Gand Valley Inherits Two More Former Wolverines

The Grady Valley State Football and Basketball teams added a little more maize and blue as Quintin Patilla and Jerrett Smith have announced intentions to transfer.

Patilla didn't go quietly as he accused the new staff of "not caring" about his health issues. Maybe Carr and company held his asthma inhaler for him when he needed to use it. Losing the third string fullback and convicted felon shouldn't hurt the Wolverines too much.

Smith began the season as the starting point guard, however academic issues led to suspensions and missed road trips before he was eventually dismissed from the team in December. Smith averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, and 2.7 apg. Smith will be reunited with former Wolverine guard, K'len Morris, who transfered earlier this season to GVSU.

Former Michigan PG Jerret Smith has reportedly accepted an offer to play basketball at Grand Valley State University. Smith, a junior guard who was kicked off the team for not meeting Coach John Beilein's academic standards, will have eligibility for the 2008-09 season and will suit up for the Lakers this fall. He averaged 4.2 pts and 2.7 assists in 65 games as a Wolverine.

Expert Analysis from Matt Boyer: This is a good pick-up for GVSU. They get a PG with experience playing against some of the strongest teams in the nation. The biggest knock on Smith while in Ann Arbor was his lack of focus and defense in clutch situations. His poor decision-making often led to defensive break-downs and turnovers that Wolverine fans remember all to well under the Tommy Amaker regime. I think Smith will have success at a smaller school (GVSU is D-II) playing against weaker competition, but I don't think the move will hurt Michigan any, even if Smith returns with Grand Valley to face Michigan in the pre-season it won't come back to bite the Wolverines (Remember, GVSU beat Michigan State last year in an exhibition game). Kelvin Grady appeared to have way more hunger and drive than Smith did as a freshman. This should only translate to Grady steadily improving and Michigan fans forgetting all about Jerret Smith.

Side Note #1: CONGRATS to the DETROIT RED WINGS! 2008 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS! Tony, enjoy the celebration b/c this has to be the sweetest graduation present of all.

Side Note #2 : I know transferring to Grand Valley allows for more playing time, but why would you want to trade the classy block M logo for that thing? What is that?

Wings/Pens Triple Overtime Live Blog

So I started watching this game at 8 at my house before leaving to go watch the rest of it at Damons with some friends. At 11:00 Damons closed, at which point we were shot dirty looks from the waitstaff for the next half hour until one of them finally came up to us and asked us to start heading out. At that point, the second overtime was about to end, so we figured that'd be a good time to leave. I just got home to watch the last few minutes of OT number two, so now i'm ready to live-blog the third overtime

19:32: The would have been kind of disappointing if they scored so quickly. After that 15-minute intermission, I want at least five or six minutes of solid hockey before the winner

16:41: I forgot, I don't have to comply with the NCAA blogging policy of just three posts per period.

15:43: It's making me tired just watching these guys.

14:25: Matt Boyer and I were talking about how this game is reminding us of the last OT marathon we watched earlier in the playoffs between Dallas and San Jose that went into the 4th OT. I hope this one ends soon, I've gotta get up in a few hours.

13:10: Tony, I hope your heart was up for this challenge. I wonder how the fans are holding up down there at the Joe

11:44: Franzan had a good look there...wide open in front. The Wings have definitely been the more aggressive team, you can't keep giving them all these chances and expect to live another game if you're the Penguins

10:39: Wow! Horrible penalty to take, it'll be a four-minute advantage for the Penguins. If they don't score here, the Wings are going to win it.

10:03: Well, he called it. Sykora said earlier in the period that he was going to get the game-winner and he backed it up, beating Osgood glove-side to force game six back in Pittsburgh.

Good night!