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Chris Perez impresses in simulated game: Indians Insider

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It looks like closer Chris Perez, who has yet to pitch in a game this spring after injuring his left oblique on Feb. 23, will be ready to open the season on time.

perez-spring-2012-vert-cc.jpgView full size"It went really well," Indians closer Chris Perez said of his simulated game on Wednesday in Goodyear. "I threw 25 pitches and threw both of my pitches ... a fastball and slider. I felt good."

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- All signs point to closer Chris Perez being ready for Opening Day on April 5 at Progressive Field.

Perez is scheduled to pitch in his first game this spring Friday or Saturday. He pitched a simulated game Wednesday, facing teammates Trevor Crowe and Chad Huffman, and passed the test with ease.

"He looked really good," said manager Manny Acta. "He threw all his pitches. His slider was really good.

"I think we got plenty of time to get him ready for Opening Day."

Early in the session, there was a ball hit up the middle and Perez reached for it with his bare hand. "Everybody was scared, I guess, but his answer was instincts," said Acta. "He was just reacting."

Perez strained his left oblique muscle on Feb. 23 during his first bullpen session. He has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game.

"It went really well," said Perez. "I threw 25 pitches and threw both of my pitches ... a fastball and slider. I felt good. No pain, no apprehension, no tightness.

"It looked like I had good action, I kept my pitches low and I threw a lot of strikes."

Perez, like Acta, thinks he'll be ready for the season opener against Toronto.

Brantley update: Center fielder Michael Brantley will be out "three to five days" before he can begin baseball activities after his right hamstring tightened during Monday's game.

"Our medical staff feels it's going to take three to five days," said Acta. "He showed up Tuesday and was a lot better than they were anticipating. Still, it's probably three to five days."

New arm: The Indians claimed right-hander Rick VandenHurk off waivers Wednesday from Toronto. GM Chris Antonetti said he'll compete for one of the two open spots in the bullpen. He's scheduled to join the team Thursday.

Kelvin De La Cruz was designated for assignment to make room for VandenHurk, who is out of options. VandenHurk, 26, went 9-13 with a 4.43 ERA in 26 starts at Class AAA Norfolk last year for Baltimore. He made four appearances, including two starts, for the Orioles.

He spent parts of the 2007-10 seasons with the Miami Marlins, who traded him to Baltimore on July 31, 2010. He made seven appearances there, including one start.

This spring VandenHurk made four appearances for the Blue Jays and posted a 9.95 ERA (seven earned runs in 6 1/3 innings). He struck out three, walked six and allowed seven nine runs on 10 hits. VandenHurk told Toronto reporters that he almost signed with the Indians before the start of spring training this year.

VandenHurk joins a race that already includes Jeremy Accardo, Dan Wheeler, Chris Ray, Frank Herrmann, Nick Hagadone, Chris Seddon and Robinson Tejeda.

Good showing: Chris Perez wasn't the only reliever who passed a test Wednesday. Rafael Perez and Tejeda came out of the trainer's room to throw a scoreless inning each in a 5-3 loss to the Giants.

"Raffey was very good," said Acta. "He faced some lefties and retired them with no problem."

It was Perez's first Cactus League game after being sidelined with a sore left shoulder. Tejeda made one appearance before injuring his right calf.

Finally: Kevin Slowey, who allowed four runs on five hits in four innings against the Giants, handicapping the race for the fifth spot in the rotation: "Jeanmar [Gomez] is throwing great. I don't think there's anyone who would tell you otherwise." ... Justin Masterson pitched threw 81 pitches in four innings Wednesday in a Class AAA game against the Dodgers. ... Ubaldo Jimenez faces San Diego lefty Cory Luebke in Peoria, Ariz. on Thursday at 4:05 p.m. ET. The game will be on indians.com.

On Twitter: @hoynsie


NCAA Tournament Diary: Wisconsin's Rob Wilson, from Garfield Heights

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Thursday, No. 4 seed Wisconsin plays No. 1 seed Syracuse in an East Regional semifinal in Boston.

wisc-wilson-taylor-reax-vert-ap.jpgView full size"As a team we have a lot of unselfish guys," says Wisconsin's Rob Wilson (left, with teammate Jordan Taylor during the Big Ten tournament), "So if someone senses that someone is feeling it, the guys on the team are going to look for that person."

BOSTON -- Wisconsin senior Rob Wilson, a Cleveland native who played at Garfield Heights, has been part of the NCAA Tournament in all four of his years with the Badgers but has yet to make it past the Sweet 16.

Thursday, No. 4 seed Wisconsin plays No. 1 seed Syracuse in an East Regional semifinal in Boston. Since scoring a career-high 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting in the first game of the Big Ten Tournament, Wilson has returned to a more typical role in his last three games, still playing a lot of minutes (28 per game), and scoring 5.3 points while taking just over four shots per game. On the season he is averaging a career-high 12.8 minutes and four points per game.

He spoke to the Plain Dealer on Wednesday before the Badgers had their public practice at TD Garden.

"I've never been to Boston. We practiced at Harvard, so we got to ride there and see their campus a little bit, but it's like your sightseeing is coming from the bus. You look out the windows and you see it's a different city, and there are a lot of things you want to see because it's a city you hear so much about. I want to see it, but we're here for a reason, to get to the Final Four, so you block that out and take in the view from the hotel window.

"I think all year we prided ourselves on being road warriors. That's one thing we came into the season trying to be, we wanted to be better on the road than we were last year. And we played in some tough places in the Big Ten, and it prepared us for places like this.

"The tournament never gets old to me because that's the main goal for each season. There's always the thought in the back of your mind that this will be your last one, but you just block that out and play loose and have fun and do as much as you can so it won't be your last game.

"It's all about contributing. I just do what I can to help the team win, because in the long run that 30 points didn't mean as much to me as the winning did.

"It's all about knocking down the shots. As a team we have a lot of unselfish guys, so if someone senses that someone is feeling it, the guys on the team are going to look for that person. We find the open guy and we're a real patient team. That's one thing that's special about this team, and why I'm real proud to play with these guys.

"I don't have any regrets. Everything happens for a reason and I always kept my faith and confidence, so I'm proud that I'm able to do it now. Better late than never."

Lou Marson shrugs off projections on playing time for 2012 Cleveland Indians

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It looks like the backup catcher is going to get squeezed for playing time this year. It reminds Marson of last year, when he caught nearly half of the Indians' 162 games.

marson-spring-drill-2012-horiz-cc.jpgView full sizeLou Marson works on his defensive skills during a spring training workout in Goodyear, Ariz. "I just try to prepare myself as if I'm going to catch a lot and see what happens," says the Indians' backup catcher.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Last spring training, Lou Marson told reporters he was going to catch a lot of games for the Indians during the season. The reporters smiled and walked away scratching their heads.

Marson must have missed the group e-mail that stated Carlos Santana, fully recovered for surgery on his left knee, was going to be the starting catcher. Odds are Marson didn't miss anything, he just kept the faith.

Here's what happened in 2011: Santana made 95 starts behind the plate. Marson made 78. In the second half of the season, when Santana played mostly first base because of the ineffectiveness of Matt LaPorta, Marson more or less was the starting catcher.

The 2012 season begins April 5 and playing time appears to be scarcer for Marson that it was last year. In February, the Indians signed Casey Kotchman -- in the words of manager Manny Acta, "a real first baseman."

It means when Santana needs a break from catching, he'll spend most of his time at DH not first base. If Travis Hafner stays healthy, it's unlikely Santana will spend as much time there as he did at first base last year.

"We need to catch Carlos as much as we can and we do have a first baseman," said Acta. "It's pretty obvious that unless something happens, the playing time for Lou is not going to be the same. But all of that can change.

"All Lou needs to do is keep swinging the bat the way he has. We'll find at-bats for people who help us win."

Marson is hitting .400 (6-for-15) this spring. He entered Wednesday's 5-3 Cactus League loss to the Giants with a .632 on-base percentage. Last year he hit .230 (56-for-243) with nine doubles, two triples, one homer and 19 RBI. He did a nice job against lefties, hitting .297 (32-for-109). Right-handers were a different story. Marson hit .191 (29-for-152) against them.

"I caught a lot more last year than everybody thought I would," said Marson. "I think this year might be the same. It all comes down to performance."

No, Marson didn't miss the memo again.

"I know we signed Kotchman and Carlos hasn't been playing much first base this spring," said Marson, "If I'm doing well offensively, and playing like I know I can behind the plate, I think I'll get my fair share of time in the lineup.

"Hey, anything can happen. I just try to prepare myself as if I'm going to catch a lot and see what happens."

The way injuries leveled the Indians last year, that is the only approach to take. Marson does two things well -- hit lefties and control the running game. Last year, he threw out 33.3 percent (24-of-72) of the runners who tried to steal on him.

"When I don't think about it, I make really good consistent throws," he said. "I just try to get the ball in the air as quickly as I can and stay underneath it. That means, letting it travel to me [behind the plate]. If you catch the ball first, then throw, you have more power behind it.

"A lot times you see the runner going and you step out and try to cheat on the throw. That causes the ball to fade."

Marson's idea of the perfect throw? The pitcher has to hold the runner and the infielder who takes the throw has to have the nerve to hold his ground and make the tag. The throw itself?

"It's right on the bag with the ball waiting for the runner to slide into it," he said.

Marson said he's always hit lefties well.

"I guess you'd say it's a more comfortable at-bat for me," he said. "My approach has always been to hit the ball to right center. The ball is coming in on me. I can wait a little bit and stay on balls longer.

"I need to stick with that approach against right-handed pitching. Sometimes I feel I need to be too quick against right-handers."

Marson, in his career, is hitting .285 (49-for-172) against lefties and .188 (75-for-398) against righties.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas knows he needs a big game against speedy Cincinnati

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Cincinnati will go small and quick, so Deshaun Thomas will have to come up big for Ohio State in the Sweet 16 showdown in Boston.

osu-thomas-overhed-ncaa-vert-ap.jpgView full size"I know they're trying to reach and smack," the Buckeyes' Deshaun Thomas says of the expected defensive strategy of Cincinnati in Thursday's East Regional semifinal, "but I try to play strong."

BOSTON -- Backup guards Shannon Scott and Jordan Sibert have been chasing Deshaun Thomas through Ohio State practices at times this week, giving up four or five inches to the OSU forward while giving him the business, slapping at the ball and trying to drive him crazy.

"I know they're trying to reach and smack," Thomas said, "but I try to play strong."

That type of smack attack is what Thomas expects he'll see Thursday night in the East Region semifinal, when Cincinnati's four-guard lineup should put 6-3 JaQuon Parker on the 6-7 Thomas. Whether the No. 6 seed Bearcats rattle the No. 2 Buckeyes with their quickness, or whether Ohio State stomps Cincinnati with its size, should determine this Ohio battle staged in Boston's TD Garden.

"It's kind of like a chess match," OSU assistant coach Jeff Boals said. "The four-guard lineup poses some challenges on our end, but on the other end, those four guards have to guard us."

There's a very strong chance the Bearcats (26-10) will opt for a zone defense, at least some of the time, and the Buckeyes (29-7) will be more prepared than they were when Gonzaga slapped a zone on Ohio State last week.

"It's not one of the strongest zones," Thomas said, "but we have plays we think can score and get the ball inside when they zone."

When Parker winds up dealing with Thomas on his own, he'll have to be strong, and he's done it before. The switch to the four-guard look -- with only 6-9, 260-pound center Yancy Gates inside -- helped turn around Cincinnati's season. Gates should be dealing with 6-9, 265-pound OSU big Jared Sullinger tonight. But when the Bearcats beat Florida State on Sunday, Parker had a career-high 11 rebounds against an FSU front line that included 6-10 and 6-11 players.

"I'm used to it. Height doesn't matter to me," Parker said Wednesday. "I just go in there and try to box out and do what we've got to do to win by any means necessary."

"Those two bigs from Florida State were different than me and Sully," Thomas said. "We got more in our package than the Florida State guys."

Boals said the Bearcats are very good rebounders, but Cincinnati knows its best hope is to make speed matter more than size.

"Being so small, we've got to group rebound, everybody's got to go to the boards, and we've got to try to push teams," Cincinnati 6-foot point guard Cashmere Wright said. "We can't let them set up their defense. We've got to push on offense to set up easy buckets, being so small."

But where Thomas could cause the most trouble is by being more than just big. The idea of the sophomore as a matchup problem is old news but a continuing truth, as Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin mentioned Thomas by name just minutes after the win over the Seminoles. While Thomas is pretty big, he's not really a big man.

"He's going to be a small forward in the NBA," Cronin said. "For them he's a hybrid big guy, he's really not a big guy. The advantage we have when we play a team with two bigs, I don't see that in this game, because he can move. I don't think we have an advantage in the aspect where he has to guard someone he can't. I think he can do it."

In fact, Cronin thinks Thomas can do almost anything, seeing him emerge into the player he thought Thomas would become as a high-school player in Indiana.

"I thought he was a future professional player when I saw him in AAU," Cronin said. "He's a great offensive rebounder. If you let him stand and shoot, he's going to score on you. The other thing is he has a great jump hook in the low post.

"They are a great offensive team and they have become that as he's evolved into a big-time offensive player. They are not just Jared Sullinger and William Buford making jump shots. They have an inside-outside guy who really has been the go-to guy for them the last three weeks."

Thomas doesn't disagree with much of that assessment.

"I'm becoming the player I want to be," Thomas said. "I think I'm becoming a great player."

In this game, he needs to be a great, big player.

Joe Johnson's late game heroics push Atlanta over Cleveland Cavaliers in OT, 103-102

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The Hawks rallied from 16 points down early on and a six-point deficit in OT.

hawks-johnson-drives-cavs-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeAtlanta's Joe Johnson made all the key baskets down the stretch to force overtime and eventually lead the Hawks to a 103-102 victory over the Cavaliers.

ATLANTA – Rookie Kyrie Irving again demonstrated his late-game flair, putting the Cavaliers in a position to win.

On this night, however, he was no match for Atlanta Hawks' Joe Johnson, a six-time All-Star who struggled with his shot all game until it really counted. The Hawks' small forward forced overtime with a 3-pointer at the buzzer and contributed seven more points in the extra session to lift Atlanta to a 103-102 win in Phillips Arena.

Johnson, who finished with 22 points, hit what proved to be the decisive bucket with 18 seconds left on a 15-foot jumper. That afforded ample time for Irving to burnish his reputation as one of the game’s best young closers.

The Cavaliers called timeout and elected to go the length of the floor rather than take it out at half court. Everyone knew what was coming.

Irving, who has three game-winning baskets in his first 43 games, dribbled the ball at the top of the key, drove left against Jeff Teague, but couldn't get to the rim. His 19-foot bank shot drew iron. Alonzo Gee grabbed the offensive rebound and, in one motion, tried laying the ball into the bucket only to see it rim out.

"I thought it was in, but it happens," said Irving, who had 16 of his team-high 29 points after the third quarter and had nine assists and nine rebounds. "Law of averages, you are not going to make every one."

It was a tough way for the Cavs to extend a seven-game losing streak against Atlanta. They appeared in great shape with 1:25 left in overtime and leading by six points. But the Cavs came unhinged as a defensive gamble and crucial foul allowed the Hawks to pull level at 101.

Gee tried to intercept a pass and couldn't get the ball. That left Johnson wide open for a corner 3-pointer. At one point late in the fourth quarter, the Hawks veteran was 2-of-13 from the field and 0-of-4 from behind the arc. He ended the night 7-of-19 and made his last three 3-point attempts.

While Johnson hurt them late, Josh Smith killed them all night. He registered 32 points, 17 rebounds and five assists. He tied it with 58 seconds left as he converted a driving layup and 3-point play as he was fouled by Antawn Jamison, who wore down over the final minutes.

"I'm disappointed with the way it ended," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said. "I think we played pretty hard but we just made bade decisions in overtime."

It didn't appear OT would be necessary after Irving made a spinning layup in the lane with 5.4 seconds left to give the Cavaliers a 91-88 lead. The Hawks called timeout to set up a play. The Cavaliers had a foul to give, but elected not to use it. Gee, who was guarding Johnson, got screened on the in-bounds play and Anthony Parker could not get to the top of the key in time.

Scott was asked about the decision not to foul.

"We figured we would just play solid defense at the end of regulation instead of foul," he said. "They did a good job of getting a good look at it."

The Cavaliers had been whipped in their first two meetings against the Hawks this season, including a 103-87 setback on Sunday. Their poorest road effort occurred here at The Highlight Factory on Jan. 21 in a 121-94 setback. But Scott’s club offered a much better effort this time.

As was the case Monday against New Jersey, the Cavaliers started quickly in scoring a season-high 36 points in the first quarter. They converted 10 of their first 12 shots and committed just two turnovers in building a 33-17 lead. As also was the case Monday, they got sloppy in the second quarter and squandered a 16-point advantage.

They made six turnovers and center Tristan Thompson had trouble maintaining possession as he powered to the basket. The Hawks finished the quarter on a 28-11 run behind 10 points from Smith. The Cavaliers, who entered the game averaging a league-low 22 points in the second quarter, managed just 17 against the Hawks.

Jamison finished with 23 points, but just two after the third quarter. Manny Harris, seeing his first significant playing time, had 11 points and six rebounds off the bench.

Daugherty leads Ashland to NCAA D-II women's title game

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Ashland (33-1) will play for its first D-II title on Friday night.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Junior Kari Daugherty scored a game-high 31 points and grabbed 22 rebounds to lead Ashland University into the NCAA Division II championship game with a convincing 77-62 win over Bentley (Mass.) on Wednesday in San Antonio, Texas.

Daugherty, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year, hit 13 of 24 shots from the field. Guard Jena Stutzman added 22 points and forward Ashley Dorner chipped in with 10 for the Eagles.

Jacqui Brugliera and Courtney Finn each scored 16 points to lead Bentley.

Ashland (33-1) will play for the D-II title on Friday night against the winner of Wednesday's late game between Shaw University (Raleigh, N.C.) and Rollins College (Winter Park, Fla.).

The Eagles cruised past Alaska-Anchorage, 71-53, on Tuesday in the Elite Eight to reach the Final Four. Each victory adds to the record for the furthest the program has ever gone.

Hank Haney's book seals another round of Tiger frenzy: Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

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With the release of Hank Haney's book coinciding with the Masters early next month, it's easy to conclude that Tiger Woods' chances of overtaking Jack Nicklaus are now the equal of his chances of becoming a Navy SEAL.

tiger-haney-2005-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeWhether or not Hank Haney's close observations of Tiger Woods during their coach-player relationship equals accurate psychoanalysis, Haney's book is going to be a hot topic next month in Augusta, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tiger Woods is a book, just not an open one ...

War games are hell?

Two people, one a close friend of Woods, told swing coach Hank Haney that Woods suffered a serious knee injury in 2007 while training with Navy SEALs in a California Kill House that simulated urban combat.

At least that's what Haney recounts in his book, "The Big Miss," coming out just in time for Woods to stare down anyone who asks about it at the Masters.

After his last full eye-roll combat at Doral aimed at a Golf Channel reporter, it's fair to wonder if Woods believes he is practicing some kind of mind control when he locks gazes with non-Navy SEAL candidates in the sporting media. But the questions aren't likely to go away. If the book told of more trysts, suggesting the title referred instead to a particularly tall Las Vegas escort, the curiosity would not be as great.

Since the title refers to the derailing of the most impregnable sports figure of our time, Haney's take on his six years as Woods' swing coach would be interesting if it never went further than Woods' incessant need to change his swing.

The fact that it goes much, much further -- to Woods' fascination with Navy SEAL training and his need to be considered an athlete the equal of those playing other sports -- just adds more intrigue. Was it just an extension of a childhood fantasy? While Michael Jordan dreamed of hitting a major-league curve, Woods wanted to be like Earl, his dad, a Green Beret in two tours of Vietnam?

Haney says Woods participated in several parachute drops each day while training in California. Haney contends Woods told him the SEALs would make an exception for him since the maximum age is 28 (there's still time for Peyton Hillis) and he was already older than that.

"What about [Jack] Nicklaus' record? Don't you care about that?" Haney recalls asking Woods.

"No," Woods replied. "I'm satisfied with what I've done in my career."

As he approaches the first major of the season, Woods might face a question or 10 when he arrives at Augusta National.

The injuries are relevant since his left knee has required four surgeries. In his last tournament, he withdrew with tightness in his left Achilles yet played early this week in the Tavistock Cup, a glorified club championship and charity fund raiser.

Haney's take can't be accepted as gospel since there's some psychoanalysis going on. While quoting Woods saying he didn't care about catching Nicklaus, Haney also says this: "There was more urgency and less fun. He never mentioned Nicklaus' record, but it started to weigh more heavily at every major."

How can that be?

Woods' reaction to Haney's book was about what you'd expect.

"I think it's unprofessional and very disappointing, especially because it's someone I worked with and trusted as a friend," Woods said in January.

It might be all that. But if the world's greatest golfer really did jeopardize golf's greatest record while playing Army, or in this case, Navy, that's going to carry the conversation. At least until Woods wins another major.

And only as long as he doesn't depart via a dropped ladder from a hovering helicopter after accepting the trophy.

payton-saints-logo-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeSean Payton will have plenty of time over the next 12 months to determine how to stay far away from NFL bounty pools.

SPINOFFS

The NFL's sledgehammer drop on the New Orleans Saints is an overreaction. But if there's such a thing as an understandable overreaction, it's a league being sued by former players over concussions using the Saints to show they couldn't be more serious about player safety.

Ten years ago the Saints are fined and told to knock it off. But in the current climate they had to see this one coming.

At least that's more than Brett Favre could say ...

Tim Tebow to the Jets supposedly was done in part to improve the culture in the locker room. If everybody involved loves a circus, it'll do just that ...

Maker's Mark will release the 16th edition of its signature charitable bottle series to raise money for charity. This year's bottle will feature the likeness of University of Kentucky football great and Cleveland Browns' quarterback Tim Couch.

If Maker's Mark handles the goods the way the Browns protected Couch, 19,999 of the 20,000 limited edition bottles are in jeopardy ...

Former Cavs' coach Mike Brown was upset with Lakers' center Andrew Bynum for getting ejected Tuesday night. "I was irritated,"said Brown, criticizing the on-court behavior of a star player one more time than he did in five seasons coaching LeBron James ...

Did Lakers players feel the same way? Hard to say. One of the Lakers asked about Bynum losing his cool and hurting his team was Metta World Peace, which is like asking Rex Ryan if he has a problem with braggarts ...

groce-mug-ap.jpgView full sizeHe's helped keep his team's wits about them when all others go mad in March.

John Elway called Tebow a "great kid"and said, "If I want somebody to marry my daughter it's him."

Just before ensuring it would have to be a long-distance relationship ...

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers and Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden -- Brian Newbacher

Ohio Bobcats' coach John Groce and Jim Furyk -- Gary, Wickliffe

Matt Flynn and Matt Damon -- Al Dadas, Garfield Heights

HE SAID IT

furyk-mug-ap.jpgView full sizeHe's one of the most consistent, and quietest, of golf's champions.

"I want my legacy here to say, "You know what, he was one hell of a football player who gave it his all. I'm truly blessed. I played in three Super Bowls, won two Super Bowls, was Super Bowl MVP. ... What more could a player want out of his entire football career?" -- retiring Steelers' wide receiver Hines Ward.

I guess if you don't get a chance to play in the Browns' version of the West Coast offense, that other stuff will have to do.

HE TWEETED IT

"I get all the breaks. Coming to a dustbin near you my Tebow book on his magical 2011 season: 'Will to Win.'" -- Denver Post writer Mike Klis after the Broncos signed Peyton Manning.

Same thing happened with my Andre Rison book: "Winning the Hearts of Browns' Fans."

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Mid-Week Edition)

"Bud:

"Browns' Mike Holmgren says the team will 'stay the course.' What exactly is the course?" -- Tom Hoffner

Given the proficiency on display in 2011, I'd say Advanced String Theory or Abstract Algebra.

"Hey Bud:

"My fortune cookie said, 'You are naive and gullible. You will believe any inane drivel that you read.' Should I believe it? P.S. I LOVE reading your column." -- Neil, Sagamore Hillis

Why do I think your propensity to believe inane drivel and your appreciation for Spin are somehow related?

"Hi Bud:

"The Browns' approach to free agency is like having a car with a blown engine and transmission and deciding to change the tires and wiper blades. Just curious, if you read the Book of Job, does that sound like the life of a Browns fan?" -- Dave Sharron

It's been a while. Refresh my memory. Does Job hear the voice of God on a Seattle radio show?

"Hey Bud:

"If you want to get even more depressed than you already are in reading 'You Said It,' compare Peyton Manning's record his first 13 years with the Browns' 13 years as an expansion team. If the Browns had drafted Peyton, would everyone be asking whatever became of Eli's older brother?" -- Russ

No way. That I could be more depressed than reading "You Said It," I mean.

"Bud:

"Holy cow. Frostee Rucker! Are there any season tickets left?" -- Dan Coughlin

First-time "You Said It" winners do not get playoff tickets from Holmgren, but they do receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Hi Bud:

"When you do writing skill workouts for potential newspaper employers, do you visit their locations or just pick neutral sites?" -- Thomas Jezeski

Repeat winners get nothing, and that's no typo.

"Bud:

"Is the basketball team ruining Ohio's reputation?" -- Joe S

Some repeat winners receive a Breathalyzer.

On Twitter: @budshaw

Aaron Craft doesn't want to get too wrapped up in Cashmere: NCAA Insider

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Cincinnati's four-guard offense will be a test for Buckeyes' defensive leader on Thursday.

craft-defense-gonzaga-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeAaron Craft (left) bedeviled Gonzaga's Kevin Pangos last week. Can he do the same with the Bearcats on Thursday?

BOSTON -- Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft gave a lesson to Gonzaga freshman Kevin Pangos last week. This time, Craft knows he has to watch himself against Cincinnati junior point guard Cashmere Wright.

"They're pretty quick and one of the things you can't do is reach too much because they'll capitalize on it," Craft said Wednesday. "After a couple seconds I get antsy and want to make the steal and it's something I've got to be disciplined about, because they're good enough to go around you, and they have three or four guys capable of doing it."

Wright said he has noticed Craft's ability to read opponents and said "you have to stay one step ahead of him."

Pro considerations: The Detroit Free Press quoted Benji Burke, the father of Michigan freshman point guard Trey Burke, as saying that leaving the Wolverines for the NBA is a consideration for the Columbus native and friend and former high school teammate of Ohio State's Jared Sullinger. Striking while the iron is hot, after a strong first year, is at least part of the thought process.

Sullinger might be an example. He may have been a top five, or at least almost certainly a top 10, pick in the draft a year ago. Despite another All-American season, two recent mock drafts have Sullinger going No. 12 and No. 13. But let's also not act like draft stock is 100 percent of the equation in deciding whether to return to school.

"I really don't care about my stock, personally," Sullinger said. "This decision [to come back as a sophomore] I think was the best for me and my goals."

Shoot it: Wisconsin makes 7.7 3-pointers per game, the second-most of any of the 16 teams remaining in the tournament, behind only Florida. That could be a formula for shooting over the Syracuse zone Thursday.

"They've got a lot of shooters," Syracuse sophomore guard Dion Waiters said. "We have to do a great job contesting every shot and making them feel uncomfortable."

The Orange are adept at extending their zone and Waiters said the goal will be to make the Badgers put the ball on the floor. But just shooting won't be enough.

"A lot of people say it's as easy as shooting over the zone, but you also have to get some inside stuff," Wisconsin junior forward Mike Bruesewitz said. "We've got to have good balance. We can't be chucking up 45 threes."

Look for Wisconsin to put a scare into Syracuse early with its shooting and stingy defense. The Orange will then adjust at halftime, and the Badgers will have to stay in the game by doing other things.

Another comparison: Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin threw out another name to add to the list of players to whom Sullinger has been compared. He went with former Cincinnati star Danny Fortson, the 10th pick in the 1997 NBA Draft after a three-year career with the Bearcats.

"He has tremendous hands and an unbelievably soft touch," Cronin said, "and a tremendous understanding of how to use his body. And he does what Danny did, which is master the simple. He just puts it in the basket. He doesn't look for style points. He can make whatever shot you give him -- 6-footers, 12-footers, 8-foot banks -- and his touch is so soft that he makes everything look easy.

"I would say he's a better passer than Danny was. Danny didn't want to pass it. Jared has been double-teamed since seventh grade, so double teams don't affect him. His heartbeat doesn't even go up one beat, his blood pressure doesn't rise at all when you trap him. It's almost like he relaxes, like 'OK, let me find the open guy here, it's less work for me, I don't have to score this time.'"


OHSAA boys basketball: Flameout in 2010 fuels St. Peter Chanel's focus in Division III semifinals

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BEDFORD, Ohio — The saying goes something like this: "You only get one opportunity to make a good first impression but there will be many opportunities to leave a positive lasting impression."

BEDFORD, Ohio — The saying goes something like this:

"You only get one opportunity to make a good first impression but there will be many opportunities to leave a positive lasting impression."

It's the second part of that adage the St. Peter Chanel boys basketball team is after.

The Firebirds will have a dual purpose tonight when they play Cincinnati Summit Country Day in a Division III state semifinal at 5:15 p.m. at Value City Arena.

First and foremost, they will be playing for the right to advance to the state championship game for the second time in school history.

They also will be trying to erase a painful memory from 2010.

"I don't even like to think about it," point guard Tommie Williams said. "I try not to but it's stuck in my memory."

"I think we're blessed to get a second chance," running mate Damon Jones said. "It's unfinished business."

Williams and Jones, the heart and soul of this basketball team, were sophomores in 2010, as were Kyree Brewer, Dan Bailey and Andrew Pickard. Williams, Jones and Brewer were starters and Pickard and Bailey came off the bench on the night of March 26 against Dayton Jefferson in the Division IV semifinals.

Jefferson's 15-10 record was misleading. It would go on to win the state championship, led by 6-10 Adreian Payne, who is now playing at Michigan State.

"Jefferson might have been the best team in the state in any division that year," said Chanel coach Hugh McMahon, who was coaching the girls at the time. "Our kids just ran into a buzz saw."

The final score was 81-44. The Firebirds (23-3), whose regular-season schedule against Division I and II teams prepared it for a long postseason run, were done in ignominious fashion.

"The loss definitely has been a motivator for us," said Williams, a 5-6 senior who is being courted by several Division III colleges because of his ball-handling skills and competitive nature. "Getting back to Columbus has always been our ultimate goal."

After a disappointing finish to the 2010-11 season, when they were beaten in the district semifinals by Richmond Heights, the Firebirds returned this year with a new coach in McMahon and a renewed vigor.

"We decided that as seniors, we were going to take charge and keep everyone focused," said Williams, who averaged 12.2 points and 4.8 assists during the regular season.

Jones said 2010 is a distant memory but it is not totally forgotten. He learned from the experience and has applied it to this year's tournament run.

"I think we were so happy just to get there the last time that we didn't have the right approach," said Jones, who was named first team All-Ohio on Tuesday after averaging 19.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game. "We were goofing around and swimming in the hotel pool and stuff. We thought we were on vacation. This time it will be a business trip."

Any player's first trip to Value City Arena can be intimidating. With a possible state championship looming just 64 minutes away it can be downright frightening.

"We came out of that tunnel and it was a beautiful place," Jones recalled. "It was so big and all the fans were there and we were looking at OSU's floor and thinking that we were going to be playing on that in a couple of hours. We were just a bunch of eager kids who were happy and satisfied by just getting to Columbus. I think we were overwhelmed by all of it."

Said Williams: "It was a whole different world for us. We didn't have anyone telling us what to do, what to expect. Now, we do."

This time it will be different, they vow. The trip in 2010 was not a wasted one. The Firebirds, ranked seventh in the final state poll to Country Day's third spot, said they learned what it takes to become a state champion.

"No one is going to give you anything," said Jones, who is thinking of attending the Air Force Academy. "You have to work for everything. No one is going to look at your record or your ranking."

Williams added, "Every team is there to take home that trophy."

Williams said the biggest difference now is the team's depth.

"We can go a lot deeper now than back then," he said. "We can rotate our personnel. Everyone is capable of playing more than one position and guarding more than one guy."

Brewer, the team's tallest player at 6-5, is averaging nine points and just as many rebounds. Junior Ishmael Hargrove, 6-4, and 6-2 Bailey help out underneath, combining for 12 points and 13 rebounds, and junior Montell Goodwin has provided valuable minutes off the bench and is getting eight points per game. The 6-1 guard has made 46 3-pointers.

The Firebirds have been able to wear down opponents with full-court pressure.

"Everyone came into the season buying into the idea that we were going to want to play defense," Williams said. "I think we're pretty good at it."

Good enough to win a second state title, adding to the 1999 championship? That remains to be seen. As Williams said, everyone wants to get their hands on that trophy. This time, the Firebirds have a better idea of how to go about it.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

Sports TV and radio listings for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, Thursday, March 22, 2012

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Highlighted by four Sweet 16 semifinal games, inclduing Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Cincinnati Bearcats.

aaron-craft.jpgOhio State point guard Aaron Craft (left), the Big Ten's defensive Player of the Year, and the Buckeyes play Cincinnati in a Sweet 16 game tonight that will be televised on WOIO and broadcast on WKNR/AM-850.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's sports TV and radio listings

(Click on to links for more information)

AUTO RACING

2 a.m. (Friday morning) Malaysia Grand Prix practice, Speed

Thursday:

BASEBALL

1 p.m. MLB, Houston vs. N.Y. Mets, MLB Network 

4 p.m. MLB, Kansas City vs. L.A. Angels, MLB Network

7 p.m. MLB, N.Y. Yankees vs. Boston, ESPN

COLLEGE BASEBALL

7:30 p.m. Florida at South Carolina, ESPNU

GOLF

11 a.m. Trophee Hassan II, Golf Channel

3 p.m. Arnold Palmer Invitational, Golf Channel

6:30 p.m. Kia Classic, Golf Channel

HOCKEY

7 p.m. AHL, Chicago at MONSTERS, Fox Sports Ohio; WHKW/1220-AM

(Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Monsters coverage

7 p.m. NHL, Washington at Philadelphia, NHL Network 

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. NCAA Division II semifinal, CBS Sports Network

7:15 p.m. NCAA, Wisconsin vs. Syracuse, WOIO (preview)

7:47 p.m. NCAA, Louisville vs. Michigan State, TBS (preview)

9:30 p.m. NCAA Division II semifinal, CBS Sports Network

9:45 p.m.* NCAA, OHIO STATE vs. Cincinnati, WOIO; WKNR/850-AM (preview)

(Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Ohio State coverage and March Madness coverage

10:17 p.m.* NCAA, Florida vs. Marquette, TBS (preview)

* - approximate time

NBA

8 p.m. Boston at Milwaukee, NBATV

Instant replay under review next week: NFL Newswatch

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NFL owners will get proposals to eliminate referees from instant replay reviews and expand what the booth official rules on, and also to allow a player to return during the season from the injured reserve list.

instant replay boothThe NFL’s competition committee will propose having the booth official make all decisions on replay reviews.

Instant replay could undergo some changes when NFL owners meet next week in Palm Beach, Fla.

The owners will get proposals to eliminate referees from instant replay reviews and expand what the booth official rules on, and also to allow a player to return during the season from the injured reserve list.

The league’s competition committee, prompted by the Buffalo Bills, will propose having the booth official make all decisions on replay reviews. He also would be allowed to review all turnovers just as he now reviews all scoring plays.

The committee will also propose expanding the overtime rule used in the postseason — both sides must have an offensive possession if the receiving team kicks a field goal to start the extra period — to the regular season.

That rule, instituted in 2010, has yet to become a factor in the playoffs.

And a player hurt in preseason or early in the schedule could be designated as able to return from injured reserve after six weeks and play after eight weeks rather than sit out the entire season.

Former Giants coordinator dies: Ron Erhardt, the offensive architect of the New York Giants’ two Super Bowl titles under Bill Parcells, died. He was 80.

The Giants announced that the one-time head coach of the New England Patriots and the long-time NFL offensive coordinator died in Boca Raton, Fla., on Wednesday morning.

Around the league

Bengals: Former Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis agreed to a deal with Cincinnati, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The Bengals need someone to replace Cedric Benson.

Green-Ellis spent four seasons with New England, carrying 181 times for 667 yards in 2011 with 11 touchdowns.

Bills: Buffalo signed defensive end Mark Anderson to a four-year contract potentially worth $27 million. Anderson is a sixth-year player who had 10 sacks with the New England Patriots last season.

Colts: Indianapolis signed center Samson Satele, who started 74 career games with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders.

49ers: Quarterback Alex Smith signed a three-year deal with San Francisco that will pay him $8 million per season.

Long booed by his home fans, Smith had only five interceptions last year as San Francisco went 13-3 to win its first division title since 2002.

Patriots: New England signed cornerback Will Allen, 33, and offensive lineman Robert Gallery, 31.

Redskins: Washington announced quarterback Rex Grossman signed his one-year contract to return to the team.

Saints: New Orleans and free-agent defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley agreed on a five-year contract. Bunkley spent last season with the Denver Broncos, appearing in all 16 regular-season games and starting 13.

Vikings: Minnesota released nose tackle Remi Ayodele one unproductive season into a three-year contract.


Robert Griffin III impresses Redskins at Pro Day: Video

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From the perspective of the other NFL personnel men on hand in Waco -- including Colts head coach Chuck Pagano and QB coach Clyde Christensen -- Griffin didn’t disappoint in any way. Story includes video.

Robert Griffin IIIView full sizeHeisman Trophy winner and former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III prepares to pass during Baylor pro day Wednesday, March 21, 2012, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

WACO, Texas -- Deep in the heart of Cowboys country, a star was born for the archrival Redskins. Although Robert Griffin III won’t officially be drafted into the NFL as Washington’s franchise quarterback before April 26, what he did on March 21 unofficially cemented that team’s decision.

The Redskins, who hold the second overall pick next month after a blockbuster trade with St. Louis, had their two main men, coach Mike Shanahan and owner Daniel Snyder, at Griffin’s pro scouting day to check out the main attraction. Less than 24 hours after they had taken Griffin to a nice dinner, he treated them to a feast for the eyes.

There were many reasons for the Redskins to like what they see in "RG3" before he even took the field Wednesday, and his dazzling display was a reminder to the team’s coach, owner and fans of what kind of quarterback they’re about to get.

“Everybody will say ‘I’ll come in, I’ll work hard, I’ll be dedicated’, but I mean it when I say it," Griffin said. "I won’t just try to be flamboyant and try to act like ‘I’m the man, I’m the leader.’ You have to earn the respect of the players. I’ll do it from the inside-out.”

From the perspective of the other NFL personnel men on hand in Waco -- including Colts head coach Chuck Pagano and QB coach Clyde Christensen -- Griffin didn’t disappoint in any way. Keeping the atmosphere loose and fun by putting his passing drills to a bouncy soundtrack that included Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, he thrilled with both his arm and feet.

Scouts loved the tempo of his workout, as Griffin toggled between throwing traditional and out-of-pocket passes while on the move. He matched the pace by releasing the ball quickly, zipping it all over the field with great accuracy.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Griffin has become this year’s de facto No. 2 quarterback prospect behind Andrew Luck, whom the Indianapolis Colts are fully expected to take No. 1 and will work out at Stanford on Thursday. Not only does Griffin have much in common with the background (spread offense) and skill set (athletic passing) of last year’s first overall pick, Cam Newton, he has little something extra the reigning rookie of the year doesn’t.

“It’s a tremendous help,” ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski said of how’s Griffin’s stock is affected by Newton’s success. “Old, prototypical NFL quarterbacks like me always looked at it like ‘it’s a new system, it’s going to take time, you have to learn the NFL game.’

“Cam Newton just threw that philosophy out the window coming in and playing so well,” Jaworski said. “He sets the table for a lot of young quarterbacks that come out of a non NFL-type system.”

There are many comparisons that can be made between fellow Heisman Trophy winners Newton and Griffin, but there’s another big difference in addition to Griffin’s size (6-2, 223 pounds at the Combine) in contrast to Newton’s (6-5, 248).

“They’re very similar, but the one thing that jumps out is the quick twitch of RG3,” Jaworski said. “Cam is a big, strong, lumbering movement guy, but when you watch RG3, he can dart from the pocket. He’s got good foot speed, good foot quickness and is mechanically very sound -- there’s not a flaw in his game.”

According to Baylor coach Art Briles, under whom Griffin III won the Heisman this past college football season, his now former pupil excels in the two basic, but most important tasks for an NFL quarterback -- “getting the ball to his playmakers and protecting the ball.”

The Redskins, in preparation for their likely selection of Griffin, added playmakers from other teams who also are known for their speed and quickness. In Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, Griffin would have players who can both stretch the field for his deep passes and take off after making shorter catches.

“If anyone looks at the profile of the NFL offense right now and where it’s going, you’re looking at these up-tempo high-speed type offenses,” Jaworski said. “You’re going to have to have a quarterback that can not only throw the football and react quickly, but run the football. It presents some real problems for the defense.”

Washington also needs Griffin’s smarts and elusiveness to better protect the ball. John Beck and Rex Grossman combined for a turnover mess last season with both shoddy decision-making (interceptions) and shakiness against ball-hungry pass rushers (fumbles).

Based on how well Griffin did those two things for Briles, Shanahan should be very confident he’s found someone to do the same for the Redskins. A day after John Elway, the quarterback with whom Shanahan won two Super Bowls in Denver, unveiled Peyton Manning as the Broncos’ new high-profile starter, it was the coming-out party for Griffin as the Redskins’ savior.

“Shanahan’s a great coach, a great mind, and it would be an honor to play for him,” said Griffin, who had admired him from afar while growing up a Broncos fan. “Since Elway, he hasn’t had ‘that guy’ he’s been associated with – hopefully I can be that guy.”

Griffin is already the Redskins’ multi-million dollar baby, and looks ready to grow into the man both they and Shanahan have been seeking for a long time.



Baylor's Kendall Wright turns on the speed in Pro Day workout

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While quarterback Robert Griffin III proved he should be either the first or second overall pick in April’s draft during his pro day, his top wide receiver from his 2011 Heisman-winning campaign made a strong case to climb back into first-round consideration.

Kendall WrightBaylor receiver Kendall Wright attempts to grab a pass from Robert Griffin III during Baylor pro day football workouts Wednesday, March 21, 2012, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

WACO, Texas—While quarterback Robert Griffin III proved he should be either the first or second overall pick in April’s draft during his pro day, his top wide receiver from his 2011 Heisman-winning campaign made a strong case to climb back into first-round consideration.

Kendall Wright, a 5-10, 196-pound speedster who needed to significantly improve the head-scratching 40-yard dash time (4.61 seconds) he posted at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month, did just that in Waco on Wednesday.

One NFL scout told Sporting News that Wright was timed at 4.44 and 4.47 seconds on his two most recent attempts, in addition to excelling at running routes and catching passes from Griffin.

“I knew Kendall could run a 4.4, 4.3,” Griffin said. “He just had a bad day at the Combine as far as running. He caught the ball well, and caught the ball well (again) today.”

Wright pointed to some trouble getting off the blocks contributing to his much slower time at the Combine.

“I popped up on my first two starts, and that’s all I worked on when I got back,” Wright said.

Among the other strengths Wright showed was the ability to reach out and make catches away from his body. He dropped only one pass and made one spectacular catch on a deep throw Griffin put behind him.

It’s easy to see that Wright plays fast, and has a special burst after the catch. His size will detract those teams looking for a prototypical, big No. 1, but he is capable of making big plays if he consistently gets work out of the slot.

Wright already has met with the Carolina Panthers, and said he had four more team visits on the horizon. Bears coach Lovie Smith attended Baylor’s pro day, and Chicago is on Wright’s itinerary for early April. At this point, look for Wright to go anywhere from the Bears’ 19th overall pick to the Panthers’ 40th overall pick.

-- Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News


Sweet 16: Now that your bracket is busted, who will win it all? Poll

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Which school will win it all?

cal.jpgKentucky coach John Calipari.

The NCAA Tournament is down to 16 teams. And after many upsets, many of you are out of the running when it comes to winning the office pool.

So if you started another pool, which school would have winning it all? Is Kentucky still a lock to win the NCAA Tournament? Or have you picked one of the teams from the state of Ohio to win the crown?

 







Watch PD Sports Insider live at noon: Talk Browns and NFL news with Mary Kay Cabot

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Today live at noon on PD Sports Insider: Browns Edition, join Dennis Manoloff, Bud Shaw and Glenn Moore as they will talk Browns and NFL news with Mary Kay Cabot.

PD Sports Insider Logo BigWatch today live at noon.

Will the Browns land Jonathon Goff? Why are the Browns so quiet in free agency? Should Browns fans be patient or do they deserve to be upset over lack of moves? Is the Tim Tebow trade more of a publicity stunt?

Today, live at noon on PD Sports Insider: Browns Edition, join Dennis Manoloff, Bud Shaw and Glenn Moore as they will talk Browns and NFL news with Mary Kay Cabot.

Be sure to Like PD Sports Insider on Facebook.

Note: To turn off audio alerts in the chatroom, click on the round button on bottom left of the chat room, then preferences. Uncheck all audio options and save.

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 email their video questions during the week.

Fans who miss the live show can watch the archive, available a few hours later. Stay tuned for the next episode on today at noon.


Sweet 16 A.M. Links: Cincinnati doesn't care about Buckeyes; schools are so close, but still far away; OU hopes tourney puts them on the map

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Cincinnatians don't have much love for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

thad-matta.jpgOhio State University basketball coach Thad Matta.

Cincinnati.com columnist Paul Daugherty chimes in when it comes to Cincinnatians' attitude toward Ohio State Buckeyes.

For example, he writes, some resent Ohio State’s bigness. They find the Buckeyes’ unwillingness to play UC in basketball snobbish and smug.

The Buckeyes have to play the Bearcats Thursday night. They can’t buy their way out of it. It’s the agreed-upon format of the NCAA tournament. You can bet they’re not happy about it.

"Scheduling is something we work on continuously," said Thad Matta, the Ohio State coach and Xavier turncoat. "Our philosophy has been to schedule home-and-home series outside the state of Ohio to give our program more national exposure whenever possible."

What Matta really means is, UC is not an acceptable loss for the Buckeyes. It couldn’t be explained to the alums and the fatwallet boosters. There is no “upside," to borrow a jock-o-matic term. Ohio State does not need to play Cincinnati, so it doesn’t.

In football, the Buckeyes' willingness to play Ohio schools is seen as a benevolent act, a nice payday for Akron or Youngstown St., for the chance to get clobbered, writes Daugherty. Basketball includes no such charity, because on any given evening, UC, Xavier or OU could beat the Buckeyes.

We have our own stuff here. Cleveland is a big Buckeye stronghold. Cleveland has no college sports of its own. Akron, Canton, Toledo etc.: Not much to cheer for if you’re not singing Carmen Ohio. Dayton has the Flyers. Every little blue highway between here and Ashtabula loves its Bucks, because there’s nothing else.

Cincinnati has two schools playing in the Sweet 16. And we’re supposed to get excited about The School Up North?

More Sweet 16 news

Ohio State and Cincinnati are so close, but so far away (The Boston Globe).

Ohio is not fazed by their NCAA success (St. Louis Dispatch).

Deshaun Thomas knows he needs a big game against the quick Bearcats (Cleveland.com).

Ohio University hopes the Sweet 16 puts them on the map (USA Today).

The Cincinnati Bearcats hope to ease the memory of the brawl with Xavier (Boston Herald).

Selective memory gives William Buford a boost (Columbus Dispatch).

The Buckeyes have the edge over the Bearcats in their meeting tonight (Boston Herald).

Ohio University's coach John Groce tries to ignore all of the attention (Columbus Dispatch).

Ohio State Buckeyes have edge over Cincinnati Bearcats and should win tonight, says Doug Lesmerises (SBTV)

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Plain Dealer OSU reporter thinks Buckeyes have advantage with height, Deshaun Thomas. Watch video

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


Ohio State plays Cincinnati tonight in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 in Boston. With all the upsets from last weekend, which team do you have winning it all? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.


Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises, who is in Boston and will cover tonight's game. Doug talks about whether he still likes North Carolina to win the title; why he thinks Ohio State will win tonight; and what it will take for Ohio State and Cincinnati to play basketball more than four times every 50 years.


SBTV will return Friday with Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot answering fan questions from her weekly Hey, Mary Kay! column.


 


 



Zach McAllister, Trevor Crowe among 4 cuts: Cleveland Indians spring training briefing

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The race for the fifth spot in the starting rotation is down to three pitchers -- Jeanmar Gomez, Kevin Slowey and David Huff.

Zach McAllisterZach McAllister and three others were sent to the minors today.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. --  The race for the fifth spot in the rotation is down to three pitchers.  The field was reduced Thursday when right-hander Zach McAllister was optioned to Class AAA Columbus. Jeanmar Gomez, Kevin Slowey and David Huff are still in the running.

Other cuts included infielder Cord Phelps, right-hander Chen-Chang Lee and outfielder Trevor Crowe. Phelps was optioned to Columbus, while Crowe and Lee were re-assigned to the minors. Crowe and Lee are not on the 40-man roster.

McAllister appeared in three games with a 4.50 ERA.  He struck out six, walked one and allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings.

"We are extremely happy with the progress he's made," said manager Manny Acta. "He's a guy we feel is going to be dependable for our rotation in the near future. He just needs to keep working on his secondary pitches." 

Phelps hit .167 (2-for-12) and appeared in 11 games.

Crowe, a former No.1 pick, hit .385 (5-for-13) in 13 games. Crowe missed most of last season with surgery on his right elbow and shoulder.

"This is the best I've seen Crowe in the three years I've been here," said Acta. "Told him that. Unfortunately, we have a different situation. He fell behind in his performance the last couple of years because of his injuries, but this is the best I've seen him.

"It's just unfortunate that we have so many guys in camp and that he's had the opportunity before."

Lee got a long look from manager Manny Acta and his coaching staff. In seven innings, he had a 3.86 and went 1-for-3 in save situations.  He struck out six, walked two and allowed three earned runs on seven hits in seven innings.

"We told him that to continue to work again left-handed hitters," said Acta. "Despite his arm angle, he's got good enough stuff to get righties and lefties out. We told him he doesn't want to be labeled as a right on right guy. We don't think he's a right-on-right guy."

There are 46 players still in camp, including 15 non-roster players. The regular season begins April 5.

Bump in the road: Michael Brantley called his tight right hamstring "a little bump in the road."

Brantley injured the hamstring Monday running out a ground ball in the first inning.

"I've never had a hamstring problem before," said Brantley. "The trainers wanted to get me out of there and that was it. It's better to be cautious.  The goal for everybody here is to get out of spring training healthy."

Brantley is hitting .280 (7-for-25) this spring with three doubles, one triple and four RBI.

"I've been really happy with the way I've been able to see the ball," said Brantley. "I'm slowing it down and swinging at quality strikes."

The Indians said Brantley will be sidelined "three to five days' before beginning baseball activities.

"I'm going to do some work today," said Brantley on Thursday morning, "and then start some baseball activities on Friday. It's my first hamstring problem. I'm just looking forward to getting back out here soon."

Brantley didn't know when he'd be ready to play in games again. He's scheduled to open the season as the Indians center fielder and leadoff hitter.

"In my opinion it's a setback if I miss one day," said Brantley. "At the same time, if it's three to five days, I'll be ready to go."

Today's lineups:

Indians: SS Cristian Guzman,  2B Jose Lopez,  RF Shin-Soo Choo, C Carlos Santana, DH Travis Hafner, LF Russ Canzler, 1B Casey Kotchman, 3B Lonnie Chisenhall,  CF Jason Donald, RHP Ubaldo Jimenez.

Padres: CF Cameron Maybin , RF  Will Venable, 3B  Chase Headley,  LF Jesus Guzman,  1B Yonder Alonzo, SS Jason Bartlett, C John Baker,  SS Everth Casbrera, RHP Cory Luebke.

Men at work: Nick Hagadone, Vinnie Pestano, Chris Seddon, Joe Smith and Dan Wheeler will follow Jimenez, who needs a good start to calm mounting concern in the front office and coaching staff.

New arrival: Rick VandenHurk arrived at the Indians complex in Goodyear on Thursday morning and threw a bullpen. He's being dropped in the middle of the race for the two bullpen spots. A starter by trade, VandeHurk can give the Indians a long reliever. . .Acta said Roberto Hernandez will throw a 80-pitch simulated game on Friday at the Indians baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.

Next:  Josh Tomlin faces the Angels on Friday night at Goodyear Ballpark. Gametime will be 10:05 p.m. ET. WTAM and WMMS will carry the game at the sametime.

 

'PD Sports Insider': Talking Browns and NFL news with Mary Kay Cabot

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On todays "PD Sports Insider," Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and Glenn Moore were joined by Mary Kay Cabot as they discuss the latest Cleveland Browns and NFL news. Watch video

Will the Browns land Jonathon Goff? Why are the Browns so quiet in free agency? Should Browns fans be patient or do they deserve to be upset over lack of moves?

On today's "PD Sports Insider," Dennis Manoloff, Bud Shaw and Glenn Moore talked Browns and the latest NFL news with Mary Kay Cabot.

Among the other topics discussed:

• Should Mike Holmgren go on Cleveland radio/TV more?

• Tim Tebow to the New York Jets and was it a publicly stunt?

• Will the Browns address the offensive line in the draft or free agency?

• Will Scott Fujita face any discipline for his role in the bounty situation in New Orleans?

Click on play to watch the video

Mobile users go to mobile.cleveland.com and scroll down to the Videos section to watch.

PD Sports Insider Logo BigWatch today live at noon.

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.

Fans who miss the live show can watch the archive, available a few hours later. Stay tuned for the next episode on today at noon.



Chat with Tribe closer Chris Perez today at 3:30 P.M.

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Have a question for Indians closer Chris Perez? Now's your chance to ask him. Join Glenn Moore today at 3:30 P.M. for the eighth edition of "30 Minutes of Pure Rage".

Chris PerezView full sizeChris Perez answers your questions live today at 3:30 p.m.
Have a question for Indians closer Chris Perez? Now's your chance to ask him.

Join Glenn Moore today at 3:30 P.M. for the eighth edition of "30 Minutes of Pure Rage".

We will get the latest update on his injury and road to recovery. We will also talk about the upcoming season, including what the Tribe needs to do in order to compete in the American League Central.

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

You will be able to call in to ask Chris your question as well. The number to call is 440-678-7599.


Note: To turn off audio alerts in the chatroom, click on the round button on bottom left of the chat room, then preferences. Uncheck all audio options and save.

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