Sports: MSU Starts With a Win

MSU Basketball

The Michigan State Spartans beat The Masters, 97-56 in its first exhibition game of season last night at the Breslin Center.  MSU put the game away with a 36-2 run late in the first half.  In their first game after losing three starters from last year's Elite Eight team, the Spartans displayed a deep and balanced offense, with five players in double figures. Denzel Valentine led the way with 24 points Branden Dawson with 15.

Bryn Forbes, Travis Trice and Alvin Ellis also finished in double figures. The game marked the return of former Spartan guard Russel Byrd plays for The Masters College now.

Coach Tom Izzo says the team needs a lot of work on defense.

MSU’s next tune-up game is Friday night against St. Cloud State in East Lansing.  I have two tickets to Friday night’s MSU game.

Monday Night Football

Andrew Luck threw for 354 yards and four touchdowns as the Colts crushed the Giants 40-24 on "Monday Night Football" at MetLife Stadium. Luck set a franchise-record with his seventh straight 300-yard game.

Red Wings

The Red Wings play in Ottawa tonight. The Wings play the Rangers in New York tomorrow before coming home for four games at Joe Louis Arena starting Friday.  The Wings are 6-2-and-3.

Trammel Back With Tigers

Tram is back with the Tigers.    The team has hired Alan Trammell to be a special assistant to Tigers President, CEO and General Manager David Dombrowski.  The 56 year old Trammell will assist in on-field duties at both the major league and minor league levels, be involved in all personnel meetings, travel throughout the minor league system and participate in community relations.

“On behalf of ownership and the Detroit Tigers organization, we’re thrilled Alan Trammell has returned to the ballclub,” said Tigers President, CEO and General Manager David Dombrowski. “’Tram’ will forever be revered as one of the greatest Tigers to ever wear the olde English ‘D’ and we view this as an opportunity to add an outstanding baseball person who offers a wealth of experience and perspective from his 20 plus seasons, all with the Tigers, and his most recent years of managing and coaching in the Majors.”

For the last seven seasons, Trammel has served as the bench coach for the Diamondbacks and Cubs.

College Football

#6 Michigan State hosts #11 Ohio State Saturday in East Lansing in a battle of 7-1 teams.

Michigan will try to even their record at 5 and 5 wine they play Northwestern Saturday.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons look for their first win of the season as they host the Knicks tomorrow night.

Lions

The Lions have activated linebacker Kyle Van Noy from the injured list and defensive tackle C.J. Mosley from the suspended list.  Mosely, who was suspended for allegedly smoking marijuana in the Lions’ London hotel, is expected to start for the injured Nick Fairley, who is out for at least a month.   They also signed defensive tackle Andre Fluellen and released cornerback Danny Gorrer.   The Lions host the Dolphins on Sunday.

Volleyball

District Volleyball got underway Monday.

Pennfield beat Comstock 3-0 and will face Marshall on Wednesday.   Kailey Jackson had seven digs and 23 assists; Alexa Stephenson had 12 kills; Aubrey Ritter had 10 kills.

Delton Kellogg beat Parchment 3-0 and plays Harper Creek on Wednesday.  Faith Ferris had 14 kills and five blocks.  Hannah Walker had three kills, one block, two aces and 30 assists.  Morgan Champion had nine kills, three blocks, five digs and one assist. Alicia Lindsey had eight kills, one ace and 10 digs.

Homer rolled past Reading in three sets.

Bronson beat Hillsdale 3-0 and plays Homer on Wednesday.  Skyler Sobeski with seven kills, 11 digs, two blocks and three aces.

Quincy ended Union City’s season, 3-0.

Galesburg-Augusta beat Dansville, 3-0. Rileigh Florshinger with 10 kills and five blocks; Kathryn Dooley had eight kills.  The Rams advance to Wednesday’s district semifinal against Springport.

Colon lost to Marcellus Howardsville Christian, 3-1.

Bellevue beat Marshall Academy in three and faces Tekonsha on Wednesday.

St. Philip plays Jackson Christian tomorrow.

Tonight, BC Central plays Loy Norrix and Lakeview takes on Gull Lake.

Calhoun Christian takes on Kalamazoo Heritage Christian.

High School Football

Lakeview hosts (7-3) Portage Northern on Friday night. The Spartans’ lone loss this season was to Portage Northern in the opening game of the season.  We’ll have the game on WBCK.

Harper Creek is at Eaton Rapids on Friday night.

Climax-Scotts travels to Mendon this Saturday 1pm.

St. Philip will host Lawrence, the only team to beat them this season.  Friday night at 7pm.

Olivet plays at Lansing Catholic on Friday night.

New Cubs Manager Joe Maddon Orders a Round

The Chicago Cubs held a press conference for their new manager Joe Maddon yesterday.  When it was over, Maddon ordered a round of drinks for everyone in the room.  (Not just a round . . . a shot and a beer.  He said it was, quote, "the Hazleton way."  As in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he was born.)