Will the Browns listen to all the draft experts and take Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill? Tune in, get in on the debate, post your comments and questions for our panel of Browns experts for one full hour tonight starting at 8 p.m.

Sarah Glenn/Getty ImagesWill it be Ryan Tannehill for the Browns at No. 4? Debate with us at 8 p.m.

Will the Browns listen to all the draft experts and take Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill? If not, then how do they decide between Justin Blackmon and Trent Richardson? Should they consider trading down with St. Louis, Miami or Seattle?

There are plenty of options for the Browns as we enter Draft Month. What do you think they should do?

Tonight at 8 p.m., in a special live audio chat, join The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff as they talk about all the developments from the past week -- from Tannehill and Richardson's Pro Days to Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur's comments at the NFL owners meetings -- and look ahead to the coming days as Draft Day fast approaches. They'll also answer your chat room comments and questions.

Tune in, get in on the debate, post your comments and questions for our panel of Browns experts for one full hour tonight starting at 8 p.m.

In the meantime, read what Mary Kay (@marykaycabot) and D-Man (@dmansworldpd) have to say about the draft on Twitter. We'll see you at 8 p.m.

Note: To turn off audio alerts, click on round button on bottom left of chat room and click on preferences.

Even if running backs aren't worth what they used to be in the NFL, Trent Richardson would be a valuable exception, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes.

View full sizeMark Arnold, Birmingham NewsHe runs, he blocks, he catches passes ... so why exactly is Trent Richardson not the obvious choice for the Cleveland Browns with the fourth pick in the draft? Bud Shaw is just asking.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The running back position in the NFL has undergone a devaluation, but the great running back never goes out of style.

With the salary-cap changes in the pool of money available to rookies, investing in a running back near the top of the draft isn't as risky as it was previously. So simply acknowledging the NFL in 2012 as a quarterbacks' league isn't enough for the Browns to pass on Alabama running back Trent Richardson, who -- last time scouts checked -- catches and blocks as well as he runs.

Doubtful that San Diego is ruing the day it settled for LaDanian Tomlinson, you know, with Gerard Warren already spoken for.

Some would say, though, that 2001 is ancient history, that the game has changed. OK. Then it's just as doubtful Minnesota is second-guessing itself for taking Adrian Peterson seventh overall in 2007. Has the league changed that much in five years?

John Madden might be pushing to give quarterbacks the same protection afforded punters and kickers -- namely that you can breathe in their direction, just not heavily. But until quarterbacks start wearing jerseys the color of a "Stop" sign or pass rushers record sacks only by pulling a flag out of the QB's pocket, handing the ball off has its place in the game. Handing it into the wheelhouse of a home-run hitter has even more benefits.

Two recent developments are cited in making the case that this isn't the NFL of Byner and Mack, let alone of Jim Brown. The argument goes beyond the usual concerns about how much punishment a running back takes and, consequently, the relative shortness of his career.

Just a year ago, no running back was taken in the first round until No. 28, when the Saints picked Alabama's Mark Ingram. What does that mean, though, when just a year earlier three went in the first round, two (C.J. Spiller and Ryan Mathews) in the Top 12? Spiller is the only running back taken in the top 10 in the last three drafts. But go back five drafts and he's joined by Darren McFadden (4) and Peterson (7).

Not every draft is as well represented at every position, so it's dangerous to draft too many conclusions using too small of a sample. For instance, no wide receiver got drafted in 2010 until Denver took Demaryius Thomas at No. 22 and Dallas grabbed Dez Bryant at No. 24. Were wide receivers devalued that year?

You can find as many quarterbacks who were overvalued in the top 10 (Jamarcus Russell) and wide receivers (Darius Heyward-Bey) as you can running backs. Last year quarterback inflation pushed Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder into the top 12. Wide receivers A.J. Green and Julio Jones went in the Top 6.

That same inflation has pushed Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III to the top of the 2012 draft boards. Would the No. 4 pick be better spent on a franchise quarterback than on Trent Richardson? Absolutely. But if that's not possible -- and I'm not buying Ryan Tannehill as a close replica of Griffin III -- the Browns need to take the best offensive player who can make the biggest impact. That's Richardson, whom some believe is the best back since Peterson.

Will his career be shorter than wide receiver Justin Blackmon's? The statistics for the position say so, but not every running back is Montario Hardesty.

Another shaky reason why running backs may look less important in 2012 is how little fanfare surrounds the free-agent class. That includes Peyton Hillis signing for one year and $2.5 million. Had Hillis become a free agent after 2010, though, you can't tell me teams would've turned a cold shoulder to him because they see a trend toward increased passing in the NFL.

Just because the Browns didn't value Hillis doesn't mean they made the right decision. Getting Richardson would shine a light on why the Browns didn't sign Hillis for what Kansas City paid him.

Drafting Richardson gives the Browns a dynamic offensive talent whose contribution is not predicated on the quarterback's arm or his grasp of the West Coast offense.

A great talent that other teams would have to target in their game plans? Now, there's a concept.

On Twitter: @budshaw

Most mock drafts have the Browns picking an offensive playmaker with the fourth overall pick. Some have Cleveland selecting the Louisiana State cornerback to team with Joe Haden.

Associated PressCornerback Morris Claiborne during Louisiana State's Pro Day on March 22.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns, barring a trade, own two first-round picks in the NFL draft: Numbers 4 and 22 overall.

The Browns are also scheduled to make 13 picks in the seven-round event.

The draft will be held April 26-28, thus we're in the midst of the mock draft season.

Most, but not all, talent "experts" believe the Browns will select an offensive playmaker at No. 4.

Among those who think otherwise, though, Louisiana State cornerback Morris Claiborne is a popular option.  

The Browns pick Claiborne at No 4 (and Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright at No. 22), if they stay in that draft slot, predicts DraftCountdown.com:

Assuming they stand pat the Browns decision will likely come down to L.S.U. CB Morris Claiborne, Alabama RB Trent Richardson or Oklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon, with the team maintaining that they intend to select the highest rated player on their board. Don’t be surprised if that is Claiborne, who would team with Joe Haden to give Cleveland  the best set of young corners in the league. Claiborne isn't as freakish of a physical specimen as Patrick Peterson but he does possess prototypical size and speed and might be a better pure cover man. At times Claiborne was overshadowed by flashy teammate Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu, but the rangy, super athletic Claiborne has always been the superior pro prospect in the eyes of scouts. This pick is very much up in the air though and in the end the Browns may once again opt for quantity over quality and trade down.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's Top 10 mock draft, version 2.0; Cabot's "Hey, Mary Kay!;" answering readers' questions; "Terry Pluto's Talkin;' " Bud Shaw's column that the trend away from early running back-picks doesn't mean the Browns should skip on Alabama running back Trent Richardson; and more.

Mock draft links

Two mock drafts on CBSSports.com: one, with the Browns taking a wide receiver and tight end in the first round; the other, with Cleveland picking a cornerback and offensive tackle.

Here's a mock draft with the Browns using the No. 4 pick on a quarterback, and No. 22 on a defensive end. By Chad Reuter for the NFL Network and NFL.com.

A wide receiver and offensive lineman for the Browns in the first round. On nflmocks.com.

The Browns pick a running back and a wide receiver in the first round. On mynfldraft.com.

A shake-up in the first round still has the Browns taking a running back at No. 4. Brian Baldinger's first 10 picks for the NFL Network and NFL.com.

Here's something different: The Browns select TWO wide receivers in the first round. On newnfldraft.com.

A running back and wide receiver become Browns' first-round picks. From the Bleacher Report.

The shot blocking of Kansas' Jeff Withey and, particularly, Kentucky's Anthony Davis could decide Monday's NCAA championship game.

View full sizeMark Cornelison, MCT"If you ask me would I rather have a team with a lot of steals or a team that's blocking a lot of shots, I want the team that's blocking a lot of shots," Kentucky coach John Calipari says of the value created by his center, Anthony Davis (rejecting Louisville's Peyton Siva on Saturday).

NEW ORLEANS -- "Mystique," a rival coach said a half-century ago of the Boston Celtics, "is spelled R-u-s-s-e-l-l."

"Do you know who Bill Russell is?" Kentucky coach John Calipari asked freshman Anthony Davis Sunday.

"Yes."

"Who'd he play for?"

"Celtics."

"Give him a hand," Calipari said.

He deserves it. Russell is the company that Davis, the most dominant NCAA Tournament player in a generation, is keeping. He needs one more big game, in Monday's final against Kansas, to validate that opinion.

Still, his 18 points on 7-for-8 shooting, 14 rebounds and five blocks against Louisville are Final Four numbers not seen since Kansas' Danny Manning in the 1988 championship game.

"The difference was just Anthony Davis will be the No. 1 player picked in the draft," said Louisville coach Rick Pitino after losing to Kentucky, 69-61. "When you're playing against Bill Russell at the pro level, you realize why the Celtics won 11 world championships. When you see this young man at the collegiate level, you realize why they're so good. He's so much a factor."

Because of the defensive sophistication of the pro game now, there will never be another Wilt Chamberlain, who was the great scorer of the 1960s at the same time as Russell was the great stopper. For the same reason, with the defensive emphasis keeping both of Saturday's national semifinals in the 60s, despite a shot clock and a 3-pointer, the search is on for the next Russell.

Five years ago, the Portland Trail Blazers thought Ohio State freshman Greg Oden was it. But Oden's body betrayed him, and he became the next Sam Bowie.

View full sizeJohn Sleezer, Kansas City StarJeff Withey was a big part of Kansas' victory over Ohio State on Saturday, as Aaron Craft would affirm after this late block in the national semifinal.

Now it could be Davis. The difference Pitino spoke about is not just the shots Davis -- and for that matter, Kansas' 7-foot center Jeff Withey -- blocks. It's also the ones they alter.

Withey snuffed Ohio State's inside game with seven blocks, three coming in a 45-second span against Jared Sullinger early in the second half. His block of Aaron Craft, who should have pulled up instead of going into Withey's wheelhouse, led to a fast-break basket beating the halftime buzzer and giving the Jayhawks momentum in their 64-62 win.

Many shot blockers are vain, easily tempted by a pump-fake into making a premature jump. Not the 6-10 Davis. He keeps his hands straight up and, with the wingspan of a 7-4 player, is effective even when restrained. He's quick, basketball-smart, and sort of a human warp zone who can casually distort the opponent's offense.

"He doesn't block it in your hands, he lets you release it. That's what great shot-blockers do," Calipari said. "They never try to get it in your hand. He's blocking more shots away from his man than his own man. He will block his own man, but it's the other guys he will get most of the time. Which means he's nimble, quick to the ball, and he's got a fast twitch [in muscle fibers]. If you're slow getting there, there are a lot of blocks, a lot of hard fouls. But he's not. That sets him apart."

Given Kansas' post-up game, Davis will probably get more blocks in close quarters, in the lane, than anywhere else. But blocks still figure to be a major factor.

"If you ask me would I rather have a team with a lot of steals or a team that's blocking a lot of shots, I want the team that's blocking a lot of shots," said Calipari. "You're not going to shoot a lot of layups. You're going to shoot a lot of jump shots. The field goal defense is going to be good. If you lead the nation in steals, you're probably giving up a ton of layups, and I go nuts."

Both Davis and Withey are adept at keeping the ball in play after blocks. So was Oden. So was Russell. It is a critical part of the art. The ferocious block into the popcorn stand only gives the other team another possession. Yet it has a great deal of strut-and-preen credibility on the playground.

"A block like that pumps up the crowd," said Davis, "but I'd rather give us a chance to get possession and score a transition basket. It's not who has the most blocks. It's who has the most points."

Syracuse's Hakim Warrick made the most famous block in Final Four history in 2003, spiking what appeared to be an open 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer by Kansas' Michael Lee to tie the game. Davis has the length and quickness to knock 3-pointers aside, too. Monday night could see both a sequel and at least an equal.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

Sloan showed no signs of being overwhelmed in running the Cavaliers offense in absence of an injured Kyrie Irving on Saturday night.

View full sizeFrank Franklin II, Associated Press"Being a player, you always have to stay mentally ready for anything," backup point guard Donald Sloan (defending against New York's J.R. Smith on Saturday) says. "I had a great group of guys that put their arms around me and told me 'You can do it, let's go.'"

NEW YORK -- To Cavaliers guard Donald Sloan, a former amateur fighter and boxing aficionado, Madison Square Garden represents more than Willis Reed and Patrick Ewing, more than Reggie Miller erasing a last-minute Indiana deficit to the astonishment of Spike Lee.

It's Joe Frazier leveling Muhammad Ali with a perfect left hook while Frank Sinatra snapped pictures for Look magazine. There's lots of history here under the distinctive suspended ceiling and it's a difficult place for any visitor to make his first NBA start.

But Sloan showed no signs of being overwhelmed in running the offense in absence of an injured Kyrie Irving on Saturday night. Learning of his starting assignment less than hour before tipoff, he helped keep the short-handed Cavaliers in the game before falling, 91-75, to the New York Knicks.

Sloan scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds and contributed four assists while playing a career-high 34-plus minutes.

"I thought Donald did a real great job running the show, getting guys the ball when they needed it [and] being able to break down defenders and get to the basket," coach Byron Scott said.

Scott did not scratch Irving (sprained shoulder) until about 45 minutes before the game. But Sloan, playing in the Development League prior to the March 15 trade deadline, was not rattled by the task.

The Knicks were without their starting point guard, too. Baron Davis subbed for Jeremy Lin, lost for the remainder of the regular season with a knee injury.

"Being a player, you always have to stay mentally ready for anything," Sloan said. "Being out there with the guys made me that much more comfortable. Being the situation that it was, Kyrie not being able to go, I had a great group of guys that put their arms around me and told me 'You can do it, let's go.'"

Sloan is no Ramon Sessions, the point guard dealt to the Los Angles Lakers. In just nine games with the Cavaliers, however, the Texas A&M product has justified the club's decision to sign him for the remainder of the season rather than a 10-day contract. He hasn't looked out of place in averaging 16.3 minutes, 4.0 points and 2.1 assists. With Irving figuring to command about 34-35 minutes per game next season, Sloan is the type of player who the club might consider as a possible backup.

"Coach has been very patient with me, so have my teammates," Sloan said. "But I'm pretty good at trying to grasp all the concepts and getting to know personnel pretty well in a short period of time. They've been hands-on with me since I've been here."

Irving update: Don't be surprised to see Irving back in the starting lineup Tuesday night against San Antonio at The Q. The rookie, who injured his right shoulder Friday against Milwaukee, wanted to play in New York, but was overruled by Scott. The coach elected to give his point guard a few more days off after Irving said the shoulder felt "a little sore."

Scott is likely to hold him out of practice save for some light shooting.

"Hopefully, resting it today, tomorrow and the next day, the soreness will be gone," Scott said.

Shooting slump: Perhaps the heavy work load this season is catching up to 35-year-old Antawn Jamison. In the past five games, the starting power forward is shooting 30 percent from the floor.

He was 5-of-15 on Saturday for 13 points a night after managing just two points in Friday's loss to Milwaukee. Jamison is averaging a team-leading 33.5 minutes per game and 17.5 points. He is shooting 40.7 percent for the season.

Dribbles: The Cavs did not practice Sunday. ... Manny Harris did not play at all Saturday as Scott elected to stick with Lester Hudson as Sloan's backup.

The Buckeyes went down Saturday because their big guys, after a great last month, were unable to work together inside.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerJared Sullinger and the rest of the Buckeyes were not able to adjust when the absence of Deshaun Thomas allowed Kansas to double-team the OSU big man (in this case, by Jeff Withey, left, and Thomas Robinson).

NEW ORLEANS -- After Deshaun Thomas picked up his second foul Saturday night while fighting Kansas All-American Thomas Robinson, Thomas looked to the sidelines and raised his arms to ask Ohio State coach Thad Matta what else he should do.

Matta put his palms toward the roof of the Superdome and seemed to say to Thomas, "What are you gonna do?"

In the second half of their 64-62 Final Four loss to the Jayhawks, the Buckeyes didn't have the answer, primarily because the pairing of Thomas and Jared Sullinger were working apart after a month of the two OSU big men learning to work as one. Foul trouble limited Thomas to six minutes in the second half, and without his partner inside, Sullinger was left to force things against Kansas big men Jeff Withey and Robinson.

The big man battle went to Kansas, and that's why the Jayhawks are playing Kentucky for the national title Monday and the Buckeyes were planning a welcome home celebration in Columbus on Sunday.

Robinson and Withey combined for 23 points on 10-of-22 shooting, 16 rebounds, seven blocks and six turnovers in 79 minutes. Sullinger and Thomas had 22 points on 8-of-33 shooting, 15 rebounds, three blocks and three turnovers in 62 minutes.

"When Deshaun wasn't in there, they were able to sit the guys on [Sullinger]," Matta said. "We needed a stretcher out there at that position. That just enabled them. It forced our hand a little bit."

Sullinger was particularly surprised when Robinson rotated to help on a double-team, able to leave backups Evan Ravenel or Amir Williams in a way he could never leave Thomas.

Thomas has been that stretcher, pulling big guys out from the rim or crashing the offensive glass when teams focused on Sullinger. In the previous nine games, since the Buckeyes' season-changing loss to Wisconsin on Feb. 26, Sullinger and Thomas had combined for 39.2 points per game while shooting a combined 50.1 percent from the field. They'd never shot worse than 34.5 percent together.

The ability of Sullinger to play off each other, which Matta noticed as the tournament went on, changed the Buckeyes. Instead of fighting each other for shots, they started creating shots for one another. Saturday, Sullinger tried to muscle up some inside looks that weren't there and Thomas forced some quick threes early in the game and in the final minute.

They were a dismal 2-for-17 in the second half, with Sullinger 2-for-11 and Thomas 0-for-6. They combined for 22 points, 17 under their recent average, and the Buckeyes still lost by just a bucket.

The Buckeyes got some scoring on the outside from William Buford, who was 6-for-10 for 19 points. But inside, Ohio State never turned their skills into an edge the way Kansas used the 7-footer Withey's height to deny the Buckeyes at the rim. He had seven blocks, and though he scored just four points, Ohio State wasn't able to sag off Withey to stop Robinson, who scored 19, including 11 in the second half.

"They threw the ball to Thomas Robinson and he scored," OSU guard Lenzelle Smith said. "He pretty much won them the game in the second half."

It wasn't surprising that foul trouble inside played a role in the game, but Ohio State suffered because Thomas hadn't dealt with it before. The sophomore never fouled out this season and Saturday was just the second time in 39 games he picked up four fouls. The Buckeyes lost the other game, too, at Indiana on Dec. 31 when Thomas was limited to just five points.

"You think you're going to have a great night but then you're not hitting and you get into foul trouble," Thomas said. "One thing I learned is to not let that get into my head."

But it certainly got into Ohio State's game.

Buford's goodbye: In his 12th and final NCAA Tournament game, Buford as a senior went out with his highest postseason total, scoring 19 points. But he was left to take a seat on the court after the final buzzer, thinking about the end of his career.

"That's exactly what went through my head," he said.

Buford finished with 1,990 points, tying the legendary Jerry Lucas for third on Ohio State's all-time scoring list, trailing only Dennis Hopson and Herb Williams.

Bucknotes: According to CBS, the 9.6 rating and 17 share for the Ohio State-Kansas game was the highest-rated Final Four game since 2005. ... As pointed out by Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News, the Big Ten does not have a national title in football, men's basketball, women's basketball or baseball since 2002. The SEC has 14 titles in that span. ...

The Buckeyes' bench didn't take a shot Saturday, with Sam Thompson, Evan Ravenel and Amir Williams throwing in four rebounds, three blocks, two assists, four fouls and two turnovers in 29 minutes. The Kansas bench didn't do much more, scoring three points with six rebounds, one block, three assists, six fouls and two turnovers in 28 minutes. ...

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo told the Big Ten Network that Ohio State's loss is "going to frustrate their coaching staff because ... I still think they won in a lot of ways." ... Ohio State's last four NCAA Tournament losses, to Siena in the first round in 2009, Tennessee in the Sweet 16 in 2010, to Kentucky in the Sweet 16 in 2011 and now Kansas have come by a total of nine points.

Ubaldo Jimenez takes feud with the Rockies to a new level by hitting Troy Tulowitzki with a pitch.

View full sizeMarcio Jose Sanchez, Associated PressIndians starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez yells at Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki as he is held back by first baseman Carlos Santana, left, after Jimenez hit Tulowitzki with a pitch during the first inning of Sunday's spring training game in Scottsdale, Ariz.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --  Indians right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez hit former teammate Troy Tulowitzki with a pitch in the first inning Sunday as a simmering feud between the two flowed onto the field.

Jimenez, with one out and one in the first inning hit the Colorado shortstop with his first pitch. The two players approached each other, gesturing angrily. Jimenez signaled for Tulowitzki to come get him. Both teams rushed onto the field with Tulowitzki and Jimenez screaming at each other.

When order was restored, no one was ejected, but Tulowitzki was removed for a pinch-runner and was examined by Rockies team doctors. He was later taken for precautionary x-rays on his left elbow.

The Indians beat the Rockies, 12-10, in a game featuring grand slams by Travis Hafner and Shelley Duncan to end a 10-game losing streak.  

The Rockies traded Jimenez to the Indians on July 31. Jimenez, after starting the All-Star game in 2010, slumped in the second half. The slump continued in the first part of 2011.

Meanwhile, the Rockies gave Tulowitzki and center fielder Carlos Gonzalez big contract extensions.  Jimenez, reportedly, was upset by that.

This spring Jimenez said being with the Indians was like being in "heaven' compared to playing with the Rockies.

Tulowitzki fired back.

"If someone doesn't want to be here," Tulowitzki told the Denver Post, "we always say, 'Please, go up to the manager and tell him you want to leave or that you don't think this is the best place for you.' That was kind of the case with him."

Jimenez left with the score tied, 4-4, and one out in the fifth inning. The Indians gave him a 4-0 lead on Travis Hafner's grand slam in the first inning. The Rockies pulled even on two-run homers by Tyler Colvin and Chris Nelson.

During the game, the Indians announced that they would not let Jimenez talk to reporters after he left the game. They said he would talk Monday. Later, they let reporters talk to Jimenez. The interview was cut short by the stadium facility manager who wanted to get Jimenez out of the ballpark for "safety reasons."

"It was the first inning and I didn't have good control of my fastball," said Jimenez. "You guys can see that. I walked the first guy. Tulo is one of the best hitters in the game and you have to try to go inside on him and that's what I tried to do."

Yeah, that's right, Jimenez went to the "one pitch that got away" excuse that has been used by pitchers for the last 100 years.

So what was going on when Jimenez and Tulowitzki were screaming and walking toward each other?

"I was surprised," said Jimenez, when asked about Tulowitzki moving toward him. "I've never had any problem with him. He was calling me things.

"I'm a man. I try to relax all the time, but if someone calls me out, I've got to go. He was calling me names. He was calling me a chicken. Well, not chicken, but another really aggressive word that I can't say right now.

"I don't look for trouble, but if you call me out, I'll be there."

When told that Tulowitzki had been taken to the hospital for x-rays, Jimenez said, "Of course, I'm going to be sorry if he's hurt. He's one of the superstar players in the game. As a player, you love to see him play.

"You don't want to be in position where you're the guy who takes him out of the game. ... I don't want to hurt him."

As for war of words that has been going on between Jimenez and the Rockies this spring, Jimenez said, "I never talk about anyone. The only thing I said was how the team treated me. I never mentioned anybody. I never mentioned any names."

Said Rockies manager Jim Tracy, "That's the most gutless act I've seen in 35 years of professional baseball. I've lost all respect for (Jimenez). ... All of it."

Hafner's slam gave the Indians a 4-0 lead in the first off Jeremy Guthrie. The Rockies stormed back on homers by Colvin and Nelson to tie the score. Colorado stretched the lead to 10-5 on Colvin's three-run homer in the sixth off minor leaguer J.D. Reichenbach.

Duncan brought the Indians back with a slam in the seventh off former Indians Alex White to make it 10-9. The Indians won it with three runs in the eighth. 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Davis Staley was swimming in Colorado as a high school freshman. On Feb. 24, as a Chagrin Falls senior, he was standing on top of the podium at the state meet in Canton as the winner of the Division II 100-yard backstroke. In fact, it was the second straight year he earned the best view in...

Chagrin Falls' Davis Staley captured the 100 backstroke state championship in a Division II-record 49.93, breaking his 2011 mark of 50.32 to win for the second straight year. - (Allison Carey, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Davis Staley was swimming in Colorado as a high school freshman. On Feb. 24, as a Chagrin Falls senior, he was standing on top of the podium at the state meet in Canton as the winner of the Division II 100-yard backstroke.

In fact, it was the second straight year he earned the best view in the natatorium after the event.

"There was definitely a lot more pressure, even if I didn't recognize it," said Staley, who has been selected as The Plain Dealer's Boys Swimmer of the Year. "I wanted to come back and do what I had done again. I wanted to break 50 [seconds] in the finals. It's how I wanted to leave Chagrin Falls my senior year.

"There definitely was doubt. I had to shove it to the back of my mind. Swimming is so mental."

Not only did Staley want to repeat, he also wanted to do it in record-setting fashion. After going a record 50.32 in 2011, he bettered his own Division II mark with a 49.93, the first time in his career he had clocked under 50 seconds.

He also took sixth in the butterfly final and swam legs on the second-place medley and 400 freestyle relays, both teams setting school records in the process. Chagrin Falls finished third in the team standings, with University School winning its fourth straight title.

"All six guys stepped up," said Staley, making sure to acknowledge coach Beth Sonnhalter. "We were aware of our goals. Coach has a great taper [program] and I've always dropped times."

A Miami of Ohio recruit, Staley said he is leaning toward a major in environmental science or pre-med.

Staley appreciates his good fortune at the move from the Rocky Mountains to the Chagrin Valley.

"With swimming, it became an immediate group of friends," he said. "Chagrin is a really neat place. I'm glad I got to finish my career there."

The feeling has to be mutual.

Swimmer Of The Year

Davis Staley

Chagrin Falls

Senior 100-yard butterfly

College: Miami of Ohio

Notable: Captured the 100 backstroke state championship in a Division II-record 49.93, breaking his 2011 mark of 50.32 to win for the second straight year. Sixth in the butterfly. Member of second-place medley and 400-freestyle relay teams. Won butterfly and backstroke at Cleveland State district meet.

Other All-Stars

Andrew Appleby

Cuyahoga Falls

Junior, 100 backstroke

Notable: Finished fifth at state in the Division I 100 backstroke and third in the 100 freestyle. Won the backstroke at the CSU district. Finished eighth as a sophomore in the 100 freestyle.

Mark Belanger

Firestone

Junior, 100 freestyle

Notable: Finished second at state in the Division I 100 freestyle and sixth in the backstroke. Member of qualifying 400-freestyle relay. Finished third in 100 freestyle and backstroke at CSU district.

Nathan Christian

St. Ignatius

Sophomore, relays

Notable: Finished second at state in the Division I 50 freestyle. Was a member of all three relay teams that were fourth in medley and sixth in both 200 and 400 freestyles. Won the 50 freestyle at the CSU district and swam on all three winning relays.

Derek Hren

St. Ignatius

Junior, 100 breaststroke

Notable: Finished second at state in both the Division I breaststroke and individual medley. Was a member of both the fourth- place 200 and sixth-place 400 freestyle relays. Won the breaststroke at the CSU district and was on two winning relays.

Alex Obendorf

Hudson

Sophomore, diving

Notable: Won the Division I state diving title with 510.65 points after finishing third as a freshman. Won the CSU district championship as well.

Austin Quinn

Chagrin Falls

Junior, 500 freestyle

Notable: Placed second at state in the Division II 500 freestyle and fourth in the individual medley. Swam anchor on second- place medley relay and led off second- place 400-freestyle relay. Won IM and 500 freestyle at CSU district.

Micah Simpson

Hawken School

Junior, 200 freestyle

Notable: Finished second at state in both the Division II 100 and 200 freestyles. Member of fourth-place medley and fifth-place 400-freestyle relay teams. Won the 200 freestyle at the CSU district.

Russell Stack

University School

Senior, 50 freestyle

College: Lehigh

Notable: Placed second at state in the Division II 50 freestyle and was third in the 100 freestyle. Member of the first-place medley and third- place 200-freestyle relay teams. Won the 50 and 100 freestyles at CSU district.

Kevin Stang

University School

Senior, 200 individual medley

College: Yale

Notable: Placed fifth at state in the Division II 200 individual medley and third in the backstroke. Swam backstroke on winning medley relay and was a member of third-place 400 relay. Second in IM and backstroke at CSU district.

Coach of the year

Brian Perry

University School

Notable: The fourth one proved to be the toughest, and the most special. Needing to place high in the final event, the 400-freestyle relay, the Preppers did just that as they held off Dayton Oakwood to win their fourth straight Division II state title. After losing a standout class of seniors in 2011, Perry's team was expected to challenge, but did not go in as the favorite. But the Preppers rallied down the stretch, putting up 112 points over the final four events to overtake Oakwood, 237.5 to 231. The Preppers did it without an individual champion, relying on their team depth. It was a true team title.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse

Odds and ends upon further consideration from Saturday night.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerThe counseling of teammate Aaron Craft (left) couldn't help Deshaun Thomas regain his composure and his scoring touch Saturday against Kansas.

NEW ORLEANS -- Odds and ends upon further consideration from Saturday night.

1. Not saying they cost the game, but Ohio State made two really, really bad plays that were overlooked in the deadline crash after Kansas' 64-62 win. An off-balance Jared Sullinger, rather than step out of bounds behind own basket, threw the ball back in, straight to Jeff Withey for a gift dunk. William Buford lets Travis Releford beat him to a loose ball, then gives him the baseline for an easy layup. Sully's was a kid's mental mistake. Buford's was tougher to accept. It came down to hustle.

2. Sam Thompson, the freshman high flyer from Chicago, played 12 minutes, got a couple of tough rebounds, and blocked as many shots (three) in that time as Sullinger did in 39 minutes. Thompson is a highlight package on lob passes and a disruptive, shot-swatting presence on defense. It will be very interesting to watch his development next year.

3. Sophomore Deshaun Thomas allowed his emotions to run away with him. He made at least one lazy reach-in foul, and really was guilty of all four for which he was called. After playing superbly for four tournament games, Thomas let the fouls and some good shots that didn't go down get to him. He spent timeouts stewing and fussing, pacing alone outside the huddle when he was on the bench. He's not ready for the NBA.

4. Coach Thad Matta didn't play Amir Williams enough. That was probably because of Thomas' foul problems and a concern of where, oh, where would the offense come from with Williams on the floor. But three minutes? The 6-11 freshman would have made 7-footer Jeff Withey play him and not enjoy his snuff-the-shot display against Sullinger.

Cavs will likely end up in the No. 4 to No. 9 range for lottery positioning. Links to more Cavs stories.

Lisa DeJong, The Plain DealerThe Cavaliers' Antawn Jamison (on the court) tussles with the Suns' Channing Frye for the basketball during Cleveland's 108-83 loss to Phoenix on March 25.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Certainly, injuries are a factor in the Cleveland Cavaliers' seven-game losing streak, and in their slides of 10 losses in the last 11 games; 16 losses in the last 20 contests.

Injuries have also exposed what realistic Cavs' fans had already known: Though improved over a year ago, the Cleveland roster still needs much more than some tinkering to approach championship-contention caliber.

That's where the NBA draft -- besides solid trade and free agency decisions -- comes into play.

This June's draft is expected to be talented and deep.

The Cavaliers' losing ways have allowed other draft lottery-bound teams to pass Cleveland in the win-loss standings, but fall below the Cavs in draft positioning.

Going into Sunday's games, the Cavaliers would own the fifth-most ping pong balls in the draft lottery. They will likely fall into the No. 4 through No. 9 range, with the trend being more toward 4.

The Cavaliers are 17-33.

The teams to watch as, of course, the lower a team finishes in the standings, the more ping pong balls it gets for the lottery:

(Records going into Sunday): Golden State Warriors, 20-30; Detroit Pistons, 19-33; New Jersey Nets, 19-35; Sacramento Kings, 18-34; Toronto Raptors, 17-35.

The only teams the Cavs are likely -- to some extent -- to stay ahead of in the standings: New Orleans Hornets (13-39); Washington Wizards (12-39); Charlotte Bobcats (7-43).

The Cavaliers also own the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick, which, going into Sunday, would have been either overall pick No. 25 or No. 26; New Orleans' second-rounder, which was at No. 33; the Cavs' own second-rounder, which was at No. 35.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Tom Reed's report on Cavs' backup point guard Donald Sloan, who got the start in Saturday night's 91-75 loss to the Knicks in New York, as Kyrie Irving was sidelined with a sore shoulder; Reed's Cleveland Cavaliers Insider; his NBA Insider; his "Hey, Tom!," answering readers' questions; his NBA Tipoff, featuring Cleveland native Earl Boykins, 35, now with the Houston Rockets; and more.

Irving hasn't been ruled out of the Cavaliers' next game: at home against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night.

Cavs post-ups

The April 1 mock draft on draftexpress.com doesn't have the standings updated, but provides an idea on the look of the draft, as does the mock draft on nbadraft.net. 

Regarding the draft, key games for the Cavs the rest of the way. On the Blog "Fear the Sword."

The Cavaliers have made good use of the Developmental League. By Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Memories for Luke Walton. By Joe Gabriele for nba.com/cavaliers.

NBA and Cavs notes by Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Don't count on Ohio State star Jared Sullinger becoming a Cavalier. By Sam Amico for FoxSportsOhio.com.

Cavs coach Byron Scott is baffled by the team's homecourt struggles. By Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Will the Browns listen to all the draft experts and take Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill? If not, then how do they decide between Justin Blackmon and Trent Richardson? Should they consider trading down? Listen to our podcast for some answers.

Associated PressAre the Browns sold on Ryan Tannehill as much as the draft experts?

Will the Browns listen to all the draft experts and take Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill? If not, then how do they decide between Justin Blackmon and Trent Richardson? Should they consider trading down with St. Louis, Miami or Seattle?

There are plenty of options for the Browns as we enter Draft Month. What do you think they should do?

Earlier tonight in a special live audio chat, The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot,  cleveland.com's Joey Morona and Colin Toke talked about all the developments from the past week -- from Tannehill and Richardson's Pro Days to Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur's comments at the NFL owners meetings -- and looked ahead to the coming days as Draft Day fast approaches. They also answered your chat room comments and questions.

Click on the play button to listen or download the mp3 here.

Some of the topics discussed:

- Didn't these draft experts also like Jimmy Clausen and Blaine Gabbert over Cam Newton?

- How does Tannehill compare with Derek Anderson

- Can the Browns afford a project like Tannehill?

- Is there risk in taking WR Justin Blackmon at No. 4?

- Trent Richardson's stock seems to be rising among fans and experts. Do the Browns take him?

- If not Richardson, who's the running back?

- Is Brandon Weeden still in play at No. 22 or No. 37?

- What about Kendall Wright at No. 22?

- Will extra compensatory picks help Browns make some moves in the draft?

- How committed are the Browns to Colt McCoy?

and a whole lot more!

The Canton Charge's inaugural NBA D-League season has been a success on the court and in developing players such as Manny Harris and Luke Harangody.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerProvided more playing time with the D-League's Canton Charge, Cavaliers forward Luke Harangody is averaging nearly 20 points and 12 rebounds a game. "He's a young player, a good player, but he needs an opportunity to grow and one of the only ways he can grow is actually to play," says Cavaliers GM Chris Grant.

CANTON, Ohio -- In his first season as general manager of the Cavaliers' new NBA Development team, the Canton Charge, Wes Wilcox has learned one important lesson.

"One thing we know about the D-League is things change very quickly," Wilcox said.

A week ago, the Charge had a seven-game winning streak, was in first place in the East Conference and looked to be the No. 2 seed in the eight-team playoffs. But after losing three straight games, the Charge is 26-21, third in the East and sixth in the playoff seedings.

With three games left before the season ends on Saturday, the Charge still could make the playoffs in its first season. That on-court performance, combined with the development of players such as Manny Harris and Luke Harangody, has been everything the Cavs could have hoped.

"We think it has gone very well," Cavs GM Chris Grant said. "We're happy with the coaching staff, front office and the players. Our guys have been very competitive. It has fit nicely into our process. Obviously it's an advantage to have players play down there who aren't getting as many minutes here. They've played great. I think it has worked extremely well. ... I think it has exceeded our expectations."

The Cavaliers became the fifth NBA team to own and operate its own D-League team when they bought the New Mexico franchise and relocated it to Canton last summer. It has been something of a learning process for all concerned, but the bottom line is that the team has developed players, which is the whole point of the league.

Harris, for example, was injured when NBA training camps finally opened in December after the lockout and didn't make the Cavaliers' initial roster, even though he was on the roster all of last season after making the team as an undrafted rookie. He regained his form with the Charge, signed two 10-day contracts with the Cavs and then eventually was signed for the rest of the season.

"Being down there definitely helped me because they got a good look at me," said Harris, who averaged 21.4 points in 17 games with the Charge.

Conversely, Harangody was stuck on the Cavs bench when the team had a glut of bigs. But with the call-ups of Harris and Alan Anderson to Toronto, Harangody is now the Charge's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 19.7 points and 12.3 rebounds in 13 games.

"He's a young player, a good player, but he needs an opportunity to grow and one of the only ways he can grow is actually to play," Grant said of Harangody, a former Notre Dame star. "Him being able to be assigned to Canton and play is a huge benefit for us -- and for him. He's done an absolutely fantastic job. I think it has worked well from that standpoint."

The Charge has succeeded in spite of many obstacles, only some of which are unique to the D-League. All teams are faced with ever-changing rosters, which is the nature of the business. It can be hard to develop a team concept when players are trying to prove their worth and sign elsewhere. And defense? Forget about it.

"Some teams don't even try to defend," said Wilcox, noting that that's not the case in Canton.

But the Charge also inherited some problems. For one thing, they had just one draft choice in the first three rounds of the D-League draft, and two in the first four. They were fortunate to take Terrell Biggs with their first pick and T.J. Campbell at No. 49. The two have become valuable contributors, averaging 13.6 and 12.5 points, respectively.

Head coach Alex Jensen and his assistants, Thomas Scott, son of Cavaliers coach Byron Scott, and former player Ira Newble have gotten as much out of the youngsters as possible.

"They've not been good, they've been great," Wilcox said.

So no matter what happens going forward, the Cavs and the Charge will view this first season as a success.

"Our focus has been to control what we can control and then truly create the Cavs' culture in Canton and get some high-character people," Wilcox said. "That's what we've done.

"One measure of success is creating the environment to where Cavaliers players can be assigned and truly develop in the competitive environment we've talked about. We've done that. Success is getting players developed and called up to the NBA. We've done that. Another measure of success is, our young players that we drafted, have we done them right? Have they gotten better? We've done that. Our young players who may not be NBA players but who may have very good careers internationally, they've gotten better. So we've done that. The other thing we've done is won games along the way.

"Our team has done well collectively. We've established a culture and environment in Canton that allows for the fostering and development of Cavaliers players. We've helped young players play their way into the NBA. ... No matter what happens we're going to look back and know this was a success because we were able to touch on each of these areas."

Amid the jambalaya and the blackened redfish, a few thoughts.

View full sizeDavid J. Phillip, Associated PressA loser while at Memphis to Bill Self and Kansas in 2008, Kentucky coach John Calipari (left) is looking for a different results Monday with the Wildcats.

NEW ORLEANS -- Amid the jambalaya and the blackened redfish, a few thoughts:

1. Calipari-Kansas has happened on this stage before, with Bill Self and the Jayhawks beating John Calipari's Memphis team, lead by Derrick Rose, for the national title in 2008 in San Antonio.

Though Calipari could probably get players to follow him to his own community college if he chose, the fact that this is Kentucky-Kansas is a significantly bigger deal than four years ago, no offense to Memphis.

"I dreamed about it as soon as I saw the brackets," Self said. "I said, 'How cool would it be to play Kentucky in the finals? When you have the two winningest programs in the history of ball playing each other? From a historic standpoint, I think that's really cool."

He's right. It is. The teams are 1-1 in previous tournament meetings, but they've never played a game like this. Kentucky won a second-round matchup in 1999 and Kansas won a second-round game in 2007.

2. If you remember anything from the 2008 title game, the stat you want to know about Monday is free-throw shooting. Memphis, shooting 59 percent from the line as a team, went 12-for-19 (63 percent) and missed four of five free throws down the stretch as Kansas rallied to force overtime and then claim the victory.

Asked what he learned about facing Kansas three years ago, Calipari said, "Make free throws. ... At the end of the day we had a nine-point lead, I have to figure something out. Go shoot the free throws myself, do something to get us out of that gym, and I didn't."

Kentucky is making 72.5 percent of its free throws this season. Kansas shoots 69.2 percent.

3. Kansas 7-foot center Jeff Withey might be the perfect kind of player to somehow lessen the impact of Kentucky's Anthony Davis. Withey isn't a huge threat on offense as Kansas' No. 4 scorer, averaging 9.2 points, so it's not back-breaking for the Jayhawks if Davis limits him. But he's enough to keep Davis away from Kansas power forward and leading scorer Thomas Robinson. The Kansas guards must be smart about stopping their drives before they get to Davis. Ohio State had problems with that Saturday, too often driving right into Withey.

4. Kentucky will win because Kansas won't be able to handle 6-7 freshman forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He's had an up-and-down tournament, scoring nine, two, 24, 19 and nine points in his five NCAA games. After getting frustrated by foul trouble against Louisville, he'll bounce back.

The Indians won't confirm it, but they purchased Cabrera's free-agent year of 2014 with a package worth approximately $16.5 million.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer"I'd be happy for him," Indians manager Manny Acta said of a possible contract extension for Asdrubal Cabrera, which the team did not announce Sunday but was confirmed by another baseball source to The Plain Dealer. "I'd be happy for the franchise. It's good to have one of your best players locked up and not have him worrying about arbitration hearings and things like that."

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Indians, who haven't given a player a contract extension since Roberto Hernandez was known as Fausto Carmona, reached agreement with All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera on a two-year extension which will keep him in Cleveland through 2014.

The team has yet to confirm the extension, but another source did. The deal is reportedly worth $16.5 million. Cabrera signed a one-year, $4.55 million deal over the winter to avoid arbitration.

GM Chris Antonetti would not comment on reports that the deal was done. Manager Manny Acta took the same approach, but hypothetically the idea of having Cabrera signed through 2014 appealed to him.

"If it did happen, I'd be happy," said Acta. "I'd be happy for him. I'd be happy for the franchise. It's good to have one of your best players locked up and not have him worrying about arbitration hearings and things like that. It would be nice."

Cabrera, 26, is in his fifth big-league season. He would have been eligible for free agency after 2013. The two-year extension buys one year of Cabrera's free agency.

This spring has been a quiet one for Cabrera. He came to camp above his playing weight and it's taken him time for him to get back in shape.

"He's fine. He's right at his playing weight that he had last year," said Acta. "He's worked very hard. It wasn't like he showed up here like a blimp. We want everyone here to be in top shape. That's all there is to it."

Cabrera is hitting .211 (12-for-57) with four doubles, one triple, two homers and six RBI this spring. He was bothered by a sore right shoulder about a week ago.

"My shoulder is fine," Cabrera said late last week. "That is behind me. I feel good. My body feels strong."

Cabrera did not make the trip to Sal Rivers Field at Talking Stick on Sunday. The Indians beat Colorado, 12-10, to end a 10-game Cactus League losing streak. The Indians are 7-21-3 this spring.

"I don't worry too much about spring training," said Cabrera. "I know we have a good team. Sometimes we're not playing our full team. I think we'll be all right. We're just waiting for the season."

In April of 2008, the Indians signed Carmona to a four-year deal worth $15 million. The deal included club options for 2012, 2013 and 2014. Carmona was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Jan. 19 for using a false identification when he tried to apply for a visa to the United States. Dominican authorities said he was really Hernandez and that he was 31 instead of 28.

Hernandez, with the Indians scheduled to break camp Monday after they play Cincinnati, is still in the Dominican trying to obtain a waiver/visa.

Cabrera is coming off a career season in which he hit .273 (165-for-604) with 32 doubles, three triples, 25 homers and 92 RBI. Until last year, the switch-hitting Cabrera had 18 career homers.

The Indians acquired Cabrera from Seattle for Eduardo Perez on June 30, 2006. He made his big-league debut in 2007 and helped the Indians reach Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

Until Cabrera's extension, the Indians did not have a player signed past 2012. When asked about that this off-season, Antonetti said the Indians have approached players about multiyear deals, but the terms have to be right for both sides.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

"Colleges and high schools around the country have done the right thing and dropped names of sports teams that are demeaning to indigenous people," one organizer said. "We want our hometown team to do the same. We're not just being politically correct here, this is morally wrong."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the 20th year in a row, Native Americans and supporters will protest the use of the Cleveland Indians team name and the club's Chief Wahoo logo at early season home baseball games.

The Cleveland American Indian Movement will protest outside Progressive Field at the home opener Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The game starts at 3:05 p.m.

The Committee of 500 Years of Dignity and Resistance will protest outside the stadium at the second Blue Jays game on Saturday. That contest also starts at 1:05 p.m.

The displays have become something of a tradition at the first games of the season as protesters try to gather support for their position. (See a Storify summary below of the logo issue here and in other American cities.)

Ferne Clements, of the 500 Years committee, said the protests have been effective, if only to make people aware of the problem.

"Colleges and high schools around the country have done the right thing and dropped names of sports teams that are demeaning to indigenous people," she said. "We want our hometown team to do the same. We're not just being politically correct here, this is morally wrong."

Most of the people attending the early games walk by the group with little acknowledgment. Some shout abusive comments at the protesters.

"The younger fans with a few beers in them get vocal," she said. "We're noticing that some lower their heads when they pass by. They know it's wrong and feel ashamed."

Bob DiBiasio, spokesman for the Cleveland Indians, said he respects the opinions of Native Americans.

"We truly believe it is an individual perception issue," he said. "When people look at our logo, we believe they think baseball. We have added a logo, the block C, recently in addition to the Wahoo logo and the script 'Indians'. Fans of the team have alternative ways to express their support."

The director of the Cleveland American Indian Movement, who goes only by the name "Sundance," said Native Americans have been protesting the ball club's name and mascot since the original AIM was formed in 1973. There have been several changes to the American Indian Movement in Cleveland since it began.

"This behavior is exploitative, bigoted, racist and shameful," Sundance said. "It makes fun of genocide and mocks mass murder. The logo is just the head of an Indian. That means he is an ex-Indian. This has been going on for more than 50 years. I hope it does not continue for another 50."

He said the group has a "rudimentary speaking relationship" with the team, but there are no negotiations going on to replace the name or the logo.

Former Cleveland-area resident Sherrie Noble, now in Quincy, Mass., continues to battle against Wahoo and similar names, logos and mascots in sports.

"Chief Wahoo is a cartoon caricature, demeaning and silly, and should have no place in a city with the long and proud history of Cleveland. It is time for a modern, honorable and positive team identity," she said.

The Committee of 500 Years of Dignity and Resistance organized in 1991, the 500th anniversary of Columbus Day, to "educate the public on the truth about Columbus" and his role in the treatment of Native Americans.

Dominick Goodman caught a career-high five touchdowns, quarterback John Dutton threw for nine scores and the defense came up with three takeaways.

View full sizePD fileDominick Goodman's five touchdown receptions paced Cleveland's offensive attack in Sunday's road victory over the Philadelphia Soul.

Justin Feil

Special to The Plain Dealer

PHILADELPHIA -- The Gladiators had been overlooked in all the hype over this year's talented Philadelphia Soul team.

The Gladiators showed they're not ready to give up the East Division as wide receiver Dominick Goodman caught a career-high five touchdowns, quarterback John Dutton threw for nine scores and the defense came up with three takeaways in a 68-62 win at Philadelphia Sunday before 15,328 at the Wells Fargo Center.

"It's really big," said Goodman after helping Cleveland improve to 2-1. "Philly is really stacked up this year. They've got a lot of really good players on offense and defense. We had to come out here and execute."

It was the first loss of the season for the Soul, and the Gladiators' first-ever win in Philadelphia. The second straight win puts Cleveland in a three-way tie for first in the American Conference's East Division with Milwaukee and Philadelphia.

"The only thing it means is we're the defending division champs and we still are until otherwise known," said Gladiators linebacker Tim Cheatwood, who had an interception and fumble recovery. "They can put together who they want to.

"This is Philadelphia. They said the same thing in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles' 'Dream Team.' It's the same thing. You just have to go out and make plays and don't crown nobody until they actually accomplish something."

Cheatwood and the defense had delivered in the first two games of the year, but it was the Gladiators' offense that was unstoppable Sunday. An early second-quarter interception was the only drive that didn't result in a touchdown.

"They were able to carry us today," Cheatwood said. "We did our part too, but it was real good to see those guys on all cylinders."

Dutton has looked better with each game. He finished 29-for-39 for 305 yards and was one touchdown away from the franchise record. He also rushed for one touchdown.

"First game, everybody was a little rusty," Goodman said. "We weren't clicking. We got together and we started to gel. Now we're clicking."

Goodman was on the receiving end of Dutton's first three touchdown passes. He finished with 11 catches for 121 yards and was one touchdown away from tying the franchise record.

"It wasn't so much that we planned to get him the ball, but it's one of those games where it happened," said Gladiators head coach Steve Thonn. "He happened to get more opportunities. When he gets them, he always comes through."

Receiver Robert Redd also had 11 catches, for 102 yards and two touchdowns to extend his streak of games with a touchdown catch to six. Thyron Lewis had five catches, including a pair of touchdowns.

Defensive back Derrick Boyd led the Gladiators' defense with eight tackles. Philadelphia's Dan Raudabaugh threw for 265 yards and six touchdowns.

"We knew they'd score points," Thonn said. "They're a powerful offense. We knew we'd have to outscore them today."

The Gladiators showed they were up to the challenge right from the start. They never trailed in the first half. They scored on their first four possessions for a 28-14 lead, but Philadelphia tied it on a score and interception return. It was 34-34 at halftime.

"We finally executed on offense a lot better than we did the first two games," Thonn said. "We had the one interception, but we did a good job there. We just kept going. The defense pulled us through the first two games and now the offense has caught up."

Philadelphia took its first lead of the game, 41-34, on Raudabaugh's 22-yard touchdown pass to Tiger Jones to open the third quarter. The Gladiators answered with a 3-yard TD pass from Dutton to Goodman, but kicker Aaron Pettrey's extra point was wide right to keep Cleveland behind, 41-40.

The Gladiators came up with their second takeaway as Cheatwood fell on a fumbled snap at the Philadelphia 2 after terrific kickoff coverage backed up the Soul.

The Gladiators regained the lead, 47-41, on Goodman's fifth touchdown catch, a 2-yard toss from Dutton in the third quarter. Philadelphia took a 48-47 lead on a blown coverage, but it was their final lead.

Dutton scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge on the Gladiators' next possession to take a 54-48 lead. The lead grew as the Gladiators took advantage of their third takeaway. Levy Brown fell on a botched lateral pass, and Dutton's 16-yard touchdown pass to Lewis on the next play gave the Gladiators a 61-48 lead with 12:43 left.

"We strive as a defense to get takeaways," Cheatwood said. "That's our No. 1 goal."

Philadelphia pulled within 61-55 with nine minutes left on a Derrick Ross 1-yard run, but Dutton hit Redd for a 20-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 68-55 with 6:26 left.

Philadelphia came back with a score to cut it to a one-score game, but the Gladiators forced the Soul to take more than four minutes off the clock, then the offense marched down the field and ran out the clock.

"It's a huge win," Thonn said. "Right now, they were looked at as the team to beat."

The Gladiators look to build on their momentum when they return to The Q next Sunday to host the Orlando Predators.

Gladiators guard Jeff Maddux was lost to an ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return. ... A pre-game pushing and shoving match between the teams set the tone in a game that had several heated exchanges. Philadelphia center Brennen Carvalho was ejected for throwing a punch during a melee that followed the Soul's third touchdown. ... The Soul's loss leaves the Chicago Rush as the lone unbeaten AFL team. ... Thonn coached with Soul head coach Doug Plank for the Georgia Force.

Justin Feil is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia.

Colorado Avalanche goaltending prospect Calvin Pickard earned a win his first professional start.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Less than 24 hours after getting shut out by Texas, the Lake Erie Monsters bounced back with their biggest offensive production ever in an 8-4 win over the Texas Stars on Sunday at Cedar Park Center in Austin, Texas.

Peter MacArthur led the way for the Monsters (34-28-3-7) with a goal and three assists, and Colorado Avalanche goaltending prospect Calvin Pickard earned a win his first professional start.

Pickard stopped 25 of 29 shots. Stars starter Jack Campbell was pulled after allowing four goals on 12 shots in the first period. Tyler Beskorowany stopped 12 of 16 shots in two periods of relief, and suffered the loss.

The Monsters will play their last four games at home, beginning Friday night against Rockford at The Q. Lake Erie finished the season series against Texas (30-36-2-2) with a 2-1-0-1 record, and is 7-4-0-1 against the Stars all-time.

Highlights include Kentucky vs. Kansas in national championship basketball game.

Associated PressAnthony Davis (right) and Kentucky play Kansas in the national championship game tonight. It will be televised on WOIO at 9.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's sports TV and radio listings

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

7 p.m. North Carolina at Florida State, ESPNU

HOCKEY

7 p.m. NHL, Washington at Tampa Bay, NBC Sports Network

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

7 p.m. Exhibition, N.Y. Yankees vs. Miami, MLB Network

7:05 p.m. Exhibition, INDIANS vs. Cincinnati (tape), WTAM/1100-AM

(Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage)

10 p.m. L.A. Dodgers vs. L.A. Angels, MLB Network

MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL

9 p.m. NCAA Division I national championship, Kentucky vs. Kansas, WOIO (preview)

(Plain Dealer Ohio State coverage and NCAA Tournament coverage)

NBA

7 p.m. Milwaukee at Washington, NBATV

SOCCER

2:55 p.m. Premier League, Man. United at Blackburn, ESPN2

Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis is out to become the first Associated Press National Player of the Year to win a national title since Duke’s Shane Battier 11 years ago. Kansas junior Thomas Robinson is out to give credence to a revote.

For more Cinesport video, go here.

Mark Cornelison/Lexington Herald-Leader/MCTKentucky Wildcats forward Anthony Davis (23) joked with teammates during a press on Sunday, April 1, 2012, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Kentucky Wildcats will face the Kansas Jayhawks in the NCAA Tournament championship game.

Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis is out to become the first Associated Press National Player of the Year to win a national title since Duke’s Shane Battier 11 years ago. Kansas junior Thomas Robinson is out to give credence to a revote.

Davis won every major individual award in the nation this season and Robinson was No. 2 on almost everyone’s list.

“Anthony is a great player, all respect goes to him,” Robinson said Sunday. “He’s well deserving of the award. I gave up on that a long time ago. I just want to get a ring.”

Robinson averaged more points and rebounds than Davis — 17.7 points to 14.4 and 11.7 rebounds to 10.2. But Davis wasn’t asked to score as much in the Kentucky offense and shot 63.9 percent to Robinson’s 51 percent. And Davis was the nation’s greatest defensive force, averaging 4.6 blocks per game, while Robinson averaged less than one block. But Robinson had his own shot-blocker in teammate Jeff Withey, who led the nation in blocks.

So they aren’t the same guy.

“It’s not me versus Anthony Davis, its Kansas versus Kentucky,” Robinson said.

And just like the battle of All-Americans between Robinson and Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger on Saturday, when they didn’t guard each other much, Davis and Robinson may not match up too often tonight.

“On paper, they’re not going to be matched up a lot against each other unless emergency switches or whatever,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I don’t see it as a matchup between Davis and Robinson. I don’t see that at all.”

But it is a matchup between which of the two best players in the country can lead his team to a title. And they don’t have to face each other every possession to be going head-to-head in that.

“Anthony Davis is a great player, but he’s not Superman,” Robinson said. “We just have to be Kansas, do what we do best, keep being aggressive. He is a good player, but we’re not going to change anything we do.”

Buckeyes return to Columbus

The Ohio State players and staff spent the morning and afternoon in New Orleans before flying back to Columbus on Sunday night. The Buckeyes then went to the Schottenstein Center and were greeted by a crowd that The Lantern, the OSU student paper, estimated at 400.

Coach Thad Matta and several players spoke to the crowd, with The Lantern reporting that senior William Buford told the fans these “have been the greatest four years of my life.”

Buford was criticized for his play at times this season, sometimes justifiably, sometimes not, but it’s hard to argue with the way Buford kept things in perspective this year. In the losing locker room Saturday night, a reporter was asking about the criticism, which Buford said he ignored, when a reporter from a foreign publication who spoke limited English asked Buford to compare himself to Kansas big man Thomas Robinson, believing that Buford was in fact Jared Sullinger.

“Huh? Between me and Thomas Robinson?” Buford said with a smile. “Compare us? What?”

After the reporter was correctly pointed toward Sullinger, Buford laughed softly and said, “He’s probably the one criticizing me. See what I’m talking about?”

Rematch again

Just like the two national semifinals, the championship is a rematch of a regular-season game. Kentucky and Kansas both were able to win Saturday after beating Louisville and Ohio State during the year. Now Kentucky looks to repeat its 75-65 win over Kansas on Nov. 15, in what was the second game of the season for both teams, in the Champions Classic in New York.

Bill Livingston live from the NCAA Tournament and Paul Hoynes live with the Indians at spring training join us at noon.

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Who will win the NCAA Championship tonight? How ready are the Indians for Opening Day?  

Today live at noon on "PD Sports Insider" brought to you by Ed Tomko Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Avon Lake, join Bud Shaw, Dan Labbe along with special guests Bill Livingston live via phone in New Orleans and Paul Hoynes live via Skype with the Indians at spring training. Dennis Manoloff is off today.

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