THE MICHIGAN DAILY Tuesday hu vw . 6.. a f ,--Y , 1 Ij - Cage By PHIL BROWN For the first ime since the de- parture!of Cazzie Russell, Michi- gan's basketball fortunes seem to have steadied enough for fans to realize what has been happen- ing, and what might now be ex- pected to happen. Michigan has struggled through a pair of Big Ten campaigns with- out doing anything spectacular, but there is now some room for optimism. After capturing three straight conference championships, -the Wolverines in 1966-67 dropped to dead last with a pitiful 2-12 Big Ten record. Last season was bet- ter; Michigan ran off four straight season-ending wins to tie for sixth. More imoprtant, though, was the fact that those four wins were instrumental in determining the Big Ten champion. Both Purdue and Iowa were in contention for the titlb before Michigan came to life; Purdue dropped out of sight after suc- cumbing to a redhot Wolverine squad 104-94, and the Hawkeyes lost in a playoff to Ohio State af- ter Michigan beat them on their home court, 71-70. The Wolverines did not start last season like a sixth-place team, however. They were worse. Opening against some of the toughest teams in the country, the cagers continued to lose both hopes the games and their confidence by the day. The schedule allowed the team ' to even its record going into the I new year, but Houston's top-rank- ed Cougars ended that quickly ,with a 91-65 drubbing and Michi- gan stumbled into the Big Ten season at 4-5. Five straight conference losses followed, stretching the Michigan record to 13 consecutive Big Ten defeats, but somewhere in that string the Wolverines began to find themselves. The turning point may have been against Ohio State, a game that no Michigan fan will forget in the near future. A total of 69 fouls was called-just four short of the Big Ten record-and the Buckeyes escaped with a bitterly disputed 95-92 victory, Unpopular calls like an appar- ently unprecedentel technical on the crowd brought the spectators to their feet in a fury, a display of support for the Wolverines that had been as absent as victories. Head coach Dave Strack was heartbroken after the game. with not a little anger in his voice, and his face still reddens a shade when he recalls that awful after- noon. "We played so hard and so long only to lose it," he moaned after the game. "I don't know what to say ekcept that I am in despair over what happened out there." return two years after I The contest was seen by every- one as a crucial point for the team. Loaded with talent, it had ultimately arrived at a crossroad that would probably determine the future for this year's squad. A loss the next week to Michi- gan State-hardly a strong team --seemed to vulcanize the team's image into that of a loser. And then came a break. Minnesota came to town and suffered a fast-paced 113-101 de- feat at the hands of the rejuve nated cagers. It was a scene re- peated later, when Michigan won 105-92 in Minneapolis. Iowa followed Minnesota into the Events Building, and simply out- played the Wolverines in a 99-86 victory. Again Michigan recov- ered, traveling to Champaign and a 67-65 win over Illinois. Two disappointing losses fol- lowed, to a weakened Indiana squad and to the Illini (again at home). Then came the climax that gives Michigan fans hope for a happy future when-the cagers take to the hardwood again this year. The Events Building was dedi- cated on February 27, and the Wolverines took advantage of the occasion to rip front-running Pur- due 104-94. The win followed the second Minnesota victory, and was followed by an 83-79 dumping of Northwestern. The real thrill of it all came. on March 9, however. Iowa, un- defeated .in their own field house and needing only one more win to wrap up the Big Ten title, wel- comed Michigan to Iowa City. The Wolverines were rude guests, shooting to a 16-point lead early in the first half and holding the Hawkeyes off for a deeply satisfying 71-70 victory. The loss dropped Iowa into a tie with Ohio State for the crown, and the Buckeyes took it by win- ning on a neutral court. Michigan comes back this sea- son with essentially the same team that suffered so much last year. The only major loss was that of guard Jim Pitts, considered by many the most underrated player in the Big Ten. Pitts was one of three Wolver- FIREBALL GUARD Ken Maxey makes it look easy with a breakaway against Kentucky in the sea- son opener. Rick Bloodworth, a top candidate for the backeourt spot opposite Maxey this year, trails in this picture. The Wolverines figure to be among the best teams in the Big Ten in 1969, having lost only captain Jim Pitts (see page 1) from last year's squad. Another reason for optimism is the return of Rudy Tonijanovich (waiting for rebound, left), Michigan's top scoret and rebounder last year. V f. b Traditionally for Fall.. Redwood & Ross presents its Fall 1968 collection of natural shoulder clothing and related furnishings. Authentic traditional styles that take you anywhere in classic comfort, dignity, and good taste. ir iy * a.+ f' .. rti 4 { l i+ 5 f ines who finished in the top ten in the Big Ten scoring race, and was especially valuable because of his ability to take over at for- ward. Returnees include Bob Sullivan and Dennis Stewart, a pair of headstrong but immensely talent- ed forwards who may have yet to realize their full potential. Last year's sophomore sensq- tion, Rudy Tomjanovich, is elso back to anchor the rebounding corps and to defend his position as the team's scoring leader. Ken Maxey, flashy guard from Chicago, rounds out the returning starters with great backcourt speed and the fire-up hustle that .the team neeeds so much. The Wolverines should benefit this season from a strong bench, with an unusual plentitude of guards shooting for the vacated spot opposite Maxey. Rick Bloodworth and Mark Henry both have game experience and may be the front-runners, but will get plenty of competition from a swarm of hopefuls from last year's freshman squad. Leading these will be Dan Fife, a tricky backcourt man with the, size and inside moves to take over where Pitts left off. Sharpsho'oter Rex Emerick alsS moves up, along with Bob Bruns, Bob Mull, and Mike Rafferty. Rafferty is more likely to be tried at forward, however, as are Tom Lundstedt and Rod Ford. Returning forwards with game experience include Willie Ed- wards, Bill Fraumann, andDave McClellan. 6'10" Mike Lawson comes back for a shot at the line- up, as does 6'8" Scott Montross. FOOTBALL, TICKETS Students wishing to obtaii season football tickets must purchase a Student'Athletic Coupon, available in Waterman Gymnasium during registration. The coupon costs $14, and en- titles one to pick up his ticket book during the distribution per- iod. Ticket distribution is by seniority, based upon the NUM- BER OF YEARS IN ATTENDANCE AT MICHIGAN. An indi- cation of each student's group priority will be punched on his coupon at Waterman Gym. The priority scale and schedule for picking up, tickets are as follows SUITS ., ed*wood & Ross suits are cut along .. . . .. . .natural lines, narrow lapels, center hooked vent with plain front trousers. r.. . .'A complete variety awaits your inspection, including Cheviots, Coverts, Worsteds, and f Sharkskins-many with vest from 65.00 to 110.00 SPORT COATS :v ' istinctive separate rackets, fine im- , - . .9ported and domestic woolens. Cut along natural body lines for correct appearance. Tasteful colorings, individual patterns in new midweight fabrics for mod- Sern comfort . .-from 37.50 to 65.00. STOP IN-See for yourself at the Briar Shop! Convenient Charge Accounts available. - 2 ? weater iports '4T- w~wvsw~+.. the Classic Look fromz England 0 \our distinctive sweater collection ., features McGeorge and Cox N £Moore fine lamb's wool and Scot- tish shetlands in new heather tones. Hand framed and fully fashioned. Years at Michigan Three or mare' Two to three One to two Less than one Priority No.4 No. 3 No. 2 No. 1 Distribution. date Thurs., Aug. 29 Fri., Aug. 30 Tues., Sept. 3 Wed., Sept. 4 HEAD BASKETBALL COACH Dave Strack gestures for a time out in an early-season encounter. Frustrated by ,second-half scoring lapses and a too-generous defense, his cagers dropped five straight conference games before finding the key in bril- liance that dominated a schedule-closing win'streak. - Il NEED LEVI'S? vsit Student seating begins at the 50-yard line for No. 4 priority, and progresses toward the end zone for other priorities. Distribution of ticket bookbs is done from the Men's Intra- mural Building on Hoover between 8:30 a.m. and, 4: l0 p.m. on each of the four days. Married students wishing toobtain a second ticket book can purchase a Spouse Athletic Coupon at Waterman Gym for $18. To get adjacent seats, couples must' drop one priority, but may go to the IM building on the day of distribution for the original priority. THE FOLLOWING RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED: 1. Students should pick up tickets on the proper day. Failure to do so will mean receiving tickets in a lower priority grouping. After Sept. 5 all tickets will be distributed from the athletic ticket office at Hoover and State streets. DISTRIBU- TION WILL END AT NOON, SAT., SEPT. 14. \ 2. A student may pick up two ticket books by presenting two student identification cards and corresponding athletic coupons on the proper day of distribution. No more than two ticket books will be given to any one student. 3. Group tickets may be obtained by bringing all coupons and ID cards to the special group window. Priority will be determined by the lowest priority in the group, and tickets will be assigned in the lower end of the. estimated priority area. Again, tickets must be picked up on the proper distribution day. 4. The Athletic Department will not be responsible for lost coupons or tickets. 4 III a. ER' 4 V-necks & Crews 16.00 Turtle-necks 18.00 SLATER'S TEXTBOOKS New and Used p~innnA £1 Rncc El ;:.:: I .1 I