Pittsburgh blocking Rushel Shell's transfer options

University of Pittsburgh running back Rushel Shell announced that he would be leaving the football program and transferring elsewhere. No one knows what Shell's plans were but the school is blocking any potential transfer to Arizona State, Arizona, or any ACC school.

I understand blocking a move to an ACC school since the Panthers will be leaving the Big East to join the ACC. Normally any school on a future schedule would be blocked but Arizona or Arizona State don't fit the description. The reasons why they're blocked is because the coaches at the schools have Pittsburgh connections.

Arizona State boss Todd Graham left Pittsburgh for Tempe after one season in the Steel city. So there is some animosity there. Graham and his staff recruited Shell and it was reported that Shell was leaning towards the Sun Devils. 

Current Pitt coach Paul Chryst has to sign off on the transfer, but won't do it if it's to Arizona or Arizona State. Arizona has former Pitt coaches on their staff so that's the reasoning behind that.

I could understand if he wanted to transfer within the conference and he could come back to haunt you. I would block that, but i don't understand why he won't let him go play for the coach that recruited him. I know it's like poaching but coaches do it all the time when they leave a school and are recruiting a player and said player ends up at the coach's new school. You think John Wall was actually going to Kentucky before John Calipari got there? Me neither.

Coaches have the freedom to leave any time without anyone blocking their path, let the kid go to where he wants to play.  

Howland interested in the Rutgers job

Former UCLA coach Ben Howland might be back on the sidelines real soon. Howland has indicated that he would be interested in the Rutgers job according to a report by CBS Sports' Gary Parrish.

While it would make sense for Rutgers to take an immediate upgrade, it might be a while since they'll be hunting for a new athletic director as well, since former AD Tim Pernetti resigned after coach Mike Rice was fired after a videotape aired of Rice cursing players out and throwing basketballs at their heads.

Howland has been known to recruit New York City well so he could be a favorite of university boosters. If I was the president I would've made this hire yesterday.

Kevin Durant says Carmelo Anthony can have the scoring title

In past years it was a big deal to win the  NBA scoring title. Anyone remember David Robinson winning it on the last day of the season with a 71 point effort?

Right now Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (28.4ppg) and New York's Carmelo Anthony (28.3ppg) rank one and two in scoring. Anthony is riding a hot streak right now but Durant is indifferent to winning another scoring title. He says Anthony can have the scoring title if he wants it.

"He can have it," Durant deadpanned to reporters. "I mean the stuff he's doing right now, every time he touches the ball it looks like it's going to go in. He's having a nice run right now and his confidence is high. I'm sure he's going to take over. If it happens, cool.”

“Don't get me wrong, I never want to take stuff like that for granted, but if it happens, it happens,” Durant said. “I'm just going to play my game. I'm not going to force it too much and think about it too much and try to get it. But if it's meant to be then it will happen.”

Looks like Durant is more concentrated on winning games and focused on trying to win a championship.

If Durant does hold on he would be the third player to win four scoring titles in a row. I'm sure he'll trade that for a Larry O'Brien trophy.

Josh Hamilton's wife needed security at Angels-Rangers game

Texas Rangers fans will never forgive Josh Hamilton for signing with the division rival Los Angeles Angels. Never mind the good years he had there, putting up monster numbers and helping them to two trips to the World Series. Hamilton is now the enemy.

The Angels are playing the Rangers this weekend and while it was expected that Hamilton would be lustily booed, the fans shouldn't target his family. Hamilton's wife, Katie, had to call security at The Ballpark in Arlington  before the start of Friday's game, which was the Rangers home opener.

“People were being ugly, not necessarily [just] booing,” Hamilton, the former Rangers star, said. “They were being inappropriate with kids around. And that was before the game even started.”

I can understand that you're frustrated with the way last season ended for the Rangers and it looked like Hamilton never gave Texas a chance to resign him but leave the wife and kids out of it. Hamilton took it in stride and seemed to be the bigger person in this ordeal.

“It was a good lesson for the kids,” Hamilton said. “People in general. Don't put your faith in man. Put your faith in the Man upstairs."

“It is what it is,” Hamilton said. “It's cool to get ragged on with normal things. But when you get a little swearing and jawing back at Katie, and people saying inappropriate things, it's a different story.” 

It's a good lesson but one they'll never forget because who knows what was said. Katie and the kids do plan on returning but will be in a suite for Saturday's game. Things have to go better than they did Friday.

Bernard King to be inducted to the Hall of Fame

Bernard King is finally going to get his rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Reports are indicating that the announcement will be made on Monday.

King is best known for his time with the New York Knicks, for whom he played from 1982-1987, a period during which he averaged 26.5 points per game. He began his career with the Nets in 1979 and finished it with them in 1993.

For his career, King averaged 22.5 points. He had a prolific 1984-85 season, averaging 32.5 points. He was was named to four All-Star Games.

King had been nominated six times.

I was lucky enough to watch King in his prime and have a lasting memory of him torching my hometown Detroit Pistons for 43 ppg in a 5 game series which the Knicks won.

Even though I'll never factor in a Hall of Fame voting, I've long been a supporter of King being in the Hall of Fame. 


It'll be nice to know that he'll finally get in.

Oakland U. poised to move from the Summit league to the Horizon league

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies reportedly will be moving from the Summit League to the Horizon League.


According to a report in the Green Bay Press Gazette, the Horizon League will soon announce that Oakland, currently a member of the Summit League, will switch to the Horizon, joining Detroit Mercy.

The move will make sense for them as their teams will no longer have to make long road trips to Kansas City and South Dakota and saves on travels costs.

No one has confirmed the move but Rob Demovsky reports that Oakland's move is "a done deal" and that current Horizon League member Illinois-Chicago will move on to the Missouri Valley Conference.

If this holds true it would give the Oakland basketball program a little more visibility and would spark a rivalry with Detroit Mercy.

Vladimir Guerrero signs with independent league team

The best bad ball hitter in baseball has found a place to play. Vladimir Guerrero has signed to play with the independent league's Long Island Ducks. 

I'm sure this isn't what Guerrero had in mind when he decided that he wanted to stay in the game, but it's fairly obvious that he loves baseball.

Guerrero was looking to land a minor league deal in hopes of latching on with a major league club this season. I'm sure he's looking to show he has something left and he'll attract some major league interest.

Guerrero was last seen trying to catch on with the Toronto Blue Jays, but left the team after he wasn't called up from the minors. He hasn't appeared in the majors since 2011.

If Guerrero shows he can still swing it maybe he could attract some interest from teams looking to add a bat off the bench. I have a feeling he won't quit trying until no one gives him a chance.