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I've been on a big Fleetwood Mac kick lately, so enjoy something from the "Rumours" album as you go through today's links.
On The Ice: Today is Big Ten Hockey media day, the first of its kind as the conference begins with six members, the minimum amount needed for inclusion into the NCAA. Preseason polls and players to watch were announced this morning. Penn State was picked to finish last and apparently we have no good players to watch this season. I can understand being ranked sixth out of six teams -- the Nittany Lions are going to take some lumps going up against national champion-caliber competition night in and night out -- but saying that the Eamon McAdams and Tommy Olczyks of the Lions roster aren't worth watching is pretty misguided.
On The Mat: FOX Sports had a feature on how Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson and his Iowa counterpart Tom Brands scheduled their non-conference duel meet for the coming season through Twitter after a conference dual meet was left off the schedule between the two teams for the first time since 1982. The story frames the meet and its importance not only in the collegiate sense, but also in the bigger picture as both coaches fought and won their battle of getting wrestling back into the Olympics for 2020.
I was never a big amateur wrestling fan growing up considering I played basketball during the winters while wrestling season was happening, but this Penn State team (and especially their rivalry with Iowa since Cael has gotten to Happy Valley) has certainly caused me to watch more wrestling over the past 5 years than I ever thought I would have. It's great to see coaches such as these two and many more being the faces for the sport.
On The Pitch: Senior forward Maya Hayes became the first Penn State women's soccer player in history to take home NSCAA Player of the Week honors this week for her performances against Bucknell, Oklahoma State and Tulsa where she collected four goals, including two-game winners, and an assist. You can read more about the team in yesterday's Pickin' Nits. Congrats, Maya!
On The Epee(?): Emmanuil Kaidanov's former fencers have come to his aid in an AP story released yesterday, saying that Coach K only wanted to find the truth. Kaidanov said he didn't have any thoughts of getting fired when the decision came down. A bit more information on what happened is given in the article. You can judge however you'd like.
On The Field: GoPSUSports has a Q&A with Christian Hackenberg after his first three starts as a collegiate quarterback.... As we discussed in the podcast, Kent State star Dri Archer is doubtful for this weekend's game... KSU starting left guard Pat McShane is also probably out for Saturday's game. DaQuan Jones is pleased... Penn State is looking into North Jersey's Defensive Player of the Year for a run-on spot at linebacker next year.
Around The University: Penn State's faculty surcharge on those who did not want to report medical history has been lifted after extreme pushback... WE'RE DISCOVERING RAPTORS -- JURASSIC PARK PART XII... A THON 2013 dancer is now fighting her own battle against cancer.
Around The World: An opinion piece on the wrongs of college football that doesn't include Penn State?... The mothership did a great story on recruiting and the rise of the FCS... See? Catfishing can happen to anyone... Bill C of the mothership traveled all through the Midwest's college football scene and then wrote about it.
More from Black Shoe Diaries:
- BSD Film Room: Passing Defense
- Pickin' Nits Is Trying To Be Faster Than My Effing iOS 7 Update
- Know Your Foe, Week 4: Kent State Golden Flashes
- Black Shoe Podcast - Penn State vs. Kent State - Episode 1.6
- Just the Stats: Penn State vs Kent State
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