Leelanau Sports Guy at sportspig.com

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

1. Opening Day – What a day, Ian calls it The Best Sports Day of the Year!, and that’s hard to argue, especially this year. The Tigers were raising a 2006 AL Pennant and Mitch Albom says fans are expecting more this season. The crowd was pumped and ready to roll, but then the first inning happened. Jeremy Bonderman struggled giving up 3 early runs and it proved to be too much for the Tigers to overcome as they fell 5-3 in 10 innings to the Toronto Blue Jays. It should be a fun season for Tiger fans, but there will be games like this, especially when you play 162 of them. I was just thinking how nice it’s going to be June or July when Kenny Rogers comes back for the 2nd half of the season. That could be just as nice as making a trade, provided the Tigers can stay in it with the steady veteran.

2. Wolverines hire Beilein – It hasn’t been officially confirmed by U of M yet, just by everyone else. It’s a move that makes sense, but I think the Wolverines settled a bit and could have tried to go after a bigger name. John Beilein is coming off an NIT Championship with West Virginia and the Wolverines do frequent the NIT so that could be good combo.

3. Girls High School Season Change – My opinion is right on with Mick McCabe’s so you might as well just read this to see how I feel as well. It’s going to be a tough adjustment, ultimately it will work out, but short-term there just won’t be enough good officials and coaches.

4. Pistons/Wings Ready for Playoffs – Both teams are getting healthy and readying for the stretch run as they battle for the top seeds in the playoffs. I like the chances of both as they are playing at a high level and winning playoff style games.

5. Florida Repeats! – I lost $5 on the championship game, as I took Ohio State for some crazy reason. Well, it’s not that crazy, I cheer for the Big Ten, if MSU or Michigan is out, but still Florida is just awesome! Now we just wait and see how big of a check Billy Donovan is going to cash.

With April Fool’s Day falling on the weekend, I just completely forgot about it. Luckily some others didn’t.

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!

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

1. March Madness – My brackets are decorated with lots of red X’s but I still have my champions left (Kansas in my “A” bracket and Georgetown in the “B”). I admit I haven’t watched any games yet, and for some reason gave up listening to sports radio for Lent (I clearly wasn’t thinking), but I just haven’t been that excited about it. Not many upsets and some blowouts don’t keep people on the edge of their seats.

2. Justin Verlander – He has struggled this spring, but I think everyone can relax as he didn’t throw much over the winter. He will be back to normal by April 1st. I like him to win 17 or 18 games again this year as he continues to learn how to pitch…

3. Todd Bertuzzi – His debut is now here, but Babcock isn’t expecting much right now. All eyes will be on Bertuzzi in the playoffs though as by then he should have some games under his belt and be moving close to full speed. He was a great addition and should help the Wings stay physical in the playoffs.

4. Chauncey Billups – This injury could be a blessing in disguise as Billups get some rest before the playoffs. A fresh, healthy Billups will guarantee the Pistons a trip to the Finals. Now about Rip’s struggles…

5. Michigan Basketball – I am a huge Spartans fan, but I would just love to see Tom Crean get the job just to go head-to-head with Tom Izzo. You would have two terrific and competitive programs. That would be something to see. If I was hiring right now, I would be looking towards West Virginia for my next coach…

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!

Record Eagle sportswriter Mark Urban takes a look at the big rivalry game between Michigan State and Michigan and how it could play a very big part in either team making the NCAA Tournament. My guess is that neither are going to make the “Big Dance” and both will be playing in the NIT regardless of the outcome Tuesday.

Read Tuesday’s loser will miss the NCAAs in the Record Eagle

Also, here’s another article from the Record Eagle about the annual winter sports card and memorabilia at the Civic Center.

The Detroit News has compiled a list of the Top Michigan athletes by jersey number. Check it out and let them know of any they missed…

Read Top 99 Athletes in the Detroit News

My View: Here’s some of my favorite jersey numbers from the list above…

#20 – Billy Sims is the main reason, but Barry Sanders has something to do with it too.

#19 – My all-time favorite Red Wing.

#52 – Hey, she’s from Leelanau County, plus she’s a great player!

#11 & #4 – They will always be together in my book as the duo led the Pistons to their first two titles.

#3 – My all-time favorite Tiger.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Bo and his family. He is one of the All-Time greats!

Read Reaction to former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler’s death at Yahoo! Sports

When you have nothing to say, just post links to others who do…

Verlander wins AL Rookie of the Year
Not a big shocker here. He earned it and deserved it. I can’t wait for spring training to start after the successful season the Tigers had. Adding Sheffield makes it even harder to wait. It’s World Series or bust for Motown in 2007!

Read Tigers’ Verlander, Marlins’ Ramirez are top rookies at ESPN.com

Gerry Ahern states his case for a UM/OSU rematch in January
I have to say, I agree with him on all of it except the outcome of the big game! Seriously I think Michigan is going to win!

Read The Point After: Let’s play two at Yahoo! Sports

Here’s a neat bracket to determine the best Wolverine/Buckeye team of All-Time (My pick: 1968 Buckeyes)

Lions lose to 49ers
Is this some kind of sick joke? Nope, it’s just our beloved Lions giving away another game.

Read Lions drop back down to earth after last week’s win at the Freep

The Rest
I’ll be honest, I haven’t paid any attention to the Pistons yet, some to the Wings, and too much to the Spartans.

The staff at Absolute Michigan has done all the work, I just have to link to it!

Absolute Michigan has put together tons of info on the big game including articles, links, photos and videos to help get everyone ready for the battle of #1 versus #2 in Columbus on November 18th (provided both teams can win tomorrow!).

Great stuff on the history of the rivalry, Woody vs. Bo, punt returns, the Dead Schembechlers, and much, much more!

Check it out, you’ll be happy you did.

Read University of Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes at Absolute Michigan

Graphic designed by Absolute Michigan

Sorry for the lack of posts, alot of the Detroit Sports Blogs I visit seem to have hit the same wall, namely postseason baseball! The Tigers have taken up lots of my spare time and along with the regular everyday busy life the blog has suffered. Nevertheless, here’s my thoughts on the current state of Detroit Sports!

Detroit Tigers – WOW! and WOW! Everyone in northern Michigan seems to be buzzing with World Series fever as the Tigers get set to face the Cardinals/Mets winner. I am pulling for the Cards because their offense doesn’t seem as scary. I know, I know, what about Pujols? He is scary, but I think top to bottom the Mets lineup is stronger. Plus I would love to see a Leyland vs. LaRussa World Series. I know, they don’t actually play, but seeing them match wits head to head would be alot of fun.

I will be travelling down to the Motor City this weekend, no tickets unfortunately, but will probably try to cruise down and check out the craziness that will be at Comerica Park. I can’t wait to see it!

Check out lots of Detroit Tigers Info at Absolute Michigan

Detroit Lions – Lost in World Series fever is the fact that our beloved Lions won their first game of the season. Coach Rod Marinelli was awarded the game ball and he deserves it. I know it doesn’t show up in the overall record, but I am seeing some good things out of our Detroit Lions. They have been competitive in every game but one, and could easily be .500 with a break here or there. I think Marinelli will get this turned around, despite Millen’s goofs and I expect a playoff team possibly next season, but for sure in Marinelli Season 3.

Detroit Pistons – I have seen lots of positive press about Jason Maxiell and I have to say I am excited about the upcoming Pistons season. They will miss Big Ben, but this team will score more and be much better offensively, which might be necessary as the “D” might be down from what Pistons fans have seen the last few seasons. Either way, the Pistons will contend for the Eastern crown.

Detroit Red Wings – I will admit, haven’t really given much attention to the Wings yet, but once the World Series is over, they will be back on my radar.

Detroit Shock – Their second WNBA Title came without much of a word from me, so for that I must apologize. Congrats! I keep wondering why no NBA team has made Bill Laimbeer an NBA coach!

Michigan Wolverines – #3 in the BCS and could be setting things up for a #1 vs. #2 matchup when they travel to Ohio State. That’s something I have been predicting all along and now it’s beginning to look like I may have finally been right about something.

Michigan State Spartans – After the Illinois loss, I have been down on my Spartans. Now 3-4 and clinging to a possible bowl bid, they are through the worst of the schedule. I don’t know if there’s enough left in the tank, but John L. will give it his best shot.

That’s a quick look into the mind, not much going on as you can tell, but I will try to post more frequently and will try to snag some photos from my Detroit trip.

Go Tigers!*

*From what I can tell this is the new way to say Good-bye in northern Michigan!

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

1. Tigers – Clinging to a one game lead in the Central and alot of Tiger fans are feeling very nervous. Don’t be. The Tigers have the easiest schedule of the three remaining contenders and will start it off with a sweep of the Orioles. How do I know this? Because they are going to score some runs tonight!

The Tigers, though, may have a good opportunity to break out against Baltimore’s Hayden Penn (0-2, 36.82).

The 21-year-old right-hander lasted only three innings and was pounded for seven runs and nine hits, including three homers, in a 9-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday. Penn actually reduced his ERA from 108.00.

2. Lions – I listened to the first game off and on Sunday and came away like everyone else, impressed with the defense, and puzzled by the offense. Of course sure enough on the final game-winning Seahawk drive our “D” goes soft and gives up a couple of big plays in a row to give up the easy field goal. I can’t really blame them though, they single-handedly kept the Lions in the game. I think Kitna is a “huge” improvement over Joey and he will be able to direct the Lions to some wins. Sorry Roy, just not this week.

3. Red Wings – The Wings are in TC, and the town is buzzing with excitement. I was thinking about trying to score some tickets, for the games next week. I did go to training camp a few years ago and really enjoyed it. You get to be real close to the action and interact with the players in a casual atmosphere. If you are a big Wings fan, I would definitely check it out one of these years, there are some tickets still available this year as well!

4. Wolverines Football – The biggest game of the weekend as the Wolverines travel down to Notre Dame. I might have to just breakdown and call up the biggest Wolverine fan I know (the father-in-law) and see if I can come watch the game on his new HD TV. I have this funny feeling Michigan is going to pull off the upset, behind the running of Michael Hart. Before the season started I thought Michigan might be able to contend for the title, and I still see a battle of unbeatens when they meet Ohio State at the end!

5. Spartans Football – Not really sure what to expect out of Sparty. MSU has looked very good one moment and very bad the next. That won’t cut it against a quality opponent. If MSU can pull this one out, then I look for Notre Dame to be 2-2 after next weekend!

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!

I am still working on my Spartan Football Preview and Big 10 conference predictions, I know the season starts tomorrow, but I will get it done! I still have to come up with another bet for The Sports Dude when my Spartans travel to Ann Arbor. It’s a busy time of year!

In the meantime, here are previews of the Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Lions from two of my favorite bloggers!

The Sports Dude’s Michigan Football Preview (always entertaining)
Wolverine Preview – Part One
Wolverine Preview – Part Two

Big Al’s Detroit Lions Preview (he speaks the truth)
TWFE Detroit Lions season preview, part 1: Offense
TWFE Detroit Lions season preview, part 2: Defense

It’s too early for my predictions (which are usually wrong anyway), but some of the top preview magazines are out and have their preseason Big Ten and national title picks. Check out the article below for a quick summary from the Detroit News and check back in August for my picks!

According to the experts, Michigan will most likely finish 2nd in the Big Ten (to Ohio State) and Michigan State anywhere from 4th to 8th.

Read Outlook is not rosy for U-M or MSU at the Detroit News

I’m not a Michigan fan, but everyone else in my family is, and so I do on occasion listen to U of M football on the radio. It was a smart move bringing back Frank Beckmann and Jim Brandstatter. They make the game easy to listen to and have lots of fun doing it.

Read U-M radio deal done; announcers will stay in the Detroit News

The Wolverines are on a roll and ranked for the first time since 1998. After two big wins over top 25 Michigan State and Wisconsin at home, they now travel to Penn State. This is one of those classic “trap” games that appear on your schedule after a tough game. A road trip against a struggling team can bring all the good feelings to a halt. I watched the Wolverines beat Wisconsin and I was mostly impressed, except down the stretch when they had a chance to put them away and didn’t. Michigan can’t play with that same attitude against an inferior opponent on the road or the Wolverines could find themselves upset.

Read Ranked for First Time in Eight years, Michigan Visits Penn State at CSTV

Sports Dude, I just can’t win!

Read Horton, Michigan upset No. 11 MSU 72-67 at Yahoo! Sports

Two recent Michigan graduates captured the “World Series of Beer Pong” title in Las Vegas. Jason Coben and Nick Velissaris will split a $10,000 grand prize.

Read U. of Michigan grads win national beer pong title at MLive.com