Good morning Buckeye faithful and welcome to your Tuesday Skull Session.
If you have not heard already, the Stefanie Spielman Fund will be unveiling the world's longest Buckeye necklace July 31 at 4 p.m. All proceeds to the event benefit will benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.
As of last night, 11,563 donations were made to the cause. It's fantastic to see the Spielman Fund promote their cause in such a creative manner. Hopefully, the donations keep pouring in.
Make sure to check out the project, as it truly is one of the cooler stunts I have heard of. However, if you want to see the unveiling in person, only 98 tickets are available, so you better get moving on that.
Even if you cannot get tickets, though, I bet this won't be the only time to see something like the world's largest Buckeye necklace. Regardless, best of luck with your event, Spielman Fund.
HARDWOOD RECRUITING. It looks like Thad Matta is going after his next big man. Scout.com reported yesterday that Ohio State has made an offer to 2013 power forward recruit Devin Williams of Montverde Academy in Florida.
Williams at 6'8 and 230 pounds is a strong player with excellent rebounding skills. The former Cincinnati Withrow High School product is rated as a four-star recruit by Scout.com and as the #18 power forward in the country. Williams has also received offers from other talented basketball programs, including Illinois, Marquette, Pittsburgh, UCLA, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Xavier.
Williams would be a welcome addition to the Buckeyes' front court and would probably be talented enough to produce right away.
BIG TEN PASSERS. ESPN's Brian Bennett ranked the top 10 quarterbacks in the Big Ten for next season, and Braxton Miller was ranked #3 on the list right ahead of Taylor Martinez.
Bennett notes the sophomore quarterback will benefit from Urban Meyer's new system but will still have to go through a learning period before figuring out the complexities of the new offense.
At #1, Bennett has Denard Robinson. Robinson threw a Big Ten leading 15 interceptions last season but was untouchable on the ground. The problem for Robinson will be his passing abilities. He doesn't need to make the big throw to win next year, but he will need to manage the game and make the easy passes. If he can do that, he will be the best in the Big Ten.
However, I believe Iowa's James Vandenberg is bound for a big season. Vandenberg is by far the best passing quarterback in the Big Ten and could make Iowa a tough opponent for the next couple seasons.
OSU would love the rec specs, Devin. FOSTER: AMERICAN FOR HALL OF FAMER. Ohio State's women's basketball coach Jim Foster was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame last night at the halftime of Team U.S.A.'s game against Brazil.
Foster has coached for 35 years, including 11 years at OSU. He is eighth on the active coach wins list in division one. Foster is also the second collegiate coach in the NCAA to win 200 games at three different schools.
He has previously coached at St. Josephs and Vanderbilt. His coaching record currently stands at 765-294. The only thing Foster has left to accomplish in his career is to win a championship. Let's hope he is in Columbus still when he does.
FREEH JOE PA. Former F.B.I. Director Louis Freeh's report into the Jerry Sandusky case has officially tarnished the legacy of Joe Paterno. The reports indicate Paterno failed to protect Sandusky's abuse victims and let his crimes go unpunished until now.
However, the Paterno family is still determined to clear Joe Pa's name and prove his innocence. The Paternos told the Associated Press that the family would launch its own investigation into the matter to prove Freeh wrong.
I can understand Joe Paterno's family reacting so strong to the Freeh Report, but I can't see their own private investigation clearing the Paterno name. There is simply too much evidence stacked against Joe Pa right now that suggests the recently deceased coach knew more than he claimed about Sandusky. Even if their investigation were to produce evidence to clear his name, who would believe them?
I suggest that the Paterno family needs to begin to move on. I understand it's not easy for them dealing with the allegations, but I can't see how a new investigation will help.
LOS LINKS. Buckeye Katie Bell's Olympic story... Michigan Wolverines' hockey coach gets a new deal at 72 years old... Chip Kelly runs with the bulls... Team U.S.A. knocks off Brazil... Browns lock up Gordon for four years.
