9903110069 DETROIT FREE PRESS 990311 Thursday, March 11, 1999 METRO FINAL

SPT; SPORTS

7D Photo WILLIAM ARCHIE/Detroit Free Press MITCH ALBOM Copyright (c) 1999, Detroit Free Press RAISE THE WOOF Michigan State and Detroit Titans fans can rest easier. Elvis the Dog picks them to win their first-round NCAA tournament games. On Wednesday's "Albom in the Afternoon" on WJR-AM (760), the 11-year-old pooch belonging to Mitch Albom, above, battled Channel 7's Don Shane, above at left, in their annual pick-off. Two years ago, Elvis beat Shane. Last year, Shane had more early winners, but Elvis picked the national champion. Elvis, who gets a dog biscuit for each pick, was so full he struggled to make his final first-round picks. He made a couple of strange ones, including Texas-San Antonio over Connecticut, above. At right, he shows good taste by picking Detroit. The Elvis-Shane pick-off continues next Wednesday; the show airs 3-6 weekdays. THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION MAY DIFFER SLIGHTLY FROM THE PRINTED ARTICLE. MITCH ALBOM;BASKETBALL;COLLEGE;DOG;WINNER;NCAA