MVN - Most Valuable Network

Thad Matta signs 7′0″ transfer, Zisis Sarikopoulos

Thad Matta has proven in his time at Ohio State that he’s as relentless a recruiter as their is in the NCAA. His latest move proves that.

THE Ohio State University announced yesterday that Zisis Sarikopoulos, a 7′0″ center from the University of Alabama-Birmingham would be transferring to Ohio State this season. Because of NCAA rules, ‘The Big Z,’ as he’s become known, won’t be eligible to dress in a Buckeyes’ uniform until the 2009-2010 season. It’s probable that incoming freshman, B.J. Mullens will be gone after one year, so this gives Matta’s Buckeyes another big man to help replace him should he leave.

Not a lot is known about the big man. He played for the same under-18 Greek National team that Kosta Koufos played on, and helped the team to second in the worlds. He appears to have a similar game as Koufos, as a more perimeter player offensively. He struggles underneath, and the big question on Z is his strength and toughness.

Now, Ohio State will have a year to get him some. Perhaps another steal by one of the great NCAA basketball recruiters.

Ohio State gears up for another championship run

The biggest question in the land of the Buckeye isn’t whether or not Ohio State can make it back to the national championship game, it’s whether or not the Buckeyes can actually make a game of it. After two lopsided losses, the Buckeye faithful have even begun to scratch their heads. Look, for those of you that just read that and are circling the wagons, give me a break, and open your eyes. You can make all the excuses that you want. You can talk about layoffs and underclassman and how the world is against the Big 10. Don’t worry, I make them as well.

At the end of the day, Ohio State has had it handed to them by better football teams the past two seasons.

Don’t worry, this year could be different.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have 20 returning starters off their national championship losing football team. You all remember that team. It was the one that was supposed to have a down year, while the Michigans and Wisconsins took their turn at the top. Ooops. It didn’t happen. The talented Buckeyes won the 2007 Big 10, but backed into the national title game after a late season loss to Illinois. The key piece to remember is that Ohio State IS talented, and after another monster recruiting year, should be even better.

Starting this week, THE Horseshoe, like the Buckeyes, will slowly start to gear itself up for another run through the Trojans and Wolverines, to the Big 10 title, and finally break the BCS jinx.

Start tuning into THE Horseshoe for your weekly unique content.

Terrelle Pryor close to his final choice

Terrelle Pryor is still the most sought after college football recruit on the planet.  Pryor’s decision not to make his choice three weeks ago has led the campus’ at Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Oregon to begin a full court press to acquire Pryor’s services.  It’s unknown which school Pryor is favoring right now.  Pryor has shown a large discomfort over the past couple of weeks talking to the press about his choice, but it’s believed to be coming soon.  Now that Pryor’s basketball season is nearing an end, after his team recently won the Class AA WPIAL championship game, it has been rumored that Pryor will be visiting Penn State on an ‘official visit’ as early as this coming Sunday.  With Pryor’s official deadline on April 1, let’s take a look at some of the rumors floating around the internet:

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The final word for Bobby Knight: Hypocrite

Growing up as a college basketball fan and as an Ohio State fan, you couldn’t help but follow the general, Bobby Knight.  For those that don’t know Knight, he was a benchwarmer for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1959-1962, including the 1960 Ohio State Buckeyes’ National Championship run.  Knight followed his college career with six successful years at Army, that saw him go 102-50.  He was then hired by Indiana, and over the next 29 years at Indiana, Knight’s teams would go 661-240.  During that time, he would win three national championships, including the last undefeated national champion.

After being fired at Indiana amidst turmoil, Coach Knight would resurface again at Texas Tech, going a paltry-for-Knight, 138-82…that is, until he quit earlier this week.

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