Potentially lost to readers of The Daily Eastern News sports section is just how important Panther coaches play in enabling journalists to come up with and write stories. After all, The News’ sports writers end up calling coaches day or night to try to get information on opponents, possible outcomes, opinions on upcoming contests and thoughts on a player’s performance.

These interviews can lead to some interesting quotes. Many of the statements are factual, but there is a fair share of statements coming from a coach the journalist knows are incorrect like the teasing “I thought the team played hard tonight, we just happened to lose by 30-points.”

These quotes, both the truthful and ones that stray, seem to get overlooked at Eastern. However, on the national scene there is an ESPN original show called “Around the Horn” which has a segment to dissect bold quotes from athletes and coaches.

For those familiar with “Around the Horn” think of the “Buy or Sell” segment; but for those who aren’t regular watchers, here is a brief introduction: “Around the Horn” is a show of competitive banter pitting four writers from all over the United States to debate topics.

As I mentioned before, the “Buy or Sell” segment deals mainly with quotes and the panelist either “buys” or “sells” the statement. Because Eastern sports receive no love from the national media, let’s play our own game of “Around the Horn” winter sports style.

First quote!

Swimming head coach Ray Padovan in Tuesday’s edition of The News said, “I think the men have a good shot (at winning the Midwest Classic Championship). I’m never going to say we’re going to win, but we are strong.”

This is a must buy. The men haven’t lost a meet since October and have won seven matches in the row. The trio of freestylers Rich Wahlgren, Tom Watson and Bill Senese have been outstanding all season long, and I expect more of the same in Indianapolis, Ind. Throw in Tyson Beaman and Chad Croucher in the breaststroke events and the Panthers will be nearly impossible to beat.

Next quote!

Football head coach Bob Spoo in the January 28th edition of The News said, “Andre (Raymond) is a multi-back who can line up in the backfield as well as at the receiver position. If a (NFL) team needs a guy like that, they’ll consider Andre.”

Sell. While Raymond had a solid career at Eastern not many backs from Division I-AA schools who rush for 600 yards their senior year make it to the NFL. If the XFL was still in business, Raymond would make a fine kick returner for the Chicago Enforcers, but I don’t see him playing one position, yet alone multi, in the NFL.

Next quote!

Track and Field head coach Tom Akers in the February 4th edition of The News said, “I have not witnessed a faster (women’s) runner here at Eastern than Alicia (Harris).”

Buy, buy, buy. After serving as an assistant coach from 1983-90 and then coming back to Eastern to take the head coaching job five years ago, he has certainly seen talented runners but none like Harris. Only a junior, the Wheaton North graduate is already rewriting the Eastern record books. Through four meets this season she has broken school records in the 200-meter, 400-meter (twice) and 600-meter. Don’t expect Harris to let up any time soon as she looks to win her first Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championship later this month.

Next quote!

Baseball head coach Jim Schmitz in the February 10th edition of The News said, “We have a lot of new people and we’re more excited (about playing baseball) now then in the summer or fall. One nice thing about this time of year is that everyone thinks they can go to the World Series.”

Buy. After last season’s difficult 13-inning loss to Murray State in the OVC Tournament ended the Panthers year, I was concerned how motivated Eastern would be. However, that is not the case as a hungry and excited revamped roster will hit the diamond in a few weeks. I don’t see Eastern heading to the College World Series but the Panthers will be a tough team to beat in the OVC.

Last quote!

Basketball head coach Rick Samuels in the January 21st edition of The News said, “Right now I am looking forward to getting on the road. We’ve been struggling here (Lantz Arena) and maybe when we get on the road we can concentrate more on basketball.”

Sell. Maybe I should get a technical foul for knowing the outcome of this statement, but this quote raised a red flag for me when it was first printed. Frustrated after a one-point home loss to Tennessee State a few days earlier, Samuels muttered this forgettable quote in what has turned out to be a forgettable season for Panther basketball. As it turned out, Eastern went winless on the four game trip Samuels was “looking forward” to.

Well that’s going to do it for Eastern “Buy or Sell” see you next time.