0 * 0 Page 16-Thursday, January 7, 1982--The Michigan Daily Big en: 1. Minnesota' Call them the "Old Men of the Big Ten." Indeed, with the six-man recruiting class of 1978--generally regarded as the best class in the nation that year-now seniors, the Golden Gophers of Mm- nesota truly are the elder statesmen of the Big Ten. EVERYBODY RETURNS from last year's 19-11 squad which advanced to the quarter-finals of the NIT, with the exception of rservte fITwardBen Coleman, who transferred to another school. Remaining intact is the entire star- ting unit, with 6-4 senior Darryl Mit- chell (8.9 pg) and 6-2 senior Mark Hall (14.5 pp), who is academically ineligible until the winter term begins 0 9 0 0 op hers tough . "Right now I couldn't give you a star- ting five until after we have played 10 or 12 games," Knight explains. Knight's theory of using the pre- season as a device for choosing a com- patible five was proven successful last season. During a rugged non- conference season the Hoosiers took their lumps with a 7-5 mark, but even- tually went on to claim the title. -LARRY FREED 4. Purdue. The Purdue Boilermakers, led by second-year coach Gene Keady, return three starters and seven lettermen from last season's 21-11 squad which finished fourth in the Big Ten and third in the NIT. The status of one of the top returning starters is questionable, however. Sophomore Russell Cross, who averaged 16.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last year and was the Big Ten Rookie of the Year, has experienced tenderness and swelling in his knee, and may need surgery. Cross' injury has caused Keady to become justifiably cautious when assessing the Purdue season. "IT'S (THE SEASON) on hold because of Russell's status," he said, "and we've moved people around to dif- ferent positions." Keady isn't kidding when he says he has moved people around. All three returning regulars will be playing at a different position than the one they started at last year. Keith Edmonson, a 6-5 starting for- ward last year, will play at the guard position. Edmonson was Purdue's leading scorer last season (17.3 ppg) but found himself at a height disadvan- tage when trying to defend other Big Ten forwards. 5. Illinois 0 Breuer ... 7-3 Gopher in January, manning the guard positions. Co-captains Gary Holmes (8.2 ppg), a 6-10 senior and Trent Tucker (14.8 ppg), a 6-5 senior from Flint, will once again hold down the forward positions. Junior center Randy Breuer, now 7-3 after growing another inch in the offseason, is the only underclassman in the star- ting lineup and he returns as both the Gophers' leading scorer and rebounder with 15.2 and 5.5 averages per game respectively. Top reserves for Minnesota include 6- 7 junior forward Zebedee Howell, 6-10 sophomore forward Jim Petersen 6-6 senior forward Andy Thompson (brother of former Gopher great Michael), and 6-9 senior forward John Wiley. If the Gophers can take advantage of their tremendous size and wealth of ex- ... Iowa floor leader Olson, "as good an all-around player as there. is in college." Arnold was an honorable mention all-Big Ten choice last year, while averaging 11.7 points per contest. OTHER RETURNING PLAYERS who should contribute are guards Steve Carfino, and Bob Hansen along with forward Mark Gannon. Iowa's other returning players are forwards Craig Anderson and Jon Dar- see, and guard Waymond King. Despite the return of eight lettermen, the Hawkeyes' success this year could depend on a trio of newcomers. The starting center for the Hawkeyes this year will be prep All-American Michael Payne who stands at 6-11 and 205 poun- ds. "PAYNE IS A good one, but he's a forward playing center and staying alive is his goal this year," said Olson. The other two additions to the Iowa squad that Olson expects to contribute right away are 6-10 freshman Greg Stokes and 6-9 junior college transfer Jerry Dennard. "We really need for Stokes or Den- nard to come through, for us to be anywhere near what people think we can do," said Olson. -RON POLLACK Like Michigan, Illinois has quickness but rebounding remains the big question for coach Lou Henson's squad. As Henson noted, "it's pretty hard to get your break going without the basketball." IF THE ILLINI do get their reboun- ds, their opponents could be in for a tiring game. With a three-guard offense of Perry Range, Craig Tucker and Derek Harper, Henson finds himself with perhaps the most speed in the con- ference. But after the loss to graduation of all- time leading scorers Eddie Johnson and Mark Smith, Illinois' Achilles heel could be its frontline and depth. "Depthwise we're very weak," Hen- son said. "We're not counting on the freshmen right now . . . they're still playing like freshmen." 4 .. Tucker ..Illini have the guards IF THE FRESHMEN don't develop, considerable pressure will be placed on 6-10 center James Griffin and 6-10 power forward Bryan Leonard. Freshman George Montgomery will be called on to supply some added muscle up front for Illinois, however. Others off the bench include 6-2 Kevin Bontemps, 5-11 Quinn Richardson, 6-7 Jay Daniels, and 6-7 Dan Klier. Coming off a solid 21-8 year and an NCAA berth, Henson is anxious for this season. "On any given night we could beat anybody, if we get our defense going we'll do well," said the coach. Range shared in his coach's op- timism: "I definitely think we'll be a surprise team." -LARRY FREED 6. Michigan State Michigan State returns only two star- ters from last year's squad, whichi finished eighth in the conference 7-11, 13-14 overall), but Coach Jud Heath- "cote has successfully recruited five blue-chip recruits to pick up the slack. Headlining the returnees is 6-2 senior guard Kevin Smith, a playmaker who notched 13.5 points and 130 assists last season to earn him a spot on the all-Big Ten second team. He is joined by fellow returning starter Ben Tower, a 6-8 sophomore who was named the Spar- tans' 1980-81 "most improved player." 6-2 high school All-American guard Sam Vincent, brother of Dallas Mavericxs' Jay,~ leads the newcomers, whose ranks include a seven-foot sophomore transfer, Kevin Willis. "We could be a darkhorse contender for tihe Big Ten titM," said:' Heathcote . "We could. veryelwl « e as, taented as x34.10 , .x . NATIONAL PREVIEW Title is in the Cards By BOB WOJNOWSKI Hoyas, Hawkeyes and Shockers across the land are singing the praises of tremendous freshmen crops, but look for a couple of old stalwarts to crash their NCAA basketball championship parties. Two years ago, the Cinderella rise of a young UCLA team was cut short in the NCAA championship game by a Louisville squad led by veteran Darrell Griffith. This season, the Cardinals return all five starters from last year's 21-9 team which won 15 straight games before losing to Arkansas in the NCAA Midwest semi-finals. Which bodes well for Louisville coach Denny Crum and his band of slam-dunking demons, but means only a bad case of - deja vu for the UCLA Bruins and their rookie head coach Larry Farmer. The Cardinals and Bruins are arguably the most talented teams in the nation this year, which never necessarily guarantees anything;but certainly increases the likelihood of a rematch of the 1980 NCAA finale. The cagey coaching of the Cardinals' Crum should be the boost that puts Louisville over the top. UCLA is hampered by a bothersome investigation by the NCAA into alleged recruiting improprieties, and by the umpteenth rookie head coach trying to fill the shoes of the legendary John Wooden. Louisville is led by senior guard Jerry Eaves, whose experience and ball-handling expertise should nicely balance the rambunctious front line of 6-8 Wiley Brown, 6-6 Derek Smith, and 6-7 Rodney McCray. Add to this fear- some foursome, returning starting guard Lancaster Gordon, top reserve Scooter McCray, brother of Rodney, and two superb freshmen in 6-7 forward Manuel Forrest and 6-5 guard Milt Wagner, and what you have is a basket- ball team with sheer talent unequalled by anyone, except possibly the Bruins " of UCLA. UCLA is led by potential All-American guard Rod Foster and probably the deepest front line in the country. The Bruins will be starting 7-foot freshman Stuart Gray at center, which enables 6-7 sophomore Kenny Fields to move to power forward. Fields will split time at the one for- ward slot with 6-7 junior Cliff Pruitt, while the other front court position will be manned by 6-6 senior Mike Sanders, the Bruins' leading scorer of a year ago with a 15.4 ppg average. In addition, the Bruins have 6-7 junior swingman Darren Daye and 6-3 junior guard Michael Holton. WOJ'S WAGERS 1. Louisville 2. UCLA 3. Kentucky 4. North Carolina 5. Wichita State 6. Georgetown 7. Iowa 8. Georgia 9. Alabama-Birmingham 10. Minnesota The Michigan Daily-Thursday g SPA CE GRM HER DOURRAT FOUR F RE E TOK 1 with $1.00 purc 1 Now you know FOCUS presents the be condition in town. Techn ician on duty eve 1 On the cornerof S. State S ' one coupon per customer pr Coupon Gooddunwil January 1 This coupon cannot be use ih ter coup -~ m m m m mm m m - VNKES S I4 I- RST(RGT\T WR A *i hrti On those occasions that call for gre great deal of it, we urge you to consid in the Tavern at The Great Lake Choose from a broad selectio appe tizers, snacks, & sandwiches And while you're in the Tavem, we e -advantage of our happy hour prices 50% off all cocktals, beer house w the week& from 10-midnight every e Amerie m EPres "- merCard 2. Indiana ---- ---- -"~After last season's NCAA champion- perience, they could very definitely be sht earod sthA A dyaspyons the team to beat in the upcoming cam- ip it appeared that a dynasty was paign. cropping up in Bloomington. But the -BOB WOJNOWSKI loss of Isiah Thomas to the Detroit Pistons and Landon Turner's unfor- tunate car accident has forced Bobby 2 Io w a Knight to regroup his Hoosiers. Indiana's main strength lies in its Although the Iowa Hawkeyes backcourt combination of Randy Wit- graduated their entire front line from tman and Jim Thomas. Wittman is last season's '21-7 squad, condolences regarded by many as the premier have not been pouring into Iowa City for perimeter shooter in the conference. head coach Lute Olson. Thomas, meanwhile, surprised many Despite the loss of Vince Brookins, with his solid play in last season's Steve Krafoisin and Steve Waite, the NCAA tournament.. Hawkeyes return enough talent to WHILE THE backcourt is set, there challenge for the Big Ten title. Six of are still some question marks up front. Iowa's top nine players return in- 6-8 forwards Ted Kitchel and Steve cluding first-team AP and UPI Bouchie appear to be the favorites for swingman Kevin Boyle and guard Ken- the frontcourt while freshmen John ny Arnold. Boyle averaged 10:'=poiht "Flowe s (6-10}4dn4Uwe Blab (7-2)',will pr° aoe i yl &Ald is,'a'c ri ct t iteiid for the postposition. Cross ... powerful sophomore IF CROSS' KNEE heals, Keady will move him from the post position to the strong forward spot. Keady said that he' changed Cross' position so the 6-10 sophomore "would have more freedom for rebounding and doesn't get the hell beat out of him on offense." If Cross' knee needs surgery 6-7 sophomore Glen Eifert will be the power forward. Mike Scearce, the third starter to change positions, will switch from the strong forward, where he averaged 7.1 points and 5.4 rebounds a contest last year to the small forward spot. Keady, will go with the relatively. inexperienced Ted Benson at center. Benson, a 6-10 junior, saw only limited action last season. Playing opposite Edmonson at guard will be senior Kevin Stallings, a back- up for the Boilermakers last year. -JOHN KERR Should the Cardinals or Bruins falter, there will be plenty of talented teams ready to step in. Not the least of which is Louisville's cross-state rival, the Kentucky Wildcats, Kentucky is led by 7-1 junior center Sam Bowie, who will be out of action until late December with a fractured tibia. Bowie will be ably replaced by 6- 11 sophomore Melvin Turpin, who will be adequately supported by a pair of 6-6 junior forwards in Derrick Hord and Charles Hurt. The guards are superb; 6-3 junior Dirk Minniefield and 6-3 sophomore Jim Master. When previewing the nation's top college basketball teams, one can never discount Dean Smith's North Carolina Tar Heels, and this year is no exception. Smith's squad is loaded, but with only one senior in the starting lineup it appears that the Tar Heels are a year away from winning it all. That lone senior is 6-3 guard Jimmy Black, expected to be the Heels' floor leader this season. Black will be directing an offense that features 6-9 sophomore Sam Perkins at center, and 6-7 sophomore Matt Doherty and 6-9 junior James Worthy at the forward positions. Wichita State's Shockers have-added 7-1 freshman Greg Dreiling to an already devastating front court that includes f-8 junior Cliff Levingston and 6-9 junior Antoine Carr, but the Shockers appear headed for an NCAA probation which could dampen an otherwise bright season. The Hoyas of Georgetown got three All-American freshmen, not the least of which is the man everybody wanted, 7-foot center Patrick Ewing. Ewing alone would have made coach John Thompson's recruiting season a successful one, but he went out and added 6-7 Anthony Jones and William Martin. The Hoyas also'return their leading scorer from last season. senior guard Eric "Sleepy" Floyd. The Hawkeyes also had a tremendous recruiting year, grabbing the top high school player in each of three states: 6-11 Michael Payne of Illinois, 6-10 Greg Stokes from Ohio, and 6-2 Todd Berkenpas of Iowa. The Hawkeyes also return their fine guard combination of seniors Kevin Bbyle and Kenny Ar- nold. If you've made it this far and still haven't found a team you like, try these three sleepers on for size: Georgia-led by sensational 6-7 forward Dominique Wilkins, who might have been the first player taken in the NBA draft last year had he opted for the pros. Alabama-Birmingham-which returns four starters from last year's team which beat Kentucky, 69-62, in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Minnesota-whose starting five consists of four seniors, and whose fron- tline averages 6-11., And if you're the betting type, the smart money is avoiding the following teams like the plague: Virginia-led by 7-4 center Ralph Sampson and little else. Notre Dame-always long on heart but short on talent this season. Arkansas-6-10 center Scott Hastings is not as good as the Razorbacks think he is.. Sandwiches COLD Roast Beef Turkey Corned Beef Turkey & Corned Beef Ham & Swiss HOT C"-Burger Barbequed Beef $3.65 to $4.60 Snacks Cheese & Crackers Vegetable Platter Crab Louis Meat & Cheese Tray Nacho Supreme Smoked Fish Sampler $1.75 to 54.20 ( I 3965 South State Road, at E , .: $ ' 1 , 1. w -, !P " !". -, - I -, - - '- - ., . - I - - - - - - - - ....