Michigan

It seems there isn't much to be elated about in Michigan. The economy is seriously tanking with unemployment easily exceeding 10%. The Big 3 auto companies continue to be in dire situations as the global recession continues to affect car sales. Then there's the politics in the state, stained by decades of corrupt and scandal-ridden public officials--most notably, Kwame Kilpatrick. How Governor Granholm served on the board of economic advisers to Pres. Obama during his campaign was beyond me given that under her helm the economy has soured all the more.

With all those woes adding to the burden of all Michiganders comes the hardship of Michigan sports. Let's not even talk about the Detroit Lions with their winless season and decades of futility. The Detroit Tigers had one magical fluke season a few years ago after decades of mediocrity. Now they find themselves near the bottom of their weak division trying to attempt another improbable season. The Detroit Pistons, I will admit, had a good run in this decade, with smart cost-cutting moves and emphasis on team play. However, that run is on its last legs, and unless Joe Dumars is a magician of sorts, it would seem the Pistons would need to undergo a painful season of rebuilding. Detroit natives will argue that the Detroit Red Wings are the premier team in the NHL, but I would counter by saying that hockey has always had a limited national audience and it is close to be irrelevant outside the northern states.

College sports have not treated Michigan that well these days either. My alma mater, the University of Michigan, won its last national championship in college football in 1997. The last decade has been marked with high expectations and disappointing results in major bowl games under Lloyd Carr. The jury is out on the Rich Rod era (although I do have high hopes as he begins to get the type of players who'll buy into his offense), but last season, U-M suffered through its ugliest season in its storied program. U-M's basketball program deteriorated since the Fab Five era, suffering under the mediocrity of Tommy Amaker. However, there is hope with the Jon Beilein era, with the Wolverines getting their first invitation to the NCAA tournament since 1998 this year and even beat Clemson in the first round before bowing out to Oklahoma. Hope does exist. I believe. Then there's Michigan State. Their football program has always been inferior to U-M's, and despite their relative success last year, it is laughable to think their program can vault into the upper echelon of college football programs. The only thing Michigan State has going for them is its basketball program under Tom Izzo. Its last national championship in 2000 under Izzo and Mauteen Cleeves.

So with all this being said, it was funny to hear people talk about Michigan State's destiny to win another national championship at Ford Field last night against North Carolina. They had to win it as a source of encouragement for all of Michigan, to have something that Michiganders could have pride in. But to the entire state's dismay, the heavily-favored Tar Heels put a licking on the Spartans. I particularly enjoyed, I will not lie. I have no real Michigan loyalties (aside from my alma mater). In fact, I loathe all Michigan sports except for the Wolverines...but especially Michigan State. I couldn't understand how U-M alums and fans were supporting MSU. That's like sleeping with the enemy (figuratively). Besides, I've been a Carolina fan all my life. But watching the game reinforced the fact that it must really suck to be a Michigander these days. I am sorry for all you Michiganders. Hopefully, sometime in the future, things will pick up for you once again.