And now it's off to St. Louis

Happy Easter. I hope everyone had a great holiday. I want to apologize for not posting the last two days. It has been a crazy weekend of sorts, with it being Easter Weekend and MSU playing so well. I just lost track of time.

Well the Final Four is now set.

Illionios, Louisville, MSU and UNC

Who will move on to the Championship game?

I am not sure how I will be able to wait until then. It is going to be a busy week. I start my new job Tuesday........my first real job since graduation. I am a bit nervous. Then to top that off, MSU beat Duke and then Kentucky this weekend to move to the Final Four. That game tonight was just amazing. 2 OT's is exciting but also nerve racking. I was on the edge of my seat most of the game, but especially when the game was winding down and went into OT. I am glad my Spartans pulled it off. I have to say that was one of the best games I have seen in a long time.

We almost had three teams from the Big 10 in the Final Four. I was hoping for a rematch of the 2000 championship with Wisconsin, but they just came up short.

Next Saturday is going to be a long, long day. If you plan to go out to watch the game, you have to get their early, or you might not be able to get in.

More to come later in the week.

Once again, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

East Lansing should be going nuts!!!!

On the banks of the Red CedarThere's a school that's known to all
Its specialty is winning
And those Spartans play good ball
Spartan Teams are never beaten
All through the game they'll fight
Fight for the only colors
Green and White
Go right through for MSU
Watch the points keep growing
Spartan Teams are bound to win,they're fighting with a vim
Rah! Rah! Rah!
See their team is wwweeeaaaaaakkkkk
We're going to win this game!
Fight! Fight! Rah, Team, Fight!Victory for MSU!

What a game tonight between MSU and Duke. I might think this because MSU beat up on Duke, but it was still a good game. Wisconsin won, UNC won and Kentucky won. I got one wrong tonight. Not too bad at all. UNC almost lost tonight. Wouldn't that have been funny. MSU is in the Elite 8 again. That is just so nice. I hope we beat the snot out of Kentucky on Sunday and return to the Final Four against maybe the best team in the country. That is if Wisconsin does not beat them on Sunday. It could be a rematch of the 2000 Championships. I hope MSU still has what it takes win win a few more games. IZZO looks like he has MSU is the right state of mind. I look forward to Easter Sunday. Have a good holiday everyone.

MSU, Utah, UNC and Wisconsin

Well that is who I want to win today. I do not have time to do a long post. If only one of those teams win tonight I want it to be Michigan State.

I think they have a chance against Duke. Duke has a stronger starting 5, but MSU has much more depth. It will be an exciting game to watch.

How Sweet

Well, today starts the Sweet 16 in the 2005 NCAA Men's Tournament. There are a few really good games on today. I am looking forward to the Louisville v Washington matchup. The other good game tonight should be Oklahoma State v Arizona. Who will win tonight and make it to the Elite 8. Dont be surprised if there are a few upsets the next two days.

4. Louisville over 1. Washington: I have been down on Washington ever since it got a #1 seed. They have played like a #1 seed so far, but they will run into trouble tonight against a high scoring team in Louisville. Piterno has his players ready for an Elite 8 and a Final Four apperance. Louisville will be down at half do to strong play by Washington. Louisville will pull away early in the second half and pull away with the win.

6. Texas Tech over 7. West Virginia: Bobby Knight has not been here in a long time. He knows how to win and has his players believing in themselves. Knight might be one of the best coaches in NCAA basketball history. A bit of a temper problem caused him to lose some recruits, but he knows how to coach and how to win. Texas Tech wins big.

1. Illionios over 12. Wisconsin Milwaukee: It was a nice run while it lasted, but Illionios is just way to strong overall for WM to pull off another upset. Illionios should come out of the bracket but Arizona or Oklahoma State are strong as well. Illionios wins big.

2. Oklahoma State over 3. Arizona: Might be the best game of the night or the round. Duke v MSU could be better tomorrow. It will come down to the last few possessions. Both teams have great coaches and great senior players. What team steps it up a notch will win this game. There will be many lead changes and lots of penalties. FT% will be the key to this win. Whatever team hits their FTs will win this game. Oklahoma State with the win by 3.

IU to keep Davis

www.peegs.com reports that the Hoosiers have decided to keep Mike Davis for another year, its not a big suprise to me. If they would've let go Davis then a lot of there players might of considered transfering. Things should be brighter next year, with a great class coming in.

Also, Detroit Sports Squad is now partners with www.Tigerstalk.com It's a great site, with some cool forums. Go check it out.

The shoe will still fit for at least one team today

The games yesterday were fun to watch. Did not get a chance to see them all, but from what I heard, they were all pretty good games. I can not believe Gonzaga lost to Texas Tech. I did not see that coming at all. Bobby Knight is a great coach and could make it to the Elite 8 with a win over West Virginia. Wisconsin Milwaukee was a good game. Lets see how much longer they will be in the tournament. Will they be this years Cinderella team. The Utah game was great to watch as well. Today the best game to watch should be Louisville v Georgia Tech. I think whoever wins that matchup comes out of the Albuquerque Region.

2. Oklahoma St. over 7. Southern Illionios: The Cowboys are a much better team, but play to their oponents ablity at times. The Cowboys are much bigger and should dominate the game. It should not be close but it probably will be. It is just the way March Madness works. Cowboys by 8

5. Georgia Tech over Louisville: The best game of the day. Both teams are fun to watch. Louisville can score at will on most teams and Georgia Tech is just a good overall team. They have it all. I see this one going down to the last few minutes and Georgia Tech just being Louisville. GT by 6

1. UNC over Iowa St: It will not be close. Look for a blowout in this one. UNC will not see much compitition until later in the tournament. UNC by 20

5. Villanova over 4. Florida: Another close game. I just can not stand Florida. I hope Villnanover takes it too them all game. Villanova by 12

6. Wisconsin over 14. Bucknell: Bucknell could win this game but Wisconsin is the better team. Bucknell with flirt with a win, but the big uglies from Wisconsin will wear down Bucknell and take the win. Wisconsin by 3

2. Uconn over 10. NC State: National Champs last year. They know what needs to be done to win. Still not do not like them going much farther but they will be able to pull off this win today. UNCONN by 10

1. Duke over 9. Mississippi State: This one will not be close. Duke played bad last game, and it will not happen again, two games in a row. Duke by 13

5. Michigan State over 13. Vermont: Vermont could win this game, but my Spartans will come out strong and will not let up. It will be close for a while, but come the second half, the Spartans will pull away with the win and face Duke to see who goes to the Elite 8.

Got to get going and watch the State and Louisville games. Be back before the next games.

Upset City

My name is Matt. I went to MSU and graduated last May. I love the tournament. I think it is one of the best sporting events in America. There is always a few teams that slip by the radar and make it to either the Sweet 16 or Elite 8. Gonzaga used to be that team. Now it does not want to lose to that team. Thats what makes March Madness so fun to watch. Who will fit the glass slipper this year. We will just have to wait to find out.

Wow, lots of upsets last night. The big one being Vermont beating Syracuse in OT. It should be a MSU v Duke matchup to see who goes to the Elite 8. Duke should win, but if MSU is on their game that night, Duke can be in trouble. I can not believe Kansas lost to Bucknell as well. They had a chance to pull off a win but Bucknell took the lead with about 3 seconds to go. Kansas had a last second shot fall just short and bounched off the front of the rim.

On to the next round of games

I will just go over todays games and come back later with Sundays matchups.

1. Illionios over 9. Nevada: Illionios is a powerhouse and will not have much trouble until later in the tourmament if at all. They are just too strong overall. If Brown is on his game, Illionios is hard to beat. Ohio State showed Illionios they can be beat. Will that lose make them stronger or will it give a team like Oklahoma State some hope. I think if any team can beat Illionios before the final it would be the Cowboys. Illionios by 10

4. Boston College over 12. Wisconsin Milwaukee: This came I can see going to to Wisconsin Milwaukee. Boston College did not have much trouble with Penn, but Wisconsin Milwaukee beat a good Alabama team. Boston College is the better team and should win. If they can not control the tempo of the game, Wisconsin Milwauekee will win. I really see it going either way. My money is on Boston College. Boston College by 2. You know what, I am going to go with Wisconsin Milwaukee with the win by 1 over Boston College.

3. Arizona over 11. Alabama Birmingham: Arizona will not have a easy time with UAB. UAB has a solid defense and will force Arizona to beat them shooting longer shots. UAB has some big men that can cause matchup problems throughout the game. They have won in the Big Dance before but I think Arizona will be on their game and will not fold. Arizona by 9

1. Washington v 8. Pacific: I still do not like Washington but the Huskies will win this game. They are just a better team. After this round, I think they will be on a flight back to Washington. Pacific looked good against Pittsburgh, but will not have enough in this matchup. The worst 1. seed in this years tournament will still be around in the Sweet 16.

3. Gonzaga over 6.Texas Tech: Boddy Knights will not be enough for Texas Tech to get out of this round. Gonzaga has made a point to go far in the past few tournaments. Now that they are not a underdog, will they have what it takes to make it to the Sweet 16. Gonzaga will let Texas Tech stay in the game the first half, but will come up full force in the second and put the game away. Gonzaga by 13.

2. Wake Forest over 7. West Virginia: Wake Forest should have probably been a 1. see ahead of Washington and it will show in thi matchup against West Virginia. The ACC is a great conference and it will show tonight. Wake will keep winning until it runs into either Oklahoma State or Illionios. Wake Forest by 15.

6. Utah over 3. Oklahoma: Utah is a team that when they get on a roll they are hard to beat. Although their roll players are not as good as Oklahoma's, Oklahoma will fall apart do to poor shooting. Utah will force the Sooners to take poor shots and to put Utah on the line too much. Utah wins this close matchup by 5.

2. Kentucky over 7. Cincinnatti: This has the makings to be a really close matchup. Both teams are very good and if they win this game should make it to the regional final. I just think Kentucky is a better team and will be down the stretch of the game. Because of a few late loses Kentucky is a 2. seed. They have the team that can go to the Final Four. The Wildcats win by 6.

March Madness

MSUSpartan back again: Well the first night of games is over and we had a pretty exciting first day of the tournament. Only three upsets in the first day, but we almost had a fourth with Creighton and West Virginia. Creighton was up late but fell apart towards the end of the game and West Virginia broke a tie with 2.4 seconds left and Creighton missed a last second three pointer. The other upsets tonight were UAB over LSU and Wisconsin Milwaukee over Alabama. I thought we might see a few last second shots for wins on the first day, but all we got was one. Maybe tomorrow will bring a few more. Thats what I love about March Madness. A 5 seed always seems to beat a 12 seed. We got one today, will we have another tomorrow. You will just have to watch to find out. There should be some good games again tomorrow. Here are my picks. 14-2 on day one. Only games I did not get correctly were West Virginia and Pacific.

CHICAGO REGION

10. St. Mary's over 7. Southern Ill: I do not know too much about either team. I have not seen either team play so I can not really make a good decision here. I am going to go with the upset, because I like to see upsets in the Tournament.

2. Oaklahoma St. over 15. SE Louisiana: Oklahoma State will win this game. I think they will let SE Louisiana keep it close but Oklahoma State is a great team and you will keep hearing there name throughout the Tournament. They were a Final Four team last year and they should be again this year. Illionios will have a hard time beating them in the Regional Final.

ALBUQUERQUE REGION

5. Georgia Tech over 12. George Washington: Georgia Tech is just too strong. The only reason they are a 5 seed is because of the conference they are in. They will make a long run in the tourament and upset and overrated Washington team in the third round.

4. Louisville over 13. La-Lafayatte: Louisville is one heck of a team. They have a chance to make a long run in this tourament. If they can catch Georgia Tech off guard in the second round they could be playing Wake to see who makes it to the Final Four. They have many weapons on offense and play well on Defense. I think a good team will be able to wear them down and change the pace of game. If a team can do that Louisville is in trouble.

SYRACUSE REGION

1. UNC over Oakland University: I would love to say Oakland would win. A team with a losing record beats the best team in the country. That would be just great. It will not happen. It will not even be close. UNC should be cuttting down the nets April 4.

8. Minnessota over 9. Iowa St: I am a Big Ten fan and seen my share of Big Ten games. I have seen Minnessota play 4 or 5 times and I like there game. When they get on a roll they are great. The same goes for when they are not playing well, they look ugly. I see them winning the first game and then going back home after a lose to the Tar Heals.

5. Villanova over 12. New Mexico: Well it is possible that another 12 seed wins in the first round, but not in this region. Villanover is too hungry not to win this game.

13. Ohio over 4. Florida: Being a Spartan I have to hate Florida because of the 2001 Championship. I just do not like there game either. They came on late in the season and one the SEC Championship. Ohio is out of the MAC and has played some good ball this year. I see a pretty big upset in the works and Florida will go back home and get an early sun tan.

6. Wisconsin over 11. Northern Iowa: Wisconsin is a good team. It beat MSU once and hung with Illionios a few times. They are a good team and should not have much trouble against an undersized Northern Iowa team.

3. Kansas over 14. Bucknell: Kansas is a good team. They will go far because, they are in a week bracket. Kansas and UNC are the elite teams in this region an will face each other to see who goes to the Final Four.

10. NC State over Charlotte: Another team from the ACC. So many good teams this year out of the ACC. They are better then a 10 seed and you will see this against Charlotte.

2. UCONN over 15. UCF: UCONN might have won it all last year, but they not make it out of their region. They played in a great Big East but will have a hard time against Kansas.

AUSTIN REGION

1. Duke over 16. Delaware St: Duke is an elite team and we will see them in the Final Four. They got all the skill to win it all, but should come up just short to a great UNC team.

8. Stanford over 9. Mississippi St: This is normally a flip of the coin pick. Both teams are good, but I think Stanford has what it takes to pull off the win. Both teams have been to the Dance before so they know what to expect.

5. Michigan State over 12. Old Dominion: State better be careful. They are playing a 12 seed. I hope they can shake off the past two loses and come out strong. They have a great team but always seem to play to their compitition. I think State has what it takes to go far, but they lack heart. I hope Magic can come and talk some sense into them.

4. Syracuse over 13. Vermont: Syracuse just won the Championship a few years ago. They know how to win in the Big Dance. They have the ability to go far as well. Do they have what it takes to take the next step and beat MSU or Duke. I can see MSU but not Duke. Just not ready yet.....again.

Teams to watch the rest of the tourament: Louisville, Geogia Tech and Utah. Louisville and Georgia Tech should be playing each other in the second round. Whoever wins that will beat up on Washington. Utah can surprise you. They are just fun to watch.

Be back Sat. for more insight into the tournament.

March is the best time of year

MSUSpartan here:A little late but here are my picks for the Tournament. Just going to go through todays games. Before the game tomorrow I will fill out the rest of my predictions. Enjoy!!!

1. Illionios over 16. Fair. Dickinson: Its Illionios, they lost only one game all year. They are going to go far, but do not be surprised if Oklahoma State takes it to them in the Chicago Regional Final.

9. Nevada over 8. Texas: Hookem Horns will not work in this matchup. As much as I like Texas, I think Nevada will be too tough for this team who has struggled at times in the season.

12. Wisc. Milwaukee over 5. Alabama: 12 seeds do well in the tournament. I do not know why but over the years the 12 seed has won many of these matchups. They will not last too long after that.

4. Boston College over Penn: BC was unbeaten until late in the season then they sort of fell apart for a few games. They will have their act together for the Tournament....at least until they get to Illionios.

3. Arizona over 14. Utah State: Arizona will be too much for Utah State to handle and will get beat by at least 16 points. Arizona is a strong team. They will win a few games in the Tournament.



11. UAB over 6. LSU: UAB has been in the tourny before and has won. Expect them to do the same tonight against LSU. I just like UAB. Look for Arizona to put them back in there place after this win.

1. Washington over 16. Montana: No chance for any number 16 seed to beat a 1. I dont like Washington. I just do not like there game. It is boring and it stalls at times which will give them trouble in rounds two or three. They will not make it out of there bracket.

8. Pittsburgh over 9. Pacific: Pacific will not have enough in this close matchup. Either way Washington will win this next matchup. I WAS WRONG

6. Texas Tech over 11. UCLA: Bobby Knight and Texas Tech will be too much for UCLA to handle. UCLA plays in a fairly week conference and just do not have what it takes to win this matchup.

3. Gonzaga over 14. Winthrop: Gonzaga is not a sleeper team anymore. They will win two games and lose to wake forest. They win because of great coaching and clutch shooting at times. It will catch up to them against Wake forest.

10. Creighton over 7. West Virginia: D0 not know too much about either team but Creighton has faired will in the tournament in the past. Do not see them going far because they are looking at Wake Forest in the second round.

2. Wake Forest over 15. Chattanooga: Chattanooga has not shot tonight against one of the best teams in this tourmament. Wake has what it takes to go to the final four, especially in the weak region.

Well those are my picks for todays games. Sorry it is so late.

Interview: Tigers Central

Detroit Sports Squad asked DTC editor in cheif Ryan Sosin a few questions. Here they are:

1. Looking at the projected line up what would you think the Tigers would finish in the A.L central?

The Tigers will be more competitive in the A.L. Central this season, but still have some questions to answer before anyone can say how high up they will finish. Things like where Higginson and White fit into the line-up, how many games will we see the bad Jason Johnson and just how happy is Urbina going to be in the closer position.

2. Who will be the break out player in 2005 for the Tigers?

Look at Craig Monroe. He’s got a good power stroke and can hit at the big league level. He’ll platoon in left field and if he gets enough at bats, could really break out.



3. Was 2004 a fluke for Carlos Guillen?

I Don’t think so. He has found a comfortable place with Detroit and the management loves him for it. In Seattle, he was in a bit of turmoil for a team that didn’t appreciate him. If he’s healthy, expect more of the same.



4. Of all the prospects, who's more likely to succeed in a Tiger uniform?

Curtis Granderson is an impressive player. He isn’t a superstar in any one area, but all five of his tools are solid.

Thanks for coming.