BIG TEN BASKETBALL IN THE HOME STRETCH

We are down to the last five games of the Men's Big Ten Basketball Regular Season.  And to say this year has been a spectacle is selling the season short.....it has been a fan's delight.

Indiana has been the class of the league, but not by much.  Right behind is Michigan State, Michigan and late charger Wisconsin and then don't forget Ohio State.  The Badgers have to be the surprise team this year.  Early season injuries had many suggesting Wisconsin was not going to be a factor.  But don't ever count the Badgers short with Bo Ryan at the helm.  He truly can flat out coach.

The five mentioned above are the cream of the league.....but there are three others trying to make noise enough to make the NCAA dance.  Illinois has some big wins this season, namely Gonzaga, Ohio State and Indiana.  Currently they are sitting on 19 wins.  You'd have to give them the nod to make it.


Iowa is another team wishing upon dreams they can finally return to conference significance.  The Hawkeyes have a remaining schedule that could enable them to put together a 10-8 conference mark.  That should do the trick.  And then there is Minnesota.  The Gophers were early season surprises, but head coach Tubby Smith has seen his squad drop to 6-8 in the conference.  Should Minnesota fail to make the NCAA's,  look for Tubby to be on the proverbial hot seat.

Indiana and Big Ten Basketball are back

But in addition to the remaining schedule lies the conference tourney.  That's where things are going to get interesting.  My gut tells me should Indiana hang on to win the regular season title, which they should,....they won't do the same in Indianapolis.  As good as they are they can be beaten.  I've got a hunch Michigan or Michigan State just might be the one to do it.  And then again, why not take Illinois?  They've shown they can beat anybody.

What's the reason for the strong, strong showing by the Big Ten?  Well, the disintegration of the Big East helped catapult the Big Ten to the top.  Long the dominant basketball conference-oftentimes merely because of its size-the Big East is slowly evaporating.

"Realignment is upending every major conference in college athletics.  Additional revue streams that will come from more powerful expanded leagues with lucrative television deals will drive the endless shake-up" , says Josh Sanburn a Times Reporter who is an astute writer of college athletics.  The Big Ten is prone to ride this year's basketball success for quite some time.   And for Big Ten fans....that's just what they hoped for.  Dominance.

So get ready for the final three weeks.  It's going to be a humdinger...

Thanks for reading,

John

IOC TO DROP WRESTLING IN 2020

This is about as bone-headed as it gets.  The International Olympic Committee wants to drop Wrestling beginning with the 2020 Olympics.  First baseball, then softball and now this. Might gosh, what the heck gives?

This is going to be one ugly, passionate fight.  The wrestling community will not take this laying down.  That's a given.  Let's see, the sport has been part of the Games since 640 B.C.  You'd kind of think that it would be safe from this notion.  "This is not the end of the process, this is purely a recommendation", IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters after the executive board vote.  "It is the session which is sovereign.  It was a decision to look at the core sports, what works best for the Olympic games.  This was the best program for the 2020 Olympics.  This is not what's wrong with wrestling, but what is good for the Games".  

It might be a headlock now, but just wait

I've been around wrestling for over 25 years (as a researcher for College Wrestling and producer of a Dan Gable documentary) so I think I can give you a pretty good idea of what happens next.  Wrestling, for the most part is an individual sport.  It's man against man.  Best one wins.  You leave it all out on the mat even if you're the inferior one.  Even in losing, you can gain knowledge and strength so the next time the result can be different.  At least that's the premise.  But there is a team element.  And that's what's about to take place.  You're going to see a whole lot of individuals come together.....the stars in the sport like the Dan Gables, Cael Sandersons, John Smiths, Jim Gibbons and Rulon Gardner's, each Olympic Champions from the United States, join hands.  At that's just from the American side.  In all, over 70 countries participate in wrestling in the Olympics.  If you've heard the message, " you ain't seen nothing yet.....get ready......because you ain't seen nothing yet".       .

Here's what I mean.....

"Dan Gable and Cael Sanderson, Olympic wrestling champions and icons of their sport,d awoke Tuesday to the news that wrestling had been dropped from the 2020 Games.  They were shocked , but Gable and Sanderson pledged to fight for a reversal.

"It's obviously one of my worst nightmares", said Gable, the 1972 Olympic freestyle wrestling champion who went on to coach an NCAA wrestling dynasty at Iowa.

Gable said his wife first saw the news early in the morning on an Iowa wrestling message board.  She awoke him and he read a news report on the Internet.  "But I'm what is called a prevention guy", said Gable by phone.  "That's why I'm working on the sport every day.  I haven't been coaching for a long time, but I spend my working hours on the sport.  I'll continue to do that.  Hopefully, it's a major wake-up call that we can work through".

Knowing Gable, he won't be satisfied until he covers every angle.  He is the best there is when it comes to preparation and focus.  This will be a battle for the ages.  I'm taking Gable, despite the all powerful IOC.  That's how much I believe in him.  

PATERNO REPORT A REOPENING OF A CAN OF WORMS

This Sunday we are going to hear the Paterno side of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case.  And for the life of me, I don't understand why.

Oh sure, there's some hope to dispel the notion of Coach Joe Paterno's involvement in the sorted affair.  But short of finding out that he was experiencing some mental or health issue that precluded him not being able to ascertain what was going on in his Penn State football program....then let the issue lie.  What can be gained?

Sue Paterno, Joe's wife, said in a letter to Penn State players received Friday that her commissioned report due to be released this weekend presents "a persuasive critique of the Freeh Report as a total disservice to victims of Sandusky and the cause of preventing child sex offenses."   Her letter also defended her husband as a "moral, disciplined" man who never twisted the truth to avoid bad publicity.

Really?  How about looked the other way......or chose to act like nothing evil was taking place within the walls of a program he led for many, many, many years.  Are you telling me he had know idea what was going on?

Is this family report necessary?

A story written by ESPN Friday offered some additional information about the Commissioned Report.  "The Paterno family directed its attorney, Washington lawyer Wick Sollers, to assemble experts to review Freeh's findings and Joe Paterno's actions, Sue Paterno wrote.

She did not offer details on findings in the letter to players, "except to say that they unreservedly and forcefully confirm my beliefs about Joe's conduct."  Sue Paterno said neither Freeh's report, nor the NCAA actions, should "close the book" on the scandal.

"This cannot happen," she wrote.  "The Freeh report failed and if it is not challenged and corrected, nothing worthwhile will have come from these tragic events".

Again, I say REALLY?  I think a whole lot worthwhile has come out and will continue to come from what took place at Penn State.  First, this case proves no one university should be so all powerful that integrity loses its place.  Secondly, those who were abused finally feel they have a voice to the disgusting things they had to hide each and every day of their lives.  And lastly, perhaps, and I say that with big hope.....perhaps this is the last time we have to hear about abuse of this nature.

Mrs. Paterno, I know you want to clear your husband somehow and someway...but after 430 interviews and 3.5 million emails and documents they went through....I'm going to stand by the Freeh Report.  And not yours. Reopening the can of worms on this case is not only unnecessary......its a travesty.

Thanks for reading,

John

THE REST OF THE 138 POINT JACK TAYLOR STORY

The scene has played out thousands and maybe hundreds of thousands of times in neighborhood driveways in each and every U.S. town and city.  It's a game played one-on-none against an imaginary basketball opponent.  In many respects, it's a dream game.  One where real life and fantasy coincide.   The ball and player are in perfect harmony......scoring at will in every way possible. First, it's driving layups from each side of the free throw lane.....then several ten foot baseline jumpers.  Next comes running one hand scoop shots, followed by stop and pop shots at the top of the key.  Then come the bombs.  3 pointers from every spot on the arc.  When it's all said and done, you walk off the court knowing you've done something magnificent, probably unheard of.  You've broken every possible record in the books.  And people everywhere, know your name.  It's a dream for sure.  At least people say that's what it is.  That is.....unless your name is Jack Taylor.  And the dream becomes REAL.

Where the Dream played out.....Darby Gymnasium

It was the evening of November 20, 2012 when Jack Taylor and the Grinnell Pioneers readied themselves for Faith Baptist Bible at Darby Gymnasium..  Prior to warm-ups,  Taylor and several of his teammates huddled for some pre-game devotions.  In two previous Pioneer games, time had not presented itself for a blessed get-together.  Tonight was the beginning of something different. Matthew 25 was the focus that evening.  The word spoke of using the talents God has given you and more importantly using every moment you're given.  Jack Taylor and his teammates took the message to heart.

Here is the short version of Jack's night courtesy of ESPN writer Myron Medcalf:

"Grinnell's Jack Taylor didn't just amend the NCAA's record books when he scored 138 points--a new collegiate high mark--in his team's 179-104 victory over Faith Baptist Bible Tuesday night.  The Division III star wrote a new chapter.

There was a point during the second half where I hit a number of three's in a row--maybe seven or eight--I felt like anything I threw up was going in", Taylor said.  "I've been in the zone before but I've never taken so many shots."   

Bevo Francis of Rio Grande held the NCAA scoring record with 113 points against Hillsdale in 1954.  In the 1953, Francis had 116 against Ashland Junior College.  Frank Selvy is the only other player to reach triple figures, scoring 100 points for Division I Furman against Newberry in 1954.  The previous Grinnell record was 89 by Griffin Lentsch last November 19th against Principia.

Taylor said he entered the locker room at halftime under the assumption he'd racked up 30 points in the first half.  But when head coach David Arseneault whipped out the first-half stat sheet, he realized he was mistaken.

"Coach walked in with a stat sheet and said I had 58", Taylor said.  "you could see the team's eyes light up.  By the end of the night, Taylor was 52 for 108 (27 of 71 from the 3-point line) and he'd established a new collegiate record".

All eyes were on the 5' 10" Taylor that night.....

This week, Jack and I connected for some one-on-one time.  Conversation that is, not a game, mind you.  I purposely wanted to wait a while in talking to Mr. Taylor after the initial onslaught of media attention.  Here is some of our conversation:

SR:  Was there a point during the game when the significance of what was happening set in?

JT;  Halftime is where I was really surprised.  I had 58 points.  The game plan for the  second half became that I would get a touch every time down the floor.  Not necessarily a shot.  Normally I play around 18 minutes a game, but played 36.  My teammates did an awesome job of getting me the ball.

SR:  How did you handle the mention of glorifying God during your interviews?

JT:  My first interview was with ESPN.  I'm not sure I even mentioned God.  After all the interviews I did the first night, I started looking back and knew that I had to do a better job in giving God the Glory.  I prayed about that and asked for boldness in mentioning God in each interview I did.

SR:  What do you feel the importance of your night was?  How is God using you?

JT:  I see a lot of doors opening.  I can influence others and I see that as an exciting opportunity. Especially with youth.  Being able to talk to people back home and ones that know me.  My little sister is in high school and I see that I can be a role model for her and others in her school.  Here at Grinnell, I can share my faith and let others know they don't have to be scared in talking about their faith.

SR:  Picture yourself talking to a gymnasium full of young people.  What would be your message to them?

JT:  I would share my story of the two loves I have, basketball and the Lord.  Basketball used to be my religion before I tore my ACL in Prep School.  I had a friend that I was speaking  to about being a Christian and he said, "you're not a Christian".  That hit home.  From then on I focused on being a better person and living for the Lord.  I took that as a challenge.  That was the hardest time of my life.....when I had something taken away from me that I loved.  Now I look to be obedient.

SR:  You took a long road to Grinnell.  First Prep School, then UW-LaCrosse and then Grinnell.  Why do you think that was your journey?

JT:  I often wonder about that.  I could have gone to Grinnell right out of high school.  But instead I decided to go to Prep School hoping I could land some Division I offers.  Then I tore my ACL and transferred to LaCrosse.  It wasn't my plan.  If I hadn't gone to Prep School, I wouldn't have met my friend who challenged me about my faith.

SR: In talking about Matthew 25 before your big night, how did that have an impact on what took place?

JT:  I knew I was going to get more minutes that night.  I told my parents and girlfriend that our system at Grinnell would mean that I would probably get more shots too.  I think Matthew 25 opened my eyes to be more aggressive and play with the talents God has given me. (laughs)

SR:  Have you thought about the meaning of 138 in the Bible and sought some words to that number, perhaps Psalm 138?

JT:  Wow, no I hadn't even thought of that.

SR:  Well, let me get my Bible and look it up for the both of us....:

As Jack pulled up Psalm 138 on his computer, we both read of the provided wisdom.  And this is what jumped out.  "When I called, you answered me, you made me bold and stouthearted-Pslam 138:3

Additionally, Pslam 138 describes those who are close to God live in reality and those who believe in human power live in a world of fantasy.

I must say, for me anyway.....after our 138 exchange, I don't remember a whole lot more about what questions I asked and how Jack responded.  I do know that several minutes later he texted me and thanked me for sharing Psalm 138 with him and encouraging him to walk boldly through the doors God opens.

Hold On....Now that I think about it, I do remember a final question.

SR:  Who do you want to play you in the movie?

JT:  (Laughs).  I hadn't even thought about that (laughs again).

Someday, yes someday, there might be a Taylor boy or girl out on the driveway playing imaginary hoops.....playing out the game of their life.  The difference is, someday, Jack will be able to tell them all about it.  And knowing kids, that might be a hard sell.

JT:  One time I scored 138 points in a game.  And it was the biggest single game point total in collegiate history.

Young Taylor:  You scored 138 points.  Right Dad.  Come on!!!!!  Game On.....

****  As a side note:  Jack has played 6 games since November 20th.  He has scored in succession, 21,18,39,12,36 and 37 points.  His highest minute total in any of those games is 18.  For the season, the Black River Falls, Wisconsin native is averaging 38.7 points per game.

Thanks for reading,

John

HALL OF FAME TIME AGAIN FOR BASEBALL

The Baseball Writer's Association of America (BBWAA) is releasing today (Monday) the names to be considered for election into the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame.  Some of the names are old ones, ones that probably have little chance of ever making it.  And then there are the ones that should make it...and others whose fate will hang with a jury for a long time, I'm afraid.  Remember, every year now, the discussion will no doubt focus on PED (Performance Enhancing Drugs) and whether that player was an abuser or not.

Results of the balloting is expected in early January of 2013 for selection into the Hall on July 28th in Cooperstown, New York

One of the greatest thief's of all-time.....Tim Raines

The players back for another run this year are Jack Morris, Jeff Bagwell, Lee Smith, Tim Raines, Alan Trammel, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Larry Walker, Mark McGwire, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro and Bernie Williams.  Of those, Morris received 66% of the votes needed last year, Bagwell  got 56%, Smith had 51% and Raines grabbed 49%.  75% is needed for selection.

Will this be the year for Morris, the former ace who won 254 games in his big league career?  He's making his 14th run at the honor and he'll probably get in.  Bagwell is another that deserves a shot, although, despite hitting 449 home runs in his career...there has been some question about potential steroid use.  The most deserving might be reliever Lee Smith, who once held the record for most life-time saves until Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres bested his mark in 2006.  Smith ranks second on the all-time list with 478 saves.

At Bruce Sutter's Hall of Fame induction in 2006, Smith talked with reporters about his chances for election.  Like many others, he commented that he was puzzled that he had not yet been selected.  "This confuses the hell out of me.  But I've always been baffled by it", he said.  Hopefully, 2013 will be different for the 7-time All-Star and former Chicago Cub.

And now for the  new names to the ballot for 2013.  Let's begin with the players with the most name identification.  Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Kenny Lofton, Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling and Sammy Sosa.  Several of these players could have been first-time selections, but again, PED's are in play.  Despite being baseball's all-time home run leader, Bonds, will have a difficult time of convincing the writers of his drug innocence.   Same goes for Clemens, Sosa and Piazza.  And that's a shame.  They were all big contributors to the Game during their times.  

The other first timers are:
Antonio Alfonseca, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Tony Batista, Mark Bellhorn, Hector Carrasco, Alberto Castillo, Jeff Cirillo, Royce Clayton, Jeff Conine, Rheal Cormier, Juan Encarnacion, Robert Fick, Steve Finley, Julio Franco, Shawn Green, Roberto Hernandez, Ryan Klesko, Steve Kline, Ricky Ledee, Mike Lieberthal, John Mabry, Tom Martin, Doug Mirabelli, Mike Myers, Jose Mesa, Orlando Palmeiro, Neifi Perez, Desi Relaford, Reggie Sanders, Aaron Sele, Mke Stanton, Kelly Stinnett, John Thomson, Jose Valentin, Todd Walker, John Wasdin, David Wells, Rich White, Rondell White, Bob Wickman, Woody Williams, Preston Wilson, Jay Witasick and Jaret Wright.


So, who gets in 2013.  I think Jack Morris and Jeff Bagwell.  Smith most likely will have to wait for the Veterans vote...and the big loser, is in my estimation, Tim Raines.  Raines is the fourth all-time base stealer behind, Rickey Henderson,  Lou Brock and Ty Cobb.  He was also estimated to be the 40th greatest non-pitcher in major league history by Bill James.  And he only played 23 seasons. The guy could flat out ball
 
Thanks for reading.

John  

DAYS OF WINE AND NO ROSES FOR HAWKS

It's been 22 years since the University of Iowa football program has sniffed Roses. And for Hawkeye fans, that's too long, far too long.  The man that led Iowa to its last Rose Bowl game (a 46-34 loss to Washington) was Hayden Fry and he's been gone since 1999 when he turned things over to current head man, Kirk Ferentz.

In the first 18 years at Iowa, Fry was 133-76.  He turned around a program that had been in the dumps making Iowa a factor in the Big Ten race each year.  But then things started getting ugly. In 1997, Iowa was expected to challenge for the Big Ten Championship but settled for a 7-5 season.  Then came 1998, the worst season ever for Fry at Iowa, 3-8.   "Spoiled" Hawk fans grew restless.  They'd been used to being a player in the conference race and a perennial bowl team.  I remember these times looking around for a team that I could root for, other than Iowa......that was competitive each and every year.  I was fed up with the football product and became apathetic to what was going on in Iowa City.  That's how frustrated I'd become.  And I wasn't alone.  Specifically, the biggest concern of the fan base was that the game had passed Fry by.  Not only was he being out-recruited, he was being out-coached.

What have you done for the Iowa fan-base lately?

Fast forward to 2012 and the scenario is looking much the same.  Ferentz takes over for Fry and leads the Hawkeyes back to the land of promise.......then things start getting ugly.  Since the 2010 Orange Bowl, which Iowa won by beating Georgia Tech 24-14, the Hawkeyes have won only 10 Big Ten games.  Fans expect more.  And they should considering the salary Ferentz now commands as the sixth highest paid coach in college football, $3.875 a year.

Not only is there criticism and concern within Hawkeye Nation, the outside world is well aware of Iowa's situation.  Adam Jacobi of the Bleacher Reports says, "the real killer for Iowa, however, is a buyout for Ferentz is set at 75% of his remaining salary, paid monthly.  So if Iowa wants to go another route for its head coach, that's fine.  It'll just owe Ferentz about a quarter a million dollars a month.

Every month.

Until January of 2020".  

Headed into this weekend's game with Purdue, Iowa stands 4-5.  Then follows games at Michigan and at home against Nebraska. One win is possible, two highly unlikely and three would be a miracle. Apathy is growing.  The product is boring and far too conservative.  Many fans are looking to the basketball season which opens this Friday for their athletic appetite.

A posting from a Iowa fan website page speaks of the home finale against Nebraska.

"I don't hold it against anybody if they want to sell their tickets to the highest bidder-Husker fan or not.  Just because you don't want to sell their tickets to a Husker fan-doesn't mean they won't end up with them if your buyer sells them for profit.  Loyalty is one thing-money another.

None of us wants to see Kinnick in red but it is what it is.  Win and this crap would not be happening.  This is not going to be much of a rivalry if we don't win sometime soon.  TV may not even want to put it on Black Friday if we don't step it up".

Iowa Athletic Director, Gary Barta negotiated Ferentz's current contract after the 2010 Orange Bowl victory.  He says today, he'd still do it.

"When you sit down with a coach, you take a look at their body of work", Barta said.  "There are different environments that you're evaluating.  In Kirk's case, back in 2009, I think we finished seventh in the country.  If you look at what he had done competitively, academically, value, integrity and fit, all those things, obviously I put together a package that I felt fit the person and the situation.

Glad I did it and still glad I did it".

Those remarks came several days ago when asked about his belief in the head coach.  Barta fixed his wagon to Kirk several years ago with that long-term deal.....a move that was highly questioned at the time.

In looking back at the season thus far and see losses to Central Michigan and Indiana (did you see the crowd size in Bloomington?  disgustingly small) there should be raised eyebrows.  Heck, the once highly competitive Iowa State-Iowa match-up is clearly in the Cyclones favor.  What's that tell you about a rivalry the Hawks dominated for years.

So where is this headed?    

The earlier remark from the fan about tickets might indicate more wisdom than we know when he said, "loyalty is one thing-money another".

Regardless, it's going to take a lot of BOTH......no matter which way this goes.

Thanks for reading,

John

YOU WANT TO BE NFL COMMISSIONER?

What's commissioner Roger Goodell doing with the National Football League these days?  Take a look at the standings and it looks more like the National Hockey League where everyone has a chance to make the playoffs.  For years there's been discussion of putting the league on a level playing field.  It sure looks like that's being accomplished.

Entering Week Seven, 10 Teams had won 4 or more games, 11 had a 3-3 record and 11 had won either one or two games.   Of those eleven clubs at the bottom are New Orleans at 1-4 and Pittsburgh, Detroit and Dallas at 2-3.  Any of those teams are playoff caliber.  All the teams in the AFC East are 3-3 (New England, New York, Buffalo and Miami) and the NFC East is almost the same.  If it's parity you want, it's parity you're going to get!!

But there is something else going on in the league.  Players have been speaking out about Mr.Goodell and his handling of the Bounty Scandal involving the New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Drew Brees has been especially critical.

Today, former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jimmy Kennedy, identified as a "whistleblower in the scandal, let loose on the NFL commissioner by calling him a liar in regards to his role in the league's investigation.   "Kennedy issued a lengthy statement in response to a recent memo the NFL gave to all teams that listed him as a person who originally told former Vikings coach Brad Childress in early 2010 that the Saints had a bounty on Brett Favre in the 2010 NFC title game".  "That's a lie", said Kennedy.  "I had no knowledge about any alleged bounty to reveal to anyone, and I never informed anyone that I did".

Would somebody else like this job?

Along with the Kennedy accusations today, comes this as well.  The commissioner appointed predecessor Paul Tagliabue to hear the appeals of four players suspended in the bounty scandal.  Goodell notified Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove, as well as the players' union, that Tagliabue would be the hearing officer to "decide the appeals and bring the matter to a prompt and fair conclusion".  The players and the union asked Goodell to recuse himself feeling he could not rule fairly.  One has to ask if having the former commissioner put forth a ruling is going to be any better.  

Goodell has said many times he feels his main duty as commissioner is "protecting the shield" as he puts it in reference to the NFL shield logo, protecting the integrity of the game and making it safer.  Since assuming office in September of 2006, he has suspended those involved in the bounty scandal and other notables such as Adam "Pacman" Jones, Chris Henry, Tank Johnson, Michael Vick, Ben Roethlisberger, Donte Stallworth and Ndamukong Suh.  In 2007, he disciplined the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick for their involvement with Spygate and then of course there was the 2011 NFL lockout which he had a big hand in bringing to a close in August before the start of the season.  That might be his shining moment. Because the recent Referee Lockout just settled sure wasn't.  That has to rank as one of the worst times ever in NFL history.  .

SO you think it might be a whole lot of fun being the commissioner of the NFL and recognized as "one of the most powerful person in all of sports?"  There's much more to the job than most can comprehend.  And most of it isn't glamorous.  It might cause Goodell to pause and say, "here Paul, you can have your old job back when you're done ruling on the bounty scandal......I'm outta here!"

Who knows, it just might happen.

Thanks for reading,

John