The Palace of Auburn Hills=Gampel Pavilion

SPORTING GOODS

DarLucky lets me know that

the [Detroit] Pistons made major moves to shore up their three-point shooting and perimeter athleticism by agreeing to deals with coveted free agents [and former UConn players] Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.

Now, I've never been a big fan of Vllanueva; he had, at best, a cup of coffee at Storrs and could have become an integral part of the most underachieving team in the school's history. His attitude doesn't seem to have gotten any better now that he's a pro. I've gotta think that the Bucks couldn't wait to get rid of Mr. CV31.

Gordon, on the other hand, is indefatigable and has the potential to be the guy to replace Chauncey Billups as the heart and soul of the team. Gordon's absolute refusal to lose the Big East championship game of 2004 remains the single most inspired performance I've ever seen from a male Huskie—and, yes, I do remember Donyell Marshall's 42-spot at the same venue in January, 1994.

At any rate, with Gordon and Rip Hamilton (the players who essentially led their respective teams to UConn's two national championships) on the same team, it'll be hard for me not to at least pay a little bit of attention to what the Pistons are up to.