Meandering through the maize (and blue): A Russian, Prokhorov, is possibly buying a NBA team

Posted on Thu, Sep 24, 2009 : 8:28 a.m.

Meandering through the maize (and blue): A Russian, Prokhorov, is possibly buying a NBA team

By Michael Rothstein

Foreign players have been coming to the United States to play basketball, in either the pros or college, for decades. Now, it looks like there could be a small shift in management, too.

Russian billionaire Mikhail D. Prokhorov will give $200 million to be the principle owner of the New Jersey Nets (which may not stay in Jersey for long). It is also another sign that David Stern's globalization project might actually work.

While you contemplate that, check out the rest of these college-based links:

FOOTBALL:

Kelvin Grady may have given up the sport he loves, but through late nights in a factory he found his new reality, writes Dave Birkett for AnnArbor.com.

The Big Ten is again struggling with its reputation nationally, save for Penn State and Michigan, I write for AnnArbor.com.

Practice observations from Wednesday's football practice, featuring a dancing bird.

David Moosman is Michigan's starting center this week. Carlos Brown, the Wolverines' starting running back.

Security will be tighter for Saturday's game.

A Michigan fan at Cornell? Writing in what can only be described as Old English style? Yep, that's what you'll get from Holden Steinhauer.

Former Michigan star Prescott Burgess, the new New England linebacker, is just looking to add depth, writes Ian R. Rapoport of the Boston Herald.

Indiana doesn't care about being the underdog, writes Pete DiPrimio of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel.

Kirk Cousins has a tremendous belief in his faith, writes Steve Grinczel.

The Big Ten calls Tate Forcier vs. Greg Middleton and Jammie Kirlew the matchup of the week in the league.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg breaks down what to look for in the Big Ten this week. Rittenberg picks Michigan to win Saturday.

BASKETBALL:

John Beilein is showing to be a very good in-state recruiter, especially after picking up Carlton Brundidge, writes Sam Webb of GoBlueWolverine.

Binghamton guard Tiki Mayben was arrested on charges of selling cocaine, writes Pete Thamel of the New York Times.

Kansas, which is the preseason No. 1, starts the season with embarrassment, writes Luke Winn of SI.com.

OTHER SPORTS AND STUFF:

Justin Meram had a hat trick in Michigan's 5-1 win over Bowling Green in men's soccer.

Tim Rohan of the Michigan Daily breaks down three keys to the women's soccer team's success.

Musician Ingrid Michaelson is coming to Ann Arbor next month. Check out her blog here. Worth the watch/read.

25 years ago, the longest point in tennis history was played, writes Dave Seminara of the New York Times.

Over 40 percent of sports writers gamble, writes Jay Christensen for Covers.com.

INGRID MICHAELSON RAPS HER HIT, "THE WAY I AM," WITH SOME "ICE, ICE BABY," AND SOME OTHER RAP...JUST WATCH. WORTH IT:

Comments

tater

Thu, Sep 24, 2009 : 1:59 p.m.

As for Beilein being a good instate recruiter, MSU really wants to get as much mileage out of the myth that UM can't recruit instate as they can. They got ten years worth of mileage out of the Martin scandal, and realize that they are about to be competing on equal ground with UM again for the first time in ten years. MSU definitely wants no part of UM being as strong as or stronger than them like they used to be for most of the history of both teams. MSU wants to stay in their fantasy world where the only years that exist are those of Magic and those of Tom Izzo. Sorry, Sparty: ain't gonna happen.

tater

Thu, Sep 24, 2009 : 1:55 p.m.

The merciless New York press will start calling them the "Nyets" as soon as they lose a few.