Page 8'- The Michigan Daily - Saturday, April 13, 1985 Two more standouts signed by Frieder TEN STARTERS GONE FROM '84 Bo discusses changes for fall. By STEVE WISE Michigan basketball coach Bill Frieder yesterday brought two more horses into his recruiting stable for next year. Mark Hughes of Muskegon Reeths-Puffer and Mike Griffin of East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Ill. each signed letters of intent to attend the Univer- sity. Hughes, a 6-8, 225-pound forward, waited until his team's basketball banquet last night to make his an- nouncement. The two-time All- Stater averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds his senior year. HUGHES turned away offers from Michigan State, Minnesota and the University of Detroit in choosing Michigan. Griffin has strong point averages both .on and off the court. Academically, the 6-6, 210 pounder ranks in the top two percent of a class of about 850. Athletically, Griffin earned class A All-State honors from the Chicago Sun Times, averaging 24 points and 14 rebounds. According to Michigan assistant coach Dave Hammer, Griffin's offensive skills make him valuable. "WE FEEL with his outside shooting and the teams he's played for he'll be an excellent recruit," Hammer said. East Leyden's Athletic Director, William Fribert, said offense isn't Griffin's only strength. - "He's an outstanding defensive player," Friberg said. "He comes out of an outstanding defensive program." GRIFFIN LED that program to a 27-2 record and a bert in the Illinois state tournament this year. Hammer said the signings of Hughes and Griffin, when added to the signing last November of 6-10 J.P. Oosterbaan, give the Wolverines a solid base for the future. "We definitely need, not for this year but the following year, people of the 6-7 to 6-10 category," Hammer said. With the Wolverines' starting front line and substitutes Robert Henderson and Steve Stoyko retur- ning, neither Hughes nor Griffin is likely to see too much playing time, but Friberg says Griffin knows the likely limitations of his role next year. "He understands what he's going into," Friberg said. "He knows he's not going to start. The coaches told him that." Tarpley to stay at 'M' Michigan center Roy Tarpley reaffirmed his position to stay in school for his senior year and to bypass next month's NBA draft. "For my best interest in both athletics and academics, I decided long ago to remain at Michigan for my fourth and final year," said Tar- pley, in a statement released yesterday. Speculation arose about Tarpley's intentions after head basketball coach Bill Frieder received numerous queries about the 6-11 junior from professional agents. "I have no idea why these agents are contacting Coach Frieder because I'm not going to declare myself for the NBA draft this year," said Tarpley, this year's Big Ten Most Valuable Player. By BRAD MORGAN With the memories of last years 6-6 season finally fading from people's minds, a relaxed Bo Schembechler ex- pressed a note of cautious optimism for next fall's football season. "We're having a good spring," said Michigan's head coach at yesterday's press luncheon. "I don't know how good we're going to be, but we're having some fun." REBUILDING is the main job that Schembechler will have to cope with this spring. Gone are 10 starters off last year's team, including Vince Bean and Sim Nelson on offense, and standout tackle Kevin Brooks on defense. Brooks had a year of eligibility left but decided it was time to test the pro waters rather than return to Michigan. The key loss that Schembechler sees, however, is at the center position. Art Balourdos graduated, leaving the spot wide open. "We'll have a better offensive line than a year ago, if we develop a good center," he said. "It's still a big problem in that we've got all young kids in there. It is really a veteran position, and we don't have a veteran. "THEY (fresmen Mark Hill and Dave Herrick, and sophomore Andy Borowski) have good ability, but they're young and inexperienced," ad- ded Schembechler. The rest of the offensive line will be anchored by fifth-year returning star- ters Clay Miller and Bob Tabachino, along with Jon Elliot and Mark Ham- merstein, who both saw acfion at quick tackle last year. Tight end Eric Kattus has had a strong spring and will provide a good replacement for Nelson, Michigan's leading receiver a year ago. The biggest question in the backfield is who will start at quarterback. Jim Harbaugh was the Wolverine starter last year until he broke his arm in the Michigan State game. Chris Zurbrugg then played well in his absence, leading to questions of who would start this year, but Schembechler seems to be leaning towards the completely recovered Harbaugh. "I THINK it helps to have Harbaugh back," he said. "He's showing no effec- ts from the injury, and he's full go in practice. We don't baby him." Also back on offense are Paul Jokisch at split end, freshman Eric Campbell (who will move from safety to flanker) and halfback Jamie Morris, who Schembechler will move around in the offense to get him the ball as much as possible "If he stays healthy, he is an ex- cellent small back," said Schembechler of the lightning-quick freshman. "The question is not whether he can do it, but how much can a little guy take?" Junior Gerald White and junior Bob Perrymen will most often join Morris in the backfield. ON DEFENSE, this year's strength will lie in the secondary. Last year's experience was in the defensive line, but this year, juniors Brad Cochran, Tony Gant, and Ivan Hicks all return along with sophomore Garland Rivers to form a strong, experienced defensive backfield. "Our secondary will be better this year," he emphasized. Mike Mallory, leading tackler a year ago, will be the only returning defen- sive lineman. The fifth year senior will be joined by sophomore Andy Moeller. Sophomore Andre McIntyre could also see action, but the biggest surprise of the spring so far has come from Mike Reinhold. "He had a serious leg break at Min- nesota two years ago and just had the 0 0 Bo Schembechler steps into action in last year's Indiana game. The veteran Michigan football coach sat down with the media yesterday in the annual spring football luncheon. rods removed three months ago," ex- plained Schembechler. "He lost a step in speed, so we moved him to middle guard,' and so far he's been a very pleasant surprise." Jeff Akers, Jim Scarcelli, and Dieter Haren will also see action on defense. Not known for getting incoming freshmen a lot of action, Schembechler- sees nothing different happening this" year. "It can always happen, but I'm not counting on it," he said when asked if any freshmen would immediately step in. MINNESO TA GRACED A T FIRST SINGLES: Tarpley ... passes up the pros SPORTS OF THE DAILY: Thomas sets record;. Pistons stop Bullets Netters g By RICK KAPLAN After 16 consecutive Big Ten championships, the Michigan men's tennis team fell from the top last season. The Minnesota Golden Gophers, the new title holders, take on the former charps tomorrow at the Liberty Tennis and Fitness Club. The Gophers' top two singles players form the heart of their lineup. Junior Matt Grace, at number one singles, was 10-4 entering this week's action. Grace was ranked number 48th in the nation in the most recent ITCA poll. At second singels, Chuck Mer- zbacher was 8-5. The pair also team up in doubles, and are placed at number 34 by the NCA. "GRACE AND MERZBACHER are very good players," said Michigan coach Brian Eisner. "They form a tough doubles team. Both have excellent power and both serve well." bhe duo is not invincible, though. The Grace- Merzbacher team dropped an important match c -pher Big against Indiana last week that ended up costing 3 Minnesota team a win. "The loss was very s prising," said Eisner. Minnesota's depth extends to third singles play Peter Kolaric and number four Casey Merick "They can count on doing well in the top four singl It's fifth and sixth singles, and doubles where tlh are valuable." BUT THE WINDOW of vulnerability may not open very wide. David Blackstone, a senior fr Toronto, was one of the top singles players in the F Ten in 1984, but he has slipped to number five t) year. Minnesota was 3-1 in Big Ten action prior to tl week's competition. The Wolverines will have little time to relax aft tomorrow's battle. The Wisconsin Badgers come Ann Arbor on Sunday. THE BADGERS finished third in the conferen Ten wins the last year, and have the potential to challenge for this ur- title this year. Wisconsin's top players are Dan Arerf- ds (7-6) and Kim Klein (6-4). The Badgers only loss in yer the Big Ten this year came against Minnesota, 5-4. el. "Their top three is quite strong," said Eisner of the es. Badgers. "They drop at four, five and six, but those iey three are very equal. All three of their doubles teams are good." be Michigan will have a tough time topping its per- be formance in its last outing. Against Notre Dame on ig Wednesday, the Wolverines lost only one set ip his cruising to a 9-0 victory. "That was the first day we had a concerted effort from everyone all the way,"' said Eisner. Can they do it again? "I think we're his ready to play equally as well, or even better," the coach said. er Eisner isn't downplaying the competition, to however. "(Minnesota and Wisconsin) are two teams we'll have to play well against to win. If we don't play e our best game, they're very capable of beating us." DETROIT (UPI) - Guard Isiah, Thomas handed out 21 assists to set an all-time NBA season record last night to highlight the Detroit Pistons' 102-96 victory over the Washington Bullets at the Joe Louis Arena. With the win, Detroit assured itself of hosting the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs next week. THOMAS' 21 assists gave him 1,110 for the season, breaking the mark of 1,099 held by former Detroit Piston Kevin Porter set in the 1978-79 cam- paign. The record-buster came on a leaning 12-fot jumper by Terry Tyler at 8:36 of the second quarter, giving Detroit a 43-39 edge. A turnover stopped play at 8:17 at which time Thomas was presented the game ball and given a 50- second standing ovation. Tyler scored 18 points for Detroit, which won its fourth straight and im- proved its record to 45-36. Thomas ad- ded 17 points and Kelly Tripucka 16. Tripucka scored 10 points to key a Pistons' 59-55 at, halftime, Tripucka started and ended a 10-4 run to vault Detroit into a 74-69 advantage. WASHINGTON shot an anemic 20 percent in the quarter, but found itself down by only 80-75 heading into the final period. The Bullets regained the lead 87-86 at 7:47 following a Charles Jones basket and two jumpers by Jeff Malone. Cliff Robinson hit a turnaround jum- per for a 91-90 Bullets' advantage. But Earl Cureton sandwiched two baskets around a Thomas jumper as the Pistons- jumped back in front 96-91 with 2:33 left in the game. Moments later, Dan Roundfield nailed a 12-foot jumper to put Detroit up 98-91 with 1:54 remaining. Robinson had 20 points for Washington, which fell to 39-42, Gus Williams added 19 points. Detroit closes out regular season play Sunday at Cleveland. 1985 Michigan Tennis Starters First Singles Second Singles Class; sophomore Home: Columbus, Ohio Class: junior Highest National Ranking: 59 (18 and under) 4v_ Home. Newton, Mass. ., Best College Wins: Matt Grace (Minnesota); Highest National Ranking: 7 (USTA amateur); Martin Hampe (Northwestern) () 28 (18 and under) p Erk , w ,High School: Upper Arlington Best CollegeWin:Stephan Erickson, 183High School Accomplishments: Was district High School: Newton High school champ for three years; class AAA runner-up High School Accomplishments: state Champ; Most Influential Coaches: Al Matthews and Jim Team State Champions ~ Frederick, Columbus Most Influential Coaches: Rick Sharton Favorite Shot: Overhand (brother); Laury Hammel, Boston. Post-graduation Plans: To go into business with Post-graduation plans: Pro circuit then father graduate school fahe gradute shoolPrefers: Either singles or doubles Prefers: Either singles or doubles.APre s E ctndrdsi les rhdoubles Also plays first doubles with Ed Filer. Also plays second doubles with Jon Morris. Jim Sharton John Royer Third Singles Fourth Singles Class:sophomore Class: freshman Home: Ann Arbor Home: South Bend, Ind. Highest National Ranking: 63 (18 and under) Highest National Ranking: 69 (18 and under) s Best College Wins: Steve Price (Furman), Dan Best College Win: Richard Matachuszski (Clem- Bes (Wisconsins: snd CPrcke (F eran),hDr Arends (Wisconsin), and ChuckMerzbacher High School: South Bend Riley ,igh(Minnesota). High School Accomplishments: All-State three Scho Accmlshments: Was state HihSholAcmpihens l-Sae-HighScolAcmlsmnsWa ste years in a row. AUl-American senior year. champ in three different categories in three Most Influential Coach: Kevin Morrey, South years. Bend Most Influential Coach: Jim Holman, Ann Abor Y Favorite Shot: Backhand Fvrt ht ev Post-graduation Plans: Law School Post-graduation Plans: Medical School Prefers: Either singles or doubles Prefers: Singles over doubles Also plays first doubles with Jim Sharton. Also plays second doubles with John Royer. Ed Filer Jon Morris Fifth Singles Sixth Singles Class: freshman Class: freshman Home: Toledo, Ohio Home: Keene, New Hampshire Highest National Ranking: 22 (14 and under) S1 I is