---A . -- . - M Page Two THE MICHIGAN DAILY I nhursdcly, Sep emi er -tI r Page Two THE MICHIGAN DAILY Basketbal: Baffling the oddsmakers Two seasons, 41 wins - can unpredictable Wolverines keep up the pace in 1976? By BILL STIEG They litter the newsstands every fall - those basketball magazines filled with reworded press releases and confident declarations of who will do what in the coming season. Remarkably worthless, these magazines have at least given Michigan fans a few laughs the past two years. And again this fall, it should be interesting to read why Johnny Orr's team doesn't have what it takes to win. Two years ago, the gradua- tion of all-America Henry Wil- more, Ken Brady, John Lockard and Ernie Johnson was consid- ered a blow sufficient to knock Michigan into the Big Ten's sec- ond division. So said the "experts." But another all-American, Campy Russell, led four tal- ented teammates to a series of exciting upsets in 1973-74. The Wolverines won 22 times that season, tied Indiana for the Big Ten championship, and advanced to the finals of the NCAA Mideast Regional. They were ranked seventh in the country at the year's end. But then conference MVP Russell decided to turn profes- sional, foregoing his last year of college eligibility. Once again, the pre-season seers all but ig-' pored Michigan, regarding it to S"potential darkhorse" status, citing as evidence the loss of Russell's team-leadingrebound- ing and scoring. What the predictors failed to emphasize was the fact that the four other starters from the championship team would re- turn: Joe Johnson, C.J. Kupec, Steve Grote, and Wayman Britt. These four, plus newcomer John Robinson and some capable re- serves, embarrassed the experts again.r They finished all alone in sec- ond place in the Big Ten, had a 19-8 record, and came within a shot of beating eventual na- tional champion UCLA in the West Regional. Few foresaw such an excel- lent season. But that'stnot sur- prising, for perhaps the most important element in Mich- igan's success the last two years Tom Bergen was declared in- doesn't show on the roster or eligible by the Big Ten, after stat sheet. the NCAA had said he could Intangible qualities - com- play. monly (and accurately) label- But the nucleus of Johnson, ed hustle, desire, and team- Grote, Kupec and Britt remain- ork-have helped Michigan to ed. Robinson, expected to play its .759 winning rate over two in Russell's place, sprained his years as much as any hot- ankle before the opener, and shooting forward. sophomore Rick White started, So it would be more than instead. foolish to predict a mediocre The non-conference schedule season for 1975-76, despite the was highlighted by a hard- graduation of co-captains and fought win over Tennessee, and co-MVP's Kupec and Johnson. two tournament championships. Kupec, like Russell, led the Michigan won seven of the team in scoring (18.1) and re- eight non - conference games, bounding (8.4), and Johnson losing only to Southern Illinois. was the floor leader of the The Wolverines bounced back team, and second leading scorer from that loss to beat Dayton (14.1)., on the Flyers' court and then~ On the surface, such a loss won the Michigan Invitational would seem too costly-at least and Motor City Classic tourna- enough to postpone champion- ments. Virginia Tech, Manhat- ship talk for a while. But that tan, Western and Eastern Mich- was the attitude last year at igan all fell in succession, each this time, after Russell an- losing by at least 11 points. nounced he was leaving. And The first half of the Big Ten look what happened: season was less than satisfy- Besides Russell, three other ing. After wins against Illinois players quit the team before and Ohio State, Michigan went the season started. Lionel Wor- into a slump, losing five of its rell, sixth man on the cham- next eight games. Two losses pionship team, transferred to were to undefeated Indiana, Oral Roberts. while games at MSU, Minne- Chuck Rogers, substitute for- sota, and Purdue also ended ward, decided basketball in- in defeat for Michigan. terfered with his promising The first Indiana loss was baseball career. And Bill Ay- Michigan's loss in Crisler Arena ler, another forward, quit for in 17 games. Michigan's home personal reasons. record the last two years is 234. Two weeks before the start Its away record is 17-12. of the season, transfer center After the second loss to In- diana, Orr benched Grote in favor of freshman David Bax- ter. Baxter played well, but Grote played even better as sixth man, winning back the starting spot five games later. Michigan won four of those five games, including crucial vic- tories over MSU and Minnesota. Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Michigan were all battling down to the wire for post - season tournaments, in- cluding the NCAA, which would accept the first and second place Big Ten teams. The Wolverines climbed to a clear-cut second (behind In- diana) by winning the last three games with Purdue, Illinois, and Ohio State. The first fea- tured an explosive offense, and the last was one of their best defensive games. As ready as they could be, the Wolverines travelled to Pullman, Washington for their first round NCAA game with UCLA. And was a game it was. Few Michigan fans can discuss it without uttering the words, "If only . . ." For in the end, only one shot stood in the way of a great upset. But instead of up- set, Kupec's potential game- winning jumper at the end of regulation time bounced off the rim. In overtime, the disappointed Wolverines were outdistanced by the reborn Bruins, 103-91. The near-upset was Kupec's and Johnson's last game for Michigan. So the automatic question is: can they be re- placed? Those who saw Joe Johnson play the last three years may find it hard to believe that the speedy playmaker can be re- placed. But from a group con- sisting of a couple of fine re- cruits, a transfer, and Baxter, will very likely emerge an ade- quate substitute. Edgar Burch, a transfer from Duke (where hetstarted as a freshman) may have the inside track, but will be press- See BRITT-GROTE RETURN, Page 7 Daily Photo by STEVE KAGAN Wayman Britt Senior forward Wayman Britt shows why he plays forward for Michigan, despite standing only 6-2. Britt has started for two years at Michigan, averaging double figures in both seasons. His tremendous jumping ability and quickness make him very effective on defense, his specialty. . i , : r Basketball Football. .......... Hockey........... Doctor's Prescription...................... Swimming .............................. Baseball................................ IM Sports.... ............................... Women's Athletics. ........................ Track .............. Tennis....... ..... Football Ticket Info............. W restling ............. Golf..................................... Gymnastics............................. Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 5 Page 6 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 8 Page 8 Page 9 Page 9 Page 9 Daily Photo by PAULINE LUBENS Steve Grote Guard Steve Grote lays the ball in against Michigan State, after squirming inside. The 6-2 junior scores many of his points in close, and rebounds as well as some forwards. He's aggressive on defense as well, never hesitating to use physical force when needed. On the inside 23,000 Michigan Students Can't Be Wrong About the Wolverines-Join Them This Fall 'Your Support is Vital!'.... Bo. "You don't win championships in football by yourself. Many things help and I am convinced one of our biggest assets at Michigan is the support of our students. We certainly hope you will loin us this fall." -Bo Schembechler Here's Your Home Football Schedule STANFORD-Sept. 20 ... Traditional power in the Pac-8 and Rose Bowl winner over 'M' in 1972. BAYLOR-Sept. 27 . . . Champions of the Southwest Confer- ence and Cotton Bowl representative. This is annual High School Band Day game. than ines. Football Saturdays are special dates for the more 23,000 Michigan students who watch the Wolver- This fall will be no eception. The most difficult nonconference schedule in years is included in Michigan's seven home games. And, of course, such Big Ten powers as Purdue and Ohio State will visit Michigan Stadium. You, as a Michigan student, can enjoy an entire fall of football for less than half the cost of a regular ticket. Season tickets for seven games are $21 each. The Ohio State game already is sold out, but you can reserve your seat for this game by taking advantage of the special season ticket bargain offered Michigan students. Join your friends and be season of football. part of chamiponship There's Always Plenty of Action .. . Student Football Ticket Facts A complete listing of football ticket distribution appears elsewhere in this special sports section of The Daily. The distribution dates are Sept. 5-8-9-10 according to the number of years you have attended Michigan. As a student, you qualify for special rates for season tickets. Michigan's game against Ohio State was sold out at the earliest date ever, but enough tickets were held to ac- commodate all season ticket buyers. You must, however, take advantage of your season ticket option to see this Nov. 22 game as no individual tickets will be sold. MISSOURI-Oct. 4 ... Stadium (1969) and aI fall. Last team to defeat 'M' in Michigan Big 8 Conference title contender this NORTHWESTERN-Oct. 18 ... Has 13 regulars back, includ- ing Big Ten's fifth top rusher in tailback Jim Pooler. INDIANA-Oct. 25 ... Has 45 lettermen and 17 starters from a team that nearly upset 'M' a year ago. Homecoming Game. PURDUE--Nov. 8 . . . Always strong and with 13 regulars And the Entertainment Is All Michigan.. . Here are some points to remember: * Students will be charged for their footbol ticlkets through the Students Accounts Office. Price for the 1975 seven-game home sched- ule is just $21, less than half the price of a public ticket. 4 p.m. (Building located between the baseball field and railroad on Ferry Field.) 9 Priority b a s e d on number of years in attendance at Michigan and your tickets should be picked -U