May 21, 2013

Mullens: If I Could Go Back, I Would’ve Transfered From Ohio State

January 20, 2012 by 8 Comments

To tell you the truth, if I could go back, I would’ve transfered out of Ohio State and went to Ohio [University]. The coach that I committed to [John Groce] left OSU and became head coach at OU. I truly believe, had I done that, I wou’dlve stayed in school for another year or so, but that’s not what happened. I don’t regret my decision. I’m a strong believer in ‘everything happens for a reason.’ God has put me where he wants me.

- Charlotte Bobcats center Byron (“BJ”) Mullens on his one-year stint with The Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Thad Matta. After being acquired for a second-round draft pick, Mullens — drafted in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft —  is in the midst of his best season as a professional, averaging 12.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 23 minutes per game.

[Related: Ohio State, Basketball School?]

(Source: Trade Street Presents via Chris Littmann)

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No More B.J. for Ohio State’s Mullens

July 8, 2009 by 11 Comments

mullensb-2s600x600When C.C. Sabathia was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers roughly one year ago, he promptly dropped the periods in his name to signal a new beginning. 

And now that former Ohio State center B.J. Mullens has followed in the footsteps of the great Kosta Koufos and taken his one-and-done show to the NBA, he would also like to go by a new name.

Per NewsOK:

“I wanted to be known as Byron in college because I was making the next step of my life, but everybody, friends and coaches, just knew me as B.J. so it didn’t catch on,” said Mullens, the 24th pick in this past June’s draft out of Ohio State. “I don’t know, maybe they just forgot, or maybe they had just gotten used to the name they’ve always called me. Now I can try again. Another new step, new transition, and I’d like to be known as Byron.”

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While We’re Waiting… Magic Fall to 0-2, Florida Gator Arrests, and more Cavs Free Agent Rumors

June 8, 2009 by 19 Comments

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

courtney-lee-magic-lakers-game-2 

Mean reversion, two weeks too late: “Now the Magic are playing true to form. They look like they don’t belong. They look like they can’t handle the heat of Hollywood’s klieg lights, which was a concern, one Magic assistant coach confided in me before the game. That, he said, was what tripped them up out of the gates in the opener, more so than Kobe’s 40 points. In Game 2, they fell over their own feet. They were tagged with 20 turnovers. Howard, aka Superman, tied with Kobe for a game-high seven turnovers. The difference was Superman’s faux pas came on fewer touches than Kobe’s and his often resulted in more horrific results.” [Kevin Blackistone/FanHouse]

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B.J. Mullens Declares Eligibility for NBADL

March 27, 2009 by 21 Comments

NCAA Siena Ohio St BasketballLast season, the front court of the ultimately NIT-bound Ohio State Buckeyes featured a seven-foot big man by the name of Kosta Koufos.  A native of Canton, Ohio, Koufos had a reasonably successful season, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game and was actually named the NIT MVP (yes, that exists) after leading the Buckeyes to the “title.” 

Koufos, a freshman at the time, then decided that his stay in Columbus was going to come to an end and declared eligibility for the NBA draft.  You know that things aren’t all they are cracked up to be when Clevelanders are adamant against drafting players from Ohio State in any sport, but such was the case with Koufos and the Cavaliers having a late pick in the first round.  Danny Ferry chose J.J. Hickson and Koufos wound up in the hands of the Utah Jazz.  And after 48 games this season, the Jazz have opted to send Koufos to the Utah Flash – the team’s Developmental League franchise.

And after a season of nine points and five rebounds per game, this year’s freshman big man, B.J. Mullens, believes that he too is ready follow his predecessors footsteps and take the leap to the next level.  The Columbus Dispatch reports that Mullens will be the latest one-and-done of the Ohio State Buckeyes as he declared his eligibility for the NBA.

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Ohio State Upsets Michigan State, Heads to Big Ten Finals

March 14, 2009 by 9 Comments
William Buford (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

William Buford (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Wow.  After scraping past Wisconsin yesterday, not only did the Buckeyes upset the Michigan State Spartans today, but they handily defeated them.  Going in nearly a double-digit underdog, Evan Turner’s second half provided the 12-point win for the Scarlet and Gray as they head into the conference finals to play the winner of Purdue/Illinois.

As I mentioned in a response to the guys at Eleven Warriors (via Twitter), I think Ohio State would be able to win the rubber match against the Boilermakers.

Illinois guard and assists/steals leader Chester Frazier is slated to miss the rest of the tournament with a hand injury.  Perhaps both Purdue and Ohio State could capitalize on this one.

Some numbers to mention:

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While We’re Waiting… Bill Simmons on the Cavs, Pedro Rumors, and LBJ’s Playing Time

March 12, 2009 by 20 Comments

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

mo-williams-clippers

The Sports Guy speaks about watching LeBron and Mo’s fourth quarter against the Clippers: “I can’t even describe how bummed out my section was, but let’s try: Ever been sitting on the airport runway for a few minutes and have the pilot blindside you with, “Hey folks, some bad news, the weather got worse, we’re gonna have to go back to the gate and wait this out for a couple of hours before we take off …” and everyone collectively groans in disbelief and agony? That’s what the Clippers fans were like. And let the record show that Pilot Mike Dunleavy was making the announcement.” [Bill Simmons/Page2]

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Buckeye Hoops in a “Must Win” Situation

March 3, 2009 by 8 Comments
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

BJ Mullens (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

If you’re a reader of this here blog, you know that it isn’t easy being a fan of our covered teams.  Things never seem to come pain free with our rooting interests, whether it be on or off of the field.  And do not expect that to change much as the Ohio State Buckeyes (18-9, 8-8) square off in a must-win game on the hardwood.  After a sub par stretch of basketball that saw them lose four of their last five, the Iowa Hawkeyes (14-15, 4-12) stand in their way as the Big Ten tournament awaits.

Anything can happen on the road, so the Buckeyes must not take this one lightly.  Wins tonight and this Sunday (against Northwestern) would give Ohio State the coveted 20 wins to gain consideration for the NCAA tournament.  Of course, playing well in to the B10 tourney would help things a bit.

Can Evan Turner keep the turnovers to a low?  Can the entire team bounce back after getting absolutely worked by the Boilermakers this past weekend?  Can Thad Matta finally win one in the state of Iowa? 

All of these questions will be answered tonight as the Scarlet and Gray look to stay alive in the eyes of the Bracketologists.  This is one of those games that can hurt you a lot more than it can help you.  The Buckeyes pulled out their last meeting by three points.  Here’s hoping that this one has a cushion that is considerably larger.

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While We’re Waiting…

December 23, 2008 by 2 Comments

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing.  Have something you think we should see?  Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

My name is Humpty.  Pronounced with an “Umpty.”  I like my oatmeal lumpy.  And all you bullpens in the top ten, please allow me to bump thee. [First Cuts]

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While We’re Waiting…

December 17, 2008 by 3 Comments

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing.  Have something you think we should see?  Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

“Fiesta Bowl interest is low, extremely low, and what Ohio State fans have been telling me is that after the national championship games, why should we bother? There’s nothing at stake.”  [Doug Lesmerises]

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Buckeyes Survive Scare Against Bowling Green

November 25, 2008 by 1 Comment

That’s right, folks.  It is college basketball time already.  The coverage may be a bit spotty for the Ohio State men’s basketball team, at least in comparison to the Cavs, Indians and Browns, but when we see a game, we will try to give you some updates.

Coming into this season the Ohio State men’s basketball team is something of an unknown quantity.  Some of the names are familiar like David Lighty and John Diebler, but others like Kosta Koufos have departed.  Another holdover from last year, Dallas Lauderdale seems like a completely different player in his second year (in a good way.)  Other names like B.J. Mullens are expected to be in really bright lights some day.  Whether that day is today or tomorrow remains to be seen. 

After a season-opening win over Delaware the Buckeyes entertained Bowling Green.  The final score was 61 – 57, but it didn’t always seem that it was going to be that close.  The Buckeyes led by 13 points at one point in the second half, but Bowling Green fought back hard.  With about six minutes left in the game BG took a two point lead, but the Buckeyes were resilient.   [Read more...]

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