/ SPORTS e Michigan Daily First dyear cage r adjusting to Big Ten Thursday, January 22, 1981 Page 7 By JON MORELAND Among the illustrious group of Big Ten cen- ters-Russell Cross, Randy Breuer, Ray Tolbert, and Steve Krafsicin-that Tim McCormick has faced through the first four games, of the conference season, he has yet to find a pushover. And he won't, at least for another week, as Illinois' Derek Holcomb and Ohio State's Herb Williams present further challenges to the highly-touted freshman. McCormick is in the process of learning the ways of the Big Ten basketball world from these less-than- amiable instructors. But in his role as a backup to starting center Paul Heuerman, the 6-11 McCormick couldn't have found a more talented collection of non- professional teachers. As the Clarkston native readily admits, "The Big Ten is so much more physical than the games I played in high school. "Last year I'd watch those guys almost in awe, and now I'm playing against them," he added. It is the foremost adjustment that McCormick has had to face since he left Clarkston High School for a big-time basketball battleground. He noted that his opponents in prep circles weren't exactly the caliber of player McCormick is quickly getting used to. "It was pretty rare when I'd face someone that big and strong," said McCormick. "Now it seems like everyone we playhas guys that size." While the size and talent of his current foes have served as an indoctrination to the rigors of conferen- ce play, McCormick has nonetheless managed to come a long way as a player since his Wolves were defeated in the semifinals of the state Class A tour- nament last March. McCormick and Heuerman spent long hours over the summer running, lifting weights, and con- ditioning for the season that awaited them. Heuer- man also showed the freshman a move or two on the basketball court. "He (Heuerman) is so good at using his height," said McCormick of the 6-8 pivotman. He's helped me on both offense and defense." The next phase of McCormick's preparation was the beginning of the Wolverines' formal practice sessions. First-year coach Bill Frieder ran his troops hare .r than his predecessor, Johnny Orr, had. Even -, veterans were pushed to the limits. And McCor- mick's knees were temporarily pushed beyond their limit; the physical toll absorbed by windsprints and fast break drills forced him out of a few days of pre- season workouts. But when phase three of preparation-the noncon- ference games-rolled around, McCormick was ready. He used these contests as a way of gradually easing into the "big game" situations he would soon encounter. "(The nonconference games) helped me a lot," he said. "It would have been too big of a jump for me to go right from school into the Big Ten., It was better to have a gradual buildup of competition." The buildup reached a peak in Michigan's second conference game. Heuerman found himself in early foul trouble and McCormick was called upon to con- front Minnesota's huge front line, which included the 7-2 Breuer. In 40 minutes of play, McCormick "turned into the type of player we've been waiting for," ac- cording to Frieder. "I knew I could do it," said McCormick of his 13- point, seven-rebound performance (Breuer mustered only six points in the game). "But I was glad I had the opportunity to prove myself to the coaches and everyone involved with Michigan basketball." . Such improvement, of course, could carry the Wolverines closer to the upper echelon of the Big Ten and into the NCAA tournament-just one more step up the competitive ladder. McCormick ... learning quickly MICHIGAN FACES NOTORIOUS FRONTCOUR T DUO: "rCagers, Illinois set for shootout . TL1n.t'a y Ui 1 1Id L1I' U1l LU Cager's Corner "ef By MARK FISCHER Keep your eyes open, folks, because tonight the most dangerous front court duo of Big Ten hoopdom - alias Smith and Johnson - is coming to town, and the mob from Illinois is backing them up. Wanted in at least seven Midwestern states on miscellaneous counts of deadly shooting, assaulting the boards, ball stealing and conspiracy to beat the other team, the 6-8 pair of seniors lmost always work together. BOTH ARE ARMED with scoring -guns, and should be considered ex- tremely hazardous to opposing teams. The muscular, board-crashing Johnson Ex M By RON POLLACK, He was a reaI plaver here and captain of (a.k.a. Eddie) is the big gunner this season with a 17.8 scoring average so far, while the smooth ballhandling Smith (a.k.a. Mark, 15.2 ppg. 55 per cent from the floor) provides the shar- pshooting. The two can be recognized by the numbered, orange and blue "Fighting Illini" tank tops that they always wear when they do their dirty work. If spot- ted, report to Michigan sheriff Bill Frieder. You see, Coach Frieder and his Wolverine cagers will be in charge of corralling these two "bad" boys and their mob when Michigan takes the floor against Illinois this evening at Crisler Aerna. CORRALLING THE 11-2 Illini is no easy task,, however. The 15th. ranked Illinois hoopsters, currently tied for fir- st in the Big Ten with a 3-1 conference mark, are coming off two strong home victories over Minnesota (80-76) and Purdue (87-65), with their only loss at Indiana. The Illini lead the league in offense by a significant margin, and, as Frieder said, "they like to run and put it up. They're not patient. They put it up and go strong on the boards." With forwards like Smith and John- son, and interchangeable centers like 6- 11 defensive specialist Derek "the In- credible Holc" Holcomb (6.7 ppg) and 6-10 James Griffin (9.5 ppg), Illinois _egrainy aes nave the ability co" go strong on the boards." BUT UNTIL ILLINOIS coach Lou Henson snagged freshman guard Derek Harper from the clutches of Michigan recruiters, the Illini had a little trouble running. The 6-4 Harper (8.2 ppg) gives them the quickness they need to im- plement that part of their game and, along with 6-1 junior college transfer Craig Tucker (11.8 ppg) and 6-4 junior Perry Range (7.6 ppg), helps to make up an excellent backcourt trio. "They've been playing extremely well," said Frieder of the visiting Illini. "We're not going to be able to run with them because they're so talented and they're also so very big." MICHIGAN (11-2, 2-2) ILLINOIS (11-2. 3-1) 40--Mike McGee, 6-5 Sr. (22.5) F 42-Mark Smith, 6-8 Sr. (15.2) 45-Thad Garner, 6.7 Jr. (8.9) F 33-Eddie Johnson,6-8 Sr. (17.8) 15-P. Heuerman, 6-8 Sr. (8.2) C 13-James Griffin, 6-10 Jr. (9.5) 34-J. Johnson, 6-4 Sr. (15.0) G 22-Perry Range,6-4 Jr. (7.6) 24-Marty Bodnar, 6.3 Sr. (6.2) G 12-Derek Harper,6-4 Fr. (8.2) GAME TIME: 8:05 p.m., Crisler Arena. Tv/RADIO: WKBD-TV (Channel 50); Radio Stations WWJ-950. WAAM-1600, WPAG-1050, WPAG-1050, WJJX-650, and WUOM-91.7 (FM) EXPECTED CROWD: 13,000 TICKET AVAILABILITY: $5 tickets still on sale. For more information, call the Michigan Athletic Ticket Department at 76440247. THE ILLINI. . . enter tonight's game clinging to a share of the Big'Ten lead. Last year Illinois and Michigan split their series, both teams winning at home. STRENGTHS: Lou Henson's forward combination of Eddie Johnson and Mark Smith is, quite likely, the finest in the country. Michigan's front line must contain the pair of 6-8 seniors. WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent play from the pivot position, and erratic shooting, by Range and Harper (who had an 0-10 afternoon from the field against Indiana a few weekends ago). star Logan flying ike an f the team. As great a player as he is, he's an even greater person. He was the kind of guy who on Friday nights (before games) when you stopped by his room he would be reading the Bible. ' voted to the Pro Bowl two years run- ning and this Sunday will participate in, pro football's most important game of the year (Super Bowl XV) when he lines up-as the Philadelphia Eagles' starting strong-safety. Although Logan is . now among the upper echelon of defensive backs in the NFL, there was a time when he did not stalk opposing receivers. Upon enrolling at Michigan, Logan was a highly-touted tailback, but was moved to the secondary in order to utilize his talents which were not being put to use while he was relegated to the bench behind other more talented backs. As Logan's level of success will at- test, the decision to change his position proved to be a wise one. "He's a tremendous hitter. He was always a 195-200 pound player who was very fast. He really blossomed when we moved him to defensive back. He's deceptively fast and a hard tackler. When he hits you, you're hit," said Schembechler. Following his senior year, Logan was drafted in the third round by Philadelphia, a team whose failures on MUpdate the playing field usually outnumbered its successes. "I was full of joy that I was drafted. When they told me I'd been drafted in the third round, it was -like the first round to me," said Logan. "My main concern wasn't going to a winning or losing team. My main con- cern was just to contribute whatever I could to win or upgrade the program." Under head coach Dick Vermeil's direction the Eagles have progressed from league doormats to the point where a victory over Oakland in the Super Bowl will make them world champions. This possibility in mind, Logan had these thoughts: "I'm just thankful that the Lord allowed me to be here through the lean years, and allowed me to be here when we're at the cream of the crop. It's a great feeling to be in the Super Bowl regardless. But there's a deeper feeling when you've gone through the lean years and didn't get there (the Super Bowl) right away. It's a very humbling feeling and I'm grateful to the Lord." When Philadelphia encounters Oakland, Logan believes that the Eagles' secondary must "play con- sistently and play our best within the realm of the defense and have one of our better games. I'll have to give my best and get the job done. That's all you can do is to give your best. You can't give anything else if you've given your all. If you don't get the job done, you're only satifaction is to know you've given your best." Following the. Super Bowl, Logan will be playing in the Pro Bowl, an honor of which he is fully appreciative. "I'm just thankful the Lord allowed me to stay healthy and play the calibre of ball which mirrored the attention of your peers and coaches which vote for you to play in the Pro Bowl. Once again I'm thankful to the man upstairs. All credit goes to him first," said Logan. As is evident by this comment, Logan is an extremely religious man. Outside of football, some of Logan's-devout ac- tivities include "evangelistic type Eagle work, spreading the Bible and learning more of the Lord's work." In Logan's life, "the Lord's work comes first." Although Logan's talent on the gridiron has given him tremendous satisfaction, football has also been fulfilling, offr the playing field. As a' result o his being a footballdplayer, Logan is looked up to by numerous youths, a fact that gives him an oppor- tunity to work with such individuals. "One of the most satisfying things outside of football is to help kids, to have an opportunity to talk to them and to lead them. This has been one of the most gratifying parts of football," he said. The combination of Randy Logan's athletic prowess and outside activities makes him a credit to the NFL or as Schembechler said, "Randy's the kind of guy you know you can count on ... He's just one of those guys you knew was going to make it. Correction A story on synchronized swimmer Ruth Pickett which appeared in yester- day's Daily incorrectly stated that Pickett had won the Broadrick Award as the nation's most outstanding syn- chronized swimmer. The award is ac- tually entitled the Broderick Award. The Daily regrets the error. IN SCORES MONDAY Baskptball Independent Irradicators 38,8D.A.'s Office 36 Big Dogs 66. Old Gang 18 Superman & Co. 48, ASCE Basketeers 31 Duramaters 38, Wizards 33 M*A*S*H 36, A Bushmen 26 Nationwides60, Late Entry 42 Mad Cats 84. Wham Jammers 27' Fraternity .A, Chi Phi 35, Theta Chi 20 Evans Scholars 29, Kappa Sigma 22 FORMER MICHIGAN GRID standout Randy Logan, shown here on the field where he won his initial stardom, will be among the starting Philadelphia Eagles in this Sunday's Super Bowl.