This is the first piece in a column that I’ll be writing weekly. It will be posted every Friday morning and will contain sports news from high school to professional sports as well as local teams to national teams. I am hoping this will give you readers a better in depth view of the affect sports has at each level and how it affects many.

1. Each Michigan Teams Chance at Making The NCAA Tournament

Central Michigan (21-5) is sitting atop the MAC standings and are in good shape of making the NCAA Tournament. With a high powered team that averages 79.4 points per game (13th in the nation), the Chippewas are one of the toughest teams to stop offensively. They are about to clinch the MAC Regular Season Championship and are favorited to win the automatic bid in the MAC Tournament. They should get it done with ease and return to the Tourney for the first time since 2003 when they upset Creighton. Barring any major injury (knock on wood), the Chips will make it to the NCAA tournament for the first time in a long time. ESPN’s Bracketologist Joe Lunardi has the Chippewas ranked as a #13th seed in the NCAA Tourney. I see them moving up to the #12 seed with a perfect MAC Tourney.

Prediction: 95% at NCAA Tournament

Western Michigan is now sitting at (17-11). At 8-7 in MAC conference play, the Broncos are out of contention for a regular season championship. While they have posted a good record this season, it’s highly unlikely they win their tournament and receive the automatic bid as their are 3 to 5 teams that are better. The Broncos have put together a strong enough season that they could acquire a spot in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), but a trip to the NCAA Tournament or National Invitational Tournament seems out of the question.

Prediction: 25% of making the College Basketball Invitational

Eastern Michigan (17-11) got off to as hot of start as any team in the state by going 11-2 and upsetting Michigan in Ann Arbor early in December. They’ve since cooled down and cost themselves any chance at any tournament spot. While they have played some quality basketball, this team has fallen apart and will have to win a the MAC Tournament. I had high hopes for this team early in the season, but now I don’t see them even winning one game in the MAC Tournament. With a bad conference record and a few disappointing losses, the eagles don’t even look like a CBI tournament team.

Prediction: 0% at making any tournament

University of Detroit Mercy (13-17) is looking at missing a tournament for the second straight year. This is the same university who made the NIT three years ago and the NCAA tournament four years ago. The team has had a disappointing year as they were supposed to contend for the Horizon League Regular Season Title, but the only thing they are contending for is most disappointing team in the state this year. They have the worst record of all seven division 1 teams in the state, yet are one of the best when it comes to talent. While I’d like say they have no chance at making the tournament,  I do think their window is small since they decide to show up against the league’s best (see Feb 25. win vs Valpo). The team has the talent to win the Horizon League Tournament, but it won’t be easy.

Prediction: 20%. Need automatic bid to make NCAA Tourney. No team has ever made NIT with losing record.

Oakland University (15-14) seem like another team in the state that may not be competing in late March. They hadn’t played very well this year until league play. They are 2nd right now in the league at 10-4 in the conference play.  I don’t see them making any tournament unless they win the Horizon League Tournament. They do have a better chance than almost any team on here not named Central Michigan or Michigan State. I can see them making a run and winning the tournament, but they’ll have to play just as good as they’ve been playing.

Prediction: 60% of making NCAA Tournament

Michigan State (19-8) is above and beyond the best team in the state, in part because of a horrendous year by Michigan.  A slow start made many think this team was on the Bubble Watch, but these past few weeks have vaulted the Spartan into a #7 seed in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracket. They should make it with ease and be able to win a game or two before being out matched by a high ranking seed.

Predicition: 100% chance to make tournament. 

The University of Michigan (14-13) is in the midst of one of their worst seasons under John Beilein. They lost two of their best players in Derrick Walton Jr. and Caris LeVert to injury in the past few months.  This team seems out of contention for any tournament as John Beilein said, “We will not accept any postseason invitation unless it is for the NCAA Tournament or the NIT.” So sorry wolverine fans, but it seems like the year of bad luck will continue. At least you’ll be returning almost all of your team back next year.

Prediction: 0% because of Coach John Beilein’s stubbornness 

2. The Prince Returns to The Palace

Tayshaun Prince finally returned to The Detroit Pistons last week after being traded from Boston to Detroit. The Prince hasn’t been a member of the Pistons since he was traded to Memphis back in January of 2013.  He will be starting at small forward position until Van Gundy decides otherwise. He played his first game back with the Pistons  on Tuesday against the Cavaliers. They play Friday night against the New York Knicks at 7:30 pm est.

3. Spring Practice Begins

The new look Michigan Wolverines started spring practice Tuesday under new coach Jim Harbaugh. They are the first BIG TEN team to do so and will have their spring game April 4. This is the first opportunity for the coaches to check out the returning players as well as the new recruits, such as 4-star Quarterback Alex Malzone, 4-star Tight End  Tyrone Wheatley Jr, and 4-star cornerback/wide receiver Brian Cole. They play their spring game at the Big House in Ann Arbor April 4th.

4. Bye Bye Bush

The lions have officially released running back Reggie Bush after his 2nd season in Detroit, He had a stellar first year in Detroit, but injuries and bad performances were the storyline for his second year. Bush is in part gone because of his $5.4 million dollar salary for the 2016 season. With such a high salary and little contribution, the Lions thought it would be best to cut Bush and use the saved money to sign DT Ndamukong Suh. This will open up a chance for running back Theo Riddick to show the team what he is capable of when given a full time back up role.

5. Devastating Injuries

As the NBA season gets to the home stretch, every team needs to play their best basketball if they want to continue into the postseason. Two teams contending for seeding in the Eastern Conference lost their star players within the last week. Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat was diagnosed with having blood clots in his lungs and will be out for the remainder of the season. Along with the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose, who tore his meniscus for the second time in his left knee. He will be getting surgery within the next week and the Bulls are hopeful they will have him back in about 6 weeks. This is not good for the former NBA MVP, who has now torn his meniscus in his left knee two times and his ACL in his right knee.

6. Tigers start Spring Training

The tigers checked into Lakeland, Florida on February 19th. They all reported by February 23rd as they held their first practice on the 24th. They will only have a  couple days to practice as they okay their first spring training game on March 3rd against the Baltimore Orioles. Some key losses for this team include the trade that sent Rick Porcello to Boston as well as the departure of Max Scherzer to the nation’s capital. The Tigers did acquire the speedy Yoenis Cespedes from Boston and replaced both starting pitchers with Alfredo Simon from Cincinnati and Shane Green from the Yankees. While their track record isn’t the best they will definitely be two of the Tigers biggest keys if they want to make a World Series run this upcoming season.

7. Western Michigan gets 5 commits

Within the last week, the Broncos have acquired 5 verbal commitments for the 2016 recruiting class, three from in state athletes. The first is Stefan Claiborne, a safety from Chippewa Valley, is the number 2 safety in the state per 247 sports. They also acquired a commitment from defensive end Adetokunbo Ogundeji (#26 in the state) from Walled Lake Central and wide receiver Kalebb Perry of Mount Pleasant (#19 prospect in the state). The two out of state prospects are linebacker Joe Bachie of Berea, Ohio and linemen Mike Callendo of Brookfield, Wisconsin.  They have 6 total verbal commits as of February 26th, 2015. With this class already off to a hot start, it looks like Western Michigan may finally be able to contend for the MAC Title sooner rather than later.

8. Marquel Ingram commits to Bethune-Cookman

Mariel Ingram, who is uncommitted, was the best available player left in the state for the 2015 class until he committed to Bethune-Cookman February 17th. He is an unrated shooting guard out of Pershing High School and is one of the best guards in the state. He adds to Bethune-Cookman’s small recruiting class that is now up to 3 commits.

9. MAC League Champions

Many teams clinched their MAC division 11 league championships this week. The undefeated New Haven boys, who won their first ever MAC Gold Title this week were the first guys team to win their respective conference . Almost all the boys MAC titles are locked up as the Stevenson Titans were able to clinch another MAC White championship and Marysville took the MAC Silver title with a 12-2 league play record. Utica and Port Huron Northern are still fighting for the MAC Blue Title, but a win by Utica in their next game will hand them the trophy. The first girls title to be taken his week was by the Fraser Ramblers, who won another MAC Blue Title under coach Dave Kuppe. South Lake clinched their MAC Silver Title on Tuesday against Center Line. The Utica Lady Chieftains are the only other team to clinch their title (MAC White Title). Grosse Pointe South and Port Huron Northern are still fighting for the MAC Red Title while Marysville and Roseville are both looking to take the MAC Gold Title.

Note: MAC Divisions rated from highest to lowest go Red, Blue, White, Gold, Silver.

10. Four Qualify for States

While Fraser’s team wrestling season ended in a early heartbreaker, the team was still able to get four wrestlers to advance to the state individuals. Freshmen Chris Hackney (215lb) was the first to qualify as he won his 3rd match to his teammate Elijah Tucker. Senior Mike Kroepel (285lb) was the next to qualify as he won in a due or die match. He was followed up by a stunning performance by junior Nathan Hollifield (103lb), who won by taking the lead in the last 10 seconds in his match. He hurt his collarbone during the match and may not be able to participate at states. Sophomore Danny Pfeffer (135lb) was the last to qualify as he won a due or die match as well. This is the second straight year he has qualified and hopefully his first placing at states. Individual States will be at The Palace of Auburn Hills from March 5-7. Support the Ramblers as they try to achieve the prestigious honor of state champion.

Devon Schwarze-Hemelberg covers all things sports for The Flash

Reach him at [email protected]