College Stuff for Real Men: 03/18/15

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Dayton rallies at home for berth in Field of 64

Kendall Pollard scored 17 points, and Dayton used every bit of its home-court advantage on Wednesday night, rallying for a 56-55 win over Boise State in the First Four. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Dayton rallies at home for berth in Field of 64

Lunardi: No criticism of bracket, just facts

How Texas, UCLA, Indiana, etc. could extend bad big-conference trend From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Lunardi: No criticism of bracket, just facts

Robert Morris roars back, clips North Florida

Lucky Jones scored 21 points, including a key free throw, Rodney Pryor had 20 and Marcquise Reed 19 to lead Robert Morris back from a 14-point second-half deficit to beat North Florida 81-77 on Wednesday night in the First Four. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Robert Morris roars back, clips North Florida

Steve Spurrier's troll game is in midseason form

If this is the spring practice version of Steve Spurrier's trolling, we can't wait to see what the South Carolina coach has in store for us during the 2015 regular season.

In an interview with USA Today's Paul Myerberg, Spurrier dropped this gem when discussing his team's 7-6 season.

HBC called 7-6 in 2014 "a decent year." Then: "In Knoxville, they’re still doing cartwheels because they went 7-6 and won a bowl game."

— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) March 18, 2015

Of course, Tennessee fans will be quick to point out one of South Carolina's six losses was to the Volunteers. And at South Carolina, too.

Plus, you can also point out how much of a stretch calling South Carolina's 2014 "decent" is. It was a disappointing year for the Gamecocks, who started the year ranked in the top 10. And it even left Spurrier pretty much speechless after that Tennessee loss.

But while Vol fans can counter with that factoid, they also can't dispute the giddiness of the program following the 2014 season. Heck, how can you forget this video? And it was before the demolition of Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl.

Only 5.5 more months until football season.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg

From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Steve Spurrier's troll game is in midseason form

D-III Saint John's coach retires after 51 years

Jim Smith has decided to retire after 51 seasons as men's basketball coach at St. John's University in Minnesota. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - D-III Saint John's coach retires after 51 years

Police end probe into Missouri swimmer's death

Police in Columbia, Missouri, are shutting down their investigation of an alleged rape by football players of a former University of Missouri swimmer. From ESPN.com - College Football - Police end probe into Missouri swimmer's death

Wojo's 1st Marquette season ends with injuries

Steve Wojciechowski's first season as Marquette head coach has ended with two key young players recovering from injuries and the departure of a veteran forward. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Wojo's 1st Marquette season ends with injuries

Oak Hill earns No. 1 seed of DICK's tourney

The DICK's Sporting Goods High School Nationals field is set, with six top-10 teams among the eight teams in the event. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Oak Hill earns No. 1 seed of DICK's tourney

Rumors Of A University of South Carolina PIKE Member’s Death Are Swirling

Rumors of a death at the University of South Carolina are taking over social media. From Gossip, Fast Fashion, Female Lifestyle, Sex & Love: CollegeCandy - Rumors Of A University of South Carolina PIKE Member’s Death Are Swirling

Bielema: 'Obligation' to slow pace of offenses

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema isn't giving up his fight to change the rules regarding the pace of play in college football, with the hurry-up, no-huddle offense continuing to be his primary target. From ESPN.com - College Football - Bielema: 'Obligation' to slow pace of offenses

PSA: Domino’s Pizzas Are Half-Off This Week

Domino's is half-off this week! But sadly, there is a catch. From Gossip, Fast Fashion, Female Lifestyle, Sex & Love: CollegeCandy - PSA: Domino’s Pizzas Are Half-Off This Week

Fresno State WR Delvon Hardaway has a partially torn ACL

Fresno State could be without wide receiver Delvon Hardaway for part of the 2015 season.

Coach Tim DeRuyter said Tuesday that Hardaway has a partially torn ACL.

Unfortunately, we got a little bit of bad news with Delvon having a knee injury," DeRuyter said via the Fresno Bee. "We think he'll be out about six months so it will be that first month of the season that he'll be back. Hopefully, he'll be back to full speed by then, but we fully anticipate he'll be playing ... this season and hopefully it will be early."

Hardaway, a redshirt freshman in 2014, was Fresno State's fourth-leading receiver in 2014 with 23 catches for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Given the departures of Josh Watson and Greg Harper, two of the receivers with more catches and yards than Hardaway in 2014, he figured to play a more prominent role in Fresno State's passing attack.

DeRuyter also said that DE Todd Hunt had a torn ligament in his hand and is expected to be out three or four months. Hunt started all 14 games for Fresno State in 2014.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg

From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Fresno State WR Delvon Hardaway has a partially torn ACL

University of South Carolina PIKE Member Allegedly Dead

Social media is whispering of rumors about a University of South Carolina student and PIKE fraternity member who died last night. We certainly don’t want... From College Life, Hot Girls, Funny Pics, Sexy Cheerleaders: COED - University of South Carolina PIKE Member Allegedly Dead

NCAA drops immediate eligibility hardship waiver for transfers

NCAA athletes who transfer will no longer be able to apply for a hardship waiver to become immediately eligible at a new school.

The NCAA ratified an amendment this week allowing transfers a possible sixth-year of eligibility. The extra year replaces the ability for a recruit to play immediately at his or her new school if granted a waiver.

From July 2012-June 2013, the NCAA approved 127 of 236 hardship waiver applications. The amendment applies to athletes not eligible to use a transfer exception and players transferring from one FBS school to another are not eligible to receive a transfer exception.

Under the new scenario, a player who redshirted as a freshman and transferred after his redshirt sophomore season could be eligible to play two years at his new school after sitting out a season.

According to the NCAA's new guidelines, a school does not have to immediately file an eligibility extension request upon receiving notice of an incoming transfer. Athletes already enrolled at their new universities for the 2015-2016 season aren't able to request immediate eligibility under the old system.

Last April, NCAA president Mark Emmert talked about the sanctioning body's desire to reformulate the rule.

The most prominent hardship waiver case before the 2014 season was Michigan's request to have USC running back Ty Isaac immediately eligible after his transfer. The NCAA denied the waiver request for Isaac, and he'll be eligible to play in 2015.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg

From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - NCAA drops immediate eligibility hardship waiver for transfers

Sources: Holy Cross to name Carmody coach

Holy Cross will announce Bill Carmody as the next head coach of the Crusaders at a news conference Thursday in Worcester, multiple sources told ESPN. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Sources: Holy Cross to name Carmody coach

WATCH: St. Patricks Day Fight In NYC W/ Bottles And KO’s [VIDEO]

We’ve been looking for new St. Patrick’s Day fights all day after the one from this morning, and we finally found one worth posting. This... From College Life, Hot Girls, Funny Pics, Sexy Cheerleaders: COED - WATCH: St. Patricks Day Fight In NYC W/ Bottles And KO’s [VIDEO]

Australian Girl Might Lose Her Fingers After Passing Out In The Snow Drunk

Lesson learned: don't bring Australians to cold places. From Gossip, Fast Fashion, Female Lifestyle, Sex & Love: CollegeCandy - Australian Girl Might Lose Her Fingers After Passing Out In The Snow Drunk

Lawsuit: PSU, Freeh defamed Spanier

A 143-page lawsuit accuses Louis Freeh of publishing "false and defamatory" statements about Graham Spanier in the July 2012 Freeh Report. From ESPN.com - College Football - Lawsuit: PSU, Freeh defamed Spanier

Gurley, on mend, admires Borland for plan

Count Todd Gurley among the football players who admire Chris Borland's decision to retire from the NFL. From ESPN.com - College Football - Gurley, on mend, admires Borland for plan

Kelly hires former longtime assistant as analyst

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has hired former Buffalo coach Jeff Quinn to be an offensive analyst for the Fighting Irish. From ESPN.com - College Football - Kelly hires former longtime assistant as analyst

Dakich: The only 3 teams that can beat UK

Plus the tourney's most critical players, which 12-seed I have in the Sweet 16 From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Dakich: The only 3 teams that can beat UK

7 Ways To Beat Kentucky

Sure, the Cats are undefeated, but pro scouts have ideas for how to take them down From ESPN.com - College Basketball - 7 Ways To Beat Kentucky

Rudock visiting Mich., would get Iowa release?

Rudock visiting Mich., would get Iowa release? From College Football News : CBSSports.com - Rudock visiting Mich., would get Iowa release?

Older brother Carl joins Bo Pelini's staff at YSU

Carl Pelini will coach the defensive line at Youngstown State for his younger brother and new head coach Bo Pelini. From ESPN.com - College Football - Older brother Carl joins Bo Pelini's staff at YSU

WATCH: Hot Girl Diffuses Crazy Road Rager

In what looks to be the most intense road rage incident we’ve ever seen (not including Michael Douglas in Falling Down), a hot girl diffuses... From College Life, Hot Girls, Funny Pics, Sexy Cheerleaders: COED - WATCH: Hot Girl Diffuses Crazy Road Rager

This Wine Glass Slash Sippy Cup Prevents Purple Teeth

These wine goblets have built-in glass straws just like the sippy cups you had as a kid, but they still look fancy AF. From Gossip, Fast Fashion, Female Lifestyle, Sex & Love: CollegeCandy - This Wine Glass Slash Sippy Cup Prevents Purple Teeth

WATCH: Ohio University’s #MillFest Party Photos + Video

Ohio University has been on the party school map for a long, long time but this new #MillFest video is the absolute icing on the... From College Life, Hot Girls, Funny Pics, Sexy Cheerleaders: COED - WATCH: Ohio University’s #MillFest Party Photos + Video

Georgia St.'s Ware wanted to face Louisville

Kevin Ware had one hope headed into Selection Sunday: He wanted his Georgia State team to be paired against Louisville. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Georgia St.'s Ware wanted to face Louisville

Vitale: Four tourney sleepers

The best time of the year is here. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Vitale: Four tourney sleepers

Charlotte McKinney Sizzles in New GUESS Swimwear Campaign

In case you missed it, Charlotte McKinney stripped down to a slinky bikini in her latest GUESS swimwear campaign, and we’re still sweating over it.... From College Life, Hot Girls, Funny Pics, Sexy Cheerleaders: COED - Charlotte McKinney Sizzles in New GUESS Swimwear Campaign

Report: Gross out as Syracuse athletic director

Less than two weeks after harsh NCAA sanctions were levied against the university, Daryl Gross is out as athletic director at Syracuse, according to a report by Syracuse.com. From ESPN.com - College Football - Report: Gross out as Syracuse athletic director

Report: Daryl Gross resigns as Syracuse athletic director

Daryl Gross is out as Syracuse's athletic director.

According to Syracuse.com, Gross will resign from his position and remain with the university.

His resignation comes less than two weeks after Syracuse was penalized for NCAA violations dating back to 2001. While the men's basketball team was forced to vacate wins and coach Jim Boeheim was suspended for the first nine games of 2015-2016, the football team was placed on probation and also forced to vacate wins from 2004-2006.

Syracuse's violations included academic misconduct, impermissible benefits, violations of drug testing policies and also illegal conduct from its boosters.

Part of the NCAA's report said Gross was involved in the setup of a January 2012 meeting with university officials that discussed keeping basketball player Fab Melo eligible. The university then went to work to change a grade for Melo for a class from nearly a year prior to get him back on the basketball court.

Gross has been with Syracuse for over nine years. In his tenure, the school made the switch from the Big East (now the American Athletic Conference) to the ACC in 2013. According to the biography on Gross' staff page, the school champions the conference move as quadrupling its television revenues. Per Syracuse.com, federal documents show that Syracuse's athletic revenue was $87 million in 2014 while its expenses were $72 million.

Under coach Scott Shafer, Syracuse football went 7-6 and 4-4 in the ACC in its first year in the conference and won the Texas Bowl over Minnesota. In 2014, the Orange slid back to 1-7 in the conference and finished 3-9.

For more Syracuse news, visit CuseConfidential.com.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg

From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Report: Daryl Gross resigns as Syracuse athletic director

Happy Birthday, Lily Collins! See Our Favorite Pictures Of The Actress

From her roles to her perfect eyebrows, Lily Collins is one to watch in Hollywood. From Gossip, Fast Fashion, Female Lifestyle, Sex & Love: CollegeCandy - Happy Birthday, Lily Collins! See Our Favorite Pictures Of The Actress

Scott Eastwood: 15 Hottest Photos of ‘The Longest Ride’ Star

Scott is son of actor/director Clint Eastwood who is the culprit in starting Scott's career. From Gossip, Fast Fashion, Female Lifestyle, Sex & Love: CollegeCandy - Scott Eastwood: 15 Hottest Photos of ‘The Longest Ride’ Star

Bielema uses Borland retirement to cite player safety and tempo

Bret Bielema has had this conversation before.

The Arkansas coach has been an outspoken advocate for player safety in the name of fewer plays per game. While we can likely all agree about making football safer, the tempo debate is where it gets tricky. Especially with the way Bielema has awkwardly presented his arguments. Like in early 2014, when he used the death of Cal player Ted Agu to advocate for a 10-second rule to slow down college football.

The rule proposal was withdrawn.

However, the previous discussion and resulting criticism didn't prevent Bielema from breaking out and playing his slower-tempo-in-the-name of safety drum on Tuesday after the retirement of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland. The 24-year-old retired earlier in the week, citing health dangers.

From the Sporting News:

“I’m going to tread lightly,” Bielema says, knowing full well the recent history of a man and his crusade, and how he has been mocked for it since.

Then he just can't help himself.

“We have an obligation to do what’s right,” he says, his voice getting stronger. “I can’t understand how some guys can’t see that.”

Bielema is well-qualified to speak about Borland. He coached him at Wisconsin. But given the way we opened the post, you know what's coming next.

“We have to protect student athletes to extremes we never thought of before,” Bielema said to the Sporting News. “I just read a study that said players in the no-huddle, hurry-up offense play the equivalent of five more games than those that don’t. That’s an incredible number. Our awareness as a whole has to increase.”

And also this:

“I can’t imagine the thought process he had to go through to get to where he was,” Bielema said. "it's not about what we want for the game, it's about what the game needs."

We're not discounting that Bielema's concern for player safety is legitimate. With a lot of misdirection in college football, it's easy to fall for things and sentiments that may not be genuine. With the way Bielema has stuck to his apparent beliefs, it's clear he truly wants to make the game safer. He's just not backing up his arguments very well.

Bielema's teams have always run some of the fewest plays-per-game in college football, though his 2014 Arkansas team made a big leap from the year before. As the Hogs improved and went 7-6, Arkansas ran more than eight plays more each game (73) in 2014 (70th in FBS) than it did in 2013 (123rd in FBS). Arguing against teams that play at a faster pace has always looked like a tactical one.

Plus, Bielema needs to cite and champion his study for others to see and also ditch the generalizations. What is a "no-huddle, hurry-up offense" and how is it defined? With the numerous offensive styles in college football, it's unfair to classify them by tempo. That's virtually impossible.

The fastest team in the country in 2014, Baylor, ran 90 plays per game. The slowest, New Mexico, ran 62. Yes, that means Baylor ran as many plays in 12 games New Mexico would have run in over 17. But comparing outliers to outliers is only good for a raucous cable news panel discussion. It's not going to help with trying to make a common-sense argument (99 of 128 FBS teams ran more than 70 plays per game in 2014 and 81 ran between 70 and 80 per game).

There's also no proof that our increased attention to player safety in football has any correlation to teams playing at faster tempos. While Bielema's belief that more plays equals more injuries could be correct, it's also entirely possible that tempo has little or nothing to do at all with the way we are learning about player safety thanks to medical advancement.

And even if we did find out that an increase in plays in game settings resulted in an increased risk of injuries, wouldn't the easiest solution be to cut the number of games from a season rather than limiting the number of plays per game? Oh, right. That would never happen because of the corresponding dip in revenues from television contracts, sponsorships and ticket sales. Silly us for ignoring the business side of football for a moment.

Rule changes can't deal entirely in unknowns – we simply don't know what's "right." Until there's legitimate evidence that limiting the number of plays in a game will help keep players healthier, Bielema's stance is going to continue to reside on a sparsely populated island.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg

From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Bielema uses Borland retirement to cite player safety and tempo

Obama bracket: Early upsets, chalk for title

Like Vegas oddsmakers and nearly half the people in ESPN's Tournament Challenge, President Barack Obama likes Kentucky to win the NCAA men's basketball championship. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Obama bracket: Early upsets, chalk for title