News

Horizon League Adds 12th Member!

Posted on June 16, 2020June 17, 2020 by misportstv

June 15, 2020

Re-posted from the official Horizon League(R) website (Thanks to UDM for the “spread”!)

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Horizon League and Robert Morris University announced in a press conference Monday at the UPMC Events Center that the Colonials will join the Horizon League as their 12th member starting in the 2020-21 season.

Beginning July 1, 2020, the Horizon League will have 12 members, including Cleveland State University (Cleveland, Ohio), the University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, Mich.), the University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, Ill.), Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Indianapolis, Ind.), Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, Ky.), Oakland University (Rochester, Mich.), Purdue University Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Robert Morris, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (Green Bay, Wisc.), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wisc.), Wright State University (Dayton, Ohio) and Youngstown State University (Youngstown, Ohio).

In the Horizon League, the Colonials will compete in men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, women’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track & field, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s golf and softball.

MORE>>>

— 30 —

UDM Titans Men’s Basketball Set For Battle With Green Bay On Friday

Posted on February 20, 2020February 20, 2020 by misportstv

Game To Be Broadcast On ESPN+

From A UDM Press Release

DETROIT (2/19/2020) — The University of Detroit Mercy men’s basketball team will host its final two home games of the regular season this week starting with Green Bay on Friday, Feb. 21, at Calihan Hall.

Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Jeremy Otto and Earl Cureton providing the action as well as over the air on 910 AM Superstation with the Voice of the Titans Dan Hasty calling all the action.

The Titans will look to end a five-game slide and move upwards in the standings, while keeping Green Bay at bay in the middle of the pack.

Sophomore Antoine Davis continues to be one of the top scorers in the country ranking sixth in Division I and leading the Horizon League in scoring at 23.2 points per game, while his 5.07 assists per game in conference play is tied for the HL best.

Tickets start at just $10 and can be purchased at DetroitTitans.com/tix.

MORE>>>

–The Michigan Music Hall Of Fame, “Preserving The Past, Promoting The Future (c)”–

MSU’s Mark Dantonio Steps Down. Winningest Football Coach In Program History!

Posted on February 5, 2020 by misportstv

February 5, 2020

Reposted from MSU Athletics Website —

EAST LANSING, Mich. – After a storied 13 seasons as head coach of the Michigan State football program, Mark Dantonio announced his decision to retire on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Dantonio finishes his career with a record of 114-57 in East Lansing, 132-74 in 16 seasons overall. During his time at the helm of the Spartan program, Dantonio compiled an impressive list of accomplishments including three Big Ten Championships, two victories in the Big Ten Championship Game, victories in the 2014 Rose Bowl and the 2015 Cotton Bowl, and an appearance in the 2015 College Football Playoff, finishing his career as the winningest football coach in Michigan State history.

Mike Tressel will serve as acting head coach while a search is conducted to find Dantonio’s replacement.

— MICHIGAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME, “Preserving The Past, Promoting The Future” —

“Today marks one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever made here at Michigan State,” said Dantonio. “I would first like to thank our fans, alumni, and our administration; both past and present staff and especially our current and past players and coaches for all their support, hard work and dedication over these past 13 years. You have truly helped make my dreams come true.

MORE>>>

— 30 —

It’s A “Throw-down In Motown” As UDM’s Titans Clash With OU’s Golden Grizzlies on Friday!

Posted on January 30, 2020January 30, 2020 by misportstv

Two Worlds Collide As Titans Host Oakland In #MetroSeries Tussle On Friday At 7 PM

January 30, 2020

From a UDM press release

DETROIT (1/30/2020) — Winners of two in a row and three of the last four, the University of Detroit Mercy men’s basketball team will look to keep up its hot play and get a win over its archrivals as the Titans meet Oakland on Friday night, Jan. 31.

Game time is set for 7 p.m., on Dick Vitale Court in Calihan Hall and will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and locally on WADL-38 with Jeremy Otto and Earl Cureton on the call as well as over the air on 910 AM Superstation with Dan Hasty providing the action.

This is the 41st year of the Horizon League (1979-80) and the 40th with Detroit Mercy as a member. The Titans are the eldest program in the league, while Oakland joined the conference in 2013-14.

— MICHIGAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME: “Preserving The Past, Promoting The Future.” —

Detroit Mercy and Oakland also branded the annual rivalry called the #MetroSeries in 2014 as all the sports which compete in the Horizon League battle for points towards the end of the year standings.

The Titans swept their competition last weekend with wins over IUPUI and UIC and have three wins in their last four games with a win at Milwaukee in that span.

Sophomore Antoine Davis ranks fourth in the country and leads the Horizon League in scoring at 23.3 points per game and has netted 14 games with 20 or more points and four 30-point outings on the year, while sophomore Chris Brandon is averaging 10.0 ppg., and 11.9 rpg., in HL play, shooting 75.9 % (41-of-54) from the field with three double-doubles.

MORE>>>

— 30 —

The #1 High School Basketball Player In Michigan (USA?) To Play At Spring Arbor University On Monday!

Posted on January 27, 2020January 28, 2020 by misportstv

Emoni Bates, Lincoln vs. Jackson at SAU Monday

Reposted From SAU Press Release

January 26, 2020

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Jackson High School boys and girls varsity basketball teams will host Ypsilanti Lincoln on Monday in a Southeastern Conference White Division doubleheader at the McDonald Athletic Center on the campus of Spring Arbor University.

Lincoln features the top ranked prep basketball recruit in the nation according to ESPN in sophomore Emoni Bates. The 6-foot-9 phenom has led defending state champs Lincoln to a 6-1 record so far this season and is averaging 28 points per game, including 40 and 33-point performances in the past two games.

The girls varsity game will tip at 5:30 p.m., while the boys varsity game will start at approximately 7 p.m.

Seating will be limited to the first 2,000 fans and there is no pre-sale of tickets for these games. The ticket booths and gates will open Monday at 4:30 p.m. Adults age 60 and older and children age five and younger get in free. Adults may be asked to show identification, as the ticket booths will be manned by SAU student employees. SEC passes will be honored, as well as Jackson Public Schools punch cards. Jackson Public Schools employees will need their school ID to get in free with one guest.

–30–

Saginaw Valley State Athletics Announces The Retirement Of 2 Head Coaches.

Posted on January 18, 2020January 18, 2020 by misportstv

January 17, 2020

From a SVSU Press Release —

UNIVERSITY CENTER — A pair of Saginaw Valley State University head coaches will be finishing their respective careers with the Cardinals this spring, as Men’s and Women’s Head Golf Coach Joe Vogl and Head Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving Head Coach Bruce Zimmerman have announced that they will be retiring at the end of the 2019-20 spring season.

“When you contemplate the amount of coaching experience that we will be losing with the retirements of Bruce and Joe, it’s rather staggering,” said SVSU Director of Athletics John Decker. “Add to that the fact that both of these men performed their work with the utmost integrity, dedication, and professionalism, we then can begin to understand how difficult the task will be to find the next generation of leaders for these two programs. Personally, I am very thankful that I have had the privilege to work with Joe and Bruce for the past few years and I will always admire them for the leadership they provided for our athletics department. I wish them both happiness and fulfillment during their retirement years.”

Vogl has been a member of the Saginaw Valley staff for 41 years and is in his 26th season as the head coach of the golf programs. He has coached the men’s squad in two different stints, leading the program from 1990-2008 and from 2008-current. The SVSU Women’s Golf program began its first year in the 2016-17 campaign as well, with Vogl serving as the head coach of that program, now in its fourth season.

Coach Vogl has led the Cardinals to the NCAA Division II National Championships three different times, competing at the postseason event during the 1997, 1998 and 2014 seasons. The Cardinals claimed back-to-back GLIAC Championships under Vogl’s direction as well, winning the league title in the 1996 and 1997 campaigns. The SVSU Men’s Golf program has claimed 19 team titles in Vogl’s 26 seasons and has finished runner-up in 36 different tournaments. The Women’s Golf program has achieved quick success as well, winning three tournaments and finishing runner-up another pair of times.

–The Michigan Music Hall Of Fame: “Preserving The Past, Promoting The Future(c)”–

Two players earned All-American honors under Coach Vogl, with Brian Eggleston (1998) and Dave Tokarsky (2000) earning that honor for the Cardinals. There have been 14 Academic All-Americans on the men’s side and another nine on the women’s side, with the men’s squads being named Academic All-America as a team nine different times.

In regards to All-GLIAC honors, 36 Men’s Golf student-athletes have been named all-conference and two Women’s golf team members have earned that distinction as well. Adding to that, Vogl has helped lead 11 Men’s golfers to all-region honors.

More>>>

U-D Mercy To Retire Uniform Of Former NBA World Champion and Titan, Earl Cureton!

Posted on January 5, 2020January 5, 2020 by misportstv

Detroit Mercy Men’s Basketball To Retire Earl “The Twirl” Cureton’s Jersey On Jan. 23

January 04, 2020

Re-posted from a U-D Mercy Press Release

DETROIT (1/3/2020) — One of the greats in Titan history will see his jersey hang from the historic Calihan Hall rafters as the University of Detroit Mercy Department of Athletics has announced that Earl “The Twirl” Cureton’s jersey will be retired on Jan. 23.

The men’s basketball team will face IUPUI that day in a 7 p.m. tip and Cureton’s jersey’s ceremony will take place at halftime.

“This is a long time coming to honor Earl with this great moment of appreciation for everything he has done, as a Titan, as a professional and, more importantly, as a great member of the community,” said Director of Athletics Robert C. Vowels, Jr. “His career speaks for itself, helping get the Titans back to the NCAA Tournament and then as a member of two NBA championship teams, but his work in the community and his commitment to earn his college degree speaks to his high morals.”

A 12-year NBA veteran and a two-time NBA champion, Cureton suited up for the Titans from 1977-80, playing two seasons after sitting out following his transfer from Robert Morris. He helped U-D back to the NCAA Tournament in his first year as the Titans went 22-6, capturing wins over Oregon, Georgetown and Marquette before coming back to lead another winning season with 14 victories in his senior campaign.

He averaged 11.7 points and a team-high 9.0 rebounds with 1.3 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in 1978-79 and then topped the team in scoring (20.0) and rebounding (9.1) to go with 1.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks and steals in 1979-80. He is still 12th all-time in school history in career blocks with 79 – second when he graduated – and was inducted into the Titan Hall of Fame in 2007.

More>>>>

— 2020 —

Michigan Vs Alabama Provides An Opportunity For U-M To Put An Exclamation Point On The 2019 Football Season!

Posted on January 1, 2020January 5, 2020 by misportstv

December 31, 2019

By Tony Dixon, for COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)

Ypsilanti, MI —

Alabama versus U-M in a bowl game!

If I had said that at the start of the season, who among us wouldn’t have envisioned a College Football Playoff semi-final or…dare I say, the CFP Championship game!

Ok, let that soak in and perhaps savor it for a few moments……that’s enough!

Let’s get back to reality. The Vrbo Citrus Bowl is not a CFP game. But, to be honest, this still has the chance to be a great match-up. Two traditional powers, two storied programs, members of two powerhouse conferences clashing for a little respect for their less than anticipated season outcomes.

Michigan (9 – 3, 6 – 3 B1G) and it’s somewhat embattled Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, appears to be a team that is suffering from Detroit Lion’s fever, (that strange sport’s malady whose symptom’s break down to a pattern of: A – fill the stadium every game day, B – get that big check for TV rights, C – go through the motions and rhetoric of telling the media and fans…”it was a good season, it could have been better, we were leading in every game, etc, etc.) hopefully in this case it can still be treated and cured, unlike the professional football team that it is named after, where it is the business model and not the aberration.

U-M has a talented and driven group of student-athletes that will/should be well prepared and ready to show the world what they can bring to the gridiron. Led by QB Shea Patterson (3,828 yds, 22 TDs and 6 INTs) the offense can be potent and really stretch the field with Wide Receivers like Ronnie Bell (44 catches, 705 yds, 1 TD), Nico Collins (33, 681, 7 TDs) and Donovan Peoples-Jones (33, 404, 6). Running Backs Zach Charbonnet (642 yds, 11 TDs, 4.7 YPA) and Hassan Haskins (561, 4, 5.4 YPA) will have the tough task of keeping the Bama defense honest and assisting the offensive line in giving Patterson time to throw to his talented wide-outs.

— The Michigan Music Hall Of Fame, “Preserving The Past, Promoting The Future(c)” —

Alabama, on the other hand, finds itself in the unique position of having to accept the harsh reality of what a two loss season means to a perennial powerhouse program. Most college football fans, if they are being honest with themselves almost always put Bama in the CFP playoff bracket, along with Clemson and the Big Ten Champion and the years darling (LSU?) or their alma mater, if applicable/realistic.

Coach Saban, well known in the state of Michigan, as well as an icon in the current era of college football coaches reality, has a reputation for getting the most out of his Assistant coaches, players and almost anybody else that he interacts with. But, a season like this one will probably bring out the…”is Saban going to the NFL” rumors. If so, it’s a safe bet that the pro team from Michigan would NOT be a preferred destination. Even with the size of that possible paycheck, he is probably wise enough to realize that he would go insane in that “sports-as-business” atmosphere.

On the field, the Crimson Tide is currently led by QB Mac Jones(?) (1,176 yds, 11 TDs and 3 INTs), he will be searching for Wide Receivers Jerry Jeudy (71 catches, 959 yds, 9 TDs) and DeVonta Smith (65/1,200/13 TDs, with a long of 85 yds). Alabama’s featured Running Back is Najee Harris (1,088 yds, 11 TDs and a 5.9 YPA average) he is spelled by Brian Robinson (425 yds, 5 TDs and a 4.6 YPA average).

— Intelligent Fitness Design, “The Bootcamp For Body and Brain(c)” —

The numbers for this game breakdown like so; Points per game, Bama 48 points per game for, 19 PPG against, U-M averages 33 PPG while surrendering an average of 19 PPG. Total offense also favors Alabama 513 YPG versus U-M’s 402. Defensively U-M does have a slight advantage in the numbers 293 total yards to 318 for the Tide.

The strength of schedule numbers are likewise similar; U-M was 5th, Bama was 7th. The poll positions are just as tight, U-M is ranked #14, Alabama is #13.

Bottom line, it’s not for a championship, but the bragging rights that will come from the clash of these two programs/head coaches/brand names will be worth it’s weight in cachet.

— 30 —

Tony Dixon is a Co-host for The College Football Wrap-Up(c), MISPORT-TV’s original content vehicle that reviews the past week’s college football games played by Michigan based colleges and universities across all divisions and conferences. The show also utilizes the TPR(c) (Team Performance Rating) to measure a team’s performance in the past game and also to quantify it’s performance over the seasons games. The teams are then ranked according to their TPR number, the higher the number, the stronger the performances.

It’s Western Kentucky versus…Western Michigan In The 2019 First Responder’s Bowl!

Posted on December 30, 2019 by misportstv

December 30, 2019

By Tony Dixon, for COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)

Ypsilanti, MI —

So, I guess that I will do the obvious quote here just to get it out of the way, “Go west young man…”, there that part is over with. There are so many “wests” to this story line, both schools have “western” in their name, the bowl game is being play west of both school’s campus/stadiums in University Park, Texas, one team even has a player with the last name of West on their roster!

The similarities do not end there, these two teams are well matched and promise to make an intriguing start to the bowl frenzy that is the end of the year-New Year’s Day bowl games week.

Let’s start our deeper look at the teams with…Western Kentucky (8 – 4, 6 – 2 C-USA), The Hilltoppers. The team averages 26 PPG while giving up only 20 PPG, a defensive total that led the C-USA. WKU is lead by QB Ty Storey (2,209 Yds, 12 TDs and 5 INTs), a cagey grad student who is also completing 70% of his passes AND is second on the team in rushing with 246 yards and 7 TDs.

Storey will be looking at a good group of Wide Receivers led by the tandem of Lucky Jackson (985 Yds Rec, 3 TDs) and Jahcour Pearson (772 Yds, 6 TDs). His Running Back is Gaej Walker (1,115 Yds, 8 TDs).

— Intelligent Fitness Design, “The Boot Camp For Body And Brain(c)” —

Western Michigan’s Broncos (7 – 5, 5 – 3 MAC) will counter with a more prolific offense, 34 PPG scoring, while giving up an average of 26 PPG. WMU’s attack is balanced with 213 YPG Rushing and 245 YPG Passing.

The Broncos are led by senior (Grand Rapids, South Christian) Jon Wassink (2,904 Yds, 19 TDs and 7 INTs). Wassink has recorded four 300+ yard passing games so far this season. He will be throwing to a group of Wide Receivers including, Skyy Moore (734 Yds, 3 TDs) and Giovanni Ricci (622 Yds and 8 TDs).

In featured Running Back LeVante Bellamy (1,412 Yds and 23 TDs, with a long gain of 75 yds), WMU has a star quality RB that is both talented and determined.

–The Michigan Music Hall Of Fame, “Preserving The Past, Promoting The Future(c)”–

Both teams were successful over the last 3 to 4 games of the regular season, winning at least 3 of those games. Both teams have stud running backs and savvy quarterbacks who will not take a lot of chances with the ball, leaning more upon their defenses to keep the game close. The Strength of Schedule is also a push, 96 for WKU and 98 for WMU.

Bottom line, this game starts off the Bowl Week Frenzy and will start the week off right. But, we will give the edge to the team that went so far west as to have a “West” on the roster…Western Michigan’s Addison West, a 6’4″ 290 lb, freshman offensive lineman.

— 30 —

MSU’s Spartans Can Salvage Dismal Season With A Pre-New Years Day Game In The Pinstripe Bowl.

Posted on December 27, 2019 by misportstv

December 27, 2019

By Tony Dixon, for COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)

Ypsilanti, MI —

The Spartans of East Lansing (6 – 6, 4 – 5 Big Ten) have certainly had an up and down season so far, but can put this year to rest with a positive spin, if they can turn aside the hopes of Wake Forest (8 – 4, 4 – 4 ACC).

MSU picks up the torch that has been dropped by the other Michigan based college football teams; Hope, Concordia-AA, Ferris St.*, Central Michigan and most recently Eastern Michigan, who all dropped their bowl or playoff games. (*Ferris St. did win their first playoff game, but dropped the second game.)

In Wake Forest’s Demon Deacons, the Spartans will find a foe that has a capable offense, two near 1,000 yard receivers and a chance to win nine games for the first time since 2007. But, much like MSU, this season could have been a lot better that it turned out for the Forest, their season ending loss to Syracuse is still a sore point.

— Intelligent Fitness Design, “A Bootcamp For The Body and Brain(c)” —

They will be missing their true thousand yard receiver, Sage Surratt (66 catches, 1001 yards and 11 TDs), but Kendall Hinton (70, 953 and 3 TDs) is a still a weapon that the Spartan’s defense will have to keep in check. QB Jamie Newman (2,693 yards, 23 TDs and 10 INTs) leads a potent offense and should have a number of players ready to assist in the absence of Surratt. Running backs Cade Carney (556 yards, 5 TDs) and Kenneth Walker (555 yards and 4 TDs, including a long of 96 yards) will keep the pass rush honest.

MSU will counter with an offense that is led by QB Brian Lewerke (2,759 yards, 16 TDs and 12 INTs.) who will be trying to locate Wide Receivers Cody White (58/825, 5TDs) and Darrell Stewart Jr., (47/694, 4 TDs). Running back Elijah Collins leads the MSU rushing attack (892 yards, 5 TDs), but the next runner with over a 100 yards is…the QB Brian Lewerke! The Spartan’s offense has been much maligned but have averaged 22 PPG vs the 23 PPG that their defense has surrendered. To give credit where due, the defense did run into a few buzz saws during the Big Ten season that included losses to Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and U-M.

— The Michigan Music Hall Of Fame, “Preserving The Past, Promoting The Future” —

The stats show an edge to the Demon Deacons who average 33 PPG while giving up 29 PPG as well as in Total Offense with a 473 YPG average. The Spartan’s defense which averages 319 YPG will be tested throughly. But, there is a quirk that both teams will face…both appear to be first half teams, they score most of their points in the first two quarters. MSU only scored 35 points total in the 3rd quarter for the season. So maybe a good, paint peeling halftime speech will be needed, if the Spartan’s are behind or even ahead at the half.

— 30 —