Mark

Husband, Father, Teacher, Coach, CLE Sports Fan, Aspiring to be considered just a decent golfer

[Mark @mrlouks]

@CoachCully_UF So true in any profession and you can tell Macdonald wasn’t just saying that because of the camera being there!

[Ryan Whitnable @OACBBallShow]

Final from Chicago

Otterbein (23-5) 57
UW-Platteville (18-10) 52

@Otterbein_MBB  moves on to the 2nd Round in Chicago!

#d3hoops

[Otterbein Basketball @Otterbein_MBB]

🔴⚪️ For the first time since 2002, @Otterbein_MBB is going dancing. The Cardinals will face UW-Platteville in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament this weekend‼️

[Ryan Whitnable @OACBBallShow]

Redlands up 27 at the under 4 timeout.

Congratulations to @Otterbein_MBB. They will be at-large selection #21 and the 64th team into the NCAA Tournament.

The OAC will have 3 teams in this tournament (Mount Union, Heidelberg).

#d3hoops

[Mark @mrlouks]

@OACBBallShow In recent history, has there been many circumstances where 3 teams from a conference have made the tournament? Have to think Mount is still is lock to get in with their high ranking prior to the Berg loss.

[Mark @mrlouks]

@ZachFleer270 I’m pretty sure this was the year that the Central district decided to only seed the top-12 (less in the other divisions) and then everyone remaining was in “lottery” for who would go next, no matter their record.

[Mark @mrlouks]

@TheHoopCentral @kgenter4 always picked him in 2012

[Mark @mrlouks]

@kgenter4 @daltoosh I took the exact OPPOSITE approach on 15 than he did! A par after terrible shots would have been fantastic.

[Mark @mrlouks]

@CoachCully_GW Where are you?!? That cobblestone wall is magical!

[Mark @mrlouks]

@aseverosu Love the look. I imagine live will be great. I just pray they don’t wear gray at home, because it might be tough on the eyes while watching on tv.

[Mark @mrlouks]

@OSUHoopsInsider So do you think that this was anticipated by the staff?

[Mark @mrlouks]

@OSUHoopsInsider If grades in fact were a factor, wouldn’t OSU have known that prior to him graduating and enrolling early? I feel like this is something that could have been monitored (and maybe it was).

[Drew Talley @DrewTalley2]

Ten games into my senior year at Mississippi State — about a month into the season — and I still hadn’t pitched. The previous year, I logged only 4 innings. I spent the entire fall and most of the spring preseason dealing with an injury, and quiet frankly walking on thin ice on even staying on the team, if you’re not able to be productive in any way you’re gone, that’s how the SEC works, & I knew everything would have to go perfectly for me to even have a shot.

This is something young players at any level should pay attention to: what to do when you’re not playing much — and how to handle it.

During that time, I worked relentlessly. Every day, I prepared like my opportunity was coming tomorrow. I knew that when my name was called, I needed to be ready — not just ready to pitch, but ready to prove I belonged in the SEC.

Then it happened. We were up 19–2 at Tulane in the 9th inning. They told me to get hot. I treated it like Game 7 of the World Series. I went out there, went 3 up, 3 down, 3 strikeouts. My stuff was sharp.

After the game, Coach made a comment in the team meeting about how locked in I looked. He noticed. And that was all I needed.

Fast forward 24 hours — we’re in a 4–4 game in the 7th, bases loaded, two outs. He puts me in. Surprised? Maybe others were. I wasn’t. I had been preparing for this moment for two years.

I got to a 1-2 count and I got a flyout to right. From that point on, I went on to lead the team in ERA and appearances out of the bullpen. It became the best season of my career.

The takeaway: always be ready. You don’t know when your shot will come. But when it does, you can’t afford to be surprised. You’ve got to be prepared — mentally, physically, emotionally — like it’s the opportunity you’ve been waiting your whole life for.

If I hadn’t been locked in during that 19–2 game and shown Coach what it meant to me, I may have never gotten another chance.

Make the most of yours. If you’re not there yet, don’t give up. Keep showing up. Stay ready. Your moment’s coming. I’ll attach a few clips of the game that changed my career.

[Mark @mrlouks]

@APrescott614 I’m as out as the guy in the white.

[Mark @mrlouks]

@APrescott614 Shocked they didn’t call timeout, but that shows the trust Sampson has in his team. Didn’t need a timeout to go over something they probably preach and practice all the time.

[Mark @mrlouks]

@APrescott614 And it’s in Indianapolis. Not even the West region matchup.

[Mark @mrlouks]

@brentcford No better place for a high school game!

[Mark @mrlouks]

@aseverosu 😂😂😂

[Mark @mrlouks]

@chubby_demigod_

[Mark @mrlouks]

@aseverosu It’s such a confusing time. I feel like there is not one set that they go to when they need a basket. It seems chaotic and unorganized at the most important time.