So yesterday was pretty awful. If you're living under a rock, two bombs detonated at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three and wounding at least 170 (figures as of this morning). Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this event, and hopefully whoever is responsible is detained and properly dealt with in a timely fashion. If you're looking for some inspiration, Celtics Blog has some chicken soup for the soul.
As with any national event of this magnitude, there's a Penn State side to the story. All nine current and former members of the Penn State Cross Country team and all 16 members of the State College-based Nittany Valley Running Club participating in the race made it out unscathed. Kevin Horne of Onward State has a full report and interview with Ryan Hogan, president of the PSU XC team.
In light of these events, Penn State is considering upping security for this weekend's Blue-White festivities. Wherever you are, stay safe out there.
The football is nigh: The Blue-White game is in four days, and as such there is a ton of great stuff from the Penn State blogosphere to get to: VBR has a write-up on the freshman to watch for on Saturday, OS looks at Bill O'Brien's 4th down tendencies, and TDC has an injury update.
Elsewhere in spring ball: The mothership has two features that are well worth your time if you have it--Jason Kirk went down to Kentucky to take in both Looahville's and UK's spring games, and Steven Godfrey visited the only part of Ohio that Urban Meyer has yet to conquer, where the Buckeyes just so happened to have held their spring scrimmage:
So OSU made it a point to announce it was hitting the Montgomery Inn and Skyline Chili, that the Buckeyes got a special tour of the Reds Museum, and that they even stopped by Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis' house. That's because this region is rich with BCS-level football talent, and for all its seemingly worldwide branding, OSU has yet to truly dominate recruiting it.
Shootyhoops news: Two Lady Lions were selected in this year's WNBA Draft--guard Alex Bentley (13th overall by the Atlanta Dream) and center Nikki Green (26th overall by the Phoenix Mercury), making them the first draftees from PSU since Tyra Grant in 2010. After a disappointing second-round exit in the NCAA tournament, it's nice to see two seniors able to continue their playing careers and make some money doing it. Congrats, ladies. For complete WNBA Draft coverage, check out SB Nation's Swish Appeal.
On the men's side, PSU assistant strength & conditioning coach Brandon Spayd was promoted to head S&C coach after Brad Pantall was relieved of his duties last week. Eric discussed some potential offseason coaching moves last week, and it looks like the first domino has fallen without too much hubbub. Now we wait and see on the future of Eugene Burroughs.
Elsewhere in the B1G, Michigan's follow-up campaign to an extremely successful 2012-13 season largely depends on the impending decisions of three players: Mitch McGary, Tim Hardaway Jr and Glenn Robinson III. Filling scholarships this late in the process (should those three decide to turn pro) is never easy, although John Beilein has a knack for finding diamonds in the rough.
Lightning round: Hopefully you're a fast proofreader.....NBC obtained the TV rights to the English Premier League this winter, and by God they're gonna do it big.....Big Blue View wouldn't mind seeing Mike Mauti in the Meadowlands.....THIS.....I realize I'm a little late with this, but Devon took home the 2013 BSD Bracket Challenge crown, thus negating any need for a prize that we have to disclose with the readership.....In personal soccer fandom news, my beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers host promotion candidates Hull City tonight. The Old Gold are in desperate need of three points as they sit 2nd-bottom in the league table and in real danger of a second successive relegation. Also, Arsenal host Everton on the TV at 2:30 if you need a reason to skip out of work.....RIP Mustard Tiger.
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