Embattled coach Jim Tressel has resigned from Ohio State, The Columbus Dispatch has reported, citing university sources.
The news comes two weeks after Buckeyes athletic director Gene Smith affirmed his support for the coach, who has coached Ohio State for 11 seasons.
At the Big Ten spring meetings earlier this month, Smith -- while declining to discuss any details of an ongoing NCAA investigation of Tressel -- said his outlook toward the coach's position hadn't wavered.
"Oh, definitely, no question," Smith said. "I haven't changed, I haven't changed. But I'm not talking about the case beyond that."
Smith noted last month in an interview with The Associated Press that Tressel should have apologized at a March 8 news conference, where Tressel acknowledged he failed to notify Ohio State officials of emails he received about some of his players receiving improper benefits.
Smith has also talked about the high legal costs Ohio State is dealing with, calling the ongoing NCAA situation "a nightmare."
Tressel also received support at the spring meetings from fellow coaches such as Michigan State's Mark Dantonio and Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, as well as from Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne, a longtime friend.
"Coaches are great," Tressel said. "They understand all the challenges everyone has. It's good to be with them."
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
2011 NBA Mock Draft: Kyrie Irving The Man That Will Save the Cavs?
Dan Pike - 2011 NBA Mock Drafts will start in earnest now that the lottery is set, and while Kyrie Irving appears to be the top prize, the award from Tuesday night’s NBA Draft Lottery goes to Nick Gilbert.
Kyrie Irving is the best player in the 2011 NBA Draft, and is expected to be the top overall pick. However, some wonder if a toe injury will hurt his draft status. He missed all but 11 games of his Freshman year at Duke with a toe and was absent as the Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament. He did attend the lottery in Secacus, NJ though. After all, it is just 20 miles from home.
While Irving was expected to command most of the attention at the NBA Draft Lottery, Nick Gilbert ended up stealing the show. The 14-year-old son of Cleveland Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert was born with a nerve disorder (neurofibromatosis) that causes tumor growth. The elder Gilbert had his “good luck charm” represent the team at the NBA Draft Lottery.
ESPN reporter Heather Cox introduced Nick Gilbert as an Ambassador for the National Children’s Tumor Foundation. When she asked him about being at the lottery and being his dad’s “own personal hero”. His reply was well-received by those in attendance…”Well, I mean, what’s not to like?” After pausing for the laughter from the crowd, he continued “I’m the oldest of five. I have a good life. I’m going through this disease, but I’m going through it well. I’m getting better. Research is [helping] with all the money people are donating. Yeah, everything’s going good.”
Gilbert’s response was poignant in addition to being funny. ”What’s not to like” has become a new mantra for the Cavs organization and fans, showing up on T-Shirts and receiving a push to appear on billboards.
Dan Gilbert’s good luck charm worked wonders for the Cavs, as they were awarded with the first and fourth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. After the picks were assigned he stated “I guess you couldn’t do any better than this. I guess you could [get] one and two, but we’ll take one and four.”
The Cavs received a second lottery pick after making a considerable financial investment in point guard Baron Davis. A February trade with the Los Angeles Clippers netted Baron Davis and the Clippers’ lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Given Davis’ presence and other needs, is it possible the Cavaliers opt to go a different direction and fill one of their many other needs?
While possible, it is extremely unlikely. A source from the Cavs’ front office confirmed the primary target in the February trade wasn’t Davis, but acquiring the Clippers’ draft pick.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source told ESPN.com “we know we’re going to have to build this team through the lottery. We hope Baron works out, but our primary focus was the pick. We really wanted two top-10 picks to infuse the team with young talent.”
The Cavs are devoid of star power, and Irving can step in from day one and run the floor. For Cleveland to rebuild the team, they need top-tier players, not “good enough for now.”
Irving is the kind of talent a team can be built around. The overall talent pool is depleted in 2011, thanks in large part to fewer underclassmen entering the draft due to labor uncertainty. But Irving is a top prospect in any draft, and Cavalier fans should revolt if he isn’t the first pick. That said, I can see a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, allowing them to grab Enes Kanter and Brandon Knight.
Now that the lottery picks are assigned, here is my initial 2011 NBA Mock Draft:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG Duke
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Enes Kanter, PF/C Turkey
3. Utah Jazz: Derrick Williams, SF Arizona
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jan Vesely, SF Czech Republic
5. Toronto Raptors: Brandon Knight, G Kentucky
6. Washington Wizards: Bismack Biyombo, C
7. Sacramento Kings: Jonas Valanciunas, F Lithuania
8. Detroit Pistons: Kemba Walker, PG UCONN
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Donatas Montiejunas, PF
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks, SG Colorado
11. Golden State Warriors: Marcus Morris, F Kansas
12. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette, PG Brigham Young
13. Phoenix Suns: Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego State
14. Houston Rockets: Lucas Nogueira, C Brazil
15. Indiana Pacers: Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Tristan Thompson, F Texas
17. New York Knicks: Markieff Morris, PF Kansas
18. Washington Wizards: Tyler Honeycutt, SF UCLA
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Jordan Hamilton, SG/SF Texas
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Darius Morris, PG Michigan
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Nikola Mirotic, PF
22. Denver Nuggets: Trey Thompkins, PF Georgia
23. Houston Rockets: Reggie Jackson, PG Boston College
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kenneth Faried, PF Morehead State
25.Boston Celtics: Nolan Smith, PG Duke
26. Dallas Mavericks: Kyle Singler, SF Duke
27. New Jersey Nets: Josh Selby, SG Kansas
28. Chicago Bulls: Tobias Harris, SF Tennessee
29. San Antonio Spurs: Davis Bertans, SF
30. Chicago Bulls: Chris Singleton, F FSU
Kyrie Irving is the best player in the 2011 NBA Draft, and is expected to be the top overall pick. However, some wonder if a toe injury will hurt his draft status. He missed all but 11 games of his Freshman year at Duke with a toe and was absent as the Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament. He did attend the lottery in Secacus, NJ though. After all, it is just 20 miles from home.
While Irving was expected to command most of the attention at the NBA Draft Lottery, Nick Gilbert ended up stealing the show. The 14-year-old son of Cleveland Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert was born with a nerve disorder (neurofibromatosis) that causes tumor growth. The elder Gilbert had his “good luck charm” represent the team at the NBA Draft Lottery.
ESPN reporter Heather Cox introduced Nick Gilbert as an Ambassador for the National Children’s Tumor Foundation. When she asked him about being at the lottery and being his dad’s “own personal hero”. His reply was well-received by those in attendance…”Well, I mean, what’s not to like?” After pausing for the laughter from the crowd, he continued “I’m the oldest of five. I have a good life. I’m going through this disease, but I’m going through it well. I’m getting better. Research is [helping] with all the money people are donating. Yeah, everything’s going good.”
Gilbert’s response was poignant in addition to being funny. ”What’s not to like” has become a new mantra for the Cavs organization and fans, showing up on T-Shirts and receiving a push to appear on billboards.
Dan Gilbert’s good luck charm worked wonders for the Cavs, as they were awarded with the first and fourth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. After the picks were assigned he stated “I guess you couldn’t do any better than this. I guess you could [get] one and two, but we’ll take one and four.”
The Cavs received a second lottery pick after making a considerable financial investment in point guard Baron Davis. A February trade with the Los Angeles Clippers netted Baron Davis and the Clippers’ lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Given Davis’ presence and other needs, is it possible the Cavaliers opt to go a different direction and fill one of their many other needs?
While possible, it is extremely unlikely. A source from the Cavs’ front office confirmed the primary target in the February trade wasn’t Davis, but acquiring the Clippers’ draft pick.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source told ESPN.com “we know we’re going to have to build this team through the lottery. We hope Baron works out, but our primary focus was the pick. We really wanted two top-10 picks to infuse the team with young talent.”
The Cavs are devoid of star power, and Irving can step in from day one and run the floor. For Cleveland to rebuild the team, they need top-tier players, not “good enough for now.”
Irving is the kind of talent a team can be built around. The overall talent pool is depleted in 2011, thanks in large part to fewer underclassmen entering the draft due to labor uncertainty. But Irving is a top prospect in any draft, and Cavalier fans should revolt if he isn’t the first pick. That said, I can see a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, allowing them to grab Enes Kanter and Brandon Knight.
Now that the lottery picks are assigned, here is my initial 2011 NBA Mock Draft:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG Duke
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Enes Kanter, PF/C Turkey
3. Utah Jazz: Derrick Williams, SF Arizona
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jan Vesely, SF Czech Republic
5. Toronto Raptors: Brandon Knight, G Kentucky
6. Washington Wizards: Bismack Biyombo, C
7. Sacramento Kings: Jonas Valanciunas, F Lithuania
8. Detroit Pistons: Kemba Walker, PG UCONN
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Donatas Montiejunas, PF
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks, SG Colorado
11. Golden State Warriors: Marcus Morris, F Kansas
12. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette, PG Brigham Young
13. Phoenix Suns: Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego State
14. Houston Rockets: Lucas Nogueira, C Brazil
15. Indiana Pacers: Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Tristan Thompson, F Texas
17. New York Knicks: Markieff Morris, PF Kansas
18. Washington Wizards: Tyler Honeycutt, SF UCLA
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Jordan Hamilton, SG/SF Texas
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Darius Morris, PG Michigan
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Nikola Mirotic, PF
22. Denver Nuggets: Trey Thompkins, PF Georgia
23. Houston Rockets: Reggie Jackson, PG Boston College
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kenneth Faried, PF Morehead State
25.Boston Celtics: Nolan Smith, PG Duke
26. Dallas Mavericks: Kyle Singler, SF Duke
27. New Jersey Nets: Josh Selby, SG Kansas
28. Chicago Bulls: Tobias Harris, SF Tennessee
29. San Antonio Spurs: Davis Bertans, SF
30. Chicago Bulls: Chris Singleton, F FSU
Friday, May 6, 2011
Will Shane Mosley Upset Manny Pacquiao?
Julie Jacobson (LAS VEGAS) — At 39, does Shane Mosley need a miracle against Manny Pacquiao?
Shane Mosley will need to pull out all of his tricks if he hopes to upset the heavily-favored Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.
Shane Mosley will need to pull out all of his tricks if he hopes to upset the heavily-favored Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.
Shane Mosley will need to pull out all of his tricks if he hopes to upset the heavily-favored Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.
Well, flinty-eyed oddsmakers don't think Mosley has much of a chance against the tiny ring master and Filipino congressman.
Mosley, a future Hall of Famer who has fought any and all comers during a remarkable 18-year-career, is a 6-1 underdog against the WBO welterweight champion — considered by numerous boxing observers to be the world's pre-eminent pound-for-pound fighter.
Saturday night's scheduled 12-rounder between two of the sport's finest ambassadors will be fought at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and televised live on pay-per-view (Showtime PPV, 9 p.m. ET) in homes, select closed-circuit locations and on the Internet.
"It's going to get very interesting, very quick," Mosley said.
Of course, that reasoning suits Mosley, who is 5-9 and holds a seven-inch reach advantage. His best chance of dethroning the 5-6½ kingpin appears to be scoring an early-round knockout. Both fighters are known for setting down and whaling away, but most observers doubt whether the aging challenger can outslug and outlast Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, 32, has a decided advantage in hand speed, which he used last November in Dallas to pick apart Antonio Margarito, who outweighed him by 17 pounds by the time they entered the ring at Cowboys Stadium. While he can punch hard with both hands, it is the lefthander's prodigious output that makes him so devastating.
He has lost only three fights in 57 bouts and only one (Erik Morales in 2005) since he was stopped by knockout in 1999.
"I've never seen a fighter re-invent himself like Manny Pacquiao," said Showtime analyst Al Bernstein, referring to the fighter's rise as an eight-division champion after turning pro as a 106-pounder in 1995.
Mosley brings championship-fight pedigree (15-5, 12 KOs in title bouts), a sturdy chin (he never has been knocked out in 53 fights) and ring intelligence. A sensational combination puncher in his prime, he buckled undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May with a crushing right hand in the second round, but Mayweather survived and easily won a decision.
"What we fail to (remember) is that you're not talking about an ordinary guy getting older in the ring," said Nazim Richardson, Mosley's trainer. "You're talking about a special guy, a legend. Sugar Shane Mosley does not have to match Manny Pacquiao because Mosley is bringing his own set of weapons."
During his career, Mosley was most effective fighting at 135, where he was never beaten and won the IBF lightweight title. He fought to a highly debatable draw in his last fight, against former 154-pound champ Sergio Mora, in September.
"He's not old — he moves like 31, 32 years old," Pacquiao said of Mosley.
In the months leading to the fight, Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, said he believed a knockout of Mosley was feasible.
When the 147-pound champion fought one of his ring idols, Oscar De La Hoya, in 2008, Roach had to convince him to try and finish off the aging former great. De La Hoya's corner halted the bout after the eighth round with the fighter battered and beaten on his stool.
"He came back to the corner (at end of the seventh round) and I said, 'Manny, your job is to knock him out,' " Roach said. "I've never said that to another fighter in my life."
Shane Mosley will need to pull out all of his tricks if he hopes to upset the heavily-favored Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.
Shane Mosley will need to pull out all of his tricks if he hopes to upset the heavily-favored Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.
Shane Mosley will need to pull out all of his tricks if he hopes to upset the heavily-favored Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.
Well, flinty-eyed oddsmakers don't think Mosley has much of a chance against the tiny ring master and Filipino congressman.
Mosley, a future Hall of Famer who has fought any and all comers during a remarkable 18-year-career, is a 6-1 underdog against the WBO welterweight champion — considered by numerous boxing observers to be the world's pre-eminent pound-for-pound fighter.
Saturday night's scheduled 12-rounder between two of the sport's finest ambassadors will be fought at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and televised live on pay-per-view (Showtime PPV, 9 p.m. ET) in homes, select closed-circuit locations and on the Internet.
"It's going to get very interesting, very quick," Mosley said.
Of course, that reasoning suits Mosley, who is 5-9 and holds a seven-inch reach advantage. His best chance of dethroning the 5-6½ kingpin appears to be scoring an early-round knockout. Both fighters are known for setting down and whaling away, but most observers doubt whether the aging challenger can outslug and outlast Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, 32, has a decided advantage in hand speed, which he used last November in Dallas to pick apart Antonio Margarito, who outweighed him by 17 pounds by the time they entered the ring at Cowboys Stadium. While he can punch hard with both hands, it is the lefthander's prodigious output that makes him so devastating.
He has lost only three fights in 57 bouts and only one (Erik Morales in 2005) since he was stopped by knockout in 1999.
"I've never seen a fighter re-invent himself like Manny Pacquiao," said Showtime analyst Al Bernstein, referring to the fighter's rise as an eight-division champion after turning pro as a 106-pounder in 1995.
Mosley brings championship-fight pedigree (15-5, 12 KOs in title bouts), a sturdy chin (he never has been knocked out in 53 fights) and ring intelligence. A sensational combination puncher in his prime, he buckled undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May with a crushing right hand in the second round, but Mayweather survived and easily won a decision.
"What we fail to (remember) is that you're not talking about an ordinary guy getting older in the ring," said Nazim Richardson, Mosley's trainer. "You're talking about a special guy, a legend. Sugar Shane Mosley does not have to match Manny Pacquiao because Mosley is bringing his own set of weapons."
During his career, Mosley was most effective fighting at 135, where he was never beaten and won the IBF lightweight title. He fought to a highly debatable draw in his last fight, against former 154-pound champ Sergio Mora, in September.
"He's not old — he moves like 31, 32 years old," Pacquiao said of Mosley.
In the months leading to the fight, Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, said he believed a knockout of Mosley was feasible.
When the 147-pound champion fought one of his ring idols, Oscar De La Hoya, in 2008, Roach had to convince him to try and finish off the aging former great. De La Hoya's corner halted the bout after the eighth round with the fighter battered and beaten on his stool.
"He came back to the corner (at end of the seventh round) and I said, 'Manny, your job is to knock him out,' " Roach said. "I've never said that to another fighter in my life."
2011 NBA Playoffs: Will The Celtics Win Game 3?
Celtics Life - The hype is over. We've seen how Miami handled themselves in the first two games and protected their home floor. We can't continue to blame poor or fixed officiating as that's almost a staple every time the Celtics play (more so when they play the Stern-groomed Heat).
Dwayne Wade and LeBron James are definitely a dangerous combination and both had moments when they made even Garnett look like a shell of himself.
Chris Bosh, though still an ostrich, is slowly figuring out his role in this series and making an impact without burying his head in the ground.
We're in a mini-ditch. Not just because of the way Spoelstra's squad has been playing, but how Boston has been executing on both ends of the floor. Who's the veteran team again here?
Don't get me wrong, I'm still optimistic on the whole series but from the way we've been playing and judging the trends ... it's going to take more than a Shaq sighting and a homecooking at Beantown to turn the tables around in our favor.
Everyone has to do their role. Yes Big Baby, starting with you. We gotta get you back to "Ticket Stub" status. But by in large - everyone. Doc Rivers mentioned their offense is not built for one-on-one plays with the exception of Paul Pierce. Their offense is more geared around each other, setting screens, passing the ball and finding the open man for that easy deuce or uncontested three. We can't blame everything on Doc though. He obviously had a hard time in Game 2 on who's willing and able to score due to the ailing injuries of Pierce, Allen and Rondo on the court. KG played big time, but at this point, he can't do it alone.
Boston has been known for its defense but in this series against the Heat, I think they're going to need more on the offensive end. Both teams have proven they can defend well but from this point, if every succeeding game is a close one when it hits the final period, someone has to deliver for the Celtics. Wade and James no question are going to attack the rim again and rack up points or earn it in the charity stripe. Someone has to do the same for the Cs.
It's time to turn the tide. Three days of rest, time to think things over but not think too much. The Heat looks to have exploited our weaknesses and one side of the coin may prove it so. But there's also the other side which is more of the Celtics' own doing. That side they can stop and reverse. That's the part that's completely in their hands.
I'm just happy that we're going home. Not like one team I know who blew their homecourt advantage against that other team in Texas.
Dwayne Wade and LeBron James are definitely a dangerous combination and both had moments when they made even Garnett look like a shell of himself.
Chris Bosh, though still an ostrich, is slowly figuring out his role in this series and making an impact without burying his head in the ground.
We're in a mini-ditch. Not just because of the way Spoelstra's squad has been playing, but how Boston has been executing on both ends of the floor. Who's the veteran team again here?
Don't get me wrong, I'm still optimistic on the whole series but from the way we've been playing and judging the trends ... it's going to take more than a Shaq sighting and a homecooking at Beantown to turn the tables around in our favor.
Everyone has to do their role. Yes Big Baby, starting with you. We gotta get you back to "Ticket Stub" status. But by in large - everyone. Doc Rivers mentioned their offense is not built for one-on-one plays with the exception of Paul Pierce. Their offense is more geared around each other, setting screens, passing the ball and finding the open man for that easy deuce or uncontested three. We can't blame everything on Doc though. He obviously had a hard time in Game 2 on who's willing and able to score due to the ailing injuries of Pierce, Allen and Rondo on the court. KG played big time, but at this point, he can't do it alone.
Boston has been known for its defense but in this series against the Heat, I think they're going to need more on the offensive end. Both teams have proven they can defend well but from this point, if every succeeding game is a close one when it hits the final period, someone has to deliver for the Celtics. Wade and James no question are going to attack the rim again and rack up points or earn it in the charity stripe. Someone has to do the same for the Cs.
It's time to turn the tide. Three days of rest, time to think things over but not think too much. The Heat looks to have exploited our weaknesses and one side of the coin may prove it so. But there's also the other side which is more of the Celtics' own doing. That side they can stop and reverse. That's the part that's completely in their hands.
I'm just happy that we're going home. Not like one team I know who blew their homecourt advantage against that other team in Texas.
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