A good sign of things to come

The fall has been dreadful for the University of Michigan with the football team having its worst season in my lifetime. But it appears the basketball program in Ann Arbor could be back on the map.

I'm pretty excited about what lies ahead for John Beilein's hoops teams after the Wolverines just upset No.4 UCLA at Madison Square Garden tonight. Granted I believe UCLA is probably a little overrated with the losses of Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook from last year's Final Four team. But still, they are UCLA and they have Darren Collison back as well as stud freshman Drue Holliday.

In the first game of Michigan's I've been able to watch, they look WAY improved this season. Manny Harris has had a strong start to the season and DeShawn Sims was a major force in tonight's victory over the Bruins. Why he isn't starting is surprising to me, but hopefully he will find his way in the lineup. True freshman Stu Douglass made some big shots for the Wolverines as well.

A win over Duke either tomorrow or in a couple weeks when they come to Ann Arbor will only further help fans forget the disappointing football season. How nice would it be if this is the year U-M can find its way back to the NCAA tourney for the first time in a long time.

Granted its still early, but I'm real encouraged by what I saw. Hopefully Beilein can continue moving things in the right direction.

Here are a few stories about the game
Ann Arbor News
Detroit Free Press
Detroit News
Los Angeles Times
USA Today
ESPN

Associated Press photos

The Answer?

The Allen Iverson addition to the Detroit Pistons has been a work in progress thus far. Despite losing to New Jersey and being blown out by Boston at home in the first two games of the AI era in Motown, the Pistons have looked better the past two games.

Last night proved to be a big victory with the Pistons defeating the LA Lakers. The Lakers were the last remaining unbeaten team in the NBA prior to the loss. What was even more impressive about the win was the following: it came on the back end of a back-to-back for the Pistons. The night before Detroit knocked off Golden State. The game was also at the Staples Center.

As the Pistons get more accustomed to playing with Iverson, I expect to see improved play and more results like the win against the Laker. I don't think the Pistons will pull off wins like this all the time, but hopefully come playoff time the addition of Iverson will really pay off.

Also hopefully McDyess is back with the team then as well and the Pistons can try to make another run at a championship. The road will be tougher with the defending champion Boston Celtics and the improved Cleveland Cavaliers in the way. But with the Iverson-Billups trade, this may be the best chance for Detroit to succeed in the deeper rounds of the playoffs.