I Page 8 -The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, March 9, 1988 Illini Continued from Page 1 caliber) teams is a very difficult thing." Frieder conceded that Illinois is not the same team that his squad beat, 76-64, at Crisler Arena in late January. THE 19TH-RANKED Illini (20-9 overall, 10-6 in the Big Ten) have won six of its last seven games, including a convincing 94-81 victory over Iowa last Sunday. The Illini's recent stretch has im- pressed Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote enough to pick them as a sleeper in the upcoming NCAA tournament during yesterday's Big Ten teleconference. "Right now, we're playing pretty good basketball - the best we have played this year," said Illinois coach Lou Henson, who last week won the 500th game of his college coaching career. "I think the biggest improvement has come offensively," the 13th-year coach said. "We're just executing better than we did five or six weeks ago." ALL THIS winning has made Henson greedy for more. "I certainly hope that we're not peaking because we are moving up, and if we're not peaking, then that means we're going to get (even) better." During the Illini's surge, sopho- more forward Nick Anderson has emerged as a top candidate for Big Ten Newcomer of the Year, averag- ing 22.8 points per game in the team's last five contests. Anderson leads the team in scor- ing (15.9 ppg) and rebounding (7.0 rpg). He teams with junior college transfer Kenny Battle (15.4 ppg) to form one of the more talented for- ward combinations in the conference. ILLINOIS' improved offense compliments its traditionally tough defense. The Illini have allowed an average of just 70.6 ppg in the Big Ten. Eight games ago, Henson inserted defensive specialist Steve Bardo into the starting lineup, replacing guard Kendall Gill. Highland Park native Glynn Blackwell and seven-footer Jens Ku- jawa round out the first five. To make matters worse for Frieder, Illinois sports a 17-2 record in games where it has outscored its opponent at the free-throw line. In their last two losses to Iowa and Purdue, the Wolverines have shot 54 fewer free throws. "To have almost a 60 differential in free throws is incredible," Frieder said. "And I think part of it is that you get screwed a little on the road. But hopefully we can play better and avoid that kind of situation." I / full court Rl S1 Tonight, Live ... ... "Mission Impossible" plus Beat The Clock 1.0 8pm Drinks Start at 500ยข... ... Increase 250 Each Addtl. Hour L"BETTER MAKE IT FAST .." Get Involved With The Action Groups In The LSA.Student Government MASS MEETING. Tonight at 7:30 p.m. Wolverine Room, Michigan Union Daily Photo by JOHN MUNSON Loy Vaught battles Illinois' Nick Anderson for a rebound in a Michigan victory earlier this year at Crisler. Anderson leads Illinois in scoring, averaging 15.4 ppg. Thne best is yet to come for women's basketball By LISA GILBERT Youth - an ephemeral quality so highly valued in our culture today. Everyone is trying to look, act, and feel younger. In sports, youth is commonly associated with enthusiasm, energy, and young talent - qualities that would bring a smile to any coach's face. Yet young talent is almost always accompanied by inconsistency. Inconsistency that often causes coaches many sleepless nights. Just ask Michigan women's basketball coach, Bud VanDeWege. Like any other young team, the Wolverines have suffered through the typical ups and downs of a long season. Michigan reached rock bottom during a streak in which they dropped four games in a row, including a loss to a clearly inferior Northern Illinois team. Nevertheless, the team has shown the ability to bounce back, re- bounding to win their next three games against Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Minnesota - two of those victories on the road. VanDeWege cites this streak as the highpoint in the season. "Coming off a stretch where we had struggled to win two Big Ten road games in a row, for the first time in our history, was quite a thrill. More importantly, both were come from behind wins, which proves the character of this team." With only two games remaining on the 1988 schedule, it is a safe bet that the Wolverines will finish with at least a .500 record. Compared to last year's disastrous 9-18 mark, it is easy to see their improvement. Just remember some of the obstacles the team has had to overcome: 1. Playing two top-ten teams (Iowa and Ohio State), two times each. 2. The unexpected loss of last year's leading scorer, Lorea Feldman, to academic ineligibility. 3. The lack of a true home court advantage. (The highest attendance total was only 853 against MSU). Despite this, Michigan has already tripled their 1987 Big Ten victory total. A win against Illinois tomorrow night would clinch 6th place in the Big Ten, their highest finish ever. Taking all of these factors into consideration, VanDeWege, his staff, and the team deserve a pat on the back for their accomplishments. But VanDeWege also recognizes two more lessons his young team has learned throughout the course of the season. "First of all, we've learned how to win by developing that competitive instinct. More importantly," he added, "we've learned to be a team. This cohesiveness and chemistry will be with us for the next two years." The players are also aware of the great strides the team has made from earlier this season. "We work together as a unit on and off the court," said sophomore forward Leslie Spicer. Even other coaches around the league have noticed the maturation of the young Wolverine team. "Coach VanDeWege must be encouraged with his team's progress," said Iowa coach C. Vivian Stringer. "They're a talented young team and I certainly don't look forward to playing them next year." Still, despite the cause for optimism, VanDeWege realizes that Michigan lacks one critical ingredient that will prevent them from being a top-notch team - consistency. "Looking back over the year there were a few games that we let slip out of our grasp," VanDeWege said. "Our mental preparation, as well as our performance on the court, must be more consistent." Even though Michigan loses only one starter after this year, she is a valuable one. Point guard Vonnie Thompson is the team captain and floor leader. Most of the burden will probably fall on the capable shoulders of Tempie Brown, who after a year of experience under her belt, seems ready for the challenge. "It's impossible to replace a leader the caliber of Vonnie,"said Brown. "Her court know-how and savvy will be missed. I'll have to work extra hard this summer to improve my ballhandling ability." With six of the top seven players returning, combined with the return of Feldman, the future looks brighter than ever. Grant is Afl PRORIA, Ill. (AP) - Gary Grant of Michigan headed the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All- America team announced Monday. Joining Grant on the first team were Danny Manning of Kansas, Heresy Hawkins of Bradley, J.R. Reid of North Carolina and Sean El- liot of Arizona. Larry Donald, editor and publisher of Basketball Times, announced the writers association team in a news release. Grant, a 6-3 guard from Canton, Ohio, leads Michigan in scoring with a 22.7 per game average and he is the Wolverines' all-time assists leader. Manning, a 6-foot-10 senior for- -American ward, is the only repeat selection from last year's first team. Grant was chosen to the second team in 1987. Manning leads the Jayhawks in scoring this season with an average of 25 points per game and in re- bounding with 8.8 per game. Hawkins, a 6-3 senior guard from Chicago, leads the NCAA Division I with a scoring average of 36.3 points per game. Reid, a 6-9 sophomore forward from Virginia Beach, Va., is the Tar Heels' team leader in scoring with an 18.2 per game average. Elliott, a 6-8 junior forward from Tucson, Ariz., has helped the Wild- cats to a 28-2 record with a scoring average of 18.5 points per game. 4 ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF EDUCATION?. If yes, come to a meeting: WHEN: Wed., March 9, 6 p.m. WHERE: Room 1322 (Tribute Room) School of Education Bldg. Faculty and staff will be available to answer questions about programs, financial aid opportunities, and admission requirements. If you have questions, call: OFFICE OF ACADEMIC SERVICES (313) 764-7563 1228 School of Education Bldg. I CLASSIFIED ADSI Call 764-0557 HI-FI STUDIO ANN ARBOR RADIO & TV TAPE RECORDER SERVICES VCR Cleaning & Repairs - FAST! Speaker Repairs & Components TV Repairs & Rentals SALE ON USED STEREOS Phono Styli - Woofers, Tweeters, Etc. WE RENT BIG SCREEN TV & P.A.'s 215 S. Ashley, 1/2 block N. of Liberty (313) - 769-0342 or 668-7942 Now Hiring *ow _ w 1 Account Executives For Spring/Summer & Fall Terms Gain valuable business experience while selling advertising to local and regional businesses. You'll be responsible for managing your own account territory. You'll work for a student-run organization, and become a professional representative of the newspaper to the University community. I I l ' QUALIFICATIONS " Good organizational skills " Good communication skills - Positive attitude " Dependable " Ambitious - Ability to work under stress I RESPONSIBILITIES " Sell advertising space and service accounts - Meet and communicate with a variety of person- alities - Generate new business - Explain rate card & media JOB INFORMATION Spring/Summer Fall 40 hrs./wk. 10-15 2 terms committment 2 terms 100 #accounts 25 Junior Account Executive Positions are available for Spring/Summer terms as a Junior Account Executive. This is a non-paid position of 5 hours per week. You'll assist Senior Account Executives, create ads, wait on walk-in customers, and work on special telephone projects. This is your ~.... to ZIMS of Ann Arbor's Grand Opening Party March 10,1988 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Special Guest: I I I - -E .I I I I J