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.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Real Super Sunday
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.
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.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
MSU-UofM Preview, Wings and Pistons
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
NBA Playoff Picks- Take Two
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.
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.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Lets try this again
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.
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.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Getting caught up
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.
-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.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Lansing Eastern Tip off Classic
-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
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
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