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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- After reaching the postseason for the first time since 2009, the Detroit Pistons had a bit more credibility during free agency.Thats Stan Van Gundys view, at least, after his team signed guard Ish Smith and forward Jon Leuer.I think that guys look at us probably a little differently -- you know, young team on the rise, said Van Gundy, Detroits coach and team president. I think both Jon and Ish liked the idea that they were sort of playing with guys in their own age group, and even younger.The Pistons introduced Smith and Leuer on Friday, and theyll be counting on both players to add depth to the roster. Detroits long-awaited return to the playoffs was short-lived when the Pistons were swept in the first round by Cleveland, but last season was still a significant step forward.Detroit came out of the draft last month still needing to acquire a backup to point guard Reggie Jackson. Thats certainly a role Smith can fill after averaging a career-high 12.6 points in 77 games with Philadelphia and New Orleans last season. Leuer gives the Pistons a versatile big man who shot 38 percent from 3-point range a season ago with Phoenix.Smith and Leuer are both 27.Last year, I thought we had a really good year, but we were really fortunate that we didnt have injuries that set us back or anything like that, Van Gundy said. I dont know that we would have had the depth to overcome that. I feel like now, really at every position now, I feel like weve got four guys we can play at each position, because weve also got very versatile guys.The Pistons have built around center Andre Drummond, whom they drafted in 2012. They traded for Jackson in 2015 and also have added starters Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris in trades. Detroit hasnt been much of a destination lately for top free agents, with the team in a rebuilding mode, but now Van Gundy can sell a brighter future.Smith, for example, is looking forward to tossing alley-oop passes in Drummonds direction.Dre better be ready to go get lobs from the first team and the second team, Smith said. Reggie does a great job of throwing them, Im most definitely going to throw them.The move to the Pistons might bring some stability to Smiths career. He has been in the NBA six seasons, and 2013-14 (with Phoenix) is the only one in which he played exclusively with one team. Detroit will be his 10th team. He joins Louis Amundson and Drew Gooden as the only active NBA players to play for 10 teams.The 6-foot-10 Leuer averaged a career-high 8.5 points last season and has the ability to help spread the opposing defense out as a forward or even a center.Thats kind of the way the leagues going, Leuer said. Small ball and versatility is becoming a unique and effective lineup, so thats something I was able to do last year a little bit, was come in at the five. ... Definitely something I feel comfortable doing.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister Paul Pogba Jersey . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively. 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SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- With his team trailing early Saturday night to Chicago State, Notre Dame coach Mike Brey inserted Matt Ryan into the game.That deficit quickly evaporated.Ryan hit five 3-pointers in a span of 4:12 and scored a career-high 23 points as the host Irish dispatched the Cougars, 91-60.I just want to take advantage of when Im on the court, Ryan said. When Im the court, Im going to try to do that every time.Ryan saw extra minutes Saturday night because of a rib injury to teammate Rex Pflueger. Pflueger sustained the injury earlier in the season and aggravated it Friday at practice. Brey expects that the sophomore will play Tuesday when the Irish host Iowa.Obviously, Matt Ryans performance was awesome, fabulous, said Brey, whose team improved to 6-0. Its a great weapon. Weve got to know when to ride him, when not to ride him. His teammates knew he was at a whole other level and they found him.Ryan wasnt the only Notre Dame player excelling. Teammate Steve Vasturia scored a season-high 19 points, V.J. Beachem added 14 and Bonzie Colson chipped in 10.I knocked down some open shots, Vasturia said. When youre getting open looks, its an easy game for everybody.Notre Dame, which missed its first five shots of the game, hit 19 of 34 from the field in the first half, including 10 of 18 3-pointers, to shoot 56 percent. Notre Dame hit on 34 of 66 (51.5 percent) for the game, including 17 of 37 (45.9 percent) from 3-point range.Trayvon Palmer topped the Cougars (2-3) with 15 points. Fred Sims Jr. finished with 11, nine below his averagee.dddddddddddd Clemmye Owens V was limited to six after entering the game averaging 15.I thought overall we were pretty good (defensively), Brey said. Defense is something this group has kind of gotten proud of.Ryan finished with seven 3-pointers, two shy of the school record. At halftime Brey mentioned to Ryan that he was close to the record. Ryan hit an early 3 in the second half, but that was it.I just couldnt hit them in the end. Its frustrating, the sophomore said. But Ive got a few more games to go.BIG PICTURECHICAGO STATE: Saturdays contest at Notre Dame began a month-long, 12-game stretch of games away from home.NOTRE DAME: With Saturdays victory, Notre Dame made a strong case to dent the Top 25 after wins over Colorado and Northwestern earlier in the week.TIP-INSCHICAGO STATE: The Cougars finished with 10 assists, on 22 made baskets, and committed 15 turnovers. Chicago State was outscored 22-10 on points off turnovers.NOTRE DAME: Notre Dame has now beaten Chicago State in the four all-time meetings. Prior to Saturdays contest, Notre Dames wins have come by margins of 40, 27 and 48 points. . Irish junior point guard Matt Farrell finished with a career-high seven assistsUP NEXTCHICAGO STATE: The Cougars, whose wins this season have come against Illinois Tech and East-West, stay in the Windy City Wednesday with a road game against UIC.NOTRE DAME: The Irish host Iowa Tuesday in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '