Sports Today: Cavaliers lose Bogut, Reds add a bat, Dayton tournament odds and OSU spring football

Welcome to the first day of Ohio State spring football practice. We'll have more on that later in the day, but for now here's what else is happening around the sports world today. 

Remember how we were intrigued by the way the Cleveland Cavaliers were loading up for another NBA championship run?

Well, one of the big pieces is already out as Andrew Bogut broke a bone in his leg.

He might still return by the end of the playoffs.

Nonetheless, LeBron James still has newcomers Deron Williams, Derrick Williams and Kyle Korver to go with notable holdovers Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.

They are also looking to get back Kevin Love and J.R. Smith from injury soon.

Meanwhile, LeBron doesn’t have the market cornered on complaining about this team.

Isaiah Thomas reportedly had some issues with the way the Boston Celtics roster was being deployed as the team, which figures to be one of the toughest challenges (if there is one) for the Cavs in the Eastern Conference, was losing to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night…

Speculation on Thad Matta's future with Ohio State probably won't be completely put to rest until he or the school make an official statement, but Yahoo Sports reported Monday night the long-time Buckeyes mentor won't retire following this season.

Pat Forde writes:

Matta, whose Buckeyes appear headed for a second straight season without an NCAA tournament bid, has been considered a candidate to retire. Back issues have plagued the 49-year-old for years, and the combination of physical discomfort and declining returns led to speculation that he may be ready to walk away. However, a well-connected industry insider said flatly Monday night that the Ohio State job "is not going to open."

I don’t think anyone expected Matta to be fired this year, but the physical issues have been behind a lot of speculation about his career ending sooner than later...

David Jablonski wrote about why Archie Miller's Dayton Flyers are favorites to win the Atlantic 10 tournament, but what are their national championship odds?

Bovada still has them behind an old rival but ahead of some name programs in odds updated yesterday...

The Reds didn't play yesterdaybut they made some news.

The team designated struggling reliever Jumbo Diaz for assignment and picked up Christian Walker, a first baseman/outfielder who was briefly with Atlanta after spending the rest of his pro career in the Orioles organization.

My initial thought was he profiled a bit like Adam Duvall as an older prospect who has shown some pop but not done anything in the majors, but Duvall’s numbers were somewhat significantly better in Triple-A.

Nonetheless, it never hurts to have another power bat in the organization...

As for the Buckeyes, some of the first practice of the year was open for observation this morning.

A few nuggets have already emerged:

  • An OSU spokesman confirmed quarterback J.T. Barrett will be a captain again this fall, making him the first three-time captain in the history of the program that began in 1890.
  • Offensive lineman Kyle Trout is still working out with Ohio State this spring… even though he plans to join Luke Fickell's Cincinnati Bearcats for the fall after graduating.
  • Former Ohio State and Cleveland Browns receiver Brian Hartline is working with the team as an intern.
  • Outside the program, there is a report former Buckeye and Middletown standout Jalin Marshall is facing a suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

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