My Vote for Mr. Basketball in Michigan...

would not have been the winner.  I watched Nix (Pershing HS)  play in a quarterfinal game at UD, semifinal at Breslin, and final on tv.  Yes, he is big, can rebound grabbing missed shots and putting in the puppies, can take up space in the middle, but lacks other factors I expect from a Mr. BB.  His teammate, Keith Appling, is on my list ahead of him.  Versatile, quick, fast, great shot, touch, and a leaper--most of which Mr. BB does not have--who can dominate a game and carry his team.  However, Appling is a junior and that may have disqualified him from consideration.

For me Mr. BB must stand out in the latter stages of the state tournament and Appling did.  He scored most of his points  in the second halves of the quarterfinal and semifinal.  But in the final he scored early and often setting a Class A finals record by scoring 49 points.  On his way to to MSU he could wind up contributing as much as did Drew Nietzel.

A Bunch of Boring Bowls

Couldn't get excited about too many of the bowl games.  Perhaps it was because the Big Ten teams did not do well, but perhaps also it was because the BCS Championship game has minimized interest in even the big bowl games, namely Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl.  The others have little meaning to all but their fans.

Until the BCS championship ten years ago or so, multiple bowl games were of great interest because they contributed to determining the national champion.  The 1997 bowl season exemplifies the importance and excitement of the old system.  Michigan and Nebraska were the only undefeated teams during the regular season and both won their bowl games.  #1 UM beat #8 Washington State in the Rose Bowl while #2 Nebraska defeated #3 Tennessee in the Orange Bowl.  The final polls gave a split national champion and generated spirited conversation about which one was correct.  AP poll ranked University of Michigan number 1 and Nebraska second while the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll had them reversed.   Some considered Nebraska's victory "better" than UM's.   More interesting would have been UM and Neb both losing.  Then Tenn might have been voted national champion (one loss and the big win over Neb) or WSU (one loss and a bowl win over UM); in addition #4 Florida would also have had some claim because they had only one loss and defeated Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.  Three bowl games kept our interests back then because each contributed something to the mythical national champion.  The interest was intense, the talk interesting.

Now there is only one game that gets discussed for the national champion.  No more what-ifs before the bowl season, no more lively comparisons of schedules, no more who beat who and by how much, no more this bowl win was better than that one.

A lot of the fun of the bowl season is gone.  And a playoff will not bring the fun back.

Detroit Going For The Record--Again

We've seen some bad teams around here.

 

Currently the Detroit Lions are headed to the first 0-16 season in NFL history (1976 Buccaneers were 0-14).  They are currently 0-11 with 5 games remaining.   And they have not been competitive in those games.  IMHO their ineptitude on offense, defense, and special teams along with a favorable schedule make their chance of a winless season better than even  (change my  under-over for wins to ZERO).

Other Detroit teams were bad but not thoroughly inept.  Detroit Pistons had 16 wins and 66 losses in 1979-1980 season.  During the 1990s they were 20-62 in 1993-94.

Detroit Tigers flirted with the major league record but only established an American League record of 119 losses in 2003 missing the major league record by one loss.  (Their team yearly loss record was 109 in 1996, but their 1952 season was their second worst winning percentage 0.325 on 50 wins and 104 losses.) 

In 1985-86 the Red Wings won 17, lost 57, and tied 6, a franchise worst season.

Here are some other "worst" teams.

For consecutive losing seasons Detroit teams can hold their head high. 

The Detroit Lions will complete their 8th consecutive losing season this year and can extend that streak next year.  In six more years they can match the Buccaneers who had 14 straight losing seasons from 1983-1996.

Detroit Tigers had 12 consecutive losing seasons  (1994-2005).   Only the Brewers, Athletics, Phillies, and Pirates had longer streaks.

Pistons, who moved from Fort Wayne to Detroit in 1957,  had 14 consecutive losing seasons (1956-70),  Only Sacramento Kings had one longer.

Red Wings had 14 consecutive losing seasons (1973-87).  The Canucks had a longer one.

We will be there Thursday to see the 10-1 Titans (who we hoped would be 11-0 but lost to the Jets Sunday) deep fry the Lions for Thanksgiving.

Ouch, Ouch, Ouch, Ouch

Michigan got pasted by Ohio State -- again.  This group of Wolverines makes it five straight losses, a first in the series.

Michigan State got blasted by Penn State.  The only two really good teams in the Big Ten are OSU and PSU.  The big two and little nine looks somewhat different this year.

Indiana got ripped by Purdue.  Both had weak teams but the Boilers stuck it to them. 

And number 2 Texas Tech had a whuppin' put on 'em by number 5 Oklahoma.  Not sure how the Sooners lost to Texas earlier in the season but that may keep Oklahoma out of the national championship game.

New QBs Not The Answer

The Lions used two quarterbacks, Dante Culpepper, who was signed earlier in the week, and his backup Drew Henson.  Neither had the kind of day that would keep the Lions from losing their ninth of the season without a victory.  They started the 0-12 in 2001 but as I recall they looked much better and seemed to be somewhat competitive--not so this version.

The defense was shredded for five consecutive touchdown drives by the Jaguars.  Don't remember that happening before.  And the Jaguar defense could have kept the Lions to ten points except for a face mask penalty on the Lions first touchdown drive that gave them first-and-goal instead of fourth-and-goal.

Another non-sellout so television blacked out locally.  The crowd is getting quieter by the game.  And leaving earlier.  You would think if anyone would understand customer apathy the Fords would.

Worse yet, the Romeo Bulldogs lost to Lake Orion in the high school football playoffs Friday night.  Too cold and damp for us to attend, however I picked up a live internet broadcast of the game and could hear enough bits and pieces of the description--the quality reminded me of early radio and television fading in and out. 

On a higher note, both Michigan State and Michigan won on Saturday with MSU at 9-2 and heading to Happy Valley in two weeks for a showdown with Penn State with the winner sharing the Big Ten title (assuming PSU beats IU and OSU wins at Illinois and at home against Michigan).

GO GREEN!  GO WHITE!

High School Football Saturday

Saturday afternoon the sun shone bright and the temperature was a bit above 50 degrees (we know that because bumble bees were flying about and below they generally do not) and the wind blowing 15 mph.  We had our in-car tailgate, eating sandwiches and fruit before the game.  True tailgating does not happen much at high school games.  

Romeo hosted Clarkston in the first round of the playoffs ranked number 10 in the state division 1 by some newspapers.  Clarkston players or coaches--not sure which--said they were looking forward to meeting Lake Orion in two weeks.  Lake Orion played this weekend and the winner of their game plays the winner of Romeo's.  They don't have to worry.  Romeo played well and took a 31-0 lead at the half to the amazement of all.  Clarkston had a 6-3 record (Romeo was 7-2) and was reportedly one  of the strongest in Oakland County.  On offense Romeo did what they wanted--Clarkston could not stop them.  And Romeo's defense did the same against a Clarkston explosive offense averaging about 40 points per game.  In the second half Romeo scored late in the third quarter and Clarkston scored in the fourth, their only score of the day, to make the final Romeo 38-Clarkston 7.

Lake Orion did win their playoff game and some of their players were in attendance to see who they will play next weekend.  The Bulldogs will travel to LO and try to keep their season going.  Right now the weather for next weekend is iffy and that will determine whether we go.

GO DAWGS.

Big Ten Teams Go Small

To get thrashed by Notre Dame this year is embarrassing. Maybe UM should have returned Rodriguez to WVU when the buyout of his contract with them became an issue. If it does not turn around next year, they will have to buy out his current contract and get someone else.

Purdue lost in double OT when they should have put away an Oregon team that seemed to want to be somewhere else for half the game.

Buckeye fans--SOS for your beloved scarlet and grey. But don't be too upset. Looks like Southern Cal is loaded for another national championship.

Wings-Pens

Why are team nicknames shortened? Pens and Avs come to mind. Must be a sports writer thing.

Wings have done well in the playoffs and the Penguins have some talented youth (not that Detroit does not)

Wings in six.

Pistons-Celtics

We are glad the Pistons beat the Celtics last night to even the series at 1-1. But from the way the announcers talked, they are not as happy--I think they are pulling for the well-publicized and often-stated Celtics-Lakers final. They don't even hide it well any more in their interviews and comments.

Now they return home where Pistons are doing well.

Pistons in six.

How Suite It Was

Brenda took me to the Tiger baseball game Saturday versus the New York Yankees.

Her company hosted workers and their guests. Had a great time though the good guys lost. Bonderman got in trouble early again and could not last through the fifth. 5-2 loss goes in the books.

Met interesting people, many transplants to Michigan. We had a suite down the left field foul line past the foul pole. Great sunny weather but we were under the overhang in the shade. With a loud speaker overhead!

These were great seats to see how much ground Curtis Granderson covers in center field. Yankees hit a couple that he had to chase down on the fly and one that he caught on the bounce off the center field wall to hold the batter to a double--great view.

Too bad the Tigers have invested so much money and have so little to show for it at this time.


Thank you, Brenda.

National Champion

I must have had a brain cramp. Let me rephrase that.

Kansas, in overtime.

Final Game

Now that I've done so well, LOL, let me pick the National Champion...

Memphis. Just because.

My Picks...

For the Final Four games.

I'll take North Carolina over Kansas.  Too much power.

And UCLA over Memphis.  Too consistent.

With NC as national champion.

Shut Out Already?

We had a great day for baseball at Comerica Park.  Tigers vs KC Royals for an afternoon game.  Cloudless skies, temps in the low 50s, not even a breeze.  Cap and gloves came off when we took our seats.

Smiths went with us and we had lunch at Leo's Coney Island at the ball park (our first choice, Cheli's Bar, had a 45 minute wait 50 minutes before game time).

Seats were behind the visitors dugout, about 20 rows up, and we stayed warm in the sunshine until the ninth inning when the shadows of the upper deck finally covered us.

Kenny Rogers started for the Tigers and pitched quite well.  As did relievers.  They gave up four runs.  But the well-paid offense produced nothing.  Three hits--all by Edgar Renteria who was eliminated twice by ground ball double plays.  So Royals pitchers faced on one batter more than the minimum--great pitching.

But it's always a treat for  us to see the Tigers play in person.

We Can't See You

We had a great time at the Midwest Regional games at Ford Field.  Fairly close to the floor we have fairly good views of most of the play.  But it could have been better.

The basketball floor was placed in the center of the stadium rather than in an endzone, a first of its kind.  It was also raised about 20 inches above the stadium floor.  Risers were built from about the 12th row of the permanent seating to near the floor along the sidelines;  some permanent seats were removed to permit the risers.  This provided over thirty rows from the floor to the stands on the risers.  (Risers were also built from the basketball floor endlines into the endzones--not sure how those seats were distributed nor how much was charges for them, but they could not have permitted a decent view.)   In addition to the spectator seats there were the obligatory many rows of tables for media and others along the sidelines.  

Our view was from the 23rd row of the risers in a section roughly along a line from the center of he court through the corner of the court.We were fairly close to the court but were obstructed by those seated in front of us from a clear view of the entire court and of the full length of the players.  In addition, during parts of Friday's games and during all of Sunday's game students in the adjacent section closer to midcourt than we were and in the first several rows stood so we would stand to see part of the play.  That may not have been bad except the rise from row to row was about 6 inches (so many rows were placed in a rise of so few feet) and spectators in front of me more than made up for my extra elevation with their extra height.   

The NCAA can boast that record crowds for playoff games were set both days, 53000 and 53500.  But how can one spectate from the upper level endzone seats?   Or the suites which are set along the outside walls of the stadium.  And yet I read the NCAA will keep the same configuration for the 2009 NCAA Final Four at Ford Field except for some tweaking.  I suppose this is more evidence (do we need more?) of NCAA greed. 

I think Kathy and I can summarize our feelings about the seating.  We talked about the conditions and asked each other two questions.

Q1.  Are you glad we came and did you have a good time?

A1.  Yes, definitely.

Q2.  If you could have the same seats for the same price for the 2009 Final Four, would you buy them?

A2.  No (even though we would love to see a Final Four).

A Weekend in the D...

for the NCAA Division I Midwest Regional and a DSO Pops Series Concert.

Friday afternoon we drove downtown to the Courtyard hotel on Jefferson at Brush, about 15 minute walk to Ford Field. We dropped the car with the valet and checked in where we were upgraded to a junior suite--bigger room including sofa, this one with a view of the Detroit River and Windsor. Fourteenth floor (but that would change--more on that below). During the weekend we saw several freighters both upbound and downbound, and broken ice--several miles long-- flowing from Lake Saint Clair to Lake Erie.

Left for the 7:10 game between Wisconsin and Davidson. Met a few UW fans in hotel elevator who were surprised we would be pulling for Wisconsin--they seemed very parochial, that only they from Wisconsin would be rooting for THEIR team. But they may not be typical. We eventually went back on our word and became Davidson fans. Tied at the half we wondered if either team would shoot well. Davidson owned the second half. Baby-faced sophomore Stephen Curry took over and shot the Wildcats to a double-digit victory with a great individual performance (later he was named Most Outstanding Player of the regional). Wondering why he was playing at DC, Kathy found out he was only 5'7" as a hs junior and the "big" schools would not touch him. I think it works in his favor that he got to such a selective school. The next morning UW fans at our hotel were like rats leaving a sinking ship. A quiet, somber mood among them.

After breakfast Saturday morning we drove up East Jefferson to Pewabic Pottery to see their store. A building in front of the store is being demolished drawing interested people to take pictures. We should have had breathing masks because of the dust. Interesting store with many fine pieces by a number of different artists. A huge kiln and racks of pottery being readied for firing were found behind the retail space. I saw many pieces that I wanted but the price kept the plastic in my wallet. Then drove through Grosse Pointes and back downtown to look for geocaches. Had many options and chose one at Mariner's Church and another at the Renaissance Center--found neither; will do more research so we can grab them later. Dinner at Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen on the edge of Greektown, followed by a walk back to the hotel to dress for the DSO concert. A great concert featuring six singers belting out songs of the sixties accompanied by the DSO.

Let's get a good night's sleep. And we did, until 4 am when the smoke detector began chirping like it wanted a fresh battery and then went full blast like I was back at school! Called the front desk and was told, "Just remove the battery." I don't think so. "You should send someone up here soon!" was my reply. And a rent-a-cop showed up without a clue as to what to do. He called the front desk and, I suspect from hearing his responses, was told the same thing. Eventually, after we spent about a half hour in the hall protecting our ears from the noise, we were told our room would be changed to the twelfth floor. We packed it all up and, dressed in our finest robe and pj's, lumbered off to our new room led by one of the late night parking valets!!! Finally, back to bed.

After rising later than we planned and dressing for the day, we checked out and were given some accommodation for our inconvenience. Breakfast in Dearborn? Why not. Found a good family restaurant, Leon's, near one of our favorite burger shops, Miller's Bar. We were hoping for a good IMAX movie but nothing that interested us was playing at either the Henry Ford Museum or the Detroit Science Center. So let's just bum around Fairlane Shopping Center. Back to Ford Field where we found a parking spot where we normally park (could have used the hotel parking but thought we would get away from the stadium easier). Went into the stadium for the pregame color. And what a game! The best of the three. Close the entire game though I thought Kansas would begin to pull away from Davidson midway through the second half. But Davidson would not go away and could have won on a last second three-pointer had Kansas not played such tough defense that final 16 seconds. And, again, the star of the game was Stephen Curry. We look forward to seeing him next year.

Stopped by Pat Morrow's on the way home to pick up Tiger tickets we are buying through her son, Brian, for Wednesday's game. Let's get home and get some sleep--without a smoke alarm failure.

My Picks...

For the sweet sixteen.

East: North Carolina, Washington State, Louisville, Tennessee

Midwest: Kansas, Vanderbilt, Southern Cal, Georgetown (Kathy and I will be there)

South: Memphis, Michigan State, Marquette, Texas

West: UCLA, Drake, Purdue, Duke

Next week, I'll give my final four.

Desert Southwest Basketball Trip

On Wednesday, March 12, Bade, Dupuis, and I arrived in El Paso to bright, sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. We had lunch at a local Mexican restaurant with Gerry McCool who graduated from Stevenson HS in late 70s. Gerry played basketball at Central Michigan, went to Chicago to podiatry school, and eventually bought the second office from his original partner in El Paso. After checking in to the hotel we took a ride along the Transmountain Road that crosses a mountain on the edge of El Paso, seeing beautiful desert mountain scenery. Later we visited UTEP to see the Sun Bowl and Don Haskins Arena--beautiful setting cut into the mountains.

It's a small world. I was making small talk with another guest in the hotel elevator. Eventually he asked me if my name is Jim. Well, yes, then if my last name is Reagan. He is Bob Langham who Brenda knows very well in the business world and was in El Paso on business.

Jeff McCool drove in from Hobbs, New Mexico to join us for the week.

Thursday we drove up to Las Cruces, NM to New Mexico State University for four quarterfinal games of the Western Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament. Winners followed the seedings. Attendance was light except for the last game of the day when host NMSU beat Idaho (located in Moscow where Joey lived). This is where Jeff played his college basketball. We met up with Dean Carmichael for dinner and the second session; Dean is a former student at Jeff's junior college who Jeff mentored mentored and now teaches in Las Cruces.

The next day we drove up to Albuquerque. Mountains on either side and desert as far as the eye could see. Four hours and nothing but desert. Actually we went through Albuquerque to Sante Fe and after seeing the state capitol had lunch on the square (plaza) and then drove back to Albuquerque. That evening we attended a college baseball game at Isotopes Park, the home of Albuquerque's AAA baseball team, between U of New Mexico and UNLV. Glad I took a jacket since the temperature dropped about 10 degrees in the hour after the sun set. Later, Mark Golda, who taught at SHS with us twelve years ago before returning to Albuquerque, joined us at the hotel for war stories and a nickel-dime poker game.

Saturday morning found us at the first of eight high school basketball final games, both boys and girls, played at the Pit, UNM's famous basketball arena. Jeff and Jim stayed for all eight games, but Ken and I took our breaks from the action. After the last game ended (Jeff's Hobbs team beat Clovis for the 5A championship) we went to get a bite to eat. And in this college and hotel area most restaurants were closed, including Fuddruckers and Burger King--amazing. Not yet ready for bed we took a ten minute drive to Sandia Casino where I lost playing video poker -- get this Brenda -- one whole dollar. Here's an industry that is flourishing! New casino, new hotel in the middle of the desert.

Sunday we drove back to El Paso through a sandstorm. Driving winds kept us from relaxing at the wheel. When we took our pit stop we got sand in our eyes and mouths. We got back early enough so Jeff could have a lot of daylight for his return trip to Hobbs. Watched a bit of the NCAA tourney selection show, then had dinner where Brenda recommended, Dominic's. Great food and ambiance. I now know why she likes this place.

Great weather through the whole trip except for the winds--sunny, temperatures from 40s to 70s, We returned Monday to 30s and snow still on the ground in Romeo.

Snooze Through the Commercials

Maybe it was the game. Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's the history. But to me the commercials during the Super Bowl were--how can I say this best--weak. The dalmatian training the Clydesdale caught my eye--very clever, had a Rocky-type story. (So did the guy jump starting the woman's car, but it was disgusting. And the disclaimer DON'T TRY THIS--who are you targeting that you need to tell them?)

The game was so-so for three quarters. Lots of records, we were told. Of the who cares? variety. Fewest possessions in the first quarter, second fewest points through . . . And so on.

But the final quarter mad me glad I watched. Well played, some great plays, and a substantial underdog victory. The Giant game plan was superb and well executed. Protect yourselves old time Giants fans--those New Yorkers will now be jumping on the bandwagon.

My Rant About Sports Announcing

Am I the only one who thinks the current crop needs dusting?

The incessant chatter, droning on and on about things remotely linked to the play, irks me. Since when are announcers to fill every moment of airtime with their babble?

Why do they generalize from one play? "That was some catch; he's got great hands" Then later he drops an easy one. We teach young children in school to avoid generalizing from too little data.

We know they can read because they do so from the media guide. "Played nine sports in high school... really liked playing the net at number two doubles...partner went on to Bowdoin College after two years at Division II Hillsdale College...) Do your homework. glean information that makes sense; write notecards, if you must, and label them for moments in the game where they might be important. Like approaching a personal best; who cares that three years ago he completed 6 of 8 passes in the first quarter against Philadelphia in 45 degree weather in the fog and mist--you remember THAT game? Digest it for me, if you want, but do not read it to me.

And finally, even though they watch monitors showing the same view I see, are they watching the same game I am? Their "rush to comment" so often needs correction. Do they need bigger monitors (viewers now have big-screen TVs)? Or should they just let the picture speak its thousand words.

Kathy and I watched much of the NFL playoff games sans audio--remember the experiment a few years back with a game telecast and just the stadium microphone open for audio? Maybe the NFL could broadcast two audio tracks--one with the commentators (better yet, with choices of commentators, the additional ones the studio) and another track with the crowd noise and stadium announcer.

I expect the Super Bowl coverage to be much the same. Where's that "mute" button?