Oct. provides some of best sports of year

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Although assignments, due dates and midterms quickly are approaching in classes, students would be best advised to relax and take a couple breaks this weekend.

That’s because this weekend arguably is the deepest and most complete sports weekend of the year for Michigan residents, featuring a few huge matchups that will be instrumental in determining the standing of local teams during the next couple weeks. Here’s a look at this weekend’s events:

MSU vs. University Of Michigan (Noon Saturday , Big Ten Network ) — Obviously one of the most important weekends of the year for MSU fans. This event should be helped by the fact that, on paper, the teams look pretty even despite the differences in their records. A win for MSU would be a huge emotional boost for both the players and fans, and this game could come right down to the final minutes.

Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox — This last series of the season essentially will determine whether or not the Tigers make it to postseason play. The games are Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Comerica Park and should be an exciting race.

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (1 p.m. Sunday , Fox) — The Lions look to follow up last week’s unprecedented win against the Washington Redskins and try to do it on the road against a divisional foe.

Detroit Red Wings vs. St. Louis Blues — Does it feel like it’s too soon for hockey? It does for me, too, but the Red Wings begin regular season play this weekend with a pair of games in Stockholm, Sweden, against the St. Louis Blues. The game times are 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The best sports weekend?

Not to be overly greedy, but where does this weekend stack up against the other top sports weekends of the year? I personally believe this weekend has the most depth with compelling football, baseball and hockey matchups, but is it the best? There is some strong competition.

Although it’s not always a weekend, the three-day stretch from New Year’s Eve through Jan. 2 offers a lot of great games. With several Big Ten teams seeing action in bowl games as well as a couple BCS games, the weekend has game-breaking potential. Throw in some depth with big college basketball games generally being played, and the NBA , NHL and NFL seasons kicking into high gear, this undoubtedly is an exciting weekend for sports fans.

The weekend in mid-March that begins the NCAA Basketball Tournament always is full of excitement and upsets and makes a strong case for No. 1. The fact that from noon until midnight Thursday through Sunday there’s usually a game going on gives this weekend a bit of an edge. There usually also are some good NBA and NHL matchups taking place as those seasons wind down.

Hit or miss is a good way to describe the weekend in late April when the NFL Draft takes place. As a stand-alone event, the draft isn’t that exciting, but when the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings are in playoff games, as they usually are, then there’s an unlimited number of events. Pepper in a couple Detroit Tigers regular season games, and fans need three or four televisions just to keep up with everything.

Verdict: Depsite the many ways to judge these weekends, my personal choice is the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament. The amount of anticipation involved, along with the fact the tournament’s appeal isn’t strongly dependent upon a favorite’s team success, gives that weekend my vote.

_Jeff Kanan is the State News field hockey and volleyball reporter. He can reached at kananjef@msu.edu.

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