You read the experts, and most of them give the Bengals a "C" for their draft. I'm not into giving out grades. But I am into some second guessing.

Like why they had to draft a running back in round two. Or a quarterback in round 5? I simply don't get it. This is a team that did not make the playoffs last season, largely because it couldn't tackle and had trouble defending the run.

I doubt seriously if running back Kenny Irons or quarterback Jeff Rowe have the ability to stuff the run.

Don't get me wrong. These two players are good and each will have a chance to craft a career in the NFL in Cincinnati. But....both have to be considered luxury picks. And for a team with needs, I'd rather see a big of a reach for a player who can help, then a slam dunk for a player they don't really need.

Other draft day observations....the Lions are certifiably stupid. Another wide receiver? I don't care if he's Jerry Rice in his prime....the Browns made the right call with Joe Thomas at number three and a better call spending next year's number one to get Brady Quinn later in the draft....The Dolphins are certifiably stupid...Ted Ginn, Junior? The actually took a specialist rather than a quarterback who could be their franchise player for years....

The Reds had an expensive meal over the weekend. They ate the contract of relief pitcher Rheal Cormier. They've been trying to deal him since spring training started. Nobody wanted him. Cormier appeared to be finished when the Reds traded for him last summer. It happens. But why did general manager then sign Cormier to a new $2 million dollar deal after seeing what he did (or didn't do) when Cormier got here? I'm guessing Bob Castellini is asking the same thing today...since it's his money Krivsky is playing with.

Check out my web site Tuesday mid day www.kenbroo.com for the latest Broo v. Broo podcast. It's simply the hottest show in cyber space and the opinion are flying again this week.

Check back...

With apologies to fellow Ohio University alum, Arsenio Hall, things that make you go hmmmmm...

The Reds bullpen is in shambles. Like every year from here to back of memory, there is no one in that pen that Jerry Narron can count on consistently, to give him a top notch performance every night. So why then, did the Reds used today to give Todd Coffey a nice raise and sign him through next season?

Is the baseball world not full of Todd Coffeys?

Look, Coffey is another guy I really like. He got that easy going Texan approach to life and can, on occasion, be an effective reliever. His schtick of running in from the bullpen is charming. But Coffey has done nothing so far this season to make anyone believe that he's approaching consistency. Nor, has Coffey done anything to stake claim to the Reds closer role, something he had last year and lost.

It's another confounding move by Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, who I also like a lot. I like a lot of people, so sue me. Krivsky can knock it out of the park with some moves (Brandon Phillips, Bronson Arroyo, Josh Hamilton). But sometimes, I wonder...

Everywhere I went today, people asked me...who are the Bengals going to take in the draft. If I knew, I'd make a bet and retire. I have only a guess. And my guess is, they will take Darrelle Revis, the cornerback from Pitt, who is dropping in a lot of mock drafts. Revis can return kicks as well as play stout 'man' coverge. That's my guy, and I'm sticking to him.

Check back....and check out my web site, www.kenbroo.com. I've got my latest Broo View podcast posted, as well as the hottest sports talk show in cyber space, Broo v. Broo.

Look, I like Jerry Narron. I think he's a good manager and knows the game infinitely better than I do. But occasionally, he absolutely confounds me.

Wednesday night was a great example. Here he was, locked in a great battle with his counterpart in the the Cardinals' dugout, Tony LaRussa. The Reds and Cards were tied at one, with Bronson Arroyo and Braden Looper tossing terrific games. Narron had to know two things: one, Arroyo had thrown only 96 pitches through seven innings. Two: his bullpen has been anything but trustworthy lately.

Rather than allowing Arroyo to start the eighth inning, Narron elected to pinch hit for him, leading off the seventh. The fact that Ryan Freel, who hadn't picked up a bat since Sunday, failed to get on base is one thing. But why would you trade Arroyo for the bullpen, just to try and jump start your offense?

The Reds manager tried to defend himself on the Reds radio pre-game show Thursday. It didn't work, at least not for me. Lifting a starter who'd thrown only 96 pitches, allowed only five hits for the chance of scoring a run...given the shaky bullpen...is indefensible.

I like Jerry, but it was the wrong call.

Check out my web site, www.kenbroo.com. Just posted today the latest "Broo View" podcast. I've got comments from Marvin Lewis, Carson Palmer and other Bengals about the upcoming draft. It's in the podcast and more section.

Marvin Lewis appeared to have learned a lesson. We'll know for sure Saturday. But at his pre-NFL draft news conference today, Lewis said the Bengals won't be drafting players who are in need of reshaping their lives.

Apparently, he's been Frostee Rucker-ed and Odell Thurman-ed and Chris Henry-ed to death. Marvin can't blame anyone else for his troubles with troubled players. He brought most of them here through free agent signings and the draft.

Lewis is convinced he'll get a solid citizen and an impact player, when the Bengals pick 18th in round one. Most projections have the Bengals getting a corner back, either Darrelle Revis from Pitt or Aaron Ross from Texas. Either could come in and start a 'nickel'. But with the secondary as sparse as it is today, either may have to start.

The Reds open a ten day, nine game road trip tonight. They're in St. Louis, where they handled the defending World Series champs very well last season. They went 5-4 in Missouri, 4-2 at Great American Ball Park. It's not a stretch to say that the NL Central is baseball's most competitive division (competitive another word for weakest). Each team does a pretty good job of beating up the other. But what kept the Reds in the race until the last weekend of 2006 was their record against the Cardinals. If they want the same kind of ride this year, they'll need to do the same thing.

Just posted on my web site www.kenbroo.com is the latest Broo v. Broo podcast. We've got some of the hottest opionins in cyberspace. This week, we're all over the NFL draft, the NBA and NFL playoffs and Barry Bonds. Check it out, in the 'podcast and more' section.

Check back soon...

I'm back from Vegas and lost only eight bucks....but wondering about a few of these things on this Monday morning....

How can the Reds fix their anemic batting order? There are four stone, cold lock 'outs' in the batting order: Edwin Encarnacion, Brandon Phillips, David Ross and whomever is pitching. Does this make this year's hitting coach, Brook Jacoby look bad, or last year's hitting coach, Chris Chambliss look good?

What does it say about a team that has a Rule 5 player hitting clean up? Josh Hamilton was out of organized baseball for four years, yet Sunday, he hit fourth. What does it say that a guy out of baseball almost four years is your best hitter?

After Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang and Kyle Lohse (for the moment at least) who can the Reds rely on for decent starting pitching? The answer, no one.

Why do I believe that the only reason the Reds keep running Eric Milton out to the mound is hoping he'll string together three or four decent starts so they can trade him?

If character is so important in the NFL draft this coming Sunday, was it wise for three players to admit they smoked marijuana in college? A report in Pro Football Weekly claims three sure fire first round picks lit it up. Or, was it wise for the three to admit it, with teams knowing full well infinitely more players did dope and lied about it?

Just wondering....

The Vegas excursion continues....ate a one of those truly Americana places last night, off the strip and a spot that only veteran Vegas go-ers really know about. It's called "Batista's Hole In The Wall", a 1950's throwback Italian place where you get an entire meal, plus all the red or white wine you can consume, for about $25. Actually, that's exactly what the bill was, dinner for two was $50, even.

The place is littered with pictures of 1950-1970 Hollywood celebs who've dined there. Autographed pictures from people like John Wayne, Jerry Lewis, Oliver Hardy....just about every dead celebrity who's ever eaten at the place (sorry Jerry, we know you're still with us).

If you're ever out here, it's about two blocks off the strip on Flamingo. You can thank me later.

I have to walk through the Hilton sports book on my way to the breakfast buffet every morning and get to see the daily odds posted on their 'big board'. They also have hand out sheets. The NFL odds for this coming season are intriguing. The Bengals are three point favorites for their season opener against the Ravens. Cincinnati is right now 8-1 to win the AFC championship, 15-1 to win the Super Bowl. Interestingly, the Bengals and Steelers are both 2-1 to win the AFC North, behind the 8-5 Ravens.

Of course, two good injuries and another suspension and all of that changes, right?

I've yet to see anyone famous out here, not even Joe Piscopo, who spends three days a week here at the Hilton entertaining at the cabaret. Joe doesn't get the 'big room'. That's reserved for the semi-permanent act, Barry Manilow. I had to admit, I wasn't sure Joe was alive or dead. He's basically disappeared from show biz the past 15 years, except for those hideous power drink body building commercials he did back in the mid-90's. He, at one point, looked like he'd ingested a lethal dose of the Incredible Hulk.

I didn't get to see his act (he apparently not only tells jokes, but dresses up like Sinatra and sings. Remember that parody he did of Sinatra on SNL back in the 80's? Apparently now, life has imitated art). But I hear it's an entertaining 90-minues or so with Joe. I know this, it must be a tough ticket. The discount booths where you can buy half price tickets for same day shows don't carry his.

Check back...I'm here all week...try the veal.

Hi from Vegas, the city that doesn't sleep, or stops taking your money. Thank God I don't gamble. I don't see how anyone with even a remote addiction to 'action' can survive in this town. But in all honesty, when you get beyond "The Strip" this is a pretty cool area, big growth area. I've done Red Rock Canyon, beautiful topography and only about a half an hour drive out Charleston Avenue. But one of my more favorite places is Valley of Fire, about an hour north of the city. I'm there Friday. It's simply breathtaking.

Spent a large chuck of today inside the world's largest broadcast technical show, the NAB. Lots of gadgets for tech-heads (I don't like the word geek, in this sense, probably because I am one.) Let me just say this about what's here, the world as we know it is exploding with communication technology. Equipment that was cutting edge just a few years ago is obsolete. And everthing is digital.

I was helping some friends of mine who are in the sports production business shop for new equipment. In the process, we ran into their funder (venture capitalist) and got into the discussion of where all of the anologue equipment is going to go when over the air television must go digital in Feburary, 2009. The short answer is there will be no after market for the tape machines and microphones and editing equipment that has been broadcast standard for the last two decades. Expensive boat anchors, I belive is the term that was used. Oh well, enough with the technology, onto sports.

Why did Jerry Narron lift Aaron Harang so early tonight? I guess Harang was still woozy from his bout with the flu. Great for second guessing, considering how awful Todd Coffey and Rheal Cormier were. My guess is, Cormier is headed for a DFA, as soon as someone down on the farm separates themselves from the pack. I know that Reds' GM Wayne Krivsky tried to deal Cormier in the spring. But he also signed him to an extention last fall.

Josh Hamilton again??? Is there a better story anywhere in sports than this guy?

Mick Cronin recruits better than the Marines. First, he gets the best player in the city to commit earlier this week. Yancy Gates will be a huge, huge college player. I'd like to say you heard it here first...but I've got to be at least top 20 on that call. Now, Anthony McLain is in for a visit. He could, could sign by the end of the week. But if he does, by my math, somebody has to go from the current UC roster.

The Bengals continue to court middle linebackers. Now, they've got former Falcons starter, Ed Hartwell in for a visit. That's something that has to make you go 'hmmmmmm". First, they annoint Ahmad Brooks as their starting middle linebacker and now Hartwell is here for a visit. Is this an indication that Odell Thurman may be fading again, from the proverbial picture?

Check back again....

Hi again....
Spent a lot of Monday searching Vegas for a video camera (I know, I'm at the largest broadcasting convention in the world and I'm looking for a video camera). But, those $5,000 rigs are a big out of my price range....so I settled on a tricked out Panasonic DVD recorder, records right onto DVDs which you can then slap into your computer to look at or edit.

I've been audio podcasting, several shows, on my web site, www.kenbroo.com. I think I'm going to get into some video podcasting as well. I'll never abandon audiocasting, it's too cool. But, I think video will be fun to try. So....stand by for that.

Saw the end of the Reds game against the Brewers last night, sitting in the sports book at the Las Vegas Hilton. You can't spot the other guy ten runs in any game and expect to win. Eric Milton was, at the very best, serviceable last night. But he's not the answer in any of the five spots in the rotation. My guess is, two more starts at the most for Milton. If it doesn't turn around by then, look for Homer Bailey.

It was great to see Josh Hamilton go 'yard' again. The home run was basically meaningless, exccept it was another chapter in his comeback story. The next step for Hamilton is hitting consistently when a game is on the line. But there's no denying this: he knows how to work a count. "Professional at bats" is the way the old per-fessor Bob Boone would call it.

I'm on my way to the NAB show to check out gadgets. Check back soon!

Good morning!

Two weeks into the season and the Reds are in first place. Who'd have thunk it? And who would've believed that the key to all of this decent start has been starting pitching. Kyle Lohse, with 12 strike outs on Sunday? If you told me that guy would be able to do that, I'd've said he was pitching to a net, not a decent Cubs line-up.

The concern now is the lack of hitting, particularly in with men on base. "Situational hitting' is what managers and baseball geeks call it. But it is a major, major problem. The bottom half of the order is getting killed by David Ross' inability to replicate his 2006 season. The top half of the order has been bothered by Brandon Phillips slow start. 7-5 after 12 games is good. But the lack of hitting will eventually catch up with this team. It's been pitching good, and lucky so far.

I'm traveling. I've in Las Vegas for the annual NAB (National Asssociation of Broadcasters) convention. I'm not involved in it, at all, out here as my wife works the floor for her company. So I get to play this week. My first order of business was nothing in the casinos. I took in a minor league game Sunday. The Las Vegas 51's (Dodgers AAA) vs the Salt Lake City Bees (Anaheim). I didn't know it until I arrived, but the game featured a rehab start for Angels pitcher, Bartolo Colon, who was terrifc, tossing shut out ball for seven innings. Colon has been nothing but injury prone since signing a big dollar deal with the Angels. He had a partial tear of his labrum that developed last season. Rather than surgery, the prescription was for exercise and non baseball activity for the past nine months or so. I guess it worked. This was his third rehab start and all have gone very well. I was told by a scout at the game that Colon has one more rehab start and then will probably get the call to rejoin Anaheim.

That's it for now. Check back....who knows, the dice may be hot tonight and I'll have a wonderful story to share. Right...

Not a great final tune up for Bronson Arroyo tonight. He went five, but gave up three runs. That's still better than the numbers Aaron Harang has been posting this spring and a light year past where Eric Milton is at this time. So I wouldn't be too concerned

Arroyo starts the second game of the season, next Wednesday against the Cubs.

That mid season trade Wayne Krivsky engineered in 2006 isn't looking so hot tonight. Felipe Lopez and Austin Kearns will be in the Nationals "everyday 8" line-up. Thursday, the Reds put pitcher Bill Bray on the DL and sent Gary Majewski to the minors. But both could be with the 'big club' within a month.

It's almost amazing, but Chris Denorfia has gone from fighting for a spot on the Reds roster to out for the season. Denorfia found out Thursday, his sore forearm is really a blown ligament in his elbow. He'll need Tommy John surgery.

Temperatures predicted in the mid-70's for Opening Day in Cincinnati. Which means it'll probably snow.

Now five days and counting until opening day. Both Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo have one more shot to get it right in spring training. Harang will toss on Wednesday, Arroyo will throw on Thursday.

Spring numbers mean nothing. That’s why you can’t get too worked up over Harang struggling this spring and Arroyo lighting it up.

Hitting is the same deal too. Adam Dunn is at .383, but has struck out every four at bats this spring. Josh Hamilton, the modern day Roy Hobbs is hitting .403, Brandon Philips is picking up where he left off last season, hitting .350.

The biggest concern is Ken Griffey, Junior, who didn’t get into a game this spring until last Sunday. Junior has three hits in his first ten at bat, including a sweet bunt down the third base line Tuesday night against that shift a lot of teams like to throw at him. I’d love to see that a lot more in 2007.

And, with just days to go before the start of the baseball season…my picks?
American League, Yanks in the East, Tigers in the Central and Oakland in the West. National League? Philies, Cards and Dodgers. Wild Cards, Mets in the NL, White Sox in the AL.

Now, check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. The latest Broo v. Broo is up and running and the boy and I have some hard core opinions on a lot of what's going on in sports. Also up there, the latest "Broo View Podcast". I've got an indepth interview with Reds outfielder Adam Dunn. Later this week, I'll have an indepth interview with Ken Griffey, Junior. Check them out, in the "Podcasts and More" section at www.kenbroo.com.

It's official. When Ken Griffey, Jr, is healthy enough to play again, it will be in right field, not center. That's what Reds manager, Jerry Narron, said today, after the Reds lost to the Tigers in an exhibition game. Junior has been out of commission since breaking his wrist in December, while playing with his kids. He's taken batting practice, outfield practice, he's run, and he's thrown the ball. But Junior hasn't played in a game yet. He could play as early as Thursday, when the Yankees play the Reds in Sarasota.

Here's what I'm told. Junior knew about this move to right field as early as February, when he first reported to camp. He was also told, by Narron, that he would play some centerfield. But Narron backed off that as camp began. I'm also told, one of Junior's big concerns about the move has been the lack of a bona fide centerfielder to replace him. Ryan Freel will get the start in center. But Freel is a utility player with a penchant for getting hurt, and hurting other people.

Junior has been consistent about this: he has never raised the issue and has told Reds management he will play wherever they want him to.

Check out my web site, www.kenbroo.com. The latest edition of Broo v. Broo will be posted sometime over night. It's a really, really good one this week.

Ken

Rare is the team that can win a championship without struggling along the way. And such is the case in this NCAA Tournament with the Ohio State Buckyes. They entered the tourney the number one team in the USA and one of four number one seeds. Saturday, it almost came to a crashing halt.

Here they were, down nine to ninth seed Xavier, an upstart school from Cincinnati. Three minutes remained….when the Buckeyes got a wake up call. First, a three point shot by Jamar Butler…and then, Mike Conley Junior stole Xavier’s inbound pass.

Xavier would lead by three with nine seconds to play. But senior Justin Cage, playing the game of his life with 25-points on eight of eight shooting from the field…missed the back end of a 1-and-1. OSU got the rebound….actually, Conley did…and without calling time out streaked to forecourt where he found Ron Lewis. Lewis was playing the game of his life, 24 points…but three more were to come….with only two seconds to play.

That tied the game. But for all intents and purposes, Xavier was sunk. Zapped. Lewis could see it in their eyes.

In overtime, Xavier took a quick two point lead….but then Conley ripped off seven straight points. And Ohio State survived and moved on. Their coach, Thad Matta, left Xavier in a lurch three summers ago to take the Ohio State job. He knew, at the end of regulation, his team could be drained from having to play catch up the entire second half…or…Xavier could be stunned from being caught. I asked Matta how he kept his team from falling down the drain.
For his answers, head onto over to my web site www.kenbroo.com and click on the "Podcasts & More" section. Check out my latest "Broo View Podcast" for comments from Matta and OSU stars Mike Conley, Jr. and Ron Lewis.

Other observations from opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament? Stanford, Illinois and Arkansas proved their critics were right. Fast exits in lopsided losses showed none of the three belonged in this tournament.

Butler’s win over Maryland in the round of 32 has a lot of people thinking the Bulldogs are back to where they were in December.

And the easiest upset from the opening round to pick turned out to be Winthrop over Notre Dame. Just about every expert had that one.

My two champions from my two brackets remain Kansas and Memphis. We’ll see.

I've got Kansas winning it all. Which will undoubtably be the kiss of death for the Jayhawks. But as we begin the first week of "March Madness", they seem to have the easiest path to the title. We'll see.

I don't see a mid major having the kind of run this season that George Mason had last year. I just think the 1's and 2's are very strong. But you know there will be an opening round upset. My pick for that: Winthrop over Notre Dame.

I got a lot done in my recent trip to the Reds spring training complex in Sarasota, Florida. I saw three complete games and parts of two others. Three things struck me (and no, none were foul balls)

The Reds starting pitching seems to be a lot better this spring than last. Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang are a solid 1-2, or 2-1. Eric Milton is always a dicey deal. But he did keep the ball 'down' in the outing I saw last week. Kyle Loshe didn't pitch. He was nursing a sore hamstring. But Paul Wilson did. And he looked terrific. I know it's only one outing in the spring. But if Wilson is back from his shoulder surgery, the Reds may have a real bargain.

I loved what I saw, and heard, from Josh Hamilton. I did an extensive interview with Josh that will appear on WLWT in Cincinnati and an audio portion of it on www.kenbroo.com. Check back later in the week for both. Hamilton has hit the ball well this spring. True, he's not seeing the entire repetoire that pitchers have. But he has one of the sweetest swings in camp. His defense is solid. His past is his past. But if that's history now, the Reds may have come up with the steal of the century.

Finally, Homer Bailey isn't ready for the majors. He's close. But when I saw him last week, he was not making the 'in game adjustments' good pitchers have to make in the majors. His fastball is mid-90's. But, it was flat and worse, high. With the need for a fifth starter only marginal early in the season...two or three times between opening day and June 1, my guess is Bailey will start in AAA. Good for him. He needs the time.

Hello from sunny and warm Sarasota, Florida. I'm spending the week at the Reds spring training facility. Check in at www.kenbroo.com mid day Wednesday. I'll have my latest "Broo View" podcast up and running with some thoughts from Reds' ace, Aaron Harang.

I've caught part of one game and most of another since arriving on Monday. The Reds beat the Phillies Monday, 9-8 on a suicide squeeze expertly executed by relief pitcher Brian Meadows.

Tuesday some of the Reds regulars and a couple of their big league pitchers took a short bus trip up to St Petersburg and beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Adam Dunn and Scott Hatteberg each went two for three. And after a not so hot spring start, pitcher Eric Milton rebounded with a decent three inning one run effort.

They play the Yankees Wednesday night in Tampa. I'll have more before that game, on www.kenbroo.com.

A good man is leaving Cincinnati. The Bengals cut Brian Simmons today. Head Coach Marvin Lewis inherited Simmons, when Lewis arrived in town back in 2003. By then, Simmons was a fixture on a not so great Bengals defense (it still isn't even good), a former first round draft pick in 1998.

Simmons game was never physical. He was athletic, very active around the ball and involved in tackles. But his elongated neck left him susceptible to injury. "Stinger" was a word you heard a lot, when Simmons came up with an injury. But, oh, could he play. It's not a secret, when Simmons was out for a month with an injury, opponents exploited the Bengals defense by using their tight ends. Simmons was the only Bengals linebacker who looked like he had a clue how to deal with a pass catching tight end.

But as good a player as Brian Simmons was around here, he was a better man. After a loss, and there were plenty of those in his nine years in Cincinnati, Simmons would always talk to the media. On Wednesdays before games, media days when papers and TV stations gathered their interviews for the upcoming games, Simmons was always available. A lot of his team mates dodged the media, some even leaving the building.

Today reminds all of us that above everything else, the NFL is a business. It's not "what have you done for me lately." It's more like "what can you do for me right now"? The Bengals obviously believe their money can be better spent on a younger, stronger linebacker, someone who may be a better player. It's a slippery slope for this team, which has brought in its share of thugs in recent years.

The Bengals may find a better player. But they won't find a better man than Simmons. Good luck Brian. You deserve it. And thanks.

I'm back from an enjoyable (well almost) Saturday at my alma mater. Veterans to this blog know that I live and breath Ohio University sports. Veteran channel 5 viewers in Cincinnati, Ohio, heard me Friday night say no other games this weekend mattered except the one between Ohio and Kent State Saturday. I said it tongue firmly planted in cheek, of course. There were a multitude of big games this weekend, not the least of which is Ohio State vs Wisconsin Sunday.

It was great being back at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio. It is a virtual replication of the basketball arena at Notre Dame and it has held up well over time. Good seats, great viewing lines and wide concourses. In a lot of ways, the "Convo" was ahead of its time. If you live in Ohio, you should know at least some of your tax dollars were spent wisely.

Saturday was one of those rare family days you experience when your children are older and their lives have taken them exclusively from you. My wife (proud OU grad), son (not an OU grad but we're still proud of him, an assistant prosecutor in Hamilton County) and my daughter (very proud of her, Ohio class of '08 if the GPA hold up) watched our Bobcats take on a very good Kent State team. And by the way, thanks to Ohio graduate assistant coach Doug Dewey for the seats. Doug is a Cincinnatian, a solid student-athlete at Glen Este High School not so long ago.

The Bobcats are struggling these days, having now lost four of their last five. They should've beaten New Mexico State, but ran out of gas after being up 19. They should have beaten Kent State, but could not get a 'stop' in the final ten minutes and were too sloppy with the ball in the final minutes. This current Bobcat team is an enigma: it has balanced scoring, with strong inside play. It could use a true center, but what mid-major school couldn't? The Bobcats could also use a true point guard. The had one, but a young man named Antonio Chatman took a hike on the team earlier in the year for personal problems. It's hurting the 'Cats a lot right now.

Kent State won by two, when, inexplicably, the Golden Flashes were allowed to hold the ball almost at mid court while the clock wound down. That kind of maneuver you rarely see in the NBA anymore. A lay up, seemingly uncontested, with 3.5 seconds to go won the game for Kent.

But other than that, the experience of the event was terrific. The school now allows the students to sit courtside. It reminded me of when I called ACC basketball games on television and we made our trips to Cameron at Duke. And the theatrics of the students were a great side show. I used to think Duke, and to a degree Maryland, students were the best at their good natured bashing of the opponent. The "O" section is right there with them. I asked someone seated near me to point out one of my favorite posters on www.bobcatattack.com, a guy named "Dragon". I don't know how this kid has time to go to class, with all of the posting he does on that board. Sure enough, the person I asked knew who he was.

And, at halftime, they brought back some of the guys who helped make Ohio basketball the tradition that it is. It was good to see Tom Corde again, a Bobcat star some of the years I spent in Athens. If you didn't know, Ohio University is celebrating 100 years of basketball this season.

After an enjoyable dinner at at Stephens, a downtown Athens restaurant (my daughter always seems to 'rope' me into going there as opposed to The Diner, which is my favorite place), it was back on Route 32 West, through the sleet, back to Cincinnati.

I'm writing about this today because I know a lot of my friends and fellow Bobcats read this blog. Maybe some of you haven't been back to Athens for a basketball, or football game in awhile. You should think about doing that. The campus is beautiful, the atmosphere at the events is great, always something going on during time outs, and the teams can use your support. Take a day or a weekend, buy a ticket, and make some noise when you get to Peden or the "Convo".

You can thank me later.

Xavier got done what it had to get done tonight. It beat Rhode Island in a showdown for first place in the Atlantic 10. Justin Doellman was simpy terrific. The senior inside man went 10 of 16 from the floor and dropped in 29 points. Junior guard, Drew Lavender finished with 22 points and seven rebounds. And even more impessive, the Muskies went to the foul line 36 times and made 30 shots. You won't lose many games when you make 83% of your free throws.

I don't think Xavier has the stuff to play deep into the NCAA Tournament. But the mission its been on since the season opener is well within reach. For the first time since joining the Atlantic 10, Xavier's goal is to win the regular season conference title. Now 10-3 and tied for first with UMass (and really ahead of the Minutemen since they beat UMass earlier this season), that should be a realistic possibility.

I spent some time on the phone tonight with Joe Nuxhall. The beloved Reds broadcaster is out of a Florida hospital tonight and back home. In fact, Nuxie under went the first of his chemotherapy treatments immediately after getting out of the hospital. He then went to visit friends at the Reds training complex. After that, it was out to buy a set of tires for the family car.

He continues to battle lymphoma. But he told me tonight, he'll be at Great American Ball Park for Opening Day. We'll roll out the red carpet for you, I told Nuxie. He said "I'll walk on it."

ESPN's poll has Ohio State number one in mens college basketball. AP has Wisconsin number one (though not for long, after Michigan State beat the Badgers on Monday night). I don't think either of them are the best team in the country. Florida is, despite its loss last weekend at Vanderbilt. There is no team in America that wants to face the Gators in the NCAA's.

You think by Bernie Williams refusing to accept a minor league deal from the Yankees, he's actually admitting he doesn't have it anymore? The Yankees aren't in a position to offer him a spot on their 25 man roster. But he would have every opportunity to earn one with a solid spring training. Williams isn't even returning phone calls to Joe Torre or the Yanks GM, Brian Cashman. Sad way for one of the last links to the latest Yankee dynasty to go out.

It's a fascinating story playing out in Sarasota. It could have a happy ending, or one that could be devastating.

The Cincinnati Reds have reported to spring training. Pitchers and catchers reported over the weekend along with a handful of everyday players. Josh Hamilton is there.

Hamilton was the number one overall pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999. Coming out a small high school in North Carolina, Hamilton was one of the best baseball players in a generation. He could hit for power and average, run, throw and field. Hamilton was the classic 'five tool player'. Within two years, after injuries had prevented him from playing a full season in the minors, Hamilton was mired in a world of alcohol and drug abuse. Instead of standing in the outfield for the Rays, he was flat on his back in a crack house. The Rays were patient, giving him chance after chance. But this past winter, they finally cut their ties with him. Sensing this might happen, the Reds did their homework on Hamilton. The had a first person encounter with him: Reds manager, Jerry Narron, had known Hamilton since the one time phenom was in grade school.

Reds General Manger, Wayne Krivsky snagged Hamilton in baseball's Rule 5 draft, in December. It was a calculated risk. If Hamilton isn't good enough to make the Reds' 25 man roster, he has to be offered back to the Rays for $25,000, half of what it cost the Reds to draft him. If he is good enough, the Reds have found an ultimate bargain, one who has options, the ability to be sent back to the minors without risk of being claimed for three years after this coming season.

Monday, in Sarasota, Hamilton held a 40 minute news conference. He says he's clean and sober. He and his wife brought only one car to spring training, he caries no cash and will have someone handle his meal money on the road this season. He wants no temptations. Hamilton even quoted a verse from the bible. But like most recovering addicts, it all sounds good. The proof will be how he lives his life, not how he talks about it. On a lot of levels, Reds fans can't help but pull for him.

Reliever Gary Majewski, damaged goods when he arrived from DC last summer, is still not healthy. He's been put on a 'pitching program'....not good....The Bears go to the Super Bowl on the strength of their defense, then fire their defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera, Monday...there's a story behind that that's about to explode....Norv Turner surfaces as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. He's flamed out twice as a head coach. But even Turner can screw up with the talent he has in San Diego....Dressed in a black vest and purple shirt Monday night, Kansas State head coach Bob Huggins appeared to be dressed more for hosting a Mardi Gras party, not a basketball game...NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, is bringing in some of the best and the brightest from his game this week to discuss how to cut down on the trouble some of his players get into, off the field. Here's a question: why bring in the 'good guys'? Bring in some of the idiots that get into trouble. And don't ask them how they can stay out of trouble. Tell them if they get into trouble again, they're suspended for a year. Then work it out with the union.

Check out the latest edition of Broo v. Broo. You can find it on my web site: www.kenbroo.com. Broo v. Broo is 'the' most opinionated sports show in cyber space. This week, we deal with NASCAR's cheating, free agency in the NFL, who's number one in college hoops and a myriad of other this.