Martin Rickman
Jan 23, 2009 May 31, 2012 1216 5625
I'm a graduate of Wake Forest University with an English degree, minor in Journalism. I wrote for the school's paper the Old Gold and Black the whole time I was at school, covering every sport from Cross Country to Golf, but senior year I had the privilege of following the football and basketball teams.
I run the Wake site Blogger So Dear, but I also write on the regional SB Nation Cleveland site as well.
Follow me on Twitter @MartinRickman
website: Blogger So Dear
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Fourth Pick In The 2012 NBA Draft Will Say A Lot About Cavs' Future
by Martin Rickman on May 31, 2012 11:51 AM EDT
on SB Nation Cleveland
Cheyenne Woods, who turned pro earlier this month after graduating from Wake Forest, will make her debut next week at the Wegmans LPGA Championship in Pittsford, N.Y. She was given a sponsor's exemption into the tournament.
Woods had an outstanding career at Wake Forest, winning twice, and setting the school record for lowest career scoring average of 73.71. This past season she averaged 73.69, the fourth best in school history.
Wake Forest Will Face UConn In First Round Of Paradise Jam
by Martin Rickman on May 26, 2012 10:58 AM EDT
in Wake Forest Basketball
on Blogger So Dear
It's never too early to talk about basketball, and we have our first bit of schedule-related news in awhile. The Demon Deacons, part of a balanced field in the Paradise Jam from Nov. 16-19, will be taking on the UConn Huskies in the first round, according to Hearst Connecticut Huskies beatwriter Kevin Duffy.
#UConn and Wake Forest will meet in opening round of 2012 Paradise Jam
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) May 26, 2012
Wake's entry into the tournament in the Virgin Islands will be an early-season test for an extremely young bunch which includes seven freshmen. The Demon Deacons return four players after Anthony Fields, Tony Chennault and Carson Desrosiers made the decision to transfer at the end of the 2011-12 season.
Connecticut has undergone a lot of attrition of its own, with Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb in the NBA Draft and Roscoe Smith, Alex Oriakhi and Michael Bradley transferring. The team is also ineligible for the postseason.
The Demon Deacons and the Huskies have played twice, in 1969 and 1991.
The rest of the Paradise Jam field includes George Mason, Iona, Mercer, New Mexico, Quinnipiac and UIC.
Here Are Some College Conferences As Liquor Brands
by Martin Rickman on May 24, 2012 3:49 PM EDT
on Blogger So Dear
Ed. Note: With all the exciting rumors and deck chair shuffling amongst the college conferences, it's hard not to need a drink. That's why we brought on guest blogger Colin Vance, who decided to share with us each of the college conferences as different liquor brands.
You can find each of them after the jump. Do you agree/disagree? What are your choices for booze and college analogies? Are there any glaring errors or omissions?
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I'm Done With Conference Realignment. I'm Done With Florida State. I'm Done With All Of It.
by Martin Rickman on May 22, 2012 3:52 PM EDT
in Wake Forest Football
on Blogger So Dear
With the latest round of rumors anointing Florida State and Clemson to the Big 12, Virginia Tech to the SEC (again) and Wake Forest set to join a Tupperware club, I can't help but wonder how we got here in the first place.
People will pay money to watch a group of talented people play a game.
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Chris Perez Is Part Right, Part Wrong When It Comes To Cleveland Indians Fans
by Martin Rickman on May 22, 2012 11:25 AM EDT
on SB Nation Cleveland
We talk about conference realignment a lot. Pretty much every day. It's become the third sport of college football, right after recruiting. But how do we figure out who's winning it?
Here's an attempt at assigning a Realignment Value to every school in or close to joining FBS, so we can figure out exactly which conferences are winning (and by how much) and how big the remaining moves are.
What's Your College Football Program Worth? Introducing Realignment Value Rankings - SBNation.com
Wake gets slotted in at 69th, which honestly isn't bad. Usually we see the Deacs in the 80s-90s when these kinds of lists come out, so to see them valued at higher means that the substantial investments have paid off -- if only a little bit.
Hey Cool Wake Forest Is Playing Nebraska In The Big Ten/ACC Challenge Again
by Martin Rickman on May 15, 2012 10:58 AM EDT
in Wake Forest Basketball
on Blogger So Dear
Did you guys hear the great news? Wake Forest and Nebraska put on such a good show last time that the world wants to see them play again. That's right, the Demon Deacons and the Cornhuskers will be squaring off in a battle for intergalactic power at the Joel on November 27.
This worked out well last time as it was on the road and was likely was the Deacs' best road win last year. So that's neat. Maybe Wake will be able to win again against the starch-loving midwesterners.
We will all be anxiously awaiting this ESPN3 telecast, so after the jump let's talk about some things that are less exciting than Nebraska-Wake Forest Part Deux.
Conference Realignment Is Stupid, Let's Just Start Over
by Martin Rickman on May 14, 2012 10:41 PM EDT
in Wake Forest Football
on Blogger So Dear
This conference realignment thing has gotten out of control. There's no loyalty. Cash is king. Prior rivalries are torn apart, and fans have misgivings about what actually matters more - on-field performance or how much money a team gets out of its third-tier TV games.
So let's just start over.
Why even bother having conferences as they are in the first place? Why try to maintain something that clearly no one cares about?
It's time for a college football draft. Line up the conferences, and give them picks. The SEC can pick first because they are the best, then the Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-10, ACC, Big East and others. If programs are really worth as much as they think they are, they'll get picked early.
More after the jump...
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"I played and contributed as an underlassman, but I continued to work hard to get better every year," Visser said. "My senior year, there was an opportunity for me to be more of a go-to player, and I was able to take advantage of it because of the work I’d put in (previously). Big men tend to blossom late. In high school, I improved between my junior and senior year and I did in college as well."
That firsthand knowledge of how big men develop is the inspiration behind the first annual Kyle Visser Big Man Camp for players ages 11-18, which will be held July 16-18 at MVP Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids (Note: See the flyer at the bottom of this post or follow the link for details and to register.).
"I chose to work with big men for this camp because it’s what I’m most comfortable teaching," Visser said. "I understand how big men develop and grow into their own body later than guards do. We’re really going to stress and teach the fundamentals of post play — footwork, defensive strategies, playing with your back to the basket. There’s only so much we can do in a three-day camp, but we’re going to try to make it as valuable and informative as possible."
Visser plans to make his camp an annual event and wants to see it grow and expand each year.
It's Time To Pay Attention To The Cleveland Indians
by Martin Rickman on May 8, 2012 3:54 PM EDT
on SB Nation Cleveland
The least well kept secret in the college transfer world is out.
Former Wake Forest guard Tony Chennault will announce his transfer to Villanova today.
"Tony is happy to be back in the Philly area close to his mom and family," Neumann Goretti assistant John Mosco told SNY.tv.
The Jets were one of two teams whose headquarters Bush visited before the draft. During the visit, coach Rex Ryan hinted, in one way or another, that he just might be wearing a Jets uniform this season.
"I definitely knew there was interest," Bush said with a smile.
The Jets gave away their fourth- and fifth-round picks, but when the 187th pick came up in the sixth round, they called Bush’s name. "I felt like I was the first pick of the draft," said Bush, who signed his four-year rookie deal Sunday. "It was a great feeling."
The 49ers right guard battle is shaping up to be one of the most interesting of the preseason. There has been some discussion of Alex Boone and Anthony Davis potentially getting some preseason work at guard, but I would not be surprised if the 49ers were hoping Daniel Kilgore or Joe Looney took firm control of the right guard position.
Martin Rickman, managing editor of BSD, took a few minutes to discuss some of Looney's strengths and weaknesses as he prepares to enter the NFL. Thanks to Martin for taking a few minutes to discuss Looney.
We don't know if concussions have anything to do with Junior Seau's death, but we do know that adjusting to life after football isn't easy.
And, personally, I know that concussions changed my life.
Death Of A Football Player: Loss Of Junior Seau Raises Many Questions - SBNation.com
I wrote about Junior Seau -- and myself -- for dot-com.
28 days ago
Martin Rickman
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Death Of A Football Player: Loss Of Junior Seau Raises Many Questions
"Coach Grobe is just such a great guy to talk to,’’ Spanos said. "I’ve had a lot of scouts comment to me what a great guy he is. He’ll take the time to come up to you during practice and talk. Some coaches you talk to and you get the feeling they’re just giving you the company line. But when coach Grobe is talking to you, you can tell he’s really genuine and he’s real authentic, which is appreciated by all us scouts.
"So it’s known among league circles, and scout circles as one of the best visits for that reason.’‘
Indians Drop Jose Lopez, Add Johnny Damon To Roster
by Martin Rickman on May 1, 2012 4:18 PM EDT
on SB Nation Cleveland
After spending the last week training in Goodyear, Ariz., Johnny Damon was set to join the team on Tuesday, and a move needed to be made. Unfortunately for Jose Lopez, he was the most expendable party, and the infielder will be released, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Damon, 38, adds much-needed outfield depth on the heels of Shelly Duncan's recent slump. The left-handed hitter spent last season with Tampa Bay, batting .261 with 16 home runs and a .743 OPS. Damon agreed to an incentive-laden contract that will pay him a base salary of $1.25 million this year.
Lopez will be free to join any team that will have him. He was batting .190 in 21 at-bats for the Indians this season.
As for a right-handed bat and/or answer at first base, that will have to come later, although with Matt LaPorta raking in AAA once again, it just might be time to kick the tires on the former ballyhooed prospect and centerpiece of the C.C. Sabathia deal.
Former Wake Forest Center Carson Desrosiers Transferring To Providence
by Martin Rickman on May 1, 2012 4:00 PM EDT
in Wake Forest Basketball
on Blogger So Dear
And another transfer has chosen his destination. Big man Carson Desrosiers is headed to Providence, according to Adam Zagoria. Desrosiers was also considering Vanderbilt and Oregon State.
Providence was putting on a full charge at Desrosiers as of a few weeks ago, and the hard work seems to have paid off, as the center will now be Big East bound.
In the story on ZagsBlog, Desrosiers said:
"Just committed to PC," he said by text. "I connected with Coach [Ed] Cooley instantly and everybody’s excited for the immediate future of PC basketball, including myself."
All three of Wake Forest's transfers after the 2011-12 season are close to finding new homes. Anthony Fields is transferring to Bradley, and Tony Chennault is reportedly close to landing at Villanova.
Desrosiers started 16 games for Wake Forest this season, averaging 4.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He showed promise at the tail end of the season, scoring 9.75 points per game in the final four regular season contests. Desrosiers was the only returning center for the Demon Deacons, and the team was hoping for a big jump between his sophomore and junior seasons.
The Deacs are currently bringing in seven new players, and will look to freshmen forwards Devin Thomas, Tyler Cavanaugh and Arnaud Moto, as well as center Andre Washington to shoulder the load in the post. Junior Travis McKie might also see time at the power forward position.
Wake Forest is also reportedly looking into bringing in an eighth player to shore up post depth, most likely in the form of a post-graduate or JuCo.
Deacon Dump 5/1: Wake Forest In The NFL Draft And More
by Martin Rickman on May 1, 2012 10:35 AM EDT
in Wake Forest Football
on Blogger So Dear
This weekend was a busy one, with Wake Forest seeing four players selected on day three of the NFL Draft (Chris Givens, Kyle Wilber, Joe Looney and Josh Bush), the baseball team being swept by BC, Jim Grobe shedding some light on the depth chart after spring practices and more.
Click through the jump to get caught up on the latest news in Demon Deacon sports.
Comings and Goings: Overviewing Changes in the ACC - Testudo Times
Wake Forest Demon Deacons: losing 49% of minutes, 49% of points, 47% of rebounds, 56% of assists, 46% of steals, 83% of blocks, 27% of three-pointersLast Year: 13-18, 4-12 in ACCLosing: eminently forgettable Nikita Mescheriakov, troublesome Ty Walker, point guard Tony Chennault (transfer), promising-but-underachieving big man Carson Desrosiers (transfer), and reserve point guard Anthony Fields (also, transfer)Key Returnees: ultra-productive senior guard C.J. Harris (16.7), ultra-productive junior forward Travis McKie (16.1, 7.0), reserve center Daniel Green (1.4), and ... uh, that's itAdditions: *deep breath* Codi Miller-McIntyre, 6-1 four-star PG; Arnaud Adala Moto, 6-6 four-star SF; Tyler Cavanaugh, 6-8 three-star PF; Aaron Rountree, 6-7 three-star SF; Devin Thomas, 6-8 three-star PF; Andre Washington, 6-10 three-star C; Madison Jones, 6-1 three-star PGPotential Lineup: Codi Miller-McIntyre (6-1 fr.) / C.J. Harris (6-3 sr.) / Arnaud Adala Moto (6-6 fr.) / Travis McKie (6-7 jr.) / Daniel Green (6-10 jr.)Total Recruiting Stars: 36 (t-8th in ACC)Average Experience: 1.64 (12th in ACC)Summary: For real, Jeff Bzdelik? Absolute disaster of a first season, mass exodus of players, then absolute disaster of a second season, mass exodus of players ... this isn't a good survival strategy, y'know. Winston-Salem will be a lonely place next year. Not that there isn't some good stuff on this roster; Harris and McKie could find minutes on any roster in the conference, and I'm a huge fan of Miller-McIntyre. Problem is, if you're gonna build a team around three players, they better be future NBAer good, and that's just not these three. If the Deacons are lucky, guys like Adala Moto and Rountree will show up better than expected and will be able to provide some much-needed depth. But I can't see a single position that improved on last year's team. Given that last year's team was pretty awful, that's not a good sign.The good news, Wake fans: that'd mean no more Bz!
Read this. Seriously, read it. It's good.
Wake Forest In Hot Pursuit Of SG Kameron Williams
by Martin Rickman on Apr 28, 2012 8:47 PM EDT
in Wake Forest B-Ball Recruiting (2012-13)
on Blogger So Dear
Ah, the albatross. Moby Dick. The great white buffalo. The elusive pure shooter. Wake has been searching for one since the departure of Justin Gray, but has as of yet had no success. That might change, however, if the Demon Deacons can land Baltimore, Maryland native Kameron Williams in the class of 2013.
The 6'2 shooting guard from Mt. St. Joseph High School plays AAU ball with Baltimore Elite and has been tearing up the nets at the Nike EYBL.
Click through for more info on the electric scorer...
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2012 NFL Draft Roundup: Wake Forest DB Josh Bush To The New York Jets
by Martin Rickman on Apr 28, 2012 4:42 PM EDT
in Wake Forest Football
on Blogger So Dear
And that makes four. With the 17th pick of the sixth round, 187th overall, the New York Jets have selected Wake Forest safety Josh Bush. Bush blossomed after making the move from cornerback to safety and had a very productive senior season for the Demon Deacons.
The defensive back met with the Jets last week, who obviously had to have been impressed with the young man's track record and composure.
Click through the jump for a quick scouting report and a few notes on Josh Bush...
2012 NFL Draft Leaves The Cleveland Browns With Plenty Of Flexibility
by Martin Rickman on Apr 26, 2012 3:09 PM EDT
on SB Nation Cleveland
VIDEO: Chris Givens 2012 NFL Draft Profile
by Martin Rickman on Apr 26, 2012 12:33 PM EDT
in Wake Forest Football
on Blogger So Dear
Here's the latest YouTube Wake Up Call, this time on wide receiver Chris Givens, who is projected as a second or third round pick in this year's NFL Draft. Plenty of teams are looking for help at WR, and Givens fits the bill as a No. 2 or in the slot with his ability to create separation, run crisp routes and burn as a deep threat.
Givens finished the 2011 season with 83 catches, 1330 yards and nine touchdowns, but ended the season on a sour note after a less than inspiring performance in the Music City Bowl loss to Mississippi State, after which he declared for the NFL Draft, citing a third-round grade.
While he still needs to work on consistency, focus and blocking, the junior has the potential to be a steal after the top targets (Justin Blackmon, Stephen Hill, Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, etc.) are off the board.
As always, comments and your predictions for where Givens will end up are appreciated.
Wake Forest Transfer Tony Chennault Likely Landing At Villanova
by Martin Rickman on Apr 25, 2012 1:20 PM EDT
in Wake Forest Basketball
on Blogger So Dear
It isn't official yet, but it's looking like the Philly guard will be coming home. Wake Forest sophomore Tony Chennault is reportedly close to transferring to Villanova.
The Wildcats, fresh off landing Dylan Ennis from Rice on Tuesday, are still trying to put the pieces together after losing top two scorers Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns to the pros.
The former Wake Forest point guard started 31 games in the 2011-12 season, averaging nine points and 2.8 assists per game. He was one of a trio of transfers, including Anthony Fields and Carson Desrosiers. While Fields has since transferred to Bradley, it is still unknown where Desrosiers will end up, although both Providence and Vanderbilt have been listed.
Wake Forest will have two freshmen battling for minutes at the point guard spot, with highly-touted Codi Miller-McIntyre joined by recently signed Madison Jones from Ravenscroft High School. Returning players C.J. Harris and Chase Fischer could also add depth at the one, if needed.
For Chennault, a move to Villanova would give him a chance to be closer to his family and earn playing time on a team that is very guard-oriented.
My Take on Wake - Interview with Jeff Bzdelik: Part I | JournalNow.com
MTOW: As we sit here on April 11, 2012, how do you assess the status and direction of the Wake Forest basketball program?Jeff Bzdelik: Our foundation has been established, without compromising our values. We are in a great place right now. I’m excited. We have a group of young men who bleed black and gold. They’re committed. The (Academic Progress Rate) is strong. I’m excited.MTOW: Is post-season play a realistic goal for next season?JB: Yes.MTOW: Is NCAA Tournament play a realistic goal?JB: I believe so.
Amidst Transfers, Jeff Bzdelik And Wake Forest Struggling To Maintain Order
by Martin Rickman on Mar 26, 2012 2:57 PM EDT
in Wake Forest Basketball
on Blogger So Dear
With Wake Forest down to four returning scholarship players after three players decided to leave the program last week, the program is at a crossroads.
Head coach Jeff Bzdelik is 21-42 with five ACC wins in two seasons as head coach and has now seen eight players walk out the door, either by transfer or dismissal.
Freshman Anthony Fields and sophomores Carson Desrosiers and Tony Chennault have defected, with Fields citing playing time and Chennault speculated to want to move close to home due to an illness in the family.
Senior C.J. Harris, fresh off being named third-team All-ACC, is committed to finishing his career with the Demon Deacons and is supportive of Bzdelik as head coach.
"C.J. is definitely behind Coach Bzdelik," one source said. "He wants to win at Wake Forest and is a little upset with those players who are leaving the program."
Sources close to the situation have said that Desrosiers was unhappy with the direction of the program and that a number of players have indicated as such to the administration. In all public communications, Wake Forest Athletic Director Ron Wellman is standing by Bzdelik, who was hired after Dino Gaudio was removed with a 61-31 record in three seasons.
At the time, Wellman said, "There was a significant decline in every statistical category from February on ... and even more significant in the postseason."
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Of the 10 players on the first two offensive-line units to take the field in Saturday's first scrimmage of the spring, only junior center Garrick Williams had ever started a game. The Deacons lost four starters from last season to graduation, and coach Jim Grobe said Saturday that Steven Chase, a sophomore tackle who started three games last season, has been dismissed from the team for a violation of an unspecified university policy.
The starters Saturday were redshirt freshman Dylan Heartsill at left tackle, junior Gabe Irby at left guard, Williams at center, redshirt freshman Daniel Blitch at right guard and redshirt freshman Colin Summers at right tackle. Himebauch said that redshirt freshman Antonio Ford would most likely have started at left guard if not for a sprained ankle.
The second team was made up of junior Ramon Booi, a converted defensive tackle, at left tackle, freshman Cody Preble at left guard, sophomore Whit Barnes at center, freshman Dylan Intemann at right guard and sophomore Devin Bolling at right tackle.
POLL: Is Jeff Bzdelik Doing A Good Job At Wake Forest?
by Martin Rickman on Mar 23, 2012 11:28 PM EDT
on Blogger So Dear
Easy question. Yes or no.
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