Today’s High Five:

• Lions owner William Clay Ford told Tom Kowalski before the Saints game yesterday that COO Tom Lewand and acting GM Martin Mayhew will be back with the team next season, and any new guy brought in will have to fill one of the available “slots.” From what I’ve read, Mayhew could be a rising star, and judged by his own work — primarily the Roy Williams trade — he’s done well, so wanting to keep him around isn’t ridiculous. But taking this approach at least gives the impression that the Lions are making tweaks to their historically bad operation, not overhauling it. Which means fans will be sharing Mitch Albom’s sentiments. The thing is, if Bill Davidson or Mike Ilitch gave a vote of confidence to a young exec like Mayhew, I’d be a believer. (Or think Joe Dumars with Michael Curry.) With Ford, though, it seems destined to be backfire.
• UM Hoops has great scouting reports on John Beilein’s incoming players, as well as the latest on Michigan’s recruiting targets for 2010 and beyond. Among the players Michigan is recruiting are a couple of famous kids: Cameron Ayers, son of NBA assistant and former Ohio State coach Randy Ayers; and Tim Hardaway, Jr., son of . . . actually, I think you can get this one without my help.
• One of the two Michigan QB commits counted on to resuscitate the U-M offense in 2009, Shavodrick Beaver, is backing out on the Wolverines and will play instead for Tulsa. Brian at MGoBlog already has a backup plan for a backup QB, but now the remaining recruit, Tate Forcier, isn’t just in the driver’s seat for the starting job, he’s all alone in the car.
• Jiri Hudler is putting up career numbers for the Wings. Seriously, it’s December 22 and he’s closing in on his career season highs, scoring 28 points in his last 28 games while playing on the third line.
• What’s going on with this headline? Does Michigan State have a rabid fan base in Boston?

Today’s schedule:

• College basketball: Florida Gulf Coast at Michigan, 7pm