Page 2-Thursday, November 30, 1978-The Michigan Daily HEALTHY KNEE LENDS HELPING HAND: Hubbard keys Blue cage revival By JAMIE TURNER "Number one, we've got the fran- chise back."-Tom Staton, co-captain, Michigan Wolverines. "If he goes down this time, we don't have anybody to replace him."-John- ny Orr, Michigan head coach. In the atomic world of Michigan basketball, Phil Hubbard is the nucleus, the focal point. With the 6-7 forward-center Michigan twice went to NCAA tournaments in 1976 and 1977. Phil Hubbard Phil luhhard Varsitx RCrd: i~r G Pct . E T FT ' X Pct. X-. PPt . Without him, last year the Wolverines sank to fourth in the Big Ten, 11-7 in league play and 16-11 overall. Quite obviously, the Michigan coaches, players and fans are expec- ting big things out of the Wolverines this season, largely due to "the Hub." Even though Joel Thompson filled in admirably in Hubbard's absence, everyone is expecting improvement with the Canton, Ohio junior returning. It's not without good reason. In his sophomore season, Hubbard averaged over 19 points a game and cleared the boards more than 300 times during the season. As the cagers entered the 1977- 78 season, Hubbard was counted on to provide leadership and points from his position as one of the country's smallest centers. But all those hopes went down the drain early, when on the first day of practice, Hubbard came down wrong with a rebound and injured ligaments and cartilage in his left knee. . . a knee already banged up from a minor injury suffered in an international tournament in Bulgaria that summer. Thus Johnny Orr was left with an inexperienced team already without the graduated Rickey Green, John Robinson and Steve Grote. For all in- tents and purposes, Michigan's Big Ten hopes ended with the tears in Hub- bard's knee. Now the knee is fully mended, and according to Hubbard, the players and Orr, all sights are set on recovering the top spot ... aided by a healthy "Hub." "I'm getting back into the swing of things," said Hubbard on his progress, "It was just a matter of time before I would be ready. I hope that I can do the things better than I did, but as long as I do the things I used to do it will be all right." Hubbard worked with weights during his recuperation, and it shows when one compares his appearance with that of two years ago. The 1978-79 edition is heavier, particularly in the shoulders and thighs, hopefully adding to the strength needed to battle the giants like Joe Barry Carroll and Herb Williams. Also, the experience that Orr had counted on in '77 returns, with Hubbard taking on a responsibility to lead the other players. "Being co-captain is important," states Hub. "I'm no coach but I'm going to tell 'em when they're doing something wrong. Hopefuly, they'll think that I'm leading in the right way." "Phil is a real leader on the court," voices sophomore guard Johnny John- son. "He'll tell you what to do and he's nice about it. He's been around. He's an All-American, but he doesn't have a big ego." "Having Hub around gives us con- fidence," concurs second year forward Paul Heuerman-one of eight Wolverines who have never been on the same court with Hubbard in a game. "One thing Hub does is give me plenty of pointers. He's always helping you out. He's a great guy." If Hubbard's knee doesn't act up, it's not likely that anything else will slow down the Michigan pivotman. In his two prior years of service, Hubbard had not missed a single game to injury, a factor that had pro scouts drooling over the possibility of Hubbard as somebody's power forward. But all that has changed now. Scouts are taking a look-and-see attitude, waiting for positive proof that nothing See IlUBBARD, Page 14 The Michigan Daily-Thursda ~13 "" CE TI COURm Fr. 3:'2 2O-)XI So,. 30 '21-1 W Tot. 62 436t-791 S i 13" 19 5 .i7 1 19i78-79I(-(.I ' I'l~IIII IR III) ,.NI) 1'():1S'l'ArTO\i TIP-OFF Supplement to the Michigan Daily 1978-79 MICHIGAN BASKETBALL SCHE Co-editors: Gary Kicinski and Dave Renbarger. Staff writers: Ernie Dunbar, Geoff Larcom, Rick Maddock, Brian Martin, Jamie Turner. Advertising co-ordinator: Denise Gilardone Center spread and cover photo of Mike McGee shooting over MSU's Earvin Johnson courtesy of the Michigan Sports Information Depar- tment. Other Daily photos by Wayne Cable. -HOME GAMES A ll Guaranteed Healthy Early Layaway Plan 207 S. Ashley at Washington 663-3692 Mon.-Sat. 11-9 SGift Certificates A vailable Doily Photo by WAYNE CABLE WOLVERINE CENTER Phil Hubbard returns to action this year after a year's absence due to a knee injury. The 6-7 senior has two years of eligibility remain- ing, and coach Johnny Orr hopes that Hubbard will be back next year as well. Hubbard has indicated that he will, as he would like to be eligible for the 1980 Olympics. DO YOU KNOW WHERE" YOUR FRIENDS ARE? If it's between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. they're probably at PIZZA BOB'S masticating the munchies away, ingesting epicu- rean delights, imbibing impossibly delicious potables, submitting their taste buds to salacious assaults of indescribable ecstacy. Or, in other words, they probably slud on down to P.B.'s to wrap themselves around one of the best tasting meals in A2. Nov. 30 Dec. 2 Dec. 16 Dec. 31 Central Michigan Alabama Western Michigan Eastern Michigan Minnesota Iowa Ohio State 8:05 2:05 2:05 7:35 8:05 2:05 2:05 Jan. 25 Feb. 3 Feb. 10 Feb. 15 Feb. 22 Feb. 24 March 4 Michigan State Illinois Indiana Northwestern Wisconsin Purdue Notre Dame Jan. Jan. Jan. 4 6 20 (at Pontiac Silverd ~Ibann ii uupi 814 S. STATE ST. 665-4517 - - _ P1224 UIPTOWN 810 S. STATE ST. 665-4518 (where the Wolverines eat) Sicilian Pizza, Fine Foods, Cocktails 421 E. Liberty, 1 block west of State St. 665-7003 .._._,