It's all over in Detroit

By Jeff Mayfield

[April 07, 2009]  DETROIT -- I guess when you have half a dozen future pro picks playing against a mere college team, the outcome would never be in doubt. However, I was STILL hoping that the Big Ten representative would find a way to eke out the victory. That would not be the case as North Carolina held on for an 89-72 win in Detroit last night.

Most people banked on this outcome from the very start of the 2008-09 season, and from the tip last night there was little doubt as to who was the best team in college hoops this season. But it also shows that if you can get the talent, the cream will rise to the top. That is why I am so excited about the future of our own Fighting Illini. I am hoping that the cavalry is on the way. And once it gets here, WE will have the same results.

Weekend in the city

If you do get to this area, make sure you visit the Henry Ford Museum. They have one of the best collections of American stuff through the ages that you could ever view, especially if you like old cars! We also got pictures of Abe Lincoln's original Postville Courthouse, even though Greenfield Village doesn't even open for two more weeks! (Remind me to tell you that story.)

We also took a little side trip to visit our northern neighbors in Canada for a little while (don't forget your passport or your birth certificate or you won't be able to cross the border).

That all led up to our Alaskan Shootout banquet that was held at the GM Renaissance Center around all the new GM vehicles. Before it began we took the elevator up to the highest restaurant in the Western Hemisphere for one of the most spectacular views in the country. After taking a few pictures we returned to dinner with Alaskan coach Rusty Osborn and assistant athletic director Tim McDivitt.

Before I forget, I would also recommend the restaurant Fishbones, where we ate with NCAA statistician J.D. Hamilton and friends! You can get the local catch and a lot of the flavor of the city by just inhaling the flavors. The city looks like it has really gotten an upgrade over the last couple of years.

We did make the practices once again this year, but we did not stay for the all-star, which by the way was won by Illini coach Bruce Weber's team! We did speak to Purdue coach Matt Painter before the game, and he was confident that they would win (he assisted Weber in the victory). We took a few pictures there too, but that was the extent of our visit. We had a private viewing for the games this year, but not nearly as good as the private VIP box we had for last year's tournament!

All in all, we had a great time despite it not going the Big Ten's way. However, in the final outcome I think our league demonstrated that as young as we are ... we will soon be rising to the top!

We'll try to get some pictures to you in the next day or two ... but, right now we have to run to catch our plane...

Have a great month, everybody!

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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