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"There's definitely some things you like about him. He's more mobile than you think by looking at him. He was pulling a lot, a lot of traps. He's someone that is always looking for someone to block, and you love that about your offensive guards."
-CBSSports.com NFL Draft Analyst Dane Brugler
Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer provided CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler a chance speak his craft, give insight on former Ohio State guard Marcus Hall and his draft stock.
Ohio State's Big Ten Championship Game against Michigan State was the lone contest Hall missed over his final two years, withheld form play by Urban Meyer following Hall's ejection during the Michigan game and his infamous double-bird.
A linchpin in the Buckeye offensive line, the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Hall is a longshot to be drafted, Brugler ranks him as the No. 42 guard, but has qualities that may provide NFL teams with intrigue, notably his athleticism.
"It's amazing how much better I can get if I can just focus on basketball. The biggest goal is to just get as good as I can, then everything's out of my hands. I'm hoping there's some travel involved (in the pre-draft process) and then when June comes around, we'll see where I stack up."
-Former Ohio State guard Aaron Craft to FoXSportsOhio.com
It's official, our beloved red-cheeked guard is will no longer suit up for Ohio State. Sure we knew Aaron Craft exhausted his eligibility, but it is officially-official. On Sunday Craft graduated from The Ohio State University, more on the coming, concluding a standout four-years for the academic All-American who doubles as the Big Ten's all-time steals leader.
With school behind him, Craft is now focused on June's NBA Draft, set to work the pre-draft circuit and showcase his skills. The point guard knows what area of his game he needs to work on in order to receive a chance in the Association.
"Obviously I have to be able to make shots," he said. "I just have to improve. It's definitely possible. It's about putting the time in and getting the reps.
"It’s a hardball world out there you’re walking into, and you’ve got to start thinking hardball. If you want the girl, the guy, the job — you’ve got to get out there."
-MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews
A beautiful Sunday afternoon in Columbus saw 10,200 students receive a degree or certificate as Ohio State held their winter commencement. MSNBC Hardball Host Chris Matthews was the guest speaker, speaking to those in attendance with a message of being ready to take what is in front of you, to be persistent.
"Not everybody is going to say yes to you, but just don't ever say no to yourself," he said. "It's about being there when the lightning strikes. You never know when it's going to happen."
The breakdown of degrees received:
Doctoral 247
Professional 906
Masters 1,577
Bachelors 7,122
Associates 344
Certificates 4
The university awarded the honorary doctor of communication degree to Chris Matthews and the honorary doctor of science degree to Barry Bloom, the Joan L. and Julius H. Jacobson Professor of Public Health in the Harvard School of Public Health.
"The Buckeyes enter the Big Ten Tournament as the hottest team in the conference, having win eight of their last nine games, including a two wins over Penn State, a series sweep of Northwestern and two wins this past weekend at Iowa."
-Ohio State Athletics
Peaking at the right time, Ohio State softball enters the Big Ten Tournament on a roll. Winners in eight of their last nine, Ohio State finished the 2014 regular season 28-24, 13-10 in the Big Ten. Ohio State tied with Purdue to finish sixth in the conference, falling to the Boilers in tournament seeding due to head-to-head.
The Buckeyes open the tournament against 10th-seed Penn State with a 2:30 p.m. EST first pitch on Thursday, May 8. The tournament is being played on Northwestern's campus at Sharon J. Drysdale Field.
BTN will provide live coverage of the Big Ten Softball Tournament quarterfinals, semifinals and final, while Thursday's opening round will be streamed on the Big Ten Digital Network (BTDN). Michigan won the Big Ten championship with a 18-4 conference mark, one game ahead of Nebraska.
STICK TO SPORTS
- Maybe the newest class of Buckeyes can change what Vox.com says is a dying American entrepreneurial spirit.
- Cbus, the Central Ohio Transit Authority's free downtown Columbus circulator, began operating today.
- The Wu-Tang Clan are a collection of the world's all-time best wordsmith. So long, Shakespeare.
- If you're still wearing a beanie, STOP.
- But if you're missing winter activities, more specifically hockey, the Columbus Dispatch continues a video series reflecting on the season, hitting on the CBJ's lack of captain.