Page 10- The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, March 4, 1987
I111 111 111 11111111 I 1 111 I Il-Illl o n l l

Miller Time
BY SCOTT G. MILLER
Lethargic.
Passive.
Pathetic.
Ignorant.
Brin-damaged.
Worthless.
Now that I have your attention, Michigan basketball "fan", yes, you,
it's time for self-analysis.
I can hear your response. "How can this clown say these things? I
went crazy at the Indiana, Iowa, and Syracuse games."
Big deal. Did you do the same against Wisconsin, Ohio State, etc.?
"As far as Michigan fans being vocal, getting to the game early, and
being on their feet and initiating the action, they are definitely in the
bottom two or three (in the conference)," said Wolverine head coach Bill
Frieder. "There is no question about that."
There also is no question that Michigan "fans" have improved this
season. But improvement from horrible to bad hardly deserves plaudits.
I insist the noise level in the UGLI rivals the level in Crisler Arena.
Everyone possesses a horror story about Wolverine "fans."
My favorite tale occurred my freshman year against Illinois. Some
novice Wolverine "faithful" heard Illini fans screaming at.Antoine
Joubert, "Don't give the ball to the fat boy." The Michigan "fans"
found the statement so clever that they decided to repeat the chant.
Never mind that Joubert's performance that afternoon merited accolades.

Wake up,


'I think the
should be
towards all of
just me.'

chigan'fans'
Get the idea?
Look in the mirror Michigan "fan." You have the perfect
opportunity to atone for your sins this week, because an NCAA birth is
on the line. With 18 victories, Michigan cannot afford to falter in
games against Illinois and Purdue. Frieder challenges fans to appear by
7 p.m. tonight and 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon to ignite the
festivities.
Besides accepting Frieder's challenge, "fans" must learn the essence
of noise-making. Crisler crowds resemble those at a ballet. Nice
pirouettes (or baskets as the case may be) receive polite applause.
"Our fans usually just cheer when we're doing good," said Gary
Grant. "When I put my hands up, I expect them to go crazy.
"Once they do that it really turns us on. We usually get ten straight
points, and the other team has to call timeout."
The scenario Grant describes occurs far too infrequently. Even when
Michigan "fans" make noise (there are some real fans), they need more
purpose.
"I think it gets out of control sometimes like when I get the ball at
halfcourt, and they want me to shoot," said Stoyko. "I think the
attention should be attracted towards all of us and not just me."
Wolverine "fans" should heed the advice of freshman Jack Kramer.
"Say at the beginning of the game, we get down ten points," said
Kramer. "Instead of them waiting for us to make our move, they should
start cheering, 'Lets Go Blue,' or something like that."
I think the good fans should yell at the bad "fans," "Get a Clue," or
something like that.

A

-Steve Stoyko

Once again, I will try to convince Michigan "fans" of the importance
of support. Maybe the message is too simple for some scholars to
understand.
"The crowd at Iowa this weekend was incredible. I could understand
how Iowa came out so fired up," said Steve Stoyko. "Sometimes when
we play at home, I don't know if it's an advantage or disadvantage."
"I would like to see our fans be like Indiana fans - absolutely
crazy," said Loy Vaught. "Fan support is essential to getting geeked
up.


I

4