Page 12 -- The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 7, 1988 MSU Continued from Page 1 outgoing senior players. "I WOULDN'T even like to think about that (losing)," Michigan senior defensive tackle Mark Messner said. "It's like your mom saying when you're young, 'Don't spill the milk, don't spill the milk.' I don't even think about it. I'm sure they feel the same way." For anyone who needs reminding, the Spartans defeated Michigan last year in East Lansing, 17-11, en route to the Big Ten title and a victory in the Rose Bowl. Michigan State intercepted seven Demetrius Brown passes, four of them by defensive back John Miller. "The thing I remember most about that game was going to the sidelines, getting a drink of water and then hearing those words, 'Sudden change,"' Messner recalled. Sudden change meant another Michigan turnover. THE SPARTANS have exper- ienced their own version of a sudden change so far in 1988. Michigan State (0-3-1 overall, 0-0-1 in the Big Ten) finds itself without a win after four games. The offense has sput- tered, averaging just over eight points per game. The Spartans scored a season-high 13 points against Rutgers in their opener. The ever-wary Schembechler calls Michigan State the best winless team in the country, citing the Spartans difficult early schedule as the reason for their slow start. "The game is played without thought of record, and who's supposed to win and why," Messner said. "I don't think anyone cares what the school's have done in the past." Messner will line up across from Michigan State's own Incredible Hulk, senior offensive tackle Tony Mandarich (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) for the fourth and final time. "It will be a great battle up front," Schem- bechler said. "There's no question about that." MANDARICH returned to the Spartans' lineup last week against Iowa after sitting out a three-game suspension for entering his name into the NFL's supplemental draft, an NCAA violation. Mandarich keys Michigan State's running attack, led by junior tailback Blake Ezor, the team's leading rusher. Mandarich pass blocks equally well for quarterback Bobby McAllister and his favorite receiver, Andre Rison. The Spartans' backbone continues to lie on defense. Michigan State ranks second to Michigan (2-2, 1-0) in the Big Ten in total defense. Junior middle linebacker Percy Snow tops the team in tackles with 53. "In this game every yard is going to be important," Schembechler said. "You're going to have to scratch for everything." Both coaches agreed that Saturday's game could make or break their respective team's chances of winning the conference. "The winner of this game is going to be in excellent shape," Perles said. And if that's not enough incentive, the intrastate rivalry will take care of that. "We just hate to lose to Michigan senior cornerback Arnold said. 'em," David Camp opens with Associated Press Pistons forward Dennis Rodman and Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson scramble for a loose ball during last NBA Finals. guard year's Thomas signing BY ADAM BENSON AND JODI LEICHTMAN SPECIAL TO THE DAILY WINDSOR - With the Tigers done for the winter, and the Lions soon to follow, Detroiters can prepare for the return of Detroit Pistons. If yesterday's training camp opening in Windsor is any indication, the Pistons' Isiah Thomas is again the featured player. Rumors indicated the seven-time all-star would hold out if his contract was not renegotiated, but the two parties finished a deal late Wednesday night for a reported $16 million over eight years. Entering Windsor's St. Denis Arena, Isiah was almost barreled over by the local media. He was embarrassed by the attention to his new salary. "Anytime you're talking about a million dollars for playing basketball, nobody deserves that type of money," said Thomas. "You can never live up to it, but the only thing you can do is say to yourself you must make a lot of people happy." Isiah credited Pistons owner Bill Davidson, who directly involved himself in the contract talks. "Davidson and (Thomas's agent, John) Frasco had to have creative minds to get this deal done," said Thomas. "We worked all of Monday night trying to come up with a solution, but we finally came up with one." Pistons General Manager Jack McCloskey and Frasco tried to avoid ugliness in the Thomas contract talks. "Isiah's agent and I one time jumped at each other, but nothing spectacular," said a tired McCloskey. "It was really a very amiable negotiation. I wasn't sure it was going to be solved before training camp, but there was no question that it was eventually going to be solved because the numbers had been agreed upon." Isiah's appearance was almost overshadowed by William Bedford's absence. The 7-foot-i-inch center will not start camp because of continuing drug rehabilitation. Wednesday morning, McCloskey was told by Bedford's doctors that Bedford could not participate, for now. "He has not failed a drug test, but we feel there's certain obligations he has he didn't fulfill," said McCloskey. "So consequently they (the doctors) are not permitting him to start camp. Hopefully they will next week." The Pistons will use camp to look at rookies Fennis Dembo, Michael Williams, and veteran center Darryl Dawkins, trying to comeback after sitting out most of last season. The Pistons now prepare for the 1988-89 season and try to repeat as Eastern Conference champions. "Training camp is the most important time of the season," said Thomas. "It's the time when you establish the type of mindset that your team's going to play in, the goals that you set in terms of winning the division and the championship." "We had a great team last year, and we have some people here that will hope make us better," said Piston forward Dennis Rodman. "It's going to be our mission to make it back to the finals." SEE I lnitcri JOHN MUNSON/Daiiy, Tailback Tony Boles, who compiled 179 yards with three touchdowns last week against Wisconsin, hopes to continue his success against Michigan State tomorrow. Brelandbout leads e dh is October 15th Tell your Sweetheart with a Daily Personal Ad. The Michigan Daily Classifieds 764-0557 The Office of Major Events Present RICHARD and His Band WJA INWRIG;HT IFIII 4 Saturday October 29 8 pm POWER CENTER Tickets available at the Michigan Union Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster Outlets. Order by phone Call 763-TKTS. local fgh1 BY JOSHUA RAY LEVINt Michigan sports fans will have a great opportunity tonight to experience a longstanding sports tradition, the local fight night. The Palace at Auburn Hills hosts a great1 boxing card featuring 1984 Olympic and former pro welterweight champion Mark Breland.1 Whereas professional football's; backbone is its' television popu-] larity, professional boxing has tra- ditionally been an attendance sport. Boxing demands being seen in per- son to truly appreciate its beauty and brutality. However, boxing now suf- fers from a paucity of name talent and the disappearance of popular local fighters that has led to the decline of the local fight nights. This detracts from the overall popularity of pro boxing, because the only fights that gain any atten- tion are the multi-million dollar big- name fights that are impossible to get into, and can only be seen on expensive closed circuit or cable broadcasts. THE PALACE, which will offer fight cards regularly throughout the year, is the fortunate exception to the rule. Because of its proximity to Detroit, The Palace can recruit great local talent from the Kronk Gym, one of the all-time classic boxing factories. The co-main feature, along with Breland vs. Ozzie PRINTING HIGH QUA LITY LOW PRICES1 SINCE 1973 1002 PONTIAC TR. 994-1367 FALL JOB ( Help Raise the Uni - $5.00-$6.50/hour pL - Flexible , evening h - Valuable career ex - Great resume build - Connvenient nmnn t night O'Neill, is Kronk light-heavyweight sensation Michael Moorer vs. Carl "The Truth" Williams. There will be seven bouts on the undercard. Breland comes into tonight's bout hoping to climb back .up the welterweight ranks and regain his championship status. Marlon Stat- ling broke the 1984 gold medalists 20-bout winning streak and took Breland's belt in a stunning eighth round KO last year. In their rematch, Breland was lucky to get a draw, and found himself cast out of the boxing elite. His comeback continues against O'Neill, a respectable opp- onent sporting a 19-6 record. Moorer has quickly gotten the attention of local boxing fans witfa perfect 8-0 record. He hopes to catch the eye of national promoters with a big win over "The Truth." This "Truth" is not to be confused with Carl "The Truth" Williams, the E former heavyweight contender, though one would suspect that the promoters won't complain if ticket buyers make that mistake. The Palace is a.fantastic place to see boxing, or any other sporting event. Although the building's exterior leaves a lot to be desired, the actual arena inside is spotless, comfortable, and one can see from every seat in the house. On fight nights, there are also floor seats, right up to ringside. It features a great set of large screen clear-color TVs, and actually edible food as well. The inside of the Palace is often compared favorably with the Joe Louis Arena. The Palace at Auburn Hills is located right off 1-75 as one approaches the Pontiac Silverdome. Plenty of good seats remain, and tickets can be bought at the door. Prices range from $40 to $10, and the first bout starts at 7:30. Michigan Daily SPORTS 763-0376 )PENINGS Money for versity us bonuses ours :perience ler it ic |nnfti nn United Telephone Company Of Florida located in Central Florida currently has opportunities available for Trainees with a Bachelor's degree in either Accounting, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Economics. A Major Events Presentation FANTASTIC FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT! I Taiwan's leading exponents of centuries-old I