---This year’s Sporting News College preview just arrived at my door – I received a free copy since I wrote the MAC preview – are here is the predicted order of finish for the league:
East 1. Temple 2. Miami (Ohio) 3. Ohio 4. Akron 5. UB 6. Bowling Green 7. Kent State
West 1. Northern Illinois 2. Toledo 3. Western Michigan 4. Central Michigan 5. Eastern Michigan 6. Ball State
In the Rating the MAC section, UB’s Steven Means is the best interview, while linebacker Khalil Mack is all-league. The recruiting roundup, written by TSN’s Brian McLaughlin, ranks the Bulls class 11th in the conference.
Big East
1. West Virginia 2. South Florida 3. Pitt 4. Cincinnati 5. Louisville 6. Syracuse 7. UConn 8. Rutgers
In rating the players, Syracuse DE Chandler Jones was named the player with the best instincts while the Orange’s recruiting class was rated seventh. Jones, OL Justin Pugh, and DB Phillip Thomas were all named All Big East.
Top 10 1. LSU 2. Oklahoma 3. Bama 4. Stanford 5. Oregon 6. Boise State 7. Florida State 8. Ohio State 9. Texas A&M 10. Nebraska
---UB added yet another player to its already impressive 2011 recruiting class in Fred Russ from New York Mills. The 6-5, 235-pound Russ, who was also an all-state basketball player, projects as a tight end, defensive end or linebacker for the Bulls.
---Although coaches and administrators here expressed varying degrees of optimism on the future of college athletics, the consensus was that in order to change the sport’s polluted culture, the NCAA needs to adopt stiffer penalties for its cheaters.
---Canisius women's basketball signee Kayla Hoohuli was named to the 35th annual Parade magazine All-American Team which was published on Sunday. Hoohuli, a 5-10 guard from St. Mary's (Pa.) High School, signed with the Griffs last November. UB men's basketball recruit Xavier Ford was named to the Parade boys team in March.
As some readers noted at the bottom of the story there were some glaring omissions from the girls team, notably Christ the King's Bria Smith, one of the top 10 players in the country, who recently committed to Louisville, and UConn recruit Brianna Banks, considered a top 25 player. Both played in the McDonald's All-American Game which features the nation's top 25 players.
---Zach Maynard, who transferred from UB after the 2009 season, was named as Cal's No. 1 QB by coach Jeff Tedford in a move that wasn't much of a surprise. The left-hander - with two years of eligibility left - was picked to start the Sept. 3 season opener against Fresno State but said he looked at his promotion as a step in a process.
"I'm still working for a job," he said.
In spring practice he beat out senior Brock Mansion and sophomore Allan Bridgford, who will be co-listed at No. 2 on the depth chart going into the opening of training camp Aug. 6.
---Kent State has filed a lawsuit against former basketball coach Geno Ford for the $1.2 million in damages for departing March 27, 2011, to become the coach at Bradley, who is included in the lawsuit. The suit was filed April 26 and states Ford had no permission to terminate his contract with Kent State, which he re-negotiated after the 2009-10 season and extended to 2015. A buyout clause was part of that agreement, equal to one year's salary ($300,000) for every remaining year on the contract.
---Maybe former UB quarterback Zach Maynard, who wouldn't even be at Cal if not for his brother's skills and Turner Gill's coaching success, can restore the Bears' quarterback play to the high standards of the past.
---Three UB recruits will be part of the upcoming Empower New York State High School Football Classic. The second annual all-star game matching upstate players against downstate players is scheduled for June 5 in the Carrier Dome. In all, five players from Section VI high schools are scheduled to play in the game. UB recruits Joe Licata, pictured left, (Williamsville South), Dale Stewart (Niagara Falls) and Bob Blodgett (Honeoye Falls-Lima) are scheduled to play.
---Will Regan, the former Nichols standout who is transferring from Virginia, will make an official visit to UB on May 31-June 2, according to a source. Regan's visit was originally scheduled for May 23-25, which is during the NCAA's dead period.
Regan, a two-time Buffalo News Player of the Year, will have to sit out the 2011-12 season and have three years of eligibility remaining. A 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Regan played in 20 games for the Cavaliers, scoring 25 points with 18 rebounds.
UB offered Regan a scholarship as an eighth grader and he made an unofficial visit to UB before selecting Virginia. Regan also plans on visiting Niagara University.
Western New York native Bob DiCesare covers UB football, Big 4 basketball and writes an occasional column. He still holds a grudge against Chris Ford who, he's convinced, cost St. Bonaventure the 1970 NCAA basketball championship.
Rodney McKissic began his journalism career in 1989 after graduating from the University of Cincinnati and has worked for The Buffalo News since 2001. A proud father of four children, he enjoys reading in his spare time.
Amy Moritz, a native of Lockport, hhas covered colleges for The Buffalo News since 1999. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo. An endurance athlete, she has completed several triathlons, half marathons and marathons.
