Here’s your mid-week morning menudo of links and love
Buckeye 411
- #Hop2theRafters– While the I!L!L-N!I!T! blowout was fun in and of itself, it was a dream come true for those of us who have been working on the Retire Dennis Hopson’s Number Campaign. An amazing weekend ended up with a ton of screen time during the game last night and more than a few folks who have joined the call to see #32 in the rafters. While this is just one step, we can’t go any further without acknowledging the guys behind the guy– 11Warriors’ Jeremy Birmingham, BHC’s Grant Edgall, OHD’s Chris, our own WVaBuckeye, Tony at Fresh Brewed Tees, The troopers from the Buckeye Empire, and the students of the Buckeye NutHouse and many many others. Be sure to sign the petition if you haven’t already done so (link over there in the right toolbar). Oh, and we’re already starting to plan our next fund raiser.
- Lies, Damned Lies, And Statistics- The great Bob Baptist took a look at some of the recent Ohio State hoops “problems” in shooting the hoops, and helped point out that they’re playing some pretty freaking good schools in this “slump”;
In their past six games, they are nearly 10 percent off that while not relying that much more on the three over the two. No coincidence, probably, that in five of those games, they faced teams that rank among the top five in the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense: Michigan State, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. In the other game, they shot 52 percent and scored 87 points against Purdue, which ranks dead last in the conference in field goal percentage defense.
- That Sound? Oh, Just Us Whacking On A Dead Horse- The Four Letter Network had an article yesterday that talked about Ohio State and Dennis Talbott (I know, I know). Interestingly, it highlighted that the University had actually partnered with Talbott in order to attempt to shut down other (read “non-approved”) vendors who were capitalizing on OSU trademarks (logos, etc.) and student athlete signatures. Of note was an interesting comment in some of the emails;
Jim Davidson – Jim is a professional photographer who is credentialed for the O-Zone, an internet-based fan site. We became aware of Jim selling photos of current athletes in 2009, and met with both him and the O-Zone editor, John Porentus to explain our policies and gain their cooperation. Jim also sold photos to football parents, and we had a follow-up meeting with John about this issue in 2010 when we heard he had continued to sell to parents after our mandate to stop.
- Yeah, But…- Jim explained on twitter that he had actually never sold photos to the general public, and Brandon Castel also remarked that giving photos away to parents and/or players would actually be an NCAA violation (providing goods and services not at market value would be an improper benefit). As someone who trusts and values Brandon and Jim’s word and work, you’ve got to wonder if this issue was more about the NCAA or about the “trademark issue”– the University staying out of trouble or the University protecting it’s pocketbook.
Professionalism
- This Guy Has It-
NCAA News And Notes
- Fun With Numbers, Part Deux- The Lantern yesterday published an article regarding Jordan Whiting’s potential transfer to Louisville, which of course made all of the math geniuses in Ann Arbor talk about how Urban was forcing people out since he had “oversigned”. Somehow, the fact that no one in the B1G can offer scholarships over the number of available openings without conference approval seemed to slip their memories. If Jordan does transfer (not a sure thing), then it should be assumed that both the coaches and the conference knew about this possibility prior to NLOID.
- Where The WiFi Goes Sweeping Down The Plains- The NCAA approved new guidelines regarding using twitter and texting to communicate with student athletes and potential student athletes, which of course meant that Oklahoma would somehow find a way to goof it up (again). This time, OU Coach Jay Norvell decided to tweet scholarship offers and other tidings of great joy to prospective students, which is against the rules. Although, somehow sending the snail mail equivalent of Stanley Kowalski is within the guidelines.
- We Must Protect… What Exactly? Maryland coach Randy Edsall is being really “persnickety” regarding former starting quarterback Danny O’Brien’s transfer. Luckily, there are folks out there who are willing to call him on it;
O’Brien wants to go to Vanderbilt, to play for former Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin. Maryland won’t let him, because of jealousies, insecurities and indisputable hypocrisy. This story encapsulates so much of what is wrong with college sports in 2012. Administrators and coaches look out for themselves, instead of taking care of students and/or athletes.
- I’m Sure This Bodes Well- Former Buckeye recruit Devonte Neal scheduled an event on Tuesday at a local elementary schools (seriously) to announce his college decision. And then, didn’t show up on time (also seriously). I guess this proves that he’ll have no problems avoiding coverages when he heads to … where’s he going again? Right. Notre Dame. Yeah, I see good things coming from that.
- Happy Valentine’s Day- While I’m sure that they didn’t send each other a card or some tasty chocolates, it’s good to hear that Urbs and Kiffy have buried the hatchet from their SEC feudin’ days. Now, they can both focus on getting to work burying that thing in Nick Saban’s career…
And Finally
- I Thought You’d Be Taller- Good thing Coach Meyer and Lane won’t need to reenact any of these great moments in cinematography:
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