Page 12 -The Michigan Daily-- Friday, March 30, 1990 'M' must build on success by Ryan Schreiber Daily Basketball Writer The Michigan women's basketball team just completed the most stellar season in the history of the program. For 17 years, the Wolverines struggled through difficult seasons, until now, suddenly, they've been struck with good fortune. But what about next season? The accomplishments of this year were definitely fantastic and nothing to brush away, but the fact of the matter is that the women are facing a similar dilemma as the men's team. Val Hall, Leslie Spicer, Tanya Powell and Joan Rieger will no longer grace the Wolverine starting line-up. Tempie Brown will not be the first player off the bench. The only remaining starter is junior co-captain Carol Szczechowski. Fortunately, Michigan retains much of its size. While losing Rieger, 6- foot-2 inch frosh phenom Trish Andrew will simply step in and Val Hall just gives way to a new Hall, her younger sister Michelle. However, the depth that Michigan had this year will not exist next season. And the Wolverines, with no offense to coach Bud VanDeWege, have always had difficulties recruiting the top players in the state of Michigan. Beyond the first six players next year, Michigan will be extremely inexperienced. While VanDeWege has successfully recruited the Miss Basketball of Colorado twice (Brown and frosh Jennifer Nuanes) and the touted Andrew from Illinois, the Wolverines must begin to snag the Miss Basketball right here in order to keep up with its new-found success. Or else VanDeWege and the Wolverines will have to wait another 17 years for the NCAA tournament selection committee to call again. ., . . - _ . lw .- i 9 png views-the sporig viw + th sprig iw Just do it: It's do or die for gymrrnasts t \ le SD~~ffilia ~VieW h Dfi V W h S ftf by Albert Lin Daily Sports Writer This Saturday, the men's gym- nastics team hosts the Michigan invitational, in a meet which determines the Wolverine tourna- ment hopes. With the squad's current three- meet average at 269, the team has to score about 274 to overtake Temple and gain a berth in the NCAA East Regionals April 7 at Penn State. Otherwise, the season is over for the team. Individuals would still have shots at the NCAA's but the "easiest way for individuals to go is for the team to go. Anybody at regionals is eligible for nationals regardless of his season average," said Michigan coach Bob Darden. The Invitational was originally set up so that Michigan could have a small, final home meet, but when other teams expressed interest, the field of three widened to six. The other teams are familiar opponents for the Wolverines- Western Michigan, Eastern Mich- igan, Kent State, Michigan State, and Illinois-Chicago. Michigan has faced all the schools involved at least once, with Saturday marking the fourth time this season that the Wolverines will have met the UIC Flames. Darden says that although a 274 is quite beyond the team's season- high, "it is not inconceivable. We know we have to score 274, and they (the team) know they can do it. It's just a matter of them doing it. It will take our best effort." Darden points out that if every competitor's second-best season score on each event is taken and put into a team score, it would be about equal to the 274 needed. "We've had a lot of 'could have' weekends," Darden said. "This weekend we have to make it a 'got to' weekend." Women's track look to open season b~ A i 3...a.. uy u unnemari ShuILz Daily Sports Contributor After a snow storm prompted the cancellation of last week's opening meet in Indianapolis, Michigan women's track coach James Henry is eager to get things started. "I just hope we get better weather," Henry said. Michigan's meet was cancelled last week after the Wolverines had arrived in Indianapolis, making the dis- appointment all the more frustrating for Henry. Henry's aim for the weekend is modest. "My goal (this weekend) is to get a chance to compete," he said. The women's outdoor track season will begin belatedly this weekend, at the Raleigh Relays, hosted by North Carolina State. At present, Henry is seeing the meet as a way to get the season going in the right direction, or in any direction for that matter. He hopes that rookies Ronda Ricketts (long jump) and Julie Victor (discus throw) are able to make a smooth transition from high school success to a higher level of competition. Suzette Thweatt, who placed fifth at the Indoor Big Ten Champ- ionships in the 100 meter hurdles, is another integral part of the team this season. Henry hopes that she will be able to do as well in the outdoor season as she did during the indoor season. The long distance runners, who were fortunate enough not to travel with the team last week, will be led by senior Mindy Rowland. Rowland is returning to the line-up after taking a short break following her third-place finish in the 5000 meters at the NCAA Indoor Nationals on March 10. "She should win, or at least place in the top three," assistant coach Sue Foster said. Talented frosh phenom, Molly McClimon is another long distance runner to.* keep an eye on this campaign. McClimon qualified for the Indoor Nationals along with Rowland and placed seventh in her heat in the one mile race. McClimon took about five days off after the meet and has been working on her strength since that time. "We (the long distance runners) worked out hard this week," McClimon said. "I think everyone will be a little tired but they should run well." Senior tri-captain Alana Davis is also anxious to begin the season. She wants to prove that the potential success of the team on the outdoor track should be equal to its earlier accomplishments on the indoor track. "I think it will be a good opportunity to see what kind of condition we're in," Davis said. The most critical area for the track team this year will be the adjustment to outdoor conditions. "The big transition will be going from indoor to outdoor," Davis said. "By the end of the season,.we will be really good." MEAD THE DAILY. CLASSIFIEDS urleymay- be the difference for Duke, by Beth Torlone The Duke Chronicle He's not the most prolific scorer or rebounder on the team. Standing at 6-feet-0 inches he doesn't strike fear in the hearts of opponents. He's not as flashy as other point guards. But Duke frosh Bobby Hurley just might th the most important cog in the Blue Devil machine that heads into 44 fourth Final Four in five years.4' In Hurley, Duke found an element that was missing from the Danil Ferry teams of season's past ' a pure point guard. Hurley has alreadysshattered Tommy Amaker's all-time single season assist record (241) with 279. He broke the record in his 32nd gamnv Amaker, in his junior year, needed 40 games and did it with a supporting cast that included Johnny Dawkins and Mark .arie. Hurley's gritty playing style shows up in other statistical categor He leads the team in steals (65), minutes played (33.3 per game), and charges taken with 24. His notorious emotional outbursts also reflect the intensity he mai*S tains in his play. His game face runs the gamut of excruciating pain tQ pure joy. He often screams at himself if he makes mistakes on the court.,! "Basketball has been a way for me to show a lot of emotion," said Hurley. "I think I'm a different person when I'm out there on the court.4 let all my emotion out. I try to direct my teammates in any way to sparM the guys. "I think you can tell how things are going just by looking at my fac; During the NCAA tournament, Hurley has been all smiles. In hia toughest assignment thus far, the East Regional final, he helped to dismantle the vaunted Husky full-court/trapping defense. Hurley blew past UConn defenders for much of the contest, totalling eight assists and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Although he shot a dismal 0-9 from the field, no one was complaining$ except maybe Hurley. "It bothered me a little bit because I was missing easy layups," sail Hurley. "In that way I was a little disappointed. Primarily I was jus concerned with trying to break their press and run the offense and trying t play some good defense." The Jersey City, NJ, native played arguably his best defensive game o the season against St. John's and point guard Greg "Boo" Harvey. Hurle held Harvey to 4-18 shooting and disrupted the Redmen's rhythm. Harvey, known for his last second, game-winning shots, missed potential buzzer beater in the closing seconds. On that play, Hurley was i, Harvey's face and grabbed the rebound off the miss. I But Hurley is still a frosh and he'll tell you that plenty of room exists for improvement in his game. Turnovers remain a problem - he has fired 155 miscues this season. Yet the point guard position in Duke's offense demands that Hurley handle the ball 80 to 90 percent of the time. Still, Hurley's intensity has never waned. He averages at least four more minutes per cdntest than any other player on the team. Not bad considering Hurley jumped from playing twice a week for S . Anthony High School to being the starting point guard on a Final Foer team. "Iknow it's incredible for me to go to the Final Four. It's the greate t experience in my life as far as sports are concerned. It's like a dream conme true." .r:> 1 Unwashed 505's&5617's. Reg. 23.99 SALE Levi's' Prewashed 505's°'& 517's: Elsewhere $31 -$34. SALE Levi's Bleached 505Vs & 550's: Elsewhere $36-$39. SALE 200 Levi's' Whitewashed 505's'& 550's: Blue, black or gray. Elsewhere $40. On April 8, we're expecting a record-brea g crowd. Don't miss the 13th Annual Bfiarwood Run. Details at the Inofmation Center, or any of our athletic stofes. Or, call 769-9610. - :: { , 4 " r'a Hurry for best selection! Events include a 1 Mile Walk and 5, 10 and 20 K Open Runs. And don't forget Fitness Day on April 7. Fitness activities, activewcar fashions, and- more! 12-5 pm.