Basketball team holds first practice The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, October 16, 1990 - Page 11 Women race past rby JefsefbSran ,daily Basketball Writer Fans did not line up for tickets to watch them practice. The media did not swarm their arena, trying to catch a glimpse of the preseason fa- vorite. But the Michigan basketball players practiced nonetheless. October 15 marks the first day of official practice nationwide, and the Wolverines participated in the annual tual. Unlike last year, however, all eyes were not focused toward Crisler Arena. "It's a little bit different atmo- sphere than last year," coach Steve Fisher said. "But I'm every bit as excited as last year, and I'm happy to work with the team I've got." Fisher affirmed that only two players have secured starting posi- tions thus far, and said he has no in- dication who will fill the other spots as of yet. Senior Demetrius Calip, the team's captain, gets the nod at point guard, after receiving consider- able playing time in that slot last season. Eric Riley will start at cen- ter, where he saw substantial action last year as well. "Riley's still too thin (212 pounds), but he's really improved from the neck up," Fisher said. "He can't muscle with the 250-pounders, but then they can't run with him." Fisher alluded to the idea that Michigan would employ a running offense, perhaps featuring three guards. "We saw success with it last year, but we have different guards than last year," he said. "We need the intelligence to con- trol the tempo. This season we're going to stress fundamentals and minute details in practice more than ever before," Fisher added. In addition to captaining the team, Calip faces the challenge of running whatever offense Fisher de- cides to implement. "I've been on both ends of the spectrum," Calip said. "I've sat on the bench with a championship team, and I started 13 games last year, so I can relate to anything. "I'm maybe more excited than last year, because we have a young team. And with youth comes enthu- siasm," Calip said. Riley also expressed excitement about the coming season. "I think we'll go with a running game with three guards. I think it suits our team much better than last year's team." Michigan may have little choice but to run a three-guard offense, be- cause of the lack of size to accom- pany Riley's 6-foot-11-inch frame. This lack of size may also affect Ri- ley's play. "It's a little scary, because you can't get hurt," he said. "I'm going to be a little more judgmental with my moves, because I can't afford to get into foul trouble." Forwards Rich McIver and Sam Mitchell join the team this year, field at in by Jim Foss Daily Sports Writer It's nice when a coach can rest a top runner because of an injury and still have the ability to blow away the rest of the field. Michigan women's cross country coach Sue Foster was afforded this luxury last weekend as first-year runner Jennifer Armstrong nursed a hip injury and did not travel with the team. Wolverine runners dominated the field at the Michigan Intercollegiates Saturday at Eastern Michigan, run- ning away with both the team and individual titles. Michigan took first in a field of 13 teams with 28 points while Central Michigan placed second, finishing with 75 points. "She (Chris Tyler) had been running about fifth or six for us, but now she has moved up. I think that she will be a key member of the squad." - Coach Sue Foster Michigan State, Hillsdale, and Eastern Michigan finished in a three way tie for third place with 98 points apiece. Sophomore Molly McClimon captured top individual honors in the meet, taking first place with a time of 17 minutes, 52 seconds. Amy Buchholz, a sophomore, scored third vitational with a time of 18:04. Chris Tyler was the third Wolverine to cross the finish line, breaking the tape in 18:16, good for sixth place overall. Other scoring runners for the team included Amy Bannister (eighth place), and Chris Szabo (tenth). Kim Haluscsak and Megan Nortz finished 11th and 13th, respectively. Fosterysounded pleased when discussing the individual perform- ances in the meet. "We thought that she (Molly) could win the race, and she went ahead and did it." Foster said. "Also, Amy is still runnin& well for us." Foster was elated about the individual performance of Tyler "This was a big improvement for her," Foster said. "She had been running about fifth or six for us, but now she has moved up. I think that she will be a key member of thi The Wolverines will have two weeks off before their next meet, October 27th at the Big Ten Championships. The meet this year will take place in St. Paul', Minnesota. Due to the participation of Indiana (ranked second in the nation) and Wisconsin (ranked in the top ten), Foster said that the team will be shooting for a top three finish at the meet - a goal she feels is within the team's reach. "I think that it will be a real fight for second, third, and fourth place," Foster said. JOEJUAREZIDaily Slam-dunking center Eric Riley hangs on to the rim to savor his two points. Riley will be lonely this year as Michigan's only big man. The seven-footer was a key contributor off the bench last season, leading the team in blocked shots and field goal percentage. each standing at 6-feet-9-inches. "McIver blocked my shots a few times, and Mitchell's got some great offensive moves, Riley said. "They should do real well." February 9th's game between Michigan and Iowa at Crisler Arena will be played at 8 p.m. A1:o:.: l Men gear up for wiA~~na $14gf 0etfct to Big Tents t...... 1~:*OE:E~ w th w in 420 Maynd! 2 1. Ioa tMcigan 0 5. Indina at innst 5Ile 6. Mami ait* Notre Dam . O'Suign's. Dro takeoff< win a $12mgift ertfaes to by51 . Friday at theDalyatrn 1. Ios at Ma 3. Michingt.n at Illinfos 14. Ohiogi St. at U 15. Indizna .at ineon 8. Mayland at Dex & 11. WFlor St. at Auburng 13ashingtonyat Stanford 15PAona TSe. getOradyn M19.g Aansas St.a Miss. Onlin 20." Weber::: St.': at": Wyoming: Apply:: for:.ii':the Am:::: Nae:____________ Phn:_____Te.etray1 Mihian .:... Io a:__ adventure,::.:.act..o by Kevin Sundman Daily Sports Contributor The men's cross-country team has shown improvement through each passing week this season, but it is left wondering if it will be enough. The Big Ten championships are closing in fast and it appears that the race for the title is going to be extremely close. "There's no question it is going to be a dogfight for the champion- ship," coach Ron Warhurst said. "Michigan State ran well against us this week, and Wisconsin has been ranked in the top five the entire season. We certainly have our work cut out for us." Beginning their preparations for the conference championship, the Wolverines made the trek to East Lansing Saturday to compete in the. Michigan Intercollegiate Champion- ships. The Wolverines came away with the meet's low score, edging out the Spartans 30 to 34 to claim the title. Afterwards, coach Warhurst had nothing but praise for his oppon- ents. "They (MSU) are much improved from the last time we met them," he said. "It is not as if we haven't gotten better, but they just ran very well." The team received another fine performance from the trio of senior Brad Barquist, who placed first, junior Tony Carna (4th), and senior Jeff Barnett (5th). Yet, the Wolverines felt that they could have performed even better. "We didn't run as well as we should have," Barquist said. "We had a tough week of practice and I think we were running a little tired." 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