor's Robert Griffin III ran a spectacular 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Griffin easily led the quarterbacks in the 40.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Quarterback Robert Griffin III continues to make the NFL Combine his show, clocking an official 4.41 in the 40-yard dash during morning workouts at Lucas Oil Field.

Stanford's Andrew Luck -- 6-4, 234, with 10-inch hands -- turned in an official time of 4.67.

The fastest 40 time by a QB at the combine since 2000 belongs to Virginia Tech's Michael Vick, who ran a 4.33 in 2001.

Griffin's unofficial times in the morning were 4.41 in his first attempt and 4.38 in his second. He said earlier in the week that "anything 4.4 or under would be great for a quarterback at the Combine.

Both players will have the option of running the 40 at their Pro Days, Griffin on Mar. 21 and Luck on Mar. 22.

Griffin, who won the 2011 Heisman Trophy at Baylor, ran in the low 20 mph. He used 19 strides in one of his 40s.

NFL Network anchor Rich Eisen said of Griffin's 40s: "That's not RG3 speed -- that's 4G speed.''

Griffin and Luck both opted not to throw at the Combine, saving that instead for their Pro Days.

The Combine got off to a terrific start for Griffin when he measured at 6-2 3/8. Some had wondered if he even was 6-1. Then he wowed the media, and presumably teams, with engaging interviews.

The question is: For which team will Griffin play this fall?

The Colts own the No. 1 pick and are virtually certain to select Luck. The St. Louis Rams hold the No. 2 pick and are looking to deal because they already have Sam Bradford.

The Browns and Washington Redskins are considered to be the leading candidates to trade up to get Griffin. The Miami Dolphins could be a player if they don't land Peyton Manning in free agency. And there likely will be a team no one is watching that suddenly jumps into the pile.

Howard Eskin, a notable sports radio personality out of Philadelphia, tweeted Sunday morning: "I'm told by people within the Redskins they are prepared to offer picks 1, 2 and 3 this year, at least a 1 next year to move up to get RG3 at 2.''  

To put Griffin's 40 time(s) in perspective, the average for quarterbacks at the combine last year was 4.80. Auburn Heisman winner Cam Newton, the eventual No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers, clocked 4.59.

In 2010, Florida corner Joe Haden ran 4.57 and 4.60. He and evaluators were disappointed, but he rallied in the run-up to the draft and was picked seventh overall by Cleveland.

Michael Vick went No. 1 overall to the Atlanta Falcons.

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The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff give their Sunday morning update from the second day of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Watch video

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Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill was extremely impressive in morning workouts Sunday at the NFL Combine. Watch video

INDIANAPOLIS -- It's Day 4 of the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, where 328 college players are being evaluated by all 32 teams.

The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore are at Lucas Oil Stadium. They will provide updates throughout a day on which quarterbacks are running and linebackers are the featured interviews.

HILL'S THRILLS: At the outset of the combine, Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill told anyone willing to listen that he would enhance his stock at the combine.

Hill has made good on his word.

Hill ran an unofficial 4.30 in the 40-yard dash and performed well in drills on the carpet at Lucas Oil Field.

A 4.3 in the 40 is terrific, regardless of height. The fact that Hill stands 6-4 is all the more significant. Hill weighed in at a chiseled 215 and has 9 3/8-inch hands.

 Hill declared after a junior year in which he caught 28 passes for 820 yards -- a ridiculous 29.3 average. Hill made the most of opportunities that were limited because he played in a triple-option offense. He said with conviction that, once he gets in a passing offense, he will excel.

 Entering the combine, NFLDraftScout.com ranked Hill seventh among receivers and 61st overall. Many projections had him going in the second round. Based on his performance side-by-side with the most celebrated receivers in his class Sunday morning, Hill's stock did nothing but rise.

Hill made catch after catch in the various drills -- and looked smooth doing it. He had a sensational diving catch and snatched several balls that seemingly would be overthrown. He rounded off one route and wasn't able to secure a pass low and behind him, but those were about the extent of the "mistakes.''

Meanwhile, the more celebrated Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State and Michael Floyd of Notre Dame looked good at times, but they did not dazzle. They certainly weren't any better than Hill.

Here are the top three unofficial 40 times for the receivers in the morning:

Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech, 4.30; Travis Benjamin, Miami, 4.32; T.J. Graham, North Carolina State, 4.35.

Blackmon did not run the 40 because of a tender hamstring.

Hill did not merely run past most of his competitors, he leaped past them. He ranked first in the standing broad jump (11-1) and tied for fourth in the vertical (39.5 inches).

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Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, says Chris Perez wasn't ready for the intensity of his first bullpen session.

AP PhotoIndians closer Chris Perez will miss four to six weeks as he recovers from a strained left internal oblique muscle.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Indians closer Chris Perez will miss four to six weeks as he recovers from a strained left internal oblique muscle. Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, said there was still a chance Perez could be ready for Opening Day on April 5.

Perez strained the oblique in his first bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday. He had to cut the bullpen session short.

"His body was clearly not ready for the intensity of that bullpen session," said Soloff.

When asked if that meant Perez came to camp out of shape, Soloff said "No, I'm just saying he wasn't prepared for the intensity of the bullpen session. "

Soloff said that the Indians hope to have Perez back in spring training games by the late in spring training.

"I wouldn't say he won't be ready for opening day," said Soloff. "We'll have to see how things go and how he responds to his throwing sessions."

Soloff said that the fact Perez is a closer, and doesn't need as many innings as a starter to get ready for the season, works in his favor in regards to opening the season on time.

"It's definitely a positive," said Soloff. "We won't have to build him up as much."

Perez saved 36 games last year, converting 90 percent (36-for-40) of his save opportunities.

Soloff said that a pitcher has to "know thyself' when it comes to the intensity he throws with early in camp.

"He's learned," said Soloff of Perez.

When asked if Perez tried to throw too hard too early, Soloff ended the press conference by saying, "I'm just saying his body is not prepared for the intensity of his first bullpen session."

This is the second significant injury for the Indians in spring. On Friday it was announced that center fielder Grady Sizemore wouldn't be ready for Opening Day because of a strained lower back.  

The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff caught up with ESPN's Chris Mortensen at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis Sunday morning. Watch video

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Boykin, from Georgia, is ranked among the top 10 corners entering the draft.

AP FileGeorgia's Brandon Boykin (2) breaks up a pass intended for Auburn's Darvin Adams (89) in a game in 2009.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin has not let lack of size (5-9, 183) foil him on the field. Boykin is good enough to be ranked among the top 10 corners entering the draft. Last week, NFLDraftScout.com had him as the eighth-ranked corner -- one behind Frank Minnifield's son, Chase – and projected to go in the second or third round.

The Plain Dealer caught up with Boykin in the hallway at Lucas Oil Stadium as he was hustled from interview to interview Sunday morning.

What has been the most enjoyable part of the combine? Soaking it all in. It's something you dream about your whole life. Finally being able to be here and wear the Under Armour gear is pretty cool.

How do you view the process? It's a job interview, but you want to make sure you enjoy it. I feel pretty comfortable about it all.

Strangest question from an interview with a team? I haven't really gotten one. But someone asked me if my gas tank was full at the Senior Bowl.

Meaning the vehicle's or the person's figurative tank? I'm not really sure (chuckling).

What will make you a quality NFL player? My work ethic. My versatility. I can do a number of things at a high level. Playing at Georgia helped prepare me.

Are you worried about the Wonderlic Test? I've taken it in a couple of places, including the Senior Bowl. It's just a test, and I'm confident I will do well.

NFL Network's Mike Mayock talks to the media on Sunday evening at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Watch video

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The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff give their Sunday evening update from the fourth day of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Watch video

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The 500-mile race was rescheduled for noon Monday. It will be aired on Fox. Carl Edwards, runner-up to Tony Stewart in last year's championship race, will start from the pole.

View full sizeStephen M. Dowell, Orlando SentinelThe rain never let up enough Sunday to allow the race car of Jamie McMurray (1) and others to pull off their tarps along pit row at Daytona International Speedway. The race is now scheduled to start at noon on Monday, although more rain is in the forecast.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR postponed the Daytona 500 because of rain, the first time in the 54-year history of the event that it has been delayed a day.

Heavy rain soaked Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, and NASCAR never had a big enough window to dry the track.

Rain saturated the famed speedway, sending fans scattering for cover and leaving everyone in wait-and-see mode. Puddles of water formed in parts of the infield, and many fans got drenched as they tried to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation.

The 500-mile race was rescheduled for noon Monday. It will be aired on Fox. Carl Edwards, runner-up to Tony Stewart in last year's championship race, will start from the pole. Former IndyCar star Danica Patrick will make her Daytona 500 debut.

The last shortened Daytona 500 was Matt Kenseth's 2009 victory, when rain stopped the event 48 laps from the finish. He was declared the winner while the cars were parked on pit road.

The 2010 race had more than two hours in delays as NASCAR twice stopped the event to fix a pesky pothole in the surface. Jamie McMurray held off Earnhardt Jr. to win that race.

This time around, drivers retreated to their motorhomes, relaxing while keeping an eye on developments.

"Obviously, you want to go race," driver AJ Allmendinger said. "We get to race when we race. I know it [stinks] for the people sitting out there because they've got to sit in the rain. But for us, we go in here and we have push-up contests, we eat a lot of food and we have a good time."

Now, NASCAR fans will have to wait an extra day for the sport's most prestigious event. This one comes with several intriguing story lines for a racing series trying to capitalize on the success of last season's captivating championship race.

The Daytona 500 will be the first of 10 scheduled Sprint Cup Series events this season for Patrick, who left IndyCar behind for a full-time move to NASCAR. She will race for the Nationwide Series championship driving for JR Motorsports.

She arrived at the pre-race driver meeting Sunday with three-time NASCAR champion Stewart, the owner of her Cup car. Stewart is trying to snap an 0-for-13 losing streak in NASCAR's biggest race of the year.

Stewart's 17 victories at Daytona include everything but the 500, ranking him second on the all-time list behind the late Dale Earnhardt's 34 wins. Stewart will start third when the race goes green.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., the 2004 Daytona 500 champion, takes a 129-race losing streak into the event. His last victory was in 2008, his first season with powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports.

After a bad practice Saturday, Ohio State lost for the third time in five games Sunday to fall further out of the Big Ten race.

View full sizeJay LaPrete, Associated PressOhio State's Deshaun Thomas has nowhere to go thanks to the defense of Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor, right, and Ryan Evans during the second half of Sunday's game in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's loss to Wisconsin on Sunday started on Saturday, when coach Thad Matta had to throw his team out of practice because the Buckeyes weren't ready to go.

All season, especially after their six losses, the No. 8 Buckeyes have said they've played like they've practiced, for good and for bad. So to lose to the No. 16 Badgers, 63-60, with now just two games remaining in the regular season, was yet another exasperating result that yielded another round of the players talking about not playing together.

"It's real concerning," said William Buford, who has his Senior Day marred by the loss. "We should be together by now."

It led Matta, typically protective of his players, to call out his team maybe as much as he ever has in his eight years in Columbus. He volunteered the info about booting them from practice after the players failed to mention it.

"I think at times they don't understand what I see in our approach," Matta said. "As we said, guys have got to look themselves in the mirror and come back and be ready to go."

Asked if it was a function of the immaturity of his young team, which includes four sophomores and a senior in the starting lineup and five freshmen, two sophomores and junior on the bench, Matta said, "No, because my freshmen always come to practice. They do a great job. Honestly, I don't know the answer."

Clearly, though, his questions lie with the players he relies on the most. The OSU freshmen, combined, average less than 30 minutes of the 200 minutes available each game on the floor. Although the Buckeyes' three losses in five games have come against teams currently ranked in the top 15 -- No. 6 Michigan State, No. 11 Michigan and No. 16 Wisconsin -- it's how they have occurred that is more troubling.

Matta said the Buckeyes had two great days of practice before Tuesday's win against Illinois, which is why he was "so upset yesterday at practice, because it wasn't where it needed to be."

That led to the postgame parade of long faces and repeated responses. Ohio State committed 10 first-half turnovers, so the Buckeyes' 55 percent shooting yielded only a 29-29 tie at the break. The Buckeyes were 8-for-16 from the foul line in the second half, including Jared Sullinger and Aaron Craft combining to go 1-for-7, so Wisconsin (21-8, 10-6 Big Ten) was able to stage in range after OSU had stretched its lead to eight with eight minutes to play.

When the Buckeyes called time out with 25 seconds to play and trailing 61-59, they wound up getting a double-pump 3-pointer from the top of the key by Deshaun Thomas, who scored a game-high 23 points, that never had a chance.

"I didn't like the shot, obviously," Matta said.

The Buckeyes (23-6, 11-5 Big Ten) are now tied for second in the conference with Michigan, two games behind Michigan State, which has clinched at least a share of the title. The Buckeyes can only get a share of their third straight title if the Spartans lose at Indiana on Tuesday, and the Buckeyes win at Northwestern on Wednesday and at Michigan State on Sunday.

"I just think it's a long season and it's tough to get through this and to come into practice every day still wanting to get better and come in with a good attitude," Craft said. "It's tough but we're still learning and we're a young team and we can figure it out."

But while shot selection and defensive lapses aren't new issues, Sullinger's recent lack of production must leave the Buckeyes stymied. They must do more to feed him the ball, but the sophomore All-American also must do more to get himself open. Following his nine points and six rebounds against Illinois, he had eight points and six rebounds against the Badgers.

Those were his first two healthy games this season in which he scored less than 10 points.

Matta said he didn't know what the issue was with Sullinger, but said, "I know this, when Jared is playing his best basketball, he's engaged and into it."

It would be hard to use that description on much of anything associated with the Buckeyes right now.

"Somebody's got to step up and be that guy and say 'this is enough,'" Thomas said, "and bring us all together."

That probably needs to happen in practice -- if Matta lets them stick around.

AKRON, O. - The girls bowling teams at Green and Wadsworth advanced to next weekend's state tournament by placing third and fourth with respective pin totals of 1,150 and 1,078 at Sunday's Northeast District Tournament at AMF Twin State Lanes in Kent.   Madison Summers headed Green's effort with a 545 series while Wadsworth was led by Amanda Stevens,...

AKRON, O. - The girls bowling teams at Green and Wadsworth advanced to next weekend's state tournament by placing third and fourth with respective pin totals of 1,150 and 1,078 at Sunday's Northeast District Tournament at AMF Twin State Lanes in Kent.
 

Madison Summers headed Green's effort with a 545 series while Wadsworth was led by Amanda Stevens, who rolled a 570.

 Area individuals on non-qualify teams who qualified for the state tournament included Emily Jucikas of Walsh Jesuit, Twinsburg's Emily Sheets, Courtney Hegedus of Midpark and Nordonia's Rachel Novak.

 Jucikas turned in day's highest series with a 654, including the second-best game of 265.

 The top five teams and top five individuals from non-qualifying teams will compete at Sunday's tournament, which will be held at Wayne Webb Lanes in Columbus.

Carlos Baerga and Kenny Lofton, in camp as guest instructors for the Indians, are trying to get their slugging outfielder back in the fold. Watch video

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It was reunion time Sunday morning at the Indians hitters' meeting before practice on day five of spring training. Mike Hargrove, Kenny Lofton and Carlos Baerga were there to share hitting tips with the current team.

Hargrove managed the Indians' 1995 and 1997 teams that appeared in the World Series. Lofton, Baerga and bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. were teammates on the 1995 team. Their number may increase this week if Lofton and Baerga are successful in getting Albert Belle to come to camp.

Bob DiBiasio, the Indians' vice president of public relations, has been working to re-establish connections with players from the team's past. He would like to make peace with Belle, one of the most feared hitters in franchise history, following a stormy career in Cleveland and a bitter free-agent split in 1996.

"Last week Kenny and me talked to Albert Belle," said Baerga. "We need to bring him back to Cleveland. I don't know how we'll do that.

"Albert is a special player. People need to know about the work ethic Albert Belle and Manny Ramirez had. Some people may look at them as troublemakers, but when they stepped on the field they worked so hard. That's why they put up the numbers they did.

"These young players need to know that. They need to know the other side, too, because everyone in their life has done something wrong. These young players need to hear that as well."

Baerga and Lofton are in camp as guest instructors. Hargrove is a special advisor.

"This is like a family," said Baerga. "I remember how we started. I was talking to Hargrove about playing in Municipal Stadium and how many mistakes and errors we made. All the crazy stuff that happened by Lake Erie. I love those memories."

Baerga is still amazed at the talent of the 1995 Indians.

"We had two of the best players in the game in Dave Winfield and Eddie Murray and one of them [Winfield] didn't even play every day in our lineup," said Baerga, who was an Indian from 1990-96 and briefly in 1999. "We had Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel, Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle and Sandy Alomar.

"I know we lost the World Series, but we will never forget about that year."

Manager Manny Acta welcomed Hargrove, Lofton and Baerga.

"These guys were a big part of this franchise and continue to be," said Acta. "These are guys our players appreciate having around. They have so much to offer. We have a great coaching staff, but you never have enough when it comes to knowledge.

"Today we had a great hitters meeting and those guys contributed. Kenny, Carlos and Grover were good players. They have a mind of their own and made some good points. You could tell they enjoy it."

Baerga talked about the importance of making contact.

"I didn't strike out much," he said. "I always tried to make contact. I used to hit flares over the third baseman's head and it would drive Sandy Alomar crazy. But you know what, the next day in the boxscore it said I was 2-for-4. If you make contact with two strikes, you've got a chance to get a hit.

"Everybody got a laugh out of that."

Let the games begin: The Indians will play intrasquad games Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for the Cactus League opener against the Reds on Saturday. They will play 4 1/2 innings Wednesday and 5 1/2 innings Thursday. Thursday's game will be played at Goodyear Ballpark.

Acta said the Indians will play a B game against the White Sox on March 5 at Goodyear. They are looking to schedule other B games so they can look at as many players as possible.

Finally: What do the Indians need to see from lefty reliever Nick Hagadone? "He's competing for a spot here. All we want to see the kid get his fastball command and go from there. He has the stuff to be a good one."

On Twitter: @hoynsie

If this was Jared Sullinger's last home game for Ohio State, it was far from his best one.

View full sizeJay LaPrete, Associated PressJared Sullinger was surprisingly unproductive against Jared Berggren and the Badgers on Sunday, raising more questions about whether the Buckeyes' star has reached the limit of his abilities, says Bill Livingston.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The fan who carried the big cardboard cutout of William Buford, the only Ohio State senior, folded its collapsible arms over make-believe Will's chest and lugged it off after the Buckeyes' 63-60 loss to Wisconsin Sunday in the final home game of Buford's career.

Jared Sullinger, OSU's sophomore forward, the team's other likely Goodbye Guy, is probably bound for NBA glory, or at least riches, after what might be a shorter-than-expected NCAA Tournament run. Sullinger had already been cut down to size.

If Sullinger, a homegrown Northland High School graduate, was saying "Goodbye, Columbus," he did so after scoring eight more points and grabbing six more rebounds than the guy with the Buford cutout. It was not what was expected from a national Player of the Year candidate.

Sullinger, who is not very close to Michigan State's Draymond Green as the Big Ten's Player of the Year, was outmuscled by Wisconsin's 6-10 Jared Berggren. That shouldn't happen if Sully is, in the words of coach Thad Matta, "engaged" in the game.

Berggren is one of the "stretch" bigs Wisconsin always has, a guy who can draw Sullinger away from the basket and make him defend in space. Berggren's 3-pointer from the left wing, when Sullinger anticipated the play but got no help from his teammates, was the dagger that gave Wisconsin the lead for keeps, 61-59, in the last 31 seconds.

Purdue forced Sullinger to defend without great effectiveness on a high screen-and-roll much of the game in a three-point loss here. Still, Berggren, by his lonesome, should not be able to keep a motivated, energetic Sullinger, who is 30 pounds heavier, from settling into the low post and getting good shots.

Sullinger dominated Berggren with 24 points and 10 rebounds in OSU's 58-52 victory in Madison earlier this month. In the rematch, however, Sullinger shot only 4-of-10, 2-of-7 in the second half. He hat-tricked his three free throws -- all misses.

Ohio State appears to have team chemistry and commitment problems, with Matta throwing the team out of practice Saturday. Since Sullinger was not available for comment after the loss, one can only speculate about the cause of his particular malaise.

Perhaps Sullinger has become discouraged over his lack of touches on a team with Buford and Deshaun Thomas sometimes taking quick and ill-advised shots. However, without Thomas's 23 points, the Buckeyes would not have been close against the Badgers Sunday.

Point guard Aaron Craft, 1-for-4 at the foul line with two critical misses late, said the answer is crisp ball movement, moving the ball from one side of the court to the other, then getting it to Sullinger for easy shots.

Yet Sullinger simply did not fight for position. He is not a player with great "lift" in his jumping, but sure hands and relentless effort had made him the force for whom everyone game-planned. That was in evidence only fleetingly Sunday.

He gave OSU a 43-42 lead by missing a lay-up from the right side, rebounding it on the left, and flicking it back in midway through the second half. He provided Ohio State's last lead at 59-58 in the last 45 seconds with an embattled jump hook.

Sullinger was supposed to project as a top-five NBA lottery pick last season. He will be in the first half of the first round this season, and probably in the top 10. Yet he is undersized for a back-to-the-basket player, which makes the Buckeyes vulnerable to teams with long players. See Kentucky last year (and even more so this year) or the Spartans' post tandem of wide body Derrick Nix and rangy Adrein Payne.

In his freshman season, Sullinger averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. This season's figures are 16.8 and 8.9. He has been the team's foundation, a double double every game. This week, he was a double single against both Illinois and Wisconsin. That is probably an aberration, but if he hasn't regressed, he has certainly plateaued.

What Sullinger might do in the NBA next season against Blake Griffin's explosiveness and Lamar Odom's length is unclear. At the moment, it is also probably unpalatable.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

The Cavaliers (13-18) host Boston on Tuesday and travel to New York the following night in critical games against opponents immediately ahead of them in the standings.

View full sizeGary W. Green, Orlando SentinelKyrie Irving is ready to get back to his regular job of leading the Cavaliers' bid for a playoff berth. "It's another challenge," he said. "I'm happy we're in contention."

ORLANDO, Fla. – His All-Star commitments complete, Kyrie Irving spent Sunday as atypical teenager going to an amusement park, hopping roller coasters at Universal Studios.

The wildest ride, however, awaits him.

After three days of fun and exhibition basketball, Irving and his fellow Cavaliers rookie, Tristan Thompson, resume their pursuit of a playoff berth. The Cavaliers (13-18) host Boston on Tuesday and travel to New York the following night to face the Knicks. These are critical games as the opponents are immediately ahead of them in the standings.

"We've had a good first half and probably surprised a lot of people," Irving said. "But we've got some important games right away after the break and we have to be ready."

Thompson put it more succinctly: "We have a lot of unfinished business."

Each rookie made a favorable impression in their first All-Star Weekend experience. Irving won MVP honors in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, scoring 34 points and making all eight 3-point attempts. Thompson finished with 20 points. The two Cavs were a combined 22-of-24 from the field.

Irving, the No. 1 overall draft pick, won't play another game on a national television network unless the Cavs reach postseason.

"I got a chance to showcase my talents a little bit in an All-Star game," Irving said. "It was a special opportunity. My dad was proud, my family was proud. ... It was good experience for the first half."

Irving, 19, can increase his exposure if he can get the Cavaliers to the playoffs. As teams begin to play him for a second or third time, opponents will have a better idea on how to defend him. NBA legend Magic Johnson said recently Irving is the one rookie that teams must game plan against.

"It's another challenge," Irving said of the stretch drive. "I'm happy we're in contention."

Influence examined: NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said the league has investigated whether shoe companies are steering players to major markets.

"We have been assured by the two major shoe companies in the league that the incentives they build into the contracts are based on winning as opposed to market size," Silver said.

Talks ongoing: Commissioner David Stern said meetings involving the city of Sacramento, the owners of Kings and the league were continuing for a second consecutive day on Sunday. The sides are trying to negotiate a deal that would build a new arena to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

LeBron's big day: LeBron James had a big day on two continents Sunday. He appeared in his eighth consecutive All-Star Game while Liverpool -- the soccer team in which he owns a small stake -- won the Carling Cup in a shootout against Cardiff City.

It's the first major trophy the storied English side has won since James became affiliated with it last season.

He tweeted: "S/O and Congrats to @LFC on winning the Carling Cup!! So proud and happy for the guys. #YoullNeverWalkAlone

Dribbles: Magic Johnson was introduced to the crowd Sunday night and received a standing ovation. He came out of retirement to play in the All-Star Game here 20 years ago after announcing he was HIV-positive. ... Some of the chalk from James' usual pre-game powder toss landed on NBA legend Bill Russell, according to Yahoo Sports.

Two final possessions Sunday showed where Ohio State is falling short.

View full sizeJay LaPrete, Associated PressThere wasn't a Buckeye defender seriously challenging Wisconsin's Jared Berggren when he let fly with a decisive 3-pointer late in the Badgers' 63-60 victory Sunday in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Most of what anyone needs to know about Ohio State right now was revealed in the final two meaningful possessions of Sunday's 63-60 loss to Wisconsin.

Jared Berggren made an open 3-pointer with 31 seconds left to give the Badgers a two-point lead, and Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas missed a double-pumped 3-pointer with 16 seconds left to end the Buckeyes' chances.

• First the Thomas shot.

Kansas' 19-point comeback to force overtime, and eventually beat Missouri on Saturday, was fascinating when viewed through the lens of Ohio State. The Jayhawks rarely forced jumpers and they continued to drive to the basket and feed post man Thomas Robinson even when down big. When they trailed by three before a final possession, the Jayhawks didn't force a 3-pointer, but instead caught a pass off a screen behind the 3-point live, drove and then fed Robinson for a layup, foul and game-tying 3-point play.

At the time, I wondered what the Buckeyes would do in the same situation. Sunday, we saw the result.

Down by two with 25 seconds left, the Buckeyes called on Deshaun Thomas, their most effective offensive player Sunday. The plan was to free Thomas with a screen by Aaron Craft, after seeing that defender Reggie Evans had been sagging down on Jared Sullinger inside.

The screen was set, Thomas got the ball, thought he was open, went up for the 3-pointer with 16 seconds to play ... and when Evans flew at him he forced a shot that wasn't close.

"I thought I was wide open," Thomas said. "He got off the screen quick and I was in my shooting range, and it was great defense by him. He made me change my shot up. But I can't let one bad shot affect me."

It would be unfair to blame Thomas when he was otherwise effective, making nine of 15 shots for 23 points, grabbing seven rebounds and committing just one turnover. But the shot was indicative of a team that at times plays without a feel for the game, that would just shoot a shot because it was drawn up without gauging what was needed in the moment.

It's fair to wonder about putting the ball, with that much time on the clock, in the hands of Thomas, who is a shooter and rebounder, but not a playmaker.

Coach Thad Matta said he didn't like the shot -- "obviously" -- and wished that Thomas would have pump-faked with Evans flying at him and looked to create something for himself or a teammate.

"Just lift him up. We had him," Matta said of Evans. "The guy was underneath the basket. He was running full-speed to get him. He had a long closeout."

But the Buckeyes didn't make him pay.

• Now the Berggren shot.

With Wisconsin point guard Jordan Taylor hitting two clutch shots in the final six minutes, and scoring nine of the Badgers' previous 13 points, Ohio State overplayed him in the final 30 seconds. Sullinger jumped out to help Craft cut off Taylor, anticipating a screen from Berggren, who immediately slid to an open spot at the 3-point line.

Taylor fed him the ball, and the Buckeyes were late to give help. William Buford, defending near the baseline, took a step toward Berggren but certainly didn't fly at him. The 37 percent 3-point shooter buried the open look.

The Buckeyes have talked a lot this season about being too worried on defense about their own man, and not helping enough. It looked that way when it mattered most.

Big East could provide some interesting challenges for the tournament selection committee.

View full sizeAP fileAnthony Collins' South Florida Bulls sit in the middle of the Big East standings and seem likely to get an NCAA Tournament bid. But is their resume really deserving?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Big East is going to be very interesting to watch on Selection Sunday, perhaps providing a wake-up call for the growing mega conferences.

The 16-team Big East had 11 schools selected for the NCAA Tournament last season, including eventual champion Connecticut. Many analysts have as many as nine or 10 in this dance this season. But when the tournament selection committee puts the resumes on the board, some Big East teams may come up wanting.

South Florida had an RPI of 50 going into its Sunday game against Cincinnati, which had an RPI of 74. But while they are fourth (USF) and sixth (UC) in the league standings, after the Bulls defeated the Bearcats, 46-45, their RPI were only the ninth and 10th best in the Big East.

Like most big conferences, league scheduling is not completely head-to-head. Teams play some opponents twice, others once. South Florida's 18-11, 11-5 record is built on playing 11 of 18 league games against teams currently eighth or lower in the conference. So the selection committee must be extra diligent when comparing teams from power conferences against each other. Or, for that matter, against a quality team from a top-tier mid-major conference like the Missouri Valley or Atlantic 10.

The fates of South Florida and Cincinnati (20-9, 10-6) will be very telling. The Bearcats built their record on playing eight Big East games against teams with losing records. Plus, UC played one of the worst non-conference schedules in the nation, with a non-conference RPI schedule of 322 out of 344. The Bearcats still went just 10-3. USF's non-conference schedule ranks 57th.

Compare those resumes to Saint Joseph's (19-11, 9-6), currently fifth in the 14-team Atlantic 10, with a solid RPI (51) and non-conference strength of schedule (37) with wins over Creighton, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Villanova and Drexel.

Will teams like UC and USF get an NCAA bid based on their season-long resumes, or just for beating the worst teams in the Big East? Will teams like St. Joseph's be penalized for not finishing high enough in the A-10?

Meeting the challenge: Duke (25-4, 12-2), winners of six straight and nine of 10, is making a late-season run. The big victory was an impressive 74-66 win at Florida State, which had defeated the Blue Devils earlier this season. Duke backed that up with an overtime win over Virginia Tech. After playing at Wake Forest on Tuesday, Duke can point to a matchup with North Carolina (25-4, 12-2) for the ACC title and for a possible No. 1 seed.

Have you forgotten? Gonzaga (23-5, 13-3) will not win the West Coast Conference title, but that does not mean the Zags can't be a force to be reckoned with in the field of 68. Of the Zags' five losses, four have come on the road, and four vs. teams that will likely have 20-win seasons. The only home loss was against Michigan State.

Meanwhile, the Zags notched wins over Washington State, Notre Dame, Arizona and Xavier, and avenged conference losses to Saint Mary's, San Francisco, and BYU. The worst loss on the ledger looks to be on the road at Illinois.

On the Horizon: Cleveland State (22-9) is revived going into the Horizon League Tournament, which begins Tuesday. First-round games are at campus sites, with winners advancing Friday to Valparaiso, Ind., for the quarterfinals and Saturday's semifinals. First-place Valpo (21-10) has won two straight, and three of its last five. Butler (18-13) was rolling with five straight wins before falling at Valpo.

MAC attack: With the MAC Tournament less than 10 days away, the top contenders are Akron (20-9, 12-2) as a clear No. 1 followed by Ohio (23-6, 10-4) and Buffalo (17-9, 10-4). Teams that could rise from the middle of the pack are Western Michigan and Bowling Green.

A big disappointment is Kent State (19-9, 9-5), a senior-dominated team that has lost three in a row. Ending the season on a losing slide would be a first for this program since 1997. The Flashes end the regular season against the conference's top two teams -- Ohio and Akron -- at the M.A.C. Center.

Instead of winning its first regular-season Mid-American Conference title, it was the beginning of a very long night for the Zips.

ATHENS, Ohio -- Akron suffered a clear and decisive beatdown, 85-61, at the hands of surging Ohio Sunday night. For once this season, the Zips got a taste of the medicine they have dished out much of this Mid-American Conference campaign.

Well before the 10-minute mark of the opening half, Ohio guards D.J. Cooper and Stevie Taylor launched 3-point missiles one step away from Akron coach Keith Dambrot, then offered sweet nothings to the Akron bench as they back-pedaled down the court.

Instead of winning its first regular-season Mid-American Conference title, it was the beginning of a very long night for the Zips.

As Dambrot walked to the locker room afterward, he whispered, "That was pretty."

OU's defense was smothering, its offense was crisp and precise. The Zips did not seem ready to deal with anything Ohio had to offer. Akron never led, trailed by 10 just a little more than seven minutes into the game and 19 at the half.

It was 79-46 with more than five minutes to go.

"They had a mission tonight and they played well," Dambrot said. "The snowball effect bothered us. We didn't do a good job of handling adversity. We didn't play well enough to even be in the game. The bright lights got us a little bit."

Mark this as a wake-up call for Akron, which has had its way around the MAC. Since a 82-70 loss on Jan. 18 at Buffalo, few teams have come close to the Zips.

Now Akron returns home to face the Bulls, looking to secure its first MAC crown.

The Bobcats (23-6, 10-4) have won five straight with games at Kent State and Miami remaining. So this victory over the Zips sends a clear statement that OU is a threat to win the postseason tournament in Cleveland.

Akron (20-9, 12-2) remains in a comfort zone no MAC team has had in nine years, as one game has routinely been the difference between the top two teams.

"Somebody asked if that's as good as you can play," Bobcats coach John Groce said. "Certainly hope not."

Kevin Durant and LeBron James might share a national stage again in four months, when the defense is tighter and the stakes are higher.

View full sizeGary W. Green, Orlando SentinelKobe Bryant gives LeBron James a piece of his mind after James declined to shoot in the final seconds of Sunday night's All-Star Game in Orlando. James' pass to a teammate was intercepted, allowing the West to claim a 152-149 victory. "Yeah, he was telling me to shoot it," James said of Bryant.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- It seemed like the last place where LeBron James' reputation for late-game meltdowns would come into question -- a meaningless exhibition in which pressure is almost as non-existent as defense.

But after an otherwise stellar All-Star Game performance, the former Cavaliers standout was being asked to explain his last-second turnover and strange exchange with Kobe Bryant, who yelled at at him to shoot the ball rather than trying to pass it.

Such was the end to one of more entertaining and intriguing All-Star Games Sunday night in the Amway Center. Kevin Durant scored 36 points to lead the West to a 152-149 win and capture Most Valuable Player honors.

James also tallied 36 points and seven assists, but received no trophy. He just received more questions about fourth-quarter gaffes and his reluctance to take big-moment shots that Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving seems to relish.

In the final frantic seconds, with the East looking to take its first lead, teammate Deron Williams retrieved a long rebound and passed the ball to James. Instead of looking for his shot from behind the arc -- he was 6-of-8 on 3-point attempts -- James fired a low-percentage, diagonal pass that was intercepted by Blake Griffin with 1.9 seconds left and the East trailing by two.

"I can't turn the ball over like that," James said. "I let my team down. but overall it was a great weekend.”"

James and the Miami Heat were heavily criticized for their late-game execution in losing the NBA Finals to Dallas in six games. On Sunday night, both James and Dwyane Wade committed turnovers in the final 1:16 on plays that could have given their team a lead.

Adding to the surreal finish was the fact Bryant, representing the West, apparently barked at James for not taking the last-second shot.

"Yeah, he was telling me to shoot it," James said. "I [saw] my teammate open for a split second, I told him I [saw] him open for the first time and I didn't release the ball. When I [try] to throw it late, that's usually what happens and it results in a turnover.

"Definitely, wish I could have had that one back."

Bryant, who surpassed Michael Jordan as the all-time leading All-Star scorer, did not address the media, citing a headache.

View full sizeGary W. Green, Orlando SentinelKevin Durant keeps the ball away from Dwight Howard on this drive to the basket in Sunday night's All-Star Game at Orlando, Fla. Durant was named MVP in the West's victory.

Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau defended James' performance.

"He made big shots and made great reads," the coach said. "We had a scramble situation in the opening floor. We had a very dynamic scorer and a guy with great vision and good decision making. You can call a time out and let the defense get set or you can try to make a play. Throughout his career he's shown he's capable of making big plays."

The ending upstaged what otherwise was a compelling battled between Durant and James, who could duel for league MVP honors and meet in the NBA Finals. They each fell just six points shy of tying Wilt Chamberlain's 50-year-old mark for points in an All-Star Game.

James, who left Cleveland two years ago to join the Heat, was dazzling until in counted. The Akron native was 15-of-23 from the field and had seven dunks, including a first-quarter reverse slam that sent a jolt through the venue.

But James and Durant were hardly the only story lines on Sunday. In a game derided for its lack of defense, Bryant also had to leave the contest in the third quarter after being cut on a hard foul from Wade.

It's the kind of effort Thibodeau might normally applaud. But in this offensive showcase the defensive-minded Thibodeau could only sit back, smile and watch the points pile up. His Bulls allow an average of 87.9 points per game. The West hit 88 by halftime, setting anAll-Star record.

The West held a comfortable lead much of the night, up by as many as 21. Durant's side carried 124-112 advantage into the fourth quarter, but James spurred a fourth-quarter rally with a pair of 3-pointers and a bank shot.

Griffin finished with 22 points, including a monster dunk on a put back of a Russell Westbrook miss that made it 150-147.