The MSU men’s basketball team will start the season with a gigantic bullseye on their back, at according to the Sporting News. The magazine has rated the Spartans as the number one team in the country. They did lose three key players in Alan Anderson, Chris Hill and Kelvin Torbert, but have plenty of firepower with Maurice Ager, Paul Davis, and Shannon Brown ready to take over. Drew Neitzel will continue to run the point and should build on last season. The player to watch in my opinion is redshirt freshman Marquise Gray. He is a man among boys and should provide some solid play up front and on the wing. The Spartans won’t be as deep as last year, but should be more explosive.

Read Spartans don’t mind bright preseason spotlight in the Sporting News

Read Bigger, maybe better in the Lansing State Journal

Read Spotlight suits MSU and Davis in the Detroit News

Read Steve Kerr’s breakdown of the Central Division and read why he picked the Pistons to finish second in the Central behind the Indiana Pacers. I agree the Pacers will be better, but I think the Pistons have way too much depth and talent to not win this division.

The Cavs will be better, the Bulls a little worse and the Bucks will still finish last. But any way you look at it, it still comes down to the Pistons and Pacers. I give the edge to Detroit because of Chauncey Billups. He is alot better tha Tinsley and gives the Pistons a huge edge at this position. If the Pacers have Artest guard him, then Rip will take over, if Artest stays with Rip, then Billups takes over. He can’t guard everyone…

Read the entire article.

Nothing shocking here. New Tigers manager Jim Leyland has rounded up some of his former Pittsburgh Pirates coaches and players and they are joining him in the Motor City. Lloyd McClendon will serve as the bullpen coach, Gene Lamont will be the third base coach, Andy Van Slyke (one of my all-time favorite players) will be the first base, outfield & baserunning coach, Rafael Belliard infield coach, and Don Slaught hitting coach. This has the chance to be a very good group of coaches, who will be able to help the young players, but also demand respect from the veterans.

Read the entire article.

Saw this on Absolute Michigan, a corn maze that will surely interest Spartan & Wolverine fans…

The Crane Orchard 15-Acre Corn Maze!

Record Eagle article by Mark Urban

Traverse City - She’ll have chicken, a baked potato, salad and bread.

“I didn’t make the top 18 (players) for the Youth National Team,” Alisha Glass said. “I thought that would be a good judge of where I was, so I guessed I’d be somewhere from 20 to 10.”

Read the entire article.

The Lions improve to 2-2 and now lead the worst division in football by one full game over the Chicago Bears. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but a win is a win, with many thanks to the Ravens for some boneheaded penalties.

First the good news. The defense played tough and made some big plays, led by Dré Bly’s two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The running backs (Jones & Pinner) pounded and pounded into the Ravens “D” all day long and scored three touchdowns. Shawn Bryson made it look easy on his one carry with a 77-yard touchdown run. McQuarters also showed some flash on a 49-yard punt return. The Lions weren’t the most penalized team on the field.

Now for the bad. Harrington once again struggled. He was going up against one of the best secondaries in the game, but still, some of his throws were bad. Of course he was playing most of the game without Roy Williams and Charles Rogers, so that can also make it tough. He made a couple of good throws, and did lead his team to victory, but a below 100-yard passing day isn’t going to cut it. He needs to get on track and quickly.

Mooch looked like he had his game face on and it showed. The Lions were agressive and both lines played tough. To hold your own against the Ravens “D” is no small accomplishment.

Next up, the Carolina Panthers at Ford Field. It doesn’t get any easier.

Opinions on five current Detroit & national sports topics from yours truly…

1. Jim Leyland - A good move. I like him from his Pirates days. He will bring a no-nonsense attitude to the clubhouse and the field. His way or the highway. Are you listening Pudge?

2. Red Wings Hockey - I am excited, but am not setting up my schedule around any games. I don’t currently have Fox Sports Net or OLN, so I am outta luck anyway. We might upgrade the cable package again over the winter, but who knows. I think they have a good team and will win their share of games. Goaltending might be the weak point.

3. Charles Rogers - What a waste of some raw football talent. It’s too bad, but at least he’s set for life… now let’s see some of that Mike Williams!

4. Flip Saunders - He is just what the Pistons need after the strict control of Larry Brown. He will lead this team back to the top of the East, and a rematch with the Spurs in the Finals.

5. Baseball Playoffs - I will probably watch some here and there, but otherwise just not really interested this year. Maybe the long wear of the Tigers season has caught up to me. My picks: Cardinals and Yankees in the World Series, with the Cardinals capturing the title.

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!

Just heard this from the Insider… Here’s the story.

My View: I like it. I love Trammell, he’s my all-time favorite Tiger, but it was time for a change. I am a fan of Leyland from his Pirates days. The Pirates are my second favorite team after the Tigers and I enjoyed the way they played. They could never beat the Braves, but that’s another story.

Leyland brings instant experience and his 1997 Championship ring, so the current Tigers better listen up, or I bet they get shown the door.

Press conference @ 5:30 PM! Look for the Detroit Insider, he will be there.

The Detroit Insider just email me this bit of info.

2:06 PM - Juan Samuel, Bruce Fields have been interviewed today for the Tigers managerial position. Jim Leyland to fly in tonight for an interview.

10:14 AM - “Press conference @ 1:00PM today to announce firing of Alan Trammell.”

Free Press Story

Spartans lose.

Lions lose.

My fantasy teams lose.

Now I have to fly the block “M” logo the rest of the college football season.

I just want to grab Dave Baldwin (Spartan Offensive Coordinator) and shake some sense into him…