a SPORTS Page 8 Thursday; January 7, 1982 The Michigan Daily t ,k.} M, WISCONSIN CLASH IN BIG TEN OPENER Michigan's eight-game statistics* 'Basement Battle' begins By JOHN KERR Although tonight's Michigan- Wisconsin basketball game at Crisler Arena will probably have as much ef- fect on the Big Ten title fight as Eastern Michigan will, it could still Orove to be an exciting contest. Despite the, fact that the loser of the Wolverine-Badger game is a good bet to finish last in the conference, they are probably two of the most evenly-mat- ched squads in the Big Ten. Both are young, relatively small and have struggled through the non-conference portions of their schedules, Michigan with a 1-7 mark and Wisconsin with a 3- 5 record. WITH THE Michigan roster un- dergoing as many changes as a chameleon, the Wolverines are for- tunate that they get to open the tough Big Ten season against Wisconsin.' Michigan has recently been depleted by the losses of Joe James, who quit the team, and the injured Greg Washington. Michigan coach Bill Frieder added freshman Gerard Rudy, a 6-5 guard-forward, to the squad to compensate for the personnel losses. That still leaves Michigan with only eight scholarship players. Frieder isn't overly worried, however. "We've got ten good players out there now so we are in good shape and really dedicated and enthusiastic," Frieder said. "Our problems are not the num- ber of players." Indeed, Michigan's main problem has been a lack of height. And although Wisconsin is also relatively small, they do have 6-11 freshman-forward, Brad Sellers. Sellers has pulled down 70 rebounds so far this season, while Michigan's best rebounder, Thad Gar- ner has only grabbed 61. The reboun- ding of Sellers, who is also averaging 13 points a game, was not expected by Wisconsin coach Bill Cofield. "BRAD SELLERS has been a sur- prise on the rebounding end," the Badger coach said. "I thought that he had excellent offensive skills and a very good touch, but the big question I had was rebounding." Sellers is one of three freshmen who start for the Badgers. The other two, forward Cory Blackwell and guard Carl PLAYER Turner .................... Garner .................... Rockymore................ Hopson d.s................. Person .................... James..................... Pelekoudas ............. Carter.................. Hall..................... Washington............ Brown ................. Michigan .................. Opponents ................ 8-8 8-8 8-4 8-5 8-8 7-4 8.4 8-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 8 44-97 40-92 32.60 28-52 2661 23-50 13-24 13-29 1-3 0-2 0-0 220-470 202-406 460 434 533' 539 426 460 542 438 333 000 000 469 497 18-38 15-22 5-8 8-18 10.18 8-11 7-8 2-3 0- 0-0 0-0 73-126 131-185 477 682 625 444 555 727 875 667 000 000 000 579 708 16-2.0 61-7.6 19-2.7 43-5.4 44-5.5 17-2.4 10-1.3 13-1.6 2-0.7 2-0.7 1-0.5 259-32.4 266-33.3 106 95 69 64 62 54 33 28 2 0 0 513 530 G-S FG-FGA PCT FT-FTA PCT REB-AVG PTS AVG A 13.3 11.9 8.6 8.0 7.7 7.7 4.0 3.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 64.1 66.2 35 s 5 5 7 25 1. 0. 0 0 91* 102 I don't like opening on the road. But if I have to open on the road, I'd prefer to open on the road at Michigan this year. - Wisconsin Coach Bill Cofield 8 202-406 497 131.185 Big Ten Standings Non-conference W Minnesota ......................8 Iowa ...... ..................8 Ohio St ..................9 Illinois .........................7 Indiana....... .............6 Michigan St ...............,....5 Northwestern .................4 L 1 1 3 2 3 5 4 Wisconsin ....................3 Purdue ........................3 MICHIGAN .................1' Tonight's Games Illinois at Northwestern Indiana at Michigan State Minnesota at Ohio State Purdue at Iowa Wisconsin at MICHIGAN 0 LINEUPS, MICHIGAN (1-7) WISCONSIN (3-5) (23) Dean Hopson (6-7) ..... F ..... (6-11) Brad Sellers (32) (45) Thad Garner (6-7) ...... F ... (6-6) Cory Blackwell (30) (52) Ike Person (6-1) ........ C .... (6-9) Keith Mitchell (41) (2 ) Eric Turner (6-3)...... G ....... (6-3) John Bailey (12) (32) Dan Pelekoudas (6-1) .. G ...... (5-9) Carl Golston (11) GAME TIME & SITE: 8:05 p.m., Crisler Arena. RADIO: WAAM-AM 1600, WWJ-.AM 95, WCBN-FM 89.3, WUOM-FM 91.7. r i i Golston, are averaging 14.3 and 12.9 points per game respectively. Yet although these freshman have perfor- med well so far this season, Cofield is wary that the Big Ten could be quite a surprise to them. "I'm certain that they're (the fresh- men) in for a shock," he said. "There's nothing like playing a Big Ten game and nothing like playing a Big Ten game on the road. It's an experience that will teach them a great deal. "I DON'T LIKE opening on the road. But if I have to open on the road I think I'd prefer to open on the road against Michigan this year." Who wouldn't like to open against Michigan this season? Michigan's record is so bad that if it loses tonight, it will be off to the worst start in Michigan basketball history. However, the Wolverines showed steady im- provement at the Winston Tire Holiday Classic in Los Angeles. Michigan played then 19th ranked Alabama- Birminham on even terms before falling 73-72. Michigan, though, will also put a young lineup on the floor. Freshman guard Eric Turner, who leads the Wolverines in scoring with 13.3 points a game, will be playing in his first Big Ten game, while three of Michigan's other starters, center Ike Person, for- ward Dean Hopson, and guard Dan Pelekoudas have seen only a small amount of Big Ten action. Michigan captain Garner will be the only player for the Wolverines with .considerable Big Ten experience. The first Big Ten game of the year is always an important one, especially for two teams that aren't expected to do much. A win for either would be a huge morale and confidence boost. And Cofield knows that is exactly what the Wolverines are looking for. STUDENTS: HOW TO GET THE BEST APARTMENT DEAL IN TOWN! ($96.50/month*- that's cheaper than a dorm!) 1. 2. 3. Find a student friend. Go to Windover. See the spacious one bedroom units with loads of closet space. 4. Tell this person about the free racquet club membership, clubhouse, pool, lake, laundry room in each building and that it's on the city bus line. 5. Save up to $400 (the heat's free). 6.. Sign up. 7. Congratulate yourselves. You've found the best apartment deal in town! *Rent is $193/month.-Split it, and that's only $96.50/month. Extended through January 15' Only during Windover's /3 off, one bedroom apartment sale. Hurry. Windover Apartments. 3089 Woodland Hills Dr. 971-2132 College ID required. New residents only. 9 'f . . .................................... .. ";.;rv: vU:"F"i:.'{.t} '"v.fi}' .;{.v r v:.- tv .5'::.: :. t "..."+.: ":. r. r ?:"tit ?? tv""{+"" \::+"}:+3:SStir ;.}:y3"{:.vw-v.vw. .. ... .......r .+ .. ... ... ... .. ....: ...... ......"Y"....t..-}...... r....r .n..n .. v ........: .. ... .. ...............................................................................:::::.v::.. ::::".w:::.vx::::: i;::} h:S:vv v. t M, ". h.r. {. St. ..$. ".. .;. r... .. ..... ..n. ...}.. A... }..r f... f .. r.. n..m.v...... ... { .' rr;;..,, a. p ray ..... . . . r ... .. .......... .. . .......... . :.... . ........ ............................ ...................................... ............... ............. . ...f ......::..}::":r:"}}:-::":{{">}:":};:{.}:.,.. t. .'"OT h.. n '{+ f. n. qqyx{ ,. . n""J:rr.....xt}i.. .3fii...{ ..ti+... n, h ....... .. r.. ......3n ... .... t. .... r .....3:{: .h..W.t.}' ...... h....t r r:...t..ry:tt.....".r . :.....{ .. ......".-....... ... n..... r....:...x..:...t.. r:...;..r .. ~ ................:......... r. ":: {w.v;::::.:::".v:::::::.v::......... n.. :..... ... ..:n.. r....:. R.:.n..v ::::..,:} :::. ::.t.x .......':... :. ..} ... ... ..t... ...t..{... .. ... :v}':$}$'}C i'""'it. :. :.. ' ....+.x,..........:..2:..:n..n..nvx:vn:.:.::.::.n.:n.:.t:":$:.vr..........:....... r.:".v;.v: :v?::~x::::::::::.v:: n":. :.::::: fi::.vv.;; ":::.v::::".:$::<'-?:?i}}: y .C"}:Y-:vn::t:}:L}i}}:{.}Yv}i}:4}}}}?'"i:3:"}:"} :.... ...... .. v.:""r:f ( full court PRESS p By RON POLLACK WUITH A MINUTE to play in its December 21 game against Louisiana Tech, Michigan trailed by one point and was working for the final shot of the game. Under such circumstances, a team normally tries to have its star take the game deciding shot. In recent years, stalwarts such as Mike McGee, Phil Hubbard and Rickey r Green have filled such a role. But going into the Louisiana Tech game, the Wolverines had no such star. This lack provided a dilemma for Michigan in its attempt to decide who should take the last shot against Louisiana Tech. Junior Joe James, who has since quit the team, eventually took the final jumper,'but one got the feeling that Frieder would have given an arm and a leg to borrow McGee, Hubbard or Green from their respective NBA teams for just this one play. You see, James is not the world's most consistent player. One minute, his shot looks like it will singe the net. It can be that deadly. But the next minute his jumper looks like it will dent the backboard or rim. This time the net and backboard were spared, as his shot collided with the rim before falling har- miessly to the ground. 1 The fact that James took the potentially game-winning shot said a lot about the Michigan starting five's ability to take charge in a vital part of a game. Apparently there was no Wolverine starter either willing or talented enough to take charge of such a pressure situation at that point in the season. ;Otherwise, why would James be the one to take this shot? After all, he didn't start in this game, and he received a "whopping" total of six minutes playing time in Michigan's next two games at the Winston Tire Holiday Classic. His limited playing time was due to his inconsistency and inability to play up to his ptential. This negative -situation was rectified against USC and Alabama- Birmingham in the Winston Tire Holiday Classic in Los Angeles. Freshman point guard Eric Turner saw to that. Throughout most of the non-conference schedule, Frieder had stressed that Turner must take more control and charge of games. Turner finally did so in California, and the Wolverines responded with their best two games of the young season. Turner led Michigan in scoring both games, with 17 against USC and 20 in The wrong cager shoots ... .. .But the woe is cured the Alabama-Birmingham contest. But more importantly than the fact that he was scoring, was the way in which he was lighting up the scoreboard. The 6-3 freshman was looking for the ball and the shot. He was firing away from outside with tremendous confidence and success, thus complementing his slick passing. He was, in fact, taking control of these games and Michigan was a better team for it. "I knew that I had to be in charge," said Turner at tournament's end. "But I'm just starting to understand my role. I have to shoot more, which will also open up other people to'score." Turner's improved take-charge capability leaves only one major flaw in his game-his free throw shooting. Thus far this year, Turner has been about as accurate from the charity stripe as a first-time duck hunter is in a thick fog. He has only connected on 18 of 38 (.468) free throws. "I think the problem is in my concentration," said Turner of his free throw shooting. "When you're on the line and you're tired, if you don't concentrate fully, you'll miss. I can only blame myself for that." He need not blame him- self too harshly, though. Despite one for six foul shooting, he was voted to the All-Tournament Team. "The Big Ten's teams are awesome," said Frieder. "Tjere isn't a team we've played who will be as big or balanced as our conference's teams." Thus, the future does not look bright for the Wolverines. Having gone 1-7 in> what seems to have been the easy part of its schedule, Michigan would seem to be in, well over its head in its rugged conference. Nonetheless, the Wolverine players think they may surprise a few opponents in Big Ten play. "Teams will take us lightly, and that will be to our advantage," said team captain Thad Garner. Dean Hopson, meanwhile, came up with a unique theory for how the Wolverines can turn their fortunes around. "We knew we were going to have some bad times, but we'll get it all together. After winter break, we'll sur- prise some teams. We just need some home cooking in our bellies." It's not a standard cure for losing, but at 1-7 Michigan isn't in a position to overlook any possibilities. 0 4 ::.. viJ4}? "v .;.::::v"fi: kv:::::::ii:::v. {::;}fi4" :. f::tivvv:<:.s: }::ti}'v: iY:ti:?}::i: is i?:.i:i:;:;: ;.....ii:ij;:: :::::::i:j"_: .v45 won=" I, -I- z. ftairn't . - - ay. S I Where alumni keep up with the University. WANTED forMajor Events CONCERTS 0 4- C, ,; ... but it's easier at Ulrich's. Ulrich's really tries to make book rush less of a hassle. They have people who'll find your books for you. They'll buy your old books. They keep a full stock of all the other supplies you need. And you won't go broke in exchange for the convenience, either. Why not try Ulrich's this year? It could be easier for you. .Mj