The Michigan Daily - Sports Monday - November 26, 1990- Page 7 ................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................. ~ 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. r ....... ..::..:.................................................. _....................... 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." . .> 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. ,. , .s. ,...: .. :..,n.... :......._ : . ...: .::..._, . .< :.:..:..::.:. I minim invi7/Iln rnrarn.owir nih irm mimxr. riĀ«.t Ali, - olo- A 17-1 I