Seth's 50 Centers

With the fallout of another Ohio State football national title loss behind me, I begin anew, ready for some warmer temperatures and some good sports topics.

Even this morning I had that OSU title situation in my mind. Maybe it’s something to do with dealing with losing it two years in a row, or maybe this year was just different because of the fact this team wasn’t expected to do what it did, but I’d still rather be in that game than win another, less important contest.

The anticipation of that day, which for me included a trip down memory lane looking at old media guides and programs, watching OSU DVDs and even purchasing a throwback Eddie George jersey, isn’t something you’re going to get just by playing in a regular bowl game.

Bill Belichick

The grumpy Patriots coach enters yet another Super Bowl ready to sit atop the NFL universe. That’s great, except for those Browns fans who feel jilted by their former coach’s success.

I haven’t talked to many Cleveland fans of late about this, but as I read espn.com’s Gene Wojciechowski’s column this morning I can’t help but think the blame truly needs to go on another favorite target of Browns fans: Art Modell.

In 1995, rumblings began making the rounds that Modell was about to take one of the league’s most beloved franchises away from the city that loved its team as much as any other.

As Wojciechowski points out, Belichick had his team in position entering that season to have a decent year, but the team went 5-11. Even I, as big a Bengals fan as there is, have no problem admitting that no team should be expected to win games under such conditions.

Maybe if Modell hadn’t decided to move his team, ’95 would’ve been a better season. Belichick may have made the playoffs that year, or at least had a respectable season, and possibly would’ve stayed on in Cleveland to lead that franchise to multiple Super Bowls.

OSU hoops

I’m thoroughly enjoying this season, despite the fact I may have an ulcer before it’s all said and done.

The fact is, the Buckeyes have five good players. Included in that group is a great college point guard in Jamar Butler (15 ppg), a steady, if not inconsistent, sophomore in David Lighty, an emerging star in freshman Evan Turner, a solid post player in Othello Hunter and an improving freshman center in Kosta Koufos.

Beyond that no one is contributing the way they need to.

Jon Diebler is having a difficult time adjusting to the college game. He has had flashes — like the end of the first half against North Carolina — but he hasn’t done it consistently, or even half the time.

Matt Terwilliger is playing well for Matt Terwilliger, but he should be your seventh or eighth option, not your sixth man. He’s the only one who is coming off the bench and getting anything done.

Thad Matta seems to have finally realized this, shortening his substitutions in the last game, at home against Minnesota Saturday. Terwilliger didn’t sub for Koufos until under the 14-minute mark, which is over two minutes longer than he usually waits, and Diebler came in shortly after that.

Dallas Lauderdale didn’t play at all and juco point guard P.J. Hill only played a minute-plus, although it felt like an eternity!

Butler is going to have to continue to play over 38 minutes, especially in tight games, but even the ones that aren’t that tight. OSU opened up a 15-point lead at home against Illinois last week and Matta took Butler out for a well-deserved breather. That lead dwindled down to almost nothing and that was the end of Butler’s break.

This is a tournament team, don’t let anyone fool you on that. Matta will win 20-plus games again this season, but we’ll see if it’s closer to 30 or 20.

Super Bowl

Enjoy the game! I’m taking the Patriots — yeah, yeah big stretch, right? They just have too much. The only thing that will make me regret that choice is if the Giants D-line can get to Brady more than four or five times.

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