Detroit

State of '08: Michigan

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:07:42 -0700

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Duke or Carolina? BC or UMASS? Gonzaga or Washington.. or Washington State? What is the best program in each state? While there's not much competition in Hawaii.. there are great debates to be had in loaded regions like California, North Carolina, and Texas. The State of '08 is a ranking of every program in every state.. based mostly on recent success (the last five years) mixed in with subjective factors such as conference prestige, historical success, and overall program direction.

For more info, check out the State of '08 introduction.

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN STATE - Since Tom Izzo took over in 1995, Michigan State has never finished below .500 in Big East play, and has made the postseason for thirteen straight seasons. This year's squad has the look of Izzo's seventh team that advances to the Sweet Sixteen or beyond.

MICHIGAN - Its amazing how little success Michigan has had in the last decade under Brian Ellerbe and Tommy Amaker. One of the country's top programs from the 80's into the 90's hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament in 10 years, a streak which will certainly continue in 2009. John Beilein's rebuilding project will take some time.

WESTERN MICHIGAN - The best of Michigan's directional MAC programs, WMU has finished above .500 in conference play for the last seven seasons. This seven-year run includes four 20-win seasons, three postseason trips, and wins over quality programs such as Davidson & SIU last year, and Virginia Tech and San Diego State the previous season. We project the Broncos to make another run at the postseason in 08-09.

OAKLAND - Longtime coach Greg Kampe continues to do a great job at Oakland. He oversaw the move up from DII to D1 a decade ago, a transition that was surprisingly smooth. The Grizzlies made their first NCAA Tourney in 2005.. and were just a few baskets away from a return trip in 2007. OU will once again be a serious Summit League contender in 2009.

DETROIT - For much of the 90's, and up to as recently as 2005, Detroit was a consistent Horizon League power under long-time coach Perry Watson. But in part due to health problems, Watson has now been replaced by Ray McCallum, who hopes to return the Titans to that high level of play. It will take some time though as Detroit is coming off one of the worst season's in the programs history (just 6-23 against D1 opponents).

6. CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Outside of an amazing 2003 season, CMU hasn't had much to cheer about over the last twenty seasons. But third year coach Ernie Ziegler has brought an air of respectability to the program, as the past two seasons have seen improved play. 2009 could be the Chippewas best season since 2003's freak 2nd round NCAA Tourney run.

7. EASTERN MICHIGAN - The Eagles were one of the MAC's better teams in the 90's, but the last decade has been dismal. EMU hasn't finished above 200th in the RPI since 2000, and CHN projects another such season in 08-09.

Last: Maryland - Next: Mississippi

State of '08: The Introduction (& State list/links)

Wright State Wins 20th, Beats Detroit

Bill Kintner — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:31:46 -0800

DAYTON – Wright State’s 20th win was not easy, but this year they really haven’t had any easy wins. The Raiders pulled out a 59-58 win to send most of the 6998 fans home happy.

With 1:38 left in the game Todd Brown hit a 3-pointer to put Wright State up 57-56.

At the 1:16 mark Wright State’s Cooper Land fouled Chris Hayes, after a media timeout he sank both free throws to put the Flames up 58-57.

At the 4 second mark Wright State’s Vaughn Duggins hit a jump shot to put the Raiders back up 59-58.

After each team called a timeout Detroit inbounded the ball and with 4.3 seconds left the Titans inbounded the ball and could not get a shot off before the buzzer.

“Detroit is playing best basketball right now. When (Jon) Goode went out we relaxed just a little bit defensively and they made us pay for it,” explained Wright State coach Brad Brownell. “I told our guys that on a miss to just play and attack the basket, if I see something I don’t like I will call time out.”

Obviously Brownell liked what he saw since he didn’t call timeout and Duggins made the jump shot to win it.

Duggins after the game acted like his heroics were all in a day’s work.

“It played out like the rest of our games,” explained a calm Duggins. “We would make a run and they would make a run. We were confident in that kind of situation.

In the first half the lead changed four times. Wright State (20-6, 12-4) got their biggest lead of the game at eight points at the 3:44 mark when Land hit two free throws to make it 26-18.

A 3-pointer by Detroit’s Nemanja Jokic and a jumper by Eulis Stephens cut the lead to three points at 2:18.

A jumper by Duggins at the 1:10 mark and then two more free throws by Land put the Raiders up 30-23 at the half.

Wright State out rebounded Detroit 35-21.

Detroit (7-19, 3-13 HL) had four players score in double digits. Chris Hayes and Zach Everingham both scored 14 points. Goode scored 11 points and Stephens 10 points for the Titans.

Duggins led the Raiders with 19 points Scottie Wilson had 14 points and 10 rebounds..

Notes:
- Former Wright State coach Jim Brown was in attendance tonight as he was honored on the basketball Wall of Fame. Former Raider coach John Ross was also in attendance.
- Detroit leads the all-time series 19-14. Brownell is a perfect 4-0 against Detroit.
- Jordon Pleiman went over 80 games without uttering a bad word in the post-game press conference. In his very first post game press conference he let slip a bad word, which left those in attendance giggling and asking if really said what they thought he said.
- Tonight the National Anthem was sung by a 12 year old girl who had trouble remembering the words so the crowd joined in and helped her get through the difficult song. At the end there crowd erupted in applause and Brownell came over to congratulate her.
- Detroit’s next game is at home against Bowling Green at home in the Bracket Busters at 4 p.m.
- Wright State’s next game is in the Bracket Busters on Sunday at Illinois State at 6:30 p.m.

2008 NCAA Tournament: Detroit Regional

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:32:29 -0800

Midwest Regional

Thursday and Saturday, March 28 and 30, 2008

Ford Field

Detroit, MI

Host: University of Detroit Mercy
Web site: www.detroitlions.com

Tickets

Ford Field Information

Normally reserved for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, Ford Field, located in downtown Detroit, Michigan, will once again open its doors for NCAA Basketball. On December 13, 2003, Ford Field featured the largest crowd to ever watch a basketball game when the University of Kentucky played the Michigan State University. Over 78,000 people were in attendance. In order to blend the facility in with the Detroit skyline, the playing field is set below street level, much like the neighboring Comerica Park. The standard capacity for Ford Field is 62,000.

2009:

Hosts the Final Four

More:

2008 NCAA Tournament

NCAA Tournament Venues