24- Th icin Daily -TipcO-o ff - da v. Nomw RtQ - - -- -rs--rb 18.W)9 9 0 9 9... V NMV F r V Vlllr,/y( iV iWlV Depth in backcourt key to Blue scoring attack Talented veteran guards must lead the way in quest for conference title Check out the 10 Rules that guide ou How deep isMichiganat the guard position? Let's put it this way - Buckingham Palace and Fort Knox probably don't have as many guards. Combined. True, the Wolverines feature five players listed as guards on their official roster, but probably have more who are capable of playing the position. In fact, coach Steve Fisher's lineup is so versatile he speaks not of guards, but of perimeter players. "We'regoing tohave, justbyplay- ing ourbest team, fourperimeterplay- ers," Fisher said. "I don't do a lot of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, either numbering them or labeling them guards, centers and for- ~IL -iel wards." And with the Wolverines' obvi- ous lack of size, that perimeter play will be crucial in a more wide-open, up-tempo style of play. Leading the charge, of course, is arguably the most talented backcourt duo in the nation in juniors Jalen Rose (15.4 ppg, 3.9 apg) and Jimmy King (10.8, 3.1). Rose, at 6 feet 8, is taller than most guards he faces, and thus is able to see passing lanes that others cannot. But more importantly, Rose is the Wol- verines' most versatile player. Fisher has already said he will likely use Rose at all five positions, possibly in one game. King brings athleticism and anice shooting touch to the table, and has proven that he is capable of playing both theone- and two-guard slots. The 6-foot-5 swingman is also the Wol- Fife verines' leading returning field-goal shooter, at 50.9 percent. Newcomer Bobby Crawford, a McDonald's All-American in high school, will battle with sophomore Dugan Fife for the fifth starting spot this year. Crawford and Fife are capable of playing both guard positions as well, though they will more likely see play- ing time at the point. Crawford proved he had the skills in high school and should make an immediate impact for the Wolverines. Fife, who saw limited action last season, handled the ball well when he did play, but was hesitant to shoot. This year, his shot is much improved after making a few technical changes over the summer. "(Assistant) Coach (Jay) Smith and I worked on my shot and changed it a little bit," said Fife, who failed to make a field goal last season. "I tried to get a consistent jump shot so that, when I shot itI had apretty good idea that it was going in." Shooting will be especially im- portant for the Wolverines this year, with the lack of size in the middle. In order to free up Juwan Howard, pe- rimeter players will have to keep de- fenses honest with consistent shoot- ing from outside. With Rose, King and lone senior Jason Bossard, capable shooters do re- turn for Michigan. However, others willneedtocontribute, particularly with the loss to graduation of shooting spe- cialists Rob PelinkaandJames Voskuil. "Someone's going to have to step upandbeable to hit the three from the outside, or they'rejust going to double Juwan every game," Fife said. "If he can't score, it's going to be tough on us as a team." -- Tim Rardin .9 r--0 -- SOLID TEST PREP IS BEST. You come to Kaplan for substance. Skills rather than tricks. Experience rather than experinents. EXPECT TO BE RESPECTED. We value your time. We honor your determination. We understand your test anxiety. THE MORE WAYS YOU'RE TAUGHT, THE BETTER YOU LEARN. You get better results when you learn in more ways than one. SUCCESSFUL TEST-TAKERS THINK LIKE TEST-MAKERS. Nobody knows standardized tests like we do. 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" 301 South State 7614359 (7) THINKING CAN BE HIGHLY PLEASURABLE. At Kaplan, we help you develop the ability to think. This is the skill that standardized tests measure, more and more. CONVENIENCE IS KEY. When you want to work hard, we make it easy. IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, YOU'RE NORMAL. Everybody can succeed at standard- ized tests. But nobody can get it all right, right away. EMPOWERMENT. The purpose of the ten Rules is to empower you personal best on the test. Your success and the success of million THE YOt THE YOU Weg resou the r 1621 S. State * 662-6192 (at Stimson). students have made Kaplan the #1 name in test prep. Call for a free diagnostic test. 662-3149 GMAT -CRE - LSAT-MCAT-SAT-PSAT-ACT-and more KAPI The answertothe LL~r~0 .#