The Michigan Daily - Sports Monday - November 26, 1990- Page 7
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RAJ S TER
No. Name
10 Stacie McCall
11 Jill VanStee
12 Valerie Turner
15 Carol Szczechowski
20 Barb Loeher
23 Jennifer Nuances
24 Sherell Stanley
30 Nikki Beaudry
32 Leah Wooldridge
33 Yeshimbra Gray
34 Torie Shaw
42 LaTara Jones
44 Char Durand
45 Trish Andrew
50 Michelle Hall
54 Rhonda Jokisch
Position
Guard
Forward/Center
Forward
Guard
Guard
Guard
Forward
Forward
Guard
Forward
Forward
Forward/Center
Guard/Forward
Forward/Center
Center
Center
JOSE JUAREZ/Daily
Junior forward Torie Shaw slashes down court past several Wisconsin players .
The Saga Continues
by David Schechter
Daily Basketball Writer
Usually they're supposed to keep
the game moving, but sometimes
they end up moving the game.
Officials always seem to be in
the hot seat. Too many times, a
,lown call gets more press than a
well played game. Patty Broderick,
supervisor of women's officials in
the Big Ten, is trying to change
that.
Broderick believes in the spirit
and intent of the rule. "The
definition of a foul is contact. Well,
if we called contact in this game
every time we saw ,it, we'd be
blowing the whistle all day long,
and you wouldn't see anyone playing
after four of five minutes."
In her opinion, a well called
game comes down to more than
reaction, judgement, personality of
the official and style of officiating.
"You have to be a people person,
that's a real important part of
officiating," Broderick said.
In the end judgement is left in the
"hands of the official. If they are in
the proper location on the floor and
'use the skills they've learned,
Broderick feels the proper call will
be made.
Officials spend a considerable
'amount of time at clinics refining
"their skills so they can make those
judgement calls. In fact there are ten
clinics during the year that a Big Ten
official must attend. This is all~part
of the educational aspect of an
official's job.
In Broderick's mind, the
education has led to superior
officiating. "I think Big Ten officials
are at a quality level. Of course, you
know officiating is a hot bed. They
are always in hot water and that is
*'part of the game."
Four rule changes were instituted
this year in women's basketball. The
most progressive change involves
the three point shot. If the shooter is
fouled while shooting from behind
the three point line she is awarded
three free throws instead of two if
the attempt is unsuccessful.
The Big Ten is considering the
addition of a third official to better
control the flow of the games.
"We're looking at something like
that because the game has moved in
leaps and bounds," said Broderick.
The use of a smaller ball has infused
a quicker style of baseline-to-
baseline play, and many coaches
would like to see the adoption of the
third official to improve the quality
of the games.
'1 think Big Ten
officials are at a
quality level.'
-Patty Broderick
This year, the people on the
men's and women's rules
committees had hoped to bring
together the rules between the two
sports. Currently, the main
differences between the two are: the
women have a thirty second shot
clock while the men have a forty-
five second shot clock, and there is
no ten second rule to bring the ball
past halfcourt in women's basketball
while there is in men's.
"Unfortunately, they got further
apart, not closer," said Broderick. In
fact, the men adopted seven new
rules, while the women adopted only
three. Broderick doesn't see a union
of rules in the near future.
Officials are people, too,
Broderick pointed out.. They have
families, jobs and lives outside of
the game, but no one seems to
notice that. And since they are
human, she says, they are prone to
error. But she is also quick to point
out, "If they (the officials) are not in
the proper position to make a call,
then I've got a problem with them."
She's not the only one.
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Blue recalls glory
by Albert Lin
Daily Basketball Writer
Last season, the women's basketball team wrapped up their most
successful season ever. It was not always a smooth ride, but the Wolverines
certainly would not mind a repeat this year.
The 1989-90 slate opened with optimism. Michigan was picked to finish
in the upper division of the Big Ten, which would be a first.
Trish Andrew, who led the conference with 64 blocked shots in her
rookie campaign, knew that the Wolverines were capable of having a big
year.
AtI think at the beginning of the year, being a freshman, I seriously had
no idea what to expect competition-wise, or anything like that," she said.
"But I saw the seniors on our team, and I saw how they worked together,
and I knew we could be a good team. It all depended on what we did with the
talent we had."
Michigan used that talent to jump out to a quick 6-0 record to start the
season. Later on, the Wolverines fell four straight times to conference
opponents. But they then streaked to win nine of their next ten. Included in
that string was the season's biggest win, a 70-68 overtime triumph at first-
place Northwestern.
At 18-7, the Wolverines felt that a 20-win season would guarantee them
an NCAA tournament berth. But losses in the next two games, followed by
a season-ending win over Minnesota, left Michigan with a 19-9 record.
Now, all they could do was wait.
"We kind of had mixed emotions on it," junior Leah Wooldridge said.
"We felt like we deserved a chance, but yet we didn't know if we had a good
enough record, because all the others' teams records were better than ours.
But we felt like we deserved a chance to prove ourselves."
"I don't think we expected it," said fellow junior Char Durand. "I mean, I
knew we were playing well, and we knew we had a chance to get into the
NCAA tournament, but I think we were looking more at probably going to
the NIT."
Senior captain Carol Szczechowski agreed. "I was thinking more the
NIT, because Iowa, Northwestern and Purdue finished before us, and I
thought three would go," she said. "But they took five teams from the Big
Ten, which is pretty impressive. So I was surprised."
The team learned of the news on the bus after their return flight from the
Minnesota game. Let them tell you how it went.
"That was one of the sweetest moments; because Coach was like, How
many people have been to Oklahoma before?' and we all looked around, and
we're like, Yeah, whatever,"' Andrew said. "And then when he told us that
we were going, the whole bus just started, I mean, we were all yelling and
clapping, and I think a couple of people were crying or something.
"But it was like, all our hard work, and our dedication to basketball, we
were getting rewarded."
The team didn't have much time to enjoy that feeling, however, as it was
time to prepare for Oklahoma State.
"We were happy to be there, but yet we knew we had a job to do,"
Durand said. "We weren't there just to be there. We were there to win."
And win they did, pulling off a stunning 77-68 victory over the seventh-
seeded team in that region.
"On a personal level, the Oklahoma State game was the highlight of my
career," coach Bud VanDeWege said. "We went there and beat the Big Eight
champion on their home court. We proved that we belong, and I think really
established our program."
The next step was a trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, and a date with
North Carolina State. But the fates were not with the Wolverines, as the
Lady Wolfpack, paced by All-America Andrea Stinson's 20 points, easily
handled Michigan, 81-64.
"Going to North Carolina, you could almost feel a relaxed atmosphere,
as though everyone was like, Oh, we won the first game. We're here."' said
Szczechowski. "I mean, I think we still played our hearts out, but I think
we could've played a little better, but we were satisfied with what we had
accomplished. And I don't think we should stand for that.
"We cut ourselves short, I mean, we sold ourselves short."
Despite the loss, VanDeWege felt that he learned a lot from the
experience. "If you're a lower seeded team at the NCAA tournament, until
they get neutrality, it's gonna be awful hard for a Cinderella to make it
through because you keep going on home courts until you get to the
regional final. And even then you might be playing on somebody's home
court," he said. "So you find out how difficult it is to advance to the Final
Four, and win the NCAA tournament. It just gives you so much respect and
regard for the teams that make it there."
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Wildcats should leads
Big Ten hoops pack
by David Schechter
Daily Basketball Writer
As if there weren't enough parity in sports, the race for this year's
Big Ten women's basketball title is tighter than a Twinkie twin pack.
Every coach will tell you that any team could win it. Here's how the
league is shaping up.
1) Northwestern - After tying for the Big Ten title last year the
Wildcats are almost everybody's preseason favorite. Coach Don Perrelli
returns all five starters while losing only one player. He looks to Junior
Michele Savage to lead the team again this year. She is a ruthless
rebounder and shooter, who led the league in both categories last year
while being named to the first-team all-Big Ten.
But what about the curse of number one? Perrelli hadn't thought of it
much until the Big Ten Women's Basketball Conference in Indianapolis
two weeks ago. "You can't tie for the Big Ten Championship, bring
everyone back a year older, and not be considered as one of the
favorites ... It has been a curse. It's not fun to be to be number one."
No preseason favorite has won the Big Ten title in the last three
years.
2) Purdue - The Boilermakers also return their five starters. Purdue
has the experience of an appearence. in last year's NCAA Tournament
round of Sweet Sixteen but has a habit of losing the close games. The
return of 5-10 Senior Joy Holmes, a two time first-team all-Big Ten
member, should give them confidence in the big games. Last years top-
rated incoming freshman, 6-1 Tina Eddie, who missed last season under
Prop 48 will strengthen the team at forward.
3) Iowa - The Bobby Knight of women's basketball, C. Vivian
Stringer, is at it again. After signing the best recruiting class in the Big
Ten last year Stringer is complaining. "These kids have a lot to learn,
and a lot of them don't really know what they're doing yet."
They lost four starters to graduation, and return only Steph Shuler,
the shortest woman in the league. She's nothing shy on talent and can
outrun almost anyone on the court while averaging 11.1 points per
game. With Shuler and last year's bench players Felicia Hall and
Laurie Aaron, you can't count the Hawkeyes out for a run at number
one.
4) Michigan State - Coach Karen Langeland returns to the
Spartans in her fifteenth year with a semi-secret weapon. Langeland hired
an assistant who just graduated from Perrilli's program at Northwestern
3.,f. hoping his Big Ten title will rub off
on her. Returning for Michigan:
State are last year's three top scorers,
Eileen Shea, Cherie Swarthout, and
Sheronda Mayo.
Langeland is confident in her
3 squad, and the three point threat that.
r y Shea gives the team. "I think every"
w u year there is a lot of parity, and this
l t ti year won't be any different. It will be
tough," Langeland said. If the
' Spartans can improve their road
record, they may break from the
Pe rre l l i parity pack.
5) Ohio State - With one of the premiere backcourts in the league
the Buckeyes will be a strong shooting team. Freshman of the year-
Averrill Roberts, who was second on the team in scoring last year, and
Senior Cheryl Perozek fill out the guard slots. Look out for the Best
Defensive Player 89-90, Senior Vicki Pullie. The Buckeyes did not win
a single back to back game last year- that's something they may want to
work on.
6)Michigan - The Wolverines won't be closed for remodeling, but
business might be a little slow. Coach Bud Van DeWege returns just
one starter. 5-10 guard Carol Szczechowski and 5-9 guard Char Durand
will lead the Wolverine offense.
"We are so young and so inexperienced next to last year's team," '
said Van DeWege. But Van DeWege hopes a fifth place finish will get
them to the NCAAs.
7) Illinois - The Fighting Mini have a new coach, and a new'
system. Kathy Lindsey was hired as coach after working as an assistant'
at Ohio State. Lindsey inherits a strong team and a strong recruiting
class. Forward Sarah Sharp and guard Jill Estey return to the line-up to
lead the team. Coach Lindsey brings her own style of play to
Champaign and may see some success this year, though her better teams,
are most likely down the road.
8) Indiana - The Hoosiers return five starters, who will solidify,
Jim Izard's offense. Forward Zandrea Jefferies was one of the league's
scoring leaders last year. Tisha Hill will again lend her abilities to the
point guard position. A big barrier for the Hoosiers is height, with only
two players at or over six feet.
9) Wisconsin - Reporters didn't stop to ask coach Mary Murphy
many questions at the Big Ten Coaches Conference, because they knew
most or the answers. Starting guard Amy Bauer is just returning from
reconstructive ankle surgery in the spring, and Wisconsin's Player of the
Year Michele Kozelka, who received All-Conference honors last year
will have to carry to load herself at forward. They have the experience,
but not the talent.
10) Minnesota - Say so long to six seniors. The Golden Gophers
will have trouble finishing anywhere but last this year. Maybe some
other year.
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