My initial reaction to Oakland center Keith Benson exploring the possibility of entering the NBA Draft is that he should not do it.
Benson has made great progress at Oakland, but can make more by staying in college. Not sure where he'd go in this draft, but he can move himself into elite company by getting stronger and dominating next season.
But there is another way to look at it. What more is he going to accomplish at OU? The Golden Grizzlies were 17-1 and won the Summit League tournament last season. They did go to the NCAA tournament. Isn't that as far as it goes at OU?
Well, there are a couple frontiers for Benson to reach at OU. One is a victory over a top program. Oakland was blasted last season by all the big boys. Also, OU has never won an NCAA tournament game (excepting the play-in game). That would be a legitimate possibility if Benson returns.

Random Thoughts

- Moving Justin Abdelkader into the lineup for the Jason Williams is a good move by Red Wings coach Mike Babcock. He will hit people. Look for Brad Stuart to take Williams' spot on the point of the second power play unit.

- We're about to find out whether the Tigers are for real. Of their next 30 games, 27 are against teams that had winning records last season. Oh, and the West Coast is a very different place to win. The Tigers were a horrible road team for much of last season. How about that King Felix-Jeremy Bonderman pitching matchup tonight. Could be a little rough.


My Column in Friday's Oakland Press on how the Red Wings must toughen up tonight http://tinyurl.com/y43678z