Feeling a Draft? Overall, former Hawkeyes had a good few days at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Bryan Bulaga's performance drew generally positive reviews from observers, good enough that Kansas City is taking interest in him at #5. From Sports Illustrated:
Bulaga did not put up impressive numbers during the bench press or 40, but like Iupati, he was terrific when asked to showcase his football skills. The Hawkeye junior moved effortlessly about the field, displaying outstanding footwork, hand quickness and overall explosion. Bulaga looked more polished than people thought and is likely to move into the middle of Round 1.
Tony Moeaki ran the 40 in under 4.7 seconds, shuttled in at 11.86 seconds, and did other things that made Rittenberg's list of above-average performances. Pat Angerer also impressed by running faster than expected and showing (gasp!) that he can stay with receivers in a cover 2 zone defense. As long rumored with Angerer, there's an outside chance he ends up scrapping football for mixed martial arts; he told reporters before this season he was weighing his options.
Not so good at the combine was Dace Richardson, who couldn't break 5.7 seconds in the 40, completed only 19 reps on the bench press, and is now almost certain to go undrafted. Kyle Calloway also struggled with speed, because what you want from a lineman is the ability to run 40 yards in a straight line, just in case he's forced into duty as a wideout.
That's Two Straight Days with Women's Basketball. We're Pretty Much the Susan B. Anthony of Sports Blogs. After leading her Hawkeyes on a February charge to finish third in the conference and earn a bye in the Big Ten tournament this weekend, Iowa coach Lisa Bluder was named Big Ten Coach of the Year by the conference media. Iowa finished over .500 in conference play despite losing three players to injury early in the season and playing the conference campaign with only eight scholarship athletes.
The coaches also named guard Kachine Alexander to the conference's first team and all-defensive team. Guard Jaime Printy was named conference freshman of the year by both the media and coaches after averaging 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for the season.
LOLLET POINTS:
- Things are so bad for Indiana basketball that Friend of the Pants John Gasaway is figuring tempo-free conference stats both with and without the Hoosiers.
- UConn coach Randy Edsall, who was once allegedly under consideration for the Michigan job and recently criticized Connecticut high school coaches for not showing loyalty to his in-state program, had to be forced to take a tape of Amari Spievey. He then declined to offer a spot to Spievey because the cornerback "hadn't attended [UConn's] camps." That worked out well for them.
- Via Run Up the Score, Penn State punter Ryan Breen looked at next year's schedule, saw that he had to face Adrian Clayborn in Iowa City and, fearing for his safety, promptly quit the program. Can't blame the kid.
- Play4Brew is back, people, and very happy about Simoni Lawrence.
- We are all thrilled at the recent elevation of Roger Ebert from "film critic" to "larger-than-life figure on the modern American landscape," due in large part to the fact that Ebert has always been a fascinating character and superb writer. Will Leitch's post on his college days with Ebert is fantastic. Read it.