Displaying items by tag: Average Sports Show

With Yan Gomes being out 4-6 weeks with a separated shoulder, many questions have arisen with the catcher position, will the Indians make it work with a platoon system, or will they make a move?

Matt Loede from NEOSportsInsiders joined Brad Russell to talk about that question and more Monday.

He says they don't necessarily need to make a move.

"I think they're going to stay pat with Chris (Jiminez) and Roberto (Perez)," Loede said. "I think those two will hopefully hold the fort down, and what you lose defensively, you could make up for in offense."

For the full interview with Matt click here.

One of the game of golf's most prestigious tournaments is going on, and as play continues in Scotland through Sunday, American golfer Phil Mickelson is in the lead, braving 25 mph winds at Royal Troon.

Golf writer for SB Nation Emily Kay spoke with Brad Russell on the Average Sports Show to talk about the tournament, Phil's play, and the state of the game as we get closer and closer to the Olympic Games in Rio.

 "Here's this guy who's 46 years old and he's showing the youngsters how it's done," Kay said. 

He's currently at 10 under heading into Saturday, with a one-stroke lead over Henrik Stenson of Sweden. Mickelson has won 8 majors in his career.

The Cleveland Indians are ready to head into the second half of the season and Chris Assenheimer from the Elyria Chronicle Telegram joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about the Indians and if they need to make any moves to solidify their spot amongst the AL's best teams.

The Indians have a three game set with the Minnesota Twins starting tonight on 1590 WAKR as Carlos Carrasco takes on Erwin Santana at Target Field in Minnesota. First pitch is at 8:10 with pregame starting at 7:37pm. 

In light of Isaiah Crowell's Instagram post and the fallout from that unfortunate decision, many people are asking questions as it relates to social media and what steps can one can take to make sure they don't make a similar mistake.

Julie Cajigas UA Communications Instructor joined Brad Russell to talk about these issues and more.

She says that people who are in the spotlight post something controversial, no matter if they take it down, it still lives on.

"It doesn't matter if it's up for 30 seconds, someone can screenshot it and share it," she said. "Ethically it puts someone in a very bad situation."

Crowell apologized for the post via Facebook video. He has said he was going to donate his first game check to the fallen Dallas Police Officers fund.

Cajigas said that athletes need to know the powerful nature of social media when they get drafted or picked up by a professional team and to be mindful of what they post and who may be affected by it.

Former Kent State University pitcher Eric Lauer has been enjoying things as of late, after being drafted 25th overall by the San Diego Padres in the 2016 MLB Draft.

Lauer joined the Average Sports Show to talk about the process and what it's like knowing that all of the work that he's put into his craft has paid off.

"It was just nice knowing that someone was willing to take the chance on you and let you keep going in your career," he said.

 The former Golden Flash had one of the lowest ERA's in program history and he says one of the best things about his mindset is keeping it simple by getting guys out and just throwing strikes.

 He says he's been working on his changeup, and perfecting his fastball for the professional level.

Free Agency has created quite a buzz so far with the signing of Kevin Durant by the Warriors, and Al Horford by the Celtics, and many others.

The main question in South Beach and Northeast Ohio respectively is whether or not Dwyane Wade will end up in Cleveland or if he will finish his career in Miami.

Sports Director Mike DiPasquale from WSVN-7 in Miami joined the Average Sports Show to talk about what Wade's mindset might be.

"The Cavaliers are intriguing" Mike says. "I think right now they're going to get it done with the Heat, but I could be wrong."

 Wade has played his entire 13-year career in Miami, and has won three championships with the club. He averaged 21 points last season. 

The second round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational was a solid one for Australian Jason Day, who is currently in the lead at 4 under par.

Day spoke with the media Friday after his round,  and despite some windy conditions early on, he was pleased with his performance on the South Course.

He shot a 69 on Friday, leaving him in sole posession of first heading into Day 3. David Lingmerth of Sweden is behind him at 67.

The world's #1 golfer heading into the tournament at Firestone, Day says he's focused on making sure he stays at that elite level.

Jason's played in the Bridgestone Invitational in previous years, and he knows he just has to play his game in order to be in the conversation down the home stretch.

"I really want to win this tournament, it's been one of the tournaments on my radar for a very long time, and I'm hoping I'm there by Sunday."

Day tees off at 2 p.m. Saturday, where he'll be paired up with (David) Lingmerth.

Day One of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational was a successful one for American William McGirt, who shot a 64 in the first round.

McGirt spoke with the media Thursday after his round to talk about his solid start.

"It was a good solid day all around," he said. "Drove it pretty well with the exception of the tee shot on 18."

William knows a little bit about this tournament and some of the past winners, Even though it's early, it's a list he'd love to be on.

The North Carolina native won the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio in early June.

When asked if there's any similarites between Firestone and Muirfield Village in Dublin, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus, McGirt said he likes both of the courses, which are more traditional in nature.

McGirt has a three stroke lead over  three players including Jason Day, who is the world's number one golfer.

Kevin Durant. Al Horford. Dwight Howard. Those are some of the biggest names on the free agency circuit this summer, and for a lot of teams, those three gentlemen, plus a few more names could help organizations on the cusp of getting back to a title.

Eric Pincus Senior NBA writer from Basketball Insiders joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about some of the big names out there, and where they could be potentially playing ball next season.

When it comes to Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant, he says the best fit for him is staying in OKC, even though there's plenty of suitors for him.

"I think he's going to stick around one more year, see what Russell Westbrook is going to do, and then he'll make a decision to either stay long term or go somewhere else."

Dave Zavac from Fear The Sword joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about his feelings during the final minutes of Game 7 of the NBA Finals

Zavac said this was as much Northeast Ohio's victory as it was the Cavs' victory Sunday night.

With Game 5 now in the rear view and Game 6 at the Q coming up tomorrow, the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans are feeling pretty confident about evening the series.

Jeff Schudel from the Morning Journal and News Herald joined Brad in the Average Sports Show to talk about the injury to Warriors big man Andrew Bogut, and how that can impact the Wine and Gold tomorrow night.

Schudel says Bogut's absence will open up driving lanes for LeBron and Kyrie at the Q.

 "He's (LeBron) is getting to the foul line more, and I think this is going to shape up good for the boys."

With the influx of people converging on downtown Cleveland with the success of the Lake Erie Monsters and Cleveland Cavaliers, that means the local economy is doing well, right along with the sports teams.

Michael Deemer Vice President of Business Services for the Downtown Cleveland Alliance joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about the economic impact generated by the Cavaliers and Monsters.

After 41 points apiece from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, last night's 112-97 win over the Golden State Warriors has propelled the Cavaliers into a good realm of self-confidence and mental toughness.

Brad Sellers, WEWS-Channel 5 basketball analyst, Warrensville Heights Mayor, and postgame commentator on the Cavaliers Radio Network joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about the game and what the scoring outburst did for Kyrie Irving and his confidence moving forward.

"I think it has to do worlds for him," he said. "Having 41 points in a closeout game of the NBA Finals, it doesn't get much better than that."

Sellers himself was impressed with the Cavs' resolve and how they responded when they were up against the wall.

The Lake Erie Monsters have captured the Calder Cup over the Hershey Bears in overtime, 1-0 at the Q, and are getting ready to celebrate.

Tony Brown, the play-by-play voice of the Monsters discussed the magic moment with Brad Russell from the Average Sports Show Monday to talk a little hockey. He said the atmosphere was electric inside Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday.

 "It was just a special night," Brown said. "It was something for these players to realize a childhood dream of winning the second-most gloried trophy in all of hockey besides the Stanley Cup and it was great to be a part of."

The Monsters will hold a celebration for the team Tuesday. For more information go to lakeeriemonsters.com.

As the Wine and Gold get closer to Game 4 here at the Q, they will look to implement the same magic formula that propelled them to a win on Wednesday night in front of the home crowd.

USA Today basketball writer Jeff Zillgitt joined Brad Russell to talk about whether or not Kevin Love should start Game 4 tonight, or if he should come off the bench and provide some scoring help for the Cavaliers.

 He also says that a lot of what the Cavs did well in Game 3 needs to carry over tonight in terms of effort and execution.

"They're going to have to do the same, and they're going to have to do it right out of the gate," Zillgitt said.

One of the hot topics in news circles is the Zika virus and how it could affect things pertaining to the 2016 Rio Olympics later this summer.

Summit County Public Health Director Dr. Margo Erme joined Brad Russell to talk about the precautions, the disease itself, and some of the facts and myths as it relates to Zika.

For the full interview with Brad and Dr. Erme, click here. 

With the Cavaliers win in Game 3 Wednesday night,  the optimism is high in Northeast Ohio.

Despite a solid game from veteran Richard Jefferson, one Cavs writer feels that if medically cleared, Kevin Love should make a return to the starting lineup.

Dave Zavac from Fear The Sword.com joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about Love's potential minutes in Game 4, and how Ty Lue is going to adjust his lineup for Friday's game. 

With Kevin Love being out for Game 3 of the NBA Finals tonight, one of the Cavaliers' most recent additions might have to play a bigger role in securing a win at the Q this evening.

Chris Parker from Cleveland Scene joined Brad Russell and I high atop Quicken Loans Arena. He explained Channing Frye provides a need for Coach Lue's group with his outside shooting, something that Love was adept at while in the lineup.

On this week's edition of Tee it Up Tuesday, Brad spoke with Rich Rhodes of Skyland Golf Course in Hinckley.

The course is part of the 2016 Players Golf Card. For more information on the course, amenities, and some of the special programs offered at Skyland Golf Course, click here. 

Rhodes says the welcoming atmosphere and challenging course are a delight for both the serious golfer as well as someone who is just trying out the game.

The Cavaliers 33-point loss to the Golden State Warriors Sunday Night in Game 2 of the NBA Finals has given some Cavs fans reason to question their team heading into Game 3 at the Q. But there is some reason for optimism, even if it's just by a slim margin.

Brendan Bowers from SLAM Magazine joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show Monday to talk about what the Cavs have to do to counter what the Warriors are doing to them.

"You don't see them (the Warriors)  pointing at each other, looking at each other after a turnover," Bowers said. "You do see that from the Cavaliers, and hopefully they can turn the page before it gets really ugly."

He (Bowers) said that by eliminating that bad body language, things will start to fall in place for the Cavaliers.

One of the UFC's most recognizable and respected fighters will be looking to capture a bantamweight title in Los Angeles this weekend.

Urijah Faber joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about the matchup with Dominick Cruz. The two have already fought twice, but Faber says he's going to get the best of this matchup.

"There's going to be a little bit more intensity in this one," Faber said.  

He says he's looking forward to performing in his home state and in front of numerous family and friends, and going up against one of his rivals adds more fuel to the fire for Urijah. 

"It's the best place for me to fight," he says. "It's exciting."

The UFC 199 will take place at the Forum in Los Angeles June 4.

Steve King of Browns Daily Dose joined the Average Sports Show to break down the Browns off season and what to expect this up coming season. King talked about what the Browns coaching staff needs to do to build up the confidence of Browns quarterback Robert Griffin the 3rd.   King believes that Griffin can a bridge at the quarterback position saying that he has faith in Browns head coach Hue Jackson to build the former rookie of the year back up. King believes the Browns coaching staff is different in years past, "I was thrilled to death when they signed him, I was thrilled to death when they brought in Al Saunders and Pep Hamilton these guys know quarterbacks they know offence." King said.    

The Cavaliers are up 2-0 on the Toronto Raptors and it appears as though the Wine and Gold are rolling on another path to the NBA Finals.

Brendan Bowers from SLAM Magazine joined the Average Sports Show to talk about the team's chemistry and how they shook off their midseason blues to flip the switch and play smart, exciting, team basketball.

"I know the East doesn't have the the same talent level as the West, but they're blowing teams out, winning by an average of 13-14 points,"  Bowers said. "I don't see anyone right now that can beat them in a seven-game series."

He says point guard Kyrie Irving has raised his level of play, especially in the playoffs.

"Kyrie's been doing a great job so far filling his role and hopefully he can keep that going," Bowers said.

The Cavaliers will play the Raptors in Game 3 up at the Air Canada Centre Saturday at 8:30pm on 1590 WAKR.

This weekend, a local MMA fighter will be looking to bring a championship to Northeast Ohio, the heavyweight championship of the world.

Stipe Miocic, who fights out of Independence, Ohio, near Cleveland will be taking on current titleholder Fabricio Werdum in UFC 198 in Brazil on Saturday, May14.

He says that he's going make sure Werdum stays out of his comfort zone during their matchup.

"I'm not going to do what he wants, I'm going to dictate what I'm going to do in that cage, and I'm going to push the pace and I'm going to make him feel uncomfortable in every aspect of the game," Miocic says.

Stipe, a Northeast Ohio native, knows there hasn't been a Cleveland sports championship in over 50 years, but he says he's going to let it all hang out on Saturday.

"I'm going to give it everything I've got," he says.

This summer, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy will be giving young football players a chance to show their skills and improve upon them in front of former NFL players and coaches.

David Hill,  National Director of Player Development for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about the Academy and what the players will expect while in Canton.

"It's going to be an opportunity for both some of the top prep players in the country and some of the top youth players in the country to improve their skill sets, and it's a training opportunity being done by some of the best coaches from all around the league," Hill said. "It's a fantastic opportunity for a young player."

The Academy will take place down at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium  in two sessions from July 10-13 and July 14-17 .

 Hill said the most important aspect of the Academy will be the character and life lesson development.

"I do think that the game offers those opportunities, it's always been that way, and it's going to be more emphasized there being a part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

For more information or to nominate an athlete, visit here. 

Akron Rubberducks baseball is in full swing down at Canal Park, and the young team has been hitting their stride as of late in the Eastern League.

Dave Wallace, the manager of the Rubberducks joined Sam Bourquin and Brad Russell during their live broadcast from Canal Park Tuesday to talk about the team's first month of the season and how they're developing.

"It's been an interesting first month of the season," Wallace says. "I say that in a positive manner, because it's been cool to see some of the guys I've been hearing about for a long time, but haven't had a chance to see."

Wallace pointed to youngsters Clint Frazier and pitcher Ben Heller just to name a couple of the players who came in highly touted, but have worked very hard to get to this level of baseball.

He also said big-leaguers Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall have been instrumental to the development of the Ducks' players during their rehab stints as well.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a good showing at Quicken Loans Arena Monday night against the Atlanta Hawks 104-93, and after an eight day layoff, they looked just as crisp as they did when they swept Detroit in the first round.

Sam Amico from AmicoHoops.net joined Sam Bourquin and Brad Russell during their live broadcast from Canal Park Tuesday to talk about the win, the Cavs' energy on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, and their mentality heading into Game 2 in Cleveland Wednesday night.

Amico said that he liked how the Cavaliers came out with a lot of energy early on.

"They really played with passion right away, they did the right things early, they got Kyrie going early," Amico said.  The Wine and Gold did give up an 18 point lead during one stretch, but Sam said he wasn't worried that the Cavaliers would lose.

He (Amico) says the Cavaliers have to get out and play their game early so the Big 3 can get a rest.

"You want to play your Timofey Mozgovs, your Dahntay Jones'," he says. "I just need to think you need to start resting your regulars."

The Cavaliers and Hawks play Game 2 at 8 p.m. on 1590 WAKR.  The Average Sports Show will broadcast live from the Q from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. prior to tip-off.

It's time to tee it up in 2016 as Brad Russell from the Average Sports Show takes a look at Arrowhead Golf Course in North Canton, Ohio.

Rob Purcell, General Manager of Arrowhead said that the course has had a rich history on and off the greens.

"We've been doing a great food business, the golf course is getting better every year, it's a small green type of golf course, and it's just a great place to play," Purcell said.

Purcell along with business partner Scott DeMusey say they pride themselves on providing a fun, friendly atmosphere at Arrowhead and he says that the first-time golfer will have a great experience.

"We have a background in the private club business, we expect our staff to be professional, and we want you to enjoy your golf time here."

He says hole #9 is one of the more challenging and scenic holes on the course, with a view of the pro shop and a pond as well.

Arrowhead Golf Club is one of the courses on the 2016 Players Golf Card.

For more information on Arrowhead, click here.

The NFL Draft is just a little over an hour away and the million dollar question is: Will the Browns stay at 8?

Nate Davis, NFL Writer and Editor for USA Today Sports joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show on Draft Night to talk about that and more, saying there ought to be a quality player for them to pick at #8 if they stay put.

"Certainly there ought to be a good guy at 8, there's about 8 or 9 probably really good players in this draft, labelled as can't miss guys," Davis says.

There is speculation that the Browns will trade down and there might be some additional movement going on as well the next three nights in Chicago.

As the NFL Draft nears closer to Thursday, the Browns have many options at #8. One of those players could be former Florida DB Vernon Hargreaves III.

Vernon's former coach at Wharton HS in Tampa, FL David Mitchell joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk with him about what kind of player and person Vernon was in high school.

He said what stood out about him right away was his athleticism and ability to process information and get the little things down.

"Everybody knew no matter where the ball was, he would be there," Mitchell said. "He was a very mature player." 

He was a defensive star at Florida, and at cornerback, he has that confidence you need to be out there on the island and make plays.

 "He comes from a great family, great young man, and he's got his head on straight," Mitchell said.

The Browns traded from #2 to #8 and he might be in play for the Browns, but coach Mitchell said it would be nice to see him play for the hometown Buccanneers if possible.

As the draft approaches for the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, it would not surprise many to see them again trade down from #8, but they could stay at that spot and pick up either another lineman, or perhaps an Ohio favorite.

Tom Reed from the Cleveland Plain Dealer says that if the Browns stay at 8, they could take Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott, or they could solidify the trenches with Jack Conklin, the offensive tackle out of Michigan State, or go with Ronnie Stanley, the tackle out of Notre Dame.

Reed says it's all about what the Browns want, and what their needs are.

"There's a lot of range there, with things they can do with that #8 pick," Reed explained.

He says that they might take a look at quarterback later in the first round, either Paxton Lynch out of Memphis or local product from Walsh Jesuit, Connor Cook (who played collegiately at Michigan State). 

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons will be squaring off in their playoff matchup tonight in Auburn Hills, in front of a raucous crowd, who hasn't seen a playoff home game in seven years.

Joining the show from Auburn Hills, Dave Zavac from Fear The Sword joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show and he says the Cavs are loose and ready to go tonight in Michigan.

"I think the Cavs are ready," Zavac said.  "They had their intro playing in the locker room, so they're feeling good heading into tonight."

Dave doesn't seem to think Stanley Johnson's comments will bother LeBron James or the rest of the team, and that they will come out focused and prepared for the task at hand. 

The Cavs and Pistons will tip things off at 7 p.m. on 1590 WAKR. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are up 2-0 against the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, and the Wine and Gold are tuning out the noise and playing their game.

Brendan Bowers from SLAM Magazine joined the Average Sports Show to talk about the series and what the Cavaliers are doing to ensure their success in the second season.

Bowers likes the matchup from a competitiveness standpoint.

"It's been a great start so far, I like the energy level from the Cavaliers, and I like to see that continue to build throughout the series."

The Pistons have had a chip on their shoulder the size of Lake Michigan, and with Stanley Johnson's comments about being in LeBron' James' head, they haven't backed down from Cleveland.

Brendan says it doesn't matter what's said as long as the Cavs play their game, space the floor, and play quality defense.

The Josh Gordon story has taken yet another turn after his petition for reinstatement to the NFL has been denied.

Tom Reed from the Cleveland Plain Dealer joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about the troubled wideout and what's next for him as he continues to battle his issues with substance abuse.

Reed says that Gordon can lobby for reinstatement again in August. He was suspended in Feburary of 2015 for a failed drug test and reportedly failed another one recently.

Tom says he sees a young man who hasn't made the most of what he's been given.

 "We're talking about a guy who's played 5 games since 2013, and it's been one of the biggest wastes of talent in sports I've ever seen."

The Masters is going to start up tomorrow in Augusta, Georgia, and a field of talented golfers will be vying for the Green Jacket yet again at Augusta National.

Emily Kay, Golf writer for SB Nation joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about the field and what the chances are for Jordan Speith defending his title.

"There's 10 or 15 guys that you wouldn't be surprised if they won," Kay said. "He's not playing the best golf right now, and there's only been a few golfers that have won it in consecutive years."

There's a lot of young and solid golfers on tour and one of those is Rory McIlroy, who is pretty relaxed heading into Augusta.

"I think the pressure may be a little less on him for getting that career Grand Slam," Emily said. 

With the NFL Draft just a few short weeks away, the Browns have that #2 overall pick and the debate still rages on between Carson Wentz and Jared Goff for the quarterback spot.

Kennedy Paynter from Drafttek.com joined the Average Sports Show with Brad Russell and he said the Browns have to take their shot and take a chance with Wentz.

"I would take him #2, and it's been said before, you've got to take your swings, and if you keep swinging, you'll get your franchise guy," Paynter said.

The singal-caller from North Dakota State (Wentz) can run, throw with velocity, and has more upside than Cal's Jared Goff, who is more of a system quarterback and needs a certain kind of offensive game plan to succeed according to Paynter.

The madness will conclude tonight as Villanova and North Carolina will meet in Houston tonight for the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship.

Shelby Mast from BracketWAG.com and USA Today joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show Wednesday to break down the coaching matchup between Jay Wright of Nova and Roy Williams of North Carolina, and talk about the key matchups in the game.

 Mast said Villanova has been able to play real well at the best time.

"After they played the way they played in the first two rounds, I was very confident they could make it to the title game," Mast said.

 As far as the Tar Heels, Shelby said this has been one of Roy's better coaching jobs, given that so many top-level players are buying in and sacrificing their own game for the greater good of the team.

With WrestleMania 32 coming up this Sunday, lots of wrestling fans are having their eyes on the WWE'S signature event down in Arlington, Texas.

Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod, a professional wrestling enthusiast himself, joined the Average Sports Show to talk with Brad about the key matches, unique storylines, and some of the surprises you might see Sunday.

One of the more intriguing matchups will take place between Shane McMahon and the Undertaker, which is big in the fact that if the Undertaker loses, it would be his last WrestleMania in his illustrious career.

The main event will be Roman Reigns vs Triple H, which has lots of fans excited.

Axelrod says the development of Roman's character is good for the WWE.

"I think a heel turn would be good for Roman Reigns, and I think the talent's there and I think he's a good performer."

One of the more notable names coming out in the 2016 NFL draft is former OSU quarterback Cardale Jones, who many predict will have success on the next level as he learns the pro game.

His high school coach, Ted Ginn Sr. joined the Average Sports Show to speak with Brad about his former QB and what road he took to get to where he is today.

Ginn said he took a great deal of pride in helping Jones and other young people achieve their goals.

 "Anytime I see one of them (students, student-athletes) reach that goal they always wanted it makes my job that much more important," Ginn said.

Jones led OSU to the National Championship two years ago as a third-string quarterback and coach Ginn says ever since he was young, he always worked to prove doubters wrong.

The NCAA Tournament has had some major storylines, upsets, and big-time players, but after all the madness, the Final Four is set for this weekend ahead of the National Championship Game.

Shelby Mast from BracketWAG.com and USA Today bracketologist joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about Oklahoma, Syracuse, Villanova, and North Carolina being one step closer to their ultimate goal.

When talking about the Sooners of Oklahoma, one of the stars of the tournament is Buddy Hield, the sharpshooting guard that's got Lon Kruger's squad thinking national championship.

"He's got the body, the smarts, and the game to be a solid NBA player," Mast said. "I don't think he'll be a superstar, but many people said the same thing about Steph Curry when he came out of Davidson and made a splash in the tournament," Mast said.

On Saturday, the Sooners will take on Villanova, while North Carolina and Syracuse will meet up in the other half of the bracket.

With the 2016 NFL Draft being just 29 short days away, the ongoing debate remains: Who will the Browns select with the #2 overall pick? 

DJ Boyer from Draftsite.com joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about the possibilities, who the Browns will go with at either #2 or #32 in the first round, and who will the Tennessee Titans take with the first overall selection.

Boyer says North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and California's Jared Goff are the two top targets at the quarterback position. He says that even though the Browns signed former Washington signal-caller Robert Griffin III last week, having that franchise quarterback is a part of their long-term plans, something that is not certain for Griffin's future.

Boyer also broke down the draft needs for the AFC North, saying the Bengals need to look at reciever, and one that comes to mind is former Notre Dame wideout Will Fuller.

"At the wide receiver position, there's not another player that improved his stock more in the combine than Will Fuller," Boyer said. "He has all the tools, he just needs the consistency and can live up to that #24 overall billing." 

He has the Pittsburgh Steelers going with Mackensie Alexander out of Clemson going to them at #25 to shore up that secondary.

The Browns have another quarterback on the roster, and Robert Griffin III is his name. After much talk and rumor the last few days, the former Baylor star is in the fold.

Andrea Hangst from the Orange and Brown Report and Scout.com spoke with Brad Russell about the move to bring in the veteran QB.

When asked about how RGIII and Hue Jackson are going to coexist, Andrea was optimistic about the process, saying the two men will work well together because they believe in each other.

"One of the few things he's needed is a coach that truly believes in him, he didn't really get that with Shanahan in Washington, and he never felt that with Jay Gruden, so it's going to be a better environment when he's playing for a guy who wanted him and wanting to resurrect his career," Hangst explained.

As we get to know some of the more notable names getting closer to the NFL Draft, one of the more notable offensive skill players fans and scouts have an eye on is former OSU quarterback-turned receiver Braxton Miller.

His former high school coach Jay Minton from Huber Heights Wayne talked with Brad on the Average Sports Show to talk about Braxton as an athlete and as a person, saying he was just as good of a young man as he is as a football player.

"He's one of the most coachable young men we've ever been around," Minton said. "Very respectful, always wanted to be challenged, and he always wanted to get better."

Miller was the two-time Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year at OSU, and made the switch to wideout as a senior.

Minton said it's going to continue to be a smooth process to make a full transition to wide receiver because of his athletic ability and maturity.

"He can make some dynamic plays, and he's a young man that wants the ball in his hands, and he wants to make an impact regardless of what position he plays," he said. 

After the first day of NFL free agency, the Browns have let four players go and have not added any new names to the roster, which has a lot of fans scratching their collective heads.

Brad Gagnon from the Bleacher Report joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about the action..or lack thereof from the Browns and how this reactive approach has put a sour taste in the mouths of many fans, who would like to see the team become more proactive in their mindset in trying to pick up some quality free agents.

 "They let four players walk yesterday, and I understand they're not from this regime,  I understand they are rebulding, but a rebuild in the NFL is not getting rid of all 53 players and starting from scratch," Gagnon says.

"You don't throw out the baby with the bath water."

Four free agants left including Alex Mack, who went to Atlanta, Tashaun Gipson went to Jacksonville, Mitchell Schwartz bolted for Kansas City, and Travis Benjamin departed for San Diego.

One of the hot names heading into the 2016 NFL Draft is former OSU defensive lineman Joey Bosa, who is expected to be a top-5 pick in April.

His high school coach offered a little insight into Joey as a player and as a person, saying that the former Buckeye star will do whatever it takes to contribute to his team.

Rocco Casullo, the fomer coach of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL joined the Average Sports Show to talk with Brad about Bosa and what skills he will be bringing to the next level.

"He grew into the program quickly," Rocco said. "He was a big kid, hard worker, someone who took pride in weights, and someone who you thought would have a tremendous future at the high school level."

 Casullo coached both Joey and his younger brother Nick at St. Thomas Aquinas before moving on to Mater Academy in Florida. 

With NFL Free Agency just hours away, the Browns are having to make some decisions as far as keeping some key players and adding new ones to the roster, in hopes of a solid and significant turn-around. 

Scott Petrak, who covers the Browns for the Elyria Chronicle Telegram joined the Average Sports Show to talk about free agency and some of the key names being thrown out either for the Browns, or for other teams.

When it comes to current Browns center Alex Mack, Petrak says that he wouldn't rule out a return to the Browns, despite opting out of his contract.

"I think he's willing to stay, he likes it here," Petrak said. "Having said that he did opt out, he turned down the 24 million left on his contract, he's looking for a raise, and he's going to hit the market."

 When it comes to wide receiver Travis Benjamin and defensive back Tashaun Gipson, Petrak offered his take on whether or not either one of those gentlemen would come back to Cleveland, but he's pretty confident Benjamin will return.

 "He was valuable for the Browns last year as a receiver and a returner, he stayed healthy all season and despite his frail frame, he stayed healthy, so I was impressed with him."

As the NFL Draft approaches, many people are asking about the Browns' quarterback prospects and one of the names that is popping up is Paxton Lynch, the former quarterback of the Memphis Tigers.

Allen "B.J." Johnson coached Paxton in high school at Trinity Christian in Deltona, Florida. He's coached Paxton since the sixth grade, and he's proud of him both on and off the field.

He says a lot of NFL scouts have been calling him, asking about his former signal-caller.

"He's a great kid," says Johnson. "He has no character issues, and if you don't draft him, you will regret it," he says with confidence.

Johnson says he compares favorably to current NFL quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Colin Kaepernick due to his size, arm strength, and escapability in the pocket.  While at Memphis, he guided the Tigers to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Birmigham Bowl against Auburn.

Coach Johnson says Paxton won't  be concerned if he lands to the Browns, who have had their struggles with quarterbacks, but he knows his will to win and desire to succeed will see him through.

One of the players a lot of the experts have the Cleveland Browns taking with the #2 overall pick is former Cal quarterback Jared Goff, and we reached out to his high school coach to give us some insight into what makes the signal-caller from the west coast tick.

Mazi Moyaed, the head coach of Marin Catholic HS in California joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show to talk about his former QB and the leadership he brings on and off the football field.

When asked about what kind of leader he was in high school, Mazi said he exemplified leadership and confidence throughout his time at Marin Catholic.

"He's a great player obviously, phenomenal leader, he's always been one of the guys," Moyaed said. "He's embraced by the community, and he embraces the community, he gives people his time, he's well-mannered, but when he's on the field, he's very competitive."

 Mazi says scouts have been calling him asking about Goff, his maturation over the years, and how his skill set translates to the NFL. Moyaed says that Goff's smarts set him apart from everyone else and he always stays calm and cool under pressure.

 "He really processes things well and just gets it going."

UFC 196 is right around the corner this Saturday and one of the fighters we spoke with is getting ready to step inside the Octagon against another fast-rising name in the fight world.

Miesha Tate joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show Wednesday to talk about her fight against Holly Holm Saturday night in the UFC women's bantamweight title matchup in Las Vegas.

Tate says she's trained hard and is ready for anything Holm will throw her way.

"I know I have all the tools I need to beat someone like Holly, and I'm prepared for that, I've prepared for anything and everything."

Tate comes into this matchup with a record of 17-5 including a 4-fight win streak. She and Holm will co-headline a card featuring a bout with Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz.

Miesha's nickname "Cupcake" is a bit of a misnomer, condsidering she's no cupcake in the Octogon. She talks about the origin of the nickname and how she was underestimated earlier in her career.

"People underestimated me because I'm feminine, I like to do my hair and makeup, and people would say 'This girl can't fight, she's a cupcake,' and I would beat them up, and the name stuck, and it's a little bit of comedy, saying you can't judge a book by it's cover."

The NFL Combine has come and gone, and many NFL teams have a clearer picture of how they will select the top players coming out for the 2016 draft.

SB Nation's Dan Kadar joined Brad Russell in the Average Sports Show Monday to talk about some of the winners and losers from the combine, as well as who the Browns will select with their #2 overall selection.

Kadar said both Cal's Jared Goff and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz are both prime contenders to take over the reins at quarterback. He says that you have to go with the proven commodity, and he thinks that's Jared Goff.

"You have to go with the guy who's going to immediately jump in and be good right away, and that's Goff," he said.

 "Both of them have really positive skill sets, and that's what's going to make it a hard decision."