-  Several basketball notes after speaking with Ohio Bobcats head coach Tim O’Shea today.

-  As expected, ‘Cats guard Allen Hester will not be back next season, but head coach Tim O’Shea did confirm to me today that Bert Whittington IV will stay with the program.  Don’t be surprised if Hester transfers to a D-II or NAIA school, where he would be allowed to play right away next season.

-  O’Shea said that Ohio will look to fill the open scholarship spot left by Hester with a point guard.  This presumably means that Chillicothe H.S. forward Ray Chambers has not and will not be offered a scholarship at Ohio.

-  O’Shea is working hard to complete next season’s schedule.  The Bobcats will travel to George Mason on November 29^th in a re-match of the Bracketbuster’s matchup this past season.  Ohio will host Holy Cross on December 22^nd, St. Francis on December 30^th and Bucknell on January 3^rd, O’Shea said.

-  O’Shea also noted that he is talking to Cornell and Temple right now as well. 

-  Including the Bracketbusters game, Ohio played 14 regular season non-conference games last season.

-  More to come.

* March 27^th

-  It’s been way too long since I have been on the blog updating, so while watching WVU-Xavier I figured it’s about time.

-  It was great to see Holzer Clinic and Ohio University come together for the huge sponsorship today.  Maybe this will make other local businesses or wealthy donors step up as well.

-  Am I off target for saying in today’s Athens NEWS column that it is good to see the men’s basketball season end? Click Here to Read the Column

-  Kirby Hocutt already has his hands full at Miami.  SID and Child Porn at Miami 

-  Random fact of the month: I sat behind New England Patriots running back Laurence Maroney on my flight from Chicago to St. Louis this morning.  He’s big.

-  My favorite CBS broadcaster for all of the March Madness?  This guy

-  Stay tuned to the blog the next few days.  Some good football news will be posted here shortly.

-  Back in Athens next week.  It will be fun to get back behind the microphone and talk sports on “The SportsFan”.

*  March 17th (10:20 pm)

-  The Ohio University women’s basketball season is now officially over.  The ‘Cats did not make the Women’s NIT and the Women’s National Invitational Championship folded before it even began.  The WNIC, much like the men’s CBI, was supposed to offer another spot for the good but overlooked women’s teams.  It would have been a field of 32 teams.

* March 17th (12:15 pm)

-  Just back from the volleyball press conference announcing the hire of Ryan Theis.  You’ll hear more from me about the hire in Thursdays Athens NEWS.

-  Theis said he has already been in contact with both of the 2008 recruits and their families.  He was hopeful and optimistic both recruits (Katie Post, Rachel Hockaday) would stand by their commitment, but it sounds like nothing is definite.

-  Theis has been in Athens since last Monday, which was just three days after his baby boy, Carter, was born.  He will fly back to Gainesville tonight.

-  The former University of Florida assistant said he has been in contact with a couple of coaches about joining his staff as assistants at Ohio, but Theis would not release any names.

-  A brief note on the CBI after speaking with Ohio Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt this morning.

-  Ohio will owe $60,000 to the CBI for hosting a first round game against Brown.  Ohio would then go on the road for rounds two and three before the championship, assuming Ohio keeps winning.  The ‘Cats will pay whatever they earn from ticket costs immediately to the CBI.  Whatever is left of that $60,000 owed after the gate fee is paid, Ohio will make up by playing a money game next season.

-  “Tim (O’Shea) has accepted playing another money game next year,” said Hocutt.  “Tim’s having conversations with three or four programs right now.  Hopefully over the next three to four weeks that will materialize and be final.”

-  Hocutt said those programs include powerhouses Kentucky and Louisville as possible opponents next season.

-  The game against Brown on Tuesday will be at 7 pm.  It will be carried on WXTQ-FM in Athens with coverage starting at 6:30.  Students will be able to get in free on Tuesday.  All other tickets are $10 with seating being first come, first serve.  I’m sure OhioBobcats.com will have more shortly.

* March 12 (4 pm)

-  As much as I hate to go all egocentric on everyone by talking about the media, there are certain times when it is necessary.

-  The Athens Messenger reporter Jason Arkley received heat from the BobcatAttack.com message boards for, well, I don’t really know.  Arkley was one of 32 media members throughout the Mid-American Conference with a vote for the MAC Player of the Year.  And, for the record, Arkley voted for Leon Williams for several understandable reasons that I agree with wholeheartedly.  To say Arkley merely voted for Leon because of his four years of work is erroneous.  I never said that on my website, and I surely did not say that on “The SportsFan” earlier this week.  Go back and listen.  But, I guess that is what you get with message board fans sites sometimes.  Arkley is a fantastic beat writer for The Athens Messenger, and his reasons behind voting for Williams were spot on.

-  While on the media discussion, I’d like to take a second to say good bye to The Post beat writer, Katie Carrera.  She will be missed at The Post as she graduates and starts what looks to be an impressive career as a sports writer.  Straight out of college heading to the Washington Post?  Not too bad, I’d say.  While I’ve only known her for the few months I’ve been on campus, I learned very quickly she knows her stuff and is a solid reporter.  Carrera has made me work even harder and become a better sports journalist.  I get to jack around and write about whatever the heck I want to at The Athens NEWS.  Carerra does the hard work, and she has not gotten the credit she deserves over her tenure in Athens.  Click here to read her last column in today’s paper.

-  If you haven’t seen it already, Jimmy and I reported last night that Ryan Theis (pronounced TICE) will be named the new head volleyball coach in a press conference on Monday.  Click here for the story.

-  I look forward to getting to know Theis and his family.  It has been a bit crazy for Theis and his wife, Jenny, lately.  The couple gave birth to a baby boy last Friday.  In talking with Theis the last couple of weeks, he really does seem like the right candidate.  He is young, energetic, and was more than ready for a move up.  I think he can maintain the expectation level at Ohio.

-  Ohio A.D. Kirby Hocutt has several goals before his last day of work on April 15.  He has hired a top notch volleyball coach, escaped what could have been a terrible sex tape scandal, and at least produced a TV-oriented but deathly difficult football schedule.  So far, so good.

-  Don’t be surprised of Allen Hester does not play on Thursday night or for any of the MAC Tournament this week. 

-  Stay tuned to TroopSports.com for more news and notes.

* March 11th

-  The 2008 football schedule is reportedly set to be released at 2 p.m. today.

* March 9th (5:45 pm)

-  My column out Monday in The Athens NEWS has already been post on www.AthensNews.com.  Speaking of the A-NEWS, we will have full tournament coverage for both the men and the women online all week with game stories and, of course, opinionated columns.  Be sure to stay tuned to the site for immediate reaction and analysis.

-  Tim O’Shea defined Allen Hester not playing today as a “coaches decision”.

-  Expect an announcement shortly regarding the new volleyball coach at Ohio University.

-  O’Shea would not 100% commit to freshman Tommy Freeman starting against either Miami or Buffalo on Thursday night, but he did say there was a good possibility depending on the matchup.  O’Shea did confirm that Walther would go back to the bench for the MAC Tournament.

-  Mid-American Conference Player of the Year votes are due today for the 32 beat writers who vote for the winner. 

-  Ohio planned to honor Dave Zastudil today but he could not make it in because of the weather.

-   More to come as I get ready to listen in to the OU Women’s first round game in a little more than an hour.

* March 6^th (12:10 pm)

-  In speaking with Florida assistant Ryan Theis and Virginia Tech head volleyball coach Chris Riley, the two confirmed a decision for the new head volleyball coach at Ohio University will be made between now and the end of the week. 

-  It could be quite a week for Theis, whose wife is set to induce labor on Friday morning.

-  I have been informed that the buyout to Ohio University for the September 6^th football contest at Ohio State is 700,000 dollars.  While many might criticize Ohio for playing a not-too-winnable road game at OSU, keep in mind that six figure number.  It makes sense.

-  The Ohio University Athletic Department spent $2,550 to have “Amazing Christopher” perform during halftime of a men’s basketball contest earlier this year.  The department also spent $2,850 to host the “Red Panda Acrobat” at halftime this year.  And finally, the department spent $3,250 to host the “Zooperstars” during halftime of a game in The Convo.

* March 4^th

-  The 2008 football schedule was already delayed last week and was supposed to be announced today.  However, it looks like it will be pushed even further back as the Mid-American Conference tries to get as many games as possible on the ESPN family of networks.

-  Talking to one source within the football program, it also sounds like the schedule is not set as far as what teams Ohio will be playing in 2008.  Things are clearly still up in the air.

-  Just a reminder: the Ohio pro day will be Thursday afternoon.  It is not open to the public.

-  Ohio’s 2008 volleyball recruits Rachel Hockaday and Katie Post have already signed national letters of intent, but after talking to both of their high school head volleyball coaches yesterday, both players are not necessarily still 100% committed to Ohio.  Hockaday has a former teammate, Mallory Leggett, who is a freshman on the team at nearby Illinois State.  Both Hockaday and Post will wait to see who the next head coach is at Ohio before they decide if they are going to ask out of the NLI.  Stay tuned.

-  We had our first caller to demand the firing of Tim O’Shea on “The SportsFan” last night. 

-  Shameless plug: don’t forget all the replays of our shows are online for free at thesportsfan.mypodcast.com.  The latest Kirby Hocutt interview is well worth the time.

-  About the volleyball coaching position: Purdue assistant coach John Shondell told me he did not apply for the head coaching vacancy.

-  Florida assistant coach Ryan Theis did confirm to me Tuesday morning that he has applied and interviewed for the vacancy left by Geoff Carlston.

-  Former Ohio assistant coach is Nadia Edwards is a candidate for the opening as well.  I would speculate she should and may be the leading candidate at this point.

-  Virginia Tech head coach Chris Riley and Baylor assistant coach Bryan Bunn have also applied for the positioning, according to a source with information about the process.  Multiple attempts to reach both Riley and Bunn have been unsuccessful.

-  More to come.

The TroopSports.com 1^st Annual Fan Poll

Winner: Best Coach

Frank Solich (Football) 42.8%

The Rest:

Geoff Carlston (Volleyball) 38%

Sylvia Crawley (Women’s Basketball)  9%

Greg Werner (Swimming and Diving) 3%

Tim O’Shea (Men’s Basketball) 2%

Neil MacMillan (Field Hockey) 2%

Joe Carbone (Baseball) 2%

Other 1%

Joe Greenlee (Wrestling) no votes

Winner: Worst Coach

Joe Carbone (Baseball) 36%

The Rest:

Tim O’Shea (Men’s Basketball) 23%

Other 13.5%

Joe Greenlee (Wrestling) 12%

Frank Solich (Football) 5.5%

Bob Cooley (Men’s/Women’s Golf) 5.5%

Stacy Strauss (Soccer) 5%

Clay Calkins (Men’s/Women’s Cross Country/Women’s Track and Field) no votes

Greg Werner (Swimming and Diving) no votes

Winner: Top Female Athlete

Stephanie Blackburn (Volleyball) 39%

The Rest:

Ellen Herman (Volleyball) 21%

Lauren Kohn (Basketball) 14%

Melissa Griffin (Volleyball) 13%

Torrie Albini (Field Hockey) 6%

Jessie Martin (Field Hockey) 1%

Other 5%

Winner: Top Male Athlete

Kalvin McRae (Football) 68%

The Rest:

Leon Williams (Basketball) 28%

Michael Braunstein (Football) 2%

Jerome Tillman (Basketball) 1%

Craig Leon (Cross Country) 1%

Winner: Fan Favorite Male (tie)

   Michael Braunstein (Football) 30%      

Jerome Tillman (Basketball) 30%

The Rest:

Mitch Morsillo (Football) 17%

DeVaughn Washington (Basketball) 14%

Other 1%

Winner: Fan Favorite Female

Ellen Herman (Volleyball) 40%

The Rest:

Allie LaForce (Basketball)  36%

Melissa Griffin (Volleyball) 13%

Other 6%

Lauren Hmiel (Basketball) 4%

Jessie Martin (Field Hockey) 1%

Winner: Best Ohio University Athletics Department Employee

Other 32%

The Rest:

Jason Corriher, Director of Media Relations 24%

Tom Starr, Men’s Basketball Public Address Announcer 19%

Warren Swain, Voice of the Bobcats 17%

George Mauzy, entertainer during football and basketball timeouts 8%

Winner: Best Sports Reporter/Writer

Ted Thompson- BobcatAttack.com 39%

The Rest:

Jason Arkley- Athens Messenger 21%

Bobcat Love- BobcatAttack.com 13%

Katie Carrera- The Post 12%

Andy Howell- Former WOUB reporter/anchor 6%

Other 6%

Andrew Gribble- The Post Sports Editor 3%

Matt O’Donnell- The Post 1%

Steve Gartner- The Post no votes

Joe Higgins- Athens Messenger no votes

Winner: Best 2007-2008 Sports Team

Volleyball (26-6) 66%

The Rest:

Field Hockey (18-5) 16%

Football (6-6) 10%

Women’s Basketball 3%

Other 3%

Men’s Basketball 1%

Winner: Top 2008 Football Recruit

Boo Jackson 68%

The Rest:

Tremayne Scott 10%

Bakari Bussey 10%

Other 8%

Jordan Thompson 1%

Patrick Tafua 1%

Hilton Dawson 1%

Gerald Moore 1%

Matt Britain no votes

Corey Moncrief no votes

Winner: Best Name

Theodisthree Scott (Football) 36.5%

The Rest:

Franshaw “Boo” Jackson (Football) 25%

Chido Nwokocha (Football) 24%

Carine Vieira de Souza (Swimming and Diving) 6%

Melvin Payne (Football) 5%

Kate Fledderjohn (Soccer) 2%

Other 1.5%

Winner: Best Thing to Happen to OU Sports Thus Far in 2007-2008

Gary Trent back taking classes 17.5%

The Rest:

Volleyball team in the NCAA Tournament 16.5%

Kirby Hocutt resignation 16%

Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams near top of the MAC 15%

2008 Football recruiting class for Frank Solich 12%

Ernie Hodge back on the football team 11%

Bubba Walther to the bench 5%

Field Hockey team in the NCAA Tournament 4%

Other 3%

Winner: Worst Thing to Happen to OU Sports Thus Far in 2007-2008

Geoff Carlston resignation 41%

The Rest:

Kirby Hocutt resignation 21%

Baseball Gambling Scandal 17%

Football team goes (6-6) 7%

Unattractive 2008 non-conference football schedule 6%

Sex Tape Scandal 5%

Other 2%