Final Four tarnished by new probes into UK, UConn

By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports

It’s Final Four Saturday and to ring in the action there are two new media investigations into NCAA violations, this time at Kentucky and Connecticut, one half of the Bond, Schoeneck and King subregional here.

Jim Calhoun's program could find itself in hot water again if the NCAA looks into new allegations.

The New York Times said that the NCAA could potentially reopen the UConn major infractions case involving one-time recruit Nate Miles after Miles told the paper that Huskies coach Jim Calhoun “knew” of illegal payments from a booster, that he twice received improper help on standardized tests and characterized a number of Calhoun’s statements to the NCAA as “lies”.

Meanwhile, FoxSports.com is reporting a former Kentucky and Memphis basketball staffer, Bilal Bately, made illegal phone calls to recruits, including former Wildcat DeMarcus Cousins. In his job, Bately was not permitted to call recruits. He left the program in 2009.
While neither scandal is overwhelming in nature, together they represent more dings to an already banged up sport. The timing of their release serves as the latest drumbeat that college athletics are at a breaking point.

Already there are major allegations against the football programs of Auburn, Ohio State and Oregon, plus details of illegal activity and rampant fraud involving the BCS’s Fiesta Bowl. There was also this week’s report by ESPN that former LSU All-American Patrick Peterson was shopped as a high school recruit, which follows last fall’s case of Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton being shopped as a recruit. And it turns out Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel knowingly used ineligible players for an entire season

Sullinger leads No. 1 Ohio State in Big Ten final

Looks like OSU will go all the way to a National Championship, Number ONE Seed.

By CLIFF BRUNT

Jared Sullinger’s shot was off throughout the Big Ten tournament—and he still dominated.

The freshman forward had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and No. 1 Ohio State defeated Penn State 71-60 in the Big Ten tournament final on Sunday.

Sullinger made just 12 of 36 field goals in the tournament, but he still was named most outstanding player. He averaged 16.3 points and 14 rebounds to help the top-seeded Buckeyes (32-2) repeat as champions.

Sullinger made up for his poor shooting by setting a tournament record with 38 free throw attempts in three games.

“It’s just Jared,” Ohio State guard David Lighty said. “He can affect the game without scoring. Especially shooting 15 free throws a game. He’s knocking those down and getting every rebound that’s around him. You really can’t stop that.”

Ohio State guard Jon Diebler said Sullinger’s approach makes him special.

“He’s just a great teammate to have, very unselfish. You know, I can honestly say we probably wouldn’t be here without him and how he’s performed this year,” Diebler said.

Five Buckeyes Suspended

  My observation is that TV said "NO, not this year, Terrelle is a good draw and we need him, hold off till next year. So far a lot of our games have, well, frankly, sucked. We need a good game to hold the audience, too many commercials sold on this one, hold them out next season, Tress and Gordon want it that way too."

Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and four other Buckeyes were suspended by the NCAA for the first five games of next season for selling championship rings, jerseys and awards, and receiving improper benefits from a tattoo parlor. All can still play in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas.
  Along with Pryor, running back Daniel Herron, wide receiver DeVier Posey, offensive lineman Mike Adams and defensive end Solomon Thomas must sit out and repay between $1,000 to $2,500 to charity.
  Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring, Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and his 2008 gold pants, a trinket given to players who are a part of a team which beats rival Michigan.
  Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said the school will appeal the suspensions.
  "While we believe sanctions should be rendered, we do believe they are severe," he said Thursday at a news conference. "We do believe we can give mitigating circumstances for the NCAA to consider."
  The NCAA did not suspend the players for Jan. 4 Sugar Bowl against the eighth-ranked Razorbacks because the "student-athletes did not receive adequate rules education during the time period the violations occurred."
  "These are significant penalties based on findings and information provided by the university," Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs, said in the release.
  Lennon said a game was added on to the usual four-game penalty "because these student-athletes did not immediately disclose the violations when presented with the appropriate rules education."
  Pryor is the team's star, while Herron is the leading rusher and Posey is the second-leading receiver. Adams is a starter at left tackle and Thomas a top sub on the defensive line.
  A sixth player, linebacker Jordan Whiting must sit out the first game of the 2011 season and pay $150 to a charity for the value of services that were discounted by the tattoo artist because he was a Buckeyes player.
  "We as coaches feel the buck stops here," coach Jim Tressel said. "We're the ones who need to make things even more crystal clear."
  Smith said Ohio State was not "explicit" in instructing players about the sale of apparel, awards and gifts.
  Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring.
  Herron must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and receiving discount services worth $150.
  Posey sold his 2008 Big Ten ring for $1,200 and also received discount services.

I wonder what part of "You are not allowed to sell anything" that they did not understand. If Tressel was not so concerned about his over paid million dollar job he would suspend them from the bowl game. I personally think that this shows a lot about the OSU athletic program, IT STINKS. What do you have to tell these SCHOLAR COLLEGE ATHLETES so they understand. They KNEW the rules, they are arrogant and overlooked them. Pryor is MAD about what has and HAS NOT happened to him this year. He was promised SO MUCH and has received SO LITTLE. I can hear him now, "Them m_____ f_____s tole me they get me a heisnan tropy and i got none yet i didnt get no reecognission at all. hell old griffin promised me a cuple of them heisnan things if i go to his schul an i be reddy fur them professional teams to get me. why wuld i want thet dam rung n stuff they aint don nutten fur me yet.

Gee, my foots in my mouth .........

Any question as to why I am no long a fan of the ohio state unversity. I used to be, then, something happened, they got arrogant, conceited and over bearing. Now, I know for sure, why?

"I do know, having been both a Southeastern Conference president (at Vanderbilt) and a Big Ten president, that it's like murderer's row every week for these schools," said Gee (president of OSU) in the AP interview. "We do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor. We play very fine schools on any given day. So I think until a university runs through that gantlet that there's some reason to believe that they not be the best teams to (be) in the big ballgame."

I remember, BEFORE THE SEASON BEGAN, on Columbus, Ohio radio, ex-OSU coach Earle Bruce and some OSU alumni talking on the radio.......... "WHO do you think we will be playing for the National Championship this year?" THEY had NOT played a game.

And now, the bow tied, over paid president of the univerisity makes a statement like that. I have been watching a lot of sport shows today. HE is the laughing stock of the sports world. The only good part of the whole scenario .......... the football coach at ohio state makes MORE money than the president.

That sez something. Jim, what is your opinion.

Football, my a...........!

What is the point in BIG colleges playing little colleges at the start of the season. They are just like pre season pro games, no interest at all. If it is just so the little guys can pick up a few bucks, take some of the money from ALL the bowl games and donate it to them, but please, don't expect us to sit through them. If you need something for filler, play some of those really good high school games, they are a much better quality of football.

I have noticed also, if you are channel hopping, i.e. a game and a TV show, when there is a time out at the game and you switch to the show you are watching, they are doing a commercial also, quite a coincidence.

Money, money, TV, TV, money, money, TV, TV.

I still think that New Orleans won the Super Bowl last year because TV wanted them to. My guess is that Dallas will go to the Super Bowl this year ...... because TV wants them to ...... first time a home team will play in the Super Bowl. Jerry Jones wants it, TV wants it, I think it will happen. We'll see.

My Superbowl Opinion

Where are all the Colts?

I am becoming more of the opinion that a lot of pro sports are governed by the networks. They are all entertainment, which needs TV and good ratings, and TV is supported by advertising.


Case in point. Two of the best quarterbacks in the league, throw interceptions in the waning minutes of the game to insure a victory for the whole worlds sympathetic favorite, the Saints.

Poor Brett Favre, who loves to win, drops back to pass, has to make a decision. If he completes the pass, the Vikings will probably kick a field goal, win the game, and eliminate the crowds favorite, the Saints. He did the only thing he could do to insure a Saints victory, throw an interception.

The network bigwigs had decided that they wanted the Saints in the Super bowl. Research had shown that a game between the Saints and the Colts would possibly be the most watched game of all time. Poor New Orleans, all their trouble, and, rising from the ashes, a football team that was the pride of the state, should play in the Super bowl. And after the disaster in Haiti, another underdog, the Saints could speak for all the underdogs in the world.

I think the outcome was pre determined by the execs at the TV network. With the economy as it is, few advertisers withdrew from advertising. I think they were GUARANTEED the biggest audience in history. And that is what they got.

The Colts led at the half, “Quick, get on the phone, call the locker room, tell them that somehow, the Saints must win. The world will be happy, it will help the economy in New Orleans, the people in Haiti will be happy, it may even get a new mayor elected in New Orleans. Tell Peyton that if he wants to keep on making those millions each year, well, he knows what to do. Let him know it’s not like when his Daddy played, TV rules. Let him know that they get to win the game next year, we promise.”

So no last minute heroics, oh, he could have driven down for a winning TD for the Colts, but it was not in the script. It was probably the easiest interception in history. Stevie Wonder could have done it, and it sealed the game for the Saints. Obama was happy, the league was happy, TV was happy, as were the Saints fans. Indianapolis is a small town, they’ll get over it. They get it next year, again, and they already have one trophy.

Just remember, the ball never gets snapped till the TV guy gives the signal. They tell them when to play, you just have to wonder what else they tell them??????????

Tom Harmon against Ohio State - 1940

I think I remember listenting to this game in 1940, I was only 8, but as I recall, my Dad was listenting to it on the old Philco radio, and I sat there listenting with him.

He, of course, is the Father of NCIS boss, Leroy Jethroe Gibbs, or better known as Mark Harmon, who is married to actress Pam Dawber.

The only known footage of Old 98's performance against the Buckeyes in Columbus in 1940. Though, there are some highlights missing. In this game, Harmon...

*Passed for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns
*Rushed for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns
*Averaged 50 yards a punt
*Scored 4 extra points
*Intercepted 3 passes, 1 of them for a 5th touchdown

In the closing moments, Fritz Crisler pulled Harmon from the game and 70,000 Buckeye fans actually gave Tom a standing ovation. For OSU fans, to give a standing ovation to anyone, other than a Buckeye, is beyond comprehension. But, a Michigan player, is the highest possible tribute. You will never, ever, see it happen today.

This year, the Navy game, a move was started to give a great ovation to the Navy team as a salute to the armed forces. There was dissention. Finally, both teams came out at once .... many OSU fans would not stand and applaud the Navy team.

It is still a great rivalry, somewhat worse back in those days. My Dad talks of going up to Michigan for some games during those years. They would drive just above the Michigan border, stop, park their cars, and rent cars to take them to Ann Arbor. It was not safe having a car with Ohio plates, on game day.

Some wondering...............

I have noticed that both high school and college football teams, have female managers, and am also noticing that high school and college basketball teams have male managers.

Anyone know why?

What about track, wrestling, baseball, softball?

I have no way of know what all teams do. In college it used to be a good way to get in to sports medicine, sports management, and looked good on a resume when trying to get a job after college.

I remember one year at Ohio State, a four year manager, who "did it all" in regards to equipment, transportation, hotels, after graduation, was heavily recruited by many companies. He ended up much better than all the players on the team.

I don't remember how many years ago it was, probably twenty or so, we printed the program for out local high school. One of the mothers was putting it all together. I remember the day she came in and announced that her daughter was now the manager on the boys wrestling team. Her son was a standout on the basketball team. That was the first I had heard of a girl manager.

But, I have seen no gals on the basketball team, all guys, just wondering why.

Replays

I am very tired of two things already, this football season.

I enjoy sitting down and watching a good game.

Recently, after every play, yellow flag, a HOLDING call. One game I was watching, recently, not sure which one it was, every play, HOLDING.

Also, getting very tired of ....... well .............. seems like after every touchdown ......
THE PLAY IS UNDER REVIEW.

What the heck is the use of having all those striped shirts on the field? Just review EVERY play. I have to wonder how sports got along before all these replays?

If they had business replays, old Madoff might not have amassed all those millions, and bilked all those people out of their money.

Let's just have replays for everything.

"You gave me the wrong amount of change."

Replay .........

Upon receiving the chicken breast, "I ordered the fish."

Replay

And the reason we will never see this ............

"Senator, you said ..........................."

Replay

HOW did we ever get along without ................ REPLAYS?

Poor Tress, they don't like him anymore..

Bob Hunter, a columnist for The Columbus Dispatch, wrote in Tuesday's editions that angry Ohio State fans may want a new coach but no one talks about who that might be. He also brought up the subject of buying out Tressel's contract, which would pay Tressel more than $12 million through January 2013. Tongue in cheek, Hunter proposed those wanting to get rid of Tressel might want to circulate petitions to build a casino or two on campus so the coach and his biggest boosters, athletic director Gene Smith and Ohio State president Gordon Gee, all could be fired.

With the Buckeyes (1-1) preparing to play Toledo at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday, the glow of that 2002 national championship game seems light years away.

Tressel said he has received critical e-mails, but said the fans' poison makes him feel sorry for them.

"When I read some of them I feel terrible for them because there's no way they're happy," he said. "They've got to be some of the most unhappy people in the world, and I feel bad because we just made them less happy, and I hate to be a part of making someone less happy. I mean, they're already miserable."

He is being payed over a million a year to coach the team, and to take criticism. He has been in over his head since he took the job. He has been lucky, how many games have they won by "squeaking by?" He is coaching in a job, at a University, where he is way in, over his head. He should still be coaching at the level he was in before his two "buddies" got him this job.

If his play calling is good, then I am also an expert, because I can call them before he does.

As one sports writer said, "He calls plays .... to not lose ..... rather than .... calling plays to win." Took most of the fans all these years to realize what they had coaching at THE Ohio State University ...... is that an arrogant name, or what? THE Jim Tressel is now on the hot seat at THE Ohio State University .... I would like to see him go so that I can take some of my allegiance back to Columbus.

When I say "GO Tress." ...... I really mean "GO.....................Tress."

I think he was destined to be a Baptist Minister anyway, may now he can.