I answered a couple questions about what to expect this upcoming season for the first overall pick, Eric Fisher.
Tricia Cullop reportedly will, or already has, interviewed for the open Ohio State job. This news comes hot on the heels of her new contract extension with Toledo. The Blade is reporting her contract currently does not contain a buyout clause which would be a huge misstep by the administration if true.
The last time a MAC player was drafted by the WNBA was Stephanie Raymond of Northern Illinois in 2007. So it's been a while, despite some wonderful players in the conference since then. DraftSite did a mock of the WNBA's 2013 draft, which is next week, and they have Rachel Tecca (Akron) and Courtney Osborn (Miami) going in the third round in back-to-back selections. You'd think Naama Shafir would be someone a WNBA team would look at, but perhaps that small 5'7" frame and her injury history is causing them to balk. Pro sports teams are so fickle.
An Ohio Man and an Akron Man ... TEAMMATES? It's more likely than you think as Cooper and Marshall teamed up in the 2013 Reese's All-Star Game, helping the East to an 87-81 win. Coop had 11 points and nine assists (and was named the MVP) while Marshall had seven points, six rebounds and three blocks. Deep down they probably both enjoyed it.
MACtion happens, even in baseball. Here's a nice grab by Bowling Green junior outfielder Andrew Kubuski, laying out to rob Central Michigan's Noel Santos of a bases loaded double. For some reason, the third base runner didn't tag to score properly and was doubled up. Defense matters, people. CMU still won this game 5-3, splitting the doubleheader with the Falcons.
Ohio basketball signee D.J. Wingfield and Akron signee Isaiah Johnson lost in the state semi-finals in Columbus Friday night.
Despite an impressive USHL resume and a good showing at the 2012 World Juniors on an otherwise forgettable US team, Miami's Austin Czarnik was passed over by every NHL team in the draft. Hockey'sFuture writer Mike Farkas thinks NHL teams might be taking notice after this season.
Nate Halm, who finished his Miami career in 2008 and has since become the Cubs' video assistant, lost to David DeJesus in the finals of a 64-person bunt tournament. Halm advanced out of a bracket with mostly pitchers before defeating Edwin Jackson in the semis and losing by only 10 points to DeJesus. MAC Baseball, where bunting happens!
The (in?)famous log5 probabilities of Mr. Ken Pomeroy give the Akron Zips a 45 percent chance of going to the NCAA tournament ... with a caveat that they do not fully include the absence of Alex Abreu, which means Ohio is also a favorite, followed by Kent State. NIU's chances are 1-in-300,000. Insert Dumb And Dumber reference here.
Nice article by Dennis Manoloff in this morning's Plain Dealer about UT's senior class.