1. Detroit Tigers Playoff Run – I had a blast following the Tigers bid for the World Series. Although they fell a bit short, it was a great season and the Tigers have a promising future. The rotation remains a strength and if they can get consistency from Rick Porcello and find a reliable fifth starter (Jacob Turner?) then I think they’ll compete again. As far as second base, not much to pick from out there, but maybe a platoon involving Ramon Santiago will make due! I’ll miss Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez, but both will be remembered for having great Tiger careers.

2. Tony La Russa – As much as I love Sparky Anderson, I have to say Tony La Russa is the best baseball manager of my lifetime. All he’s done is win, in the era of free agency no less, and then changed the way the bullpen is managed to create favorable matchups. Congratulations to Tony La Russa and the Cardinals!

3. NBA Lockout – I know I’m not the only NBA fan who just doesn’t seem to care they aren’t playing right now? or actually, if they ever do again? I don’t know how to explain it, but the NBA just doesn’t really excite me much anymore.

4. Michigan/Michigan State Football – Two strong seasons so far on the gridiron and it’s looking like two warm weather bowl games for both the Wolverines and Spartans. I think both teams still have alot to work on, but I like where both programs are. MSU is maintaining a high level and Michigan is almost back!

5. Diet Time – Started the old diet again (Weight Watchers, yeah!) and now just need to come up with a good workout program!

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!

My early thoughts, I like it alot. A little disappointed about Michigan State and Penn State not maintaining their rivalry, but all in all it looks good to me.

Post your thoughts in the comments!

Lots of great remarks and also features question and answer sessions from each. Lots of talk about expansion, a conference championship game, division alignment, and officiating from the Commish.

Coach Dantonio gave a nice preview of his team and talked about players to watch out for before answering questions.

Coach Rodriguez gave a quick summary of his team and jumped right into questions.

All in all, lots of great info, and more kudos to the Big Ten Network. I can’t get enough of this stuff!

Here’s my top five teams to watch during March Madness 2010!

Kansas – I had a hard time, picking between Kansas and Kentucky, but I went with Kansas because of the experience factor. The Jayhawks have been dominant at times this year with only one stumble, a loss at Tennessee in early January. Lots of weapons on offense and a defense that can apply shut-down pressure, the Jayhawks look like a lock for the Final Four!

Michigan State – Coach Tom Izzo is one of the best at preparing his team for opponents during the tournament. That being said, this year his team has been up and down and lacks experience on the frontline that has been a staple of Spartan teams in the past. I still like there chances and they are most likely looking at 3, 4 or 5 seed depending on how the rest of the season shakes out.

Rhode Island – Not alot of people know much about the Rams this season, but they are quietly putting together a terrific season. A couple of losses to top-25 ranked Temple have kept them out of the rankings, but they are right on the edge. A deep team with explosive offensive capabilities. A very possible 10, 11, or 12 seed who could make a run to the Sweet Sixteen.

Pittsburgh – I love the physical teams, but this isn’t your ordinary physical team. The Panthers can score points, lots of ‘em, and play that up-tempo style some physical teams don’t like to play. A well-coached team and battle-tested from the tough Big East competition, I think Pitt is peaking at the right time this year and has a successful March ahead of them!

Purdue – I know, I know two Big Ten teams? Are you crazy? The Big Ten was very solid in the tourney last year and Purdue might be better then any of those teams last year. A experience front-line and a team with great leadership, look for Purdue to match-up well with anyone they meet in the tourney and with their current 9-game winning streak, they are gaining confidence and momentum at the most crucial time of the year.

The Final Four on CBS this Saturday will be interrupted by John McEnroe.  The three-time Wimbledon and four-time US Open Champion, who recently turned 50, will be serving up a bit of humor for the 50 year-olds watching the Final Four on CBS this Saturday. Mac, alongside 50 year-old hoopsters Kelly Tripucka and Rick Mahorn, will appear in a vignette that will ONLY air one-time encouraging men to visit www.50over50challenge.com and get serious about their prostate health (specifically enlarging prostate).

Check it out!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Read MSU Men & Women in Sweet Sixteen at Absolute Michigan

Just click the following link to register, you’ll need a yahoo! account…

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_team?GID=157885&P=county

Enjoy March Madness!

Leelanau Sports Guy

Max, Dantonio’s first commitment for 2010, is the grandson of former Spartans assistant coach and player Hank Bullough and the nephew of Chuck Bullough, a former second-team All-American linebacker at MSU who is a position coach at UCLA.

Shane Bullough, Chuck’s older brother, also played linebacker at MSU and was an All-American.

Max, listed by Rivals.com as 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, also considered scholarship offers from Notre Dame, UCLA, Stanford and Iowa.

As a Spartan fan, I have to say it’s very cool and MSU is getting one tough player!

Read Spartans lure familiar name in the Detroit News

The Record Eagle also has an article…

Read Bullough headed to MSU in the Record Eagle

1. Tigers are done – It’s all over but the cryin’ in 2008. Another blown lead last night puts the Tigers 8.5 games back in the divsion race. Sheffield was put on waivers and the moves looking to slash payroll and ready the team for a run in 2009 will start now!

2. Kwame Brown? – The signing of Brown has brought opinions saying it’s a waste of money and that it’s a good deal for the Pistons. It’s hard to argue either side, but I think Joe D may have found another diamond in the rough and if the solid veteran leadership of Chauncey, Rip and McDyess can bring Kwame along, he could be a pleasant surpise and really help shore up the depth on the frontline.

3. Lions over .500 – That’s my official prediction, I have this weird feeling that the Lions are going to finish 9-7 and contend for a wild card berth. While this isn’t a new prediction around these parts, I think this is really, finally, positively, the year they get over that hump. I know on paper they seem less talented, but I think that head coach Rod Marinelli has finally gotten the roster where he wants it and has gotten rid of the players he’s needed to. I still think they will struggle to run the ball, but they won’t be so quick to abandon it either. A healthy Calvin Johnson is going to be huge for quarterback Jon Kitna. Johnson and Roy Williams should provide some offensive sparks this season. I’m looking forward to it!

4. College Football – It’s finally almost here! I can’t wait. I like Michigan and Michigan State to both have solid years and for the first time in a while MSU will have the better record. I just love Mark Dantonio and think he’s got the Spartans heading up, up, up and will be a mainstay in the Big Ten title race for years to come. Rich Rodriguez is still looking for quarterbacks but will have his team competitive and tough to play against defensively.

5. Shock visit TC – A neat experience on Monday for some Traverse City area youth girls basketball players as the Detroit Shock (minus Katie Smith who is playing in the Olympics) visited during the Olympic break for a camp and clinic at Traverse City West. I love to see stories like this and I am sure it’s something those girls won’t forget anytime soon.

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!