David Haye Is asking to get knocked out!!!
WBA champion David Haye promises a "brutal execution" of Wladimir Klitschko in their heavyweight fight Saturday.
Calling the IBF and WBO champion a "robot" stuck in his "rigid ways," Haye said he was in the best shape of his life and vowed to send the younger Klitschko brother to hospital in their bout in Hamburg's soccer stadium.
Now this is where true boxing fans sit look shock and then yells "Bullshit" no body believes Haye will last more than 5 rounds with Klitschko. Thats if he even shows up to the fight.
Klitschko (55-3, 49 KOs) promised to make Haye eat the T-shirt the Briton once wore depicting the image of himself holding the severed heads of the Klitschko brothers. Vitali, the elder brother, is the WBC champion.
Klitschko, who holds a doctorate in sports science, also said he believes he is the man to deliver the therapeutic defeat he thinks Haye needs to become a "better person."
"My name is Dr. Klitschko. I am a therapist and on July 2 I am going to give you treatment. It is going to be reality rehab. I will knock you out into reality, which will be good for your life," he said.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
A Year Without Basketball And Football
We all know it comes a time in any sports where money shapes the future landscape. The problem is when both sides become so greedy that they forget about the people that matter the most the "Fans".
So this spring when the NFL went on a lockout, we all crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. And when top players begin to file lawsuits we knew that the players where really drawing the line in the sand.
The real question going into this years lockout, was how long would the players last before they buckled and caved in. In previous situation the players would become so desperate for money that they would agree to any deal the owners threw at them. To my surprise and many others the players have held up pretty well. Alot of them saved there money alot didn't. But from the looks of things they will come out on the better end of things whether we have a Football season our not.
Now we come to the NBA and everyone knows there will be a lockout. The problem with the NBA is the same greed. The players want to keep the same soft cap that they are operating under. The owners want a hard cap which would basically cut players salary, and take away from Guarantee contracts. With both sides so for apart it looks like the NCAA is about to make alot of money, because college ball will be the only thing we watch this year...
So this spring when the NFL went on a lockout, we all crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. And when top players begin to file lawsuits we knew that the players where really drawing the line in the sand.
The real question going into this years lockout, was how long would the players last before they buckled and caved in. In previous situation the players would become so desperate for money that they would agree to any deal the owners threw at them. To my surprise and many others the players have held up pretty well. Alot of them saved there money alot didn't. But from the looks of things they will come out on the better end of things whether we have a Football season our not.
Now we come to the NBA and everyone knows there will be a lockout. The problem with the NBA is the same greed. The players want to keep the same soft cap that they are operating under. The owners want a hard cap which would basically cut players salary, and take away from Guarantee contracts. With both sides so for apart it looks like the NCAA is about to make alot of money, because college ball will be the only thing we watch this year...
Friday, June 24, 2011
Big Words From Little Man
Zab Judah has vowed to be Amir Khan's "worst nightmare" when the two meet in Las Vegas for the WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles on July 23.
Khan has already focused his attention beyond the Judah clash by commenting that he wants to take on the winner of the battle between Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Victor Ortiz.
But Judah has reminded Khan of the dangers of underestimating him, citing the example of Lucas Martin Matthysse, a Golden Boy Promotions fighter who was unbeaten before losing a narrow split decision to Judah last November.
"When I went in against Matthysse, me and my team knew that I was going to beat him," Judah said. "Golden Boy thought I was going to be a stepping stone, so they sacrificed one of their pawns. Now they're going to come back and sacrifice one of their queens. It's check mate baby, you know it is!
"I plan to be his (Amir Khan's) worst nightmare. After this fight I plan on Team Khan having a 62 hour watch on Amir Khan. I plan on being the Freddie Krueger of his dreams. I plan on being Freddie Krueger to Freddie Roach [Khan's trainer]. I'm pretty sure after this fight Freddie Roach would never put his golden boy and marquee fighter, which is Manny Pacquiao, against me in the ring."
Khan has already focused his attention beyond the Judah clash by commenting that he wants to take on the winner of the battle between Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Victor Ortiz.
But Judah has reminded Khan of the dangers of underestimating him, citing the example of Lucas Martin Matthysse, a Golden Boy Promotions fighter who was unbeaten before losing a narrow split decision to Judah last November.
"When I went in against Matthysse, me and my team knew that I was going to beat him," Judah said. "Golden Boy thought I was going to be a stepping stone, so they sacrificed one of their pawns. Now they're going to come back and sacrifice one of their queens. It's check mate baby, you know it is!
"I plan to be his (Amir Khan's) worst nightmare. After this fight I plan on Team Khan having a 62 hour watch on Amir Khan. I plan on being the Freddie Krueger of his dreams. I plan on being Freddie Krueger to Freddie Roach [Khan's trainer]. I'm pretty sure after this fight Freddie Roach would never put his golden boy and marquee fighter, which is Manny Pacquiao, against me in the ring."
What In The Hell Was The Lakers Doind In The Draft
All my friends know that I am a avid Laker fan, and will always be one. But last night really tested my patience with them. You have no first round draft picks, so everyone knows that you really have to make a big splash in the second round of a water down draft poll. For the most part they did by drafting Michigan guard Darius Morris. Morris is a good defender with nice offensive skills and will add much needed youth to a rather old backcourt. Then the Lakers came back a few picks later and drafted College of Charleston guard Andrew Goudclock who can play either guard spot and is a very good shooter. Up to this point I felt that the Lakers where heading in the right direction by getting younger in the backcourt with solid players. All they needed now was a service able center and the draft would have been labeled a success.
For there next pick they pick a kid who no one knows of named Chukwudiebere Maduabum and Im saying to myself, why not pick David Lighty. Please!!! Please!!! Please pick David Lighty or even Isaiah Thomas Jr. In my mind I like come on don't do this to me, but what do they go and do. They take another no named player Ater Majok And thats when I take the remote and trhow it in the air along with my hands.... Seriously is this how we expect to win a championship next year or any other year in the near future???? If we plan on making a climb back to the top of the mountain we need to draft better player.... But hey thats just One crazy Laker Fan opinion!!!!!!!!
For there next pick they pick a kid who no one knows of named Chukwudiebere Maduabum and Im saying to myself, why not pick David Lighty. Please!!! Please!!! Please pick David Lighty or even Isaiah Thomas Jr. In my mind I like come on don't do this to me, but what do they go and do. They take another no named player Ater Majok And thats when I take the remote and trhow it in the air along with my hands.... Seriously is this how we expect to win a championship next year or any other year in the near future???? If we plan on making a climb back to the top of the mountain we need to draft better player.... But hey thats just One crazy Laker Fan opinion!!!!!!!!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Sources: Mavs will get Rudy Fernandez
The Dallas Mavericks have reached a trade agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers to acquire swingman Rudy Fernandez, according to sources with knowledge of the deal.
The Mavericks agreed to send the No. 26 pick in Thursday night's draft to Portland to acquire Fernandez, sources said.
In a separate trade, Portland agreed to trade the pick to Denver as part of the Blazers-Nuggets swap of Andre Miller for Raymond Felton. The Nuggets also picked up a second round pick in either 2013 or 2014 from the Blazers.
The Mavericks selected Texas small forward Jordan Hamilton for Denver at No. 26.
The trade also calls for the Mavericks to send the No. 57 pick in the second round to the Blazers for the draft rights to Finnish guard Petteri Koponen, who was the last player selected in the first round of the 2007 draft.
The Mavericks agreed to send the No. 26 pick in Thursday night's draft to Portland to acquire Fernandez, sources said.
In a separate trade, Portland agreed to trade the pick to Denver as part of the Blazers-Nuggets swap of Andre Miller for Raymond Felton. The Nuggets also picked up a second round pick in either 2013 or 2014 from the Blazers.
The Mavericks selected Texas small forward Jordan Hamilton for Denver at No. 26.
The trade also calls for the Mavericks to send the No. 57 pick in the second round to the Blazers for the draft rights to Finnish guard Petteri Koponen, who was the last player selected in the first round of the 2007 draft.
Ron Artest: Call me Metta World Peace
Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest wants to change his name to Metta World Peace.
Artest's attorney filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday seeking the change. The 31-year-old NBA star was born Ronald William Artest Jr.
In the court documents, Artest cites personal reasons for wanting to make the change.
An Aug. 26 court date was set to consider the petition.
The petition filing was first reported by celebrity website TMZ.
Artest's career has been filled with ups and downs. He helped the Lakers win the NBA championship a year ago and in April he received an award for outstanding service and dedication to the community.
He has testified before Congress to support mental health legislation.
Artest may be best known for triggering the most notorious brawl in NBA history when he jumped into the stands and attacked a fan while playing for the Indiana Pacers in November 2004. He was suspended for the rest of that season.
Artest wouldn't be the first NBA player to make a change to an unusual name.
Lloyd Bernard Free, who played in the league from 1975 to 1988, had his first name legally changed to World in 1981. A friend had given him the nickname because of his 44-inch vertical leaps and 360-degree dunks.
In the NFL, Cincinnati Bengals star Chad Johnson legally changed his last name to Ochocinco in August 2008. The name means "eight five" in Spanish.
The Lakers confirmed Artest's proposed name change. They have not yet determined whether the back of his jersey will say "Peace" or "World Peace" next season.
Artest's attorney filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday seeking the change. The 31-year-old NBA star was born Ronald William Artest Jr.
In the court documents, Artest cites personal reasons for wanting to make the change.
An Aug. 26 court date was set to consider the petition.
The petition filing was first reported by celebrity website TMZ.
Artest's career has been filled with ups and downs. He helped the Lakers win the NBA championship a year ago and in April he received an award for outstanding service and dedication to the community.
He has testified before Congress to support mental health legislation.
Artest may be best known for triggering the most notorious brawl in NBA history when he jumped into the stands and attacked a fan while playing for the Indiana Pacers in November 2004. He was suspended for the rest of that season.
Artest wouldn't be the first NBA player to make a change to an unusual name.
Lloyd Bernard Free, who played in the league from 1975 to 1988, had his first name legally changed to World in 1981. A friend had given him the nickname because of his 44-inch vertical leaps and 360-degree dunks.
In the NFL, Cincinnati Bengals star Chad Johnson legally changed his last name to Ochocinco in August 2008. The name means "eight five" in Spanish.
The Lakers confirmed Artest's proposed name change. They have not yet determined whether the back of his jersey will say "Peace" or "World Peace" next season.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Austin Rivers CRAZY Official Hoopmixtape; Dominates 2010-2011 Senior Cam...
DUKE HAS RECIEVED A BEAST IN AUSTIN RIVERS!!!!!
The best 10-year-old hoops player in the U.S.?
I think this young man has great potential, but lets be real he is 10 years old!!! How much of this is he father living through his son? Does he really love the game of basketball? Sometimes I think parents push there kids to hard. Just let them be kids!!!! I love my little brother but I didn't put a basketball into his hands until he asked.. Did this father do the same... We will see!!!!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Adrien Broner TKO1 Jason Litzau
Junior lightweight
Records: Broner (21-0, 17 KOs); Litzau (28-3, 21 KOs)
Broner, 21, of Cincinnati, was a top amateur who flew a bit under the radar because he did not compete in major international competitions. But he is a gifted boxer with tremendous speed and reflexes and the swagger to go with them. Golden Boy Promotions has moved him very quickly as a professional, and he stepped way up in class in March when he was matched with former junior featherweight titlist Daniel Ponce de Leon, a noted puncher, in his HBO debut. Broner, who fights in the mold of Floyd Mayweather Jr., got the close win, but it was a terrible fight because Broner stunk out the joint, eliciting booing throughout the fight because of his safety-first style. Thanks to his connections to Golden Boy and powerful manager Al Haymon, HBO brought Broner right back in his next fight and matched him with Litzau, 27, of St. Paul, Minn. Litzau had pulled off a major upset on HBO in November, when he scored a decision win against heavily favored Celestino Caballero, a top featherweight contender and former unified junior featherweight titlist who had moved up in weight because nobody of note would fight him at 126 pounds. But this matchup was a nightmare for Litzau from the moment the fight was made because he is a bit on the slow side and defensively deficient, even though he has very good power. Broner, on the other hand, has that tremendous speed and good power. Broner was clearly winning the opening round, when he nailed Litzau with a right and left along the ropes. Litzau was badly hurt and the rest was window dressing after that. Broner missed with several shots but eventually connected with a devastating right uppercut, another left hand and yet another left as Litzau was falling to the canvas. As he was falling, referee Curtis Thrasher was jumping in to stop the bout at 2 minutes, 58 seconds. It was a spectacular knockout for Broner, who is so much more interesting to watch when he fights like this than the way he did against Ponce de Leon. Broner has the talent to be a significant fighter. It is going to be up to him if he can draw in the fans. He will with performances like this one, but he won't if he reverts to the way he boxed against Ponce de Leon.
Records: Broner (21-0, 17 KOs); Litzau (28-3, 21 KOs)
Broner, 21, of Cincinnati, was a top amateur who flew a bit under the radar because he did not compete in major international competitions. But he is a gifted boxer with tremendous speed and reflexes and the swagger to go with them. Golden Boy Promotions has moved him very quickly as a professional, and he stepped way up in class in March when he was matched with former junior featherweight titlist Daniel Ponce de Leon, a noted puncher, in his HBO debut. Broner, who fights in the mold of Floyd Mayweather Jr., got the close win, but it was a terrible fight because Broner stunk out the joint, eliciting booing throughout the fight because of his safety-first style. Thanks to his connections to Golden Boy and powerful manager Al Haymon, HBO brought Broner right back in his next fight and matched him with Litzau, 27, of St. Paul, Minn. Litzau had pulled off a major upset on HBO in November, when he scored a decision win against heavily favored Celestino Caballero, a top featherweight contender and former unified junior featherweight titlist who had moved up in weight because nobody of note would fight him at 126 pounds. But this matchup was a nightmare for Litzau from the moment the fight was made because he is a bit on the slow side and defensively deficient, even though he has very good power. Broner, on the other hand, has that tremendous speed and good power. Broner was clearly winning the opening round, when he nailed Litzau with a right and left along the ropes. Litzau was badly hurt and the rest was window dressing after that. Broner missed with several shots but eventually connected with a devastating right uppercut, another left hand and yet another left as Litzau was falling to the canvas. As he was falling, referee Curtis Thrasher was jumping in to stop the bout at 2 minutes, 58 seconds. It was a spectacular knockout for Broner, who is so much more interesting to watch when he fights like this than the way he did against Ponce de Leon. Broner has the talent to be a significant fighter. It is going to be up to him if he can draw in the fans. He will with performances like this one, but he won't if he reverts to the way he boxed against Ponce de Leon.
Grady Brewer TKO4 Fernando Guerrero
Junior middleweight
Récords: Brewer (28-12, 16 KOs); Guerrero (21-1, 16 KOs)
Prospects be warned: When you fight on ESPN2 this season, you better be prepared. For whatever reason, "Friday Night Fights" has become the graveyard of prospects this year with Guerrero just the latest casualty in this huge upset. Before Guerrero's perfect record bit the dust so had the clean records of Ruslan Provodnikov, Mike Dallas Jr., Yordanis Despaigne and David Lemieux. Brewer took care of another highly touted youngster in shocking fashion. Brewer, 40, of Lawton, Okla., is best known for winning the 2006 edition of "The Contender" reality series and the $500,000 grand prize. But Brewer, who has tons of experience against quality opponents, was never able to capitalize on the victory because of an assortment of injuries. He had serious knee surgery and a shoulder operation that kept him out of action for two years after "The Contender" run. He returned in late 2008 and has fought sporadically since, but this win ought to get him another notable fight. Guerrero, 24, of Salisbury, Md., where he is a big ticket seller, had all the look of a prospect going places. Not only that, he had dropped down from middleweight to junior middleweight for this fight and made weight with ease, figuring he would be stronger at the lighter weight.
Guerrero was in command through the first two rounds. No surprises there. That is how this one was supposed to go. But Brewer began to press the action in the third round and seemed to just be missing Guerrero, who was born in the Dominican Republic, with clean shots. That was not the case in the fourth round, when Brewer finally found the target. He pounded Guerrero with clean right hands and uppercuts, finally sending him falling through the ropes onto the ring apron for a knockdown. Guerrero made it to his feet, but he was done. Brewer was slugging him and then slipped to the canvas, giving Guerrero a brief respite. But it made no difference. As soon as the fight resumed, Brewer was all over him again. He continued to pound him with body shots and uppercuts until Brewer finally slumped forward and fell to the mat. Guerrero was not out cold, but he was clearly done and referee Jon Schorle called it off at 2 minutes, 16 seconds for a stunning finish that ranks up there with any of the biggest upsets of the year. Guerrero had been on the short list for an HBO fight against junior middleweight titlist Sergiy Dzinziruk. That's down the drain.
Récords: Brewer (28-12, 16 KOs); Guerrero (21-1, 16 KOs)
Prospects be warned: When you fight on ESPN2 this season, you better be prepared. For whatever reason, "Friday Night Fights" has become the graveyard of prospects this year with Guerrero just the latest casualty in this huge upset. Before Guerrero's perfect record bit the dust so had the clean records of Ruslan Provodnikov, Mike Dallas Jr., Yordanis Despaigne and David Lemieux. Brewer took care of another highly touted youngster in shocking fashion. Brewer, 40, of Lawton, Okla., is best known for winning the 2006 edition of "The Contender" reality series and the $500,000 grand prize. But Brewer, who has tons of experience against quality opponents, was never able to capitalize on the victory because of an assortment of injuries. He had serious knee surgery and a shoulder operation that kept him out of action for two years after "The Contender" run. He returned in late 2008 and has fought sporadically since, but this win ought to get him another notable fight. Guerrero, 24, of Salisbury, Md., where he is a big ticket seller, had all the look of a prospect going places. Not only that, he had dropped down from middleweight to junior middleweight for this fight and made weight with ease, figuring he would be stronger at the lighter weight.
Guerrero was in command through the first two rounds. No surprises there. That is how this one was supposed to go. But Brewer began to press the action in the third round and seemed to just be missing Guerrero, who was born in the Dominican Republic, with clean shots. That was not the case in the fourth round, when Brewer finally found the target. He pounded Guerrero with clean right hands and uppercuts, finally sending him falling through the ropes onto the ring apron for a knockdown. Guerrero made it to his feet, but he was done. Brewer was slugging him and then slipped to the canvas, giving Guerrero a brief respite. But it made no difference. As soon as the fight resumed, Brewer was all over him again. He continued to pound him with body shots and uppercuts until Brewer finally slumped forward and fell to the mat. Guerrero was not out cold, but he was clearly done and referee Jon Schorle called it off at 2 minutes, 16 seconds for a stunning finish that ranks up there with any of the biggest upsets of the year. Guerrero had been on the short list for an HBO fight against junior middleweight titlist Sergiy Dzinziruk. That's down the drain.
Saul Canelo Alvarez TKO12 Ryan Rhodes
Junior middleweight
Retains a junior middleweight title
Records: Alvarez (37-0-1, 27 KOs); Rhodes (45-5, 31 KOs)
How far can Alvarez go? How big of a star can he become? That is the great unknown, but the potential is there for him to become one of the most significant and popular fighters in the sport. The 2010 ESPN.com prospect of the year graduated to a world title (paper as it may be) in March when he thoroughly dominated England's Matthew Hatton (the younger brother of former junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton) to collect a vacant belt. The greatest desire for the 20-year-old, Mexico's most popular active fighter (who is also making inroads in the United States), was to return to his hometown of Guadalajara to make his first defense in front of his passionate fans. Golden Boy delivered that to him as he returned home to make a mandatory defense against England's Ryan Rhodes, 34, a legitimate contender who has spent most of his career fighting as a middleweight. Going into the fight, many believed this would be a serious test for the youngster. Alvarez aced it with flying colors in a fight even more one-sided (if possible) than the one against Hatton.
Alvarez won every single second of every single round in a dominant performance. He simply overwhelmed Rhodes with his punching accuracy and a steady ability to break him down and take away any semblance of his offense. Rhodes said going into the HBO fight that the only way to escape Mexico with the belt was to score a knockout. Rhodes, however, never really tried to attack and never took the gamble he needed that could have resulted in taking Alvarez out of his game. Instead, Alvarez punished him with both hands. He ripped off four- and five-punch combinations to the head and the body. Rhodes never had an answer of any kind. Alvarez opened cuts under both of his eyes and dropped him with a right hand behind the ear in the fourth round. By the 12th round, the outcome was clear, but Alvarez stepped up the attack and finally got Rhodes out, pouring it on until the Hector Afu stepped in to call it off at 48 seconds. Many of the middle and later rounds were a bit boring because Alvarez kept breaking Rhodes down with nothing coming back, but the knockout was a nice way to end a near-flawless performance from the kid.
The sky is the limit for him and humongous fights loom in the future. The question is how quickly will Golden Boy try to move him into those fights? One of the biggest fights in boxing will be an eventual showdown with middleweight titlist and fellow popular Mexican star Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Folks have been talking about it for the past year and the drum beat will grow louder and louder with each of their outings. That fight is most likely at least a year away (probably longer), however. Alvarez could return Sept. 17 to fight on a split-site pay-per-view telecast with Alvarez fighting as the main event in one location, possibly in Mexico again, with Victor Ortiz's welterweight title defense against Floyd Mayweather headlining the broadcast. Whatever Alvarez does there is going to be immense interest from fans and media alike and tons of money to be made.
Retains a junior middleweight title
Records: Alvarez (37-0-1, 27 KOs); Rhodes (45-5, 31 KOs)
How far can Alvarez go? How big of a star can he become? That is the great unknown, but the potential is there for him to become one of the most significant and popular fighters in the sport. The 2010 ESPN.com prospect of the year graduated to a world title (paper as it may be) in March when he thoroughly dominated England's Matthew Hatton (the younger brother of former junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton) to collect a vacant belt. The greatest desire for the 20-year-old, Mexico's most popular active fighter (who is also making inroads in the United States), was to return to his hometown of Guadalajara to make his first defense in front of his passionate fans. Golden Boy delivered that to him as he returned home to make a mandatory defense against England's Ryan Rhodes, 34, a legitimate contender who has spent most of his career fighting as a middleweight. Going into the fight, many believed this would be a serious test for the youngster. Alvarez aced it with flying colors in a fight even more one-sided (if possible) than the one against Hatton.
Alvarez won every single second of every single round in a dominant performance. He simply overwhelmed Rhodes with his punching accuracy and a steady ability to break him down and take away any semblance of his offense. Rhodes said going into the HBO fight that the only way to escape Mexico with the belt was to score a knockout. Rhodes, however, never really tried to attack and never took the gamble he needed that could have resulted in taking Alvarez out of his game. Instead, Alvarez punished him with both hands. He ripped off four- and five-punch combinations to the head and the body. Rhodes never had an answer of any kind. Alvarez opened cuts under both of his eyes and dropped him with a right hand behind the ear in the fourth round. By the 12th round, the outcome was clear, but Alvarez stepped up the attack and finally got Rhodes out, pouring it on until the Hector Afu stepped in to call it off at 48 seconds. Many of the middle and later rounds were a bit boring because Alvarez kept breaking Rhodes down with nothing coming back, but the knockout was a nice way to end a near-flawless performance from the kid.
The sky is the limit for him and humongous fights loom in the future. The question is how quickly will Golden Boy try to move him into those fights? One of the biggest fights in boxing will be an eventual showdown with middleweight titlist and fellow popular Mexican star Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Folks have been talking about it for the past year and the drum beat will grow louder and louder with each of their outings. That fight is most likely at least a year away (probably longer), however. Alvarez could return Sept. 17 to fight on a split-site pay-per-view telecast with Alvarez fighting as the main event in one location, possibly in Mexico again, with Victor Ortiz's welterweight title defense against Floyd Mayweather headlining the broadcast. Whatever Alvarez does there is going to be immense interest from fans and media alike and tons of money to be made.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Dave Rice ready to run again at UNLV
The way Dave Rice envisions it, Jerry Tarkanian's old-school influence will be making a comeback at UNLV.
Rice already has promised that the Runnin' Rebels will indeed run on every possession, and playing a fast-paced brand of basketball isn't the only tradition from the Tark the Shark era that he hopes to revive. Rice, who won a national championship playing for Tarkanian, also said the program is considering bringing back the theme music from "Jaws," which used to fire up the Thomas & Mack Arena as the team came onto the court.
Besides the stylistic changes, Rice, 42, returns to Las Vegas carrying with him the memory of a decades-old lesson he learned from Tarkanian that should serve him well as he begins his first year as a head coach.
UNLV's loss to Duke in the 1991 Final Four snapped a 45-game winning streak and ended Rice's playing career, but he joined the coaching staff the next season and watched how Tarkanian responded. Tarkanian, known for his suffocating man-to-man pressure defenses, re-evaluated his roster and decided to make a switch. The Rebels played in a 1-2-2 zone instead and finished the year with a 26-2 record, setting an example for Rice to follow.
"He put his ego aside," said Rice, a graduate assistant on that team in 1992. "It sent a message to me. Don't ever let yourself or your ego get in the way of your team."
Rice has spent his entire career setting up others for success. He was a reserve on the 1990 national championship team, arriving as a junior college transfer and happy to play a complementary role alongside stars Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony. To Rice, a Rhodes Scholar candidate, contributing to a championship-caliber program was the main reason he went to UNLV.
"Everyone wants to play more minutes, and everyone wants to start, but it was really important for me to be part of a really successful program," Rice said. "It helps me as a coach. Coach Tark and his staff really valued the job our role players did, whether it was two minutes a game, 12 minutes a game or coming in to take charge or make a 3. Everyone really felt their value.
"You don't win championships without all your guys. You also need the role players. I can point back to my own experience."
Tarkanian was so impressed with Rice that he told the backup guard that coaching was in his future and offered him the graduate assistant position. Rice had never considered coaching before but had so much respect for Tarkanian that he took the job instead of going to law school.
Rice was still unsure enough about the coaching profession that he got his MBA in 1993, but he ultimately came back to UNLV again and again. He coached 10 more years as an assistant under Tim Grgurich, Bill Bayno and Charlie Spoonhour before having to leave after Lon Kruger was hired in 2004 and didn't retain him. "It's always hard to leave your alma mater," Rice said. "I left feeling there was unfinished business. At the time, it was really tough."
As it turned out, leaving UNLV was good for Rice's career, and he kept helping teams win wherever he went. He served as an assistant under Stew Morrill at Utah State for a year before going to BYU, where he was eventually promoted to associate head coach. For Dave Rose, Rice coordinated the team's offense and recruiting efforts during a time when the staff landed Jimmer Fredette from Glens Falls, N.Y., and saw him rise to prominence in the Rice's up-tempo system. The Cougars went to the Sweet 16 this season, with Fredette winning national player of the year honors.
Rice also was asked to run the program while Rose underwent cancer treatments in 2009.
"What it did was it changed all of us," Rice said. "We were still just as competitive. We worked just as hard. But we always talked about waking up every morning for family, for health, for those things we take for granted. We were more patient, maybe."
Kruger, who departed for the Oklahoma job, left the program in excellent shape having taken the Rebels to the NCAA tournament in four of the past five seasons. Tarkanian publicly stated his preference that another former Rebel, Reggie Theus, succeed Kruger. Tarkanian was nevertheless supportive of Rice, who couldn't help but reminisce at the sight of the old coach at his introductory news conference. Twenty years earlier, Tarkanian had identified the coaching potential in Rice.
"Nobody has seen him before as a head coach, so I don't think it would be fair to say how he'll be as UNLV's basketball coach," Tarkanian blogged in the Las Vegas Sun. "I can tell you he's a smart guy and a hard worker. He'll put in the time for that program to be successful."
UNLV, one of the favorites in the Mountain West Conference next season, returns four of its top five scorers, and Rice was especially pleased that not one player has left the program since his arrival. He's familiar with the players from having coached against them while with BYU and has spent recent weeks preparing the Rebels for the offensive transition game that will be installed. Being a Runnin' Rebel under Rice will require physical and mental conditioning.
"It's really a commitment to discipline, running consistently," Rice said. "We want to sprint into that set play. There's a method to it."
So when the Rebels run onto Jerry Tarkanian Court next season, the style in which they play will be a blast from the past. Joining Rice on the bench will be Augmon, who was hired as an assistant coach. The team has expectations of winning as well.
"I believe that we're very capable of having a great year," Rice said.
Rice already has promised that the Runnin' Rebels will indeed run on every possession, and playing a fast-paced brand of basketball isn't the only tradition from the Tark the Shark era that he hopes to revive. Rice, who won a national championship playing for Tarkanian, also said the program is considering bringing back the theme music from "Jaws," which used to fire up the Thomas & Mack Arena as the team came onto the court.
Besides the stylistic changes, Rice, 42, returns to Las Vegas carrying with him the memory of a decades-old lesson he learned from Tarkanian that should serve him well as he begins his first year as a head coach.
UNLV's loss to Duke in the 1991 Final Four snapped a 45-game winning streak and ended Rice's playing career, but he joined the coaching staff the next season and watched how Tarkanian responded. Tarkanian, known for his suffocating man-to-man pressure defenses, re-evaluated his roster and decided to make a switch. The Rebels played in a 1-2-2 zone instead and finished the year with a 26-2 record, setting an example for Rice to follow.
"He put his ego aside," said Rice, a graduate assistant on that team in 1992. "It sent a message to me. Don't ever let yourself or your ego get in the way of your team."
Rice has spent his entire career setting up others for success. He was a reserve on the 1990 national championship team, arriving as a junior college transfer and happy to play a complementary role alongside stars Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony. To Rice, a Rhodes Scholar candidate, contributing to a championship-caliber program was the main reason he went to UNLV.
"Everyone wants to play more minutes, and everyone wants to start, but it was really important for me to be part of a really successful program," Rice said. "It helps me as a coach. Coach Tark and his staff really valued the job our role players did, whether it was two minutes a game, 12 minutes a game or coming in to take charge or make a 3. Everyone really felt their value.
"You don't win championships without all your guys. You also need the role players. I can point back to my own experience."
Tarkanian was so impressed with Rice that he told the backup guard that coaching was in his future and offered him the graduate assistant position. Rice had never considered coaching before but had so much respect for Tarkanian that he took the job instead of going to law school.
Rice was still unsure enough about the coaching profession that he got his MBA in 1993, but he ultimately came back to UNLV again and again. He coached 10 more years as an assistant under Tim Grgurich, Bill Bayno and Charlie Spoonhour before having to leave after Lon Kruger was hired in 2004 and didn't retain him. "It's always hard to leave your alma mater," Rice said. "I left feeling there was unfinished business. At the time, it was really tough."
As it turned out, leaving UNLV was good for Rice's career, and he kept helping teams win wherever he went. He served as an assistant under Stew Morrill at Utah State for a year before going to BYU, where he was eventually promoted to associate head coach. For Dave Rose, Rice coordinated the team's offense and recruiting efforts during a time when the staff landed Jimmer Fredette from Glens Falls, N.Y., and saw him rise to prominence in the Rice's up-tempo system. The Cougars went to the Sweet 16 this season, with Fredette winning national player of the year honors.
Rice also was asked to run the program while Rose underwent cancer treatments in 2009.
"What it did was it changed all of us," Rice said. "We were still just as competitive. We worked just as hard. But we always talked about waking up every morning for family, for health, for those things we take for granted. We were more patient, maybe."
Kruger, who departed for the Oklahoma job, left the program in excellent shape having taken the Rebels to the NCAA tournament in four of the past five seasons. Tarkanian publicly stated his preference that another former Rebel, Reggie Theus, succeed Kruger. Tarkanian was nevertheless supportive of Rice, who couldn't help but reminisce at the sight of the old coach at his introductory news conference. Twenty years earlier, Tarkanian had identified the coaching potential in Rice.
"Nobody has seen him before as a head coach, so I don't think it would be fair to say how he'll be as UNLV's basketball coach," Tarkanian blogged in the Las Vegas Sun. "I can tell you he's a smart guy and a hard worker. He'll put in the time for that program to be successful."
UNLV, one of the favorites in the Mountain West Conference next season, returns four of its top five scorers, and Rice was especially pleased that not one player has left the program since his arrival. He's familiar with the players from having coached against them while with BYU and has spent recent weeks preparing the Rebels for the offensive transition game that will be installed. Being a Runnin' Rebel under Rice will require physical and mental conditioning.
"It's really a commitment to discipline, running consistently," Rice said. "We want to sprint into that set play. There's a method to it."
So when the Rebels run onto Jerry Tarkanian Court next season, the style in which they play will be a blast from the past. Joining Rice on the bench will be Augmon, who was hired as an assistant coach. The team has expectations of winning as well.
"I believe that we're very capable of having a great year," Rice said.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tony Bennett has Virginia ready to climb
The July evaluation period hasn't even started yet and Virginia is already three-fourths of the way done with its class of 2012.
Bennett can't comment on the commitments -- frontcourt players Mike Tobey, Evan Nolte and Justin Anderson. But know this: The Cavaliers are ahead of schedule, and maybe just a point guard short of coming up with what would be a stellar class for third-year coach Tony Bennett.
If Bennett continues to pile up the players he covets -- from a specific pool of skilled players who can adapt to playing his stingy defense -- then the Cavs will fulfill his rebuilding blueprint and return to prominence in the ACC.
UVa athletic director Craig Littlepage told Bennett when he hired him that the rebuild would take three to four years once he put his system in place, and that he should expect to be an upper-division ACC team after that.
"But there is no shortcut," Bennett said. "We're trying to build it like we did at Wisconsin and Washington State. We want to get two or three good classes in a row and right now we've got a potential top 10 class [in 2012]. We don't go the JC route at Virginia. We might have the occasional transfer, but it's going to be players who grow up in this program."
The school's winning tradition under Terry Holland and at times Jeff Jones (there were some quality teams under Pete Gillen that never could advance) can certainly be cultivated again. The University of Virginia is a first-class institution with a passionate alumni base, a state-of-the-art facility, a tremendous locale in fertile recruiting ground and academics that can rival almost any university.
Bennett was able to turn around perennial Pac-10 doormat Washington State. Sticking with a class of players who were committed to rebuilding Wazzu -- at the time no-names like Derrick Low, Kyle Weaver and Robbie Cowgill -- made the Cougars winning at a high level all that much sweeter.
Virginia could do the same.
With No. 1 recruit Austin Rivers arriving at Duke, North Carolina getting Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller to return to a loaded team, Florida State gaining some momentum with a Sweet 16 run and Jim Larranaga getting plenty of pub as the new coach at Miami, Virginia's potential as a real sleeper has gotten lost in the mix.
"We've got experience coming back and we will be a better team," Bennett said.
The Cavs got the expected good news that Mike Scott would be eligible for a fifth season after he was shut down on Dec. 22 due to a left ankle injury. Scott had been tearing up opponents early on, scoring 27 points and grabbing 15 boards against Oklahoma in Maui, putting up 17 points and 12 boards in a win at Minnesota and then 21 and 13 in a win at rival Virginia Tech.
Scott was unquestionably one of the best big men in the ACC prior to his injury and he'll enter this season as one of the toughest-to-stop posts in the conference.
"I was in that groove, playing with a lot of confidence," Scott said of his pre-injury play. "[But] the team learned how to play without me. They started to see a lot of success."
Virginia still finished 7-9 in the ACC (16-15 overall) without its most valuable player. Freshmen guards Joe Harris and K.T. Harrell had solid first seasons in Charlottesville, both shooting better than 41 percent on 3s and ensuring the Cavs have a stable backcourt. A healthy Scott gives the team the necessary balance to compete on a higher level.
Scott was recruited by Dave Leitao and his staff, playing two years for UVa's former coach. After taking awhile to grasp the nuances of Bennett's system, Scott was really starting to take off, averaging a double-double (16 and 10) before the injury. Since he never redshirted and didn't play more than 30 percent of the team's games last season, Scott was granted an additional year of eligibility. And he plans on taking full advantage of it.
"I'm motivated to go even harder," he said. "I'm spending the summer here, getting in better shape and working out."
Scott and Sammy Zeglinski will be the leaders of this squad and three freshmen will join in the fall: Malcolm Brogdon, Paul Jesperson and Darion Atkins. How much they contribute will depend on whether or not they grasp Bennett's defensive demands.
"It was hard playing without Mike last season but our freshmen got a lot of experience," Bennett said. "These guys are talented and there will be a lot of competition for playing time. We've got [high school] players of the year from Alabama, Washington, Wisconsin and Georgia."
As far as the schedule goes, the Cavs will hit the road for games at LSU and Oregon, host Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, will potentially get a shot against Marquette in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas and have signed on for a home-and-home with CAA favorite George Mason.
Carolina is the consensus top pick in the conference, with Duke not far behind and Florida State the likely third pick. But after that, the rest of the ACC is wide open.
"There's not a lot of drop-off," Bennett said. "The expectation is that Carolina and Duke are on top, but there isn't a lot of separation in the ACC [in the middle of the pack]."
To be an elite program, the Cavs will need to ensure they have some pros on the roster. The recent momentum in recruiting is a start.
"I tell the guys that you've got to be good enough to get to the NBA and I'll prepare you on how to last once you're there," Bennett said. "But it's about how much you develop. We know the formula on building a program."
The Bennett family has done exactly that at Wisconsin and Washington State. Will Year 3 in Charlottesville be the turning point that brings the school back to the NCAA tournament?
"We've got all the right ingredients if everyone stays healthy to be one of the best teams in the league," Scott said. "Coach has put the defensive mindset into the program. His father [Dick] taught him and he's teaching us."
Bennett can't comment on the commitments -- frontcourt players Mike Tobey, Evan Nolte and Justin Anderson. But know this: The Cavaliers are ahead of schedule, and maybe just a point guard short of coming up with what would be a stellar class for third-year coach Tony Bennett.
If Bennett continues to pile up the players he covets -- from a specific pool of skilled players who can adapt to playing his stingy defense -- then the Cavs will fulfill his rebuilding blueprint and return to prominence in the ACC.
UVa athletic director Craig Littlepage told Bennett when he hired him that the rebuild would take three to four years once he put his system in place, and that he should expect to be an upper-division ACC team after that.
"But there is no shortcut," Bennett said. "We're trying to build it like we did at Wisconsin and Washington State. We want to get two or three good classes in a row and right now we've got a potential top 10 class [in 2012]. We don't go the JC route at Virginia. We might have the occasional transfer, but it's going to be players who grow up in this program."
The school's winning tradition under Terry Holland and at times Jeff Jones (there were some quality teams under Pete Gillen that never could advance) can certainly be cultivated again. The University of Virginia is a first-class institution with a passionate alumni base, a state-of-the-art facility, a tremendous locale in fertile recruiting ground and academics that can rival almost any university.
Bennett was able to turn around perennial Pac-10 doormat Washington State. Sticking with a class of players who were committed to rebuilding Wazzu -- at the time no-names like Derrick Low, Kyle Weaver and Robbie Cowgill -- made the Cougars winning at a high level all that much sweeter.
Virginia could do the same.
With No. 1 recruit Austin Rivers arriving at Duke, North Carolina getting Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller to return to a loaded team, Florida State gaining some momentum with a Sweet 16 run and Jim Larranaga getting plenty of pub as the new coach at Miami, Virginia's potential as a real sleeper has gotten lost in the mix.
"We've got experience coming back and we will be a better team," Bennett said.
The Cavs got the expected good news that Mike Scott would be eligible for a fifth season after he was shut down on Dec. 22 due to a left ankle injury. Scott had been tearing up opponents early on, scoring 27 points and grabbing 15 boards against Oklahoma in Maui, putting up 17 points and 12 boards in a win at Minnesota and then 21 and 13 in a win at rival Virginia Tech.
Scott was unquestionably one of the best big men in the ACC prior to his injury and he'll enter this season as one of the toughest-to-stop posts in the conference.
"I was in that groove, playing with a lot of confidence," Scott said of his pre-injury play. "[But] the team learned how to play without me. They started to see a lot of success."
Virginia still finished 7-9 in the ACC (16-15 overall) without its most valuable player. Freshmen guards Joe Harris and K.T. Harrell had solid first seasons in Charlottesville, both shooting better than 41 percent on 3s and ensuring the Cavs have a stable backcourt. A healthy Scott gives the team the necessary balance to compete on a higher level.
Scott was recruited by Dave Leitao and his staff, playing two years for UVa's former coach. After taking awhile to grasp the nuances of Bennett's system, Scott was really starting to take off, averaging a double-double (16 and 10) before the injury. Since he never redshirted and didn't play more than 30 percent of the team's games last season, Scott was granted an additional year of eligibility. And he plans on taking full advantage of it.
"I'm motivated to go even harder," he said. "I'm spending the summer here, getting in better shape and working out."
Scott and Sammy Zeglinski will be the leaders of this squad and three freshmen will join in the fall: Malcolm Brogdon, Paul Jesperson and Darion Atkins. How much they contribute will depend on whether or not they grasp Bennett's defensive demands.
"It was hard playing without Mike last season but our freshmen got a lot of experience," Bennett said. "These guys are talented and there will be a lot of competition for playing time. We've got [high school] players of the year from Alabama, Washington, Wisconsin and Georgia."
As far as the schedule goes, the Cavs will hit the road for games at LSU and Oregon, host Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, will potentially get a shot against Marquette in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas and have signed on for a home-and-home with CAA favorite George Mason.
Carolina is the consensus top pick in the conference, with Duke not far behind and Florida State the likely third pick. But after that, the rest of the ACC is wide open.
"There's not a lot of drop-off," Bennett said. "The expectation is that Carolina and Duke are on top, but there isn't a lot of separation in the ACC [in the middle of the pack]."
To be an elite program, the Cavs will need to ensure they have some pros on the roster. The recent momentum in recruiting is a start.
"I tell the guys that you've got to be good enough to get to the NBA and I'll prepare you on how to last once you're there," Bennett said. "But it's about how much you develop. We know the formula on building a program."
The Bennett family has done exactly that at Wisconsin and Washington State. Will Year 3 in Charlottesville be the turning point that brings the school back to the NCAA tournament?
"We've got all the right ingredients if everyone stays healthy to be one of the best teams in the league," Scott said. "Coach has put the defensive mindset into the program. His father [Dick] taught him and he's teaching us."
Ricky Rubio inked with Wolves
Ricky Rubio has already signed a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the holdup keeping him from leaving Barcelona is related to his buyout agreement, multiple sources told ESPN.com.
"This is just a bump in the road for (the Timberwolves)," said one source.
Rubio's Spanish club won the ACB championship Tuesday, after which Rubio said:
"We are talking with Barcelona and we will soon see."
That fueled speculation Rubio might not come to Minnesota for the 2011-12 season. But two sources told ESPN.com Rubio has already signed with the Timberwolves. He still must receive a letter of clearance from FIBA, the sport's international governing body.
Earlier this month, The Associated Press and The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported that Rubio, the No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA draft, had reached an agreement to join the Timberwolves after two seasons with Barcelona.
The Timberwolves did not confirm those reports, which followed years of speculation that Rubio, 20, did not want to leave Europe or pay the multimillion-dollar buyout of his Barcelona contract out of his own pocket.
Rubio said he was "very happy" after Barcelona won the Spanish league title, according to the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. "This title is the most widely appreciated. At last I have it and we must all be proud of it."
On Wednesday, a source close to Rubio told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that he is unaware of any change to Rubio's plans to play in the NBA next season.
Timberwolves president David Kahn called Rubio "a virtuoso and somebody special" after drafting him in 2009. Kahn and agent Dan Fegan had an agreement to bring Rubio to the NBA that summer, but Rubio withdrew from that deal at the last minute after deciding he did not want to pay a $6 million-plus buyout.
With the passing of two seasons, Rubio's buyout from Barcelona has decreased to $1.4 million. The Timberwolves can contribute up to $500,000 of that amount under current league rules.
Rubio averaged 6.5 points a game on 39 percent shooting this season at Barcelona, where he dealt with a foot injury and fell out of the starting lineup. The Timberwolves believe Rubio will flourish in the NBA, where guards have more freedom to create than they do in the stricter offensive schemes common in the European game.
"He's gotten bigger and he plays outstanding defense, and because he's a pass-first guard he's going to be liked by everybody who plays with him," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said last year. Krzyzewski coached Team USA against Rubio and Spain in the Beijing Olympics.
Rubio dominated the junior circuit in Europe and turned professional at 14. His flashy style and baby face made him an instant sensation in Europe.
Although Rubio's stock dropped this season, the woeful Timberwolves -- winners of a combined 32 games the past two seasons -- remain in need of a point guard to feed the ball to Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.
"This is just a bump in the road for (the Timberwolves)," said one source.
Rubio's Spanish club won the ACB championship Tuesday, after which Rubio said:
"We are talking with Barcelona and we will soon see."
That fueled speculation Rubio might not come to Minnesota for the 2011-12 season. But two sources told ESPN.com Rubio has already signed with the Timberwolves. He still must receive a letter of clearance from FIBA, the sport's international governing body.
Earlier this month, The Associated Press and The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported that Rubio, the No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA draft, had reached an agreement to join the Timberwolves after two seasons with Barcelona.
The Timberwolves did not confirm those reports, which followed years of speculation that Rubio, 20, did not want to leave Europe or pay the multimillion-dollar buyout of his Barcelona contract out of his own pocket.
Rubio said he was "very happy" after Barcelona won the Spanish league title, according to the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. "This title is the most widely appreciated. At last I have it and we must all be proud of it."
On Wednesday, a source close to Rubio told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that he is unaware of any change to Rubio's plans to play in the NBA next season.
Timberwolves president David Kahn called Rubio "a virtuoso and somebody special" after drafting him in 2009. Kahn and agent Dan Fegan had an agreement to bring Rubio to the NBA that summer, but Rubio withdrew from that deal at the last minute after deciding he did not want to pay a $6 million-plus buyout.
With the passing of two seasons, Rubio's buyout from Barcelona has decreased to $1.4 million. The Timberwolves can contribute up to $500,000 of that amount under current league rules.
Rubio averaged 6.5 points a game on 39 percent shooting this season at Barcelona, where he dealt with a foot injury and fell out of the starting lineup. The Timberwolves believe Rubio will flourish in the NBA, where guards have more freedom to create than they do in the stricter offensive schemes common in the European game.
"He's gotten bigger and he plays outstanding defense, and because he's a pass-first guard he's going to be liked by everybody who plays with him," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said last year. Krzyzewski coached Team USA against Rubio and Spain in the Beijing Olympics.
Rubio dominated the junior circuit in Europe and turned professional at 14. His flashy style and baby face made him an instant sensation in Europe.
Although Rubio's stock dropped this season, the woeful Timberwolves -- winners of a combined 32 games the past two seasons -- remain in need of a point guard to feed the ball to Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.
UNC parking tickets exceeded $13,000
North Carolina has released documents showing a group of Tar Heels football players accumulated more than $13,000 in parking citations over a 3½-year period.
The school released the documents Thursday, a day after the state Court of Appeals denied the school's request to delay the release of those records pending an appeal. A Wake County Superior Court judge had ruled in April that the school withheld documents it should have provided to requesting media outlets covering the NCAA investigation into the football program.
The university said in a statement that not all of the 11 players requested by the media had received tickets. The university says student-athletes "do not receive special treatment" and "are expected" to pay parking fines like any student, though it didn't say whether fines were paid.
The school says it found that each car was registered to the student, a parent or grandparent, or a fellow student.
The school also released hundreds of pages of phone records of coach John Blake, athletic director Dick Baddour and former assistant coach John Blake, who resigned in September. Blake's ties to late NFL agent Gary Wichard became a focus of the NCAA probe into improper benefits and academic misconduct.
The NCAA has informed the school that it plans to complete its investigation this month.
In all, 14 players missed at least one game this season due to the probe with seven being ruled out for the entire year. An eighth was cleared to return at midseason but decided to redshirt.
The school released the documents Thursday, a day after the state Court of Appeals denied the school's request to delay the release of those records pending an appeal. A Wake County Superior Court judge had ruled in April that the school withheld documents it should have provided to requesting media outlets covering the NCAA investigation into the football program.
The university said in a statement that not all of the 11 players requested by the media had received tickets. The university says student-athletes "do not receive special treatment" and "are expected" to pay parking fines like any student, though it didn't say whether fines were paid.
The school says it found that each car was registered to the student, a parent or grandparent, or a fellow student.
The school also released hundreds of pages of phone records of coach John Blake, athletic director Dick Baddour and former assistant coach John Blake, who resigned in September. Blake's ties to late NFL agent Gary Wichard became a focus of the NCAA probe into improper benefits and academic misconduct.
The NCAA has informed the school that it plans to complete its investigation this month.
In all, 14 players missed at least one game this season due to the probe with seven being ruled out for the entire year. An eighth was cleared to return at midseason but decided to redshirt.
Gator great Danny Wuerffel hospitalized with paralyzing disorder
Danny Wuerffel, former Heisman Trophy winner and record-breaking star of Florida's 1996 national championship team, has been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder, Guillain-Barré syndrome, according to the Gainesville Sun and several other Florida sources. Wuerffel, who currently works full-time with New Orleans-based Desire Street Ministries, was visiting a fellow minister in Alabama when he fell ill and was hospitalized, as he wrote in an email to associates on Tuesday:
A prayer request on my end. I caught a stomach bug last week on our Desire Ministry retreat in Colorado and my body got screwed up fighting the virus. I didn't recover well. I started losing feeling in my legs, and then while in Montgomery this week visiting our ministry partner, Bryan Kelly, I started losing feeling and strength in my hands and arms. After a series of crazy tests all day Friday (it was actually a blessing to have been in Montgomery), I was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome a pretty dangerous type of temporary but progressive paralysis. It was my immune system overreaction to the stomach bug that started attacking my nervous system. Fortunately, it was diagnosed early and I'm on a week-long treatment that should make everything be ok.Crazy stuff. I'm doing well and very thankful to be getting good help. I'll be in Montgomery at least until next Tuesday. Please pray for a full and hopefully quick recovery.
I'm not that kind of doctor, but the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes Guillain-Barré syndrome as "a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system," resulting in weakness, tingling and varying degrees of paralysis. In severe cases, a patient may be totally paralyzed and require a respirator to breathe; physicians may also opt to perform a spinal tap. The syndrome can be "a devastating disorder," and sometimes life-threatening if not treated.
As Wuerffel's email indicates, however, treatment can dramatically lessen symptoms and accelerate recovery, though there is no known cure. (The NIND again: "No one yet knows why Guillain-Barré strikes some people and not others or what sets the disease in motion.") Recovery time may span from a few weeks to a few years; about 30 percent of GBS patients still have residual weakness after three years, and a small number (about 3 percent) may experience a relapse many years later.
In Wuerffel's case, it sounds like he's optimistic about landing on the better end of that spectrum; one spokesman for his ministry said he expects a full recovery, and another described him as "cutting up and joking," although still "pretty weak." From us, Godspeed on a fast and full revival for a great quarterback and humanitarian.
Super Bowl hero’s shocking same-sex marriage comments
People play in the NFL together despite their immense differences — it happens all the time. So it is for two key members of the 2007 New York Giants team that upended the New England Patriots' run to a perfect season with a 17-14 victory over the heavily favored Pats in Super Bowl XLII.
Receiver David Tyree(notes), who made a key catch in the air against New England safety Rodney Harrison(notes), recently made some controversial comments on the subject of same-sex marriage. Tyree, who made one Pro Bowl in 2005 primarily for his special teams work, caught a total of 54 passes for 650 yards and four touchdowns in his six-year NFL career, but he's still an interesting voice because of that one heroic Super Bowl catch.
And with that voice, Tyree managed to put his foot in his mouth in the minds of many people, saying that two people of the same gender could not make a commitment to each other that involved the raising of children.
Asked in a recent interview with an anti-gay group called the National Organization for Marriage about a same-sex marriage bill that recently passed the New York state assembly and awaits approval from state senators, Tyree said that "this will be the beginning of our country's sliding towards, you know, it's a strong word, but 'anarchy.' The moment we have it, if you trace back even to other cultures, other countries, that will be the moment where our society and itself, loses its grip with what's right. Marriage is one of those things that is the backbone of society.
"How can marriage be marriage for thousands of years and now all the sudden because a minority, an influential minority, has a push or agenda ... and totally reshapes something that was not founded in our country," Tyree continued. "You can't teach something that you don't have, so two men will never be able to show a woman how to be a woman."
Defensive end Michael Strahan, who made Super Bowl XLII his last game after 15 seasons in what should be a Hall of Fame career, has taken his post-football life to several different media outlets and advocacy campaigns, including a recent one in support of same-sex marriage. Strahan recently shot a video for the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign with his fiancée, Nicole Murphy.
Some former players may have a natural gap of understanding when it comes to things outside of the traditional "macho" viewpoint, but Strahan has learned a few things in his time as a football expert with FOX Sports.
"Heck, I work for FOX, man," Strahan told the Times. "They've got 'Glee' on TV."
"All the publicity that it's gotten, between the NBA and everything else, definitely has opened up the topic again," Strahan recently told the New York Times. "The topic has always been there. It seems like this is a great time to talk about it, a great time to open up dialogue and give people more of an understanding about all the issues that are going on around it.
"I have plenty of gay friends, and I don't judge them. I want them to have all the same rights I have, and all the opportunities I have to be in a relationship, a great relationship, with the person that they're in love with."
Receiver David Tyree(notes), who made a key catch in the air against New England safety Rodney Harrison(notes), recently made some controversial comments on the subject of same-sex marriage. Tyree, who made one Pro Bowl in 2005 primarily for his special teams work, caught a total of 54 passes for 650 yards and four touchdowns in his six-year NFL career, but he's still an interesting voice because of that one heroic Super Bowl catch.
And with that voice, Tyree managed to put his foot in his mouth in the minds of many people, saying that two people of the same gender could not make a commitment to each other that involved the raising of children.
Asked in a recent interview with an anti-gay group called the National Organization for Marriage about a same-sex marriage bill that recently passed the New York state assembly and awaits approval from state senators, Tyree said that "this will be the beginning of our country's sliding towards, you know, it's a strong word, but 'anarchy.' The moment we have it, if you trace back even to other cultures, other countries, that will be the moment where our society and itself, loses its grip with what's right. Marriage is one of those things that is the backbone of society.
"How can marriage be marriage for thousands of years and now all the sudden because a minority, an influential minority, has a push or agenda ... and totally reshapes something that was not founded in our country," Tyree continued. "You can't teach something that you don't have, so two men will never be able to show a woman how to be a woman."
Defensive end Michael Strahan, who made Super Bowl XLII his last game after 15 seasons in what should be a Hall of Fame career, has taken his post-football life to several different media outlets and advocacy campaigns, including a recent one in support of same-sex marriage. Strahan recently shot a video for the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign with his fiancée, Nicole Murphy.
Some former players may have a natural gap of understanding when it comes to things outside of the traditional "macho" viewpoint, but Strahan has learned a few things in his time as a football expert with FOX Sports.
"Heck, I work for FOX, man," Strahan told the Times. "They've got 'Glee' on TV."
"All the publicity that it's gotten, between the NBA and everything else, definitely has opened up the topic again," Strahan recently told the New York Times. "The topic has always been there. It seems like this is a great time to talk about it, a great time to open up dialogue and give people more of an understanding about all the issues that are going on around it.
"I have plenty of gay friends, and I don't judge them. I want them to have all the same rights I have, and all the opportunities I have to be in a relationship, a great relationship, with the person that they're in love with."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Home plate appeal costs celebrating team a state title
There's a reason they always stress to touch home plate to all Little Leaguers coming around to score: If you don't, you'll be called out.
Incredibly, that exact scenario unfolded in the most important Class LL high school baseball game of the season in Connecticut. Making it even more dramatic, the appeal happened in extra innings, when the player in question was rushing home to celebrate what he thought was a state championship.
There's a reason they always stress to touch home plate to all Little Leaguers coming around to score: If you don't, you'll be called out.
Incredibly, that exact scenario unfolded in the most important Class LL high school baseball game of the season in Connecticut. Making it even more dramatic, the appeal happened in extra innings, when the player in question was rushing home to celebrate what he thought was a state championship.
According to the Newington (Conn.) Town Crier, Southington (Conn.) High star Matt Sprulli appeared to score from first in the bottom of the eighth inning of the Connecticut Class LL state baseball championship against Newington (Conn.) High. Yet Sprulli never touched home plate with the winning run before celebrating in a massive dog pile at second base with the rest of his teammates.
Wise to the error, Newington catcher Tyler Barrett held the ball, stood on home plate and looked over to home plate umpire David Bindas, who promptly called Sprulli out, ending the eighth inning and giving Newington a new lease of playoff life.
"I hate to say it but it was kind of bittersweet," Barrett told the Town Crier. "I was happy to get the out because it gave us another chance to win the ballgame. It's about time we handed it to them. They have a great program but we were due."
Equally amazingly, no one from the Southington coaching staff was in a position to argue the call, as head coach Charles Lembo admitted he hadn't seen the play at the plate. Rather, he was focusing on the batter who had driven in what was sure to be the title-winning run.
"To be honest I saw him come around third base and I was waving him home," Lembo said. "And I made sure he touched third, and then I was looking at Sal at second to make sure he didn't keep coming because I didn't want him out before the run scored. So I never saw what happened at the plate."
Lembo said it was the Newington crowd that made him realize the run didn't count.
"We were kind of celebrating and we thought we had it won and all of a sudden I heard the crowd react and I went 'woah wait a minute that's not our side,'" he said. "And Dave [Bindas] told me that he missed home."
That same Newington crowd had more to celebrate two innings later, when the Indians scored the go-ahead run, then shut down the Blue Knights to secure what may go down as one of the most disputed state titles in Connecticut history.
If nothing else, the finish served to reinforce an old Little League axiom that is still just as important at any other level of baseball.
Scientists predict rare 'hibernation' of sunspots
For years, scientists have been predicting the Sun would by around 2012 move into solar maximum, a period of intense flares and sunspot activity, but lately a curious calm has suggested quite the opposite.
According to three studies released in the United States on Tuesday, experts believe the familiar sunspot cycle may be shutting down and heading toward a pattern of inactivity unseen since the 17th century.
The signs include a missing jet stream, fading spots, and slower activity near the poles, said experts from the National Solar Observatory and Air Force Research Laboratory.
"This is highly unusual and unexpected," said Frank Hill, associate director of the NSO's Solar Synoptic Network, as the findings of the three studies were presented at the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
"But the fact that three completely different views of the Sun point in the same direction is a powerful indicator that the sunspot cycle may be going into hibernation."
Solar activity tends to rise and fall every 11 years or so. The solar maximum and solar minimum each mark about half the interval of the magnetic pole reversal on the Sun, which happens every 22 years.
Hill said the current cycle, number 24, "may be the last normal one for some time and the next one, cycle 25, may not happen for some time.
"This is important because the solar cycle causes space weather which affects modern technology and may contribute to climate change," he told reporters.
Experts are now probing whether this period of inactivity could be a second Maunder Minimum, which was a 70-year period when hardly any sunspots were observed between 1645-1715, a period known as the "Little Ice Age."
"If we are right, this could be the last solar maximum we'll see for a few decades. That would affect everything from space exploration to Earth's climate," said Hill.
Solar flares and eruptions can send highly charged particles hurtling toward Earth and interfere with satellite communications, GPS systems and even airline controls.
Geomagnetic forces have been known to occasionally garble the world's modern gadgetry, and warnings were issued as recently as last week when a moderate solar flare sent a coronal mass ejection in the Earth's direction.
The temperature change associated with any reduction in sunspot activity would likely be minimal and may not be enough to offset the impact of greenhouse gases on global warming, according to scientists who have published recent papers on the topic.
"Recent solar 11-year cycles are associated empirically with changes in global surface temperature of 0.1 Celsius," said Judith Lean, a solar physicist with the US Naval Research Laboratory.
If the cycle were to stop or slow down, the small fluctuation in temperature would do the same, eliminating the slightly cooler effect of a solar minimum compared to the warmer solar maximum. The phenomenon was witnessed during the descending phase of the last solar cycle.
This "cancelled part of the greenhouse gas warming of the period 2000-2008, causing the net global surface temperature to remain approximately flat -- and leading to the big debate of why the Earth hadn't (been) warming in the past decade," Lean, who was not involved in the three studies presented, said in an email to AFP.
A study in the March 2010 issue of Geophysical Research Letters explored what effect an extended solar minimum might have, and found no more than a 0.3 Celsius dip by 2100 compared to normal solar fluctuations.
"A new Maunder-type solar activity minimum cannot offset the global warming caused by human greenhouse gas emissions," wrote authors Georg Feulner and Stefan Rahmstorf, noting that forecasts by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have found a range of 3.7 Celsius to 4.5 Celsius rise by this century's end compared to the latter half of the 20th century.
"Moreover, any offset of global warming due to a grand minimum of solar activity would be merely a temporary effect, since the distinct solar minima during the last millennium typically lasted for only several decades or a century at most."
According to three studies released in the United States on Tuesday, experts believe the familiar sunspot cycle may be shutting down and heading toward a pattern of inactivity unseen since the 17th century.
The signs include a missing jet stream, fading spots, and slower activity near the poles, said experts from the National Solar Observatory and Air Force Research Laboratory.
"This is highly unusual and unexpected," said Frank Hill, associate director of the NSO's Solar Synoptic Network, as the findings of the three studies were presented at the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
"But the fact that three completely different views of the Sun point in the same direction is a powerful indicator that the sunspot cycle may be going into hibernation."
Solar activity tends to rise and fall every 11 years or so. The solar maximum and solar minimum each mark about half the interval of the magnetic pole reversal on the Sun, which happens every 22 years.
Hill said the current cycle, number 24, "may be the last normal one for some time and the next one, cycle 25, may not happen for some time.
"This is important because the solar cycle causes space weather which affects modern technology and may contribute to climate change," he told reporters.
Experts are now probing whether this period of inactivity could be a second Maunder Minimum, which was a 70-year period when hardly any sunspots were observed between 1645-1715, a period known as the "Little Ice Age."
"If we are right, this could be the last solar maximum we'll see for a few decades. That would affect everything from space exploration to Earth's climate," said Hill.
Solar flares and eruptions can send highly charged particles hurtling toward Earth and interfere with satellite communications, GPS systems and even airline controls.
Geomagnetic forces have been known to occasionally garble the world's modern gadgetry, and warnings were issued as recently as last week when a moderate solar flare sent a coronal mass ejection in the Earth's direction.
The temperature change associated with any reduction in sunspot activity would likely be minimal and may not be enough to offset the impact of greenhouse gases on global warming, according to scientists who have published recent papers on the topic.
"Recent solar 11-year cycles are associated empirically with changes in global surface temperature of 0.1 Celsius," said Judith Lean, a solar physicist with the US Naval Research Laboratory.
If the cycle were to stop or slow down, the small fluctuation in temperature would do the same, eliminating the slightly cooler effect of a solar minimum compared to the warmer solar maximum. The phenomenon was witnessed during the descending phase of the last solar cycle.
This "cancelled part of the greenhouse gas warming of the period 2000-2008, causing the net global surface temperature to remain approximately flat -- and leading to the big debate of why the Earth hadn't (been) warming in the past decade," Lean, who was not involved in the three studies presented, said in an email to AFP.
A study in the March 2010 issue of Geophysical Research Letters explored what effect an extended solar minimum might have, and found no more than a 0.3 Celsius dip by 2100 compared to normal solar fluctuations.
"A new Maunder-type solar activity minimum cannot offset the global warming caused by human greenhouse gas emissions," wrote authors Georg Feulner and Stefan Rahmstorf, noting that forecasts by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have found a range of 3.7 Celsius to 4.5 Celsius rise by this century's end compared to the latter half of the 20th century.
"Moreover, any offset of global warming due to a grand minimum of solar activity would be merely a temporary effect, since the distinct solar minima during the last millennium typically lasted for only several decades or a century at most."
Why these players chose the sport’s least popular jersey number
Providence guard Mike Murray's introduction to life as a college basketball walk-on began long before his coaches first demoted him to the scout team in practice or relegated him to the end of the bench during games.
Whereas scholarship players at Providence select their own jersey number, Murray didn't receive the same perk. Instead, he discovered he had been assigned a number last fall when he opened a box of practice gear and to his dismay pulled out a No. 53jersey.
"I got shafted," Murray said with a chuckle. "I was excited just to get a jersey, but it's definitely not the number I'd have chosen. The only 53s I could think of were linebackers in the NFL."
Few famous No. 53s popped into Murray's mind because the number isn't exactly steeped in basketball tradition. Only seven of 345 Division I basketball programs had a player who donned No. 53 last season, making it by far the sport's least popular jersey number.
The small fraternity of players who did wear No. 53 last season each have their own rationale for choosing it.
New Mexico center Alex Kirk has worn No. 53 since high school to honor a player from his hometown of Los Alamos he idolized growing up. Ohio center Ethan Jacobs took No. 53 in college because he relished the chance to leave a mark on a number no Bobcats player in school history had ever worn before. And Texas forward Clint Chapman wore No. 53 in high school because it was the only jersey large enough to fit him, but he soon grew fond of having a number not associated with any of today's high-profile stars.
"Everybody seems to pick a number that's connected to some famous player somewhere," Chapman said. "With 53, there haven't been the Jordans, Kobes or LeBrons. So I think it's appealing to know you can have an impact on a number that hasn't already been claimed."
It's no surprise No. 53 isn't prevalent in college basketball since players have traditionally avoided numbers in the 50s for generations.
High school and middle school teams that use the same uniforms each year typically offer the highest-numbered ones in the biggest sizes, so the largest kids who require jumbo jerseys often have no choice but to take a number in the 50s. Players say that phenomenon has stigmatized those numbers at every level of basketball, contributing to the fact that only three pros have ever worn a jersey in the 50s and had it retired by an NBA team.
College players seeking a more desirable number can only choose from a maximum of 36 potential options since the NCAA forbids them from selecting numbers containing a digit higher than five. Athletes typically select their jersey numbers for many reasons, from honoring a great player from a previous generation, to symbolizing a meaningful event in their life, to tapping into a number they believe has brought them good luck.
"Most elite performers have habits, routines and rituals that help them feel most comfortable and able to perform to their peak ability," said Dr. Charlie Brown, an AASP-certified sports psychologist based in Charlotte, N.C. "For a lot of the athletes that includes their jersey number. It has to do with a familiarity, a comfort and sometimes just a little bit of superstition."
One player whose college career counters that theory is ex-Atlanta Hawks center Jon Koncak, who wore a number he loathed in the early 1980s at Southern Methodist yet established himself as one of the nation's premier big men anyway.
The only jerseys big enough to fit Koncak in middle school and high school were No. 55 and No. 53, but the 7-footer yearned to ditch those once he got to college in favor of the No. 32 that belonged to his childhood hero Bill Walton. Instead, he had to wait until he reached the NBA to switch numbers because then-SMU coach Dave Bliss came to Koncak's high school in Kansas City the day he signed his letter of intent and presented him with a No. 53 Mustangs jersey with his last name on it.
"He didn't know I didn't want to wear 53," Koncak said. "I was so bummed, but I just figured I was in a photograph holding the jersey, so I had to stick with 53. When I went to the pros, I switched from 53 to 32 immediately."
Even one of basketball's most iconic No. 53s fittingly chose the number almost by accident.
Artis Gilmore, the 1972 ABA MVP and a six-time NBA All-Star, wore No. 32 his senior year of high school and No. 54 at Gardner Webb Junior College. Neither of those were available when he enrolled at Jacksonville University in 1969, so Gilmore settled for 53, a number he quickly grew fond of after taking the Dolphins to the national title game in 1970 and leading the nation in rebounding both seasons.
"I've been attached to it ever since," Gilmore said. "It has become me, a part of me just like my name. Artis Gilmore, No. 53. You become that number and it becomes you."
Former Philadelphia 76ers star Darryl Dawkins is one of the few noteworthy players to wear No. 53 since Gilmore, a fact that diminishes the appeal of the number to many of today's players but increases it for those who value blazing their own trail.
Recent Duke grad Casey Peters selected No. 53 before his junior year in 2009 because an uncommon number was symbolic of his atypical journey from student manager his first two seasons to walk-on guard for his final two. His father later pointed out it was a fitting choice since Peters' younger brother wears No. 13 at Emory College in Atlanta and his younger sister is No. 33 for the Duke women's team.
"I definitely think it fits me," Peters said. "One of the main reasons why I chose to wear it is because it's unique. My story is something that nobody else has ever done. My whole life I've kind of done my own thing, so the fact that it's unique is cool."
Teenage daughter of Robert Horry dies after lifelong illness
The teenage daughter of Robert Horry died on Tuesday after a lifelong battle with a rare genetic disorder.
Ashlyn Horry, 17, suffered from 1p36 deletion syndrome, an affliction that develops when part of the first chromosome is missing. Little was known about the condition before Ashlyn was diagnosed. Up until a few years ago, it didn't have an official name.
"My little girl was the light of my life and my family's," Horry told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday. "It's been tough, but we were blessed to have her for the time we did."
Horry won seven NBA championships during his career with the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. He earned the nickname "Big Shot Rob" due to his clutch shooting late in playoff games.
His daughter lived 17 years with her disorder, enduring multiple surgeries and several other close calls. A 2003 L.A. Times article detailed how she spent the first six months of her life in the hospital, had a tracheotomy for three years, took in most food through a tube and slept with an IV near her bed.
In that piece, Horry said that he sometimes couldn't help but feel bad for his daughter, like when her cousins would come over and chase butterflies while she sat and watched, unable to join in play. His wife expressed less regret.
"She's happy all the time," she said. "She doesn't know any different. That's great, and it's a peace for me. This is all she knows. She's happy, and I want to keep it that way."
Ashlyn Horry, 17, suffered from 1p36 deletion syndrome, an affliction that develops when part of the first chromosome is missing. Little was known about the condition before Ashlyn was diagnosed. Up until a few years ago, it didn't have an official name.
"My little girl was the light of my life and my family's," Horry told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday. "It's been tough, but we were blessed to have her for the time we did."
Horry won seven NBA championships during his career with the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. He earned the nickname "Big Shot Rob" due to his clutch shooting late in playoff games.
His daughter lived 17 years with her disorder, enduring multiple surgeries and several other close calls. A 2003 L.A. Times article detailed how she spent the first six months of her life in the hospital, had a tracheotomy for three years, took in most food through a tube and slept with an IV near her bed.
In that piece, Horry said that he sometimes couldn't help but feel bad for his daughter, like when her cousins would come over and chase butterflies while she sat and watched, unable to join in play. His wife expressed less regret.
"She's happy all the time," she said. "She doesn't know any different. That's great, and it's a peace for me. This is all she knows. She's happy, and I want to keep it that way."
Monday, June 13, 2011
The Illuminati EXPOSED : The Big Picture
Someone sent this to me and I am just passing it along. Believe what you want to believe....
The Roots of My Family Tree
Everything I am is because of You!
You are my Genetic Foundation
Like the roots that branch out underground
You rooted me with qualities of loyalty, honesty, and truth
Always making sure that we learned the true values of life and independents
So when the family begins to branch out like the branches of the tree
Each one had a little you in them
See my son and daughter doesn’t know the physical you
You where gone before they arrived
But the values and morals that I install in them
Is a monument to You
They are walking around with a little of you
Because You thought my mother,
And she thought me,
And I thought them
You can cut a tree down,
But the roots never stop growing
And they never die
Everything I am is because of you!!!
You are my genetic foundation
You are the Roots of My Family Tree
I will always love you Granny!!!!!!!!!!
You are my Genetic Foundation
Like the roots that branch out underground
You rooted me with qualities of loyalty, honesty, and truth
Always making sure that we learned the true values of life and independents
So when the family begins to branch out like the branches of the tree
Each one had a little you in them
See my son and daughter doesn’t know the physical you
You where gone before they arrived
But the values and morals that I install in them
Is a monument to You
They are walking around with a little of you
Because You thought my mother,
And she thought me,
And I thought them
You can cut a tree down,
But the roots never stop growing
And they never die
Everything I am is because of you!!!
You are my genetic foundation
You are the Roots of My Family Tree
I will always love you Granny!!!!!!!!!!
Texas drops ball in 30-23 loss to Louisiana
Four second-half fumbles cost Texas in a 30-23 loss to Louisiana in the ninth annual Bayou Bowl played Saturday at Stallworth Stadium.
It was a tough setback for the host team, which had won the last three contests. Louisiana picked up its fourth win of the series against five losses.
Texas dominated the first half and went into intermission with a 13-7 lead.
The last two quarters saw Texas mishandle two snaps from center and lose two fumbles.
Stern defense by Texas kept the game close. It took one final miscue to send Louisiana home with the victory.
Trailing 23-16 with just over two minutes left in the game, Texas gained a first down at its own 44.
Quarterback Trey Anderson kept the ball and made it to midfield before being stripped by Louisiana defender Ronnie Wheeler, who sprinted to the opposite end zone to put his team up by 14 points with 1:55 remaining.
Too little, too late
Texas roared back with a quick scoring drive but was unable to convert the ensuing onside kick with 54 seconds remaining.
“We turned the ball over, and they took advantage of it,” Texas coach Richard Carson said. “I think the difference was that we almost made a few plays.
“Hats off to Louisiana. ... I thought both sides did a great job.”
The game was almost even offensively, with Texas and Louisiana both gaining 225 yards on the ground.
A&M Consolidated graduate Chris Nutall, who will play for Texas State this fall, led the Texas offense with 112 yards on 16 carries.
Louisiana had the advantage of scoring twice on defense, using the long fumble return by Wheeler and a 19-yard score off a missed snap exchange from Gaven Weber in the third quarter.
Louisiana had other chances to increase its margin but was stopped four times inside the Texas 30.
Among the leaders of the Texas defense were linebacker Adrian Middleton, lineman Stuart Mouchantoe and defensive back Brison Burris.
“It’s not as much (about) scheme here,” Carson said. “It’s effort, heart and stick ’em. We had some guys who went after it.
“These kids were the (best) players at their school, and they had pride.”
Middleton rules middle
The Texas linebackers and interior linemen were particularly tough, forcing Louisiana to the outside on runs and passes.
Louisiana wanted little part of the middle, where future Prairie View A&M Panther Middleton was stationed.
“We did our best,” Middleton said. “We had some miscues on offense, but I think did well overall.
“It felt great to be among all the talent and athleticism down here between Texas and Louisiana. It was an honor to play in this game, so I tried my best tonight.”
It was a tough setback for the host team, which had won the last three contests. Louisiana picked up its fourth win of the series against five losses.
Texas dominated the first half and went into intermission with a 13-7 lead.
The last two quarters saw Texas mishandle two snaps from center and lose two fumbles.
Stern defense by Texas kept the game close. It took one final miscue to send Louisiana home with the victory.
Trailing 23-16 with just over two minutes left in the game, Texas gained a first down at its own 44.
Quarterback Trey Anderson kept the ball and made it to midfield before being stripped by Louisiana defender Ronnie Wheeler, who sprinted to the opposite end zone to put his team up by 14 points with 1:55 remaining.
Too little, too late
Texas roared back with a quick scoring drive but was unable to convert the ensuing onside kick with 54 seconds remaining.
“We turned the ball over, and they took advantage of it,” Texas coach Richard Carson said. “I think the difference was that we almost made a few plays.
“Hats off to Louisiana. ... I thought both sides did a great job.”
The game was almost even offensively, with Texas and Louisiana both gaining 225 yards on the ground.
A&M Consolidated graduate Chris Nutall, who will play for Texas State this fall, led the Texas offense with 112 yards on 16 carries.
Louisiana had the advantage of scoring twice on defense, using the long fumble return by Wheeler and a 19-yard score off a missed snap exchange from Gaven Weber in the third quarter.
Louisiana had other chances to increase its margin but was stopped four times inside the Texas 30.
Among the leaders of the Texas defense were linebacker Adrian Middleton, lineman Stuart Mouchantoe and defensive back Brison Burris.
“It’s not as much (about) scheme here,” Carson said. “It’s effort, heart and stick ’em. We had some guys who went after it.
“These kids were the (best) players at their school, and they had pride.”
Middleton rules middle
The Texas linebackers and interior linemen were particularly tough, forcing Louisiana to the outside on runs and passes.
Louisiana wanted little part of the middle, where future Prairie View A&M Panther Middleton was stationed.
“We did our best,” Middleton said. “We had some miscues on offense, but I think did well overall.
“It felt great to be among all the talent and athleticism down here between Texas and Louisiana. It was an honor to play in this game, so I tried my best tonight.”
Rob Bolden enrolls for summer session
Penn State quarterback Rob Bolden is back on campus and enrolled for the school's upcoming summer academic session, which begins June 29.
Bolden has been non-committal about his future at Penn State, telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earlier this month that he's undecided about whether he'll return for his sophomore season.
A team spokesman told ESPN.com on Monday that there's "no indication (Bolden) won't be here in (the) fall."
Bolden started the first seven games for Penn State last season, becoming the first Nittany Lions freshman quarterback to start the opener in 100 years. He suffered a concussion Oct. 23 at Minnesota and teammate Matt McGloin started five of the final six games.
Bolden tried to leave Penn State after the Outback Bowl, but coach Joe Paterno declined to grant his release. The quarterback remained in State College and competed with McGloin throughout spring practice. Penn State didn't name a starter after the spring.
Bolden completed 112 of 193 passes for 1,360 yards with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions last season.
Bolden has been non-committal about his future at Penn State, telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earlier this month that he's undecided about whether he'll return for his sophomore season.
A team spokesman told ESPN.com on Monday that there's "no indication (Bolden) won't be here in (the) fall."
Bolden started the first seven games for Penn State last season, becoming the first Nittany Lions freshman quarterback to start the opener in 100 years. He suffered a concussion Oct. 23 at Minnesota and teammate Matt McGloin started five of the final six games.
Bolden tried to leave Penn State after the Outback Bowl, but coach Joe Paterno declined to grant his release. The quarterback remained in State College and competed with McGloin throughout spring practice. Penn State didn't name a starter after the spring.
Bolden completed 112 of 193 passes for 1,360 yards with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions last season.
Dos Santos’ vicious attack locks up title shot and leaves Carwin’s nose broken
There's no further debate needed about who gets the first shot at UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez. Junior dos Santos picked apart Shane Carwin, broke his nose and left the behemoth looking like he was hit by a truck. The Brazilian rolled to a unanimous decision victory, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, in the main event at UFC 131 in Vancouver.
Dos Santos gets a shot at Velasquez., who's been sidelined since last October recovering from shoulder surgery. The champ has talked about returning in the fall with an eye on the UFC event scheduled for Houston in October.
Saturday night belonged to dos Santos though as the Brazilian handled Carwin at nearly every turn.
"My quickness and agility were the differences tonight. I had a longer reach and heavy hands. Shane was a great opponent, but tonight I proved that I'm ready for the title shot," dos Santos said.
There's no further debate needed about who gets the first shot at UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez. Junior dos Santos picked apart Shane Carwin, broke his nose and left the behemoth looking like he was hit by a truck. The Brazilian rolled to a unanimous decision victory, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, in the main event at UFC 131 in Vancouver.
Dos Santos gets a shot at Velasquez., who's been sidelined since last October recovering from shoulder surgery. The champ has talked about returning in the fall with an eye on the UFC event scheduled for Houston in October.
Saturday night belonged to dos Santos though as the Brazilian handled Carwin at nearly every turn.
"My quickness and agility were the differences tonight. I had a longer reach and heavy hands. Shane was a great opponent, but tonight I proved that I'm ready for the title shot," dos Santos said.
One has to wonder if Velasquez can even successfully defend the title one time with how good dos Santos looked. Dos Santos (13-1, 7-0 UFC) gets better with each fight. Carwin tried to use his wrestling to slow him down but had no success. On the feet, JDS used a quick jab to set up overhand rights and left hooks. He also mixed in some great body shots.
This was a long journey for Dos Santos, who hasn't fought since last August. After his win at UFC 117 over Roy Nelson, JDS was expected to get the first shot at Velasquez. Then the champ went down with the shoulder injury and dos Santos was slotted into the UFC's reality show "The Ultimate Fighter" to coach against Brock Lesnar. The coaches were scheduled to square off at UFC 131.
Earlier this year, the heavyweight contenders spent six weeks in Las Vegas taping the reality show. Last month, Dos Santos found out that Lesnar was backing out of the fight due to complications with his diverticulitis. Lesnar had surgery to remove 12 inches of his colon and is hoping to return at the start of 2012. When he comes back, the division is going to be stacked at the top.
In this clash of big men, Carwin (12-2, 4-2 UFC) almost appeared hopeless after the first round. Moving in and out of the pocket, Dos Santos was too fast for the 255-pound monster. JDS outstruck Carwin 88-20.
With 50 seconds left in the first, JDS caught Carwin with a 1-2 that floored him. Carwin fell to his knees and tried to cover up, but the onslaught from dos Santos was relentless. Somewhere in the hailstorm of punches, Carwin had his nose broken. Referee Herb Dean showed patience by allowing Carwin to fight on. He survived, but when he rose to his feet, the nose was flattened, his left eye was bruised and there was blood all over his face.
Dos Santos' confidence grew as the fight went along. The pummeling continued in the second and third rounds. He landed most of his jabs and held his hands low. Carwin tried to throw back, but too often he was left punching at the air.
In the third, Carwin, a former NCAA Div. II wrestling champ, finally scored a takedown, but he couldn't keep JDS on the ground. It had to break his spirit when dos Santos got back to his feet in less than 15 seconds. In the final two minutes, Dos Santos even landed two huge takedowns of his own to put an exclamation point on the victory.
Carwin admitted that after a year off to recover from back surgery and work on his conditioning, his game had slipped.
"I gotta get my timing back when it comes to boxing. It was a really tough fight to come back to. Junior is a (freakin') tough dude and he was strong. I've got some holes to fix in my wrestling in order to get back to where I need to be," Carwin said.
JDS' wrestling in the final round may have been a subtle message to the champ. Velasquez is an outstanding wrestler, but if he can't get dos Santos off his feet, he's in for a helluva battle.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Allen Iverson eyeing NBA comeback
Allen Iverson wants to keep his passport at home.
Ten years after he became an MVP who led the Philadelphia 76ers to the Finals, Iverson has his eyes on a comeback. He is determined to end a career in the NBA, a career that is possibly destined for the Hall of Fame, and not in some faraway country where brief YouTube clips are the only way to stay updated on the four-time scoring champion.
Iverson, who turned 36 this week, played only 10 games in an injury-filled stint in Turkey after a lack of NBA interest forced him to seek employment elsewhere. In his most recent NBA season, in 2009-10, Iverson left the Sixers in February.
That's not a lot of basketball for an aging veteran.
So what gives Iverson confidence he can still play anywhere near his former elite level next season?
"It's me," he said, laughing. "That's what gives me confidence. I know what I can do. Everybody in the world knows what I can do. Everybody knows what I can do on the basketball court."
Every fan knows how the 25-year-old Iverson could dazzle on the court. Like in the 2001 NBA Finals, when he buried a jumper over Tyronn Lue, then highstepped over the fallen Los Angeles Lakers defender in Game 1. The iconic moment ranked slightly behind his rookie year crossover vs. Michael Jordan as the most memorable of his 14-year career.
Iverson's added few plays to that list the past few years. He played for four teams in his last two NBA seasons, then left the Turkish club Besiktas with a leg injury.
A painful calcium mass developed on his right calf and he returned home opting for rest instead of surgery. Iverson's manager, Gary Moore, said Iverson has yet to receive the green light from Dr. James Andrews to resume contact drills. Iverson was not expected to get cleared until mid-July.
"Just give me a training camp," he said. "Maybe I've rubbed people the wrong way as far as saying the things I've said in my life and in my career. But if any team needs me to help try and win a championship in any capacity, I'm waiting."
He might have a long wait. Throw in a possible work stoppage with NBA owners and players far apart on a new labor deal, and Iverson might again be forced to look outside the NBA for a team. He signed a $4 million, two-year contract with Besiktas. But Iverson, who also has played for Denver, Detroit and Memphis, made it clear in a phone interview late Wednesday night, his first priority is the NBA.
"If that doesn't happen, I just want to play basketball, so I've got to weigh my options and do what's best for me and my career," he said. "If that doesn't happen, I don't want to not play basketball. I don't have any more years to be wasting."
Iverson has been dogged by rumors of personal problems -- his wife filed for divorce and a daughter battled serious health problems -- but he said his life these days is great.
All that's missing is basketball.
"The only thing that I give a damn about is that the people that care about me know that I'm all right," he said. "All I want is my real fans to know I'm fine, my wife is fine, my kids are fine. I'm fine and I'm looking forward to getting back on a team and being productive like I have been my whole career."
Iverson insisted he enjoyed his stay in Turkey.
"It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my life," he said. "They were great to me. They embraced me like I would never think. Everything was great as far as that experiment."
Ten years after he became an MVP who led the Philadelphia 76ers to the Finals, Iverson has his eyes on a comeback. He is determined to end a career in the NBA, a career that is possibly destined for the Hall of Fame, and not in some faraway country where brief YouTube clips are the only way to stay updated on the four-time scoring champion.
Iverson, who turned 36 this week, played only 10 games in an injury-filled stint in Turkey after a lack of NBA interest forced him to seek employment elsewhere. In his most recent NBA season, in 2009-10, Iverson left the Sixers in February.
That's not a lot of basketball for an aging veteran.
So what gives Iverson confidence he can still play anywhere near his former elite level next season?
"It's me," he said, laughing. "That's what gives me confidence. I know what I can do. Everybody in the world knows what I can do. Everybody knows what I can do on the basketball court."
Every fan knows how the 25-year-old Iverson could dazzle on the court. Like in the 2001 NBA Finals, when he buried a jumper over Tyronn Lue, then highstepped over the fallen Los Angeles Lakers defender in Game 1. The iconic moment ranked slightly behind his rookie year crossover vs. Michael Jordan as the most memorable of his 14-year career.
Iverson's added few plays to that list the past few years. He played for four teams in his last two NBA seasons, then left the Turkish club Besiktas with a leg injury.
A painful calcium mass developed on his right calf and he returned home opting for rest instead of surgery. Iverson's manager, Gary Moore, said Iverson has yet to receive the green light from Dr. James Andrews to resume contact drills. Iverson was not expected to get cleared until mid-July.
"Just give me a training camp," he said. "Maybe I've rubbed people the wrong way as far as saying the things I've said in my life and in my career. But if any team needs me to help try and win a championship in any capacity, I'm waiting."
He might have a long wait. Throw in a possible work stoppage with NBA owners and players far apart on a new labor deal, and Iverson might again be forced to look outside the NBA for a team. He signed a $4 million, two-year contract with Besiktas. But Iverson, who also has played for Denver, Detroit and Memphis, made it clear in a phone interview late Wednesday night, his first priority is the NBA.
"If that doesn't happen, I just want to play basketball, so I've got to weigh my options and do what's best for me and my career," he said. "If that doesn't happen, I don't want to not play basketball. I don't have any more years to be wasting."
Iverson has been dogged by rumors of personal problems -- his wife filed for divorce and a daughter battled serious health problems -- but he said his life these days is great.
All that's missing is basketball.
"The only thing that I give a damn about is that the people that care about me know that I'm all right," he said. "All I want is my real fans to know I'm fine, my wife is fine, my kids are fine. I'm fine and I'm looking forward to getting back on a team and being productive like I have been my whole career."
Iverson insisted he enjoyed his stay in Turkey.
"It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my life," he said. "They were great to me. They embraced me like I would never think. Everything was great as far as that experiment."
Lamont Jones headed to Iona
Former Rice High School and University of Arizona point guard Lamont "MoMo" Jones is transferring to Iona.
Jones, a Harlem native, was also considering nearby Seton Hall and Hofstra, among several other schools. Instead, he elected to join the Gaels, in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Rumors had swirled in recent weeks that Jones was interested in transferring to St. John's, but he was prohibited from doing so by NCAA rules because Moe Hicks, currently on the coaching staff at St. John's, also coached Jones for part of his high school career.
Jones averaged 9.7 points and 2.4 assists per game for Arizona last season, helping lead them to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight, where they lost a nail-biter to eventual national champion UConn. He announced on May 16 that he intended to transfer.
"After much thought, I have decided to pursue my goals at a school closer to home," Jones said in a statement. "My desire to be closer to my family, and in particular my grandmother, is the reason I am transferring."
The rising junior will have two years of eligibility remaining. Normally he would have to sit out the upcoming season, but Jones is expected to apply for a hardship waiver because his grandmother is ill and could be cleared to play this season.
Iona went 25-12 last season under first-year coach Tim Cluess. It lost to St. Peter's in the MAAC tournament championship game and will return the core of last year's team.
Jones, a Harlem native, was also considering nearby Seton Hall and Hofstra, among several other schools. Instead, he elected to join the Gaels, in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Rumors had swirled in recent weeks that Jones was interested in transferring to St. John's, but he was prohibited from doing so by NCAA rules because Moe Hicks, currently on the coaching staff at St. John's, also coached Jones for part of his high school career.
Jones averaged 9.7 points and 2.4 assists per game for Arizona last season, helping lead them to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight, where they lost a nail-biter to eventual national champion UConn. He announced on May 16 that he intended to transfer.
"After much thought, I have decided to pursue my goals at a school closer to home," Jones said in a statement. "My desire to be closer to my family, and in particular my grandmother, is the reason I am transferring."
The rising junior will have two years of eligibility remaining. Normally he would have to sit out the upcoming season, but Jones is expected to apply for a hardship waiver because his grandmother is ill and could be cleared to play this season.
Iona went 25-12 last season under first-year coach Tim Cluess. It lost to St. Peter's in the MAAC tournament championship game and will return the core of last year's team.
Taking a true measure of Tyson's legacy
There will come a day in the future when my 3-year-old sons uncover my undying passion for the sport of boxing. And inevitably, the topic of Mike Tyson will surface.
I'm sure they'll have questions ranging from, "Could he have been the best ever?" to "Did he really eat that man's ear in the ring?" Or, just as likely: "Are you telling me the guy on TV that kisses pigeons used to play sports, too?"
That's the unique and surreal reality of Michael Gerard Tyson. He is without definition; having lived the life of 10 men over nearly 45 years, Tyson has been rich, bankrupt, loved, despised, jailed, pitied and just about everything in between. But after hanging around under each stereotype just long enough to set his feet, he has reliably made a leap to the next chapter of his improbable life.
Now, with his post-boxing career and image reinvented through the eyes of pop culture, Tyson is just as likely to be remembered by this generation as the comedic icon from "The Hangover" as he is recalled by the previous generation for threatening to eat another man's children.
But neither of those is the Mike Tyson that I'll tell my sons about.
For all the time spent analyzing what Tyson could have been as a boxer historically, we miss out savoring what for a painfully short season he actually was. Tyson, who headlines the 12-member 2011 class for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday, was a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.
The term "Baddest Man on the Planet" will never do it justice. Neither will simply watching a collection of his early bouts. Go ahead and throw around statistics such as his record-breaking run to the heavyweight title at 20 years old or the meteoric 19 straight knockouts to start his career, including 12 in the first round. Only scratches the surface.
Tyson was a one-man show who had to be seen in the context of his day to be appreciated. He transcended not only boxing but sports in general, rising to fame in a perfect storm during the colorful and excessive 1980s alongside MTV, Michael Jordan and Hulk Hogan. He's the only athlete whom my father never a sports fan and I ever truly shared.
When critics attack the list of opponents that Tyson defeated in his unbeaten prime as underwhelming, they miss the bigger picture of his real legacy: Tyson captured a moment of time in American culture and truly made it his own.
He was a movie character come to life, part hero and part villain at the same time. This probably was his most underrated (and most marketable) trait. An endearing and vulnerable superstar with a sinister edge, helped along by his iconic attire of black trunks and shoes with no socks, and a plain white towel fit around his neck in place of a traditional robe.
Nothing Tyson did was traditional. He was an urban assassin who, unlike image-conscious athletes of his day, stayed true to who he really was as a counter-culture hero who came from nothing. He had more street cred than any athlete in history, and everything he did including the way he rapidly paced the ring before the start of a fight like a caged animal came off as genuine, and in fact was authentic. It was that wildly unpredictable transparency that made him a reality TV star years before the genre even existed.
Tyson's honesty and uncompromising promise of violence fueled his two greatest strengths as an athlete. First was his ability to sell tickets as the sport's most dynamic box office attraction in history, whether he was selling knockdowns or, later in his career, meltdowns. The other was his ability to win fights before they began, through fear and intimidation (see: Tyson's 1988 knockout of unbeaten Michael Spinks in 91 seconds).
Despite always being, at 5-foot-10, the smaller man in the ring while fighting in an era that spawned the birth of the super-heavyweights that we know today, the Tyson of the 1980s reduced opponents to shambles. He stripped them of whatever game plan they entered with and instantly transformed their climate into survival mode. Even before Tyson ran across the ring at the opening bell to bob and weave in his custom, Cus D'Amato-taught style, before exploding upward to land his patented left hook-right uppercut combination, he already had them.
No coincidence, he had us to.
The same fear he instilled in opponents resonated even more deeply with the viewer at home. He made Ray Lewis look about as terrifying as Carl Lewis. There was a palpable electricity in the air before every Tyson fight. Somehow you felt excited, nervous and guilty all at the same time, as if you were about to watch an organized crime play out in front of you and yet a TV screen and thousands of miles of distance weren't adequate protection from it.
And then there was the destruction Tyson left in his wake. It plays like hyperbole today, but most truly believed albeit while caught up in the moment during the fighter's three-year run as champion that Tyson would retire undefeated. Suddenly, it didn't matter the level of competition he was facing or the predictable nature of the outcome. It was like watching the NBA's Olympic "Dream Team" play only if the game were being played on an episode of "The Sopranos."
Today, Tyson's life continues to take uncharted turns into the realms of actor/entertainer and calm family man. And I wouldn't be surprised, considering his popularity and unmatched presence, if he one day takes the reins from Muhammad Ali as boxing's worldwide ambassador.
The tragic thing about introducing Tyson to a new generation as a "tragic hero" is that it forever depreciates the glorious time he once spent serving as, simply, "a hero."
Someday, my sons will ask about Tyson, and I'll tell them what I know about who he is and was. I'll also tell them that there never was anyone like him before, and there never will be again.
After watching five games of the NBA finals, I have come to the conclusion that LeBron James is not a closer. Five 4th quarter points in the NBA finals is not the making of a legend. Alot of people talk down on Kobe Bryant. They talk about how he will never be Michael Jordan. But you will never see Kobe run from the ball in the fourth quarter. For you to be considered a true Superstar in the league , the NBA finals is where u become legendary. Right now Lebron "King" James is playing more like the Court Jestor in the fourth quarter of games. Boy I would hate to see the look on Scottie Pippen face right now. Scottie has to be pulling out his hair right now.... Oh Well That Just The Life Of A Wannabe Superstar!!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
What happened to Mitch Mustain?
Mitch Mustain was once the best high school football player in the country — voted the Gatorade, USA Today and Parade Magazine National Player of the Year in 2005 after leading Springdale High in Arkansas to a 14-0 season and a state championship. The quarterback certainly never expected that five total seasons in two of the NCAA's biggest and most successful programs would lead him to a pro career in Canada instead of the NFL, but that's where things stand now.
Recruited by Arkansas, Mustain played well enough as a true freshman to see the Razorbacks go 8-0 in the games he started. The stats didn't quite match up (69 of 132 for 894 yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions), but something was happening, and it was pretty impressive. Mustain transferred to USC after that 2006 season after offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn Mustain's high school coach departed for the Tulsa staff, and the road that led him to his role as the offensive coordinator of the national champion Auburn Tigers.
After sitting out his 2007 season under NCAA transfer rules, Mustain threw just 16 total passes as a sophomore backup for the Trojans. And as the Trojans moved from Mark Sanchez to Matt Barkley, Mustain could never punch through the glass ceiling, and finished his USC career with 52 completions in 89 attempts, three touchdowns and three interceptions. There was some talk about his transferring away from USC to get a chance elsewhere, but in the end, the former high school stud simply flamed out.
Mustain decided to stay at USC because in a pro-style offense, he thought he'd be more attractive to NFL teams. Though he received several calls from other NCAA programs when the USC program was hit with sanctions, Mustain decided to stay put. "You've got to be able to get on the board in front of GMs and coaches come January, February and March and explain what you're doing, explain protections, that you understand where the O-line is going, that you can command an offense," Mustain told ESPN Los Angeles. "I feel like this is the best place to learn that."
But he never got the chance to talk to those GMs and coaches in an official capacity; Mustain didn't get an invite to the scouting combine, which may have had something to do with the fact that he was arrested in early February for suspicion of selling prescription drugs. It turned out that what he sold to an undercover police officer was not considered a controlled substance by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, and Mustain was placed in a pre-file diversion program. "I'm not a problem child," Mustain told the Sports Xchange at the time. "It sucks. I wish I hadn't done it. But I did. I don't feel my character is an issue. It was an isolated incident."
Mustain did get to work out at USC's pro day in April, but went undrafted, and he's now trying to make an impact on a professional roster in Canada. The former No. 1 high school prospect is attempting to stick with the Hamilton (Ontario) Tiger-Cats, with whom he recently signed a contract.
It's a precipitous fall, but there is one good side to Mustain's potential CFL adventure. Instead of waiting out the lockout like all the NFL rookies, Mustain will get to play football through his new team's rookie camp, and hopefully into the season. And maybe, after a college career that went very wrong, he can finally get a shot.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Terrelle Pryor skipping senior season
Terrelle Pryor's career at Ohio State, which started with so much promise and potential, has come to an abrupt and scandal-ridden end.
The Ohio State quarterback announced through his attorney on Tuesday that he would not play for the Buckeyes this season.
"In the best interests of my teammates, I've made the decision to forgo my senior year of football at The Ohio State University," Pryor said in a statement issued by Columbus lawyer Larry James.
Pryor will most likely make himself available for an NFL supplemental draft.
Pryor had already been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season for accepting improper benefits from a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner. The NCAA is looking into all aspects of Ohio State's once-glittering program, from cash and tattoos to players, cars and other potential violations.
Pryor's announcement comes just eight days after Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel was forced to resign for knowing about the players' improper benefits.
"He did not want to be a a distraction to his teammates," James said. "This is something he came to consider after much thought."
Ohio State's athletic director, Gene Smith, quickly issued a statement wishing Pryor the best.
"We understand Terrelle's decision and wish him well in this next phase of his life," Smith said. "We hope he returns to The Ohio State University one day to finish his degree."
Luke Fickell, who will serve as Ohio State's interim head coach in place of Tressel this fall, found out about Pryor's decision on Tuesday night.
"I was notified this evening that Terrelle has decided to pursue a professional career," Fickell said. "I wish him the best in his pursuits."
The Ohio State quarterback announced through his attorney on Tuesday that he would not play for the Buckeyes this season.
"In the best interests of my teammates, I've made the decision to forgo my senior year of football at The Ohio State University," Pryor said in a statement issued by Columbus lawyer Larry James.
Pryor will most likely make himself available for an NFL supplemental draft.
Pryor had already been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season for accepting improper benefits from a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner. The NCAA is looking into all aspects of Ohio State's once-glittering program, from cash and tattoos to players, cars and other potential violations.
Pryor's announcement comes just eight days after Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel was forced to resign for knowing about the players' improper benefits.
"He did not want to be a a distraction to his teammates," James said. "This is something he came to consider after much thought."
Ohio State's athletic director, Gene Smith, quickly issued a statement wishing Pryor the best.
"We understand Terrelle's decision and wish him well in this next phase of his life," Smith said. "We hope he returns to The Ohio State University one day to finish his degree."
Luke Fickell, who will serve as Ohio State's interim head coach in place of Tressel this fall, found out about Pryor's decision on Tuesday night.
"I was notified this evening that Terrelle has decided to pursue a professional career," Fickell said. "I wish him the best in his pursuits."
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