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Oakfield-Alabama grad Matt Novak on ESPN U

By Brian Hillabush

ESPN U was looking for a Syracuse student to talk with and test his knowledge on how the NCAA selects teams to play in the NCAA Tournament in March.

They picked a pretty knowledgeable freshman to talk with after Syracuse's loss to Villanova on Sunday. 

Oakfield-Alabama graduate Matt Novak was picked for the interview and knew how the process works. 

Novak was the "ultimate fan" of basketball while at Oakfield-Alabama, where he was the captain of the O-A Crazies, which is the school's student cheering section.

Novak's knowledge of sports has also been shown on Section 5 Talksback, where he has posted over 5,200 times and works as a moderator. 

The interview will appear on ESPN U either tonight or tomorrow night between 7 and 10 p.m.

Here is some video footage of the interview, which was taken by a friend. One of the guys stopping to get on camera during Novak's interview is Syracuse starter Arinze Onuaku.

 

Langston Walker and other NFL big men struggle

By Brian Hillabush

ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill has a very interesting piece on the Web site today that is well worth checking out.

Merrill talks with Buffalo Bills tackle Langston Walker about the difficulties that come with being an oversized NFL offensive lineman. 

 

It's Tuesday, an off day for the Bills, and Walker wants to demonstrate a few things he can't have as an NFL big man. He pulls into a car dealership and says he wants to drive a Mini Cooper. After a couple of laughs and nervous looks, he shoehorns himself into the car, pushes the seat all the way back, and turns the ignition. It is not a flattering -- or comfortable -- ride.

 

The 6-foot-8, 366-pound 29-year old is in his second season with the Bills.

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