0 0 0 .10 w 4 Page 18-Thursday, January 7, 1982-The Michigan Daily The Michigan Daily-Thursdc INCOMING FR OSH REPLA CE STARS Will Big Ten be tops again? Underdogs Young 31' team faces tougi I did-it-myself at Megaframes with over 400 frame moldings to choose from. They even cut the glass and matt. It was fun doing and I saved. Come _in and let us show you how simple and rewarding it can be to frame-it yourself and save money. too. 205N. MAIN STREET ."ANN ARBOR, MICH. PHONE 769-9420 By LARRY FREED TV commentators Al McGuire and Billy Packer have hotly debated the topic, college coaches have endlessly discussed the possible answers, and fans from across the country wave their pompons to indicate their preference. After all this hoopla, the answer still remains unclear as to which conference is the best in college basketball. BIG TEN SUPPORTERS have laid claim to the title for the last several seasons citing some impressive creden- tials: three of the last six NCAA cham- pions (Indiana-1976, Michigan State-1979, and Indiana-1981), several final four showings and a non- conference record of 144-44 for the past two seasons. "The Big Ten is a lot like the powers of football," Illinois coach Lou Henson explained. "We're going to be good every year, regardless of what players we lose. I think some of the good teams are overshadowed by some of the great teams-like Indiana." Henson touches on one point that has other conference boosters saying good- bye to Big Ten supremacy-the heavy losses to graduation or hardship, and the youthfulness of the conference. THE CONFERENCE NOT only lost Isiah Thomas early to the pros, but it is also without Mike McGee of Michigan, Jay Vincent of Michigan State, Ohio State's Herb Williams and Claude Gregory of Wisconsin-all of whom finished successful four-year careers. In their place, the Big Ten was rejuvenated with a blue chip crop of freshmen. Among the high school All- Americans who are predicted to make their mark on the Big Ten are 6-10 Michael Payne (Iowa), who was the pre-season choice as conference rookie- of-the-year by the media, Eric Turner (Michigan), Sam Vincent (Michigan State), and John Flowers (Indiana). "It's very difficult for a freshman to come into the Big Ten and play right away," Henson said. IF THE FRESHMEN do not come along as expected, there shouldn't be any tears shed for the Big Ten. Still returning are All-Big Ten performers Clark Kellogg (Ohio State), Kevin Boyle (Iowa), and Kevin Smith (Michigan State). In addition to these individual stalwarts, last season's freshman-of-the-year Russell Cross, Keith Edmondson of Purdue along with Randy Breuer of Minnesota all return. to Big Ten play. If the Big Ten does falter, like many "experts" are predicting, there are several conferences ready to take over the claim. The ACC is usually the other con- ference mentioned with the Big Ten, and this year is no exception. With two teams in the final four last season and the same two (North Carolina and Virginia) predicted to make the trip to New Orleans this year, ACC fans can once again wave their pompons in pride. QUALITY PLAYERS ARE also not in short supply down south. Mr. all- everything Ralph Sampson snubbed the pros and elected for another year at Virginia. North Carolina returns most of its starters from its second place team, which might provide coach Dean Smith with his much sought after national championship. Alvin Rogers (Wake Forest), Horace Wyatt (Clemson), and Vince Taylor of Duke join North Carolina's Sam Perkins and James Worthy in the hunt for All-ACC honors. The Southeastern conference could be considered the sleeper of all the major leagues seekingdominance. With perennial power Kentucky and upstarts like Georgia which features Dominique Wilkins, considered by many scouts to be the best pure talent in college basketball. After Indiana's convincing victory over North Carolina in the NCAA finals, one Big Ten fan, David Fryten of Dubuque, Iowa, sent a letter to every ACC sports editor. "Now that the Big Ten has once again proved it is the No. 1 college basketball conference in the country where it counts-on the court instead of in the stands-why don't you ACC fans sit down and shut up? Children should be seen and not heard." Although Billy and Al have been split up, endless arguments will persist and this year will be no different. 1 1 1 (Amateur and Commercial Photofinishing) HOUR Ektachrome SLIDE Processing On the Hour 10 to 3 Weekdays at 3120 Packard Only Regular Prices! 4 Hour Service at 691 So. Maple and 1315 So. University In by 9 or 1 By JOHN KERR "Ike Person is capable of being a But it's (coaching a youghful team) a Michigan basketball coach Bill good scorer and a good rebounder," he challenge and you look forward to it. Frieder looked out at the writers said. "He's a good kid and he works We're just going to hang in and not gathered for the Wolverines' annual hard." panic, no matter what happens." pre-season basketball press conference There is one area, though, that the MICHIGAN'S inexperience has for- and laid it on the line. "It's going to be a Wolverines are big in; inexperience. ced Frieder to alter the Wolverine style tough season," the second-year mentor The only senior on the team is returning of play. admitted. starter Thad Garner.- At least one "We're going to have to change our What's this? Bill Frieder pessimistic freshman, guard Eric Turner, has ear- defenses up, try to run whenever we about Michigan's basketball season? ned a starting spot for the Big Ten can and try to catch the other teams off Aren't coaches supposed to spout off campaign, while another, Leslie guard," he said. "We do have some pre-season cliches about their teams Rockymore, is a possible starter. quickness, and if we can rebound we'll like "We're much improved over last Two other freshmen, 6-3 Greg be able to fastbreak and utilize this year (a favorite at Northwestern)," or Washington and 6-8 Willis Carter will quickness." "We think that we can contend this see playing time, while sophomore Indeed, frosh guard Turner gives the season"? Dean Hopson was an early-season star- Wolverines soemthing they haven't had Not Bill Frieder. Unlike many coaches, Frieder knows that it is no use trying to portray his team as something it isn't. But don't call him a pessimist. Realist is more like it. With only one starter back from last year's 19-11 season, two returning players out with injuries and one retur- ning player possibly no longer on the team (M.C. Burton), only a fool would paint a rosy picture for the tough Big Ten season. Frieder is no fool. "It's stupid to say we can win the Big Ten," said the coach, "But it isn't stupid to say we can have a good season. "Our goal is to get into a post-season tournament which will take a middle- of-the-pack Big Ten finish." However, even that seemingly average goal could be out of reach for this year's edition of 'the Michigan basketball team. A lack of height and experience could be too much to over- come. After last season, it did not appear that height would trouble the Wolverines this year. After all, they had 6-11 sophomore Tim McCormick and 7-2 sophomore Jon Antonides. The only problems their height could cause would be to low flying planes. But two knee operations last summer' for Mc- Cormick and a groin injury early in the season to Antonides raised the possibility that neither will see much, if any, action in the Big Ten season. Frieder never went so far as to pencil Antonides at the starting center spot, but the seven-footer's height would have allowed the Wolverines more flexibility at that position. "We had two seven-footers and we ter at the forward position opposite since the days of Ricky Green; a quick, were counting on both," lamented Garner. Junior Joe James, the player penetrating guard. Turner, the recruit Frieder after Antonides was hurt with the most experience other-than who was supposed to save the Michigan before Michigan's opening game, an 83- Garner, will battle, Rockymore for a basketbakk program, has held his own 72 loss to Arkansas. "Now we have to go starting guard spot. in the pre-conference season, but with Ike (Person), with no real backup The rest of the team, junior Leo Frieder knows that Turner has work to to him." Brown, and sophomores Dan do if he wants to have a successful Big Now it is up to Person, a 6-7 junior, to Pelekoudas and Dave Hall, have not Ten campaign. battle the tough centers of the Big Ten. seen much playing time in the past, but "HE'S GOT THINGS to learn defen- Person saw only limited action his they may have to get into the action this sively" Frieder said. "He's got a lot of previous two years at Michigan, but got year. improvement to do if he's going to a good indication of what he would be Coaching a team that is so young is make it (in the Big Ten)." up against when he guarded Arkansas' not the most desirable experience But Turner's ability to penetrate op- 6-10 Scott Hastings. Hastings came known to a Big Ten coach, as Frieder posing defenses and dish out passes can away with 24 points and 10 rebounds. will tell you. only help toease the worries that Can Pierson, at 6-7, become a steady "YOU'D RATHER have a veteran Frieder has on another aspect of the rebounder in the Big Ten? team," he admitted. "They know what Michigan cagers-whether or not Gar- "We've got some definite problems to expect and know the system. Last ner can pick up the scoring slack left by there, no question," Frieder said. And year, we had veteran players who had the graduation of four senior starters. indeed he's right. For Person to com- been through it before and knew what it With the departure of Mike McGee, pete on the boards with the likes of 7-3 took to win and never got blown out. Garner is the natural choice to become Randy Bueuer of Minnesota and 6-11 "This is a younger team ... You have the top scorer on the Wolverines. Tur- Russell Cross of Purdue will take more a guy like Ike Person who hasn't played ners ability to get the ball to the front than an incredible effort. But Frieder much, and he has. to guard guys like line should aid Garner. feels that Rerson has the qualities fo Russell Cross and Randy Beruer, .it "I'm hoping he (Garner) gets a few provehims finthe coaference- presert aproblem;. . more baskts this yar, Frieder said. "He sh< the liner ONE destine( Michiga regular he cam shots a shot 671 senior y 28.5 po perhaps nation, high sci Speal race fo vq team ba Minnes "I'm, becaus( pionshil players a grea going t nesota had a 1 conside Ah, t periencw confere major k road. M fort the next ye have 'g Frieder "We' players coach. season. It cou A Lan donAP Photo Indiana, the Big Ten, and basketball followers all over the country will miss Landon Turner this year. The 6-10 former Hoosier center, who helped take his team to the 1981 Big Ten and National Championships, was to play a pivotal role in Indiana's success this year, but suffered spinal injuries in a tragic car accident last July which paralyzed him from the -eck down.. As they're saying in-Indiana, "This year-is for you, Landon Turner." mm. - - ..........u- I I', ~