SPORTS The Michigan Daily Friday, December 10. 1982 Page 16 Friendly forward flourishes far from Florida i By JOHN KERR When you're 6-6 and weigh 230 poun- ds, it's easy to scare people off, even when you don't intend to do so. But Richard Rellford, who just hap- pens to fit the above dimensions, has developed a sure-fire way to avoid in- timidating people with his massive frame-he smiles. All the time. "I DON'T want anyone to think I'm mean," Rellford said with a grin on his face. It's safe to say that Rellford, a freshman forward on the Michigan basketball team, has accomplished his objective. Anyone who has come into contact with him (except perhaps op- posing forwards) would be hard pressed to describe him as mean. And it isn't just the smile that does it. From his relaxed, out-going manner, to the fact that he really enjoys talking with people, Rellford's whole per- sonality exudes friendliness. "I try to keep that kind of attitude because you see a lot of people around and they are always frowning," he said. "You lose a lot of friends like that." IT'S THAT type of demeanor that has allowed Rellford, who is from Riviera Beach, Fla., to adjust easily to life at the University of Michigan. For many first-year students, being over 2,000 miles from home for months at a time can be a trying experience. But Rellford, who has been in Ann Arbor since this summer when he came to play in a summer basketball league, hasn't had much of a problem. "I'm really enjoying myself," he said. "I know a lot of people, and I'm not worried about being homesick. During the summer I was homesick when I first got here, but about two weeks later I was okay." But what made Rellford, an All- American in high school who could have gone to any college he wanted, decide to leave his family, friends, and the Florida sun and come to drab, cold Michigan? Because he graduated from the same high school as Wolverine foot- ball All-American Anthony Carter, many Michigan basketball followers assume that Carter played a big part in his time in the winter, Rellford may not be able to go snowmobiling. Even though Frieder is counting on him to start at forward and he is averaging 9.6 points a game, he still must improve greatly, especially on defense, if he is to do well in the Big Ten. Rellford's relaxed manner can sometimes be detrimental in a game, like basketball, that requires such intensity. In fact, at the beginning of the year Frieder said that Rellford's big problem was he had "to learn to work harder." But the freshman forward realizes that the coach was right and is working to im- prove himself. "In the pre-season I was coming in and going through all the motions," he said. "But then I found out something: I had to really play and not just liven my name. I had to play the wqy (Frieder) wanted me to play and I h to do the things that I knew how to 6 Eventually, I started getting into shape and I started playing defense add everything started coming to me," te continued. "That's when I started o feel good. right now my whole gamexis just now coming back to me." Now that's scary. -fr Welcomes the WOLVERINES to California If you are coming to the Rose Bowl I "Right now my whole game is just coming back to me." -Richard Rellford 3ikeebian dip ByLARRYFREED 1 let Los Angeles Night Life Magazine be your evening guide to over 300 night spots in Los Angeles For just $2.50 which includes your return postage, all the evening entertainment in Los Angeles will be at your finger tips. Send to: P. O. Box 43A109 .os Angeles. CA 90043 (Please print) Rellford ... all smiles "HAPPY HOIDAYS" Hairstyles for Men and Women DASCOLA STYLISTS Liberty off State ........669-9329 East U. at South U........662-0354 Arborland.............971-9975 Maple Village ..........761-2733 Name 4 Address City State Zip Total amount enclosed $ Rellford's choice of a college. The talkative forward says, however, that Anthony only influenced him "a little bit. "HE (CARTER) never said to me 'Richard, you might want to come here to U of M because it's a great school,' " Rellford recalled. "He never said that. All he said was 'If you go (to Michigan) you'll enjoy yourself.' " In the end, along with Wolverine coach Bill Frieder's recruiting ability, it was the appeal of a different setting that got Rellford to Ann Arbor. "It's a different atmosphere entirely because you have three seasons here," he said, "where at home you have only one - sun, and that's all the time." ONE OF THE drawbacks of heading north to go to school, though, is that Rellford can't enjoy one of his favorite hobbies, fishing, in the winter. However, the Michigan winters will allow him to do something he never could do in Florida - go snowmobiling. "I never did it and you see it on television and it looks like fun," he said. But with basketball taking up most of About the only thing that isn't in it is the theme music! A It debuted on October 2, 1959 and over the next five years and 156 episodes, it charted a territory all its own filled with magic, horror, and wonder. Now, submitted for your ap- proval, is THE TWILIGHT ZONE COM- PANION. Profusely illustrated with over 200 photos, this definitive vol- ume combines evocative synopses of each episode with cast and credit listings, incisive commentary and colorful behind-the-scenes recollec- tions. $9.95 wherever books are sold or order directly from the pub- lisher byincluding $1.25 for postage and handling. A BAINTAMt TRADE PAPERBACK. BANTAM BOOKS, INC., Dept. DR-18, 666 Fifth Avenue,rNew York 10103 d T he streak builds . . . .. .so does cagers confidence YOU CAN SENSE it during the games. You can sense it in the locker room. You can sense it in the post-game press conferences. You can even sense it in the practices. An aura of confidence is beginning to sweep through the Michigan basket- ball team, which is no small accomplishment when you are coning off a 7-20 season. But that is exactly what five straight victories will do for a young team. Never mind the Wolverines registered those triumphs against the likes of Akron, Central Michigan, Northern Michigan, and Cleveland State. Thur- sday night's 95-72 drubbing over the Vikings was a prime example of the ad- vantages of a light non-conference schedule. Michigan coach Bill Frieder was able to give time to his top ten players, while experimenting with different strategies. This scenario has been much the same throughout the infant season. And add the decisive win over highly- regarded Kansas to the other four victories and even Frieder, the eternal pessimist, has reason to smile. "Hey Ike," chided the happy coach, following the Cleveland State thrashing. "When did we win our fifth game last season?" "I don't know," replied the smiling Person, one of the survivors from last season. "Late February Ike," laughed Frieder, who evened his career mark at 31- 31. Freshmen start to shine Perhaps nobody typifies this carefree, newly-found Michigan confidence more than Freshman Richard Rellford. The personable 6-6 Floridian ap- pears self-assured on the court, leading fast breaks, diving for loose balls and playing aggressive defense. Even when some of his on-the-court acrobatics go awry, he still maintains his poise. And why not? Rellford missing a slam looks better than most players making them. "I've learned a lot," Rellford explained. "I found out what I'm doing wrong, and I've capitalized on it in the last couple of games. I've started playing tougher defense and everything has started coming. That's when I feel good. Right now my whole game is just now coming back again." But Rellford has far from monopolized this growing confidence. All five freshmen, at one time or another, have illustrated it. Whether it be Paul Jokisch's all-out Kelly Tripucka-like play, or Robert Henderson's and Butch Wade's rebounding, or Roy Tarpley's shot blocking, it has been refreshing to watch these freshmen gain confidence and mature on the court. However, the key recipient of this wave of confidence might be center Tim McCormick, who was red-shirted last season. "I'm playing with more con- fidence now," said the 6-11 junior. "Each game I feel more comfortable. My defense, game awareness, quickness, and rebounding are all getting better; with each game." Toss in the play of backcourt duo, Eric Turner and Leslie Rockymore, and the Wolverines should take the Big Ten by storm. Right? Well, maybe. "They're getting more confident and learning what it takes to be suc- cessful in the Big Ten," said Frieder. "However, they'll have to stop makinga careless mistakes-too many turnovers, not executing free throws. It's a' case of mental toughness, if we get tougher it could make the difference in a few conference games." And with half of their non-conference schedule remaining, including three tough road tests, the young Wolverines should be fine-tuned for a challenging second-semester worth of basketball. If Rellford, McCormick and company keep maturing at the pace they have previously, maybe Frieder will be back testing Person at the end of the season. "When was the last time Michigan made it to the NCAAs?" bi I I ml Yoko Ono ly F ofE muoV IT'S ALRIGHT O SEE RAINBOWS) YOKO ONO2 O N O M U S I C / 4 I YOKO ONO/ITS ALRIGHT