Villanueva Rolling In Starting Lineup

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

Pistons veteran Charlie Villanueva worked hard this summer to bounce back from a miserable, injury-plagued season with hopes of being reinserted into the team's starting lineup. He's done just that, playing his best basketball since signing with Detroit in the summer of 2009 and has quietly been the Pistons' most consistent player this season.

Despite only being named the starting power forward just four games ago, Villanueva has been productive all season, averaging 14 points and over five rebounds per game. He's been a major scoring threat both inside and out, and his defense has improved, averaging close to a block a night.

Another factor that could have led to additional motivation for Villanueva came early in the season in a Nov. 2 game against Boston. Villanueva accused Celtics forward Kevin Garnett of calling him a "cancer patient." It created headlines across the country, and tonight the two will square off again at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Pistons are still without injured veteran Jonas Jerebko, who started over Villanueva last season at power forward. It's possible Jerebko, who doesn't plan on returning until mid-February at the earliest, will compete for the spot this season. As long as Villanueva continues to produce on a nightly basis, it's going to be difficult for John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach, to keep him off the floor.

Click on cover!

Hamilton Benched For Gordon

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

In yet another shakeup in their rotation, the Pistons intend on moving forward with Ben Gordon as their starting shooting guard. The team hopes former starter Rip Hamilton will cooperate in a reserve role, but according to reports, he does not accept the change.

It's likely the Pistons will look to trade Hamilton. The team remains desperate for a true center, but it could prove challenging to complete a deal as the franchise is still up for sale.

Click on cover!

Monroe Starting Over Maxiell

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

The Pistons are now using rookie Greg Monroe as their starting power forward. He takes over for veteran Jason Maxiell, who could be completely out of the rotation. Little-used reserve Chris Wilcox has played well of late and could continue to see additional minutes off Detroit's bench.

John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach, continues to scramble trying to establish a set rotation. Injured veteran Jonas Jerebko hopes to return at some point this season, perhaps as early as February. It's likely Kuester would look to reinsert Jerebko into the starting lineup at power forward.

Of all the Pistons capable of manning the power forward spot, veteran Charlie Villanueva has played the most minutes and is quietly having an impressive second season in the Motor City. Yet, Kuester will continue to keep him in a reserve role to help balance out scoring on the second unit.

Click on cover!

MSU Squeaks By OU, 77-76

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

For the first time all year, fans at the Palace of Auburn Hills got a chance to witness a great basketball game. 17,000 fans packed the seats to witness the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans take on host Oakland University Golden Grizzlies.

The contest featured all of the elements one could ask for in an ideal collegiate setting. It consisted of players with NBA-caliber talent, two extremely passionate fanbases and two of the most knowledgeable, experienced coaches in all of college basketball.

The underdog Golden Grizzlies hung with the Spartans the entire game, but MSU prevailed 77-76. Oakland, a D-1 program, is trying to prove itself that it can compete against the Top 25 teams in the country.

"We're that close," says Greg Kampe, OU Head Coach. "It's really disappointing that we couldn't get this win.

"I told (my players) 'Everybody's gonna pat you on the back...that's crap. They have one more point than we do. We came to win.'"

Despite the tough loss, OU remains confident it can compete with any team in the country.

"The difference between this team this year and the team last year is...we're better," Kampe says. "We're more mature. We've been there. We've played these games. We're not intimidated. The (Michigan State logo) didn't intimidate us at all."

The Spartans, consistently amongst the top programs in the country, weren't surprised by how difficult it was to escape the Palace with a win.

"I thought we played awfully well," says Tom Izzo, MSU Head Coach. "I really did. I think you've got to give a lot of credit to Oakland. We did everything we wanted to do...we did a lot of good things today, and all that being said, Oakland played a hell of a game."

The game featured a battle between two players expected to be selected in the 2011 NBA Draft this summer. MSU guard Kalin Lucas is considered amongst the top players in the Big Ten, while OU center Keith Benson has shown he can compete against the best big men in the nation. Both players could be available to the Pistons as a potential second-round pick.

Meanwhile, both teams are bracing themselves for a competitive season with a chance at making some noise come March.

"If you ask me, Oakland is gonna be an NCAA team," Izzo says. "I think it's the best team (Kampe's) had...Greg Kampe's a very good coach. He has a unique way about him. I think he's getting a little more animated...but I like the way he's handling this team."

"This is it," Kampe says. "We're ready. This is the time."

Click on cover!