MSU Comes Back to Beat Illinois

Game wrap tomorrow...

Michigan vs. Ohio State 8 p.m. tonight. Game wrap tomorrow.

NFL Conference Championship Picks

Well after a disastrous 0-4 weekend, we pick ourselves up off the ground and keep on. At this point, who the hell knows what's going to happen this weekend? We are coming off a divisional round where the Cardinals went to Carolina as 10 point dogs and smacked around the Panthers, the Ravens went to big bad Tennessee as 3 point dogs and played mistake free yet again, and the Eagles went to the home of the defending champs and muscled them around. The only non-surprise was Pittsburgh taking care of San Diego, and by the time they kicked off all the other weird stuff had already happened and everybody who picked San Diego for an upset knew the pick was doomed. Unfortunately, the picks can't be posted at 4:10 on Sunday, and we have to guess what the hell is going to happen. Which leads us to Championship Weekend. Cardinals. Eagles. Ravens. Steelers... Get excited.

CARDINALS (+4) over Eagles

I obviously have no idea what is going to happen in this game. I don't think anybody does. What I do know is that EVERYBODY loves the Eagles, as evidenced by the line moving a full point towards them this week (never good), I know that the Arizona home crowd should be worth at least three points (it will be loud), and I know that I am absolutely terrified of the possibility of Kurt Warner turning it over 6 times. Absolutely petrified. Kurt Warner against Jim Johnson's blitzes? Yikes. There is a real possibility of Warner getting so shaken by the blitzes and subsequent fumbles, that he cannot overcome it and has a game like Delhomme's last week. In which case CARDINALS (+4) will look very bad. This is a real possibilty.

But I have hope, or something like it. I have seen this team make a drastic shift. We can no longer judge this Arizona squad on blowout losses they suffered in the regular season. It's a different team. Somehow, they completely transformed over the course of two weeks. And they are not running into a juggernaut in Philadelphia. This team went 9-6-1. They don't do anything great, they don't have a superstar at any position. They're obviously a good team, as they've made it this far. But 4 point road favorites are reserved for juggernauts, not for 9-6-1 teams. Which is why I say thank you, Vegas, and take the points. What else are you supposed to do in a game where nobody has any clue what will happen?

The Pick: Arizona 29, Philadelphia 23



Ravens (+6) over STEELERS

Again, thank you Vegas, I'll have the points please. This game is so much like the Ravens-Titans slobberknocker last weekend. Two teams from the same mold, great defenses, can run the ball, well-coached, blah blah blah. And they've played two great games this year. At Pittsburgh, 23-20 Steelers in OT. And at Baltimore, 13-9 Steelers (Santonio Holmes did he break the plane game). My question is, why is the line 6 points? Haven't these teams proven themselves to be dead even? I know the Steelers won both games, but the second win is very debateable, and the first ended regulation in a tie. Bottom line, these teams are even. So I find this line a little bit high. Pittsburgh did look fantastic last week, and the Ravens probably stole one from Tennessee, but this isn't the case of an ascending team versus a descending team. Both are extremely confident, both hate each other, both will come to play. There is no need to analyze this game from an X's and O's standpoint. The defenses will dominate, and points will be at a premium. And in a situation like that between closely matched teams, I'll grab the 6 points and hold on...

The Pick: Pittsburgh 16, Baltimore 13


In review, I'm taking the points this weekend and hoping for 1-1. That's the best any of us can expect at this point.

Great Video of MSU-Kansas Game...

You may recall in the postgame-wrap for the MSU-Kansas game a comment about a highlight of Tom Izzo being mic'd up was when an official hurt his foot and officials and coaches met at midcourt. Here is what was written:

• CBS mic'ed up Tom Izzo, which would have been cool except they only showed Izzo yelling very basic things. "Hands Up!" and "Push It!" and "Ray! Ray! Ray!". The highlight undoubtedly came when they had Izzo's audio up for the mid-court meeting between coaches and officials after the official got hurt. After hearing the injured official yell "Son of a bitch!" we were blessed to hear someone suggest they "Just put his ass in a chair at mid-court." Which would have made the official the most capable of them all...
  
  
  

We have now reason to believe the person suggesting they "Just put his ass in a chair at mid-court and it will probably be just as good" is Kansas coach Bill Self... Good stuff.

What Happened to Michigan's Shoes?

What is going on with Michigan's shoes? This is the school that invented the black sneakers, baggy shorts, and created the "hip hop culture" of modern hoops. Now they are wearing white shoes? I don't have a huge problem with the whites with their all white uni's (like vs. Iowa above)... but they looked terrible when they wore the blues against Illinois. First the football team puts yellow stripes on their road jerseys, now the basketball squad is wearing white shoes? Are they planning on changing the winged-helmet soon, or what? Let's just stick to the black shoes all the time.

Lions Hire Jim Schwartz as Head Coach

Well the Lions' head coaching search has ended with Jim Schwartz. The 42 year old former Titans' defensive coordinator has agreed to a 4 year deal. Out of all of the candidates that the Lions supposedly interviewed, and out of the two that they trotted out to pre-hire press conferences, Schwartz is the best man for the job. He provides a decade of experience running an NFL defense, and he has background as a scout under Bill Belichick in Cleveland. I think his age is also a great bonus, as it has been proven that coaches really decline around age 60, and he's a relative baby at 42.

Lions fans can now turn their attention to their own personal Super Bowl, the draft. Schwartz said in his pre-hire press conference (more on that later,) that "It's time to find the next Bobby Lane." Schwartz had better be sending smokescreens to other teams or had assumed Sam Bradford was entering the draft, because that is not the answer right now. First off, the available QB's are not worthy of the first overall pick. You can't use the first overall based on need, especially for a QB. Ask the 49ers and Alex Smith, the Raiders and JaMarcus Russell, or the Texans and David Carr. Secondly, a rookie QB would have no success in the Lions' current organization. This is the year to build a team. The Lions have 5 picks in the first 90, and none should be used on skill players. The first overall should be either an O-Lineman or speed rushing Defensive End, end of story. The next picks should all be O-Lineman and defensive players. If the Lions can put pieces in place they will be better suited next offseason when they are in all probability drafting in the top 10 again, and Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow are available. Now is not the time to use the #1 on Mark Sanchez because you need a QB.

But we have until April to dissect the draft, so let's turn our attention to the coaching hire. The Lions proved their ignorance by inventing the pre-hire press conference. Everyone assumed three days ago that Schwartz was the next coach when he concluded his second interview with a press conference. Uhhh, but we haven't named him coach yet, we all thought. Then the very next day Miami Assistant Todd Bowles held a press conference after an interview. Ummm, what exactly is going on guys? We all thought. And we are still wondering. The Lions coaching candidates were holding press conferences before being named anything, giving plans, answering questions... it was and is absolutely absurd. Just so mind boggling. But these ARE the Lions we're talking about. Anyway it's about as good of a hire as we could have hoped, but they all sound great until we start making moves and playing the games... Let's just hope he makes the right moves.

The Weekend Ahead

Tomorrow afternoon/evening we will post the NFL Conference Championship picks as well as any other relevant news.

Saturday we have MSU and Michigan basketball games to discuss. Saturday night also features a marquee Western Conference NHL showdown when the Red Wings play San Jose.

Sunday we will talk about the NFL games and take a very early look at the Super Bowl. Monday is Martin Luther King Day, and the King is lucky enough to have that day off of work, so we will be able to tie up any loose ends left over from the weekend.

Tigers Ink Marcus Thames and Captain Crooked Hat

Mlive.com -- The Detroit Tigers came to 2009 contract terms Wednesday with left fielder Marcus Thames and relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, avoiding contract arbitration with both players. The contract terms were not available for Thames, who made $2.75 million last season, or Rodney, who made $1.7 million.

As much as we make fun of Fernando Rodney on this blog, this is a good move by the Tigers. Both are one year deals, Rodney's is $2.7 M and Thames' is $2.75 M. Neither of those deals are too much money, and it's always good to avoid arbitration and the risk that comes with it. In Thames, you get a bonafide power bat, a player who can go deep at any time. You won't get much more than his .240 career BA, but you don't expect anything more. We know Thames will strike out or go deep on basically every plate appearance, there isn't much middle ground with him. And the new deal is the exact same dollar-wise of his deal last year.

As for Captain Crooked Hat, the guy got a $1 M raise! Imagine that you completely fail at your job, display wild emotional swings, allow the competitors to succeed due to your shortcomings, and get no votes of confidence from your boss. You would almost assuredly lose your job right? Well not if you're Captain Crooked Hat. If you're Captain Crooked Hat you get a million dollar raise and a promotion. As incredible as it is, it's not entirely bad for the Tigers. Rodney brings a great changeup, and comes with no surprises. Much like Thames, he's either great or bad. Although the Tigers and their fans will have a rollercoaster experience with Rodney as the closer, he is a valuable middle reliever. Unfortunately, Dombrowski has given all indication that Captain Crooked Hat will be the closer to start the season. Until any change is made, we will have to live with the idea of the Captain Crooked Hat era...

2nd Half Dooms Michigan

Michigan was outplayed in the second half, which made the difference in a loss to Illinois last night 66-51. Thanks to the whistle-happy officials in the MSU-Penn State game, I missed almost the entire first half and wasn't able to see the last 10 minutes of the second half. Therefore I can't go in depth and wax poetic about the game.

Michigan missed most of their three point shots (7 for 26), which will usually spell doom for them. They were extremely cold in the 2nd half, scoring only 20 points. Illinois Center Mike Tisdale scored 24 to lead the Illini. Manny Harris was again a bright spot for Michigan, finishing with 20.

Looking ahead, the Wolverines host Ohio State Saturday to kick of a 4 game stretch of very winnable games. The rule of the Big Ten is protect your home court and road wins are a plus, so Saturday's game is important for Michigan.

Michigan State Holds Off Refs, 78-73

Immediate reaction and things to consider while we all hear whistles in our dreams tonight...

• The Big Ten Network brought all that you would expect for a 6:30 game at Penn State, giving us some weak announcers. I'm not sure who was doing play by play but Tim McCormick blessed us with some great insight. Things got interesting right away when McCormick bet that "Goran Suton eats A LOT of bananas." Let's keep some things to ourselves, Tim.

• After a hot start by MSU, Penn State battled back thanks to the dribble-drive of Talor Battle. He absolutely killed Michigan State guards, who had no answer for his move off the dribble.

• Michigan State didn't really help themselves, as they passed up numerous open looks. Chris Allen led the way here, passing up a few wide open 3's and disregarding his deadly outside shooting.

• 1-18-09. Brace Yourself.

• The Big Ten Network will not win any TV Emmy's. One MSU possession went unseen thanks to a graphic comparing Michigan's Manny Harris and Illinois' Dmetri McCamey. Thanks, producers.

• Around the midway point of the first half, BTN advertised something on their website called "JACKED." This was fitting thanks to Penn State's Jamelle Cornley, who is jacked himself. If that guy is not on steroids then lets just say he has superb supplements. His strength was highlighted on one boxout where he hooked Draymond Green's arm and lifted him clear off the ground with one arm. This was ignored by the referees.

• Speaking of the men with whistles, what a showing for the second year in a row! They called constant off the ball fouls, weak touch fouls, and any other kind of foul. Penn State entered the double bonus with 9:26 left in the game. 9:26! That is incredible. But as bad as they were to MSU, they didn't help Penn State much either as they were called on the same mostly weak calls. The refs successfully dragged the game out for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and were probably the biggest reason for Penn State's comeback, aside from their zone defense.

• 1-18-09. Brace Yourself.

• Penn State's zone defense completely stifled the Spartans. At first, I didn't think it would be effective because MSU was shooting so well from outside, but they went cold as PSU switched to the zone. This played perfectly into Penn State's hands, and they methodically cut the lead down all the way to one with a minute left.

• The most spectacular play of the game was completely glossed over by the stellar Big Ten Network announcing team. Early in the second half, Raymar Morgan was fouled near half court on a 3 on 1 break. After the play was whistled, he passed baseline to Kalin Lucas who threw down a one-handed dunk! Who would have known that Kalin Lucas can throw down? I was shocked, angry, excited, and curious all at the same time and the announcers didn't even mention it.

• Penn State's crowd was generally clueless. Although they got loud near the end (and rightfully so,) they were getting excited for some worthless reasons throughout the game. They would cut the lead to 12 and go nuts! They should have changed their chant from "We Are Penn State! We Are Penn State" to "We Are Down 10! We Are Down 10!" because that's where they were most of the game.

• And while I'm on the subject of the crowd, can we just end the naming of every student section? The 'Nittany Nation'? Really? Let's wait until they start selling out games and taking over games (like their football crowd) before we name them anything.

• 1-18-09. Brace Yourself.

• Overall, I was glad that Penn State made a game out of it, because they could easily have let up and lost by 25. Their resilience should pay dividends this year, as they will win their share of home games in the Big Ten. As for MSU, it was a good road win, as any road win is in this league. They avoided what would have been a heartbreaking loss and have to be increasingly confident heading into the weekends game with upstart Illinois.

Keep an eye out for a game wrap on the Michigan-Illinois game that is underway. It will be posted either late tonight or more likely tomorrow morning.

College Hoops Double-Header Tonight

(Hows this for a double-header?)

We're looking forward to the Big Ten Basketball double-header tonight featuring Michigan State and Michigan. The Spartans travel to Penn State for a 6:30 tip off. Following MSU is Michigan on the road at Illinois, tip at 8:30. MSU will look to avenge last years upset loss at Penn State, while Michigan will look to beat Illinois for the second time after a 74-64 win on January 4th.

The King is swamped at work right now, so there may not be in-depth game previews, but be sure to stop back for post-game wraps. Let's also all pray that Gus Johnson does one of the games tonight... because Big Ten Network trots out some really bad announcers.

Pistons Lose to Bobcats

You won't win many (or any) games when you score only 10 points in the 4th quarter, which is exactly what the Pistons did. Tonight, the Bobcats scored the games final 9 points and stole a win from the Pistons. Although it is a bad loss, it's no reason to freak out. It is a long 82 game season and every team will have bad games. This Pistons team is staring straight at a 4/5 seed and a second round clash with either LeBron or the defending champs, if they can get past Atlanta, and they have given no indication that they are anywhere near on the same level as those teams. I still think this team has its best basketball coming, and Rodney Stuckey is improving way faster than anybody could have anticipated, so the future is not entirely dark. Their next 7 games are all very winnable, so don't write this team off after one bad loss.

Ni Fu-Te Has No Choice But To Sign With Tigers

Taiwan News - A spokesman for the Detroit Tigers baseball team announced here Tuesday that left-handed Taiwanese pitcher Ni Fu-te has signed with the team and has declined an option to join the Taiwan-based Chinese Professional Baseball League's (CPBL) Brother Elephants. During a press conference held in Taipei, Kevin Hooker and Tigers' Taiwan area scout Allen Lin ended weeks of speculation as to whether or not the 26-year-old would remain in Taiwan or try his hand overseas. By signing with the Detroit Tigers, Ni becomes the first CPBL player to sign with an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team. He had also received offers from various other American and Japanese professional baseball teams, including the Seattle Mariners. Ni posted a 5-12 record last season for the Chinatrust Whales, with a 3.34 ERA. He was recently selected by the CPBL's Brother Elephants in a special draft consisting of players from teams that were dissolved in the wake of a gambling and game-rigging scandal. Plagued with a long history of game-fixing scandals, Taiwan's struggling professional league will play the 2009 season with only four teams.



Ni Fu-Te really had no choice. Who would ever want to play for the Brother Elephants if they had a choice not to? I mean what kind of a team name is that? The Brother Elephants is such a bad name that even the Minnesota Wild are blushing. Elephants are great animals but what does their brother have to do with it? Or is Brother a city? It's just a terribly confusing team name. And I'm sure he immediately crossed the Mariners off the list when he realized that everyone was going to think he was Japanese and ask him Ichiro questions all day and who wants that either? He had no other option but to come to the great city of Detroit. And make no mistake about it, Ni Fu-Te is immediately an important piece of the puzzle for the Tigers. Because up to this point their bullpen has not been a priority, and it currently looks like a who's who of AAA baseball.

Ni Fu-Te put up a 3.34 ERA in the Chinese Professional Baseball League, which is a total mystery. Who can trust any statistics that happen in a league that is so riddled with game-fixing that every team but FOUR dissolved. Four teams. How do you play a season with four teams? Anyway who knows what that 3.34 means. Were the fielders behind him intentionally booting grounders and botching flyballs? Were shortstops sailing throws way over the firstbaseman's head on purpose? Or were the opposing batters swinging and missing to keep their run totals down? Just an impossible situation to read. Kevin Hooker, the Tiger's Taiwan-area scout better be on the inside here and know every player and every play that is fixed. Because how the hell can you scout a league where every other player is throwing the game? You can't.

Don't get me wrong, I'm just as excited for the Ni Fu-Te era as the next guy, but how the hell was he evaluated? Either way I will not be surprised when Fu-Te is on the opening day roster.

0-4 Disaster, The Week Ahead

Well the posted playoff picks suffered thanks to a wild weekend in the NFL Playoffs. I posted those picks with write-ups on Friday, however I also make picks early in the week. Well I checked on my early picks this morning expecting to see 0-4 and was glad to realize I had picked Baltimore (+3) and Pittsburgh (-6). So I went 2-2 for those (of course they aren't documented.) Apparently I talked myself out of Baltimore and into San Diego as the week progressed. Anyway the early picks that I went 2-2 are part of a season long process, and I am now currently 140-118-4 against the spread this year. It's quite respectable to be 22 games over .500 and without a disastrous 4-12 in Week 16 it would have been a remarkable year. That said, the posted picks were terrible. While the Baltimore-Tennessee game was sure to be close, nobody saw Arizona coming. Completely unforseen and an incredible turnaround. Next Sunday should be very interesting, and I hope to avoid another 0-fer.

Lookin ahead this week, Michigan and Michigan State play back-to-back games on Wednesday night. I am expecting the Lions to hire a coach sometime this week as well. The playing seasons of Jim Schwartz, Steve Spagnuolo, and Ron Rivera are all done, and the Lions can hire any of them now. I have a feeling that Jim Schwartz will be announced as the next head coach sometime later this week, but these are the Lions and ANYTHING could happen. They may love a candidate we've never even heard of.

Lastly, Mitch Albom wrote a column titled 'The Courage of Detroit' in this weeks Sports Illustrated. It's definitely worth your time, even if you aren't from Detroit. You can read it here.

Unless anything happens like the Lions hire a coach, the Tigers decide to get a pitching staff, or Barry Sanders unretires, we'll dink-and-dunk around with the Wings and Pistons until Wednesday.

Michigan Dominates Iowa 64-49

Quick thoughts and things to ponder while Tom Hamilton daydreams about a 27 rebound game...

• The Big Ten Network's crew was Greg Kelser and Tom Hamilton, not to be confused with Scott Hamilton.

• Hamilton was shocked that Iowa coach Todd Lickliter was calling timeouts in the first half. After each timeout Hamilton expressed excitement and disbelief about this. "Iowa has called ANOTHER timeout! Thats their third used timeout!" They are meant to be used, Tom.

• The game was officiated by Eddie Hightower and Dan Dorian, the same terrible crew that called the MSU-Kansas game yesterday (see game post below). Needless to say, we were not excited about the prospects for a well officiated game. It was surprisingly OK. Hightower's Look-at-me moment came at the end of the first half, where he whistled DeShawn Sims on a travel with 0.2 seconds left, then took an agonizing minute to explain the call complete with body motions to another official. To Hightower, it's all about him.

• The Big Ten's best player, Manny Harris, was again spectacular. The kid is everywhere on the court, rarely misses open shots, and is a beast on defense. He seemed to be involved in every Iowa turnover, and finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
  

• Michigan ran their offense through DeShawn Sims today. Iowa had no answer inside, and Sims hit some outside shots to key Michigan's big 1st half. Sims finished with 16 points.

• Iowa clearly missed Cyrus Tate. They didn't really have an inside game and Michigan grabbed 9 offensive rebounds.
  

• The game was never really in doubt and quite dull, and after Michigan went up double digits in the first half, Iowa never threatened. It was in stark contrast to Michigan's season trend of falling behind. This may have been Michigan's most complete performance of the season. They were effective offensively and swarming on the defensive side, running a mix of man-to-man, a soft 2-3 zone, and the 1-3-1 zone. This has to be a confidence builder heading into an intriguing game at Illionois on Wednesday and hosting Ohio State next weekend. Each game should be competitive and both are winnable. The Big Ten race is built on road wins so the game on Wednesday should be a good measuring stick for the Wolverines.
  

Marinelli Joins Bears

Like any man with a sharp shovel and a strong will, Rod Marinelli was in high demand. Road construction crews, grave diggers, landscapers, and sprinkler system installers were all clamoring at the opportunity to seize the sharp shoveled one. In the end, the Chicago Bears won out the bidding war and landed King Zero. Rod will enjoy this job much more than the last. He joins his great buddy Lovie Smith, presumably the main reason for joining Chicago. However, Lovie Smith is never confused with Bear Bryant and another losing season or two and Marinelli may be following Lovie out the door. Rod will also avoid the postgame press conference. Not many reporters care about defensive line coaches, albeit NFL record holding ones are special. No more "We'll have to watch the tape" or "Pound the rock" or "Proper pad level" or "We're a good team, we just have to take practice to the field." Nope. Rod will fearlessly lead his troops without the bother of the news media. And they will surely follow him. 0-16 instantly creates respect, admiration, and a sense of awe. In the end, expect the Bears line to flourish under Marinelli's tutelage. He will undoubtedly sign every Tampa Bay castoff, old and weathered or young and talentless, building his quarterback sackers to greatness. Indeed, the Lions should shiver at the thought of Marinelli leading a band of warriors within the division...