June 21, 2011 - 1:42 PM
---Phil Steele examines which teams he thinks can go 12-0 or 11-1 this season, a few of which are UB opponents.
---With an $11.4 million cut in state appropriations looming, regents will vote on Eastern Michigan's annual budget. Combined with a possible $12 million increase in expenses, the school could face a $23.4 million shortfall.
---Rodney McKissic
June 7, 2011 - 10:25 AM
---Pat Chambers, pictured left, believes he can change the perception that Penn State is a bad coaching job. Why Chambers got into coaching is a good story.
---Gary Parrish hopes that no coach patterns his coaching career after former Kelvin Sampson.
---Bob Knight calls some NCAA rules idiotic.
---Jason King previews the top junior transfers in 2011-12.
---Here's a list of the 12 most-hyped recruits ever.
---The movers and shakers from pre-draft workouts.
---Rodney McKissic
June 6, 2011 - 4:57 PM
---The BCS announced today it has stripped USC of its national championship in 2004, marking the first time a football or men’s basketball championship has been vacated since the polls began.
The BCS vacated the title based on the NCAA’s findings that tailback Reggie Bush was ineligible for the game. The NCAA ruled last year that Bush received improper benefits throughout his three-year career with the Trojans.
The Trojans crushed Oklahoma 55-19 in the 2005 Orange Bowl to win the championship and Bush rushed for 75 yards and has two receptions for 31 yards in the game. Last year, USC was banned from a bowl game for two years and given scholarship reductions as a result of a lengthy NCAA investigation.
The BCS waited until the school’s appeal was denied two weeks ago before its presidential oversight committee officially stripped USC of its championship. The oversight committee is chaired by Penn State’s Graham Spanier and includes presidents from the 12 major conferences and Notre Dame.
“The BCS arrangement crowns a national champion, and the BCS games are showcase events for post-season football,” BCS executive director Bill Hancock said in a statement released by the organization. “One of the best ways of ensuring that they remain so is for us to foster full compliance with NCAA rules. Accordingly, in keeping with the NCAA’s recent action, USC's appearances are being vacated.’’
The Associated Press earlier said it would not change its decision on crowning the Trojans national champions for that season.
“The BCS alerted us today that their presidents have voted to vacate USC’s 2005 BCS Championship Game victory,” USC athletics director Pat Haden said in a statement. “This was not an unexpected outcome. We will comply with all requirements mandated by the result of this BCS vote.”
---Rodney McKissic
June 6, 2011 - 12:48 PM
---With the 2011 season slowly arriving, the Bleacher Report takes a peek at all 120 FBS teams.
---This is a few days old, but UB associate head coach Ernest Jones talks about former Bull Josh Thomas.
---UB athletic director Warde Manuel joins Allen Wilson, Joe Major and myself on The Sports Insiders at 6:30 tonight on www.weck1230.com.
---Rodney McKissic
June 2, 2011 - 8:56 AM
---Big 4 coaches, like Canisius' Tom Parrotta, view the Ohio State scandal as a time to educate student-athletes about off the field issues.
---These assistant coaches will be head coaches soon.
---Doug Flutie a head football coach?
---Is Thursday night the right night for Syracuse's opener?
---Army to the Big East?
---Rodney McKissic
May 20, 2011 - 3:21 PM
---Notre Dame made an initial "termination payment" to Charlie Weis of more than $6.6 million and will continue to cut smaller checks to its former football coach for the foreseeable future, according to federal tax documents obtained by the Chicago Tribune. Weis' apparent buyout is revealed on the Form 990 Notre Dame must submit to the IRS. Weis' total severance pay — which was subject to debate as his tenure drew to a close — won't be fully clear for years, though.
---Rodney McKissic
May 17, 2011 - 9:02 AM
---SI's Bruce Schoenfeld provides a look at the life of college basketball recruiters.
---A look at Syracuse's potential dance-partners in next season's Big East/SEC Challenge.
---Dana O'Neil profiles piece former Villanova forward Will Sheridan, who openly admits that he is gay.
---In a surprising move, Xavier assistant Pat Kelsey is leaving the coaching profession because of personal issues.
---Coach-K made $4.7 mil during Duke's 2010 National Title run. Worth every penny.
---Rodney McKissic
May 17, 2011 - 8:43 AM
---And Phil Steele is the most accurate. Or so he says.
---Here's a 2011 preview of Syracuse.
---UMass' Together We're One Tour begins in Boston.
---Tony Barnhart writes that coaches need to stop oversigning.
---Rodney McKissic
May 16, 2011 - 5:18 PM
---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
---Rodney McKissic
May 16, 2011 - 9:28 AM
---After a rocky first season, former UB coach Turner Gill hopes to jump start Kansas, while new coach Darrell Hazell is trying to do the same at Kent State.
---Here's a 2011 preview on Central Michigan.
---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.
---Rodney McKissic
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.
