Chris Jent, Coach Matta's Biggest Recruit?

One of my first memories of Ohio State basketball was back in the early 90's  (1992 to be exact) when Chris Jent and Jim Jackson led the Buckeyes to the Elite 8 before falling to Michigan.  I loved watching Chris Jent because he was never afraid to dive after a ball and make a hustle play.  If I were to compare him to someone on the current team I would say Aaron Craft. 

Jent will join Thad Matta's staff as an assistant coach after Brandon Miller left the team for family reasons on June 16.  Jent was a volunteer on Ohio State's staff in 2005-2006 and has since been an assistant in the NBA.  Most NBA fans know him for helping the development of Lebron James as a Cavs assistant. 

Everyone knows that Thad Matta is a beast of a recruiter.  He has called this, "the biggest recruit I have gone after."  Only Thad Matta could convince a happy NBA coach to comeback and be an assistant coach in college.  While there are many reasons to love this hire, to me it is great to see a former Buckeye player on the coaching staff.  You look at Duke assistants and you see former players.  It's easy to sell a recruit if you played at the school (not that Matta has any trouble selling a recruit). 

Chris Jent will be a fantastic addition to the Ohio State coaching staff.  It's ironic, Ohio State basketball fans have suffered from seeing players leave early for the NBA, and this year it's about a assistant that leaves the NBA for college and a star freshman who stays in college instead of head to the league.

 

Wimbledon Week 2 Predictions

The Championships at Wimbledon are entering the second week and we are down to the final 16 players.  NBC would love to see a Nadal-Federer final, but I predict they will be disappointed.  Check out my picks below.


Nadal
Del Potro           Nadal
                                                      Nadal
Fish
Berdych             Berdych
                                                                                 Murray
Murray
Gasquet             Murray
                                                      Murray
Kubot
Lopez                 Lopez
                                                                                      WINNER: Novak Djokovic
Ferrer
Tsonga               Ferrer

Youzhny                                         Federer
Federer              Federer
                                                      
Tomic                                                                       Djokovic
Malisse               Malisse

Llodra                                             Djokovic
Djokovic             Djokovic

Buckeyes feeling a Draft

Tonight marks the 2011 NBA Draft and there are three Buckeyes hoping to have their names called.  Jon Diebler, Dallas Lauderdale and David Lighty all graduated and have been working out for NBA teams.  None of them are guaranteed picks, but all three have a chance to hear their name in the second round.  If you think second rounders never succeed look at Michael Redd.  In anticipation of tonight's draft, let's take a look at the Ohio State basketball players and where they were drafted.

2010
Evan Turner Draft: Philadelphia 76ers, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 2010 NBA Draft

2009
B.J. Mullins Draft: Dallas Mavericks, 1st round (24th pick, 24th overall), 2009 NBA Draft
2008
Kosta Koufos Draft: Utah Jazz, 1st round (23rd pick, 23rd overall), 2008 NBA Draft
2007
Greg Oden Draft: Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 2007 NBA Draft
Mike Conley Draft: Memphis Grizzlies, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2007 NBA Draft
Daequan Cook Draft: Philadelphia 76ers, 1st round (21st pick, 21st overall), 2007 NBA Draft

2001
Ken Johnson Draft: Miami Heat, 2nd round (20th pick, 48th overall), 2001 NBA Draft
2000
Michael Redd Draft: Milwaukee Bucks, 2nd round (14th pick, 43rd overall), 2000 NBA Draft

Quick Hits...

Here are some sports stories this week that you do not want to miss, and of course I throw in my quick take!

Four Conference Commissioners are making more than $1 Million
If you had to guess who made more money, the President of a University or a Conference Commissioner, who would you guess?  The answer is the Conference Commissioner, by a lot.  Jim Delaney, the Big Ten Commissioner made $1.6 million in 2009.  Is it just me or is it insane that the NCAA punishes athletes for selling their own memorabilia, but allows everyone else to cash in?  I am not for paying college athletes, but let's change some of the incomprehensible rules.

Golf is a Frustrating Sport, even for the Professionals
So I played Golf last week and was pretty excited after starting out with a solid par on Hole 1.  Of course it was downhill from there, ending with back-to-back 8's on the finishing par 4's.  I wasn't the only frustrated golfer this weekend.  Check out Henrik Stenson as he injures himself during the U.S. Open after breaking his club.

Venus in a.....Toga?
Wimbledon is underway this week in London.  Of course one of the rules at the All England Club is that the players have to wear white.  Can there be a new rule, Venus cannot dress herself?  She decided to wear a Toga.  She described the outfit as "now."  If that is in the "now," please get me to the future or the past. 

Ohio motor bureau: No wrongdoing in Ohio State car purchases

While the consensus in the media seems to be that Ohio State is guilty of everything, including killing puppy's and stealing Christmas, it looks like they may not be guilty in cargate.  The recent buzz that Ohio State football players have been getting free or reduced-priced cars has been investigated by the BMV and the findings show no wrongdoing.  I think Ohio State should still be blamed for the slow to recover economy and for Venus Williams' outfit. 

College Rivalry Games that Need to Happen EVERY YEAR!

This last week it was announced that Pittsburgh and Penn State will renew their football rivalry with a Home-and-Home series in 2016 and 2017.  To read more on this click here.  I have little doubt that Joe Paterno will somehow still be on the sidelines for these games.  Pittsburgh and Penn State is a good rivalry that should be played every single year.  Speaking of rivalries that are not played enough (or at all) below I have listed games that should be played every year. 

1. Ohio State and Cincinnati in Basketball 
Both of these schools are routinely in the top 25 and there is a mere 2 hour drive between the two campuses.  In my lifetime they have played just once, in 2006.  Ohio State creamed Cincinnati, and they went on to make it to the National Championship game.  That game wasn't even played in the state of Ohio!  For crying out loud it was in Indiana!  Unbelievable.  Could you imagine the passion and intensity that this rivalry game would bring?  Supposedly Cincinnati has been interested in trying to get the game every year, but Ohio State prefers to keep it's marquee games against out of state opponents.  Not only will Ohio State not schedule Cincinnati, but they also prefer to keep Xavier and Dayton off the schedule.  Click here for a great article detailing this missing rivalry. 

2. Oklahoma and Nebraska in Football
With the departure of Nebraska from the Big 12 conference, this rivalry game will no longer be played.  It does seem fitting that the last game Nebraska played in the Big 12 was in the championship game to Oklahoma on December 4, 2010.  What was one of the best rivalry games in college football lost its buzz when the Big 12 conference was created in 1996.  Hopefully these two schools can get together and create a new non-conference rivalry game with each other similar to Florida and Florida State. 

3. Notre Dame and Ohio State in Football
The history and tradition at Ohio State and Notre Dame is unbelievable.  It is also unbelievable that the two schools don't get together more often on the field.  Columbus and South Bend nearly shut-down for a home-and-home series in 1995 and 1996.  The two teams have only gotten together once since then and that was the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.  Scheduling-wise the only way that this rivalry could be played every year is if Notre Dame were to join the Big Ten.  Just think of an Ohio State schedule with Nebraska, Notre Dame and Michigan on it every year.  Now that would make for some exciting fall Saturdays!

4. Miami and Florida in Football
Some of the best rivalry games every year are Miami -Florida State and Florida-Florida State .  Why leave out a match-up between the Hurricanes and the Gators?  Unfortunately with the scheduling the way it is in college athletics it is nearly impossible for this rivalry to happen every year.  It will happen again in 2013. 

5. Maryland and Georgetown in Basketball
There are rumors that the Maryland-Georgetown basketball rivalry might be renewed in the near future.  The two dominant basketball teams in the Nations Capital have met just three times in the last 30 years.  Two of those times were in the NCAA Tournament.  It makes no sense that these basketball rivalries don't happen.  In college football teams run into scheduling conflicts with only 12 total games.

Sports Theme Music...Where did it go?

Anyone else get goosebumps when the "One Shining Moment" theme plays for the first time before the tip off of the NCAA Tournament?  There is not one day that goes by that I don't hum that little theme.  What's sad is that there used to be a goosebumping moment with just about every sports opening theme.  Today I list the top 10 sports music themes of all time. 

1. CBS College Basketball - "One Shining Moment"

Without a doubt my favorite theme of all time.  It marks the beginning of the best time of the year!

2. ESPN SportsCenter - Early 90's Edition

I miss the days of waking up to Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, Craig Kilborn and Rich Eisen.

3. NBA on NBC

Something about the phrase "NBA on NBC" during the Michael Jordan era made this theme special.

4.   Monday Night Football on ABC
Are You Ready For Some Football?  Hank Williams Monday Night Football got me pumped every single week.

5. Golf on NBC - US Open Theme
Might take some flack for this one...but every year for the US Open this theme music gets me ready for the best golf tournament of the year.  I may be underrating this one.

6. Fox NFL Theme
If you have ever played a John Madden Football video game this song has been stuck in your head.

7. ESPN College Basketball (1995-2001)
I may be biased in the Top 10 to my favorite sport, college basketball.

8. NFL Films Music
About 10 seconds into this clip I am waiting for John Facenda to talk about "Men of the Gridiron on an Autumn Sunday."

9. ESPN Baseball Tonight Theme

A baseball theme finally makes the list. 

10. USA US Open Tennis Theme
A late summer night means US Open Tennis.  I get chills thinking about this old USA Network theme.



Big Ten Tournament and Big Ten Football Championship Game sites

In case you missed it, the Big Ten has announced that the Big Ten Football Championship game will be played in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis through 2015.  The Men's and Women's basketball tournament will rotate between Indianapolis (Conseco Fieldhouse) and Chicago (United Center).  For more information on this coup for Indianapolis click here.  While I have to say that the Big Ten didn't completely surprise me with this decision, at some point it would be nice to see the Big Ten expand it's reach and visit some other cities. 

I have been to Big Ten basketball tournaments in Chicago and in Indianapolis and I think both do a terrific job.  For Indianapolis I like it because Indy is a basketball town.  It is a awesome arena and the downtown really embraces the event.  It makes sense geographically because Indiana is right in the middle of Big Ten country.  Chicago tournaments are fun because Chicago is an awesome city.  It is expensive for students to stay in Chicago, but every other year seems doable.  I look forward to continue to go every year!

Football is Indianapolis is nice, but I would like to see a rotation of the Football Championship.  Lucas Oil is brand new and looks amazing, but Big Ten Football is played outside.  Now that Minnesota is out of their hideous dome, all stadiums are outdoor facilities.  I understand the desire to keep the Championship in one city at first, but I would like to see the Championship move around after 2015. 

Here is my dream scenario of how the Football Championship and Basketball Tournament host cities would be scheduled.

2015 - Indianapolis Conseco Field House and Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium
2016 - Chicago United Center and Chicago Soldier Field
2017 - Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena and Cleveland Browns Stadium
2018 - Detroit Palace of Auburn Hills and Detroit Ford Stadium

Rotate back through 2019-2022

27 Sports Wishes for my 27th Birthday!

This entry is going to be selfish.  I turn 27 today and thus I believe that I should get 27 wishes for the World of Sports!  So here it goes...

I wish...

#1. That I get to celebrate an Ohio State 2012 Men's Basketball National Championship in New Orleans next April.

#2. Ohio State Football wins the first ever Big 10 Football Championship game...and every analyst and opposing fan bitches that it was not fair that OSU got to play.


#3. Ohio State decides to make players cover up their tats when playing and offers a limo service to and from practice.


#4. Chipper Jones wins the World Series MVP as he rides off into the sunset and retirement.


#5. The SEC acknowledges wide-spread cheating over the last 10 seasons, and has to give back every BCS title.


#6. The Big 10 Conference wins every bowl game and first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament and every commentator will still say the Big 10 has slow athletes.



#7. Thad Matta will NEVER have to face questions about breaking NCAA rules.



#8. Brady Hoke is the first Michigan coach to lose to Ohio State twice in back to back weeks (including the Big Ten Championship game).



#9. Mark May gets fired for physically abusing Lou Holtz.


#10. Lebron James doesn't win his first NBA title this year...or ever.

#11. Bo Ryan gets fired because he couldn't "deal with it" and he admits that he is the Wisconsin man who spat on Jared Sullinger.


#12. Jared Sullinger wins National Player of the Year, and says I am coming back for my Junior season.



#13. The Big Ten Network issues an apology and names Jesse Owens #1 Icon.

#14. Ohio State beats Duke and Florida by Double Digits in the Schott in front of a wild crowd.


#15. Colin Cowherd/Stu Scott/Mark May/Dick Vitale all lose their voice and have to retire.

#16. Gus Johnson calls a Triple-Overtime thriller as OSU beats Wisconsin to win the Men's Basketball regular season championship.

#17. Rickie Fowler or Ben Curtis win the Memorial Tournament.

#18. Big 10 Expansion for 2012 includes Pittsburgh and Notre Dame.

#19. Columbus, OH gets a MLB team and adds more seats to Huntington Park.

#20. Terrelle Pryor never plays another game at QB at any level of football.


#21. Michael Redd and Greg Oden make big comebacks after being injured the last few seasons.

#22. The Columbus Blue Jackets win a NHL playoff series.

#23. Evan Turner gets traded to the Cleveland Cavs and leads them to the Playoffs

#24. The NCAA decides to create a 16 team playoff to determine the College Football National Champion.

#25. Ohio State beats Kentucky on a last second shot in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.


#26. Pitt basketball loses in the Elite 8, Pitt football loses the Big East championship to West Virginia, the Steelers lose to the Browns in the Playoffs, but the Pirates make the Playoffs.

#27. Bob Stoops accepts the Head Coaching job at Ohio State and names Luke Fickell Defense Coordinator and Head Coach in-waiting.

The Next Ohio State Football Coach Should Be...(Part 1 current College Coaches)

Like a lot of Ohio State fans, I was stunned and saddened by the abrupt departure of Jim Tressel.  Jim Tressel has had an unbelievable 10 years and I look forward to the day that I can tell my grandkids that I watched Jim Tressel run out of the tunnel at the Horseshoe, much like my Grandpa talked about Woody Hayes.  Unless your living under a rock, there are a lot of places you can go to get all of the details of the scandal and investigation.  My focus is going to be on the future.  I want to look at who the candidates might be to be the Head Coach of Ohio State in 2012 and beyond. 

Some of the popular names that are being tossed around are Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops, Mike Stoops, Jon Gruden, Luke Fickell and Bo Pelini. While that is a good list, I don't want to leave any potential candidate out there.  I have taken all current college head coaches and have broken them down by chances that they might be Ohio State's next head coach.  I have broken it down by awarding Buckeye leaves to the top candidates.  3 leaves means they will likely be highly considered, 2 leaves means they will probably get consideration and 1 leaf means they are probably not on the radar, but are worth considering.  Remember this list is current college head coaches only!


Three Buckeye Leaves
Bob Stoops, Oklahoma
Bo Pelini, Nebraska
Luke Fickell, Ohio State (interim)


Two Buckeye Leaves
Gary Pinkel, Missouri
Greg Schiano, Rutgers
Mark Dantionio, Michigan State
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
Chris Petersen, Boise State
Gary Patterson, TCU
Mike Stoops, Arizona
Chip Kelly, Oregon
Mike Riley, Oregon State
Mark Richt, Georgia
Dan Mullen, Mississippi State
Jeff Tedford, California


One Buckeye Leaf
Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Les Miles, LSU
Pat Hill, Fresno State
Randy Edsall, Maryland
Tom O'Brien, NC St
Jim Grobe, Wake Forest
Turner Gill, Kansas
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech
Butch Jones, Cincinnati
Todd Graham, Pitt
Skip Holtz, South Florida
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Bret Bielema, Wisconsin
Kevin Sumlin, Houston
Ken Niumatalolo, Navy
Darrell Hazell, Kent State

How I would rank the College Head Coaching Candidates:
1. Bob Stoops
2. Bo Pelini
3. Pat Fitzgerald
4. Greg Schiano
5. Gary Pinkel
6. Luke Fickell
7. Chris Petersen
8. Mike Stoops
9. Jeff Tedford
10. Dan Mullin

My next list will include current College Assistants, NFL Assistants, NFL Head Coaches, and Former Coaches.