The Michigan Daily-Thursday, November 1, 1990- Page 9 Tourneys next for rugby. Four-year jinx in Big Ten's looms over men by Ryan Herrington clties at the Rio Ten To rnamn t -even team single eliminatio n The climax of the Michigan men's rugby fall season comes this weekend as the Wolverines travel .to Columbus for the Big Ten Tournament. And with the talent this team possesses, Michigan is one of the favorites to take the conference crown. If the squad is to have a successful weekend, there are many things which need to happen. Most important, accord- ing to co-captain Tae-Ni Chang Stroman, is that Michigan comes together and plays as a unit. The Wolverines will rely on strong forward play, especially from flanker Bryan Williamson and eight-man Joe Domask. "If we dominate up front, like we should, with our back play we should control the game," co- captain Jon Lichterman said. "Possession is critical. We don't have a big pack, but we do have a ,mobile pack which gets around the field well. "We need possession of the ball in order to win." Lichterman, a senior playing in his fourth Big Ten Tournament, must use his experience to help this very athletic, but inexper- ienced team. "If (Lichterman) plays well, we will win," Stroman said. In addition to the play of the forwards, strong defense from the backs, notably John Swis and Bret Peck, will be important this weekend. Lichterman also noted that kicker Bill McCarrol needs to be at the top of his game for Michigan to win. Michigan has had its diffi- W.'~l*AL&.'.JtGi D g. 1IGi 1 U1 I enII,.I in the past. Last season, four players went down with injuries during the tournament, forcing the team to use less experienced players as replacements. While the Wolverines placed a very respectable second, it marked the fourth straight season that Michigan finished with the silver rather than the gold, a frustrating fact to all of the returning players. The toughest opponents the Wolverines could face in this .,lG V GII I.~pM.*,0AI g tournament are defending cham- pion Minnesota; host Ohio State, a team which reached the nationals last season; and Penn State, playing in its first Big Ten rugby tournament. And what about Michigan's chances? Lichterman replies, "We don't necessarily have team cohesive- ness. However, we're good rugby players and this will lead to our success." Eleven women join area team for Midwest Subunion games H E SPORTING VIEWS by David Schechter Daily Sports Writer The Lakers are Rileyless, the Cleveland Cavs are. Ferryfull, and the Phoenix Suns are on the move. What does this all mean? When this year's basketball season gets underway, you'll find out. ON THE RISE: Look out Lakers, you've got company at home. The Los Angeles Clippers are the up and coming team in the league. The team has a new leader in 1986-87 Coach of the Year Mike Shuler. Shuler has unlimited talent to work with in Ron Harper, Danny Manning, Bo Kimble, and Michigan men Gary Grant and Loy Vaught. If this group of young athletes can rally around potential All-Star Harper and stay out of the hospital, they will finish near the top of the Pacific Division. Unfortunately, this seems unlikely as Harper will be out until at least Christmas recovering from knee surgery. In the Eastern Conference, look to the Indiana Pacers for some surprises. Last year they played like} a team for the first time since Rik Smits was under six feet tall. Reggie Vaug ht Miller is a dynamite shooter who can dish out as much abuse as he takes. With late bloomers Smits and Detlef Schrempf continuing to improve, the Pacers will be a force in the future. THE FINAL FOUR: Piston coach Chuck Daly is back for a reason. He wants his three-peat. He could have a lucrative color commentary job right now, but he knows the Pistons have the potetntial for one more championship season. His three-guard rotation of Vinnie Johnson, Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas can do it, but this team of egos might explode in Daly's face. Look for a big trade from the Pistons including John Salley and Mark Aguirre, who are on the trading block. Michael Jordan is ready to send Isiash on his merry Michael meets Mr. Robinson way. The Bulls' addition of Dennis Hopson and Cliff Levingston shouldn't truly threaten anyone, but the maturity of Scottie Pippen should. Pippen has really grown in Jordan's presence. If guys like Horace Grant and Craig Hodges can truly contribute, the Bulls will have what it takes. Eastern Conference Champions - Chicago Bulls. The Suns will most likely face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. As a rookie, David Robinson had all the moves of a veteran. Unfortunatley, he was not immune to rookie mistakes. Except for All- Star veteran Terry Cummings, San Antonio is shy on experience but big on talent. With the addition of 7- foot-1 Dwayne Schintzius out of Florida, the Spurs can camp out under the boards. Although the Lakers will put together an impressive regular season, they won't survive the heat of Kevin Johnson and the Phoenix Suns in the Pacific division. K.J., often refered to as "Little Magic", has an unmatched will to win. His supporting cast of Tom Chambers, Jeff Hornacek, Dan Majerle, and Mark West are some of the best individual players in the league. The Suns will dominate the West for years to come. But not this year. Western Conference Champions - San Antonio Spurs. T HE W INN ER: The networks finally rid themselves of Detroit's Bad Boys in the finals and add the king of commercials, their beloved Jordan. On the flip side, NBC will have to ask for directions to San Anotonio. David Robinson, of course, will display his super star abilities, but won't match the will to win of mighty Michael. The Bulls win it all. by Charlie Wolfe The season is over, but the real challenge may have just begun. The Michigan women's rugby team has just completed one of its best seasons in memory, com- piling a 7-2 record, outscoring its opponents 140-28, and chalking up six shutouts. But for many of the team's players, there still remains a bit of unfinished bus- iness in Iowa City this weekend. Eleven Wolverines will be part of a squad of twenty to represent the Michigan/Ohio/Indiana Sub- union Select-Side team in the Midwest Subunion Tournament Saturday. The other three teams taking part in the tourney will be from the states of Minnesota, Illinois, and an Iowa/Wisconsin team. The Select-Side team will face Minnesota, the No. 1 ranked Midwest team, in its first game. It will then enter either the winner or loser's bracket to face Illinois or Iowa/Wisconsin. Michigan coach Bryn Chivers, also leading the Select-Side team, admits they have their work cut out for them. "The odds are against us, but if our forwards tighten it up and move the ball well, we could surprise them," Chivers said. His squad finished fourth last year "but we have a far superior team this year," he added em- phatically. Win or lose, Chivers will be motivating his players to perform well individually also. He's counting on at least seven members from the squad to make the Midwest Select-Side team, which will then tour the different territories (East, Southwest, Pacific West) across the nation. "Seven (players) will probably make the Midwest team, and we could have even more," Chivers said. "I'll be very disappointed if it's any less than seven." Ii , I Swimmers compete in double dip by Jason Gomberg Early, rigorous conditioning for the Michigan women's swimming team should pay great dividends come the end of the season, according to coach Jim Richardson. "Teams that are happy in March are the ones that are unhappy in November," he said. Richardson characterizes his team as- willing to sacrifice now to reap the benefits of late-season success. The first step towards that goal -a fifth consecutive Big Ten title -will be taken Friday evening. The Wolverines, ranked sixth in the nation, engage defending NCAA Division II champion Oakland University at Canham Natatorium. Richardson regards this meet as more of a hard training meet than as a high-pressure contest. "It's competition, all right," he said, "but we're emphasizing more of the endurance component. Since it's distance-oriented we won't see indications of power." The distances areeroughly twice .as long in this race as in normal competition. This should provide a stiff challenge for Michigan's seven returning All-American performers from the 1989-90 season. For example, a swimmer who regularly competes in the 200-meter freestyle will instead hit the water facing 400 meters. For some, it will entail racing for longer than they ever have. Richardson says this double-distance "parallels the type of training we've done all year. "We got the idea (for a double distance meet) from Stanford last year, and we asked around to different schools to try it. Only Oakland was brave enough to try it with us," he said. The Wolverines are not neces- sarily unhappy about this training style. They definitely remain focused, and maybe fatigued, but they are not miserable. Michigan doesn't plan on taking anyone for granted on its schedule this year. "They're not looking past this week," Richardson quipped. "The way they're training, they can't afford looking past this afternoon's practice." THE NWS ANN ARBOR Part-time Customer Service drivers needed. Starting pay - $6.00 per hour plus mileage reimbursement. Deliver newspapers in Ann ArborNpsilanti area, possibly answer phones one day per week. Hours are Thursday and Friday, 2:30- 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 - 12 noon. Preferred candidates have insured car, good driving record, knowledge of area, excellent communication skills, and pleasant voice. Apply in person - Ann Arbor News, 340 E. Huron St., 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EOE Premiere Performance of for choir, soprano and baritone soloists, harp, organ, handbells and congregation by Stephen Rush composer in residence of University of Michigan Dance Department Friday, November 2, 8:00 p.m. Commissioned by Campus Chapel in celebration of fifty years of campus ministry at the University of Michigan 668-7421/662-2402 1236 Washtenaw Ct. parking in the University of Michigan Church St. parking structure ...but, of course, there's a catch... A2's premier arts center needs a few energetic art junkies for poster & flyer distribution around town. If you're interested give us a call or stop by anytime. rawinim reins a," ini k . N.. nomads "indians " saints Compelling music with a rare, unvarnished beauty. Featuring "HAMMER AND A NAIL:' "WATERSHED:' and "PUSHING THE NEEDLE TOO FAR." Produced by Scott Li. ManaementRaue Carter epic MICHIGAN'S FIRST PLACE TEAM Michigan Wolverines vs. Ferris State Bulldogs Friday, November 2, 1990 "Michigan Hockey Button Night" Saturday, November 3, 1990 Yost Ice Arena I I