Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, June 12, 2015
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer got to lead a cheer at a recent Cavs game. He was proud to do it. Cleveland.com says Meyer had watched the Cavaliers before. But never like this.
"I'm not sure I've ever seen something quite like what I witnessed (Tuesday). If our team is credited with playing with that type of intensity and effort…," Meyer said…. "Because they were exhausted. They were 'all in' on the sideline," Meyer said Wednesday night in a phone interview.
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The Purdue quarterback spot cleared up a bit with junior Danny Etling announcing he was transferring.
He began 2014 as the starter but was largely ineffective and replaced by junior Austin Appleby, who now is the favorite to start this fall. But he?ll presumably have to hold off redshirt freshman David Blough and true freshman Elijah Sindelar. Purdue needs better play from the quarterback spot, which has been disappointing in both seasons under Darrell Hazell.
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Who doesn?t like dunks? Exactly. This video of Michigan State players Eron Harris and Gavin Schilling throwing down some slams should make your Friday a bit better. You?re welcome.
Harris is a West Virginia transfer who will be good. How good? Mlive.com says Spartans assistant Dane Fife recently compared Harris' skill set to that of D'Angelo Russell, the former Ohio State standout expected to be picked in the top five of this month's NBA draft.
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It?s good to be Minnesota hoops coach Richard Pitino, who just got a $400,000 raise. Next time in the Twin Cities, Pitino is picking up the tab for the Juicy Lucys.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Pitino now makes $1.6 mil per year. Pitino, who was contacted by Alabama during its coaching search in April, has a 43-28 overall record, including 14-22 in the Big Ten in two seasons at Minnesota. The Gophers failed to make the postseason in 2014-15 after finishing 18-15 overall and 6-12 in the conference. With his new contract, Pitino is expected to receive two more years added to the four years left on a six-year contract he signed in April 2013.
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What does Northwestern?s Chris Collins think of the new hoops rules changes?
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Maryland has approved beer sales at sporting events. Is this a good thing? It is interesting how more and more schools are doing this. Minnesota and Purdue sell beer at football games. Who?s next? Not sure if it sends a good message. Oh, well.
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Interesting take from HawkCentral.com on how former Iowa A.D. and current Big 12 commish Bob Bowlsby sounded hypocritical in comments about graduate transfers.
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In case you missed this, check out this heartfelt blog post Frank Kaminsky had about his time at Wisconsin.
Yardbarker.com notes that Kaminsky takes time to reflect on his recruitment, and struggles through the first few years at Wisconsin, and then recaps the great successes he and his teammates had during his final two years in Madison. He also takes time to thank his family, coaches, teammates, fans, and the university itself.
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Kyle Orton recently was back in West Lafayette for a National Football Foundation event. And, he?s happy with his decision to retire from the NFL despite still being a successful starter.
"For the last couple years, I've had some things on the horizon that kept me more interested than football did," Orton told GoldandBlack.com. "When I'd wake up in the morning, I decided I kind of wanted to do those things more than go to work, so I thought I'd try to fulfill those roles and be a good dad along the way."
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Michigan already is rolling with its satellite camps. Penn State kicked its satellite camp schedule off on Thursday in Detroit.
Penn State satellite camp stops
June 11: Sound Mind Sound Body Football Academy, Detroit, Mich.
June 12: IMG Academy, Bradneton, Fla.
June 15: North Central College, Naperville, Ill.
June 16: Georgia State University, Atlanta, Ga.
June 17: Davidson College, Davidson, N.C.
June 18: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va.
Approximate distance traveled round trip (return from June 12-15 not included): 4,574 miles
About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |