My Predictions: Detroit Pistons 2013 NBA Draft

Indiana guard, Victor Oladipo has transformed
himself into a lottery NBA draft pick after a highly
productive season for Tom Crean at Indiana.
Picture Courtesy: nba-draft.com

Victor Oladipo went from a player that nobody has heard of prior to this season, to an NBA lottery draft pick, all in one season. Oladipo averaged 13.6 points per game this season for Tom Crean and the Indiana Hoosiers, but it's the defense that makes Victor standout. Oladipo's two steals per game helped earn him the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award as well.

From early February, Oladipo's draft stock has risen significantly. Oladipo can shoot the ball with his 44% from three-point range this season, and defend as well as any player in the draft. These are the reasons why he's such a high prospect on nearly all NBA draft boards.

With the struggling season thus far, the Detroit Pistons are looking for change. The major problem with the off-season, is that the NBA Draft comes before free agency, which leaves questions on how the Pistons will fare in the open market. There are several big names that will be in free agency this season, but can the Pistons get any big names to Detroit?

There are several names popping up in rumors for the Pistons lottery pick coming up on June 27. Names such as UCLA freshman wingman, Shabazz Muhammed, Kansas guard, Ben McLemore, and Oladipo have all popped up. In reality, the Pistons have too many depth issues to focus on one position. The Pistons most likely will grab a small forward or shooting guard due to the anchor of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, if they can stay healthy. At point guard, if the team chooses to resign Jose Calderon, that would bolster that position down. I could see the teams second round pick being used on a point guard such as Isaiah Canaan from Murray State, or Lorenzo Brown from NC State.

In the first round, the Pistons have been looking at Anthony Bennett, a six-foot, seven-inch small forward from UNLV. However, I believe they should snatch up the sure thing in Oladipo, due to the lack of competition for UNLV and Bennett. Grabbing Oladipo would solidify the perimeter defense along side of Brandon Knight with down low presences of Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe. Of course, this all depends on who the Pistons resign and who they let go. Jason Maxiell and Jose Calderon are two of the names they need to make a decision on. With Oladipo at shooting guard or small forward, they could go get a backup point guard who can defend and run the transition offense in the second round. Despite all of this talk and smoke in mirrors, one thing is for certain: Joe Dumars and the Pistons need to get this pick right.

Central Michigan Chippewas Look To Fulfill NFL Dreams

Central Michigan left tackle, Eric Fisher celebrates the 24-21 victory
over Western Kentucky in the Little Caesars Bowl at Ford Field in
Detroit. Fisher will now look to become a Top Five NFL Draft Pick.
(My own photo from the Little Caesars Bowl)

There are many college football players that dream of the NFL. However, for a few Central Michigan Chippewas, that dream is now becoming a reality. Especially for left tackle, Eric Fisher.

Eric Fisher was not a highly recruited prospect out of Rochester Stoney Creek High School. Fisher's only two scholarship offers out of high school were from Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. "Back in high school, not many people would have told you I would play college ball. I was very, very lightly recruited," said Fisher, who is now projected to go fourth overall to the Philadelphia Eagles in most NFL Mock Drafts. However, mock drafts can say what they want. In reality, Fisher has been held by the Kansas City Chiefs for private workouts, who have the first overall selection in the draft.

Fisher's teammate and Central Michigan wide receiver, Andrew Flory speaks great things of the future first round draft pick, "Well obviously, his size and strength but also his willing to put in the work and dedicate himself to the game," said Flory who had played with Fisher last season in Mount Pleasant, "He leads by example and vocally when needed; he also has great agility and feet for such a big guy." Currently, 'Big Fish' is projected the second best offensive tackle in the draft behind Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel. Fisher has already received his invitation from NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell to attend the NFL draft in New York, so we'll all just have to wait and see where Fisher lands on April 25.


Despite the stellar draft stock of Eric Fisher, there are several other Chippewas looking to make noise on the second night of the draft. One of those players, is safety Jahleel Addae. Thus far, Addae has worked out for or has visited the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, and the New England Patriots. The hard hitting safety ran a 4.64 40-yard dash during the Central Michigan pro day, in which scouts from 26 NFL teams gathered. Addae also recorded a 38.5 inch vertical jump, and is now ranked the eighteenth overall safety in the 2013 draft.

Despite the large amounts of production in Mount Pleasant, Addae was not invited to the NFL combine, but has all the skills for the next level, his teammate Andrew Flory feels the same way, "Jahleel is definitely a game changer on defense. I compare him to the "honey badger" in the way that he can make amazing plays in every game at any time. He is always in the right place at the right time, and he has so much potential in my eyes. He can be a big time player in the league for a long time."


A couple of other under the radar Chippewas include cornerback Lorenzo White, who currently is ranked a distant sixty-first out of over two-hundred corners eligible for the NFL draft. White has tremendous cover skills and agility, and could be a good pick in the late rounds. White ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at the Central Michigan pro day, along with a 29 vertical jump. Lorenzo could become a shut down corner in the future, either as a late round pick, or at least in the Canadian Football League with many former Central Michigan stars.

Other long-shots for NFL rosters include three year starting quarterback, Ryan Radcliff. Radcliff threw for 65 touchdowns in his career in Mount Pleasant, and will look for a shot for a faint back-up spot on an NFL roster, otherwise the Canadian Football League may come knocking. Another Chippewa looking for a chance is Cody Wilson, a five-foot, nine-inch tall wide receiver who had a very productive career in a Chips uniform. Wilson ran a 4.66 40-yard dash at the CMU pro-day, but ran a blazing 2.63 20-yard dash. Despite the numbers, Chippewa head coach, Dan Enos says not to judge Wilson by the numbers, "He's really quick in and out of his break," said Enos, "He's going to catch the ball in traffic and create separation."


The dream will continue for a few Central Michigan Chippewas, who will join former Chippewa stars such as wide receiver Antonio Brown, linebacker Nick Bellore, and offensive tackle Joe Staley in the NFL.

Florida Gulf Coast's Sweet Sixteen Appearance could lead to a Future Disaster for Program

Florida Gulf Coast head coach, Andy Enfield could become

         the next top coaching target of big time schools.

                    Picture Courtesy: Washington Post

Florida Gulf Coast has had an unlikely postseason experience thus far, becoming the first fifteen-seed in the NCAA tournament to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. The Eagles defeated two-seed, Georgetown in the second round of the tournament, and seven-seed, San Diego State in the third round. However, despite the tremendous story, don't expect this school to become some type of postseason lock in the seasons to come.

The reason? Coaching vacancies. UCLA was the first to fire their head coach with the firing of Ben Howland, who was at the school for ten years. Next was Minnesota by firing Tubby Smith after six seasons. Minnesota was an eleven-seed in the tournament and defeated six-seed UCLA in the second round. Now those schools will look to fill the hole left by those two veterans. These teams may look at Andy Enfield, who is becoming a coaching legend at Florida Gulf Coast this off-season.

Despite the amazing postseason performance by Enfield's Eagles, he has taken the road less traveled as a college basketball coach. After spending six years as an NBA Assistant (1994-2000), he used his MBA in Finance to start his own health care software company called Tracked Manager. His company was soon valued at $100 million, and he would later sell the company for "millions of dollars". In 2006, he went all-in on basketball. In 2011, Florida Gulf Coast hired him as their head coach, just after his five years at Florida State as an assistant.

Now, it won't be about the money, since his company has made him millions and millions of dollars, but whether or not the right offer comes about. UCLA and Minnesota will certainly look at Virginia Commonwealth head coach, Shaka Smart, and Butler head coach, Brad Stevens, but we'll see if Enfield gets a call as well.

This publicity may be a disaster in the future for the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast, since their coach may be leaving them at the conclusion of the season. That (in my opinion) will lead to questions for recruits who may be considering Florida Gulf Coast, and uncertainty in the coaching carousel, which ultimately may lead the basketball program (which has only been around since 2002) down. The program may not be driven into the ground, but it could be the George Mason affect. George Mason made the final four in 2006, but now where have they been? Just one of those mid-major programs once again, which I believe will ultimately happen to the FGCU Eagles. Stay tuned.

McGary Shines in Michigan Rout of VCU

Michigan Freshman, Mitch McGary was the spark plug that led the
fourth-seeded Wolverines to victory over five-seed, Virginia Commonwealth
on Saturday.
Picture Courtesy: Yahoo! Sports

With the 88-42 victory over Akron on Friday, Virginia Commonwealth looked like a force to be reckoned with in the South region of the NCAA Tournament. Next up on their list, was four-seed Michigan.

Michigan was ahead from the get-go, playing smart and not committing turnovers against the country's most relentless defense. The Rams of VCU were 0-8 during the season when forcing opponents into fifteen or less turnovers, and Michigan only had twelve.

Before the game, everybody expected the Michigan back court with Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. to be the difference makers against the tough pressure of VCU. Despite Burke's 18 points against the Rams, he wasn't the biggest star on the court for the Wolverines. Instead, it was freshman big man, Mitch McGary. McGary set career highs with 21 points and 14 rebounds in the 78-53 Michigan victory. Another freshman in Glenn Robinson III and junior Tim Hardaway Jr. each added 14 in the rout.

Michigan will now advance to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994.

Tigers continue searching for Right-Handed Left Fielder

Detroit outfielder Avisail Garcia could be the leader to fill
the Tigers' part time right-handed vacancy in left-field.
Picture Courtesty: blessyouboys.com

The number is thirteen. Thirteen more days before the Detroit Tigers open the regular season. However, there is still a major issue to fill. So far we know that Austin Jackson will be in center field, and gold glover Torii Hunter will be in right. This leaves left-handed bats Andy Dirks, Quintin Berry, and Don Kelly for the outfield. Who will fill the hole of right-handers? Avisail Garcia could be the leader to fill the void. Garcia played very well last season in the playoffs for the Tigers, helping them get to the World Series, before eventually falling to the San Francisco Giants.

Other leading candidates for the position include Jeff Kobernus, Matt Tuiasosopo, and utilityman Danny Worth. Young phenom, Nick Castellanos will be sent down to Triple-A Toledo despite having one of the best springs. Castellanos hit .360 with one home run, and six RBI in 25 at-bats. The 21 year-old will be sent down so he can get every day at-bats to further his skills at the left field position, after being a third basemen in previous seasons.

Reasons for Michigan State to fear Valparaiso

Ryan Broekhoff will look to lead Valparaiso to a
monumental upset against Michigan State on Thursday.
Picture Courtesy: Free Press

Ha! Valparaiso who? A fourteen-seed? Not a chance of beating three-seeded Michigan State right? Wrong. I warn you: stop the underestimation of Valparaiso! This is the oldest team in all of College Basketball. The same team that is coming off of a 26-7 season, and with quite a difficult non-conference schedule as well. The Crusaders are led by five seniors in the starting lineup, two of which are fifth year seniors, so this is the season for Valpo.

This team's field goal percentage is in the top twenty in the country as well, and they work very hard to get good shots. Led by six-foot, seven-inch forward, Ryan Broekhoff who was recruited out of Australia, this team is no slouch. If Broekhoff can get hot from the three point line, Michigan State could be in trouble. However, if Branden Dawson can play great defense on him, it will be all up to speedy point guard, Eric Buggs, who is a strong and penetrating point guard and plays stellar perimeter defense. Buggs gets to the basket with ease and can kick it out to Broekhoff for open three's if he is not open at the rim.

Bottom line is that Michigan State should be able to move on, but don't underestimate these guys from Valpo! Experienced and a great defensive team as well.

Reasons to Fear South Dakota State

South Dakota State senior point guard, Nate Wolters
will look to lead the 13-seed Jackrabbits over Michigan
on Thursday.
Picture Courtesy: isportsweb.com

Senior point guard, Nate Wolters has kept the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State in several games this season, and he'll look to do the same on Thursday. Wolters will face off against the Big Ten Player of the Year on Thursday at the Palace of Auburn Hills, as they take on Trey Burke and Michigan.

Wolters was a second team All-American selection by several College Basketball Analysts after his outstanding senior season. Wolters averages 22.7 points per game, compared to Trey Burke's 19.2. Judging by height, Wolters also has four inches on Burke, standing at six-feet, four-inches tall.

Burke admitted that he didn't know much about the Jackrabbits, but did know about Wolters. "I know they have a really good point guard in Wolters, but I don't really know anything else," he said when asked about the upcoming 'second round' game. South Dakota State also won their second SUMMIT league tournament in row to clinch their bid this season.

Nate Wolters has a Steve Nash comparison according to several analysts, but is a big time scorer as well. Wolters put up 53 points in a February 7 win over IPFW. However, Trey Burke will look to shut him down defensively as the winner moves on to face the winner of Virginia Commonwealth vs. Akron in the third round game.

My key to the game? How well can the Michigan defense get going? Wolters doesn't turn the ball over at all, which means less transition buckets for the best transition team in College Basketball. We'll see how the match up between the top two point guards goes in the national spotlight.

The game itself will be on CBS at 7:15 pm on Thursday night in Auburn Hills.

My Predictions: Detroit Lions 2013 NFL Draft

Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner is one of
the many targets that the Detroit Lions will
look to add in April's NFL Draft.
Photo Courtesy: The Bleacher Report

As the NFL Draft draws closer, the Detroit Lions have a few needs to replace. Despite the recent signings of speed threat, Reggie Bush, and cover safety, Glover Quin, the Lions will target many players to fill their off-season needs as April 25 approaches.

One of the first needs to be addressed with be the offensive line, where Jeff Backus, a twelve year veteran, will need to be replaced. All signs are turning towards Riley Reiff to replace Backus, who the Lions drafted with the 23rd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Reiff made brief appearances in games last season, lining up as an extra blocker at tight end in many formations, but this year it'll be a bit more often. If Reiff takes over at left tackle, there are still many more needs on the line.

Another big need will be at right guard, where Lions released Stephen Peterman. As it currently stands, three of the five starters on the offensive line from last season's 4-12 team will not return. Jeff Backus, Stephen Peterman, and freshly signed Indianapolis Colt right tackle, Gosder Cherilus will need to be replaced. With Reiff most likely taking over at left tackle, Rob Sims remaining at left guard, aged-veteran Dominic Raiola remaining under center, the right side of the line remains a question. The Lions, however, resigned Corey Hilliard at right tackle early this week. Hilliard reportedly was told that he can have a chance to start at right tackle, leaving the main question at right guard for Lions.

With the need at right guard being exposed, let's take a look at offensive guard prospects in the upcoming draft class. Top guard prospect in the draft is Alabama's Chance Warmack. Will the Lions take Warmack early with the sixth overall pick? Most likely not. Chances are the Lions will look to naturally fit in backup, or address the need later on in the draft, instead of taking a risk on Warmack.

That being said, what do you do with the sixth overall pick? Cliff Avril left for the Seattle Seahawks with a two-year deal, but that need at defensive end was replaced by former Eastern Michigan Eagle, and Seattle Seahawk, Jason Jones. The defense looks set, until you get to the secondary, where recently resigned cornerback, Chris Houston will be the only reliable corner in the Lions secondary for another season. That is, unless the Lions draft Dee Milliner of Alabama. Milliner, one of the draft's top prospects, ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, had a 36 inch vertical jump, and stands at six-feet tall. Milliner also was selected a first-team All-American after his outstanding junior season in which he recorded 54 tackles, two interceptions, and a stellar 22 passes defended.

Ultimately, look for Milliner to become a Detroit Lion, IF (and it's a big if) he falls to the Lions at number six in the draft. A huge wish of mine is for Louis Delmas to return to Detroit. Delmas could add a huge hitting safety dimension to the Lions secondary with their cover safety, Glover Quin, who signed a five year deal earlier in the week. If Delmas, Quin, Chris Houston, and Dee Milliner are all combined into one secondary, it could be tremendous for Detroit fans.

My Predictions: Big Ten Tournament 2013

Here are my predictions for the Big Ten
Tournament. After watching Cody Zeller
and the Hoosiers persevere through a final
minute deficit against Michigan on Sunday,
I believe they'll win the postseason
tournament as well.

With the Big Ten regular season not disappointing, we'll see how the post season tournament turns out. The tournament will begin today, and will end on Sunday with the championship game. Illinois and Minnesota tipped off today at Noon eastern time, while five-seed Michigan will look to avoid another collapse against twelve-seed Penn State at 2 pm eastern. I'm extremely interested to see where this tournament will take us, with teams like Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa right on the edge of making the NCAA tournament. With a win or two in the Big Ten tournament, those three teams can earn themselves an at-large bid into the big dance.

Overall, I don't see anybody getting passed Indiana. After seeing what Cody Zeller could do for myself in Ann Arbor on Sunday, it's hard to go against them. I believe Illinois will defeat Minnesota to face Indiana on Friday, Michigan will beat Penn State to face four-seed Wisconsin, Purdue will defeat Nebraska to face Ohio State, and Northwestern will pull off a bit of an upset with a victory over Iowa. From there, I see Indiana certainly advancing over eight-seed Illinois, Michigan beating Wisconsin possibly in overtime, Ohio State winning easily over Purdue, and Michigan State winning extremely easily against the Wildcats of Northwestern.

Moving into the final four teams, Michigan will fall to Indiana as Tom Crean keeps the Hoosiers rolling towards the overall one-seed in the NCAA tournament, and I see Ohio State beating Michigan State in a thriller.

Finally, we're in the championship game on Sunday, which I believe will be between Indiana and Ohio State. The problem for the Buckeyes, is the offensive side of the ball against Indiana. Oladipo can shut anybody down, and DeShaun Thomas has been the only big time threat on offense. Overall, I see Zeller being too much for Amir Williams down low, as Indiana wins 74-70 over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.

Reggie Bush to Detroit with Four-Year Deal

Reggie Bush is now a Detroit Lion following his four-year
signing today.
Picture Courtesy: Detroit Free Press

A long black limo was reportedly in Allen Park today, and it was rumored to be Reggie Bush. As many media outlets predicted, Bush would sign with the Lions, and he made that official today with a four year deal. The money was not disclosed in Bush's deal. Is this the deal the Lions were looking for when it comes to freeing up Calvin Johnson? Absolutely.

After a disappointing first few NFL seasons in New Orleans for Bush, he had a resurgence for the most part after two seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Bush, known for his great hands out of the backfield and even as a slot receiver, should free up Calvin Johnson pretty well in the secondary. Bush will also add a speed threat to the already powerful backfield of Mikel Leshoure. Twitter was abuzz following the signing, and the press conference to introduce Bush came at 1:45 pm, just an hour following the reported signing.

Bush ran for 2,072 yards and 12 touchdowns but also 588 yards receiving after the past two years with Miami. Detroit will look for Bush to get back to his USC Trojan ways in college, in which he won a tainted Heisman trophy due to improper recruiting.

Wolverines Look for Revenge on Penn State

Michigan junior guard, Tim Hardaway
Jr. says the Wolverines will be ready
for Penn State on Thursday.

With an eleven point lead late in the second half, Michigan felt they could walk away with a nearly embarrassing loss, but the Nittany Lions had other plans. On February 27, Michigan made national headlines, but in the wrong way. Blowing a fifteen point lead with just eleven minutes remaining, the Wolverines were the first win for Penn State in the Big Ten this season. The 84-78 win for the Nittany Lions also broke an 18 game conference losing streak, and a 14 game conference skid this season.

Trey Burke and the Wolverines will look to rebound in the Big Ten tournament on Thursday, which they will enter as a five-seed. A loss on Thursday to the same Penn State team, could prove disastrous. With a good showing in the conference tournament, the Wolverines are looking squarely at a two-seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. However, a win against Penn State on Thursday is just the beginning.

Michigan has a long and difficult path to the Big Ten championship, which will take place on Sunday, March 17 in Chicago. If Michigan were to move on against the worst team in the Big Ten on Thursday, they'd move on to play fourth-seed, Wisconsin, who defeated the Wolverines last month in overtime. The winner of that match-up will go head-to-head with the outright winners of the conference, Indiana, who beat Michigan on a heartbreaking 72-71 loss on Sunday.

Following that loss to Indiana on Sunday, Tim Hardaway Jr. claimed Michigan's preparedness for Penn State on Thursday, "We're going to be ready," he said, and what more does he have to say? Michigan didn't have a field goal in the last six and a half minutes against Penn State during the second half collapse. Collapses are not a strange word to John Beilein's Wolverines, doing it again on Sunday against Indiana. Maintaining a five point lead with under a minute remaining, the Wolverines went 1-4 from the free throw line, including misses from stars Tim Hardaway Jr. and Big Ten Player of the Year, Trey Burke. All we can do is wait and see if the Wolverines are a different team heading into the postseason.