Former Buckeye Evan Turner Lifts 76ers Over Celtics In Playoffs

Back to doing what he does best

After letting another fourth-quarter lead slip away in Boston, Philadelphia took it right back and held on to it, fighting off every run the Celtics made down the stretch for an 82-81 victory Monday night to even the Eastern Conference second-round series at one game apiece.

"We knew to expect the same type of game," said Evan Turner, whose layup with 40.4 seconds to play put Philadelphia ahead to stay. "We did what we needed to do to win this game, just like we didn't the first time around."

Turner's layup gave the Sixers a 76-75 lead and Philadelphia clinched it by going 6 for 6 from the free throw line over the final 12 seconds.

Turner finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist. Congratulations to Turner, we wish him the best of luck in the rest of the NBA playoffs.

Video after the jump

Friday's Buckeye Bits

Good morning Buckeye Nation!  I really wanted to do  that in the Robin Williams "Good Morning Vietnam" voice, but it doesn't really translate well to the written word...

I digress. We are finally starting to see something resembling winter here in Columbus. So imagine a warm September Saturday in the Shoe, surrounded by thousands of your sweatiest friends, and that will take the chill out of this weather.

What, recruiting season's still open? Yep, for players who want to have the spotlight to themselves can't make up their minds in time, there's still time.  Stefon Diggs is one highly rated recruit still on the table, for now. Deciding between Ohio State, Auburn, Florida, and...Maryland? Really, Maryland? Hometown team, for certain, but the Terps don't have a particularly stellar track record for producing either winning teams or lots of high draft picks. Randy White, Boomer Esiason, and Shawne Merriman are the only ones I can think of.

Let's Go Bowling

So.Much.Football.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! College football is set to embark on yet another bowl season which means games on almost every night starting next week. I’m not going to bore you with another BCS rant because we all know how I feel about the matter… it sucks!

This system is the most un-American way to decide a national champion that I can think of. This country, which was built on the sweat and blood of great men, still lets the BCS get away with this travesty after 13 years. A system that is decided by computers and sports writer/AD opinions is no system at all. I can’t even begin to tell you how lame it is. Would getting ready for a 16 or 8 game playoff this week be any fun?

Would a playoff bracket make any money or cause any excitement? Am I laying on the sarcasm enough? The answer is a resounding YES to all of those questions but apparently my bitching and moaning here at ITS for the past 2 seasons has fallen on deaf ears. I guess some dude in NW Ohio screaming into cyberspace hasn’t made that much of a difference. Oh well. Since we have to live with this unfortunate system for now, I wanted to cover the best of this year’s bowl games. Every year there are intriguing matchups that you wouldn’t have otherwise seen during the regular season.

Those oddball games are great entertainment and a spectacular reason to stop talking to your co-workers and family during holiday gatherings! That reason alone is worth its’ weight in gold. So plant your ass in a favorite recliner, grab a cold one and get ready for the last of college football until next fall. Disclaimer #1- This is an Ohio St. blog (if haven’t already noticed). I will not include the Gator Bowl because it is obvious that contest is the best game to watch. There will be tons of pre game coverage on this blog and others so I don’t want to attack this one just yet.

Even though 6-6 wasn’t what we had in mind, the Gator Bowl offers a rare opportunity for retribution and revenge against those swamp rats from Gainesville. You don’t often get opportunities for a rematch when over 100 teams play in your sport so let’s hope the Buckeyes can get that monkey off their back. I really want this win even if it is on a slightly smaller stage than in 2006. Disclaimer #2- I refuse to include the MNC because it is bullshit that Alabama got another shot at LSU. Not only did the Tide not win their conference, they failed to even win their own division. While LSU was busy earning their way in the SEC championship, Bama was at home resting in preparation for the game they already knew they were going to. How on earth is that fair? If I were an Oklahoma St. fan I would be irate with anger.

The SEC bias in this country (ahem.. ESPN) is totally nuts. Alabama had their shot and they lost. Nobody can tell me otherwise. This year’s game is a sham. OK, without further adieu, I give you the best 3 bowl games this holiday season in no particular order.

Reds are out.

So the Central Division winners got swept by an outstanding pitching crew. Last night, the Reds ended the run towards a World Series going down 7-4.

"Key Plays

• In the first inning, Placido Polanco hit a one out single off of Johnny Cueto.  One out later, Ryan Howard also singled and Polanco moved to third on the play, totally stealing Cincinnati's move.  It's okay; they weren't using it.  Jayson Werth then hit a ground ball right to Orlando Cabrera.  Cabrera seemed to have reinjured his side in Game 2 and was thought to miss the rest of the series.  He deemed himself fit to play this afternoon, but on this instance, threw the ball high and wide of first base, pulling Joey Votto off the bag and allowing Polanco to score.  Phillies lead, 1-0.
• Drew Stubbs singled to lead off the Reds half of the first inning.  Brandon Phillips then hit a deep drive to center, but Shane Victorino made a nice running, over the shoulder catch.  Joey Votto then grounded out to the pitcher and Scott Rolen struck out looking.
• In the fifth inning, with two outs, Chase Utley hit a deep fly ball to center field.  Drew Stubbs tracked it back to the wall, and leapt, hoping to bring it back in the yard and rob that cheater Chutley of a home run.  Instead, in a move that will have Dusty Baker flashing back to the Steve Bartman game, a Cincinnati fan tried to catch the ball with their glove, knocking it away from Stubbs.  The umpires reviewed the play, but it was clearly a home run.  Still, if there was an emblematic play that signaled that Cincinnati is not quite ready for the postseason, that was it.  Phillies lead, 2-0.
• The Reds were unable to generate much offense at all against Cole Hamels, which is not entirely surprising.  Down to their final chance in the ninth inning, Brandon Phillips got the region's hopes raised with a sharply hit ball that went under the glove of Placido Polanco for a leadoff single.  Joey Votto came to the plate, hoping to shake off a disappointing series and act the way MVPs do.  Instead, he grounded into a soul-crushing double play.  Scott Rolen then struck out for the billionth time and the season was over."

 - Red Reporter

The Cincinnati Reds are your 2010 NL Central Champions!

How about that?? The first time in 15 years, the Reds won last night 3-2 against the Astros on a walk off homerun from Jay Bruce to finally seal up the NL Central. We have good pitching, great batting, and Aroldis Chapman. I think this team could go deep in October.

Cincinnati Reds fans celebrate after the Reds defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 in a baseball game to clinch the NL Central, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

"The Reds started off strongly, with Drew Stubbs working a walk fromWandy Rodriguez.  Stubbs then stole second, and Rodriguez walked Orlando Cabrera.  Joey Votto then hit into a double play, but Stubbs moved to third.  Then Scott Rolen hit a grounder to third and Brett Wallace couldn't handle the throw from Chris Johnson.  Stubbs scored to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.

Chris Johnson atoned for that throw with a single off of Edinson Volquez to begin the second inning.  Brett Wallace then did his part by hitting a sharp grounder.  It looked like it might have been a double play ball, but Orlando Cabrera was shading towards second and couldn't get to it.  The Astros then turned to the bunt.  Angel Sanchez laid one down, but Volquez fielded it and threw out Johnson at third.  Jason Castro singled to score Wallace and Sanchez went to third.  Wandy Rodriguez then laid down a successful suicide squeeze, and Sanchez scored.  Astros take the lead, 2-1.


In the third inning, with a runner on first and one out, Carlos Lee smashed a ball to left field.  Drew Stubbs raced back, put his hand against the wall, then leapt a foot above the fence and brought the ball back with him.  Just an amazing catch.

Wandy Rodriguez was dominant, striking out eight Reds, including four in a row at one point.  Through the first five innings, he only allowed one hit, and an infield one that was probably an error at that.  But in the sixth inning, Cabrera and Votto both singled.  Scott Rolen walked, and the bases were loaded with no outs.  Jonny Gomes then engaged in an epic ten pitch at-bat that sadly resulted in a pop out.  Brandon Phillips stepped up and grounded a ball deep to the shortstop.  It was a perfectly placed grounder, and a sprinting Rolen beat the throw to second.  Cabrera came home and the game was tied.  Jay Bruce then lined one directly to Jeff Keppinger who turned the inning ending double play.  Game tied, 2-2.
Drew Stubbs hit a two out drive in the seventh inning that banged less than a foot from the top of the wall.
The Reds bullpen trio of Arthur Rhodes, Nick Masset, and Aroldis Chapman were masterful, retiring all nine batters they faced.

In the bottom of the ninth, Jay Bruce swung at the first pitch he saw, and as the ball landed in the grass beyond the centerfield wall where not even Drew Stubbs could catch it, the dugout emptied to greet him at home plate - as NL Central Champions."


For the whole story, and more recaps head over to the great Reds blog, Red Reporter.

Playoffs baby!!!!

The double-edged sword finally hit.

It was only a matter of time. All the seasons I've been watching Lebron James, I always wondered just like any other Cavs fan I'm sure, how he did such an amazing job of driving and scoring and being physical, without getting injured. Sure, he's had his injuries, but only for a day or two. Now we have this elbow from last night that apparently has been bothering him since Game 2 of the Bulls series. Of course, the elbow says it's fine, so I guess we should believe it. So the double-edged sword here is obviously the series being won, but bad side: LBJ's elbow. He said after the game it worries him, but we will see what happens.

Ben Koyack commits to Notre Dame. Obviously didn't want the competition here.

If you haven't seen what Michigan has done/said lately, go here. I hope they don't seriously think that will work. Obviously if your making your own new defense, and no one else will be using it, then it's not very good. I swear, they get dumber and dumber every year. Oh, and worse at all sports.
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Inside The Shoe is still looking for two writers. One basketball, and one football writer. If your interested, please leave a comment, or email us at insidetheshoe2009@hotmail.com. The requirements can be found here. We hope to be talking to you soon!

Playoffs.

It's time for the NBA playoffs. Lebron James looks to win his first championship in his 7th year. Today, they start the journey against the Chicago Bulls. Revenge for the Craig Ehlo play, and then we move on to the Miami/Boston game, which is sure to be good. I want to wish the Cavs luck today, and hope for the best.

In Buckeye news, the jersey scrimmage is going to be taking place today, but it is closed to the media. We will try and get as much information as possible.

Inside The Shoe is still looking for two writers. One basketball, and one football writer. If your interested, please leave a comment, or email us at insidetheshoe2009@hotmail.com. The requirements can be found here. We hope to be talking to you soon!

Let's go Lebron. This is it, make amazing happen.

Final Bowl Week

The final destination

Well folks, we've reached it. It is the last week of predictions. We started here way back in October, and have done fairly well until the bowl games. Now that they have come to pass, our bowl game record stands at 28-21. The end is now here, with the national championship holding all the glory for either Texas or Alabama. Before we get to that though, there is still a tale of two cinderellas, a rushing attack vs. a run defense, and a small bowl game. Let's get started.

Today

Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. TCU – 8:00 p.m. (FOX)

Otherwise known as the cop-out bowl by the BCS. I am a supporter of the playoff system, and honestly, this really is a cop-out. Now, that being said, it will still be a fun game to watch. Heisman canididate Kellen Moore threw for over 3,000 yards this season, and expect him to put a run in the Heisman next year. Meanwhile, TCU comes in bringing in a top 5 offense and defense, and I have to say, they look like they could have beaten anyone this season, and I believe they should have had a shot at the MNC. TCU proves a point, 35-21.

Tommorow

Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Iowa – 8:00 p.m. (FOX)

With Iowa's run defense vs. Georgia Tech's flexbone package coupled with QB Josh Nesbitt, makes for a long, long, long game. Iowa likes to run the ball usually, but with Shonn Greene taking the NFL, they have thrown for quite a bit this year. Their only losses came due to the fact that their QB Ricki Stanzi went down in the Northwestern game, and that Ohio State was, well, Ohio State. This game will be dragged along, but look for the Big Ten to go 4-3 in bowl games this year as Iowa wins a close one, 24-20

Wednesday

GMAC Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Troy – 7:00 p.m. (ESPN)

Even with the fact that Central Michigan's head coach Butch Davis is packing his bags to head to Cincy, Dan LeFevour will lead his high powered offensive unit to victory as the Troy Trojans fail to stop them when it matters most. 31-14

Thursday

Citi BCS National Championship Game - No. 1 Alabama vs No. 2 Texas - 8:00 p.m. - ABC

The BCS National Championship game features to high powered offenses led by their quarterbacks Colt Mccoy, and Greg McElroy. On defense, Mount Cody represents the Crimson Tide. Jordan Shipley looks to help Colt with the load of taking down the Bama defense. Of course, you can't forget Heisman winner Mark Ingram either. Although Suh should have won it, Mark Ingram put up great numbers as a sophmore, and now will try and accomplish what Tebow could not. It all starts here for him, and for a Heisman running for others. Although I'm going aganist the Heisman curse, (hey, Matt Leinart did it..) Inside The Shoe gives you the Alabama Crimson Tide as your 2010 BCS National Champions. Even though we have no control over what happens. Good luck to both teams.

Bowl Break, NFL

If your a Bengals fan, your probably reading the right post. I myself love the Bengals, and are ready to watch them clinch their divison, and earn a play-off spot! I want to see what Marvin Lewis does, does he go full strength? If it starts gettting out of hand, let the back-ups play. Honestly, I´m pretty excited, if the Bengals win today, it will be the first time since 2005 that they´ve been to the playoffs.

The last bowl game this week features the first SEC team, in Kentucky, facing a battle tested Clemson team led by C.J. Spiller. (20th win)? Afterwards, Bowl Week 3 will be posted. Stick around folks!