w w Success i " rides with "W Robinson By Julie Hollman In 1986, while playing for Rindge and Latin High School, Rumeal Robinson had a choice to make. His team had a chance to win the Massachussets state champion- ship and Ro inson had the oppor- tunity to break Patrick Ewing's school scorn. record. But there was a problem. RC' ; coach told him that the team needed him to pass the ball more in order to have a chance to win. By the end of the game, Ewing's legendary record still stood and Rindge and Latin High was state champions. Robinson chose to toss aside personal accolades and share his pride and glory with his 15 teammates. "I made the decision because a championshi will always bewith you," said the Michigan starting guard. "You have fifteen other guys on the team and what do they want to remember. I'm sure they want to remember that championship." JUST LIKE the 1988-89 Wolverines hope they will have the chance to remember a few other championships. Highly-ranked Michigan will call on Robinson's level-headed, unsel- fish play to lead it toward the Big Ten and NCAA titles. He will have ' to take over Gary Grant's duties of guiding the offense and defense, now that last year's conference Player-of- the-Year has graduated to the NBA. "We need Rumeal's leadership and for him to take control," forward Terry Mills said. "He knows how to win." since grammar school. And in high school he became one of the country's best players. He earned first-team All-American honors from Basketball Weekly and Parade. He also appeared in the McDonald's All- American game in Detroit. Robinson's only major weakness coming out of high school was his shooting. He has since greatly improved his shot, but Robinson might have to hold back the trigger and serve as a mediator for an offensive-minded team. With Big Ten scoring leader Glen Rice, a zealous front line of Terry Mills and Loy Vaught, and a theatrical Sean Higgins, Robinson may have to slow things down when the going gets easy. "If the competition isn't too good I may have to act as a balancer because guys may start to show off too much," he said. Robinson worked hard over the summer to further develop his game. He attended the Boston Celtics Rookie Camp and was the youngest guard the club invited. While playing with the Celtics' rookies, Robinson picked up some pointers from Red Auerbach. The red-haired cigar smoker showed Robinson some flashy new one-on-one moves and told him to keep his chin up on his lay-ups. Robinson will have to continue holding his chin high so he can clear out a path for the Wolverines to take to the Big Ten title. Then Robinson will try, not to pass Ewing in the ranks, but to join him - as a member of a national championship team. , Iowa By Adam Benson Athletic Directors of the Big Ten may be looking at women's basket- ball like the early settlers of Amer- ican West. Women's basketball is a new territory where the Big Ten can prosper. Schools are expanding recruiting, bringing in new coaches, and tough- ening their schedules, all in an at- tempt to build the next powerhouse program. The trailblazers of women's hoops, Iowa and Ohic State, will stay at the head of the pack. Four up- and-coming teams will battle for the third spot in the conference, one could earn a berth to the NCAA tournament. C. Vivian Stringer sounds almost like Bo Schembechler when she talks about her Iowa team. She'll do whatever she can to convince you that her team will struggle. Forward Franthea Price will compete for the Player-of-the-Year honors in the conference. Shanda Berry is the league's top center. So where will they struggle? The only rules problem this club has is guard Jolette Law. She is suffering from a hand injury. Law may be the most important Hawkeye of all, she is needed to run the team's offense. Last season, Ohio State forward Nikita Lowry led the conference in scoring, but still wasn't the con- ference's Player-of-the-Year. Lowry is back, and this year she'll win the top individual honors. But the Bucks don't have to depend on her alone. Shooting guard Lisa Cline is also an All-Big Ten pick. While Lowry can beat you inside, Cline can hit shots from the outside. Coach Nancy Darsch dispels the notion that Iowa and OSU won't be pushed. "Our conference is stronger this year than it was last. A lot of teams have the potential of upsetting us or Iowa." Don't believe that. If Ohio State isn't second, they'll be first. Only a major injury to Lowry or Cline could stop them. Michigan's desire to win will push them ahead of teams with a little more talent. in fror A 21-10 record should have earned Purdue a NCAA bid, but the Boilermakers were ignored and finished as runners-up in the women's NIT. This year, national publications say that Purdue should be the Big Ten's next national power. Soph- omore center Rhonda Mateen is a potential star. Add first-year phenom MaChelle Joseph and veteran guard Anne Kvachkoff and Purdue has enough talent to play with anyone. But how long will it take them to learn to play together? "At this point, we're not a real challenger," said Dunn. "Now I may be wrong, because these young kids may surprise you." You're not wrong coach. Your team should be ready next year. For 1987 Big Ten Coach-of-the- Year Karen Langeland to receive the same kind of accolades for this season, she will have to move her Michigan State team into the ranks of the Big Ten's best. The key to the Spartans success is Sue Forsyth. The 6-4 senior will have to play injury-free this season at center. That will allow All-Big Ten hopeful Dawn DeYoung to power forward. Langeland calls her guards "the strength of the team." Junior Carlotta Taylor surprised fans with her quickness and defense in the back- court, she will have to do it again this season. Coach Don Perrelli is trying to mix the new recruits with the returnees from last year's North- western team. One veteran who will continue to make an impact for this team is forward Carrie Lawless. Lawless is one of the conference's beS hei bes yea Pui the lea nev pla is 1 her her cha Ter pla and son new WEEKEND/'JOHN MUNSON Junior Rumeal Robinson will be expected to anchor the Wolverine backcourt with the departure of last season's Big Ten Player-of-the-Year Gary Grant. w "He has a strong attitude to be successful," head coach Bill Frieder said. "He now has to channel it in a way in which he can lead the others." LAST YEAR in the NCAA tournament, Robinson gave Frieder a glimpse of the leadership he has to offer. When Grant left the North Carolina game with foul trouble, the Cambridge, Ma. native stepped forward to take control of Michi- gan's attack. He scored 29 points and snatched five rebounds. The 6-2 Robinson is expected to continue on his season-ending scor- ing streak and improve his 9.7 points per game average. With Grant gone, Robinson should also top his 158 assists of last season. ABC analyst Dick Vitale believes this is the year Robinson will be the type of player everyone thought he would be as one of the top five players in the country out of high school. Frieder, who ranks Robinson as one of the top three or four guards in the Big Ten, also expects great things from his No. 1 guard. "You know he's going to be a success," he said. "Certain people you know by their character, determination, enthu- siasm, and attitude that they are going to make it. And that's Rumeal Robinson." SUCCESS has followed Robin- son onto the basketball court ever THE PL CARD SHOP START THE NEW YEAR OFF ON THE RIGHT DAY... ORGANOZERS - THE FAR SIDE CALENDARS - "ALVQN AND" HOBBES CALENDARS'* AND MANY MORE 222 South State Plaza 769-4211 sweater - The Breakfast Place Famous for our Raisin Toast & Homemade Bread GREAT SELECTIONS AND LOW-) II / ^~ r ahct \ N 2 FOR 1 sweater (swe tVar) A knitted garment worn on the upper part of the body. SUNDAY- THURSDAY with this coupon r 7. I MARY DIBBLE S. University at Church 663-2311 Directed by Jay Lesenger With the University Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Gustav Meier November 17,-18,19 at 8 PM November 20 at 2 PM at the Power Center part of the 1988-89 Power Series Tickets are $10 and $7; student seating $5 with ID, at The League Ticket Office in the Michigan League. To charge by phone: 764-0450 First time by the School of Music Opera Theatre: SuorAngelica sung in Italian with surtitles projecting an English translation. Gianni Schicchi sung'in English J(/ k'i I LIBERTY ST. VIDEO 120 Liberty St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 663-3121 I l \ / * Largest Foreign Film Selection in Ann Arbor " Call for our VCR rental specials Ho Mor Fri Sun 4 PAGE 18 WEEKENDINOVEMBER 18, 1988 WEEKEND/NOVEMBER 18, 1988