LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe

Alex Gauna commits to MSU

Right after school Thursday, Eaton Rapids 6-9 junior Alex Gauna gave Tom Izzo a ring and accepted a scholarship offer he received on Tuesday.

Hoops predictions revisited

Remember when I asked for various MSU/Big Ten basketball predictions before the season? Here they are again:

Two more MSU free agent tidbits

For those who missed it, Otis Wiley did indeed change his mind before signing with the Giants, opting to stay closer to home and give it a shot with the Detroit Lions. If Wiley gets healthy, I like his chances to stick there. Also, Jesse Miller will get a tryout with the Giants on May 7, after their minicamp.

Izzo in the D

Here at Comerica Park, Tom Izzo just threw out the first pitch before the Tigers-Yankees game, and he didn't bounce it. It was apparently high and outside (wouldn't know firsthand, they made the writers stand in the tunnel for some reason).

MSU to play Alabama, W. Virginia in football

A few years down the road, but this is definitely a good thing for fans and a departure from the softening scheduling trend in college football. Here's the release from MSU. I'm on a bus with Mark Hollis and many others to watch Tom Izzo throw the first pitch at Comerica tonight, so maybe later I can get close enough to get a live quote from him.....

MSU free agents

Confirmed signings, other than Brian Hoyer to the Patriots: Otis Wiley to the New York Giants, Brandon Long to San Francisco, Justin Kershaw to the Carolina Panthers. Still waiting to hear on linemen Roland Martin and Jesse Miller.

Hoyer signs with Patriots

It appeared on ESPN to be a very long day at Brian Hoyer's house, but things probably worked out better than if he would have gone late in the draft. New England, his preferred destination from the start, signed Hoyer tonight to a three-year deal, complete with an undisclosed signing bonus.

Ringer goes to Tennessee

Last pick of the fifth round, 173rd overall. Much lower than he would have liked and lower than some expected, but not that big of a surprise considering his late-season knee injury. That obviously scared teams off, but if Ringer can keep those legs healthy, this is a nice value pick for the Titans. More later...

Five new guys who stood out

Not including the quarterbacks, both of whom were outstanding (Cousins: 29 of 43, 357 yards, four touchdowns, no picks. Nichol: 20 of 28, 357 yards, four touchdowns, no picks) in a duel that made for the first memorable spring game that I can remember.

Final: White 38, Green 37, OT

Kirk Cousins tied it up with a fourth-down pass to Josh Rouse in the first overtime, but Green went for the two-point conversion and win, and he was hit hard by Trevor Anderson on a roll right. He got rid of the ball just before the hit, into a crowd, and Dan Fortener picked it off. If we learned anything today, it's that MSU should be just fine at QB in 2009 and beyond. Other than that ... it was entertaining. Check back later after interviews, there were some other guys who identified themselves as playmakers -- led by tight end Brian Linthicum.