ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR BEGINS.........

Maurice Ager was 7-17 from 3-point range in MSU's recent loss to Gonzaga in the Maui Invitational. He used his "Ager Bombs" to score 36.






This years college basketball season has started with a bang and looks to be an exciting season. Many teams, including Michigan State are slated to take a serious run at the National Championship played this year in Indianapolis.

Along with the favorites, there are smaller universities that are looking to make the tournament and possible become the next "Cinderella" story. These are the stories that make the tournament one of the most exciting events in sports.

Here is a breakdown of teams in the state of Michigan:

UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY- The Titans are 1-2 overall on the season, 0-0 in the Horizon League. They were recently thumped by Oklahoma State University Cowboys who are 3-0 overall for the season. Detroit began the season 1-0 with a win over the highly touted Rochester College, 80-61. The second game of the season was a close game against the Drake Bulldogs. Detroit played a close game, and was actually tied at halftime with the Bulldogs. In the end, Drake pulled away for a close 69-61 win. It is early in the season for the Titans and Perry Watson will have his team poised to challenge for the Horizon berth. Brandon Cotton is leading the Titans with a scoring average of 16.3 ppg. Up next for the Titans is the Shawnee State Bears.

OAKLAND GOLDEN GRIZZLIES- The Golden Grizzlies have gotten off to a good start and are looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament where they lost to the eventual champion North Carolina Tarheels. The Griz are off to a 2-1 start, 0-0 in the Mid Continent Conference. They have two straight games against St. Peters, 72-69 and Notre Dame College, 102-74. Oakland started the season with a tough loss to , Albany 90-73. The Golden Grizzlies are led by Calvin Wooten's 28.3 ppg. Up next for the Grizzlies is the Duquesne Dukes.

The Mid American Conference has three area teams hoping to make the Big Dance. Eastern, Central, and Western Michigan all look to have successful seasons which would enable them to receive a bid.

EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES- Eastern is off to a quick 1-0, 0-0 Mid American Conference, start with a big win over California, 67-65. The loss spoiled the homecoming of Cal coach Ben Braun, who led Eastern Michigan to three NCAA tournament berths during his 11-year tenure. The Eagles are led by John Bowler who led Eastern with 19 points. Up next for the Eagles is North Dakota State.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS- The Chippewas are 1-1, 0-0 Mid American Conference, to start the season. They opened with a loss to Michigan, 87-60. The rebounded with a win against Wisconsin Green-Bay, 67-62. Central is led by Giordan Watson who is averaging 15.5 ppg. Up next for Chippewas is UMKC Kangaroos.

WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS- The Broncos are 1-0, 0-0 Mid American Conference, on the season. The upstart Broncos defeated Northwood Timberwolves, 82-62. The Broncos were led by Andrew Hershberger who had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Joe Reitz who had 22 points and 11 rebounds. Up next for the Broncos is Northern Iowa.

The two Big Ten teams in the state are off to surprising starts. Here is how they have fared.

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS- The Spartans had one roller coasters of a week starting with a 22 point loss to Hawaii, 84-62. Four of the five Spartans suffered from leg cramps that led to this lop sided victory. They then started the Maui Invitational with a win against the Chaminade Silverswords, 89-67. Their next challenge was against #9 ranked Gonzaga. This game was a triple overtime thriller in which the Spartans fell short 109-106. Today the Spartans finished the tournament with a 74-71 overtime win against the #8 ranked Arizona Wildcats. The Spartans are led by Maurice Ager's 25 ppg. The Spartans finished the week 2-2, 0-0 Big Ten. Next up for the Spartans is the IPFW Mastodons.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES- The Wolverines are off to a 2-0, 0-0 Big Ten, record. They started the season with a win against Central Michigan, 87-60. Next they defeated Boston University, 51-46. The Wolverines are led by Lester Abrams 14.5 ppg. Next up for Michigan is the Butler Bulldogs.

Look for more updates throughout the season!!

Kenny Bloggins