… Or on the first tee. A drum and bugle corps, smartly dressed in green, greeted the first players at The Greenbrier Classic, just before 7 a.m. Nice show. … If you really want to know, Tim Herron was the first hitter (but only after Jim Justice knocked a tee shot down the middle himself.)
We interrupt my vacation for my 2 cents on The Sporting News’ college football rankings.
I believe, if I remember my handwriting, that Jeff D’Alessio sent me a copy of the 7/5/10 magazine. If you haven’t killed all your brain cells, you will remember him as an MU beat writer for the Daily Mail, and a pretty good one at that. He has been on the TSN staff for several years, I believe.
That said. … I got to look at the 1-120 college rankings in one spot for the first time. As usual, many sensible picks, a few notable brain cramps.
Marshall is No. 93. No respect — conservatively, that’s 8-10 spots too low. Conservatively.
The mag let Mario Harvey pop off on that: “This ranking is way off. We are coming off a bowl win and have a lot of guys back on both sides of the ball.
If the ratings held sway through every game, the Herd would finish 3-9. I’m confident that will not happen. If you’re wondering, the lower teams in Conference USA are UAB (101), Rice (108, but not on MU sked), Memphis (113) and Tulane (120 and last).
Here’s the fun part: Ohio is ranked 69th, 24 spots ahead of the Thundering Herd. The Bobcats have a lot of speed left on offense and a great LB in Noah Keller, but the QB issue is a question, as I recall.
Bowling Green? No. 66. Seriously.
QB Tyler Sheehan and 155-catch receiver Freddie Barnes are both gone. The OL is iffy and the defensive back 7 is rather green, game-wise.
This team has “rebuilding season” written all over it. Any pick of 66th has to represent worship of Dave Clawson.
I’ll call the shot now: Marshall leaves Doyt Perry Stadium victorious on Sept. 18.
Back from vacation next week, but hip-deep in the Greenbrier Classic. If you’re a Herd fan, it’s a great place to represent. …
Day 2 of a longish vacation here, but I will say the Herd is getting Johnny Thomas, a 6-5 wing from North Carolina State. He’ll be here on the “Willy Korn Plan,” and have two years’ eligibility, pending NCAA paperwork. He is from Greensboro…
Have a good month. Be back on the 26th, or thereabouts.
Hassan Whiteside worked out with the Bucks. Here are some quotes:
“I thought I did OK. I wish I would have made more shots and finished more but I thought it was OK, it was real physical.”
On what he’s hoping for on draft night…
“I’ve got a couple teams in mind that I’d like to go to because I like the coaches there, but anything; (it) wouldn’t matter.”
On the Bucks…
“They’re a good team. A good young team, they’ve got a good guard with Brandon Jennings so they’re going to be talented.”
On what he could bring to the team…
“Probably all-around, just add to the game on offense and defense, rebounding, just add to everything.”
On playing power forward…
“I played more power forward growing up. Marshall was my first time playing center and even then I was like a pick-and-pop center.”
On if he’s confident his shot can translate to the NBA…
“I feel like I could be a pick-and-pop or a pick-and-roll guy. I’m real athletic and long so I feel like I could do that.”
On what’s surprised him about the draft process…
“Just really the physicality of it. They don’t really call fouls, they’re really looking to see how hard you play.”
Fresh off the wire…
In an e-mail to The Associated Press, Scott confirms that Texas has rejected the Pac-10’s offer.
The news first was reported by The Dallas Morning news.
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I’m thinking realignment is over for the time being. I’m guessing the Big Ten is holding out for Notre Dame to come to its senses, and then it would pick off a Big East team. For now, nothing more.
Conference USA stays intact…
Chatted with the Milford Academy coach. The highlights:
(a) He’s coached a few players in his day, as you see here.
(b) He says Travon Van compares to these, athletically, and will star right off the bat in Conference USA.
Something to munch on…
Herd senior Ryan Kiel was taken in the 37th round of the MLB draft, joining junior Kevin Shackelford and recruit Aaron Blair of Las Vegas. The latter two were picked in the 21st round, so the dilemma begins (and Jeff Waggoner sweats).
Tyler Gatrell could well land a free-agent deal, so he could end up in the minors this summer as well…
Chuck Neinas was rehired by Conference USA to guide the league through the next minefield of realignment. He has received considerable credit for shepherding Marshall into C-USA, a marriage that wasn’t automatic, contrary to popular belief.
Here is the list of Conference USA players taken in the MLB draft (incoming recruits are NOT included):
Rd. Player Pos. School MLB Team 3 Rick Hague SS Rice Washington Nationals 3 Rob Segedin 3B Tulane New York Yankees 8 Kyle Roller DH East Carolina New York Yankees 10 Blake Kelso SS Houston Washington Nationals 13 Michael Goodnight RHP Houston Cleveland Indians 14 Diego Seastrunk C Rice Cleveland Indians 16 Ryan Fraser RHP Memphis New York Mets 16 Chris Wallace C Houston Houston Astros 17 Preston Claiborne RHP Tulane New York Yankees 18 Jimmy Comerota IF Rice Arizona Diamondbacks 20 Chad Mozingo OF Rice Washington Nationals 20 Luke Stewart 1B UAB New York Mets 21 Scott Copeland RHP Southern Miss Baltimore Orioles 21 Owen Dew RHP UCF Cleveland Indians 21 Kevin Shackelford RHP Marshall Milwaukee Brewers 23 Drew Martinez OF Memphis New York Mets 23 Shane Brown OF UCF New York Yankees 25 Mike Ojala RHP Rice Florida Marlins 26 Ty Stuckey LHP Houston Cincinnati Reds 26 Chris Duffy OF UCF Philadelphia Phillies 31 Stephen Sultzbaugh OF Rice Arizona Diamondbacks 32 Todd McInnis RHP Southern Miss Oakland A's 33 William Kankel LHP Houston Milwaukee Brewers 34 Dustin Harrington SS East Carolina Chicago Cubs 36 Jared Rogers RHP Rice Florida Marlins 37 Ryan Kiel LHP Marshall Seattle Mariners 38 Nick Graffeo LHP UAB Kansas City Royals 38 Jared Ray RHP Houston Minnesota Twins 39 Ryan Woolley RHP UAB Texas Rangers 41 Seth Maness RHP East Carolina Florida Marlins 48 Devin Harris OF East Carolina San Francisco Giants
Catching up today … and mourning the death of Mike Cherry, who was as good an MU beat writer (and J-school alum) as there was.
I’ll update today and tonight as I round things up, but here’s some Baltimore Ravens news.
The Orlando Sentinel isn’t overwhelmed by the Herd’s prospects, picking the Herd 84th. Notice the writer’s “look back” kind of got a few events backward: Snyder was forced out, then the Herd won the bowl game.
I’ll have a little more on Travon Van tonight/Wednesday. He is in school, though he may or may not be a “prop.” Lets put it this way: If he qualifies, his redshirting is considered very, very doubtful.
Tickets will available for the Big Green’s Sleepy Hollow stop, but you’d better step on it. They’re $25, and call Jim Ferguson at 304-552-3501 for reservations.
Good Associated Press story on the big guy working out with Pacers. But it kind of makes me wonder: Do we get a story on every other team for which he works out? Could be a looooong month.
CLIFF BRUNT,AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Ekpe Udoh of Baylor and Hassan Whiteside of Marshall are hearing similar messages from their critics: get stronger and show more offensive skill.
Even if they don’t, both slender, athletic post players stand a good chance of being taken in the first round of the NBA draft June 24 because of their potential. How highly they are selected might depend on how much growth they show during pre-draft workouts.
Udoh and Whiteside joined Derrick Caracter (UTEP), Daniel Orton (Kentucky), Lance Stephenson (Cincinnati) and Chris Kramer (Purdue) in a workout for the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Whiteside, who led the nation in blocked shots as a freshman before declaring for the draft, helped Marshall finish with a 24-10 record last season. He plans to work out for the teams selecting between No. 4 and No. 13. The Pacers are slotted to pick 10th.
Udoh set the Big 12 single-season record for blocks and helped the Bears reach the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament last season.
Whiteside and Udoh often were matched up during 3-on-3 play Tuesday. Udoh had the most impressive finish, a two-handed power jam that got praise from other players. Whiteside’s length and ability to rise above the competition stood out.
Whiteside averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.4 blocks last season. He wants to show that he’s more than a dynamic weakside defender.
“I just really want to show that I’m physical, that I can play against bigger guys,” he said. “I’m a slimmer guy. I’m more than just a defensive player. I’m an all-around player. I can rebound and score.”
Whiteside showed touch near the basket on Tuesday and stepped out beyond the top of the key to swish a jumper.
“I’m just bringing bigger guys away from the post, pick and pop, just showing my all-around game, showing I can play the four, a little bit of the five,” he said.
Whiteside said he was 205 pounds when he started school at Marshall, but now is 230 after losing 10 pounds while conditioning during draft preparation. He says putting the weight back on won’t be a problem for him.
Udoh, a 6-10 center, averaged 13.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in one season with the Bears. He believes he’s made the necessary adjustments to be ready for the NBA.
“I’m versatile,” he said. “Ballhandling and passing are what I’ve really worked on. I think I can come in and do that as well. But I want to come in and be a terror on defense, first.”
Udoh played two years at Michigan before sitting out a year after transferring.
“After going through a tough year, I just thought it better suited for me to part ways with Michigan,” he said. “Baylor chose me and it paid off.”
Udoh said his postseason play helped draw attention. He had 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five blocks in a regional final loss to Duke.
“I think it helped it enormously,” he said. “Allowing a lot of people to watch the game on that stage was a plus.”
Udoh, who said he weighs 237 pounds, knows he needs to bulk up to take his stock a step further.
“They probably know as well as anybody that as soon as I get picked, and even now, I’ve got to work hard in the weight room.”
Whiteside was impressed with Udoh.
“He’s pretty good,” Whiteside said. “I can see why they put him in the lottery.”
Dago Pena is in the Dominican Republic trying out for the senior national basketball team there, coach Herrion tells me. Cool deal for a cool guy … Won’t make the Big Green stop Thursday, but I’m writing about it now.
Doug Smock’s Column Gazette Sports
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