Why is this news?: Ohio State's chances of making a Final Four, Demetrius Knox reportedly injured

"Yet according to thousands of computer simulations of the college basketball season, including the NCAA tournament itself, the Buckeyes have a 13 percent chance at making a Final Four appearance. Very similar odds to higher rated teams like Utah, North Carolina, and Kansas."

- Neil Greenberg, Washington Post

There have been times during the season where it has looked like Ohio State might not be worthy of making the NCAA Tournament, but like a number of other Thad Matta teams, the Buckeyes look to be rounding into shape at the right time, When looking at some of the numbers this Ohio State team has racked up, it might not be so crazy to think the Buckeyes are capable of making a deep run in March. With a 21-8 record so far this season, along with ranking 12th in the latest ESPN Basketball Power Index, and 16th in the Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings, the Buckeyes could be a solid pick as a sleeper to make the Final Four once the NCAA Tournament starts.

Of course the main reason Ohio State could be looked at as a team to make some noise is because of the play of superstar freshman D'Angelo Russell. Currently Russell has a 117.3 offensive rating while using nearly 30 percent of Ohio State's possessions. He joins elite company, with Stephen Curry and James Harden being the only other freshman perimeter players with an offensive rating that high while using at least 28 percent of their team's possessions. The high ratings of some of the offensive and defensive numbers of the Buckeyes show they are a well-rounded team, and given the right matchups,  their season might not end as early as some were thinking it might a few weeks ago.

"Demetrius Knox will miss Ohio State's spring practices after suffering a broken foot, sources told Eleven Warriors Thursday afternoon."

- ElevenWarriors.com

With Ohio State's spring practices starting on Tuesday, the offensive line took an early hit after redshirt freshman Demetrius Knox reported suffered a broken foot. Instead of being able to be out on the field with his teammates for the start of spring practices, Knox will now have to wear a boot and be on crutches for six weeks, and won't be able to return to running for 10 weeks.

A consensus four-star prospect coming out of high school in Fort Worth, Texas, Knox was rated by Scout.com as the number two guard prospect, and by Rivals.com as the number seven guard prospect. While he finished high school in Texas, Knox was originally born in Ohio, and spent time living in the Dayton/Springfield area. With the uncertainty on the offensive line coming into last season, there was a thought that Knox might potentially see some playing time in his freshman season for the Buckeyes, but he ended up taking a redshirt. With four starters returning for last season's national championship team, the injury only puts Knox further behind in battling for positioning on the offensive line depth chart.

"Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Mike Adams has sued three men who were acquitted of criminal charges that they attacked him outside a sandwich shop in June 2013."

- Associated Press

On Wednesday former Ohio State, and current Pittsburgh Steelers, offensive lineman Mike Adams filed a lawsuit against Jerrell Whitlock, Dquay Means, and Michael Paranay. The three men were acquitted of aggravated assault and attempted homicide last April, and now Adams is bringing civil charges against the men. The former Buckeye was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Steelers, and started six games in his rookie season before the June 2013 attack occurred.

Adams stated in the lawsuit, he was ordered to "give up" his vehicle around 3 a.m. on the night he was assaulted after grabbing a sandwich, parking his truck, and walking to a nearby friend's house. When Adams refused, Means grabbed a gun from his waistband, Paranay punched him in the face, and Whitlock stabbed him in the abdomen. Meanwhile at trial, the three suspects claimed the incident wasn't a carjacking, but a confrontation at the sandwich shop which was started by Adams. In the lawsuit During the criminal trial, the men claimed Adams was drunk and Adams lied about being intoxicated because it would possibly violated stipulations the Steelers gave Adams following the offensive lineman testing positive for marijuana at the 2012 NFL combine. Adams is seeking more than $35,000 in damages from the men.

"Hartline, the Canton, Ohio native, is still seriously considering the Browns even though he also has strong interest and possibly even solid offers from the Texans, Bears, and Patriots, a source told Northeast Ohio Media Group. The Colts might also have him on their radar, a source said."

- Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group

After being released by the Miami Dolphins last week, there seems to be plenty of interest for the services of former Ohio State wide receiver Brian Hartline. During his six years with the Dolphins, Hartline racked up 298 receptions and 12 touchdowns, with his best season coming in 2012, when he hauled in 76 passes and four touchdowns. After being targeted 128 times in 2011, and 134 times in 2013, Hartline saw his production with the Dolphins diminish last season, with only 39 touchdowns on 63 targets. A big reason for the drop in targets for Hartline was the emergence of rookie wide receiver Jarvis Landry for the Dolphins.

On Tuesday, Hartline visited with the Browns, who need to bolster their wide receiver corps after the suspension to Josh Gordon. With the youth the Browns currently possess at wide receiver, the veteran presence of Hartline could be something that could be very appealing to the team. Earlier today Hartline visited, and completed a physical, with the Houston Texans, who are looking to fill the void which will likely be left by Andre Johnson, who is requesting to be released by the team. The Chicago Bears are also thought to be in the mix for Hartline, especially after reports surfaced today that they team is looking to trade wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

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