Michigan State drew about 20,000 fans to their spring game on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. This was a devoted lot, because just before the game was set to kick off at 1:30 p.m., the skies unloaded. It poured, and as an added bonus there was thunder and lightning. Still, it was a quick-moving system. So while the fans had emptied the stadium, most or all of them trickled back in once the storm passed.
  They got to see an aerial display from Keith Nichol and Kirk Cousins who are both aiming for the starting quarterback position.
  It was about a usual crowd for a spring game in East Lansing. It wouldn’t be surprising if coach Mark Dantonio tried to grow it larger in the next few years.
  You might remember two weeks ago Michigan drew about 50,000 for its spring game which was really not much more than a glorified practice. Coach Rich Rodriguez didn’t have enough healthy bodies to split them into two teams.
 Rodriguez has made it clear he wants to set the record for attendance at a spring game.
   Well on Saturday Ohio State coach Jim Tressel beat him to it. The Buckeyes set a record for their spring game with 95,722 in attendance.
 They got to see sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor  (remember him?) complete 13 of 18 passes for 191 yards in one half of action.
  Ahh spring ...


 

  
   Friday’s news that Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims will return to the Michigan basketball program in the fall is certainly good news for the Wolverines.
    While both Detroit kids had looked at NBA options, it was clear from talking to them at the Michigan basketball banquet on April 13 that their intentions were to return and continue to build the Michigan program.
    Coach John Beilein called it  “a right of spring” for talented college basketball players to take a look at their options. He wasn’t going to stand in their way -- he wanted what was best for the talented pair.
    Sims, entering his senior season, could be on NBA draft boards a year from now if he continues the improvement he displayed last season. He’s got the potential. Beilein will only make him better with another year of teaching.
    Harris, who is a year younger, showed great improvement too. But he can only enhance his chances with another year or two under Beilein’s tutelage.
  
  

   Looks like a rivalry will continue to brew between Michigan State and North Carolina. You might remember that they last met in the NCAA Championship game on April 6 with the Tar Heels winning the title.
    The two college basketball powerhouses will next meet on Dec. 1 at North Carolina as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The challenge schedule was announced Wednesday.
     Rivalries are quite often the best thing about college athletics so it's good to see this one given a chance to develop.
     Also, as part of the event, Boston College will play at Michigan on Dec. 2.