If he throws the ball straight then the tournament condition or any other condition will not matter. Watching anyone shoot 120s no matter the venue is not entertainment.

Huh?  Who said TO throws the ball straight.  The guy has some game.  He's been working with Mark Baker and he's probably a better bowler than most of us bowling nut jobs, lol.

T.O is actually not bad. He hooks the ball and throws it with 2 fingers so this shot will be extremely tough for him unless his cover/layout combo is right. Im sure Mark baker and everyone coaching him have him stuff drilled for this kinda thing. I know ill be tuning in to see how it turns out but odds are it wont be pretty for 81 tomorrow..

It would be much better for the USBC for Owens to have a bad set than a good set . . but the idea that they would put a special shot down for him, in a tournament where thousands of dollars are on the line is one of the most ridiculous conspiracy theories I've ever heard.  Sorry, but that's the truth. 

Not sure he's the best to promote the sport...  Sort of like Rodman visit N. Korea....

However if they want to do it on their own, and not self-promote, more power to them....  And best of luck!

TO actually had a pretty good showing during the PBA League and also during the Chris Paul celebrity tournament earlier this year.  He looked better than the other celebrities and can definitely hook it.  I'm thinking he could surprise everyone and may do fairly well.

Agreed. TO has a hell of a lot better balance and form compared to some of the other celebrity bowlers; hell, better balance and form than a lot of those going to the USBC tournament altogether!

But let's not let his celebrity status be the tale of the tape. TO is in the tournament, which means that he had to have bowled in league over the past two years to qualify. His stats should be searchable at bowl.com, so you should find out all you need to know about his game there.

I suspect he'll do average for the tournament (average being relative to his game).

BL.

Not to hijack or derail the topic but ex NFL Washington Redskins player Fred Smoot has an awesome physical game and a legit 215-220 avg.  T.O. is the ultimate competitor and really seems to enjoy the game.  He has a lot of transferable talents, such as natural timing, and with the right coaching I think he can be quite a player.

  He will be a great ambassador to our sport and I think we as bowlers should really drop the attitudes and be more welcoming to any outside influence.  This is a man who is legitamately trying to get better, enjoys, and most of all RESPECTS the game.  Go T.O.

P.S. he does use his thumb, with an extreme wrist cup.  His span is in the 5 7/8 range.

After 3 opens in the game I'm watching now, TO switched to an Enigma after starting with the Oath.  Since then, he is still having a rough go.  He just isn't picking up his spares.

But, his form actually looks pretty good.