I'm right, you're wrong

NBA Pre-season Picks

2011-12-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

The NBA is back, with a short season that will really test some of the older teams in the NBA. So, lets take a quick look at it.

East:

1) Heat- I hate them, but they are good

2) Bulls-D Rose

3) Magic- Trying to get Dwight to stay... it will not work

4) Knicks- short season, they can score

5) Celtics- Old legs, they will take some days off

6) Pacers- I like them this year

7) Hawks- same old thing with them

8) 76ers- well coaches, nice young talent

Heat over 76ers in 5

Bulls over Hawks in 6

Magic over Packers in 6

Celtics over Knicks in 6

Heat over Celtics in 6

Bulls over Magic in 6

Bulls over Heat in 7

West:

1) Thunder- young legs

2) Mavs-Dirk

3) Lakers- Still have Kobe... not giving up on them

4) Clippers- CP3 n Blake

5) Spurs- one last chance

6) Memphis- nice young team

7) Denver-Better without Melo?

8) GS-Steph Curry.. young n run

Thunder over GS in 5

Mavs over Denver in 6

Lakers over Memphis in 6

Spurs over Clippers in 6

Thunder over Spurs in 6

Mavs over Lakers in 6

Thunder over Mavs in 6

Bulls over Thunder in 6

Just can't pick the Heat to win, hate them too much, but they should really.

MVP: Durant
Rookie of the Year: Derrick Williams
Most improved: DeAndre Jordan

Finals MVP: D Rose

I'm right, you're wrong.

Week 2 NFL Picks

2011-09-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

So, I was 9-7 after week 1, lets try to do better this week.

Detroit over KC 31-17

Bills over Oakland 21-17

Vikings over TB 17-14

Saints over Bears 31-24

Ravens over Titans 24-14

Colts over Browns 21-14

Jets over Jags 24-10

Steelers over Seattle 24-10

Washington over Cards 24-17

Packers over Panthers 31-17

Dallas over 49ers 24-14

Pats over Chargers 35-31

Texans over Miami 28-17

Denver over Cinci 24-14

ATL over Phil 28-24

Giants over Rams 24-10

I'm right, you're wrong.

Week 1 NFL Picks

2011-09-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

The NFL starts tonight! So time for my picks for the week 1

Packers over Saints 28-21

Falcons over Bears 24-14

Browns over Cinci 17-7

KC Over Bills 24-7

Phili Over Rams 35-31

Bucks over Lions 24-21

Titans over Jags 17-7

Ravens over Steelers 21-17

Texas over Colts 31-21

Giants over Skins 24-10

49ers over Seahawks 21-17

Chargers over Viks 28-10

Cards over Panthers 21-14

Jets over Dallas 24-17

Pats over Miami 31-10

Denver over Oakland 17-14

I'm right, you're wrong

My New College Football Conferences

2011-09-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

Teams are moving in and out of conferences, the Big 10 has 12 teams the Big 12 has 10, what will happen next? Well I have no idea, but this is what I would do if I ruled college sports. 4 16 team conferences, 8 teams in each conference, you play each team in your conference (7 games) three cross over games, so 10 conference games total, then two non conference games to get to 12 total regular season games. Then you would have conference title games, and bowl games, with a plus 1. The four conference champs would play each other in the semi finals, and then a title game would be played. The two non conference games, one would be a game against another team from a big 4 conference, and the other could be either a cup cake game or a game against the rest of the teams that would make up the MAC, Sun Belt, Conference USA, ect.

Note: I don't care what you call the divisions, east-west, north-south, as long as it isn't leaders and legends.

Big 10 (16)

Division 1:
PSU
Pitt
OSU
Michigan
MSU
Cincinnati
Indiana
Purdue

Division 2:
Ill
Missouri
Nebraska
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Northwestern
Iowa
Iowa State

SEC

Division 1:
Alabama
Auburn
Arkansas
LSU
Ole Miss
Mississippi State
Vanderbilt
South Carolina

Division 2:
Florida
Florida State
Miami FL
Georgia Tech
Clemson
Tennessee
Kentucky
Georgia

PAC 10 (16)

Division 1:
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
Washington
Washington State
Cal
USC
UCLA

Division 2:
Arizona
Arizona State
Utah
Colorado State
Colorado
Boise State
Kansas
Kansas State

Hart land Elite

Division 1:
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Baylor
TCU
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
BYU

Division 2:
West Virgina
Virgina
Maryland
Duke
UNC
NC State
Virgina Tech
Wake Forrest

Boston College Rutgers, Syracuse, South Florida Louisville and UCONN will join Conference USA, as Houston and UTEP move to the Mountain West. The other conference would stay the same, and can still play in bowl games, as could members of the main conferences that didn't make the title game. So the bowl system is still in tact, but you get a national champ, that earned it on the field. Thoughts? I'm right, you're wrong.

Collegee Football Picks

2011-09-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

College Football begins tonight, with a few games on TV, UNLV at Wisconsin on the mother-ship and Memphis vs Mississippi State on FSN, the game I care about is my Alma mater CMU and their now traditional home opener the Thursday night before Labor Day against a FCS school, this year South Carolina State is up, at 7pm. I look forward to all CMU football games, or sporting events for that matter, and the first game of the year is no different. CMU had a tough year last season, 3-9, and do have a hard schedule this year, I have total faith in Coach Dan Enos that the program will take a step forward this year, and continue to improve. I know most people don't care about CMU, and no one may care as much as I do, so I will quickly make my picks for their record, and then move on to the BCS conferences.

After the FCS start, CMU goes to Kentucky, To WMU and to MSU in 3 straight weeks before hosting MAC West favorite NIU. I will be honest, if they win one of those game, it will be good. I hope I'm wrong, but I think 6-6 is the best record the team can have this year.

Big Ten (12):

Nebraska joins the Big Ten this year and I believe their first year will be very successful. They do have a tough conference schedule with Wisconsin, PSU, Michigan and Minnesota as the road games, and MSU, OSU, Iowa, Northwestern at home, of course Minnesota is a gimme. Northwestern that crowd will be mostly Corn Husker red, Michigan is still a year or two away from really competing with a team like Nebraska, and I like them at PSU. At Wisconsin is the only game on their schedule that I think they could lose. But you know what, I'm going out on a limb and picking them to win it, and win the conference title.

Michigan I think 8-4 would be a good year for Brady Hoke. As usual they don't play away from home Until October, and one of those is in the state, and the other at Northwestern, where the stadium will be 50-50 at worse for them. That should help this team.

MSU- I like MSU, but the problem with them, is some of their fans that act like they are a elite football program, they are not, they haven't won a Rose Bowl since 1988. They do have a great running game, but they lost two great LB and have 4 new OL starters. They are not winning at OSU, at Nebraska or at home vs Wisconsin, and going to Notre Dame a week after I predict they lose to Michigan in the first night at the big house, I think ND beats them to and they finish 8-4 as well.

Notre Dame: Brian Kelly is a good football coach, he is a terrible human being, and I hope they lose all their games, but their schedule has some easy games to go with a few tough ones, so I see them going 8-4 as well.

SEC:

Alabama: Of course there are some tough games there but I really like this team and I think they can run the table. It is going to be really really tough, but I like them to go undefeated and win the SEC

South Carolina is my pick to win the East, then UGA, FL, Tenn, Kentucky, Vandy. In the West, Bama, Arkansas, LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss.

Pac-12:

Oregon: Love all the jerseys, love LaMichael James, only worry is if the NCAA sets in and gets them in trouble due to them paying a recruiting service 25,000 for 3 total reports, since he had ties to James, and some other players from Texas, but they get LSU early, when they have their guys out and USC at home. There is only one game they could lose IMO and that is at Stanford, but they lost too much and Andrew Luck can only do so much. I like USC to win the South Division, but since they can't, ASU will.

ACC:

Va Tech: Their schedule is laughable IMO. They are winning the ACC Coastal and will be undefeated going in to the ACC title game, where they will play FSU and lose to keep the ACC out of the BCS title game, which is good, because the conference isn't very good.

Big 12 (10) :

Oklahoma: At Free Shoe will not be a gimme but they are the better team and will win. Texas A&M and OK State are both overrated if you ask me, though at OK State the last game of the year could be very tough, and I like OK State to beat Oklahoma to keep them out of the BCS title game. Oklahoma will still win the Big 12 title however.

Big East:

West Virginia will win it, the rest of the league isn't very good. That's all

BCS Title game: Alabama beats Nebraska 24-21

Heisman winner: Trent Richardson RB Alabama

I'm so happy college football is here. I hope everyone is ready for a great fall. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL Picks... 1st addition

2011-07-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

It has been a slow day at work, so why not do some NFL picks. This most likely will change since it is almost the end of July and there is still lots of trades to be had and free agents to switch teams. But right now here is what I think each teams win range will be, and playoff picks: Enjoy

AFC:

West:

KC- 5-7 wins
Den-6-8 wins
Oak-5-7 wins
SD- 8-10 wins

East:

NYJ-10-12 wins
NE-10-12 wins
Bills-2-4 wins
Mia-2-4 wins

South:

Colts- 9-11 wins
Jags-5-7 wins
Texans-9-11 wins
Titans-5-7 wins

Central:

Pit-10-12 wins
Browns-3-5 wins
Ravens-10-12 wins
Cinci-3-5 wins

Playoff Picks:

NE (Bye)
Pitt (Bye)
SD
Ind
NYJ (Wild Card)
Ravens (Wild Card)

NE over Ravens
Jets over Pitt

NE over Jets

NFC:

West:

Sea-6-8 wins
49ers-6-8 wins
Ari-6-8 wins
STL-6-8 wins

East:

NYG-8-10 wins
Dallas-8-10 wins
Phili-8-10 wins
Wash- 4-6 wins

South:

Car-2-4 wins
TB- 6-8 wins
NO-8-10 wins
ATL- 9-11 wins

Central:

GB 10-12 wins
Chi- 5-7 wins
Min 6-8 wins
Det 6-8 wins

Playoff Picks:

ATL (Bye)
GB (Bye)
Phili
STL
N.O (Wild Card)
NYG (Wild Card)

ATL over NYG
GB over N.O.

ATL over G.B.

Super Bowl:

NE over ATL 31-21

Yeah I'm on the Falcons band wagon this year, I think that offense is going to be a lot of fun. Julio Jones offensive rookie of the year, I called it before the trade, and sticking with it... for now. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL Back, NBA Please Follow

2011-07-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

I have not wrote a blog post in a long long time, between my actually job, my wife and kids, and my basketball website, www.alleyesonuhoops.com, I haven't had much time. I should get back at it, but then again, who reads it?

Anyway, so today officially the NFL lockout ended, I was never worried because I knew that the NFL makes way too much money to give up. Lets look at what we missed. 7on7s, OTA's, everything the players hate. It hurt the rookies and the undrafted free agents, but that is about it. The NFL was the lead story on Sports Center even with the NHL and NBA playoffs, MLB getting going, and having a All Star game, and the Women's World Cup, plus a few Tennis and Golf majors. I really think they had the deal done a while ago, they knew what each side would get, and what they wouldn't, they just wanted to wait to the date that they needed to get back to not lose any real games, and that is what they did. But I am very happy that football will be here soon.

As for the NBA they are in a lot more trouble. The owners want a hard cap, or course the players don't. They don't want things like sign and trades to be taking away because that is a way that a player can play for the new team he wants while still getting the max money he wants. The one thing that may save the NBA season is guys going over seas. I believe that David Stern is a smart mart and you don't want your game to be off, when it just had its best ratings in a long time. The NBA has their story line. Lebron and Co. going for a title, will it work? Will they ever win? How many can they win? It's Lebron vs. the World and the winner is the NBA. As long as they have a season. You can not have guys playing over seas because unlike football there are actually leagues over there with good talent, not top NBA talent but still good, and guys can make some good money and be treated like kings over there. The fans love them and that helps their worldwide marketability. The NBA needs a season way more then the players do. There are places they can play and still make good money. I just hope they save the season, I just haven't heard anything yet to believe they can.

The Pistons hired a new coach, finally, and it's Lawrence Frank. I really like that hire as a Pistons fan because though it isn't the "sexy" hire it is a great basketball hire. Lawrence Frank knows the game, and has coached at the NBA level as a head coach, and assistant. He will help the team, who ever is on the team, when ever they start to play again. Frank may not sell tickets, but I do believe he will help win more games, and that will then help sell more tickets. I'm right, you're wrong.

No Mock Draft.. just thoughts

2011-04-28T15:08:00.001-07:00

The First round of the NFL Draft starts in less then 2 hours, and this year I am not doing a mock draft. Just don't want to, but I have some thoughts/predictions

Cam Newton will not go first overall.. In fact, I like him to fall out of the top ten

Andy Dalton will be the best QB in this class

Prince and Patrick Peterson are both studs

I hope my Giants get OL help

Mark Ingram will be a very good NFL RB

Panthers are not going to be sold on either of the QB, and have one more year of Moore/Clausen and take AJ Green

Von Miller will win the defensive rookie of the year next year

Julio Jones will win the offensive rookie of the year next year

Former CMU TE turned Wisconsin DE JJ Watts will be a top 15 pick

The Lions will draft someone that Chaz, Phil and Potter don't like

Enjoy.. it's Draft Day..... BABY!!!!!!!I'm right, you're wrong

NBA Playoff Picks

2011-04-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

The NBA playoffs are set and begin this weekend, so it is time for my NBA playoff picks

East:

1) Bulls vs. 8) Pacers- Pacers thanks for making the playoffs, bye. Bulls sweep

2) Heat vs 7) 76ers- I would love if the 76ers win, and I think they will, one game, Heat in 5

3) Celtics vs. 6) Knicks- Some think the Knicks will give Boston problems, I don't, they don't defend and they don't rebound that means you don't win in the playoffs. they do have enough scoring to win two games however. Boston in 6

4) Magic vs. 5) Hawks- The Hawks took 3 out of 4 from the Magic, and that one win was in November... so Hawks win in a upset right? wrong. Magic in 7 however.

1) Bulls vs 4) Magic- Bulls have D Rose, the Magic do not. Bulls in 6

2) Heat vs 3) Celtics- Boston has one last run in them, I'm telling you this now. Celtics in 6

1) Bulls vs 3) Celtics- Too big of a jump for the Bulls to make the finals, this year is a learning experience for a young team and a rookie head coach, next year, watch out. Celtics in 6

West:

1) Spures vs 8) Griz- Manu is out, we will see for how long, I think either way the Griz wins a game, that is all, Spurs in 5

2) Lakers vs. 7) Horents- Quick PG usually give the Lake Show problems, but the Lakers swept NO during the season, they will win in 5 in this series

3) Mavs vs. 6) Blazers- I think this will be a good series. I don't like Dallas, and the Blazers are a very good team. Blazers in 6

4) Thunder vs. 5) Denver- This one will be fun to watch, lots and lots of scoring. But give me Durant over anyone on Denver. Thunder wins in 7

1) Spurs vs. 4) Thunder- Can the young Thunder do it? Sure, will they? I think so, the Spurs played so well before the All Star break but are wearing down. OK takes it in 6

2) Lakers vs 6) Blazers- Should be a good series, give Portland two games, Lakers in 6

2) Lakers vs 4) Thunder- it was a great series in the first round last year, this one will be good too. Durant is going to be special, but Kobe and friends still can get it down. Lakers in 7

Finals:

2) Lakers vs. 3) Celtics- One more time! it is what we want, at least I do. I believe I went with the Lakers before the season, and I will stay with it. Lakers in 6

I'm right, you're wrong

NHL Playoff Picks

2011-04-11T07:31:00.001-07:00

The NHL Playoffs are set and begin on Wednesday, so with that in mind, here are my playoff picks. (Remember the NHL reseeds after each round)

East:

1) Washington vs 8) NY Rangers- The Caps have had a few great regular seasons in a row and nothing to show for it in the playoffs, will this year be different? The Rangers have beat the Caps 3 out of 4 times this year, including 6-0 and 7-0, but even though I don't think the Caps will win the cup,they will get by the Rangers in 6.

2) Philia vs 7)Buffalo- The season series is tied at two, but Phili is the better team and I don't think it is close. Give Buffalo a game, Phili in 5.

3) Boston vs 6)Montreal- The Canadians took 4 of 6 from the B's in the season series and there are usually a few lower seeds who win, and I see this as one of them, Montreal in 6.

4) Pit vs 5)Tampa Bay- I like the Lighting here as well for a few reasons, one, I don't like Pit, and two, who knows with Crosby. Lighting in 6.

1) Washington vs 6) Montreal- It is good for hockey when the Canada teams are good, and I would love the Canadians to win, but I like the Caps to win in 6

2) Phili vs 5) Tampa Bay- I like the Lighting but Phili has a team built from the playoffs. Phili in 6

1) Washington vs. 2) Phili- Is this the year? Can the Caps make the finals? I think they can. Caps win in 7 in a tough tough series

West:

1) Vancouver vs. 8) Blackhawks- The defending champs get in, thanks to Dallas loosing to the Wild last night, and have eliminated Vancouver the last three years. The teams did split four games this season, but the playoffs are something very different. But this year I think Vancouver is too good. They win in 5

2) San Jose vs. 7) LA Kings- A nice all California series should be fun out west. The series is tied at 3 during the year, though the Sharks did just win 6-1 on April 4th, and that is one of the reasons I like the Sharks in 6

3) Red Wings vs. 6) PHX- Last year the Wings eliminated PHX in the playoffs, and this year they will do it again. Yeah I'm a big Red Wings fan, so of course I am going to pick them, but Wings in 5

4) Ducks vs. 5) Nashville- I like Nashville to win this series in 6, as they have won 3 out of 4 during the season

1) Vancouver vs 5) Nashville- Vancouver is too good, they really are. They win in 6.

2) San Jose vs. 3) Red Wings- It's tough to go out west, but last year the Sharks needed the Wings season, not again. Wings find a way to win in 6

1) Vancouver vs. 3) Red Wings- Of course I want the Wings to win, and will be cheering loud for them. I think they can win, and I have faith in them, but if I had to make a pick that I would bet on, I have to take Vancouver in 7.

Stanley Cup Finals

1) Vancouver vs 1) Washington- Lets be honest, the two #1 seeds will not both make it, so I will be wrong with this, but I will stick with it for now. Vancouver will take the cup home, it is there year. They win in 6.

I'm right, you're wrong

2011 MLB Picks

2011-03-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. Baseball Opening Day is Thursday, so that means it is time for my Baseball picks.

AL East: Red Sox- They are loaded

AL Central: Tigers- Just keep Cabrera away from bars and we are fine

AL West: A's- I like them to surprise people this year

Wild Card: Yankees- They are good enough to hold off the Rays

Red Sox over A's in 4 games

Tigers over Yankees in 5 games

Red Sox over Tigers in 6 games

NL East: Phils- Loaded

NL Central: Brew Crew- I like their moves, for this year to be good.

NL West: Colorado- Like them in a close race out west.

Wild Card: Cards- they have Albert, that's enough

Phils over Cards in 5 games

Colorado over Brew Crew in 5 games

Phils over Colorado in 5 games

World Series:

Red Sox over Phils in 7 games- since AL will win the All Star game 7-4

World Series MVP: Dustin Pedroia Red Sox

AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalaz Red Sox

AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander Tigers

NL MVP: Albert Pujols Cards

NL Cy Young: Ubaldo Jimenez Colorado

I'm right you're wrong.

Bracket Break Down

2011-03-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year. I love March Madness. I go out on a limb because you know not every team people think will win will, so the question is which teams are going to be the teams this year to make the run. These are my picks for this years tournament game by game:

#16 in East: UTSA vs Alabama State- I pick UTSA for the heck of it

#16 in Southeast: UNC-ASh vs. Ark LR- I like UNC-Ash here, mainly because I don't like Arkansas

#12 in East: UAB vs. Clemson- I am taking Clemson but with everyone talking trash about UAB and how they shouldn't be in, I wouldn't be surprised if they beat Clemson and maybe WVU too.

#11 in Southwest: USC vs. VCU- VCU is another team people are upset they got in, well I like USC because of their freshmen PG Maurice "Pookie" Jones from Saginaw Arthur Hill who I got to see play a lot in high school coaching against him. So I take USC.

East:

OSU will destroy UTSA

Nova is falling off fast, so I will pick G Mason to win this game

WVU will beat Clemson who will run out of gas, with a short turn around.

I have Princeton beating Kentucky. I do this for a few reason, one, I hate Kentucky and Calapari, two, they start 3 freshmen and if they can't get past the elite 8 with that team last year, they can't do it this year, and I like Princeton, they have some nice inside play, and a few good guards.

I have X beating Marquette, I really like Xavier's guards and they are a good team.. fact: Only two teams have been to at least the sweet 16 in the last 3 years, Xavier and MSU.

Cuse will be IN State, unless Larry Bird comes back and plays

I like Wash, and don't like UGA is very good

UNC will roll over Long Island

2nd round:

OSU will beat G Mason, they only play 7, but those 7 are really good

WVU will beat Princeton, so basically if Kentucky does win, I need WVU to win this to be ok.

I like X to beat Cuse. Again Xavier has good guards and will tear the Cuse zone up.

UNC will beat Wash, by 15+

Sweet 16:

OSU will beat WVU and move on, again they play 7 players, they are all good.

UNC will end Xavier's run in the sweet 16

Elite 8:

OSU will beat UNC in what should be a great game.

West:

Duke will beat Hampton by 20+

I think Michigan-Tennessee will be a good game, but I like Michigan to win it.

Zona and their one great player will beat Memphis

Oakland will beat Texas for a few reason, Texas is young, and shoots bad for the foul line, and if Texas can't make a run when they have Durant and those guys, what makes you think Jordan Hamilton can, plus Oakland is a very good team, and has played road games at OSU, at Tenn, at Michigan and against MSU at the Palace, they will be ready.

I don't like Mizzu, but I really don't like Cinci, they played no one in the non conference season and shouldn't even have made the tournament, Mizzu wins

I like Bucknell and just like Cuse made that big run a few years ago to win the big east tournament and then lost to Vermont in the first round of the big dance, I thought about it, but I believe in Kemba, UConn wins a close game.

PSU beats Temple in a game where the first team to 40 wins

SD State will win their first NCAA tournament game ever over No Colorado

2nd round:

Duke will beat Michigan by 15+

Oakland has a good team, Zona has a great player, Oakland's team wins

UCONN will beat Mizzu, Mizzu isn't good, and Kemba is the man

SD State will beat PSU

Sweet 16:

Duke will end Oakland's run

UCONN will beat SD State

Elite 8:

Duke is too well coached and play too well together to lose to one great player, they win.

SouthWest:

Kansas isn't as smart as the players at Boston U, they are better at basketball however

ILL and UNLV I will take the Big Ten team, but nothing will surprise me here

Rich what... Richmond, they beat a not good Vandy team... the SEC isn't good

Louisville will win

I like USC to beat G-Town, I don't really like the way G-Town is playing right now, and USC is starting to play some decent basketball

Purdue will beat St Peter, and any other St they want to bring with them

I will take A&M but I hear Free Shoe should have Singleton back, their best player, so maybe FSU will win

As much as I want to go with MAC love, I hate Akron, and ND will make enough 3s to win

2nd round:

Kansas beats Ill, easy

Louisville will beat Richmond

Purdue will end USC's run

ND beats A&M

Sweet 16:

Kansas beats Louisville

Purdue beats ND, because ND will not shoot well all the time, and it will cost them.

Elite 9:

Purdue beats Kansas, I usually pick Kansas to lose early, cause I don't trust them, Purdue will get them in the elite 8.

SouthEast:

Pitt easy over UNC-Ash

I like Butler to beat ODU, they know how to play this time of year

I really like Utah State to win this game, they didn't win 30+ games on accident, though K-State is talented enough to make a elite 8 type run, so this game does worry me

Belmont is also a good team, but Wisconsin is good for a few wins in the tournament every year, this year, I have them getting a few more.

St John's has to go west, and they have won some big games, but they all were at MSG, Gonzaga is peaking at the right time, the Zags win

Jimmer beats Wofford

MSU has a great draw, UCLA does not have guys on their team use to playing in the tournament right now, MSU does, MSU wins

FL may be the worst 2 seed ever, but they will beat UCSB

2nd round:

I like Butler to beat Pitt, I really do

Wisconsin will beat Utah State, in a good game

Gonzaga and BYU is tough for me, I love Gonzaga and I want to go with them, but I remember when they lost to Steph Curry and Davidson a few years back, and they will do the same with Jimmer. BYU wins.

I did say FL may be the worst 2 seed ever right? MSU does March, just don't bet against Izzo, MSU will win.

Sweet 16:

Wisconsin and Butler should be a slow down defensive game, I think Wisconsin will win

Give Izzo a few days he will be ready for Jimmer, MSU wins

Elite 8:

Wisconsin ends MSU's run in a all Big Ten Regional Final.

Final Four:

OSU's 7 players stays out of foul trouble, Duke misses shots and OSU wins

Purdue beats Wisconsin in a old fashion Big Ten slug fest.

National Title Game:

OSU beats their Big Ten brother Purdue in the national title game since they have the right mix of young players and upperclassman. I'm right, you're wrong

D Wills to Nets.. What?

2011-02-24T07:40:00.001-08:00

The Nets finally got a big name player. They missed out of LeBron and all the other free agents last summer, then saw the Knicks get Melo, so instead of giving up they trade Devin Harris and Feavors for D Wills, one of the best PG in the NBA, and I know some people who would argue he is the best PG. Now for this year it will not help the Nets too much, they were not going anywhere anyway, but it is a top 15 player in the NBA, a All Star PG in a guard league who besides scoring, also, unlike Melo, is a guy who gets other people in the game, and makes his teammates better.

I also like this trade for the Jazz though, they get a rookie PF who could become very good, to have with Jefferson and Milsap and you have your front line in order for a few years, plus I still think Devin Harris is a good PG.

Melo had a nice game in his first game with the Knicks last night, but did take 25 shots to get his points, Billups really had a better game scorer over 20, with 6 ast and going 12-12 from the FT line. But lets be honest, it was against the Bucks. We will see at the Heat on Sunday how could they could be. I still say they are out in the first round this year, at most the second.

Pistons lost a heart breaker to the Pacers last night by one, and are now 6 and a half games back from the 8th seed, which the Pacers hold at this moment. I think it is time, even for me, who is usually very positive, must finally realize, the Pistons will not be making the playoffs as the 8th seed, and they now must focus on getting the young guys minutes, getting better, and try to get a top 10 draft pick.

Wings play the Stars tonight, and need to bounce back after a 4-3 loss to the Sharks.

Michigan lost by one to Wisconsin last night at home by giving up a bank in 3 at the buzzer to lose 53-52. Just a terrible way to lose. Doubling Jordan Taylor and leaving a guy wide open for a 3 can be looked at as a mistake, but they made someone else beat them, and that someone else was a freshmen who is a 30% shooter from the 3 point range, and he banked in a 3. That win would have been huge for Michigan and should have got them right on the brink of making the big dance but now they may need to make a big run in the big ten tournament. I'm right, you're wrong

Melo is finally a Knick

2011-02-22T12:13:00.000-08:00

It's finally over, Melo is now a Knick. I want to go on record of saying I do not think this is that great of a deal for the Knicks, and by its self does nothing for them. They will lose in the first round of the playoffs, or at most the second, why? What did the Knicks need? rebounding and defense, what doesn't Melo do? rebound and play defense.

Now don't get me wrong, Melo is a great scorer, he is one of the best scorers in the NBA today, no question about it. And it will help the Knicks sell more tickets and they will be a big time player in the regular season and win lots of games. They will score, and they will be fun to watch. But, will they win a title, no. In the playoffs the Hawks, Bulls, Magic, and of course the Celtics would have no problem beating the Knicks in a series. BTW has a player ever played his last game for a team, at the All Star game?

MSU has a must win game at Minnesota tonight, they need to win this game, and I do believe they will, but the Barn is a tough place to play.

OSU lost to Purdue, which just like loosing at Wisconsin really isn't a bad loss, and tonight they play at Ill. This would be a big game for Ill to win, and I think in Ill they have a chance to beat them, but I do think OSU will find a way to win.

NBA All Star game was good IMO. You knew Blake would win the dunk contest, and Kobe should win the MVP in LA. Durant is so sick.. and you got to give it to Lebron he did have just the second triple double in NBA All Star history. The NBA is fun right now, there are still a lot of teams who are really really bad, and hard to watch, but there is those 4 or 5 teams in each conference that are very entertaining. The NBA playoffs will be fun to watch.

Wings got a nice win on Sunday and play the Sharks tonight, at the Joe. It would be a nice win for them to get, and I hope they can keep rolling. Howard still worries me a little, because he gives up a lot of rebound goals. I'm right, you're wrong.

Down goes OSU

2011-02-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

Wisconsin beat OSU in the Kohl Center to give the #1 team their first loss, but I don't even think it was the biggest win of the day. That honor goes to Pitt beating Nova at Nova, on campus where they had a 47 game win streak going. OSU loosing at the Kohl Center isn't a bad thing, and it isn't a upset. OSU is a good team, but it is too hard to go undefeated in college basketball today, especially in any power conference.

Celtics beat the Heat, again. So far so good, the Heat are going to have a good record, and they are good, but they are not ready to win a title, they don't have anyone to stop the Celtics inside, and that was without both O'Neals playing.

Lakers lost in Orlando but at the end of a long east cost trip I wouldn't be too worried if I was a Laker fan, if the Magic somehow make it to the NBA finals, they will not, Boston will, the Lakers will beat them in 5 or 6.

Pitchers and catchers report today, spring training, it is almost time to catch baseball fever.

NBA all star game this weekend, looking forward to it. I'm right, you're wrong.

End of a Era

2011-02-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

Jerry Sloan is out as head coach of the Jazz, it just doesn't seem right. You knew he wasn't going to coach forever, but after being with one NBA team for over 20 years, you thought the end wouldn't happen on some random Thursday a week or so before the all star break. Just a odd time. I hope he wasn't forced out, and him and D Wills not getting along great had nothing to do with him leaving now, because as great as D Wills is you don't want to be the guy to force out a hall of famer.

Celtics-Lakers tonight, actually starting soon, very soon, I get to watch a little at work, before I will be heading home. Over/under on how many times they mention the words final rematch, or possible finals match up is set at 5... I'll take the over.... Also Jesus Shuttlesworth is about to tie and then break Reggie Miller's career 3 point record, one to tie, two to break, the cool thing is Reggie is there, doing the game. I am a big Ray Allen fan, got to love him

Now Melo says he would think about staying in Denver if he isn't traded by Feb 24th, the deadline.. really Melo? come on man, please something happen, either trade him now, or sign a extension, I am tired of hearing about it.

MSU is actually playing well against PSU, up 20 at halftime, about time

NFL not talking about a new CBA right now, they need to stop messing around, there needs to be football.

Congrats to the Packers for winning the Super Bowl, I had 31-28 Steelers, and you know I was thinking I could be right when the Steelers scored and even when the Packers kicked the FG I thought they still might score a TD and win by 1, but the Packers played well, and the Steelers didn't. I really don't think Big Ben is a great QB, I think he is a good QB, but he has a great defense and team around him. I'm right, you're wrong.

Note: As I was writing this, watching the game at work, Ray hit a 3 so he now has tied Reggie, he needs one more... go Jesus.

Is MSU heading to the NIT?

2011-02-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

It sounds wrong to even say, considering they are coming off of back to back final fours and were the pre season #2 ranked team in the nation, but after a 20 point beat down to a terrible Iowa team, you have to wonder. They are 13-9 overall and 5-5 in the big ten, and besides Iowa, PSU and Michigan, their other losses are to Duke, Texas, Cuse, UCONN, and at Purdue and at ILL, all good teams who are either still ranked or right there. But Minn, Wisconsin and Washington are the only wins they have against decent teams. The bigger problem, they still have to go at Wisconsin, at OSU, at Michigan, at Minn, and play Purdue and Ill at home, besides PSU and Iowa, who they lost to both on the road. So they could finish 2-6 in their last 8, which would make them 7-11 in conference and 15-15 overall, which couldn't get them in to the big dance, unless they win the big ten tournament, which they still have the talent and the coaching to do, but they need to make some jump shots and their team chemistry needs to improve, and fast.

Michigan on the other hand who was close against #1 OSU at home will be playing them at OSU in less then a hour. It would be a huge win for Michigan if they can do it, but I don't see OSU loosing at home.

Wings started the second half of the NHL season by giving up 5 goals, lucky for them, their scored 7. Howard needs to step up, can't give up 4 goals a game all the time and win.

Pistons had a tough loss by ten at home to the Bobcats, these are the games they have to win if they want to make the playoffs, they are only 3 and 1/2 back, well now 4 games back from those bottom two seeds, and have a lot of home games coming up, but maybe it is better to just get a high lottery pick then be the 8 seed and get swept.

Lakers-Spurs tonight, Lakers seem to be having some trouble, let me save you time, they will be fine. I'm right, you're wrong.

The Real Super Sunday

2011-01-31T12:44:00.000-08:00

We are now just 6 days away from Super Bowl Sunday, but did Super Sunday already happen? Yesterday there was two good NBA games, featuring Lebron, Wade, Durant, Kobe and the Celtics, Duke getting upset by St John's, MSU surviving in OT vs IU, a very entertaining NHL all star game, and I guess the Pro Bowl as well, though I didn't watch a second of it, and in seeing the highlights over and over again at work I am glad I didn't see it, but at least there was a lot of scoring. Durant and the Thunder couldn't finish and give Lebron credit, after a big 1st quarter for Durant, Lebron really did get the best of him the final 3 quarters. Then in LA the Celtics got a nice road win as Kobe went for 41, but really no one else did anything for the Lakers. This is the problem, Kobe wants to win every game, he doesn't care what month it is in, and if he sees his teammates not playing as hard as he thinks they should he will just go in to EFF it mode and shot the ball every time down the court, which he basically did yesterday 11 trips down the court in a row. He still forces sometimes and you wonder if he trust his teammates. The big problem with that is, he doesn't play for the Cavs, he has a lot of talent around him. Gasol is a top 5 big man, Odom is one of the most talented players in the league, with what he can do at his height, Bynum is still a young talented big man, if he isn't hurt, Artest can knock down shots and is a good defender, and so on.

St John's zone did a great job slowly down Duke and doing what you need to do, make them shoot jump shots and hope they are not falling. If they are, you are in trouble, if they are not they are very beatable.

I like the things the NHL all star game does, the draft this year was fun, and the 11-10 game was very entertaining. It doesn't compare to playoff hockey, which is amazing, but it is still good.

MSU held on last night at home in OT over IU to win by one. After beating Ill earlier this week that would be another big win for IU if they could have done it, but they are getting better and have some talent coming in in 2011 and 2012 already. After loosing to Michigan at home for the first time since 1997 MSU needed this win in a bad way, but who would have thought the preseason #2 ranked team in the nation would have this many problems. I trust in Izzo to turn them around, but they just don't have the shooters right now, and I don't see another final four run, but I do think they are still a sweet 16 team, just because that is how much respect I have for Coach Izzo.

After Michigan's big win at MSU, Michigan was only up 3 against lowly Iowa yesterday at home until they really turned it on in the second half to get a big win. I hope they can make the big dance as well.

Wednesday is a national holiday to some, in national signing day for college football. I don't take it too seriously but I do enjoy it.

I have not changed my super bowl pick yet, still 31-28 Steelers, but that could change as the week goes on. I'm right, you're wrong.

MSU-UofM Preview, Wings and Pistons

2011-01-27T15:37:00.000-08:00

MSU-UofM starts in 15 minutes at MSU, a place where UofM hasn't won since 1997, that will not change tonight. I have MSU winning 72-58. It will be interesting to see how MSU plays without Lucious who was dismissed from the team on Tuesday, but they still have enough weapons to beat Michigan, especially at home. Their game in AA on March 5th, may be close, but tonight should not be.

Wings got a nice 3-1 win last night over the Devils, my two favorite hockey teams. But I pick the Wings way they play each other. The Wings will be fine, they just need to get some of their guys back, and Howard needs to stop giving up 4 goals a game. Hopefully the week off here will help and they can rest up during the All-Star break, which will be fun to watch with the captains picking.

The Pistons played tough against Denver but couldn't close, and Billups went off for 26 points, even though it has been 3 years basically since the Pistons traded him it still hurts to watch him come in to the D and have a game like he did last night, he was the reason they won, period.

Early Super Bowl pick: Steelers 31-28. I'm right, you're wrong.

NBA Playoff Picks- Take Two

2011-01-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

Here we are a week away from February and things are starting to take shape in the NBA playoff race. We know there are some good teams, and then we know there are some really bad teams, the hard part is everyone else.. So here is my updated playoff picks for the NBA. You can look at my first NBA picks that I did before the year started back in October here http://schwandasports.blogspot.com/2010/10/nba-picks.html

East:

1) Heat- They are 2.5 back from Boston but I think they will overtake them for two reasons, one the they think it's important to get the #1 seed, and two, the Celtics don't care and will rest some guys as the season goes on, and have some injuries

2) Boston- The best team in the East

3) Bulls- Will keep that 3 seed thanks to a bad division

4) Magic- They will overtake the Hawks

5) Hawks-I think they have to be in the 4-5 match up every year, it may be a NBA rule

6) Knicks- Have been a surprise, they score a lot of points, which shouldn't surprise us at all I guess.

7) 76ers-This is when it gets fun, 5 teams with in 2.5 games, and none of them really are that good, so which two will be there at the end? Got to pick two, so here it goes. 76ers are 6-4 in their last ten and playing decent basketball.

8) Pistons- call me a homer if you want, but they are only 1.5 back from the 8th spot and are 6-4 in their last ten as well, which include wins over the Suns, Mavs and Magic. T-Mac is doing a great job with the ball in his hands as the PG, and scored 20 last night. They have got their rotation down and they need to trade RIP, since he has been sent home and hasn't play in awhile, so anyone they get will help. The Bobcats are also 6-4 in their last ten, but have 3 playoff teams in their division and that will hurt them. The Pacers are Bucks are 3-7 and 2-8 in their last ten and look to be going the wrong way, even though I want to pick the Bucks to be the 7th seed, but I just can't do it.

Heat over Pistons in 4.. 5 at the most

Celtics over 76ers in 4.. 5 at the most

Bulls over Knicks in 6- should be entertaining at least

Magic over Hawks in 6- Another good series.

Magic over Heat in 6- Dwight Howard and shooters, plus Nelson is better then any PG the Heat have.

Celtics over Bulls in 6- Another great series between these two teams. D Rose is good for two games by himself.

Celtics over Magic in 6- The Celtics know this is their last run, and will find a way.

West:

1) Spurs- I did not see this coming, they are putting it all together

2) Lakers- they are still the Lakers and will be fine

3) Thunder- Will win that division and have two of the best young players in the NBA, just fun to watch

4) Hornets- They are red hot, have won 9 in a row and are playing well, why did Chris Paul want to leave this team?

5) Jazz- I really like this team

6) Mavs- I think they will fall to 6, Loosing Butler hurts

7) Blazers- They will overtake Denver

8) Denver- When will they trade Melo? At this point it looks like he stays and they try to make one last run, why not

Spurs over Denver in 6- Melo is good for one game alone and another game with the Spurs being old

Lakers over Blazers in 5- The Lakers will turn it on in the playoffs, B Roy is good for one win

Thunder over Mavs in 6- Old make way for the new

Jazz over Hornets- A match up of the two best PG in the NBA

Jazz over Spurs in 6- I can't take all high seeds

Lakers over Thunder in 6- I know it went 7 last year in the first round, but the Lakers know better this year

Lakers over Jazz in 6- The Jazz run ends

Lakers over Celtics in 6- The Lakers get Phil another 3-peat, should be a great series.

NBA is fun again.. make sure you are watching. I'm right, you're wrong.

Lets try this again

2011-01-20T11:46:00.000-08:00

Wow, so it has been a long time since I updated this. A few things, one my basketball recruiting site, www.alleyesonuhoops.com is what I am focusing on right now, two, I do have a full time job now, and still have to try to keep the wife happy and spend time with my kids. But I promise I will start writing back on this at least twice a week.... it's worth a try, I hope I do good.. If you find a week where I haven't wrote, send me a email at alleyesonuhoops@gmail.com.. you can also send me questions there at any time, since I would love to do a mail bag. anyway.. lets get to it.

Purdue was lucky to win at home vs PSU last night, who is playing very well, they beat MSU and ILL back to back at home, and then almost beat OSU and should have beat Purdue both on the road.

Duke got back on their winning ways last night at NC State

Texas A&M is not that good, and Texas proved my point last night

Blake Griffen is sick... that is all

I feel really bad for Kevin Love, he is a great player, and would help every NBA team, he just needs to leave Minnesota

I like Pitt and the Packers to win this weekend, and I will give the Packers the edge in the super bowl

I still haven't recovered from the Giants not making the playoffs, especially because I believe if they did they would be in the NFC title game right now.

Pistons lost a close one in Boston last night 86-82, they had a lead and couldn't hold on. Also Ben Gordon drove to the basket with under 20 seconds to go down 3 and got killed by big baby davis and there was no call.. and whole lot of body contact, he should have been shooting two at the line, but the Celtics are the much better team and got the job done, Ray Allen is so nice...

I do like the way the Pistons are playing, they are playing hard, and have won 3 out of their last 4. I think they finally found a good lineup, took long enough, but T-Mac with the ball in his hands has been good, and Stuckey is better off the ball, they have basically send RIP home and he hasn't played in the last 5 games or so and needs to be traded yesterday. What ever they can get for him, they need to get it now. It is clear he is upset, as he should be, and I don't see that relationship being repaired. He needs to go. He has done a lot of great things for the Pistons over the years, but that time is over.

I will re look at my NBA preseason picks in the next post, and update them. I'm right, you're wrong.

Getting caught up

2010-12-19T06:07:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been a long time since I wrote on here. First things first, one major reason for that is my son was born on November 29th, pierce timothy is doing great, and is a big boy, I have a future LB in the making, second my basketball recruiting/scouting website is now up and running so check it out, www.alleyesonuhoops.com. Other then that, there is of course way too many things to talk about that has happened in sports since the last time I wrote, so I will just mention a few things quickly.

-My Giants have a big game against the Eagles today, they already lost once to them, so they need to hold serve and beat them at home

-The Clippers didn't win a road game all year, until the last two nights, they have beaten the pistons, more on them in a second, and the bulls back to back.

- Got to feel bad for Yao Ming, who is done for the year again, he was also the leading vote getting for centers in the west, even though he hadn't played since early November.... Thank you China

-I have made a choice to give the Pistons until the new year, at that time I will re due my NBA playoff picks, and think if I want to believe that this team can still be the 7-8th seed in the east, or is it lottery for sure, and no real reason to watch many of their games.

-The Wings are playing well, though they didn't play great Friday night in chicago, they play today, and hopefully will get another win, they still have the most points in the western conference

-Tom Izzo being suspended for MSU's game yesterday was so funny, he had a guy work a camp who knew a recruit, the guy got paid the same amount as everyone else, and the guy worked a middle school camp where the recruit in question wasn't even there, that is the NCAA at its best. Calapari can give a star players dad or AAU coach way more money then others get, and have them join his staff, basically doing nothing but paying them a lot, and he can still go from school to school and he never gets punished for it. I know recruits, I have worked college camps, I got paid the same amount of everyone else, is that wrong, no, of course not.

-Michigan basketball is playing well right now and got a nice 16 point win over a good Oakland team, who had beaten Tennessee the game before. The big ten has a lot of good teams, msu, osu, purdue, minn, wisc, ect, but I think Michigan will have a chance to be in the top half of the conference and thus make the tournament.

-Duke is really good, even with Irving most likely done for the year

-Now that Kansas has Josh Shelby back they should be a final four team as well, though they didn't look great against USC at home yesterday and really got lucky to win.

-Ill losses to UIC, in a real big win for the flames and their first year coach.

-I hope I can see win my semi final match up in fantasy football even without Aaron Rodgers, the problem is I have mark Sanchez as my backup and he is playing pitt, I did great a nice start on the week from Vincent Jackson though, so we shall see.

Anyway, go check out the website, www.alleyesonuhoops.com and have a happy holidays everyone. I'm right, you're wrong.

Lansing Eastern Tip off Classic

2010-12-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

-Website should be live by Monday- until then, here is a write up on the tip off classic from Saturday, December 11th, at Lansing Eastern High School.

Talk about saving the best for last. Lansing Eastern lead most of the game against rival Lansing Sexton Saturday night at Don Johnson Field House and the score read 67-60 Eastern with just over two minutes to go. Sadly for the Quakers they didn’t score again, as Sexton finished the game on a 10-0 run to win 70-67. MSU bound 2012 wing Denzel Valentine came up big in the final minute and after tying the game with 40 seconds to go on a runner in the lane, he then had a steal and a dunk to give the Sexton’s the lead for the first time in the second half. It was a second half of runs, as Eastern built a 9 point lead before Sexton came back and tied it at 42; Eastern then went on a 12-0 run themselves to retake the lead and some people even starting to end for the exits. Eastern gave Sexton a chance by taking some quick shots, having some turnovers and then missing free throws in the final two minutes. 2013 PG Cha Cha Tucker missed a front end of a one and one, and then missed his other two free throws, as well as a runner in the lane when they were down two with 3 seconds to go. After Valentine spilt from the line, Eastern had the ball down 3 with 2.5 seconds to go. A long pass gave LaDontae Hinton a contested 3 pointer at the buzzer to tie the game, but it was off the mark as the Sexton players and fans celebrated a big win. It may only be early December but the game had a March feel to it. LaDontae Hinton had his usually double double and finished with 31 points. Brain Morton, 6’2 2013 guard had a good overall game, as he hit two 3s, got some big offensive rebounds, had a handful of steals and played as good as defense as you can play on Valentine all nigh, Valentine finished with 13 points, but half of those were in the final two minutes. Morton may not get the love as Eastern’s other 2013 studs, Tucker and Steve Haney JR, who because of transfer rules is out till January, but Morton can flat out play as well. Tyrin Wade, the 6’5 senior also played well for Sexton as he joined Bryn Forbes, 6’3 2012, as the other Sexton players in double figures.

Before that game Detroit Pershing lost 97-81 to Summit Christian, as Pershing is a year away from being the normal Pershing team we have come to expect. Leading Pershing was 2012 Sherron Dorsey-Walker, who had 26 points, though it wasn’t one of his better shooting games. 2013 guard Martez Walker had 19 points as well for Pershing. For Summit Christian it was Trahson Burrell with 22 points, while Justin Edmonds had 18 and Walter Pitchford had 17. Pitchford is basically a 6’9 wing player now and showed a good touch on his mid range jump shot, while still showing that athletic ability to finish off plays above the rim and get some rebounds. He still needs to get a little stronger, but I feel the one time DePaul commit will find another division one home without too much trouble before this year is over.

Steve Schwanda
All Eyes on U Hoops
alleyesonuhoops@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/alleyesonuhoops

Lots of Talent at Lansing Eastern SS

2010-11-27T20:44:00.000-08:00

For some reason Homestead doesn't want to have my website go live yet, well for now, I will have this write up from the Lansing Eastern Super Scrimmage on here, please go ahead and take a look at it, and feel free to leave your comments, or email me at alleyesonuhoops@gmai.com. Thank you.

March Madness… in November

The Saturday after Thanksgiving makes most people think about the state football finals but it has become a big day in Michigan High School hoops as well. The day Lansing Eastern holds their annual super scrimmage at the Don Johnson Field house. This year 16 teams took part in the event and there was no shortage of talent on display. Even though it is very early in the year some teams were already in mid season form. I was unable to stay the entire day but here is a quick look at the teams, and some of the players, who played well during the day that I saw.

Best Teams:

Class A: Lansing Eastern- To find the most dominate Class A team look no further then the host team. Eastern played with a purpose and really made a statement during the day. They started their day by a 30 point blow out over Cass Tech. The game was over real quick. Next they took on the defending Class A Champions from Kalamazoo Central and beat them by 20. It was a around a ten point game with about 6 minutes to go, but Eastern really opening the game up, and it gave them a chance to get a lot of guys in to the game. If Eastern continues to play like this, they are going to be a tough team to beat.

Class B: The defending Class B champs may have lost a McDonald’s All American, but they sure have some talent left over. They started their day by beating Kalamazoo Central in a very good game, and then took care of Lansing Sexton. Country Day is more then just OSU bound Amir Williams, though the 6’10 center played like the top 40 player nationally that he is.

Class C: If Consortium doesn’t win the Class C title there should be an investigation. Their talent and depth is not match by many teams in the state, no matter the class. I saw them beat a Jordan Hare-less Arthur Hill team, and then they beat Detroit Loyola as well. They have a couple of really nice players.

Best Players:

Not mentioning guys who have already signed who played well, Amir Williams, LaDontae Hinton, who looks great, he has added some muscle, and TJ Buchanan who played well for Kalamazoo Central, but did get hurt in the Lasing Eastern game, and he was not moving very well, so that is something to check up on. Denzel Valentine (MSU) played the way you would expect him to play, so I will not mention him either. And again these are just some of the players who played well.

2011:

Lee Bailey- DCD-6’1- strong and takes the ball hard to the rack, he played well in what I saw, but would have to check with Football coaches on what sport he will be playing in college… adding to that, Kenny Knight, who I also think will go the football route, also showed his quickness and good handles.

Tyler Bell-K-Central-6’1- Bell did the things you would expect him to do. He looks like a player, and he is very solid but he doesn’t really do any one thing great.

Darius Norman-K-Central-6’6- Had a great chance for a big game against Amir Williams and I thought he played very well. He showed a decent mid range jump shot touch, even though he missed a few, and had a nice pump fake to get Amir in the air, and drove by him for a easy two. The two big guys battled all game long and for a guy who loves good post play it was fun to watch. There is no question in my mind Norman can play, and someone will give him a chance, it’s just too bad he sat on the bench for King James during AAU instead of played for a Michigan based team.

Dell Simon-Arthur Hill-6’1- Just built like a tank that will go through you, but he moves very well too and with Pookie gone will get a chance to handle the ball more. Baseball may be more in his future however.

Alex Williams-Benton Harbor-6’4- He is long and lanky and has a nice touch on his shot. He is just smooth, but really didn’t do as much as you would hope.

Tyrin Wade-Lansing Sexton-6’5- The big body lefty has a lot of things to like about his game, but is his attitude where you would want it? He arrived late, and was the last member of his team to show up… could be a problem.

2012:

Khaliq Spicer-Robichaud-6’8- He is long and lanky, and very athletic, dunks off of two feet with ease and gets up in a hurry. Has nice hands, but needs to post a little bigger and stronger and not get in a fight with his hands. Something that I talked to him about and he seemed to listen to, so that’s another plus, great kid.

Sherron Dorsey-Walker-Pershing-6’4- Sherron was Sherron, if you don’t know anything about his game, you’re too late. But if you need help, he is long and athletic, and can shoot the 3 or get to the rack.

Matt Willms-Consortium-6’10- I talked about how deep and talented Consortium is, Matt is a 6’10 JR with some D1 offers/interest and he didn’t play much for them in what I saw, that’s how deep they are. He is very long, but moves really well for his size, and has a nice touch, keeps the ball high and showed a lot of the P word. He needs to find a weight room, and quickly, but he is adjusting to the American game, he is a transfer from Canada if you hadn’t heard, and will be just fine.

Jordan Price-DCD-6’6- He may not have the upside of his younger brother, more on him in a minute, but Jordan is a player in his own right. He is long, and needs to get stronger, but has a nice touch on his shot and has 3 point range. I plan on seeing a lot more of him this winter.

Connor Tava-WDLS-6’5- Built well and he plays really hard, could be a very good D2 type player, my only question is, will he grow?

Justin Beal-WDLS-6’4- See Connor Tava

Chazz Miller-DCD-6’5- At Country Day he doesn’t get to play all that much right now but when he does he is a nice post prospect, he is built well and strong, but like Beal and Tava will he grow? He is undersized for a true post right now at the next level.

Tre Tignor-Consortium-6’5- Big body, who moves well and plays hard. Athletic too, he can get up and finish strong too.

Antoine Wilson-Ottawa Hills-6’1 OH didn’t have D Ivy, who will be out until January after surgery for a football injury but Wilson played well. He was under control all day, and can finish too. Very good passer and drives to the basket with his head up.

2013:

Vincent Hunter-Consortium-6’5- I mentioned Consortium is good right? Watching him play it is hard to believe Hunter is a sophomore. Top ten talent for sure, he is long, athletic, a great passer, attacks the rim under control, basically he’s a stud.

Jalen Hayes-Lasing Sexton-6’5- Oh to be long and athletic, slim, but he can flat out get up. Will have to watch his jump shoot and if his handles improve but he is someone to keep an eye on.

Lorenzo Bonah-Robichard-6’3- Very very athletic, great driver, who is long and lanky, BUT the jump shot needs work, a lot of work. Still a very good player though who will not be stopping his basketball career anytime soon. Also let’s not forget, he has three years of varsity ball ahead of him.

Leo Edwards-Cass Tech-6’8- He is long and moves well. Has a nice touch on a couple put backs that I saw, and if he continues to grow watch out. He also is a great student, so that’s another plus, I do need to see a little more from him though before I put him as high as some others might have him.

Austin Price-DCD-6’1- Jordan’s little brother, doesn’t have his size, but the 6’1 combo guard is going to be a star. He is built well and is under control. Plus it is hard not to get better playing against the guys he will face every day in practice. I like him to be in the top ten in this class, he has that much potential.

2014

Mory Diane-DCD-6’1- The only freshmen that I knew of who I saw play at the event, doesn’t mean there were not more, he is built really well and has a lot of upside, that is a understatement. If you are a freshman and can get some time on Country Day’s varsity you are doing something right. Top ten for sure.. closer to top 5.

Steve Schwanda
All Eyes on U Hoops Founder/SR Recruiting Analyst
alleyesonuhoops@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/alleyesonuhoops

Slide Eli Slide!

2010-11-22T16:25:00.000-08:00

Yes it is true that Eli won a super bowl in 2007 so I tried my best to give him a pass for awhile, well guess what, his pass is done. I went crazy when the Giants gave up so much to trade and get him in the draft, ask anyone that was in my dorm room at the time and they will tell you that, I even broke a Giants hat I threw it so hard, so anyway I wasn't happy with him from the start, but I can admit he played very very well during the playoff run in 07 and did a great job in the super bowl. Since there, not so much. He is paid like, and people treat him like he is a elite QB, the only problem is, he isn't a elite QB. He isn't close to being like his brother. He isn't a bad QB, but he is not a great one. Last night he once again showed this. In a very big game on the road against Phil with first place in the NFC East on the line Eli lead a Giants offense who had 5 turnovers and a night full of the Eli face. You are going to have some bad throws in every game, and of course some times you have wide outs drop balls or run the wrong routes, and the team is playing without three pro bowlers, but still you can't turn the ball over that much, you can't throw picks, and you can't fumble, especially the fumble he had to all but end the game. The rush defense finished that job off two plays later giving up a long run. Just like the long run they gave up on 4th and 1 at midfield up one to give Phili the lead, and eventually the win.

If you didn't see the game, or stay up for it, this is what happened. Eli made first a good play, he saw no one was open and took off, he gained the first down and a whole lot more, he is passed the 40 yard line and you are driving for the tie. the NFL does all the can to not let QB get hit, they have the slide run, give yourself up, no one can touch you, you got what you needed on the play, instead Eli slide hands and face first instead of legs first, and when he hit the ground he fumbled the ball. Now sure he was down and the ground caused the fumble, but in the NFL since he just fell forward and didn't slide, the play wasn't dead until someone touched him, which they didn't, so Phili recovers, runs the ball, and kicks a FG. I of course went crazy, I could not believe I just watched what I saw, you are a NFL veteran QB, you know the rules, how do you not slide there, how?

That's two big losses in a row for the Giants in division games and they now have to win next week at home over the Jags. They really have some winnable games coming up so hopefully they can avoid another late season melt down, but last night was not a very good start. I'm right, you're wrong.

24hr college basketball marathon aka Heaven

2010-11-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was ESPN's 24 hr college tip off marathon, one of my favorite days of the year, Since CMU played at 4am est against Hawaii, I actually went to bed early and didn't see the first game, Memphis beating da U in a good game, but I saw at least a part of each game after that. Here is a quick recap.

2am game- St John's and first year coach Steve Lavin went on the road and lost to St Mary's. St Mary's is a very good team, and will actually be a real threat to the Zags this year in the WCC.

4am game- CMU lost to Hawaii by 3 in a very good game. Hawaii has 10 new players and a new coach, but they played hard, and it was a very physical game. Hawaii's zone gave CMU trouble, as they shot just 6-25 from 3. Way too much standing in the zone offense was CMU.

6am game-Stony Brook had a nice road win over Monmouth. It was also a 3 point game, as the start of the marathon all featured games decided by less then 5 points

8am game-Kent State had a great comeback against Robert Morris to get a big home win for them. Kent has been a 20+ win team for awhile now in the MAC and they always seem to have JU CO transfers and other guys that no one else can get in to school go there and do well... can you tell I don't like Kent State?

10am game- SIU lost a heart breaker in OT to Northeastern by one when SIU rebounded a miss with 4 seconds to go and called a time out when they didn't have one. It was a very good game before that, but tough tough way to lose a game

noon game- Tulsa played very well against ORU and pulled away late. Tulsa may be a nice team this year in conf usa

2pm game-Baylor had some trouble with Lasalle but was able to win by ten. Baylor has some long athletic big man, and freshmen stud Perry Jones III is one of them for sure

4pm- Va Tech did a nice job playing with Kansas State for awhile, and it was a very close game, for about 30 minutes, but the last ten belonged to the deeper team, and that was K-State, and they ended up winning 73-57

6pm game-OSU and FL was a very close game at halftime, and actually FL was up by 3, but the second half was all OSU, as they rolled the Gators on the road 93-75 for the best win so far in college basketball. OSU is going to be very good later on this year, and they already are pretty sweet.

8pm game- Butler feel well behind on the road at Louisville and they did cut the lead a little, but never could get all the way back as they ended up loosing 88-73 in a tough game for them

10pm game- The last game of the day on ESPN saw MSU beat South Car 82-73. I am sure Coach Izzo will not be too happy though as his team lost 48-40 in the second half, after playing good in the first half and being up 42-25. 48 points is way too much in a half to score on MSU and that will be talked about I promise you. South Car did play hard and showed they could be a good team in the SEC.

SDSU also got a nice win over Gonzaga on the road in a big win for Coach Fisher and his team. SDSU got off to a early lead, and held on late to win 79-76

Cuse won the other way around, having a bad first half and seeing UofD come in to the dome and be up 3 at halftime. The second half was better for the Cuse and they won 66-55

It was a great day of college basketball and I wish we could have more days like this, but I understand why we can't it takes a lot for coaches and players to get ready to play at strange times. College basketball is here, and I could not be happier. There isn't too many good games today, or really none, but tomorrow we start getting in to the early season tournaments, so I am looking forward to that. I'm right, you're wrong.

College and NFL football wrap up

2010-11-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

It's Wednesday already, I am behind on writing this, good thing no one reads it.. I hope people do. So lets get to it.

College:

Auburn had a nice win over UGA, the only thing that can stop them now is the NCAA throwing the book at them about the Can Newton thing, which I don't think they will, at least not for a few years, or the game against Bama, which after their LSU loss they find themselves with nothing left to play for but endeding Auburn's run.. that will be enough

Oregon won 15-13, yeah, they only scored 15 against Cal, what a stange game

Michigan also won a defensive game, man Purdue is bad, which was also surpising

Wisconsin was beating IU 10-3 after the first quarter, the final, 83, yes 83 to 20. What in the world are they doing, you can't say you are not running it up when you score 28, 21, and 24 in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters. On the other hand, if you have your back ups and 3rd string guys in, how can you tell them not to play. Don't throw deep bombs, but they should still be able to play, it may be the only chance they get.

CMU played hard against Navy but lost 38-37, as they have done in years past they went for the two and the win instead of kicking the PAT with 4 seconds left to take the tie. Their defense hadn't really stoped Navy all day, they didn't punt once, and thought that going for two game them the best chance to win, sadly they didn't but it was nice to see them play so hard.

ND beat up on Utah, really showing that Utah isn't that good, thus TCU's big win over them really doesn't matter.

NFL:

I am still very mad about the Giants game. Give the Cowboys credit they played much better no question about it, but my G-Men also played their worst game of the year, and that had a lot to do with it. fumbles, picks, throwing a pick in the end zone that was returned for a touchdown, just a ugly ugly football game. The Giants need to regroup, becase...

Phili looked great against the Skins on the road, my god, what a butt kicking. Vick had a huge day.

The Pats came in and but up 39 on the Steelers on the road, wow. One week after looking bad in a loss to the Browns, they beat up on the Steelers, the NFL makes zero sense sometimes.

Like the Seahawks who after getting rolled by the Giants at home, went to Zona and beat the Cards, ok the Cards are not good, but still, and like I said from day one, they will win the NFC West.

Terrible football weekend for me, I went 0-3 in fantasy, thanks to vick big day going agianst me, and me leaving some bye week and hurt players in, since I was out of town for a bacholor party.. no excusses though, got to have a better week in the two leauges I am 7-3 in, the one I am 3-7 in, I have already traded away a lot of guys, for draft picks next year and I am rebuilding. I'm right, you're wrong.

Bye Bye Wade

2010-11-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

You knew it was coming, and really most are surprised it took so long, but Wade Phillips was finally fired by the Cowboys on Monday after they didn't even show up against the Packers on Sunday night football and lost 45-7. Their next game is against the Giants so we will see how Jason Garret does. I always thought it wasn't as good of a coach as Jerry Jones did, who is paying him 3 million to be a offensive cord and head coach in waiting.. well his wait is over, but now he has to do something with a team that is 1-7 and hasn't shown up the last two weeks. Hopefully my Giants will be ready playing their rival at home, and not look past them. The Giants are coming off a big win themselves beating the Seahawks in Seattle 41-7. The Giants are really playing well right now, and I could not be happier, but it's a long season, and there are a lot of games to go.

I was 3-0 in fantasy football this week, that's sweet.

Viks had a big comeback over the terrible Cards to win that game in OT. Farve actually played well in the 4th when he needed to

The Raiders, yes Raiders, are right there in the AFC West race, as they beat the Chiefs, also right there, in OT.

The Chargers did win over the Texans and this is about the time that they usually start their winning streak in years past after slow starts, will they do it again? I think yet, and they still win the AFC West.

The Rams are tied for first place in the NFC West right now, I know, I'm shocked too, them and the Bucks are my two biggest surprises has far as doing much better then I thought they would. I still have the Seahawks winning that division though, but not if Charlie W has to be their QB for too many more games.

The Lions had a big home victory over the Jets and then gave it away, and even a bigger loss it looks like Stafford will be done for the year as he re injured his shoulder. That is a big loss for the Lions who are playing better football, they just don't know how to win close games yet. They are there, they just can't finish. If Drew Stanton is their QB I don't know if they can win, but they do have the Bills and Cowboys coming up, so you never know.

The Browns, yes Browns beat the Pats.. in New England... What the hell is going on out here! The Pats will be fine, but wow, what a loss for them.

Pitt held on to beat Cinci on the road, after getting a big lead the Bengals came back and made it close, they played hard, but turnovers hurt them.

Ravens may be the best team in the NFL right now.. in fact, they are my pick. I'm right, you're wrong.

All is well.. for now

2010-11-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

CMU got the football weekend started off right with their big 26-22 win on Friday night at home over hated rival western michigan on sr night on espnu. It wasn't a well played game, but it was a great game. Both teams made big plays and then some really bad ones, but CMU was able to make the last one, recovering a fumble with 1:40 left as western was about to score the go ahead touchdown inside the five. That has made me happy the rest of the weekend, and even though this season will still be a disappointment, even if we win our next two games against Navy and Toledo and finish 5-7, but beating western always, ALWAYS, feels good and will help this team in the future. It was a great win.

Michigan and Ill can score on each other.. wow, what a game, 67-65 triple OT win for Michigan, very exciting offensive game. Please someone tackel

MSU got back to winning beating a terrible Minn team.

LSU beat Bama, which surprised me, but good for LSU. Bama could still play a role in the national title game if they beat Auburn, but it is very likely a one loss SEC team would still make it to the national title game over TCU or Boise.

TCU actually kind of hurt themselves by beating up on Utah so bad, because it really shows that Utah wasn't very good, I mean their best win this year is over Pitt, and they are not exactly world beaters. Either way the BCS will most likely match up TCU and Boise again, which I hate, but them up against the big boys.. but they are scared of what could happen.

ND didn't lose on Saturday.. oh yeah, that's right, they didn't play

Oregon still has Zona at home, no problem they will score 50 on them, and at Oregon State, that will be a big game, but they should, and will, go undefeated. Oregon State is a tough one cause it's playing your biggest rival on the road, but this Oregon offense is just too good.

I will wait till tomorrow to talk NFL, since there is still one more game left this week

The Pistons won their first game of the year on Friday night, and their second last night over GS. They have problems, too many guys who do the same thing, no inside scorer and no true pg to get other people going, but I am sticking with them that they can win 40 games and be the 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs... I will stick with that until at least xmas.

Wings won on Friday night as well, but lost a tough one on Saturday, they are back at it tonight against Phx, and word is Brain R will be playing very very soon for the Wings, which is good, they get their second best defender back. I'm right, you're wrong.

Thank You Randy

2010-11-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Randy Moss is so funny.. He makes the NFL so much more fun. So he calls out his coach and praises the Pats and then gets cut. I really hope the Pats pick him right back up, if only for the news to come across the bottom line, Pats trade Randy Moss to the Viks for a 3rd round pick... and Randy Moss.. It would be wonderful. Moss isn't as dominate as he once was but he can still help a team, if he wants to, and judging from how much he talked about how great the Pats were, after his old new team just lost to them he must still want to be there and think he can help them win. Just a bad move for the Viks all together, they are falling apart

The Cowboys are taking some of the pressure off the Viks since they have totally fallen apart and are done, I can not tell you how happy that makes me, but if you read this blog at all you know by now how much I love the Giants and thus hate the cowboys, so you probably do know how happy that makes me.. so much for hosting a super bowl that you are playing in Jerry, you will be lucky to win another game.

Lions beat the Skins, good for them, and all my friends who are Lions fans, great call to put Rex Grossman in the game for the two minute drill, since mike S said that McNabb isn't in shape to run it.. ouch. So Rex Grossman is the way to go, good call on that, all he did was fumble on the first play and Suh picked it up and rain for a touchdown to seel the win.

Saints got a big win that they needed at home over the Steelers

Raiders won big again this time over the Seahawks, who are playing the Giants at home this week, I am worried about that game because that is a tough place to go in and come away with a win, and the last time the Giants played there it wasn't pretty.

It is really hard to tell who is good in the NFL, which is how they like it, just a lot of average teams. The Bucks keep winning, what in the world in going on here? really, someone explain it to me. The Chiefs won again as well, be it against the win less Bills in OT, but still.

What do I know about the NFL after 8 weeks? Well, the Ravens, Steelers, Pats, Jets, and Colts are good in the AFC. I believe that the Texans will still take that last wild card spot, but a team from the West has to be in, so will it be the Chiefs, or the Raiders, or will the Chargers stop messing around and still make it.. I think they will. In the NFC, I still think the Packers will make it, and the Saints and ATL have a great chance as well. I think the Giants are in great shape to win the East, and I still think the Seahawks will win the West by default. Can the Viks rebound and still make the playoffs? yes, but with each passing week I am starting to think they will not.

I saw the SF Giants won the World Series last night, congrats to them and their fans, and to me for not watching one pitch, but instead watching NBA basketball. I'm right, you're wrong.

I knew it was coming

2010-11-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

I pushed it back all year, MSU was playing great but I didn't want to buy in, I have seen this before, I kept thinking they were going to lose, but they kept winning. So then last week I finally gave in and wrote this:

"I am all in on MSU now, they are winning the big ten, meaning Iowa will beat them 31-17"

Turns out it wasn't even that close. MSU lost 37-6 and was never in the game, made worse was the fact that Chris L Rucker got out of jail on Thursday and then traveled with the team on Friday and played in the game. This is such a MSU thing to do. As soon as people start talking about big ten title, and a chance at the national title, which they never really had, they go and get killed. I like MSU, and they are not a bad team, but where they are ranked now 15 or 16 depending on the poll, it about right, compared to the 5 or 6 range that they were going in to the game. MSU has only beaten one good team all year, and that was Wisconsin at home, which is a good win, but the only other good team they played, Iowa, they got killed. A team with one good win isn't a contender. I hope they can rebound and still win at least a share of the big ten and go to a bowl, but this is what usually happens, they start good, then they have a big loss, and then they start their tailspin, I hope it doesn't happen this year, they have a good defense and a great running game, hopefully they can bounce back.

Michigan can score... they just can't stop anyone, and PSU got a good win for them, because as I have said many times, and use to joke with my old college rm chaz about, you don't go in to happy valley and win at night.

Mizzu got killed by Nebraska just like I thought

Auburn kept winning, as did Oregon, though I was right, USC hung around for awhile. They still need to play Zona, coming up, big game, and then their big rival Oregon state at the end of the year but if I had to pick right now I would say Oregon plays in the national title game, against.... Bama. Yes Auburn will keep winning, until that Bama game at the end of the year, Bama will then win the SEC title game and get to the national title game. There is no way they wouldn't jump a undefeated Boise or who ever wins TCU-Utah.

ND lost to Tulsa.... very sad about the student dieing on the video tower this week, my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.. but as far as the game.. suck one bk.

I need to enjoy bk doing bad since CMU is having a terrible year themselves, loosing their third home game, and 6th game overall in a row on Saturday, 17-14 over a bad Bowling Green team. After being down 10-0 at half they then took the lead 14-10 until a fumble by Paris Cotton with just over 2 minutes to go gave BG the ball back, and they scored with 21 seconds left. Tough tough year for CMU football, on Friday they play our biggest rival Western Michigan in our last home game. That would be a big game to get, and would really help this team and all the fans, though nothing will help make this a good season at this point, just get a win. We have won 4 in a row against western, and they would love nothing more then to beat us at our place for just the second time since 1973, they have one tie as well in that time. Lucky for me, and other CMU fans, the basketball season is here, there will be a ex game on Wednesday night at mt p hs, and then the new events center opens DEC 1st against Temple.

The Pistons were up 19 on the Bulls and ended up loosing on Saturday night, it sucked, they were outscored 33-9 in the 4th, and our now 0-3. They lost on Friday night to the Thunder by one, after CV31 made a 3 to go up one, Jeff Green drove by Jason M like he was standing still and no one helped in time and he made a lay up for the win, Ben G didn't even get a shot off in the final 2.5 seconds, and basically dribbled out the clock, since we didn't have a time out left.

Wings did win 5-2 on Saturday night, so that is good, and the news is Jimmy Howard will be back in net starting on Wednesday, so that's good.

Someone told me the World Series is still going, but I can not confirm that. I'm right, you're wrong.

Tip Off 2010

2010-10-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

The first two nights of the NBA season has had the excitement of a NBA finals. The Heat-Celtics game on Tuesday was very exciting and the fans in Boston were ready like it was a playoff match up, those two teams will have in the eastern conference finals. The Heat will be fine, and beat the 76ers by ten last night with Wade looking much better, but it is just going to take some time, they are not going to win 70 games, but they will be fine. The Celtics are one of the teams that got the most out of all the hype the heat get. Lets not forget this team was in game 7 of the finals last year, and added Shaq, J O'neal, and more importantly kept PP, Ray, KG and the rest all in tack. This team plays great defense and I still feel, even though they lost at the Cavs last night, this is the best TEAM in the east.

The Lakers won a close game vs the Rockets, they are a jump shooting team so when Brooks and Martin are hot, watch out the Rockets will beat some people, but if they are off, they will lose some ugly games. It is nice to see Yao back, but it is clear he still isn't 100%, and can only play 24 minutes a game. The Lakers ring ceremony was sweet, what a great idea.

Durant had 30 and the Thunder beat the Bulls, who are a good team, like I thought they would be, D Rose is quickly rising in the PG rankings, top 5 for sure, close to the top 3 with CP3 and D wills, he is just so talented.

CK had 8 points and 11 rebounds last night in the Clippers lost, but my boy did not play well, he shot 4-18 from the floor, which is really really bad, so hopefully he got that bad shooting out of the way, and will play better next game. Blake Griffen showed he was worth the wait for Clipper fans as he had 20 points and 14 rebounds, on 8-14 shooting, more impressive of his 14 rebounds, 9 were offensive, that's big time. His first NBA points was on a lob that was thrown high on a two on one, and he got up and threw it down with one hand, if you haven't seen it, you should. B Roy is sick and lead 5 blazers in double digits with 22.

The Nets started last year 0-18, this year they are 1-0. They beat my Pistons by 3, despite the Pistons being up 7 with 1:40 to play. The Nets out worked the Pistons and new coach Avery Johnson out coached Kruster all night, especially in the 4th. He showed how much he wanted to win the game, by going hack a Ben in the 4th with about 4 minutes left. It took three or four trips down the floor before Big Ben was finally taking out. I think Johnson knew with a young team they need to have some success early to gain some confidence. With Lopez inside and Harris outside they have a nice 1-2 punch, they will not make the playoffs this year, but they will be better. As for my Pistons, that was a terrible loss, but the important thing to remember about it is it is just one game, you have 81 more, don't let the Nets beat you twice, as they say, Friday night in the home opener it will be much tougher, against the Thunder, but the Pistons need to regroup and be ready to go. I still feel that this team will make the playoffs in the east as the 7th or 8th seed.

Good weekend of college football this weekend as well, as NFL of course, and NBA and NHL games, so it should be a great sports weekend. Wings play tonight, and should be well rested, they haven't played since Saturday. So hopefully they can get another win tonight.

USC will score on Oregon for awhile, but Oregon will beat them

Nebraska will beat Mizzu

MSU will beat Iowa... I am all in on MSU now, they are winning the big ten, meaning Iowa will beat them 31-17

Michigan gets a big win over PSU this week

Auburn gets by Ole Miss

Farve will play, but the Pats will beat the Viks anyway

Colts will beat the Texans at home, they can't get swept by them

Skins will beat the Lions, because they just had a bad game, so they are now due for a good game. I'm right, you're wrong.

NBA Picks

2010-10-26T13:10:00.001-07:00

yes it is that time of year again, the NBA season tips off tonight, and after a very eventful off season it is nice that the games are actually going to be played now, and the best can be crown champs on the court, not in the media, at the end of the year. So lets get to it.

East:

1) Heat- They will have the best record because they think things like that are important, they will win 60-65 games, but with all the pressure on them, they will lose a few that they shouldn't

2) Boston- Have a easy division and know that there clock is ticking, this is their last run.

3) Magic- Haven't really gotten better, so they will be a 3 seed. How much can you really depend on Vince Carter?

4) Hawks- Joe Johnson got his money, can he play like a max player? no, cause he isn't, but this is still a talented team that in the east will host a playoff series

5) Bucks- Can this team take another step forward, I think they will be fun to watch

6) Bulls- I really like what they did in the off season, but of course Boozer is hurt already, with a broken hand, he shouldn't miss too much time, and D Rose is a top 5 pg in the NBA IMO.

7) Pistons- Call me a homer if you want, but it's the east, who else is good? come on. If the Pistons can stay healthy and not have as many injuries as last year I think they can make the playoffs and win 45 games.

8) Bobcats- There is just no one else

Heat over bobcats- quickly

Boston over Pistons- in 5 tops

Magic over Bulls-in 7- These teams always have great series and D Rose is good for a few wins

Bucks over Hawks- Jennings goes off

Heat over Bucks- in 4 or 5

Boston over Magic- in 6. Shaq can give Dwight problems.. or with him, Jermain and Perkings they can foul him all day

Boston over Heat- in 6- Say all you want about talent, the Heat don't know how to win a playoff series together, it will take some time, and the Celtics are better coached and more of a team, they also know this is their last chance. The Heat will win the NBA title, in 2011-2012, not 2010-2011.

West:

1) Lakers- A lot of people are on the Thunder, and I like them a lot too, and the Lakers don't care about having the best record in the west, just getting to the finals, but I really think they have too much talent not to

2) Thunder- How can you not like this team?

3) Dallas- This team can win some games... as long as they don't really matter

4) Utah- I like the Al Jefferson pick up and D wills is a top 2 PG in the NBA

5) Portland- B Roy is their leader, but they have a lot of talent around him

6) Spurs- Do they have one last run in them

7) Suns- They can score

8) Clippers- yeah I went there, CK will avg 20 and 10, Blake will have a big year, and because they will start well b diddy will stay interested. Plus, Houston can't trust Yao to play enough games and Denver will blow their team up, CP3 needs more help with the Hornets, so really it was between them or the Griz, I'm serious, but I am going with my boy Kaman.

Lakers over Clippers- in 5, the Lakers will mess around one game

Thunder over Suns- Nash was great, but Westbook is better today

Spurs over Mavs- in 6, The Mavs need to blow it up and start again, the Spurs have one last small run in them

Utah over Portland- in 7, this would be a great series, home court in game 7 would be the differences for the Jazz

Lakers over Utah- in 6, D wills is good for two wins

Spurs over Thunder-in 6, Thunder are the up and coming team, but they haven't won a playoff series yet going in to this year, baby steps, they can't make the west finals yet

Lakers over Spurs- in 6, Spurs have their last run to make it this far but the Lakers are too good.

NBA Finals:

Lakers over Boston- in 6- The Celtics beat the Lakers, then the Lakers beat the Celtics, who will win this year, Kobe going for another 3 peat, Phil going for his 4th 3 peat, which is just sick, plus gasol, odom, artest, barns, blake, brown, fish, and you know this one guy named Kobe. Who isn't going to score 28-30 points per game, but he knows he doesn't have to for this team to win, and he can still score if need be, I think this team will actually slowly be Gasol's team, and he can get you 20-25 a night. This would be a great series and I hope we see it.

MVP: Durant- should avg 30-32 ppg, 7-9 rpg, 4-6 ast per game, and his team will win. Just everything you want in a player, how can you not like him? BTW, Is it amazing that once again Portland took a big man with injury concerns, Oden, over a sure thing wing scorer like Durant. To make it worse, it isn't like the Jordan thing, where you had drexler, who wasn't great but a very good scorer, close in height to MJ anyway. Durant is a 6'10 wing who shoots 30 footers like they are free throws, so long, can get to the basket at will, and because of his length, Jay Bilas is smiling somewhere, he can be a good rebounder and defender too.

ROY: Blake Griffen will beat out John Wall, remember Blake is tech a rookie this year, because, The Clippers will win more games the the Wiz. Big year from Blake.

All NBA first team:

D Wade
Lebron
Durant
Gasol
Dwight

All Star starters:

East:
rose
wade
lebron
bosh
dwight

West:
D wills
Kobe
Durant
Gasol
Duncan

I'm pumped and ready for the season, lets play some Basketball! I'm right, you're wrong.

Texas size beat down

2010-10-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

The Giants beat the Cowboys, and ended their season, last night in Dallas, and why it is too bad that Romo got hurt, the Cowboys were in trouble long before that. Romo doesn't play on defense and the D could not stop the Giants, the only thing that stopped the giants all night was the giants, 5 turnovers and you give up a punt return for a TD and you win on the road, that doesn't happen much. The Giants did what they had to do and now our in first place alone on top of the NFC East going in to the bye week. Really it is a bad time for a bye week for this team because they have won 4 games in a row and are playing well, you want to keep it going. Eli started off bad, even though the first two picks were tipped, so catchable, they were both very high and would have been great catches, but I give him credit, he settled down and played well.

Denver must not have known when they game started this week, wow the Raiders just killed them

Miami is 3-3 and not only did they get screwed on Sunday against Pit, but their 3 losses are to the three 5-1 teams in the NFL, ouch.

Seahawks are 4-2, who picked them to win the NFC West? oh yeah, that's right, ME! so far at least I am right about that, because....

KC and Tampa are also 4-2. I didn't think Tampa would win a game. KC losses are to the Colts, and the Texans, which they gave away, who are both 4-2 themselves.

That's the Monday night game this coming week, Texans at Colts, the Texans put so much in to their big week one match up, but if they could find a way to win this one too, watch out. I will stand by my pick that the Colts will win the South and the Texans will be the wild card.

Packers got a nice win over the Viks, and Farve hurt his ankle and may end his consecutive starts streak, I say no way, I will be shocked if he doesn't play. They are playing the Pats are really need a win, they can't fall too many games behind.

The NFL is really getting what they want this year, there are a lot of teams that are just average, not a lot of great teams, and only a few who are bad. I'm right, you're wrong.

It's time

2010-10-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

All yeah I have been fighting it, and the start of the game turned out to be what I thought would happen, Northwestern was up 17-0 on MSU at one point, until the Spartans came back and got a nice road win. Setting up a big game this Saturday in Iowa City against Iowa. Even though Iowa messed it up a bit by loosing by 1 at home to Wisconsin last week in one of the worst clock managements I have ever seen. I didn't want to believe in MSU football because so many times when I thought they were doing good they would come out and lose to a team that they were suppose to beat. This year is seems different. They keep finding new ways to win, and it just seems like this is made for them to win the big ten. Of course that means Iowa will beat them by 21 on Saturday, but I am buying in, MSU will win.

Mizzu made it 3 in a row, as #1 OK went down, making it now three weeks in a row where number one has went on the road to a lower ranked team, at night, and lost in prime time. Could Oregon be next, they go to USC, and since USC can't go to a bowl game, or win anything for real, this is their bowl game. I think too many people are forgetting about USC, they still have talent, and I think they will give Oregon a good game, but I like Oregon to run the table this year.

Nebraska got back on the right track beating OK State, they now have Mizzu, which is another big game in the big 12.

Bama beat Tenn, I see them continuing to win until that game against Auburn, and they they will beat Auburn, win the SEC title game and still play in the national title game against Oregon.

Auburn had a nice 24-17 win against LSU, giving LSU their first loss. LSU has a great defense but their offense is just so bad.

OSU took out all their frustration of loosing to Wisconsin on the road by beating up on Purdue at home, 42-0 at halftime.

Switching to UFC, Brock got knocked out in the first round on Saturday night, didn't see that coming.

The World Series is set, Rangers and Giants, find me someone who says they had that match up at the beginning of the year and I will show someone who is a lying sack of crap. I did end up seeing a little of the end of the Giants game, because I was playing NCAA 2011 on xbox live and talking to two of my former college roommates, and since they were talking about it, I did click over and see the end... How do you take that pitch if you are Ryan Howard? Come on Man.

Big game tonight for my NY football Giants on the road against the Cowboys, this would be a huge win for them, in a game that the Cowboys really need. I got my Giants stuff on and I'm ready to go. I'm right, you're wrong.

Let the sports weekend begin

2010-10-22T05:34:00.000-07:00

Oregon and their sick offense got the sports weekend kicked off last night with a big win over UCLA.

The Wings came back down 1-0 and then 2-1 to win 4-2 over the flames last night, so a good game for them.

Tomorrow there are some big college games as LSU-Auburn, Nebraska-OK State, Wisconsin-Iowa and OK-Mizzu all are games with big time conference and national championship repercussions on the line. MSU also tries to continue their undefeated run at Northwestern... this screams a Northwestern win by two scores.. I hope I'm wrong this time about MSU.

In the NFL Dallas can save themselves a bit with a game against my Giants on Monday night. This would be a big win for the Giants to win in Dallas, but it is needed much more by the Cowboys, I hope my Giants continue to play the way they have been with running the ball and putting a lot of pressure on the QB.

The Viks and Packers also play a big game this week in the main game on Sunday. Both teams need this game as the Packers have a lot of injuries and have lost two tough OT games in a row, including last week at home to Miami. The Viks got the win they needed against the Cowboys last week, but they still need to keep winning if they want to do what they thought they were going to do before the season.

The World series match up will also be set up this weekend, but I am not watching baseball, so I don't care, I do know both series are at 3-2 now, but that's about it. It's football, hockey, and basketball season, baseball is over. I'm right, you're wrong

Football weekend

2010-10-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

MSU wins again, and are now 8th in the nation, I don't know if I am ready for this. They still do have to play at Iowa and at PSU, and even though PSU is down this year that is still a tough place to play. I hope I am wrong, but I still think this team will lose a couple of games, they have a good running game and a good defense but besides beating Wisconsin at home, made to look better after Wisconsin beat OSU last week in Madison, they really haven't beaten anyone good. Michigan is once again a good offense and a terrible defense and that catches up to you, and ND is average at best, and those are their best wins. They will lose in Iowa city and at PSU, if not another game. I would love if they ran the table, but I just don't see it. It is a nice story, but I have learned too many times, just when MSU has you thinking they are a legit big ten title team, they lose.

Nice win for Wisconsin. OSU gave up that kickoff return to start the game, and just got too far down before they made their comeback, you can't do that on the road. Auburn wins again and they look to be a very good team right now. I don't see them making it though undefeated though, they still have some tough games left. Bama got back on track and they still are one of the better teams in the nation. Oregon really only have two more games they could lose that stand between them and playing for a national title. At USC and then home vs Oregon State. Oregon State is a rivalry game at the end of the year, and could go either way, and USC has nothing to play for but ruining their season, so they have nothing to lose. That game should be a shoot out, but I do think Oregon will win both and be in the national title game, who they play will be interesting

Nebraska lost their chance by loosing at home to Texas. Texas needed that win, but in Lincoln I did not see that coming at all.

Switching to the NFL the Cowboys lost again and are 1-4, I can not tell you how happy that makes me. They still have enough talent to turn it around and make the playoffs, but I hope they don't. They have two games in the next four weeks against my Giants so that could help them make up games in the division.

Speaking of my Giants they survived against the Lions, which I am so happy about, because I would never hear the end of it from all my Lions fan friends, which is basically almost all of my friends, if the Giants lost at home to the Lions. The Lions are getting better through that is for sure. They need a better offensive live and some better CB, but other then that they are a lot closer to being a good team then a bad team. They play hard and even with their 3rd string QB for more then half of the game, after Hill got hurt, they still were right there and I was worried until that final pick sealed the deal. I am happy that the Giants are starting to find themselves and look like the old Giants, who were built on good defense and a good running game. They ran the ball well and their front 4 has played very well the last three weeks.

My fantasy teams went 1-2 last week, that should have been 2-1, thanks Jeff Fisher, sure I have Chris Johnson in one league but that was the team that already won, I was playing him in another week and I was up and going to win, until a 4th down 4th quarter TD with the game well out of reach beat me. That league I had been going win/lost every other week, but now I have lost two in a row, and are 2-4, which is big since I have a lot of guys on bye weeks this coming week and would need a miracle to win again. Damn you Jeff Fisher.

Helmet to helmet hits are a big deal right now, its football, deal with it people. If it is clear the guy is leading with his head and trying to hurt a guy he should be suspended, but if he is leading with his shoulder and at the last second a guy drops his head or turns around or something, you can't expect a guy to be able to stop in mid air. The NFL already protects the QB to the point where the next step is to let them wear the red jerseys in games to, and don't get me wrong I don't want to see anyone get hurt, and not be able to walk again, but you have to be able to hit a guy if you are on defense, just don't lead with your head.

I hear baseball is still going on, I don't care, still haven't watch any of it

College basketball season is here, practice started officially on Friday, I am very much looking forward to that since I love basketball so much. NBA season starts for real next week as well. This is a great time of year.

Wings got a win in PHX on Saturday night, as they scored with just a few seconds left in OT. That was a nice win and I enjoy seeing a lot of people at homecoming at CMU, if only the team didn't lose 27-20 when they gave up a 71 yard TD on 3rd and 13 with 19 seconds left to a guy that was open by 20 yards. So frustrating. CMU fans have been spoiled for the last few years, and are getting shot down to earth this year. I still have all the faith in the world in Coach Enos and this program that they will get it turned around, but we have a long way to go. We have lost a lot of close games, and we just need to find someone who will step up and make a play. The Va Tech game was bad, and the Ball State game got ugly, but even that game we had some chances, other then that, is's a OT loss to Temple by 3, lost at Northwestern by less then a touchdown, gave up a late TD to Miami Ohio, it's tough, CMU is about 6 plays away from being 6-1, instead they are 2-5.

I am also doing some work this week on a new basketball recruiting site that I am starting. It is called All Eyes on U scouting and hopefully it will be up by the weekend. I will have the link up on here for sure, and look forward to cover basketball more. I will have a link for the blog on that as well, and the message board, so maybe we can get some message board traffic and get this going a little. As always feel free to email me at any times with any sports, or non sports, related questions you have. I'm right, you're wrong.

Steve Schwanda
schwa1sa@cmich.edu

Wings lose a tough one

2010-10-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

Playing the Avs on Tuesday night when they were playing the second night of the back to back, the Wings hadn't played since Saturday and had their starting GK in playing at home you think that it was a game the Wings would win. They scored first, 3 minutes in, but the Avs did tie it before the end of the period. The Wings then scored the next two to take a 3-1 lead. The Avs came back however and scored the next two to tie the game at 3. Then the Wings scored on a short handed goal to take the lead again with about 8 minutes to play in the game but once again the Avs came back. After 60 minutes the game was tied at 4. the 5 minute overtime belonged to the Wings but they were not able to score. They were not able to score in the shoot out either and finally the Avs 6th shooter finally did to end the game, and give the Avs a 5-4 win at the Joe.

Of course it is only one game early in the season so it isn't to big of a deal, but you don't want to let games like that get away from you. Tonight the Wings play in Dallas, as Mike Madono will return to play the Stars after they didn't want to resign him after 20 years. Hopefully the Wings can play well and get a win to start the short two game road trip. They already have some injuries so hopefully this year will not be a repeat of last year. Right now it is Brain R who is arguable their second best defender who will miss 3-4 weeks that is the biggest concern. The Wings are talented enough and deep enough however, that as long as they only have one or two guys hurt at a time they should be fine, and win the West.

Pens haven't won yet, which is great, either has the Blackhawks I believe. The Maple Leafs are playing very well, they haven't lost yet, which makes my dad happy. I am really getting in to hockey more and more, it really is a great sport, and when your baseball team is out of it, when there is no football games worth watching during the week it is the best thing to watch. But the NBA will be starting soon for real as well and that will give me something else to watch as well, which I am really looking forward to. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL week five

2010-10-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

If someone can make sense of the NFL season right now, please give it a try. What do you know about your team right now? To me, the NFL is getting what they want, the NFL with their hard cap and scheduling based on how you did the year before is a leauge unlike any others, to them they want every team to be 8-8. Of course that isn't going to happen, but this year besides three our four teams who are pretty good and three our four teams who are really bad, everyone else could be right around there. KC was 3-0 but didn't have any good wins, they go to Indy and though they ended up loosing 19-9 they held their own for a long time in that game, I was expecting the Colts to roll them. The Cowboys lose to the Titans at home, which I love, since I am a Giants fan, but I think everyone is waiting for them to just turn it on, but they have the Viks next, who are also having some problems, I mean their only win is against the Lions, and the loosing of that game would be 1-4, not good. The Saints lost to the Cards yesterday, and the Cards have been bad, really bad, in most games this year. My Giants had a nice road win at the Texans and that was great to see, but you expect the Texans offense to play a lot better then that. The Giants are looking a little like they did when they got to the Super Bowl, a very good defense, 1st in the NFL in total defense and 1st in passing defense, and with Nicks on the outside they have a big time WR, in the making. I am not calling for them to make the Super Bowl or anything, but a playoff bearth is with in reach that is for sure.

Lions got a big win over the Rams, but if Calvin Johnson is hurt bad it isn't good for them for the rest of the year, maybe he shouldn't have been in in the 4th quarter up 31-6. The Lions play at the Giants this Sunday in a really big game for me. Living in Michigan and being a big Giants fan I would never hear the end of it if the Giants lost at home to the Lions. It is a must win.

The Chargers are off to their usually terrible start, they will still win the AFC west, and I am not at all worried about that pick

The 2010 NFC West may be the worst division in NFL history.

I went a disapointing 1-2 in fantasy this week, got to bounce back. In one leauge where it was my teams first lost I really couldn't do much, I was going against the Lions D who scored over 40 points, how many times is that going to happen this year? I will tell you, no more times, it was just one of those things.

switching gears the Wings look to start the year 3-0 tonight when they play the Avs at home. I think the Wings will get the job done, but I really don't see them loosing unless they get lots of guys hurt again. 82-0 for them, jk, but they will win the West. The NBA season is getting closer, so I will do some thinking and then get my NBA picks out in the next week or so. I'm right, you're wrong.

A Full Sports Saturday

2010-10-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

A jamed backed Saturday of Sports. Bama falls at South Car, MSU beats Michigan for the 3rd time in a row, two of those time in the big house, FL losses to LSU, on a great fake FG call by Les Miles, that sets up the winning TD, Auburn survives at Ken in OT, Free shoe takes it to da U, plus you had NHL games, MLB playoffs, preseason NBA, what more could you want.

I am very happy MSU won, I am surprised, I thought Michigan would beat them in a close shoot out. MSU's D really stepped up, and turnovers of course hurt Michigan. I have said many times how MSU is not a elite football school though a lot of their die hard fans talk about them like they are, they usually are good for 7-8 wins. But ever so often they put together a big year and win 10 games. This is looking to be that year. Great teams use to do two things, run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense, MSU does both of those things well, while still have some talent and speed in the wide out position. They have a very nice schedule and really Iowa is there only for sure loss that I see. I am sure now that my hopes are up they will lose three out of their next four, because that would be a MSU thing to do, but maybe, just maybe, this year is different.

Bama could not make it though their three game test of at Arkansas, home vs FL, who is not very good, and at South Car, as they lost for the first time in a long time, and still didn't fall out of the top ten, which is fine, they are a good team. Now that debate will start, does a one loss SEC team deserve a national title shot over a undefeated Big 10, Pac 10, ACC, Big East or Big 12 school.... I know they would get it over Boise or TCU. I think they do over a Big East and ACC< but not the other 3. Nebraska looks really good, and them and OK should be undefeated when they meet in the Big 12 title game, and the winner of that should go to the BCS title game.

What a call by Les Miles

Wings beat the blackhawks 3-2 and ruined their banner raising night. The Wings are 2-0 and play the Avs on Tuesday. I am very happy hockey as started

I have not watched one pitch of the baseball playoffs yet, for a few reasons, one, I would rather watch football, or the Wings, and two, I am really not a baseball fan, I am a fan of the Tigers, and Cubs, though not as much anymore now that they traded my boy D lee. Heck I watched preseason NBA over post season baseball. But I love basketball and would watch almost any basketball game over a non Tigers baseball game.

Some good NFL games today to talk about, but I will wait to do that until all the games are done. I'm right, you're wrong.

Big week

2010-10-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

So much to get to, I got a new job and I am working long hrs so I haven't updated in a while, which is bad timing since there is a lot going on. Big win for my Giants over the Bears, the D brought it. Jags big time win over the Colts, Moss gets traded to the Viks, Lynch to the Seahawks, Lions lose again, but again it was close to the Packers, my fantasy teams went 3-0 last week. Oregon destroyed the tress, Bama did the same to FL, MSU had a nice win over Wisconsin, Michigan held on over IU, setting up a MSU at Michigan game on Saturday where both teams are undefeated and ranked for the first time since 1999. It is so great for this state, so much trash talking and hype, I think it is good for the big ten and college football too, but of course game day has to be at a SEC game.

Tomorrow is also the Red Wings home opener, which is very exciting as well. As long as they don't have so many injuries like last year they will be the team to beat in the West.

The Pistons started the preseason against the Heat and lost, but the bigger loss for Jonas being out, and also rookie trico white. Hate to see guys get hurt so early, but hopefully they will be back. Dwade also got hurt and will miss a few weeks, but he will be fine.

We had a no hitter yesterday in the baseball playoffs, so I had to mention it, though I didn't see a second of any of the games, and I think that will continue, there is just way too many other things going on for me to watch baseball if the Tigers, or Cubs, are not in the playoffs. College Football, Pro Football, NHL and NBA.

College basketball starts soon too, officially, with midnight madness and the like. Just a great time to be a sports fan.

I will try to post again tonight or tomorrow for more of a rundown, but now I have to go. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL week 3

2010-09-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

The Bears are the last undefeated team in the NFC, yeah the Bears. KC is also 3-0 as is the Charlie Batch lead Steelers. All three have to be a little surprising, the Steelers still have that running game and defense but the NFL is a QB leauge right? The Bears is even more surprising because those wins include on the road in Dallas and at home vs the Packers, two of the top picks from everyone to come out of the NFC to go to the Super Bowl. Of course if it wasn't for the Calvin Johnson play they would have lost to the Lions at home, and if James Jones doesn't fumble, among other things and the Packers would have won that game too, and the Bears would be 1-2, instead of 3-0. I still am not buying the Bears, I think they will be around 7-9 actually, Cutler will get you some yards, and throw some TDs but he will also throw some picks, like the one he threw at the end of the game where he just chucked it up there, but because of the pass interference call, by another player, it was wiped off. The Steelers have a tough game vs the Ravens this week, but even assuming they lose 3-1 is a good start without your starting QB. KC has had some easy games considering the 49ers have just been so bad, even though a lot of people picked them to win the NFC West, I was not one of them, so I am going to say that no team, yes NO team that is 3-0 will make the playoffs. KC and the Bears really isn't going out on a limb, but the Steelers may surprise some people, but I think they will not make the playoffs and I am sticking with my AFC picks of the Colts, Pats, Ravens, SD, Jets and Texans.

The Giants ruined my Sunday big time this week. It wasn't just that they lost to the Titans, I can take losses, but the way they lost. Two turnovers inside the 10, a clip called in the end zone that was a safety instead of a long pass, lots and lots of stupid uncalled for 15 yard dead ball fouls, The Titians did some cheap shots and some late hits but you have to be smart, you can't keep going after guys when the play is over right in front of the refs, I mean come on. They didn't punt the entire game, but still couldn't score. It was a disgrace. Hopefully they can bounce back as they play the Bears at home this week. I think they can regroup and go to 2-2 and give he Bears their first win.

The Texans got caught up in the moment, and the Cowboys finally thought they should play and took it to them. Now everyone is back on the Cowboys, they have enough talent that they will win the East, though the Eagles and Mike Vick look much much better then I thought they would, but I don't think the Cowboys will come out of the NFC.

Some good match ups next week and it should be a great weekend of football, since there are some great college games on Saturday as well. I'm right, you're wrong.

MAC's "big" Saturday

2010-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Mid-American conference does what it can to get any type of national spot light, If it means playing a lot of their games mid-week so they can be stand alone games on epsn or espn2, they will do it. If it means playing a bunch of Big Ten teams on the road, they will do it. This Saturday 8 MAC teams played at Big Ten teams. two of them, Toledo and NIU won, beating Purdue and Minnesota. Temple did start out great against PSU and scored 13 points in the first quarter, sadly for them, they didn't score again, and lose 22-13. CMU also played Northwestern close for most of the game, it was 13-13 at halftime, but the Wildcats took control in the 3rd, leading 30-13, before the Chips came back to make it a game, at 30-25, but a onside kick was not recovered with just over a minute left and that was the game. CMU made too many mistakes to win, missing a field goal and two PATs, as well as turning the ball over three times. They need to get those problems fixed, but if they do, they could still be a force in the MAC. It does look like Toledo will be the team to beat in the MAC West. Some of the MAC teams didn't fair so well as Ball State got rolled 45-0 at Iowa, Michigan put up 65 on BG, and of course the worst MAC team, if not worst team in the country, Eastern Michigan went to OSU and somehow scored 20... but they gave up 73. The other MAC-Big Ten match ups was Akron at IU, which was close for awhile. Two other MAC schools had "big" games against the Big East, Buffalo vs UCONN, and the Big 12, Miami Oh at Mizzu. Uconn won 45-21, while Mizzu had no problems with the Redhawks 51-13.

For the rest of the nation:

Auburn beat south car at home after a nice come back

Bama had a great come back on the road to beat Arkansas

Boise handled Oregon State at home

Texas got rolled at home to UCLA

Cinci played OK very tough, and almost got the win, but couldn't finish, loosing 31-29

The college football weekend got started with da U going to Pitt and destroying them 31-3.

SMU played well for a half at home vs TCU, but the second half belonged to TCU winning 41-24

NC State continues to be one of the surprise teams in the nation, as they handled UGA Tech 45-28, and are now ranked.

The Big East has no teams in the top 25, as WVU feel out after loosing at LSU 20-14.

FL had no problem with Ken, as they get ready for Bama next week.

Next week there will be a lot more big games, so I am looking forward to that. CMU plays Ball State in their conference home opener, and after a three game road trip, I am ready to go to K/S for another CMU win.. hopefully they will bounce back nicely. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL week two

2010-09-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

The Cowboys and Viks are 0-2. KC and Tampa Bay are 2-0. That is all you need to know about the NFL. You never know. I didn't think the Bucks would win one game all year and they are 2-0. I still don't see them winning more then three or four, but who knows. The Cowboys now go to Houston to play the 2-0 Texans... remember who picked them to be good this year, this guy, and I do think the Texans will win this game. The crowd will be hyped and the Texans have a good team, the only thing that worries me, is they already played in Houston in preseason and the Texans killed them, I just worry about that, I think the Cowboys will know what to expect going in their now, and be ready.. I still think the Texans will win though.

The Lions made a nice comeback but lost to the Eagles by three. They recovered a onside kick but couldn't move the ball at all with four in completions in a row, after some questionable play calls IMO. BTW, Vick should start at QB for the Eagles, not question about it, he has earned it. But Andy Reid doesn't see it this way, he doesn't want any of the questions, so he is sticking with Kevin K as long as he can play.

My Giants got rolled by the Colts, which worries me. Not that they lost, since I thought they would, but to be down 24-0 at halftime and lose 38-14 and for the offensive line to not give Eli anytime, and Eli not making good choices most of the time anyway, and the Defense wasn't able to stop the run, and the offense never got the running game going that is one bad combination, and something that worries me. I don't think this team is great, but I would like them to at least be in the playoff picture, and win 9 or 10 games. With them, the Skins and Eagles all being 1-1 and Dallas being 0-2 of course any of those teams could win the division now, but you don't want to give up 38 points.

The Seahawks got beat one week after beating up on the 49ers, who are now 0-2 after a tough close lost to the Saints, but at Denver is a tough place to play and I still like the Seahawks to win the NFC west, because I don't trust Alex Smith.

Andre Johnson had a game like I expect him to have, and my fantasy teams thank him, even though Chris Johnson didn't. I did got 3-0 in fantasy this week, so that's good, after going 1-2 last week.

The Jets backed up all their talking for one week at the beat the Pats, the game was in Jersey though, so we shall see what happens, I still like the Pats to win the AFC east.

I was surprised the Ravens lost to the Bengals, maybe Cinci will have a better year then I thought they would. The Steelers keep finding ways to win, and a big shout out to "down town" Antonio Brown, as the ex Chippewa scored a touchdown in his first NFL touch of his career on a reverse off a kick off return. I wonder if Steeler fans will start chanting "touchdown brown" before every kick and punt that he is back there for, like us CMU fans did for the last few years.

The Packers are going to be a tough team to beat this year, I hope my preseason picks are wrong and it is the Packers in the super bowl, cause I don't want it to be the viks, vs the Colts, or Ravens. I'm right, you're wrong.

College Football wrap up- week 3

2010-09-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

I should have got to this before now, but oh well. In a week where there wasn't a lot of hype leading up to the week because of a lack of "big time" games, there was a lot of good games this week, and way more then last week, IMO even though last week got all the hype.

Fl vs Tenn would be the normal "big" game in the 3rd weekend of September but the Vols have fallen off a bit, and even FL is not a national threat this year IMO, so Fl one but not really anything special there

NC State destroyed Cinci, Southern Miss destroyed Kansas, figure them out, they beat UGA Tech, who was ranked at the time, but have lost to a FCS school and southern miss. Cal also got waxed by Nevada. In college football if you are not a top team, OSU, Bama ect, you really can get beat by anyone week in and week out.

Nebraska rolled Washington at Washington, if everyone can stop bringing up Jack Lockers' name now that would be great.

Moving on to some good games.

Texas Tech held their own against Texas and that was a very good game most of the way.

Clemson and Auburn was a very good game, that QB for Auburn Cam Newton is a stud, about 6'6, built, has some speed, good arm, he is going to be fun to watch for the next few years. Auburn made a nice comeback and won in OT, after a made FG by Clemson was called back by a flag, and then the kick was missed 5 yards back. Nice win for them, and a tough loss for Clemson, who played very very well in the first half, and couldn't hang on.

Michigan showed they are not there yet against UMASS, UMASS isn't bad, but if you want to be a top team you need to take care of business, look at what Ohio State did to Ohio. You need to get out on them early and that way you can play some of your back ups. The fact that Robinson had to play so much in the game for them to get the win is a loss to me. BG should be easier, because I don't think they are as good as UMASS, enough FCS teams have shown they are good football program, and top teams from that division can give most teams in the FBS a game. The other funny thing about Robinson is, and it just shows how great his start has been, he had 345 yards of total offense and 3 touchdowns and that was a "down" game for him.

MSU-ND- MSU is really trying to matter in the national scene. OT at home in prime time on national TV and you run a fake FG for the win. I love the call, it reminds me of something I would do in video games, that you wouldn't do in real life because if it doesn't work you are in trouble. The thing is though, it wasn't a sure thing kick, especially with their kicker, so it really wasn't much of a gamble. But what a great call, this was a really good game, but it does take a back seat to Dantonio having a small heart attack and being out for awhile. Northern Colorado shouldn't give MSU any problems, but then home vs Wisconsin and at Michigan is not a easy big ten start, I really see them being 0-2 to start big ten play. They played ok against ND, but two things, one, ND really isn't that good yet, and two, they gave up a lot of yards, especially in the air. They do have a good running game though, so I think they can win 8 games or so, but I still don't think they are a 10 win team, like most of their fans do.

Good to see Mark Ingram is back, and doing ok, he had over 100 yards in the first quarter... be it, against Duke, but still, he's a stud.

Arkansas had a nice win on the road at UGA, for Mallet's first road win. Setting up a real big game at Arkansas this Saturday vs Bama. I am not sold on Arkansas at all, and I think Bama will win by 2-3 scores.

Zona had a nice win over Iowa, which I did pick right in my pick-um league. Not that Iowa is bad, but I do think the were a little overrated, and going out west, on the road, it's hot there, against a good team, that was going to be a tough game for them. Zona may be Oregon's only threat for the PAC-10 title, since USC can't win it. I'm right, you're wrong.

The Wife Fires Back...

2010-09-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

A Short time ago I posted a post about my experiences with Trey Zeigler who I got to coach at Mt Pleasant High School, and who turned down UCLA, MSU, Michigan, and Duke, among others to stay home and play for his dad at CMU. Here is the link, if you want to take a look at that, or another look, if you already have read it.

http://schwandasports.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-life-with-trey.html

Well now my wonderful wife has responded, and I must say, though it mocks me, it is really really funny, and I would call it a must read.... Here it is:

Who is Trey Zeigler and why is he stealing my husband from me?

You know how every woman has that one person in their partner’s past that are a bit jealous over because of how important that person was to him? It just seems like no matter what you do, nothing will ever compare to how well -insert the little bimbo’s name here- did it? Or how about those times where you run into that same stupid bimbo out with your partner and you cringe as you watch how his face lights up and he acts like a silly school boy in her presence.

Well my situation is a little different than that one, though creepily similar.

First I need to add some background to the story. My husband loves sports. When I say love, I do not just mean that he really likes sports a lot, or that he participates in the same ritual of stuffing one hand down the pants and a beer in the other hand on game day as many men do. I do not even mean that he gets in a foul mood when his team loses, or that he owns many team jerseys and watches every game like clockwork. No, he LOVES sports, like a love that, in his words, is comparable to the love he has for me. The same “I would do anything for you” or “I can’t live without you” passion. He is obsessed. His life, in many ways, literally revolves around it. His heart feels the same kind of pain as a scorned lover when his team does poorly. In fact, his emotions are more likely to run rampant at a sporting event than ANY OTHER event in his life. What do I mean by this? Cry on his wedding day when he marries the love of his life? Nope. How about the day his daughter is born? Nah. Or when his beloved grandfather dies? Not even then. But what about when his high school lacrosse team loses their last game his senior year? BRING ON THE FLOOD GATES!

With a man like this, I have nothing to worry about when it comes to another woman: past, present, or future. But what I do have to worry about is a boy named Trey Ziegler, who has stolen the heart of my husband and has me a bit jealous.

So who is Trey Ziegler? Well to me, he is a boy who just graduated from high school, has a good family, and has some talent playing basketball. No big whoop, nothing to get your panties in a twist over, he is a kid. He also had to make a decision about where he was going to college this year (as most kids do), and after knowing he could go pretty much anywhere in this country, settled on the very prestigious, ever-exciting, located in the action-packed metropolis of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan (which is where he graduated from high school): Central Michigan University. He is one of the many, almost 4,000 other kids who made that same decision this year. Nothing special, right? Who the heck cares, this affects my life in absolutely no way whatsoever.

Well, if you ask my husband, I am very wrong. Color me stupid, because Trey Ziegler is not “just a kid who can play basketball,” he is apparently a god-like man who can dribble the ball on water and each basket he makes saves the lives of many sick children. The fact that CMU was able to score (no pun intended) such a gem like Trey is the equivalent of finding a magical leprechaun who not only grants you the one wish you always wanted but throws in a pot of gold for extra measure. Trey makes my husband feel like much more than just an assistant varsity basketball coach of a little high school in Michigan. He makes him feel like he has celebrity status because my husband was “privileged” enough to coach him and be his friend. My husband turns into a giddy school boy when talking about Trey: his eyes light up, a smile spreads across his face, and he puffs out his chest in pride. Trey Ziegler is the person that I feel I will never live up to for the simple, stupid fact that I have zero talent in sports.

So what is so darn special about that kid Trey Ziegler? Well, he plays basketball well. Quite well, I suppose. But never fear, because I have just as many, and in my opinion, more important talents, too. In fact, right now I am using my super womanly powers to grow a baby in my belly, beat that Trey!!!

I will never understand my husband’s obsession with sports and Trey, but I suppose I can just deal with it and be glad that I am sometimes important enough to be seen with him at CMU basketball games (which I also like to attend…notice I didn’t say love…basketball games and I are “just friends”). And I am glad that we have a good player like Trey on our team, even though I do believe he is just a mere mortal and won’t kiss the ground he walks on or pretend that he is some huge celebrity. But I do respect my husband’s passion and will be there cheering on the wonderful Chippewa’s this season, as I am every season…except this one will most likely include many eye rolls at my husband.

Love you, Steve.

NFL week one

2010-09-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

The NFL is the hardest league to figure out. I thought Tampa Bay Bucks may not win a game all year, they win week one. You think the Viks and Saints will play a offensive shootout, nope. Dallas, as much as I hate them should win the east and the Skins will struggle, nope. The Chargers are by far the best team in the AFC West they wouldn't have any troubles with KC right, nope. At least some things I was right about. The Texans did beat the Colts, I wouldn't worry too much, or at all, if I was a Colts fan. That game meant a lot more to the Texans then it did to the Colts, the Colts know they are a good team, they know they will make the playoffs, the Texans is the team that has to show it will. I have already said I think the Texans will win a wild card spot in the AFC, now they need to keep this going.

The Jets showed the problems they still have last night, for all the people talking about them like they are a super bowl team they still have lots of problems. The Ravens are going to be tough to beat, and I think 13-3 for them is about right.

I am very happy my Giants did win, but they need to run the ball better, and Eli can't throw 3 picks. The Panthers may be worse then 7-9, we shall see.

The Lions thought they won, and then they didn't, I am not a Lions fan, but many many people I know are and I feel bad for them that they keep finding ways to lose, to me it was the right call, it is just a stupid rule. How can you throw the ball basically at the pylon and as long as the ball touches it before any part of your body touches the ground it's a TD, but if you catch the ball, come down with both feet, have your butt hit, a elbow hit, and then roll over and put the ball down on the ground and it comes out, it isn't. Just a messed up rule. Saying that, the Lions were up 14-3 and let the game get away, that has a lot to do with Stafford's injury and hopefully he will be ok. They now have a big home game vs Phili and most likely Mike Vick. I think the Eagles will win that game, but for all of my Lions fan friends out there I hope I am wrong.

The end of the skins-cowboys game made me so happy, I can't even put it in to words. I hate the cowboys more then any team in the NFL so to see that team with all their "talent" and all this hype to lose a game like that to the Skins is just great. I also think they gave Miles Austin too much money, too soon, but whatever, do what you want. The Cowboys should still be fine, but I hope they are not.

The Steelers found a way to win, got to give them credit, now they go to Tennessee, that is a game I think the Titans will win. ATL is such a hard team to get a read on.

I was right, at least for one week, about the Seahawks, if they are healthy they still have the best qb in the division imo and that helps a lot. They have a great home field advantage and they have a coach that is very upbeat and brings in a winning attitude. The 49ers, to me, showed they have talent, but they don't know how to win yet.

Not a bad week one in the NFL, besides me going 1-2 in fantasy football. Looking forward to the rest of the week, some big games this week as well, that I will talk about as we get closer. I'm right, you're wrong.

The Post season is here

2010-09-13T06:43:00.001-07:00

The CMU keeper baseball league starts their playoffs this week, and while this year was the closest in the history of the league, with 7 teams all having 7 wins or more, only 4 make it to the playoffs. Noodle Swingers is the first place team with a record of 14-8, and half of those losses were the first four weeks of the year. The swingers are lead by a strong pitching staff lead by Verlander and Lee and also the power bats of Teixerira, Dunn and Konerko, as well as Victor Martinez. Swingers manager Sean T has been very busy this year making 45 moves, 3rd highest in the league. So far the moves as paid off and he will face the 4th seed Maggs is Innocent in the semi finals. They are lead by Miguel Cabrera, Dan Uggla, and Evan Longoria. They also have Manny and Brain Roberts to lead a strong offense. They have a strong rotation as well. The teams have played twice this year with each team winning once but I believe the swingers are too powerful and will win the semi final match up 9-4.

In the other semi it is league commish, and his league high 79 moves, yes 79, playing the 2 seed off in the words, aka the tieing machine. Off in the words has 11 wins, just like a few teams that didn't make the playoffs, the differences, the team only has a league best 6 losses all year, because they also have 5 ties. Off in the words offense is lead by Joey Votto, Matt Kemp and BJ Upton, but the strong point of their team is their pitching. Lackey, Jimenez, sanchez and Roy Halladay are just some of their strong starters on this team, as well as having Matt Capps in the pen. They are 2-0-1 vs Lil rumor this year, and I don't see them loosing the pitching match up. Though lil rumor will be adding and dropping a lot in trying to get the most players to play each day, since he puts the work in to get that cash. I see Off in the words having just enough and winning 7-6. Rumor will be lead by Jon Lester and the hard throwing stud Aroldis Chapman, while his offense is very strong with Jason Heywood, Cano, Rollins, Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. I see Lil Rumor being very strong again next year as well.

In the finals I like the Swingers to beat Off in the Words 8-6. Lil Rumor will win the 3rd place game however 7-6.

Over Hyped Saturday

2010-09-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

We have heard for a long time now about the big games in the second week of the college football season, OK vs FSU, da U at the shoe, Bama and PSU, and of course Mich-ND always play the second game of the year, well besides the Michigan-ND game all the others disappointed me. I will take a short look at some of the games I got a chance to see some of.

UGA vs South Car- Real nice win for the gamecocks, uga had some turnover problems and south car took advantage, big win for them, and tough way for uga to start the SEC season

Free shoe vs OK- Well either one of two things happened, I really underrated OK after a sloppy first game last week, or I really overrated free shoe. FSU just got killed. Loosing 47-17. For a team that is suppose to be a top 20 team in the nation playing in a big game you need to play better then that.

da U playing in the shoe- OSU played ok and got a nice 12 point win here but they still have some problems, they gave up a kick and a punt return for a td, and really it was the U who helped them out the most, J Harris being the main helper, throwing 4 picks on the day. One big one inside the ten when the score was 26-17. Harris has thrown 12 picks in da U's last five losses. He needs to not turn the ball over for them to do well... I know, expert breakdown by me.

Bama- PSU- freshmen qb on the road for his first start at the defending national champions... at night, come on. Next year maybe this can be a decent game in happy valley, but this year PSU had no chance and lost by three touchdowns, 24-3. Even without the Heisman trophy winner, Bama has more then enough talent to win games.

Oregon-Tenn- Tenn was doing well, and at one point was actually leading the game 13-3. Looking at the score now with a few minutes to go in the game, it is now 48-13 Oregon. Getting beat like that at home will not sit well with the Vol fans. Oregon has a lot of talented backs, they are going to go to the rose bowl again.

Mich-ND- So for the second year in a row a qb making his second career start has a big day against ND to lead a come from behind win for Michigan. Last year Tate, this year D. "shoelace" Robinson just put on another show. Last week against UCONN was one thing, but this was on the road in ND, and all he does in his first career road start is have 502 yards of total offense. Yes, you are reading that right, 502 yards of total offense for one guy. When you have a QB who can break 87 yard TD runs and finish over 200 yards passing and running, you are going to be tough to beat. Because as many times as he ran, he still was 24-40 passing, so you have to worry about his arm too. ND did show a lot the way they fought back, and they did have to use three QBs, but the second half when the starter could return, it was a great game. Really ND had a good chance at the end of the game, getting it all the way down to the 26 or so, even though Michigan scored with just 27 seconds left to go up 4, 27-24. The last play of the game was thrown out of the end zone, you can't do that, have to give your team a chance. Michigan most likely will be ranked now, and once again their fans will talk about how good they are and how they have a Heisman candidate at QB. Last year things didn't work out after a 4-0 start, this year, it remains to be seen, but the way Robinson is playing right now, they are going to be in some games, and should have a much better year.

MSU had a closer then one might think game with FL Atlantic, my old roommate who was there said they didn't look too good. We will see how they come out next week playing ND at home in prime time. I will promise one thing, their students will be hammered.

Tomorrow the NFL season really gets under way, I know the Saints and Viks starting on Thursday, some nice match ups for week one. Texans vs Colts, is a game I think will be the biggest. The Texans need to take that step, and if you read my preseason picks, you know that I think they will. I am actually going to the Tigers game tomorrow, I haven't been yet this year, and I have to go to at least one a year, so I am going to go with my wife and daughter and cheer them on, one last time this year, before I just focus on Football, and then Basketball. USA in the gold medal game tomorrow at 2pm vs the host nation Turkey, Kevin Durant is a stud, that's all I need to say. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL Season Picks

2010-09-08T12:04:00.001-07:00

The NFL season is here! No really it is, the first game is tomorrow, so it is my last chance to get my season picks on here before the games start. For those of you who haven't seen my picks before I take each game and pick a winner and then total up the number of wins for each team, so the win/loss records will not be right, since that doesn't factor injuries or going west for a early game, or what ever, it is just me quickly looking at the game and picking the better team to win. So here we go.

AFC:

North:

Pitt: 11-6- tough start early but they will have a nice season, but no playoffs

Browns: 2-14- they are bad

Ravens: 13-3- win the division.

Cinci: 6-10- just a ticking time bomb

South:

Colts: 14-2- win the division

Texans: 12-4- yeah, I'm all in on them this year, I like this team. Wild card team.

Jags: 8-8- Not bad, not great

Titans: 8-8- see Jags

East:

Mia: 5-11- Not crazy about them this year

Pats: 14-2- Win division, sorry, they are still the best team in this division

Jets: 12-4- They will still have a great year though. Wild card team.

Bills: 1-15- They are terrible

West:

SD: 13-3- Win division.. easy.

KC: 3-13- May get up to 5 wins

Raiders: 4-12- Think this is right where they will be, 5 wins tops

Denver: 7-9- sorry but I can't seem them doing better then 8-8.

AFC Playoffs:

Ravens beat Jets
Texans beat SD

Indy beats Ravens
Pats beat Texans

Indy beats Pats

NFC:

North:

Packers: 13-3- I like this team a lot this year. wild card team.

Viks: 14-2- win division, I don't like this, but I really think Farve has one more year in him

Bears: 3-13- Don't like this team at all

Lions: 6-11- I think they will be better, they are getting there.

South:

ATL: 9-7- I don't know about this team, they could win 12 games, or be 7-9

Saints: 14-2- At first I was going to pick them to have a bad year, but I have changed my mind, they will win the division and have a good regular season record.

TB: 0-16- I am sure they can find a way to get one win, but they are really bad.

Car: 7-9- I think this will be their record.

East:

Dallas: 10-6- They will win the division

Skins: 4-12- Too many question marks for me

Phili: 3-13- I am sure they will win more then 3 games, but I don't like them this year, I just don't.

Giants: 10-6- I am hoping my G-Men can put together 10 wins and a wild card spot.

West:

SF: 10-6- Nice year just missing a wild card spot

Seattle: 11-5- Yep, I went there, I am taking them to win the division.

Cards: 6-10- They will take a big step back

Rams: 1-15- They thank the Bucks so they are only the second worst team in the league.

NFC Playoffs:

Packers over Dallas
Giants over Seattle

Packers over Saints
Viks over Giants

Viks over Packers

Super Bowl: Viks over Colts 28-21- Farve has one more good year in him and will lead this team to the title, and then finally retire, for good... I hope. I'm right, you're wrong.

Kickoff weekend

2010-09-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

I am just getting back from Higgins Lake and had a nice time with the fam. First CMU did ok and won 33-0 over Hampton. They had a few first game mistakes, and Hampton is bad, so we will find out a little more on Thursday when they play at Temple. Saturday could not work out better for me. I am at the Cottage with only one TV, and my daughter and wife and her grandparents and of course my daughter wants to go out side and play all day.. I just want to sit around and watch college football. So what happens? in yet another example of how much God loves me, it is cold and raining all day. Oh how saw, lol. So I got to lay around and watch a lot of the college football I wanted to watch. There is one big game that begins in about a half and hour but I will talk about a few of the games that already happened.

Michigan looked good, well let me changed that, D Robinson looked good. Got to wait and see on them, remember this is the same team that was 4-0 last year and #18 in the nation, and finished 5-7.

MSU destroyed Western after a slow start. Which makes me happy, because not only do I like MSU, besides some of their stupid fans who think they are a elite program, and being a CMU grad I do not like western Michigan at all, and that is the nicest way I can say that. Again, like Michigan, MSU has a long way to go if they want to go 11-1 like some of their fans think they will. I'm telling you, they are entertaining

ND looked decent against a Purdue team that who knows how good they will be. I can't say I am happy about that, never been a ND fan and the fact that now ex CMU coach Brain Kelly is there, I want them to fail even more.

The other Ex-CMU coach at a BCS program now is our last coach Butch Jones at Cinci, who was up 14-0 on Fresno State, so I turned off the game and went to bed, well I guess the Cinci football team stopped playing too, as Fresno won 28-14. I am not too happy about that, I wish Coach Jones well, if you wonder the difference, there are a few things: 1) BK is a good coach, but he is a huge A hole, and only cares about himself, he also left right after he told his players he would not after a MAC title. 2) I believe Coach Jones did all he could to better the team while he was here. 3) I got to know his wife rather well, as I coached his oldest son in Basketball and she is a wonderful lady, and she gave me a lot of CMU stuff.

UNC made a great comeback on LSU, but just couldn't get it done in the end with all those players out. Plus LSU is a good program. Butch Davis has done a great job at UNC though and they could be a very tough team to beat, if they get their guys back

Utah beat Pitt in OT in a very good game. Dion Lewis is the best RB in the nation, but had a bad game for him for Pitt and Utah is a very tough team to beat on the road, they have won 18 games at home in a row now I believe. It was funny how Pitt missed a kick at the end of the game, but a time out by the Utah coach gave the kicker another chance, and he made it, only to have Pitt throw a pick on the first play of OT and Utah kick a FG for the win.

TCU beats Oregon Sate, but to me, it showed me they are overrated. They are not a top ten team if they barly beat Oregon State, who is in the 20's. Unless Oregon State is better then people think, but I don't. TCU is a good team, but not a top ten team.

Looking forward to Boise and Va Tech, now starting in about ten minutes. I would like to see Boise win, but I think Va Tech will win, if it was at Boise no question they win, but Va Tech is a very good football team as well. Should be a good game though. Tomorrow I will do my NFL picks. I'm right, you're wrong

Just in Time

2010-09-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Football is back, for real, tonight, as a few college games kick off the 2010 season. One of those games is my alma mater CMU, who will host Hampton at 7pm. I am looking forward to taking the short drive from Alma up to Mt. Pleasant for the first game under new coach Dan Enos. I am just excited about the season. There are a lot of questions to be answered and I am just glad the season is under way and those questions will begin to be answered.

The Big Ten (12) announced their two divisions for football only starting in 2011. I have lived in Michigan since I was about 4, I'm 27 now, so I have been watching big ten sports for a long time, so I will give my thoughts on the divisions. One division has Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, MSU, Minnesota and Northwestern, and the other has OSU, PSU, Wisconsin, Ill, Purdue and Indiana. Michigan and OSU being in different divisions surprise me, but they will still play ever year. Which means they could play twice a year, if both won their divisions, they would play again in the big ten title game. The game looks to be moved towards the middle of the year, instead of at the end. I think they should make it at the beginning of the year, it would be the big national game every year, start a new tradition. Nebraska is not a bad team this year and should be solid at least for years to come, but I really think Michigan's division is way easier. Iowa is good now, but just a few years ago they were not, and they are not a great tradition rich program. MSU isn't half as good at football then most of their fans think they are, but they could get to some big ten title games, if they have Ill and IU as cross over games, and not have to play OSU, PSU or Wisconsin. Traditionally I see Michigan and Nebraska as the two powers of one conference, with Iowa enjoying some success now, MSU being a 7-8 win team a year, and then Minnesota and Northwestern being towards the bottom, usually. The other division you have three very good programs, Ill and Purdue who ever so often are good, and then IU who sucks out loud. That division is strong at the top, but weak at the bottom. I am surprised by the divisions being what they are, but I guess they did want to break it up as fair as possible, I mean if you went east/west, and put Michigan, MSU, PSU, OSU, ILL and Northwestern in one, and Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minn, Iowa, Purdue and IU in the other, that wouldn't really be fair, traditionally as you would be giving Wisconsin or Nebraska a division title basically ever year, I know Iowa is good now, but I really don't see them has a strong program for years to come. It will be interesting to watch, luck will have a lot to do with it depending on who your cross over games are against and where you have to play them. To think Michigan may have to go to Nebraska, MSU and PSU and then play OSU at home, or something would be a very tough schedule for them. Of course a team like MSU will most likely get lucky, only have to play OSU ever few years, and they may get IU and Purdue in cross over games, play Nebraska at home, and have to play at Michigan, while they are still rebuilding and MSU may even get to a big ten title game, though they will not deserve it, and would get killed by OSU, as we saw a few years ago in E Lansing. It's hard to believe that I am a MSU fan, but I am. I really do like MSU, I just get tired of their fan base talking about their football program like it is some elite program. NO, your basketball program is elite, your football programs hasn't won the rose bowl since 1988. Like last year when CMU beat them and their fans before the game talked about how they are going to kill us, and it will not be within 21 points, not thinking that they had a new qb, we had a 4 year starter, who has the most touchdowns in the history of FBS, we believed we were going to win, and played like it

Anyway, it's time to shower and get ready for this game. only a few more hrs till kickoff, I can't wait, Fire up Chips. I'm right, you're wrong.

Another tough one for the Tigers

2010-09-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

The Tigers were up 3-0 vs the Twins in Minn, everything was going good, and then, the offense stooped and the Twins did what they seem to always do, find a way to win. Coming all the way back and winning 4-3. It's the Tigers 4th one lose game in the last ten, two of those were in extra innings. They still have two more games left in this series, but they needed a sweep if they wanted any chance to make this interesting. Their season is basically over... and it's September 1st, time for some call ups. Roster expand and even more guys from Toledo will be able to get some nice experience in Detroit. I will still watch games, and still support the team, I am looking forward to seeing how some of the young guys play.

One thing I have to bring up from last nights game, Casper Wells is 3 for 3 with two doubles and in the 8th inning Leyland pinch hit for him, because a righty was in the game now. Leyland does the lefty/lefty righty/righty thing way too much. If a guy is hot and playing well, leave him in. He is clearly seeing the ball well and is in a grove, much more then a guy who is cold sitting on the bench and isn't in the game. Of course it ended in a ground out. Who knows if Wells would have gotten a hit and maybe the inning would have been differently, but give the kid a chance, he is playing well. Leyland over manages a lot IMO. Sometimes you just have to ride the hot players out and stop looking at what this guys numbers are against right handers in night games after the 7th inning.

CMU football starts tomorrow, I am pump. They are just playing Hampton, but football is football and I am happy it is back. Fall is here, we just need the weather to get the memo, it's been way too hot in Michigan this week. Hockey and Basketball will be here before we know it to, it's just a get time of year. My prediction, CMU 42 Hampton 7.

After a close call vs Brazil Team USA will play Iran today at noon in the world championship. I am going to say they will have no problems with Iran at all. I think the close game with Brazil will serve as this teams wake up call that they need to play as a team, and not turn the ball over if they want to win this tournament. Rebounding could be a problem with this team because their lack of team size, but it takes five guys to rebound, and if all five on the floor take pride in boxing out their man, they are long enough and athletic enough to be fine. I'm right, you're wrong.

My Life with Trey

2010-08-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

"Where’s Trey going?" It’s the question that I got asked the most over the last 3 years. Not because I graduated from CMU where his dad is the head coach, and not even because I am a basketball analyst for Chippewa Country, CMU rivals site, it’s because I am on staff at Mt. Pleasant High School on the boys varsity basketball team and for the last four years I have had the honor and privilege to coach Trey Zeigler, a 4 star basketball recruit who is a top 30 player in the nation. . Four years ago when I met Trey he was a 6’3 skinny semi shy freshmen in high school, today he is a 6’5 stronger, much more confident and better overall player who is a freshmen in college, and though he has a lot of god given talents, make no mistake about it he is where he is today because he works very hard. I have watched him grow up, content the first few years of high school just playing. He was the best basketball player on our team from the first day he stepped in to the gym but he didn’t always act like it. His freshmen year we had a lot of seniors on the team and he let them do their thing. Even as a sophomore he didn’t totally lead the team. By his junior year however he fully took over. He was going to be the leader both on and off the court; he was going to make sure we had successful seasons. Even though I know he wishes we could have been more successful we still won 4 district titles and got to 4 regional finals during his 4 years here. In two of those years we lost to the eventual state champion in the regional final. His senior year was the best, a 21-4 record and a conference championship and he finished runner-up for Mr. Basketball, the state’s top individual award.

Over the last few years most of the cool people I have meet and the great things I was able to see was because of Trey. I got to sit court side in Ann Arbor at a Michigan-Michigan State game because of Trey, and go in to the locker room afterwards and talk with the coaches and players. I got to sit 3 rows behind MSU’s bench this past year for the Michigan game in East Lansing because of Trey. I have got a chance to meet coaches from Michigan, Michigan State, Duke, UCLA, Notre Dame, Providence, Louisville, LSU, Miami Fl, Oklahoma, ASU, and Arizona to name a few, because of Trey. I got a book autographed by Mike Krzyzewski and had a chance to talk to him because of Trey. For all these great things and many more that I got because of him, I don’t really think I ever gave him anything.

The only down side was being asked all the time about where he was going. Friends from high school who graduated from Michigan or MSU would find me on facebook and ask me, people would call, email, and ask me on message boards assuming I knew. I always told them the same thing; I would give them the school list and tell them I have no idea where he was going to go. Sometimes maybe I would give a guess, Michigan, or maybe UCLA, but I never knew. He never told me. In a way, I am happy he didn’t because then I didn’t have to lie when people asked me where he was going, but the truth is, he didn’t know either. Most people might find this hard to believe but it’s true. Recently I asked him if he kept it from me so I didn’t have to lie or because he didn’t want it getting out “No I really didn’t know until the Sunday before my press conference” Trey said.

When he did pick CMU of course I was very happy, to be honest I was surprised, but very happy. I always knew that the Zeigler’s are a very close family, and a wonderful family at that, and staying close was important for them. But I also think Butler’s run to the title game helped to. Players all over could see it can happen anywhere. Looking back at it now I wondered how was it for him, so I asked him what the best and worst part of the recruiting process is. The worst part I think shouldn’t surprise anyone. “The questions for sure.” As for the best part Trey said this “Talking to all the coaches, and all the fans showing you love and support.” I can attest to the love they show. When we were down at MSU, it was amazing how many people would stop him as he was walking and say “hey it’s got to be state right” or “you would look good in green” everyone knew who he was. I was popular by association just for walking in with him.

I then starting to worry that I was too annoying during the process myself. My love for CMU comes behind only my love for God, my Daughter and my wife, and I make that very well known, but I never want to pressure anyone to go somewhere they don't want to go, and I hope that it didn’t happen with Trey. So I asked him to make sure. “I think the people who were close to the situation did a great job not pressure me.”
Just what I wanted to, because all I tried to do was let Trey know that I care about him, and to be honest, I love him, and would support what ever he chooses to do. I really feel that is why he has become such a great young man, it’s because all the people around him support him and would have gotten behind any choice he made. I’m just really glad he chose to become part of my CMU Basketball Family. Because we have had a coach and player relationship and even a friendship, but now, we are something much more, we are family. It’s a great time to be a Chippewa!

Laird goes deep! What?

2010-08-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

The Tigers continued their hot play last night beating the Blue Jays 7-1 showing off some serious long ball power, as they hit both a 3 run and 2 run homers in the game. The 2 run homer was even more of a shock because of who hit it. The worst hitting catcher in the league, finally got his avg over 200! G Laird. He got a good pitch to hit and he crushed it. Now sure, the Tigers were already up 4-0 at the time, so by no means was this a big clutch home run or anything but any homer by him makes you stop and think, "did I just see that, did that really happen." Another good win for the Tigers who sit 9 games back after the Twins were able to get a win in Texas. Hopefully tonight's game can be more of the same, and they can at least make the race close. Sources say Manny is coming to the White Sox, as they try to catch the Twins, but if the Tigers keep winning and the White Sox slip, the Tigers will be the ones in second place and closing in fast.

Again, I want to remind everyone, I am not saying they are going to win, I still don't think they will, I just love what I am seeing from this team right now, they are playing hard, and at least giving fans a reason to watch, cheer and follow this team. With college football starting this coming Thursday, and the NFL one week after that, they don't need to stay in it much longer, they have done their job.

Wings tickets also went on sale today, I hope to get to at least one game at the Joe this year. Hockey will be here soon too, then basketball, I love it. Summer needs to end, and fall needs to arrive. I'm right, you're wrong.

When a 5-1 home stand is bad

2010-08-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

Usually if you go 5-1 on a baseball home stand it is a good thing, but not when you are the Tigers and you have no room for error, and the home stand is against the Tribe and KC, and not when you are up 3-0 in the 7th, and 3-1 with two outs in the 8th, only to put your hurt closer in for a four out save ATTEMPT, then lose the game 4-3 on a home run in the 12th. Tough tough loss. Hopefully they can keep playing well against the Blue Jays. The Rangers have been beating up on the Twins a little, so it does at least make it worth checking score still.

But make no mistake, I am by no way saying I think the Tigers still have a good chance at winning the central, I never did, and I still don't. But I am glad they are playing well and at least keeping it semi close.

We are one week away from the start of CMU's 2010 football season. I am so pumped. Should be great, a lot of questions to be answered, new coach, new qb, new system, but lets lace um up and play. One week from tonight at home vs Hampton. Flip the Switch.

Anyone else surprised that Tiger played well today, nope, me either. I'm right, you're wrong.

Thanks but no thanks

2010-08-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

Mr Damon is staying in the D. Despite being picked up by the Red Sox, he choose not to go back to Boston and back to a wild card race. I wonder if the Tigers really still believe inside their clubhouse they have a chance still. They have won 4 games in a row, with a few more left against KC, that should help, but they are still 10 and a half back. I guess they think, hey, the Twins did it last year, so as long as we can get this thing down to 5 or 6 games by September 1st we have a chance. Sure they still have a chance, but it isn't a very big one, in fact, it is very small. They need to basically win ever series from here on out, and I would say sweep a good amount of them, because the Twins are not going to fall apart, the Tigers are going to have to catch them, I don't think the Twins will come back to them. Plus will the amount of young guys the Tigers are playing these days there is just no room for error, plus any team that is smart is going to walk Manny Jr every time he is up. Why some teams still pitch to him, I have no idea. Unless you have a big lead, why not walk him. I am glad people don't though, cause it is so much fun to watch that guy hit. What a beast. I'm right, you're wrong.

If only

2010-08-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

The Tigers could still be in the race if only they play the tribe for the rest of the year in Detroit. What a butt kicking that series was, 19-3 was the total score in the three games. It's great to see people still coming out to the ball park and supporting this team, and it is even better to see the team respond with a big series sweep. KC is up next, lets have another home series sweep.

I had two fantasy football drafts the last two days and I like both of my teams. I like one of them more then the other, but there are some question marks for both teams. I worry about my running backs, since I have some age in my backfield, so that is something I worry about a little. We shall see what happens. Fantasy sports are a lot of fun, especially live drafts. We had our yesterday at Hooters, and it was a great time. It almost took 5 hrs but that is the way to do it, no rush, everyone together, have some food, drink some cold ones, and most importantly talk a lot, and I mean, a lot, of trash. Have the guys you want in each round in mind going in, but be ready to change, as the draft goes on, but always remember, no matter what place you got the year before, you must, MUST, talk trash, that is half the fun in playing fantasy sports. Win if you can, lose if you must, but always talk trash. I'm right, you're wrong.

Like I said

2010-08-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

When all this Farve stuff went down a few weeks back some people bought in, thought that this time he was done, he was really going to retire for good. I was not one of those people and I am not surprised at all that he is back. Like I wrote on Aug 5th in this very blog:

"So now Farve steps up and says he didn't say anything about being done and he hopes to play if he can, but right now he is still hurt and can't play. Let me translate that for everyone. I am fine, but I don't want to go to any part of training camp, I will see you a few days before the second preseason game and be ready to go by the real season, thank you and good night."

Here we are right before the second preseason game, and here he is. I can't believe they actually flew guys down there to talk to him. he was going to play the entire time, I really believe that. I think he is a very smart guy, I don't want to go to OTA's, I don't want to go to two-a-days, I just want to play. I will make it look like I am thinking about not coming back, so everyone can talk about me, and people can tell me how much they need me, and then I will come back, just like I was going to anyway.

I don't really watch espn anymore because of him, lebron, a-rod, and the coverage they get. I will of course watch a game on their, but usually on mute, I don't need to listen to talking heads say the same thing over and over again. Sports fans are smart, we know what is going on. Nothing like a sports show asking a question to their audience, do we talk about farve too much, and then they talk about him some more, then they talk about if they talk about him too much, and why is it that they do this. Here is a idea, just stop talking about him. The problem is, they have 24 hours a day to fill. But why not talk about the games, trades, players movements, issues in sports, and not follow one guy to the airport.

I will say as much as I don't want to say this, I think the Viks will be very good this year and I do think he will have ONE more great season, before he is done. He doesn't want to end his career with a pick, and a loss, so he will do what it takes and they just became a much better team, if for no other reason then everyone on that team believes, right or wrong, that farve gives them a chance to win it all. I'm right, you're wrong.

Not your normal preseason game

2010-08-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

We have all heard it time and time again from talking heads and sports talk radio and with our buddies at the bar, preseason football is stupid, there are too many games, it's boring, the starters don't play, yet they still pay normal ticket prices to watch guys for most of the game that will not even make the team. But last night was different, and you can not convince me other wise. On the surface the Giants beating the Jets last night doesn't matter, thought they won 31-16, the score of the game was really 13-10 Jets when most of the starters were done for the night. However, you could tell this game meant more to both teams. First the starters who usually only play a series or two at the most in the first preseason game basically played until half time. That never happens in the first preseason game, second there was trash talking back and forth before the game, and after the game Brandon Jacobs said this win showed who's stadium this really is. Of course that isn't true, one game doesn't even show who's stadium it is, let alone one preseason game. I am a big Giants fan, if you didn't know, and I never really had a problem with the Jets at all. They are in the AFC and I can't remember the last time the Giants played them in the regular season. One preseason game a year doesn't make them your rivals. I hate the cowboys, and Phili, and not crazy about the skins either, those are the Giants rivals. What the Jets do, or don't do doesn't matter to me at all.

Of course I see the new stadium as new Giants stadium, though it will not be called that, and it is a stadium for both of them, not just for the Giants that the Jets use, like the last one, but really there is no reason why they both can't share it. I may make jokes and call the jets the clippers to the Giants Lakers but that is a insult to the Jets that really isn't true. Sure the jets haven't been to the super bowl since SB 3, but they are not the Clippers. The Stadium can be called what ever they want, it will be the Giants home when they play in it, and the Jets home when they play in it.... and now in the words of Coach Knight, back to the game.

I was worried about Eli, not because of the hit he took and he needed 12 stitches but how he looked before the hit. Our first team offense didn't move the ball well at all, they scored a touchdown that was set up by their defense returning a pick to the one basically and the fg was set up by a broken play, Eli making a good decision to flip the ball to Bradshaw and then he just took off, with all the defenders down field in coverage he had a long run after the catch. I thought the Jets first team defense looked good, their back ups not so much, as Victor Cruz, undrafted rookie out of UMASS, and Jim Sorgi, yes Jim Sorgi, killed them in the second half. Cruz had 6 catches for over 100 yards and 3 td's, two thrown by Sorgi. As much as Eli scares me sometimes the thoughts of Jim Sorgi having to start a game for the Giants makes me sick, I mean physically ill, I need to excuse my self, just thinking about it..... ok, better now, Eli you can't get hurt.

The Giants first round pick Jason-Pire-Paul, or JPP as I will always call him, had some troubles early but also showed some of his huge upside and had a nice sack of Sanchez towards the end of the first half, when again, the Jets still had their starters in. JPP hasn't even played football for that long so I am looking forward to what he will be able to do if he can actually learn the game. A Rolle had a nice pick and return, and almost scored, he was a great pickup for the Giants, and when Kenny Phillips comes back I like our safety's.

After one preseason game I am a little worried that the Giants may miss the playoffs again this year for the second year in a row, after making it the past 4 years before that. I don't think this team will be bad, but their first 5 games are not easy, having Carolina, at Indy, Tennessee, Chicago, and at Houston to start the year, if they go 5-0 again, like they did last year, it would be amazing. But really I think the Bears at home is the only game that they will for sure win. Carolina should be a win, since it is their real home opener, of the new stadium, but you never know, facing those two great rb, then facing the good Manning at his place, loss, and then having to face Chris Johnson, not a fun start.

But I am getting ahead of myself, I am glad they won last night, and I am glad no one got hurt badly, I do think Eli will be fine, and some players looked good. My fantasy preview and NFL picks will be coming later this week. I'm right, you're wrong.

Tigers still playing hard

2010-08-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

The Tigers got two good wins in the last two days vs the White Sox, which makes me happy. Again the Tigers are still 9 and half back, and they will not make the playoffs but it is good to see them still playing hard and getting some good wins. I like to see it.

Tonight the Giants start their preseason schedule vs the Jets in the new GIANTS stadium. It's only preseason but I am still happy to see my Giants play. In watching the new stadium during the USA-Brazil soccer game, it seems like a great new building, hopefully it can lead them back to the playoffs.

Fantasy football is right around the corner, got my first two drafts Friday and Saturday, so I will do my fantasy preview sometime this week.

Interesting trade in the NBA the other day, I like Ariza to help the Hornets out a lot. Plus with Darren C being traded, means CP3 better not get hurt. I'm right, you're wrong.

Story Update

2010-08-11T19:21:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I talked about how much work MSU is doing in their 2011 and 2012 classes in basketball and mentioned how Matt Costello may join that class soon with a verbal of his own, well soon turned out to be today. MSU now has 4 members for the 11 class and 3 for their 12 class, and I believe are basically done with both. I think Izzo was really really smart not taking the Cavs job.

USA soccer couldn't even beat the B team from Brazil, at least the new GIANTS, yeah I said it jet fans, Stadium looked great. I am looking forward to that Monday night game between those two teams. For the Jets, Rivas is holding out waiting to get paid like he should, and as of now the Jets are holding firm, that they are a team and no one player is bigger then that. The NFL is so different then the NBA, where it is all about the individual. I'm right, you're wrong.

Leave some for the rest of us

2010-08-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

(This post goes out to my boy Rory, a faithful reader of the blog... what's good)

It is August 10th, 2010 but that hasn't stopped Coach Izzo from already having 4 members for the 2011 class as well as 2 members for the 2012 class already committed to be a Spartan. Branden Dawson from Gary, In was the main recruit, he is the 4th ranked SF in the ESPNU100, but everyone that Coach Izzo signed will have a role on the team, and play a part in MSU's run to continue their dominance in the Big Ten and making final fours. Travis Trice a 6 foot pg from Ohio is the one player that may look out of place, but he played with Dawson in AAU which tells me that Coach Izzo saw something in him in the 20 some games he watched him play, and thought he was the true pg that he needed to add in the 2011 class. From watching film he seems to have great range, and should be a great knock down shooter for MSU. The two other players from MSU's 2011 class are both from Michigan, the super smooth Brandan Kearney, from Detroit Southeastern, who is also in the ESPNU100, and then super athletic Dwaun Anderson from Suttons Bay. Dwaun is a great athlete who has improve his jump shot. He loves to go left, but is working on going right. Kearney is a player that the game seems to come easy for him, you watch him play and don't really think he is working all that hard and doing all that much, but when you look at the box score at the end of the game he has 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He is that good, and I think he will be a great wing player at MSU for years to come. In 2012 Coach Izzo has already added Kenny Kaminski from Ohio, a 6'7 3/4 man who can flat out score. If MSU adds another big I think Kenny can play the 3 for them, if they don't, I think they will add some weight to him, he's 215 now so he isn't too small, and make him a great step out 4 man. Think Draymound Green, but with a much better shot, and a better athlete but not as good of a passer and leader. The other member of the class is the newest member, 6'5 wing Denzel Valentine, from Lansing Sexton. A lot of people have him as the number one ranked player in the class of 2012 in Michigan, I personally have Matt Costello, more on him in a minute, but Denzel can play, and I would not be surprised at all if he plays himself in to a top 100 player in a few years, he probably already is. Matt Costello the 6'9 big from Bay City Western has a MSU offer to go with Michigan, USC, Indiana, and Providence, just to name a few, and I believe he may end his recruitment early and verbal to MSU as well. That would be a big blow for Michigan who has already lost Valentine to MSU, and doesn't want to lose another guy that they were on before MSU was. There is no question though that MSU is rolling right now, two final fours in a row and this year they should be better, they have a great 2010 class coming in, and from the looks of it, they are not going to slow down anytime soon. Coach Izzo is so smart with who he goes after, he takes those second level guys, lots of talent, but not one and done players, so they have a little chip on their shoulders, and Coach Izzo gets them to buy in to his system, since his success speaks for its self. He is not a smart person to bet against, if you like keeping your money. I'm right, you're wrong.

The end of a era

2010-08-10T06:32:00.000-07:00

For the last 15 or so years at least every August I would wait for Madden to come out. Most of those years I would be at game stop or meijer at 11:30pm or so, waiting for midnight and the game to come out. I did this last year as well and I must admit I really didn't like Madden much at all, and only got through one season with my New York Football Giants. As the months passed I starting to think, will this be the year that I don't get Madden. I have college football and I like that game a lot, there is so manny things to do, dynasty, online dynasty, road to glory, play online, with that game only being out about a month I haven't even begun to play it as much as I would like to. Of course one reason for this is that I am married and have a little girl, and a boy on the way, so I can't just play 4 or 5 hrs of video games a day like I use to. I use to be able to get through a entire season in less then a week, now it takes me about a month, if not longer. I just finished my first year in NCAA2011 last night. So I made the tough choice, I didn't get Madden last night, will not be picking it up today, and don't plan on getting it at all. Truthfully I think NCAA is a better game. I played the Madden Demo and I liked some of the new features but I still didn't like it as much as NCAA, so why throw away 60 bucks on a game you don't really like? It's time for a change, so no Madden this year, I will be playing NCAA2011 and saving the money. However, I will be getting NHL2011 when it comes out in September. I heard so many great things about the game last year, and everything I read is saying this year will be better, so that is one game I will be getting. I really think I would have stopped getting Madden a few years ago, except it's Madden, I mean it's what you do, August rolls around and you get the new Madden, period, that is how it works. This year the only reason I would want it is just to have it, and because Gus Johnson is doing play by play. Gus is the man, and he almost is enough reason to get it, but not enough, if I am not going to play it enough. Sorry Gus. It's a Madden free year. I'm right, you're wrong.

Football is back, kind of.. tiger, not so much

2010-08-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

The NFL preseason officially kicked off last night with the cowboys and Bengals playing last night in the hall of fame game, don't really care much about that, but it does mean that football is here, and just in time. The Tigers did win yesterday so at least they didn't get swept by the Angles, so that's good. As been said many times, the Tigers are out of it, so it's good football is here, and now I can just focus on fantasy baseball, and watch to make sure the guys still play hard.

Tiger Woods was 18 over last weekend, most people are enjoying this and want him to blow up and admit how all the off the course problems are getting to him. I think it is clear his mind isn't totally on golf right now, but I do think he will be back to his old self, it is just going to take some time. If I were him I would stay away from the game for the rest of the year, stay away, and just work on his own stuff, and then practice and be ready for next year, and start dominating. But he has already said he will be in several tournaments still this year, and I think that is a mistake, but I hope he turns it around and wins some, he hasn't done anything to anyone, but his family, and those are the only people he needs to said sorry to and answer to.

Mike Ilitch who owns the Tigers and Wings is interested in buying the Pistons, that is great news. Mr Ilitch does a great job with the Wings, and has done a great job getting the Tigers back in to a contender at least. I feel he would be great for the Pistons, and most likely they would move downtown into a new area, which would help the city as well, it's a win win. I hope it works out, and I hope he gets it. The Pistons will not be as bad as they were last year for years to come, they will turn it around. I'm right, you're wrong

Oh wait, I never said that

2010-08-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

So now Farve steps up and says he didn't say anything about being done and he hopes to play if he can, but right now he is still hurt and can't play. Let me translate that for everyone. I am fine, but I don't want to go to any part of training camp, I will see you a few days before the second preseason game and be ready to go by the real season, thank you and good night. I would bet money on him playing, as of now, but with him it changes all the time.

Mike Madono is coming home and signed a one year deal with the Wings the other day, I love this move, a great veteran presence for the 3rd line, good power play guy, and another guy who wants to win, and knows how to do it. Should be a great fit all away around to help get the Wings back to the SC finals.

NBA TV schedule was announced, at least part of it, The Lakers and Heat play on xmas deal, really? that's big news, I could have told you that the second the Heat got Lebrick, actually I did. I texted a buddy who lives in cali to get his xmas day tickets now, cause you know that will be the game.. and sure enough, it is. I will wait much longer until I really talk about the NBA schedule and season, after I say this... Shaq to Boston is another move I like. Perkins will be hurt for awhile and Shaq can't play many minutes anyway. He of course isn't what he use to be, the most dominating player in the game, but he is still a big body, who can score, and you need to pay attention to, he isn't good at defending the pick n roll, but he can stay close to the basket and clog up the lane, with kg, Jesus shuttlesworth, and PP already that is going to be a good team. Notice I didn't mention Rondo, because he is very much overrated, no one guards him.

Tigers lost last night 4-1 to the White Sox, they are 8 games back and their season is basically over. I love Leyland pitch hitting with a rookie who has played in 7 games and is hitting 200 with two on and two outs in the bottom of the 8th, that's a great move. oh wait, no it isn't. I'm right, you're wrong.

Is this really it?

2010-08-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sources close to the source of the person close to the situation, or something like that has reported that Farve is going to retire. Nothing official from the Viks or Farve yet, and even if there is, does that mean he isn't coming back in a few weeks when he starts to feel better, and start to miss football. I don't know what will have to happen for me to believe that he will not be playing next year, but he hasn't happened yet, I will say that. I still think he will play, I need more then a report, I need him to say it, then I need training camp to end, the games to start and still not having him come back, and then, maybe, I will believe it.

The good thing is I had him in one of my keeper leagues and kept him with a 9th round pick, I traded him and a 11th rounder for Nicks and a 10, so I am very happy about that. We will see what happens but to me, he is coming back until I hear it from him, and he doesn't change his mind after two preseason games.

Albert is taking another day off, and just can't pass that conditioning test, meanwhile Mike Golic retired for years, passed it the other day with one day notice, what a disgrace. I am so glad he isn't on my team, he should give all his money back and be forced to play for nothing, it makes me sick. I mean I am not in great shape, unless you considering being a circle a shape, but I don't have to be, if I was paid to be in shape I promise you I would be in shape, if someone paid me 21 million dollars I would be in the best shape ever I promise you that, heck if someone paid me 21,000 I would get in great shape. I hope other players see this and learn what not to do, so we never have to put up with this again

The Tigers lost 12-2 but then won 7-1 splitting a double header yesterday with the White Sox, if they have any chance to win the division they need to win the next two games. But like I have said before, I do feel they are done, and have been for awhile. I hope they keep fighting and playing hard, but I want to see the young guys get more reps and get ready for the 2011 season, because I do feel they will be better next year. Loosing Zumaya, Inge, Mags and Carlos was just too much for this team. I'm right, you're wrong.

August is here.. bring on football

2010-08-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

The calender has turned from July to August and that means that football is right around the corner. NFL training camps are all under way and college fall practices start very soon, later this week for most schools, and it couldn't come at a better time. As I talked about last time, the Tigers are falling apart and finding new ways to lose, so besides fantasy, I basically done with baseball until the 2011 season.

The two biggest football stories in the NFL right now is Albert Hansworth and Dez Bryant. First dez didn't carry Roy's pads which I thought was stupid, you're a rookie, do it, and now he is out for 4-6 weeks with a ankle sprain. I am a big Giants fan, so basically anything bad that happens to the Cowboys I like. Hansworth not being able to pass a simple conditioning test multiple days in a row is just really funny. How do you get paid so much money and then not come in to camp ready to go, when you know what you have to do, I guess you could ask JaMarcus Russel. Guys like that are the guys who really drive fans crazy. You get 21 million and you can't show up in shape. I am just happy he is on the skins and not my Giants.

I did a quick NFL picks yesterday without thinking about it, when someone asked me, and I had in the NFC the Viks, Cowboys, Atlanta and Seattle winning divisions and the Packers and Saints winning the wild card, then in the AFC I had the Colts, Ravens, Pats and Chargers winning divisions and the Jets and Texans as wild card winners. I had the Viks beating the Ravens in the super bowl 24-14. I will be thinking about this more and doing some more research and then make my official picks on here soon. I'm right, you're wrong.

They did their jobs

2010-07-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

The Tigers have so many injuries and are basically putting out a triple A team with Manny Jr and Damon right now, and are quickly falling out of the race. I really wish they could make a run, but they just can't do it this year, too many injuries and they have too much ground to make up now. But I am happy, because they did what they need to do. I never watched baseball growing up, I hated it, and though I have gotten in to it now and I do like it, lets be honest, baseball has one job in today's sports world, to get us from the end of basketball to the start of football. That's all. Baseball is not the national pastime, it's the national rest time, the national bridge of sports time. Don't get me wrong, it is still fun to go to a baseball game and have a few cold ones and a couple hot dogs and enjoy yourself. But who has time to watch 4hrs worth of baseball ever night for 162 games? I will tell you who, retired people and me during the summer of 2006, when I graduated college and had no wife/girlfriend no kids and not a real job. I like the Tigers a lot and I wish they would win the division this year, but they just can't. I hope they can next year. But this year was not a waste, they did what they had to do. They kept in it long enough for football training camps to start. So thank you Tigers.

So now the only reason I have to follow baseball is for my fantasy league, which is a good enough reason anyway. I'm right, you're wrong.

A up and down week

2010-07-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

What a week! On Monday me and my much better half found out that the baby in her belly is a boy! Which makes me very very happy. Growing up I always wanted two kids, one of each, and come November 29th, if not before, I will have just that. Now it's just time to think of a good name. I am just so lucky that I am going to have a little boy, I'm so pumped, someone to carry on the name, as well as someone to teach sports to, not that I will not teach my daughter sports cause I will, but you know, it's different with a boy. I mean my daughter isn't even 3 yet and already likes to wear dresses all the time, and put on, as she says, make-up, and paint her nails and toes. So I am very happy about having a boy to all set that, you can only go to so many tea parties before you want to throw the ball around.

On Wednesday I left for Ft Wayne, IN for AYBT Nationals. My team has had a tough time at AAU tournaments since they are young and not use to the pressure and speed of the game, but I was hoping that this AYBT tournament would be different, sadly, it wasn't. The first two days we were 0-4 and lost those games by a combined 95 points. The 3rd day was better as we lost by 3, in a game that we should have won, and as I coach I could have done some things differently, but the players still didn't execute when the game was on the line, and then in the next game down 47-27 with just over 6 minutes left, in a game where the clock only stops the last two minutes my team went on a 21-5 run to lose by 4. 52-48. I was so proud of the way they fought hard and kept playing. That is the reason why you coach, to see your team get better, to see them learn something about themselves, to take something away for the rest of their life. It is all about pride and effort. I just wish we could have won a game, because those kids deserved it, and only winning two games all year it tough for 14-15 year old boys.

Meanwhile the Tigers have been though a lot. First they lose their first 6 after the all star break, then they start to play better, then Inge, Mags and Carlos all get hurt and are out for sometime, 6-8 weeks for Inge and Mags, Carlos at least a few weeks. The Tigers now field a lineup that wouldn't make most double A pitchers nervous, besides Manny Jr, but why pitch to him.. though I hope teams still do. In saying all of this they are still only two games back, so they still have a chance, it just isn't very big. They start a series with the Rays tonight, so we shall see where they stand. It would be great if they can make a move before the trade "deadline" but it isn't worth giving up on the future for a run this year, that still may not lead to the playoffs. They actually have a good young team, and some nice pieces where I think they will at least be contenders in the division for the next 5 years at least.

NFL season is coming soon, Dez Bryant needs to get over himself and carry a bag. Man I hate the cowboys.

College football is coming soon as well, I am very excited for that. There is really nothing like College football when it comes to fans, tradition, bans, tailgating, alumni, rivals, it just is great. My alma mater, CMU, is rebuilding a bit with a new coach, new qb, and their best two WR, among others, gone, but they still have some talent, and I like Coach Enos and think they can still have a good season, and get to another bowl game, and contend for the MAC title.

Construction is also coming along on our new events center for our inside sports, among other things. It will open December 1st against Temple, which should be a fun game. There is a lot of great things happening around CMU right now, and it is a great time to be a Chippewa.

I'm right, you're wrong
contact me at: schwa1sa@cmich.edu or sman1720@yahoo.com- any questions will be answered in a mail bag.. which I love to do, so send those questions.

Really Tigers?

2010-07-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted, but there was an All Star game where the NL finally won and the Tigers got swept in a 4 game series against the Tribe, yeah the Tribe, a team that is bad, really bad. These are the things that can't happen, and these are the things that is going to make this a frustrating season. A team with enough talent to get it down, and good enough to be in the race for the entire season, but not good enough to win the Central, and thus watching the playoffs from home again. Come on Tigers, lets pick this us. The good news they have been playing very well at home lately and are heading back home. But they can't get swept by anyone, let alone the Tribe.

Other then that, I had a busy week checking out AAU tournaments and you can check out chippewacountry.com for articles I do on that, and I leave for Ft. Wayne, IN on Wednesday to coach my team in the AYBT Nationals. But I will try to update more for anyone who happens to read this. I'm right, you're wrong.

Baseball picks at the AS break

2010-07-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

In the AL I picked the White Sox, leading their division, the Yanks, Leading their division and the Angles who are 4.5 back of the surprising Rangers. I had the Red Sox has the wild card, and they are 5 games back, with the Rays at 3 games back, so they have some work to do. I will stick with the Angles to make a run and win the west, I still think the White Sox will win the central, though I hope I am wrong, and my Tigers, only a half game back will win it, and the Yanks will hold on to the east. I think the Red Sox will run out of gas and the Rays will win the wild card

Should be a good race down to the wire for the AL central and who wins the wild card, also I think the Rangers will come back to earth to make it a good race in the AL west.

In the NL I picked the Phils, 4.5 back, the Cards, 1 back and the Dodgers, 2 back. I will stick will all of them to win their divisions. The wild card I pick my Cubs, who are 9.5 back in the division, so basically another bad year for them. Oh well

Should be a good race down to the wire for the NL west, NL Central, and I think the NL east too. I'm right, you're wrong.

Watch out for the Bulls

2010-07-11T11:23:00.001-07:00

The Heat have gotten all the hype but the Bulls have the better team right now. First they got Boozer who I feel is a great inside force for them who has nice range to 18-20 feet, and will be great in the pick n roll with Rose. Then they add a shooter like Korver who will be a great weapon for them to have on the wing, and now they have a deal with JJ Reddick as well, thought the Magic can match it. If they don't the Bulls will have a very nice team that they are putting together without a lot of hype. If the Magic do match the offer they will continue to have a very strong team as well, and should no matter what. Bulls, Celtics, Magic, Heat, Hawks, Bucks, Knicks, and Bobcats are my early playoff picks from the east. As much as I want to put my Pistons in the playoffs they still have a lot of work to do, they need to find something to do with RIP and/or Prince. I did like that Austin Daye had a great game in summer league as a point forward, scoring and leading the offense from the top, he has also put on 10lbs or so, so that is good. But I am not ready to be that much of a homer and put them in the playoffs yet.

Tigers are down 4-2 right now to the Twins in the last of their 3 game set, but did win the first two. Even if they lose a 7-2 home stand is good. The White Sox are on fire though, and will be in first place if they hold on to their lead, up 8-1 right now at home vs KC, and the Tigers don't come back. Either way it should be a fun second half race between the White Sox, Tigers, and the Twins will not go away either.

World cup final going on right now, I like the Dutch to win 2-1. I'm right, you're wrong.

Can we play basketball now?

2010-07-09T08:20:00.001-07:00

Now that the soap opera is over, or is it just beginning can we move on to playing basketball and talking basketball again and not what guys in their mid 20's are going to do. I am just so glad all the hype is over, about where Lebron will play, now we just have to listen to all the hype about how great the heat will be. Well guess what, they have 7 guys on their team right now, including 3 2nd round rookies, they have a long way to go. Of course they have two of the top 5 players in the NBA, and then a top 5 post player in Bosh, but you need more then that. I already have a bet with someone that anyone but the Heat will win the title, and I feel good about it. The Lakers, Celtics, Magic, and maybe even the Bulls are still a better TEAM and depending on what the spurs and mavs do, they could be good to. Lebron could very well run the point and just get d wade and bosh the ball and lead the league in ast, but I really think Wade is better with the ball in his hands. He is great at attacking the basket, he isn't really a catch and shoot player, or runs off screens. So time will tell how this works out, I don't think it is just in the bag that they will win the next few titles. Right now with who is on their team, they will not win any, but I am sure they are not done.

I'm glad Lebron raised money for a boys and girls club and I'm glad that guys actually care about winning and take less money to play with guys that are friends, and who they think will help them win, but I really believe they knew what they were doing the entire time, and could have told us all of this at 12:01am on July 1st. They knew what they were doing, they have this documentary coming out of their free agent experience or whatever and it was all for that. I just can't wait for the season to start.

I will say the way Dan Gilbert riped Lebron is very unprofessional for someone in his position to do, funny, but unprofessional. Also all the people in Ohio burning their Lebron jerseys is really funny. Those people do know that they were nothing before he came right, and he at least brought them some success, basically by himself. I would be thankful for the time he gave, and mad at your management for never giving him the right pieces.. at least they tried though. It's funny the Lakers will now be loved more, and the Heat will be the new heels of the NBA. I'm right, you're wrong.

Starting to get that feeling

2010-07-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Tigers had a great come from behind win last night against the O's down 5-3 in the 9th Cabera had a two run home run to tie the game, and then Damon hit a two run walk off HR to win 7-5 in the 11th. Taking the first two games of the series puts them in a great spot going in to the last game tonight with Max S pitching, were he has pitched well as of late, especially at home. The Tigers are playing very well at home, but I still wonder if their bull pen will hold up, especially with Zumaya hurt and Perry having some issues. I still think the Tigers will be there until the end, and I still think it will be very hard for them to win, and stay ahead of both the Twins and the White Sox, but I am starting, just starting, to get that feeling that this year is going to be special. This team has the right mix of young players and vets, and they are going to be able to win their first AL Central crown ever.

Tomorrow at 9pm on ESPN Lebron will make his choice and a lot of this talk can end. It appears Bosh and Wade are going to the Heat, and Boozer is going to Chicago and Amare is going to New York, so what will Lebron do. I can't wait to see him sitting at the table with all the hats on it, like a high school sr and pick which hat he is going to. If I had to pick I say he is staying in Cleveland, in fact, maybe he even signs a 3-4 year deal, and we could do this all again in a few years. This way he could see what the team is doing, see if they can win, and if not then go somewhere just to win. I'm right, you're wrong.

July 4th weekend 2010- two lakes two 2year olds and 16 stitches

2010-07-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

Good to see the Tigers playing well, taking two out of 3 from SEA, and the first game from the O's, with game two tonight, on to a quick recap of the weekend

Saturday July 3rd:

10:35am- Head to my wife's grandparents house to play with our niece Ella, and see her brother Carter.

11am-Off to Higgins Lake

11:40am-Stop at BK for lunch

12:50pm-Arrive at Higgins

1pm-In the Lake

1:10-8pm-Playing in the water, having fun with my daughter and niece, they got along great, most of the time, enjoying a great day, had a nice dinner.

8pm-Start trying to get Hailey to bed

10pm-she is still awake and the fire works start

11:05pm- the fire works are done and she finally starts to rest, and falls a sleep

Sunday July 4th:

4:20am- she wakes up to join us in bed

8am-she wakes up, a lay in bed for a bit

8:15am-I take my mourning dip in the lake, my bath

8:30am-watching kid shows with the girls

9am- I call over to my friends at Wixom lake to see if they are up yet, they are not, and I wake up Shell's mom

9:45am-They call me back and let me know enough people are staying and they are going out on the boat at 11am

10am- I leave Higgins to head to Wixom to see some of my friends

11:10am- I get to Wixom lake

noon- We finally get the boat loaded up and head out to the sand bar

noon 20-6pm-Nice time out on the water, had a few daddy pops, and just relaxed and had fun with my friends

6:20pm- Head back to Higgins lake

7:30pm- Get back to Higgins lake

7:45pm- go out swimming in the lake with my girls

8:30pm-Play a game of euchre and win

10pm-Fire works start again

10:40pm-The dog is not liking them, keeping up the girls, steph yells at him, he bits her hand, she takes him outside, he gets off his collar, she tries to put it back on him, and he bits her nose, she is bleeding, a lot. We got to the ER in Grayland

11pm-We get to the ER, Steph makes me go back to the cottage to check on Hailey and pick up her book and a sweatshirt

11:40pm-Hailey is sleeping, I pick up what I needed, and got back to the ER

midnight- The chairs in the kids waiting room is really really comfy, we are watching behind the music J lo, waiting

1am-still waiting

2am-Are now back in a room, chairs not as nice, but still waiting

3am-still waiting

4am-still waiting

4:15am- The dr comes in, and looks at steph's nose, she needs stitches

4:45pm- 16 stiches later we are ready to go

5:10am-Back at the cottage time for some sleep

7:20am-Hailey wakes up, Steph gets up first

8:30am- I get up

8:45am-Steph goes back to sleep I watch Hailey

9:10am-We go swimming

10:10amish- Steph wakes up and takes over as I go back to sleep

noon 20ish- I get up and have lunch, happy I was able to get a few hrs of sleep

1pm-Back out on the water for a little bit

1:30pm-We leave Higgins to head back home to Alma

2:03pm-Were making good time until the traffic started getting bad. Sitting in a traffic jam, raining on and off, Hailey is sleeping in the back, and Steph is sad that she is going to have to give up Austin, the dog.

2:45pmish-Stop to get some food

3:10pmish- Get back home to Alma.

Rest of the day: I watched the rest of the Tigers game, got unpacked, got some things cleaned up, we had dinner, Hailey took a bath, I got her to bed a little before 8pm, we watched part of a movie, Steph feel asleep, Hailey woke up for a few minutes, I rocked her back to sleep around 10:30pmish, and I went to bed, and sleep till 8am or so when she woke up.

It was a long weekend, and a hard weekend. Giving up the dog will be tough because my wife and daughter love him very much. I came around a little, after not liking him at all at first, one he didn't like me, and always tried to step on my balls, which I didn't care for, and two he wasn't my dog, he was my wife's from her first marriage so I never really felt like he was mine. But he did become a part of the family, and I will miss him, I think. We just can't risk him doing it again, and worse to Hailey, or the kid we have on the way, November 29th, he really is a great dog most of the time, I just hope we find a place for him so we don't have to put him down, our first choice is Steph's ex taking him back, we shall see. Hopefully my wife's nose will heel but she is beautiful anyway. Another July 4th done.. back to sports on my next post. I'm right, you're wrong.

USA, Tigers, and the NBA draft/Free agents

2010-07-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Was out of town last weekend, then worked a basketball camp and now about to leave again, but I need to do a quick write up.

US Soccer let a big chance slip away in loosing to Ghana. I don't know what Coach Bradley was thinking, but why take out players who were playing well. It's a elimination game, start your best 11. The team played hard the entire tournament and can be proud of that, but I think a quarter final, if not semi final run, and with Brazil loosing today, maybe longer, should have happened. I do like some of the young players on the team though. They make the games fun that is for sure.

The Tigers were in first place for a day, winning the first of three with the Twins before loosing the next two. The White Sox also have gotten hot and are now right there in the mix as well. They have too much talent not to be, so those 3 teams will be there till the end. I give the edge to the White Sox right now, actually, who I picked to win the Central at the start of the year. My boy Zumaya being hurt really hurts, for one thing another injury for him is just bad luck and is going to be tough to keep coming back from, maybe he shouldn't throw every pitch over 100mph, and two, it really will hurt the Tigers not having a guy like that to come out of the bullpen in the 6th, 7th and 8th innings during the late summer division race.

NBA free agent circus is under way. So far no big names have been signed, except it was reported Paul P is staying in Boston. Other then that it has just been guys like Amir Johnson, Drew Gooden and yes, Darko getting big money contracts for basically doing nothing to deserve them. The NBA, where over paying anyone over 6'10 happens. I really don't care about who meets with who, and all this crap, I just want to know where people are going to sign, all the other stuff is just to fill time, and air space. Joe Johnson getting basically 20 mil a year from the Hawks is a steal, how do you not take that deal, he almost shouldn't just because he knows he doesn't deserve it, go somewhere else for half that, and even then you are getting paid well. He is a good scorer, but if he is your best player you are a lottery to first round sweep playoff team at best.

The NBA draft was ok, with a few surprises. Ken had 5 guys go in the first round, yet couldn't make it to the final four. Calaperi is not high on my list of people in this world. I am happy with the Pistons getting Monroe I didn't think he would be there at 7, so I was happy about that. Their second pick, Terrico White does nothing for me at all. Have a fun and safe July 4th weekend. I'm right, you're wrong.

NBA Mock Draft

2010-06-23T10:43:00.001-07:00

Tigers thought it would be best not to show up last night against the Mets, and USA had a great goal in stoppage time to win the game, and the group. Even though they had one goal called back, and many many chances, they finally scored, and won, it was sweet. Anyway, lets get to the NBA draft tomorrow, with a quick mock draft for the lottery only.

1) Wiz- John Wall- this basically has already happened

2) 76ers- Evan Turner- 6'7 long, can do it all, I think he will be a very good player

3) Nets- DeMarcus Cousins - A possible head case, but I think they could use the muscle up front, and Cousins is bigger and stronger then Favors

4) T-Wolves- Wes Johnson- Basically the big east version of Turner. A Nice 3 for the Wolves to add to Jefferson, Love and Flynn.

5) Kings- Derrick Favors- A lot of talent that should go higher, but I think some red flags lands him at 5, instead of 3.

6) Golden State- Greg Monroe- A more mobile big for their system, I don't see him falling past this, but if he does, the Pistons pick next.

7) Pistons- Patrick Patterson I can't believe I am here with my Pistons picking 7th, how fast they have fallen. I have seen Ed Davis in a lot of mock draft and I am hoping and praying that that doesn't happen, since I don't think he will be a good pro at all. I am not crazy about Patterson either, but I think he would be the best fit at this point.

8) Clippers- Xavier Henry- I think the clippers will take a chance here, and have davis, gordon, henry, blake and kaman.. hello 8th seed.. if B diddy wants to play hard that is.

9) Jazz- Cole Aldrich- Boozer will be gone, they need a big, and I am sorry but Cole is too prefect for the Jazz, I mean, come on, it doesn't get any better then that.

10) Pacers- Gordon Hayward- Maybe a little high, but he can play, and he is a local guy, puts butts in the seats, just a great fit. From a marketing stand point this is a can't miss... on the court, well we shall see, actually I bet we will not, cause they will go with the best big left.

11) Hornets- Ekpe Udoh- too long and athletic to pass on, a younger, better defender Tyson Chandler.

12) Griz-Al-Farouq Aminu- If this happened and he was here the Griz would be really really happy, and jump at the chance. I don't think he will be at all, but in my mock he was, so he has to be taking here.

13) Raptors- Ed Davis- Can you tell I don't like Ed Davis.. But if he is here the Raptors can take him as the Bosh replacement. Though if this does happen, replacing Bosh with Davis is like dumping Jessica Alba for Rosie O'Donnell.

14) Rockets- Luke Babbitt- Again, this will not happen, but if Babbitt is still there they would have to take him. I see them taking a big, but in this mock, he is here, so the Rockets will take him.

I'm right, you're wrong.

If only we could play the Nats, D-Backs and Pirates all year

2010-06-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

The Tigers just finished a 9 game home stand 8-1, thanks to playing those three teams I mentioned in the title. In saying that, you still need to go out there and beat them, and that is what they did. Now they go on the road to play the Mets, and they need to keep it going. Being just a game and a half back from the Twins they need to keep winning because the Twins are not going anywhere, and I still think the White Sox have one or two good runs left in them this year. The Tigers just need to keep winning series, keep the pressure on and hope they can get in this time, and not lose game 163 like last year to the Twins. I still think they are going to be there all year, but not win the division and miss out on the playoffs, but I hope I am wrong.

NHL schedule was announced, Wings home opener Oct 8. It will be here before we know it. But that is getting way ahead of myself. The NBA draft is Thursday night, and the Pistons have the 7th pick. Which should be that pick where you can still get a good player, but it is a pick or two high to get a great player, again, I hope I am wrong. My NBA mock draft will be up tomorrow. Also tomorrow the USA soccer team has to win, 10am start, hopefully my daughter will not make too much of a fuss and I will be able to watch it in peace. I'm right, you're wrong

RIP Manute Bol

2010-06-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

A little after 9am this morning I got a text that ex NBA player Manute Bol has passed away at the age of 47. I found this out before it was reported by everyone else because I was lucky enough to meet him several times and know him pretty well. One of my best friends parents adopted two Sudan children who happened to be related to Manute, and he came to their house a few times, and even was at my friends rehearsal dinner for his wedding. We talked a few times about me going to Africa and doing a basketball camp for the Sudan people, and that is still something I hope I can do, maybe now I can do it in his honor and memory.

He was a great man who did so much for his home land donating so much of his time and money. It is sad that he had health problems which started with a bad car accident a few years ago, that made him walk with a cane, and also deform his hand, and then kidney problems and poor medical attention in Africa making it worse. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his friends and family today, especially James and Myum, his two cousins who were adopted by my second family, and basically are part of mine. We should all try to treat people as well as Manute did. RIP Manute.

Didn't expect that

2010-06-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

The Lakers did win the NBA title last night, which I expected, Kobe did win the MVP, which I expected, what I didn't expect was how that game would be played. I really didn't think there was that good of defense played. Some good defense, sure, but mostly guys just missed shots. Kobe missed a lot of shots, but he is a scorer, Ray Allen is a pure shooter, and he missed a lot of shots too. The good thing about Kobe he found ways to help his team win the game even though his shot was falling. Artest stepped up big time and Gasol, though he missed a lot of shots too, he got a lot of rebounds and played well. Perkins would have helped no question, but I think the best team won. It will be interesting to see what the Celtics do in the off season, and of course if Phil Jackson comes back to coach the Lakers. Next up the NBA draft in 6 days, and then of course July 1st I hear the free agent period starts, though I haven't heard much about who will be free agents.

USA got robed today in their game, and should have won 3-2. But then they got some help as England had another draw too. So basically they need to win, and they are in. Which is good. They had a great second half, they just need to come out and play like that from the start, this is the World Cup! It's once every four years, this is not time to leave anything on the field.

Tiger play the D Backs tonight, and go against D train, and Ed Jackson in this series. Hopefully they can keep playing well, and playing the Pirates and Nats doesn't hurt either, but back to back sweeps is still good. Galaragga goes tonight, well in about 30 minutes, so lets keep it going. I'm right, you're wrong.

Game 7 it is.. and Izzo is back to stay

2010-06-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

The Lakers dominated the Celtics last night winning by 22 to force a game 7 tomorrow. I would stick with what I said that the Lakers will win the game, and series, but I actually think getting blown out will help the Celtics. You saw the starters sitting there talking during the 4th quarter and they looked focused, knowing that their goal is still in tact. Meanwhile most of the Lakers bench was laughing, smiling and having fun, besides Kobe who watched closely with a still ready look on his face. Not having Perkins will hurt the Celtics because that means Sheldon Williams will have to play more, never good, but I think the Lakers would have won anyway, because Kobe will not let them lose a game 7 at home, and as we saw, everyone else on their team plays better at home. I just hope for a good game, and I think it will be. Pick: Lakers 101 Celtics 93. MVP: Kobe.. of course.

Izzo is staying at MSU for life. I thought he would stay, and he made if official last night that he is. I think he made the right choice, MSU is going to have a great team next year, they have all but Morgan coming back and a great class coming in. If they don't make the final four next year it will be a disappointment. Though Purdue and OSU will also be very good in the big ten, plus Wisconsin, Ill, and Minn will all be good and are always tough places to win. I will not pretend to know him well or anything but I have been lucky enough to meet and talk to coach Izzo a good number of times and he really is a good guy, and a great coach, so I am glad he is staying. I love CMU, but I like MSU basketball, and coach Izzo is someone you have to respect. It was a great day for MSU, the state of Michigan, and the entire big ten, and college basketball.

Busy day tomorrow, you have game 7 of the NBA finals, first round of the US Open, plus the World Cup and baseball games. I'm right, you're wrong.

The game starting at 8pm boys

2010-06-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

Someone forget to tell all the Lakers that the game started at 8pm, and not 9pm, and it was game 5, the most important game of the season so far. I really thought the Lakers would win, and they still could, but it will not be in 6, like I predicted. The Celtics will win in 6, or the Lakers will win in 7. The way the Celtics are playing right now they believe, and that is a scary thing. Kobe blew up in the 3rd and scored 38 for the game, but has ZERO help last night. Gasol, Artest, Fisher, Andrew B, Odom, and even Sasha, Farmer and Luke did nothing. The Lakers need to give touches to their big men early on, and get them going. Gasol needs a big game for them to have a chance. Kobe, or anyone else, ask Lebron, can't do it by themselves, especially when Boston has about 5 or 6 guys who any one of them could go for 20+ on a given night, and they play defense. The bottom line, if you don't get stops, and turn the ball over, and miss 8 or 9 free throws you will not win many games. The Celtics have been the better team through out this series, and now they just need one more win to get that ring. Game 6 should be a fight on Tuesday, for the first time the Lakers are down a game, and they need to respond, that is what champions do, do they have it in them? I know Kobe does, I don't know about the rest of them. I wonder how many times people are going to bring up Phil Jackson, Kobe and D fish have never lost a series when they won game 1... well if they lose one more, that will change.

Tigers did what they had to do and swept the Pirates, though it took a walk off by Carols and a 3 run homer by Cabera with two outs in the 8th down 2-1, to win the last two, but I will take any win. Got to keep this going, have to win series, and stay in the race, give yourself a chance.

USA had a great tie against England in the world cup, I would be shocked now if those are not the two teams that advance from the group. The World Cup is a great event, soccer haters will never understand, so don't waste your time trying to get them to. I'm right, you're wrong.

Big Baby and Nate the great

2010-06-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

The Celtics tied the NBA finals at 2 last night, which I did think would happen, what I didn't think would happen was the reason why they won was their bench, and mainly Big baby and Nate Robinson. That's right the same Nate Robinson who the Knicks didn't want, the Knicks! Just helped a team in the a must win game in the NBA finals. Man I can't wait for the Clippers or someone like that to over pay him. I feel good about my predictions that the Lakers will bounce back and win the series in 6. However, they need to either have someone else step up besides Kobe and Pau, or both of those guys just need to go nuts. For a few minutes there, when Kobe hit back to back 3s, and then a turn around, I thought maybe he was about to, but he couldn't do it. He also had a terrible pass on the Rondo steal that iced the game. So if you want to be positive if you are a Laker fan you think this: hey their bench is not going to outscore our bench by 20 every game, and even with that we still were one turnover away from making it a 4 point game with a minute to go... that of course was after Gasol's turnover, after a rebound with a 1:30 or so to go.. that was a back breaker too. Or you can be negative: oh my god, we just let big baby and Nate Robinson beat us, we are in trouble. If you are a Celtic fan you can think: Hey we didn't get a great game from our starters and still won... or: dear god there is no way our bench can do that again, we need our starters to step up. Either way, it has been 4 great games, and I look forward to two or three more.

Tigers got shut out yesterday 3-0 to the Sox. They have lost 4 of 6 against KC and the White Sox.. not what playoff teams do. This time is so frustrating. They start a series at home against the Pirates tonight, basically if they don't win this series I will lose my mind.

Izzo watch continues, he says he still doesn't know, I think he is still staying, and I think he is trying to hold off as long as he can, because he wants to know for sure if Lebron is coming back or not, but if no one tells him, he is staying at MSU, they should be very very good next year, and he wants to win another national title

What team will be the next to jump to the PAC 10 or Big 10?... Texas is the key. I'm right, you're wrong.

conference shake up and USC

2010-06-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

First the black hawks won the cup last night, their first since 1961, so congrats to them and their long surfing fans, as much as I don't like that team.

It is all but 100% that Nebraska will join the big 10 and Colorado will join the pac 10. The big question is are either conference done. I could see the big 10 just adding one to get to 12 and have a conference title game, having two divisions, one with Nebraska, ILl, northwestern, Minn, Wis, and Iowa, and then another with msu, Michigan, IU, OSU, PSU and Purdue. The pac 10 would have to add at least one more you would think, and not keep 11, but then of course there is the whole, Mizzu, ND, cuse and Rutgers joining the big 10 to make 16, and Texas, ok, a&m, tech, and Baylor all joining the pac 10 to make 16. The SEC then takes da U, free shoe and va tech from the ACC, the ACC takes what ever is left of the big east, and the big east then takes the best from conference usa, and so on and so forth... should be a fun couple of days and weeks. I will wait until it is all played out to get too much more in to it.

USC will have a postseason ban for two years as well as lose scholarships. Still wanted to leave Tenn Lane? They may also have their national title taking away from 2004, we shall see. The larger problem is that coaches are allowed to jump ship at the right time, and go to a new school and get more money, while their old school and old players have to deal with the problems that were caused by them. We call this the Calaperi rule.

Tigers play the white sox this afternoon in the rubber game of their 3 game series, it would be big to come away with a series win, since playing well in Chicago is not something that they normally do.

Game 4 of the NBA finals tonight, I see the Celtics bouncing back and winning tonight 86-75. The Lakers will then win games 5 and 6 to end the series.

It was reported by a "source" that Tom Izzo is close to taking the Cavs job. I still don't see it happening and think it would be a very bad move. I'm right, you're wrong.

Not time to panic

2010-06-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

(this is the second of as many as I feel like story's about my keep fantasy baseball league as if it is real)

The season is 8 weeks old and even though their ace Zack Greinke is 1-7 with a 3.60 ERA Pumps me up is still confident that he will turn it around.
"now isn't the time to go crazy, it's a long season, and Zack will be fine." Pumps me up Manager Steve Schwanda said. "he has 60 strike outs to 17 walks and we feel the wins will come, and the ERA will drop." Greinke isn't the only guy struggling on a team with high expecations for the year as Josh Beckett also had a very bad start to his year befor going to the DL. "Beckett is another guy that we feel will get right and help us make the playoffs" Schwanda said. "We think by mid-July he will be ready to go, that is our time table right now." Batting has also been a problem for the team as they are off to a 3-5 start. Aramis Ramirez has been one of the low points for Schwanda is sticking with him as well. "I am not going to drop him at this time, I have faith in him that he will start to see the ball better." One thing that has helped Schwanda keep Aramis on the bench has been the play of Jose Bautista and his league leading 18 home runs and his RBI total of 45, two behind the leader. "that is going to keep him in the lineup every day as of now," Schwanda said, but he added "I would love for that BA to go up a bit, but I will take the HR and RBIs and lose out on average." The team has also picked up another struggling Cub last week in Derrek Lee. "Derrek is a guy we had last year and wanted to keep, once he was released he jumped at the chance to get him." Schwanda added, "even though he is off to a rough start we feel the change of teams will help him and he can have a nice rest of the year for us."

In other team news, despite winning 3 weeks in a row to get to 5th place Lil Rumor according to a source close to the GM will be looking to shake some things up in the league and make some big trades. Their GM Rob Potter could not be reached at this time, but this is something to keep track of.

The Legends are sitting alone in first place at 6-2, a half game up on off in the words and fishsticks. Off in the words just had a big 12-2 win over The Legends last week so they are the hottest team in the league right now. Toph has his team playing a great brand of baseball. Also don't forget the defending champs fishsticks, only a half of game out, they are looking to go back to back.

I'm right, you're wrong.

Getting back to it

2010-06-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

After last night, one of the worst sports nights of the year, tonight we once again have a NHL and NBA finals game on. I think Kobe will have a nice comeback game and the Lakers will win 98-89, Kobe's stat line 35 5 and 5. I also think the Flyers will win 3-1 and force a game 7.

I know he just had a triple double, but really, watch the games, no one guards Rondo he is not a elite player. He is a good pg, but he isn't the best in the NBA, or even in the top 3.. relax people.

Izzo to the Cavs? no chance, if you ask me. I just don't see it. Even if they give him a 3 year 30 mil contract, which would be hard to turn down, but he has enough money, and he is in a great spot, he owns that city, and really most of the state, chooses the players he brings in and I think he knows he is a college coach, the war rebounding drills, taking away the locker room stuff doesn't work with NBA guys, and I think Coach Izzo is smart enough to know that. He wants to win another national title and has a great shot this coming year, why leave now? Even if you know Lebron is staying, who cares, he already has shown he can't win it by himself anyway, you need the right guys around him, and how much say he Izzo going to have in that, if he went. Even if he got total control, I still don't see why you would want to. He is a college guy IMO, and will stay. I'm right, you're wrong.

RIP Coach Wooden

2010-06-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

well I was going to talk about the Tigers loosing to KC after taking two of out three from the tribe, but that will have to wait.

For tonight we lost in my mind the best coach of all time. Coach Wooden passed away at the age of 99 tonight, and will be missed by so many, including, a son, a daughter, 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his friends and family, and I just wish I would have been lucky enough to meet him, but I am very blessed that I have been able to read a few of his books and I have learned a lot about basketball and life, and I try to teach as many of those things as I can when I am coaching at any level. I will now write just a few of his favorite lines.

Earn the right to be proud and confident

The best way to improve the team is to improve our self

Happiness begins where selfishness ends

Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there

If you do not have the time to do it right, when will you find time to do it over

Don't let yesterday take up too much of today

Time spent getting even would be better spent trying to get ahead

What is right is more important then who is right

You handle things. You work with people

Tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember a story

Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life

The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother

Never make excuses. Your friends don't need them and your foes won't believe them

Be quick, but don't hurry

Do not mistake activity for achievement

Make each day your masterpiece

RIP Coach Wooden.. thank you. I'm right, you're wrong.

28 up and 28 down

2010-06-03T09:37:00.001-07:00

Last night a perfect game was taking away from the Tigers Armando Galarraga with two outs in the 9th when in covering 1st the ball was in his glove and the his foot on the bag long before the Tribe's runner made it to first, A perfect game, except it wasn't. McDonald was ruled safe, and the game continued for one more batter, until he too was out, and the game officially ended in a one hit shutout. There are many ways to go with this:

A great pitching performance was ruined by a umps bad call, that ump needs to be fired and there needs to be instant replay on the bases

It's part of the game, it's human nature, he made a mistake, and admitted it, lets move on

There are calls missed in every game, if it was on the first out instead of the what would have been 27th it wouldn't have been as much as a big deal

What does it say about Jim Joyce that he still went with what he thought at the time was the right call when he could have just called him out to be the guy who made the last call in a perfect game. If it was a bang bang play, and it turned out he was safe, and he called them out, would people be on Joyce, he didn't get caught up in the moment he made the call he thought was right, looked at the replay, saw it was wong, and said he was sorry... for extra fun he is behind the plate for the day game today between the two teams, which I need to finish typing this fast, so I can watch.

There is talk of MLB stepping in and changing the call to make it a perfect game, even as a Tigers fan I think that is a very very bad idea. You are just asking for trouble.

Funniest thing about it, a buddy of mine was at the game, and on the way to the ball park he texted me how he was excited about going to the game but isn't crazy about Galarraga. I texted back he is fine, to which he texted back I don't want fine, I want exciting... well he got his exciting. It also ruined his night.

I do think there should be instant replays on the bases however. If you can get it right, don't you want to. They are human they are going to make mistakes, but why allow there to be mistakes made when you can easily not. That call would have taking 5 seconds if they have one replay official, like football, who looks at every base call, he beeps down, and lets the ump know it was the wrong call, and it is changed. It would take way less time then having the manager and other players run out and start yelling with the ump. There is no reason why this shouldn't happen. This was history but the Tigers won the game anyway, what if, they were still up 1-0, and he got on base and the next batter hit a home run to win the game, when the game should have been over and it should have been a perfect game, what if that one game coast a team a playoff spot. There needs to be instant replay on the bases, and I would love for anyone to try to talk me out of it. I'm right, you're wrong.

Falling fast

2010-06-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

The Tigers were doing good, in fact they were tied a top the AL Central standings. They took 5 out of 7 games against the Red Sox and Yanks and then went out west to start a trip and took two games from the A's, now leading the AL West. Since they it has been a free fall. Starting with loosing two out of three to the Dodgers, then loosing two games to Seattle, before coming back home to face the A's and lose 3 out of 4. The one win makes the series look better then it was in turns of numbers. Since they won that game 10-2, but in the other games they lost a tough one 5-4, and then got outscored 10-1 in the other two games. The problems continued with the lowly tribe coming to town and losing the first game of the series last night 3-2. They must win the next two games in this series starting tonight, it has to happen, they are now 4.5 games back of the Twins and you can't let too much space come between you and them, especially when you have the tribe now, then KC and the White Sox on the road, all divisional games, before coming home for Pit, Wash, and Arizona, before going to the Mets and Braves, and then to the Twins to end the month of June. That series at the Twins could be very big, or it could be the end of the Tigers season, depending on how the next 24 games go. You can't be 2-8 your last ten when you are trying to win a division. I am worried that what I have been saying about this team is true. They are just good enough to be there all year, but not good enough to win the division and make the playoffs. Which is ok, because it gives you meaningful games to watch all summer while you wait for football, but it is bad because it just gets you more upset when it doesn't happen, like last year when they were in first almost all year, only to lose in game 163 and be out.

The D-train run was also ended this weekend as he was traded to Arizona for Billy Buckner, a pitcher we sent to triple-A, and is 0-3 on the year with a era over 11 in the quad-A, the NL. Basically it was just getting ride of D-train, it's too bad, cause he had some much talent, maybe it will turn around for him going back over to the NL.

Tonight is a must win for the Tigers, at least as big of a must win that you can have on June 2. I'm right, you're wrong.

A weekend at Spiece.. any basketball lovers dream

2010-05-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

Spiece fieldhouse in Ft Wayne, IN is always a great place to watch a lot of great basketball. This Holiday weekend once again it hosted some of the top teams around the mid west, and beyond. The games got off to a good start on Friday night, and then a long Saturday was made extra special by a big time guest, D Wade, in the house watching a family member play. I focused most of my attention on the Michigan teams, and players, but there were a few others that caught my eye, that were worth talking about.

Top Games:

Southfield Transition vs GR Storm-Martin- In a pool play game between two Michigan teams it was back and forth the entire way. The Storm were up one with 56 seconds to go when Toledo commit Ryan Majerie made both free throws, followed by CMU commit Jorddan Myrick getting a steal and a lay up to go up 5. Southfield Transition got to the line and cut it to three, but the Storm made their free throws and won the game 71-66.

Camp Darryl vs The Family U 16- A Sunday morning game that had a great crowd watching it,CDBA used a lot of 3s, and some mismatches, and better coaching to beat the Family 91-85. The Family missed way too many free throws but with their talent and how athletic they are, they stay in the game. The Family under 15 team did win the tournament however.

GR Storm vs Triple Threat U 17- In a second round tournament game on Sunday morning Triple Threat played well and even had a 6 or 7 point lead in the second half with about 6 minutes or so to go before Jorddan Myrick took over and got to the basket 4 or 5 trips down the floor in a row. Either scoring, being fouled, or both. Lots and lots of fouls both ways, but the Storm were able to weather that because they are a little deeper. They got the win 77-66.

GR Storm vs Spiece Select U 17- in the quarter finals the Storm started off strong, and then held on for a 66-63 final win. The Storm then won the semi final and the final taking the gold division title back to Michigan with them. Capping off a great weekend for them.

Indy Ice vs Ray Allen Select U 14- It isn't often when a 8th grade game can stop a tournament and make all eyes in the gym focus on them, but this game did just that. Indy Ice was lead by a 6'7 kid, with the last name Lyles, who is already built well, and can move, he showed some nice post moves and had a jam that almost took the rim down. Their pg Blackman was also very skilled, and had great handles and a nice pull up. Ray Allen Select was lead by a sharp shooting guard Ellingson who hit 6 or 7 threes in the game. Their pg Coliens was also very skilled and could shoot the 3, as well as get to the hole. Each team went on big runs that were always answered, until Indy Ice had the final laugh winning 58-53.

Top Players:

Southfield Transition:
Marlin Mason-6'6-Cass Tech 2011- Long and Athletic, runs well and plays good defense, rebounds and blocks shots. A great slasher who likes to attack and get the ball to the rim, showed some nice post moves as well.
Spencer Parker 6'7-West Bloomfield 2011- Finishes well, and he is also a long athletic guy who likes to attack the basket. Could get to the rim against any buddy the Storm had one him.

GR Storm:
Jorddan Myrick-5'10-West Ottawa 2011- The CMU commit continued to play well, he got to the basket at will and just ran the offense for the Under 17 gold champs.
Cory Starkey-6'7 2011- Petoskey-Looked much better then last week, he is started to get close to 100% physically and is getting use to his new teammates, he moves well and can put the ball on the floor, but showed some nice touch and much better hands then last weekend. Rebounded well and got better each game I saw him this weekend, which was 5 total.
Jason Pretzer-6'10-Jenison 2011-Played for the first time in a few weeks but you could tell he wasn't close to being 100% yet. When he got touches on offense he showed some good post moves and some nice touch, did rebound well but had trouble staying in front of Parker and Mason out on the wings. The Lateral quickness will improve has he gets closer to 100%, but he is 6'10 250, so that isn't too big of a deal, you want him close to the basket anyway.
Ryan Majerie-6'4-Rockford 2011wasn't shooting it as well as you are use to, until the quarter final game when he hit 4 threes. Just does everything well, can shoot, post, or drive. A very good player. Toledo got a great one.
John Simons-6'6-Cadillac 2012- Playing up with the U17 Storm team and you would never know he is just a sophomore. Has a great touch and is ahead of his older brother Ben, Drake, at the same time. He is going to be a great player in two years, and he already is very good.

Triple Threat:
Jordan Johnson-6'0-Dewitt 2011-The kid just does it all, great shooter, can get to the hole, plays hard, hates to lose. Just a solid player. Is getting more football looks, but he could play college basketball somewhere if he wanted to.
De Bell-6'4-East Lansing 2011- Has a nice touch, long, and plays hard. Could be a very good d2/d3 player.
Austin Barns-6'6-Waverly 2010- He is walking on at CMU. Hasn't played basketball for very long and is still learning the game. He is long and has a nice body, will get stronger, has some range.

Ohio Gators:
Gary Cooper-6'8-Monroe 2011- Long, athletic, moves well, has nice touch on his post moves, big frame, good shot blocker and rebounder. He is really starting to get a lot of attention and has a lot of potential. D1 for sure.
Maurice Taylor-6'5-Toledo Libbey 2011-He is a long lanky athlete who does some nice things. From what I saw I don't think he is a d1 player right now, but could get there.
Toney Mays-6'5-Toledo Central Catholic 2012- Built well for a sophomore, athletic and he has some nice handles and a decent shot. I see him as a d2 player right now, but that could change.

CDBA:
Daequan Mitchell-6'5-Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 2011-He is long and he is athletic, but right now he must improve his shot and handles if he wants to be a d1 wing.
Jovante Hughes-6'6-Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 2011- See above.

Spiece Select:
Tyler Greathouse-6'9- Columbus North 2011-Long, has a nice touch, and good range to the 3 point line, he plays hard and can get up on the rim with ease
Alex Pritchett-6'8-Bedford North Lawrence 2011-Big body who rebounds well. Sets good screens and knows how to get himself and his teammates open.
Justin Gant-6'9-Terre Haute North 2011- A long big with 3 point range, knocked a few down vs the Storm in the quarter finals
Alec Peterson-6'10-Carmel 2011- Long and very skinny, needs to put on weight, but has some nice feet and good hands.

What a game

2010-05-28T12:28:00.001-07:00

The Lakers and Suns had a great game 5 last night with the Lakers winning by 2 on a Artest buzzer beater tip in. This will be very tough for the Suns to come back from tomorrow, but there is no question they think they can win. I see the Lakers taking care of it and winning the series in 6.

I think the Celtics have to win tonight or the Magic will come back and win the series in 7. I still think the Celtics will get it done tonight, and I do think it will be a good game.

Does anyone know when the hockey finals start?

One other thing, yes I don't like him, BUT, can everyone stop talking about Rondo like he is some elite player. He is a good pg, but not even close to being a top 10 player in the NBA. Just watch the games, teams don't even guard him. They play off him a few feet and dare him to shoot. Relax people. He has a few good games and people want to name him a all time pg.

I am off to Ft Wayne to watch some great AAU basketball, and also coach so as well. Should be a fun weekend. I'm right, you're wrong.

54-20

2010-05-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

The Suns tied the series at 2 last night, and even though most of the talk is about the "magical" zone that the Suns are playing the Lakers are still scoring points, the Suns are winning because at home, which normally happens anyway, their bench players are playing better. They outscored the Lakers bench by 30, had 13 more ft attempts and out rebounded them, and still it was a ft away from being a 6 point game with 1:30 to go. The Lakers will be fine, and win this series in 6, which is what I predicted at the beginning of the series. But props to the Suns they are fun to watch.

The Celtics will not win in 6 like I predicted at the beginning of the series, they let one get away in game 4, they will not let another one get away. Celtics win tonight.

The Tigers have a very important run in their season coming up, with 16 of their next 24 at home, against teams with a combined winning % right now under 500. They need to take at least two out of 3 in all these series, and continue to put pressure on the Twins. I'm right, you're wrong

Going 5

2010-05-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

The Suns got their one win Sunday, and the Magic got their one win last night. In OT, and the Celtics didn't play well, and still should have won. Yeah that series is over in game 5. The Suns do have a chance to make this a series tonight and tie it at 2, however, the Lakers know this as well, and they will win, and then close it out in game 5 back in LA so the NBA can get the finals everyone wants.

Flyers continued their strong run as they beat another team on a strong run the Habs. I don't want Chicago to win, but I think they will. It would be hard to cheer for either of these teams though, so I think I will just watch it and hope it is a good long series.

Tigers got one weed out in LA during the first weekend of inter league play, and play Seattle out west tonight. I hate west cost start games now that I am married and have a little girl who likes to wake up early. I will watch a little of it though, since it has been a long day and I could use a daddy pop or two.

It was announced today that the Super Bowl will be coming to the new meadowlands in 2014. I am very happy about that. One, I am a Giants fan, and if they can fill a few holes they could be in the mix to play the Super Bowl at home, two, I am a east coast-Mid West guy, and I like old school football. To me, football is a man's sport meant to be played outdoors, on grass, in the mud, or rain, or snow, or wind, or a fun combination of all of it. Not in some dome, or in 85-90 degree weather. I know some will say offense is fun, and I don't want to see a 10-7 Super Bowl in the cold and snow, but I personally enjoy watching two good defenses going at it, plus it isn't Cheese here people, deal with it. I'm right, you're wrong.

2-0 times 4

2010-05-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

4 conference finals in the playoffs right now, and all 4 are 2-0. Interestingly enough in each sport, NHL and NBA, have one series with the home team winning both games, the Lakers and Fylers respectively, and one series when the road team won both games, the Celtics and Blackhawks. In the NHL I think there is no question that the Blackhawks will win, the Sharks are just not there mentally, as much as I don't like the Blackhawks they will win. The Fylers are on a big time roll, but I do hope the feel good Habs make a series out of it. I think they will, they already have come back from 3-1 against the one seed, and 3-2 against the defending champs, so they can do it. That place will be rocking.

As for the NBA, The Lakers have done what they are suppose to do. Win the first two games at home. Even though the Suns lost big in game 1, and by 12 last night, I think they still feel they can win the series. They are wrong, but at least they believe it. The Lakers are just too good, too deep, and too talented. I think the Suns will get at least one win, but they will not win the series. The Celtics have won both games on the road and now come back home. The Magic are in big trouble, even if they win won of the games in Boston they still will go back home down 3-1. I think that is what will happen. The NBA will make sure there are no sweeps at this point, since they don't want to long of a layoff leading up to the NBA finals between the Celtics and the Lakers, which should be great. Even though the Lakers are great the Celtics play good defense and like the Lakers they have several guys who could go off on any given night, that should be a great 6 or 7 game series.

Verlander pitched very well last night as the Tigers beat the A's. The Tigers are going to be there till the end, I still don't see them winning the Central, but I hope I am wrong.

The Pistons stuck where they were suppose to be in the draft lottery, and got the 7th pick. I am a few weeks away before focusing on the draft, and I will be doing a NBA mock draft, but either way, there are players in the top 10 that can help them. It is too bad they didn't make that late season run or they would be where the 76ers are and picking second. I am glad the NBA rewarded the Wiz for having players pull guns on each other and give them the number one pick. John Wall to DC.

One last thing, the Hanley R situation was something I didn't like for a few reasons, one, he is on my fantasy team, and two, you hate to see a guy not try as hard as he can, and then worse not think it is a big deal, and bad mouth his manager, I am glad he said he was sorry, and he can make people forget about it, by playing hard and putting up good numbers.I'm right, you're wrong.

Got to get the runs in

2010-05-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

The Tigers lost 6-2 today to the White Sox, after having a 2-1 lead. 3 times the Tigers had runners on third with less then two outs and all 3 times didn't score. They also had the bases loaded with Cabera up and didn't get any runs. That just can't happen. The White Sox are struggling and those games at home, when they have been playing so well are games you have to win.

Last night Kobe showed yet again why he is the best player in the NBA, and Lebron still needs to learn how to win, learn how to take over, and learn how good he is, and what he needs to do to get their. It really seems that he would rather just be liked and get everyone involved instead of dominating.

Three games two tonight in conference finals, both NHL games and the eastern conference finals. It is also the draft lottery, a event that usually I didn't care about, or even watch, as a Piston fan, but now it is something I am very pumped for. I literally can't wait. I am looking forward to the draft lottery. Man, how quick things can change. Normally I would be watching the wings and pistons both in conference finals at this time, now, I am looking forward to the draft lottery, and hoping the Giants OTA are going well. Hopefully the Pistons can get the 3rd or 4th pick, at worst, so they can get a good big, which ever one doesn't go 3rd, after Wall and Turner goes 1 and 2.

In a non sports note, next Monday is the last 24 ever in the series. It is sad, but they are going out in a big way, Jack is just killing everyone, literally. So pumped for that, it is going to be great. I'm right, you're wrong.

And so it begins..

2010-05-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

The conference finals in the NBA are now set, but most of the talk between now and July 1st when the free agent signing period begins will be about Lebron and the rest of the free agents and where they may go. Today the Hawks fired their coach, despite a 50 win season, and making the second round of the playoffs, and the Cavs fired Mike Brown, though they won 61 games and had the best record in the east. His firing doesn't really surprise me for two reasons, one; of course they are going to bring in any coach that Lebron wants in hoping that they can keep him, and two; if you coach a team that gives up the way his team did, really in games 3, 4 and 5, clearly you need to go. I personally don't think he is a very good coach, but he will get another job somewhere, and I think Woodsen well as well. The NBA coaching changes is just dumb. The fact is there are only a few great coaches out there, and only one team can win a title each year, sometimes getting to the conference finals or second round every year and winning 50+ games is good.. Trust me, if you keep changing coaches because you want to take that "next step" your team will turn in to the pistons this year, a 20-25 win team that on most nights are so bad you can't even remember the last time they were good, even if it was only two years ago.

I think Lebron is gone, I thought he would stay, but the way he played in game 4 and 5 to me showed me he needs a change, unless that was just his way to get Brown fired, and the team to bring in some better pieces around him that fit better. The question is does he go to the Knicks or the Bulls, I don't see the Nets, or any other team having a chance, but we shall see. There is a lot to be done before then. You have to think he will be first and then everyone else will fall where they may. I see 0% chance Joe Johnson is back in the ATL and Bosh is back in Canada, but most of those others guys, Amare, Boozer, Dirk, Dwade, I wouldn't be shocked if they stay where they are. July 1st here we come... in the meantime, other people might forget but we have the Lakers vs the Suns and the Magic vs the Celtics to see who will play for a title. I have the Lakers winning in 6, and the Celtics winning in 6. Lakers beat Celtics in 5 in the NBA finals, Kobe finals MVP.

We have a game 7 tonight in the SC playoffs, as the Fylers once down 3-0, has forced a game 7. I think Boston will hold on, but they have a lot of pressure on them now not to lose this series after having a 3-0 lead. Another big night for Boston sports fans. The Red Sox start a series against the Tigers tonight, I hope the Tigers can continue playing well and do what they just did to the Yanks to the Sox. I'm right, you're wrong.

Why Kobe is still better then Lebron

2010-05-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Lebron is sick, he is big, strong, fast, and has improved his jump shot. He is a good passer, and can get to the basket at will. So why then in the biggest game of the season, so far, does he score 15 points on 3 of 15 shooting. A total no show. Bad shooting games happen, it was everything about the game, no fire, no attitude. If he drives to the basket he either scores, gets fouled or both, but yet, he was happy to sit on the wing, not touch the ball and let Mo Williams and Cadence Parker's brother shoot. That makes sense. He has all the physical tools, but last night he showed me he does not have the mental tools. Which is why I still say Kobe is the best overall basketball player in the NBA. It is true that Kobe has more help around him, but Kobe would never pull a no show like that in a big game. If his jump shot wasn't falling, he would post up, or get to the line, he would lock down on defense and find a way to get his team the win. Lebron not only didn't play well, he seemed like he didn't even notice, or care that he didn't. Which is more scary for the Lebron lovers of the world. I will admit being a Pistons fan I am not a big Lebron fan, ok, I don't like him at all, but I will still give him his credit when it is do, and I still think he has everything you would want to dominate the NBA for the next ten years, but he has to want to, maybe he doesn't. We will find out a little more about this on Thursday. In Boston how does he come out. Does he have the game 3 look in his eye when he just took over and they blew them out, or will he make a quick end to his Cavs career and sign with the Bulls or Knicks? We will find out tomorrow night. I am looking forward to see what Lebron is really made of.

Game 7 tonight, I want the Pens to lose so bad. It would really make me happy. Also Fylers can hold on one more night and force a game 7 if they can beat Boston tonight. Some good playoff hockey tonight.

The Tigers have won the first two games of their series with the Yankess. The first being a 5-4 win Monday night, the second being this afternoon 2-0 on a great pitching performance. Tonight they play the 3rd of 4 games in the series, it would be a big win for the Tigers, since it would guarantee a win in the series. Bonderman and Huges tonight. I would expect some runs, but it is going to be low 40's for game time, I would bet, so it may be another low scoring game. With both teams working fast, and trying to get the game over with as soon as they can. The Tigers continue to be frustrating this year. They play well at times and they have enough talent to be their to the end of the year. I just don't think they have enough to win the Central, which is what they need to do to make the playoffs. I'm right, you're wrong.

Sweep

2010-05-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

The Suns are playing very well right now, and finished off their sweep of the Spurs last night. Tonight the Magic will swept the Hawks, no question about that. The Hawks are done, they have moved on. By the way Joe Johnson, way to say the fans don't matter and you could care less if they come. The fans should come... and cheer for the Magic. I see the Jazz finding a way to win tonight, but then the Lakers will win game 5o to end that series.

Thank god the NBA has the Cavs and Celtics right now, since that will be at least 6 games, if not 7. As much as I don't like him, man Rondo had a great game yesterday, triple double, just a sick performance by him. Lets see how the Cavs bounce back now. I think it is a must win for them, if they lose game 5 at home, they will lose the series in Boston during game 6.

If Vancouver could somehow beat the Blackhawks that would be great.

Next Monday I am planing on doing another mail bag, and I would love to make it a Monday tradition, if not every week, at least once a month. So if you have any questions about sports, or anything else, that you want me to answer just email them to me at schwa1sa@cmich.edu and I will answer them next Monday. I'm right, you're wrong.

Lets go Tigers

2010-05-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

Pistons had a terrible year,

The Wings had a tough year with injuries and for awhile they were on the outside looking in to make the playoffs, then they played like we all knew they could and got up to the 5 seed. After winning the first round they lost last night 2-1 to the top seeded sharks ending their season and making only one team that I really care about to follow until football starts, and that's the tigers. The bad part about that is with baseball there is so many games it is hard to really get in to it until later in the year. I guess I could focus more on my fantasy teams, and I guess I could spend more time at night with my wife instead of watching sports on mute in the other room, or I guess I could just watch the rest of the NBA and NHL playoffs and just enjoy good games without having to worry about who wins.

I can just focus on the draft lottery, then the NBA draft, and the football starts.

The Wings series was tough because they lost all 4 games by one goal, three 4-3, and one 2-1. The one game they won they won 7-1. Meaning they lost in 5 games, yet outscored the Sharks. I wonder if that has ever happened. Usually in a short series, 4 or 5 games, one team is clearly better then the other and you really don't have much time to complain. The Sharks are a good team, but lets look at it for a second:

Game one: Sharks score 3 goals in 1:19, the rest of the game, Wings win 3-1.

Game Two: Sharks have 10 PP, including 3 5 on 3.. and win 4-3, with the Wings being up 3-2 after 2, and the Sharks getting a PP the entire period basically and win on a broken stick that sets them up for a break away goal

Game three: Wings up 3-1 after two, AT HOME, Sharks come back to force OT, then score when a shot goes wide off the boards, and out of the zone so fast and hard, it sets up a 2 on 1 for the Sharks.

Game four: Wings score 5 in the 1st, and win 7-1.

Game five: Wings score first, only to not score again and have the Sharks win 2-1. They had their chances, lots of them, just couldn't score.

SO I still believe the Wings are the better team. I am not blaming the refs for loosing the series, there was a lot of questionable calls both ways. Face offs hurt a lot, and I think the team just wasn't ready to play in every game. When you are a older team you need to give your best each game to get the series over with and get some rest. Not coast until you face elimination and then turn it on. Like in Game 7 in Phx, they won 6-1, and Game 4 against the Sharks they won 7-1. Just play like that from the start, and don't put yourself in holes. Also Jimmy Howard is a rookie goalie, he is good, and I think he will be a great goalie for years to come for the Wings, but he was good to give up one cheap or soft goal a game, you just can't do that in the playoffs. Much like my first girlfriend he didn't know when to close his legs. It was a tough way to end the year, but I am sure they will regroup and be fine. I shaved last night and sadly the playoff beard is gone before I was planing on it, but oh well. Next year will be the Wings year. I'm right, you're wrong.