I Page 8 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, January 22, 1986 R OCKIN' R OBER T RELISHES ROLE Henderson sparks 'M' off bench By BARB McQUADE An athlete with the abilities of Robert Henderson doesn't usually fall under the category of role player. But for the Wolverines' sixth man, all that means is not shaking hands with the opponent before tipoff. HENDERSON, who has emerged as a sparkplug off the bench for the Michigan basketball team, has averaged 20 minutes a game. And while his 6.3 points per outing may not wow anyone, he has been unyielding under pressure. "I look forward to getting him into the game," said Michigan head coach Bill Frieder. "If we're struggling on the floor, we've got great confidence in Rob and we're going to go with him." Frieder has been going with Hen- derson this season more, and may even pencil the 6-9 senior into the star- ting lineup Saturday when the Wolverines do battle at Michigan State in East Lansing - Henderson's hometown. "WE'LL probably go with the usual lineup," the sixth-year head coach said, "but if I feel by Friday that something else might be better, we just might do it." While Henderson isn't entertaining thoughts of starting just yet, he does admit playing in East Lansing is a special thrill, especially since this will be his last contest at Jenison Fieldhouse. "It's nice to go home," Henderson said. "I get excited when the crowd starts booing. It just makes me want to play harder to show them they're not going to upset me. I'd like nothing better than to do something to really shut them up." HENDERSON has certainly silen- ced any critics he may have had before the season began. His 82 per- cent free throw accuracy leads the team, and his 56.2 field goal percen- tage ranks third among the regulars. His solid play was quiet until his jum- per at the buzzer saved a win over Illinois. But the forward's success should come as no surprise to anyone who surveys his high school credentials. Michigan's Mr. Basketball in 1982, Henderson averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds a game on his way to being named prep All-American. As a freshman at Michigan - he spurned Michigan State to "get away from home, but not too far" - Hen- derson started 17 games and ap- peared to be a mainstay in the lineup for years to come. THE communication major was bumped to a reserve role his sophomore year as he fought a hand in- jury, however, and saw rare action in conference play. "Two years ago he didn't have the type of dedication - coming in here on his own time and all of that,"~ Frieder explained. "I had to do a lot of soul searching," the articulate Henderson said, admit- ting that he had considered tran- sferring or even quitting school. "A lot of things go through your mind. You have to sort through all that and try to adjust to the role. It would be nice to start, but I'm getting a lot of minutes." THAT attitude - and a lot of hard work - has enabled Henderson to grow into his role. "I've been working hard and liftinig a lot of weights," Henderson said. "I get so jealous of people like Butch (Wade) who come in here weighing 230 and he's never lifted a weight in his life," the 220-pound Henderson laughed. "I'm sitting there busting my behind three days a week in the sum- mer. I shot as much as I could in the summer and played in a league and at the CCRB. I've done a lot of work." "HE'S developed into a great sub for us," Frieder said. "It's a matter of maturity. He's much more sincere about basketball today than he was two years ago. Now he's thinking about continuing to playing basketball either in the NBA or in Europe." "Once the season is over, I'll see what happens in the NBA draft," Henderson said. "I guess there's a possibility of playing in Europe as long as it's not Northern Bulgaria or something where I have to bring in my own water." For now, the Gary, Ind. native is content with carrying himself in from the bench. "HE COULD be starting on any team in the Big Ten," said teammate Garde Thompson. "He could even start here, but he's playing so well coming off the bench that they like to keep him there because he gives us such a spark." And with someone like Henderson waiting in the wings, his presence can ignite his teammates. "Henderson is the guy that makes the other guys work hard," said freshman forward Loy Vaught. "They know if they don't there's a guy on the bench that canntake their place and that's Robert Henderson. He's a really smart player. I've watched him and I've learned a lot." Henderson is teaching opponents a lesson too, even if he doesn't shake their hands. ARIEL RESTAURANT & DELI Flexible Breakfast Hours ALL YOU CAN EAT DINNER BUFFET 64.95 10% Student Discount in store and restaurant Daily Photo by DAN HABIB Robert Henderson's intensity and spark have been big plusses for the Michigan team all season. He is averaging 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds, while shooting 56 percent from the floor. V --- THE SPORTING VIEWS 10 r - c. J Health Food GROCERY AND Vegetarian Food HEALTH FOOD STORE Grilled Food OpenMon.Sat8am. 12am.Steak Sundays 8am. 10 pm. ARIEL RESTAURANT Fried Chicken Open Mon.-Fri.7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Hoagies Sat. noon - 9:00 p.m. Sun. noon - 7:00 p.m. 330 Maynard - Directly Across From Nickel's Arcade The Center for Western European Studies OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN announces that information and applications are now available for the following University of Michigan summer programs: FLORENCE: June 29 -August 9, 1986 LONDON: June 28- August 8, 1986 PARIS: May 17 - June 28, 1986 SEVILLE: June 15 -July 26, 1986 earn 6 - 7 credits Please contact the CENTER FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN STUDIES 5208 Angell Hall, 764-4311 Don't like Chicago... ...gotta like the Bears By DUANE ROOSE DON'T LIKE Chicago. It's nothing personal - It's just that as a Detroit sports fan, I find it easy to dislike the Windy City. After all, teams from Detroit and Chicago are divisional rivals in three different sports. I've always wanted to see a hockey game in the Chicago Stadium, but it wouldn't take long for that obnoxious, overbearing horn to get under my skin. As for the Chicago Bulls, my feelings toward that organization are probably akin to those of Piston coach Chuck Daly.-As some of you may recall, on October 26, Daly and Chicago coach Stan Albeck were both ejected from the Pistons-Bulls game. What's interesting is that both coaches were ejected for fighting ... EACH OTHER. When it comes to baseball, the fondest memory that I have of Comiskey Park was when disc jockey Steve Dahl almost burned it down between games of a Tigers-White Sox doubleheader. The raging center field infer- no, part of an anti-disco demonstration, forced Chicago to forfeit the second game of a twin-bill. While I don't care too much for Chicago sports in general, I have to ad- mit that the 1985-86 Chicago Bears leave me a little envious. For years, the Bears, like the Lions, squandered in mediocrity. Now, however, the Monsters of the Midway have risen to the top of the football world while the Lions continue to stagger through the NFC's Central Division. More importantly, the Bears have added a certain flair to professional football that has been missing from the NFL for the past few years. When they weren't busy making music videos or showing up in television com- mercials, the Bears were simply destroying opposing teams with their bone-crushing style of football. It's no wonder that such a team is led by a renegade like quarterback Jim McMahon. He's cocky, he's a rebel, and his unique personality just adds to the charm of this powerful team. Clean-cut Roger Staubach he isn't, but a good quarterback he is. Another Bear who has captured the attention of the football world this is William "The Refrigerator" Perry. And while many fans are tired of hearing about the "Fridge," the gap-toothed Perry has added some ex- citement to this NFL season. Perry, who once drank 48 beers in one night at Clemson, seems to fit right in with this year's NFC champions. A champion throughout his entire career, Walter Payton will finally get his chance to play in the Super Bowl. Most sports have their great players who never played for a champion. One of hockey's greatest all-time defensemen, Brad Park, never sipped champagne from the Stanley Cup. In basketball, the fabulous Bob Lanier never won an NBA title. It's ex- citing to see Payton, one of the NFL's greatest, get his chance at a Super Bowl championship. Mike Ditka, who leads this unique but powerful team into battle, is also an interesting personality. Today's NFL features coaches like Tom Lan- dry, who looks more like an executive for IBM than a football coach. And while other coaches may appear out of place stalking the sidelines, Mike Ditka LOOKS like a football coach. A throwback to the era of Dick Butkus head-crunching football, Ditka has molded the Bears into a truly in- timidating squad. The 198-6Chicago Bears have given the NFL a much-needed dose of flair and excitement. With unique personalities like McMahon, Perry, Payton, and Ditka, the Bears have given this NFL season some extra sparkle. From a man who doesn't care too much for Chicago sports in general, I certainly have to give the Bears a lot of credit. RENT A UP Th. Twerniy REFRIGERATOR ... ... C a r o f r a R ( 3 k ) . . . . . ..A i. , . ,.ln 4. ? 4. M uk( . , ...A . . .... . .. . .. f .* t1 11 4, M Hr.kGAN .... Phone: 1-815-895-2443 !9""t'*y >....«%". or1-800-255-2255 tR.UNLV .... ext. 7368 free phone call 1L syracuse... FREE DELIVERY 12. Orgetown...,. IN dill ;ii ''+ Graduated Savings on gold rings from i1 I J()STENS Stop by and see a Jostens representative this week to save on the gold ring of your choice. Monday Jan. 20-Friday Jan. 24, 11 am to 4 pm r YEARS MR E MORE THAN A BOOKSTORE z~A~d 549 E. University Ann Arbor, MI (at the corner of East U. and (313)662-3201 South U.) s-( What's Happening Recreational Sports Action SportsWea i I I r