t' tro irr rirntyt i . High school star suspended Torrance Roberson, a finalist for the Mr. Basketball Award in the state of Michigan, was dismissed from his Saginaw Buena Vista team by coach Norwaine Reed Wednesday. The 6-foot-7 senior was recruited by Michigan and Michigan State. Last week he was one of 20 players selected for Magic's Roundball Classic All-Star game, April 9 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. .. Page 11 Friday rcn iv., a i d il R . _: w . v:. .. ..,:. March 1@,1995 S 'M' blocks road to Big Ten title for Purdue By Scott Burton Daily Basketball Writer 4 Michigan men's basketball coach Steve Fisher figures that his Wolverines already have an NCAA tournament bid wrapped up after Wednesday night's victory over Penn State. But, just to make sure, Fisher is readying Michigan (I1-6 Big Ten, 17-12 overall) for one last regular season battle. The Wolverines travel to West Lafayette for a Sunday con- test with Big Ten leader Purdue (14- 3, 23-6). "We're not going to go down to Purdue think- ing that all we have to do is play a game to get in the tournament," yA Fisher said. "But tn I think we are go- ing to be in it." A Wolverine victory would un- doubtedly seal their tournament fate and further cushion their seeding. Even with a loss, Michigan can fin- ish no lower than fourth in the con- ference and would be a tough team for the NCAA's selection commit- tee to pass up. Since the tournament expanded to a 64-team field, every Big Ten team with at least 10 conference victories has gone to the big show. Michigan beat Purdue Jan. 3,71- 61, atCrisler Arena. However, Boil- ermaker star forward Cuonzo Mar- tin was just returning from knee surgery and was in less than peak condition. He scored 13 points on 3- of-I 1 shooting. But since that game, Martin has brutalized the conference, establish- ing himself as a legitimate first- team All-Big Ten selection. He is fourth in the conference in scoring (19.6 points per game) and first in three-point field goal percentage (47.6 percent). As a team, the Boilermakers are quite a far cry from what Michigan msaw in the first week of conference play. After dropping two of its first three Big Ten contests, Purdue has gone 13-1. What has been especially sur- prising about the defending Big Ten champions is that their offense con- tinues to sparkle without departed superstar Glenn Robinson. Despite engaging in a defensive bloodbath in its first meeting with Michigan, Purdue averages 75.4 points a game. "Since the first game, Purdue has skyrocketed," Fisher said. "It is going to be a very emotional game." Indeed it will be, because the Boil- ermakers have as much on the line as the Wolverines Sunday, if not more. After last night's 72-59 victory over Minnesota, Purdue is one game up on Michigan State for first place in the Big *tonamn.rceto h bac of SPRS na Playoffs beginfor icers Last-place Buckeyes face By Tan 9"Iety Daily Hockey Writer Last Sunday, the Michigan hockey team com- pleted its regular season schedule with a 10-2 victory over league doormat Ohio State. Tonight, the Wolverines begin the CCHA playoffs, and one might think that with postseason play comes a higher level of competition. Think again. The Buckeyes are back and begin a best-of- three series against Michigan at Yost Ice Arena in the first round of the conference playoffs. Tonightand tomorrow night's games are slated for 7 p.m. starts, while Sunday's game, if neces- sary, will also get underway at 7 p.m. The Buckeyes advanced to face the top-seeded Wolverines by defeating Alaska-Fairbanks, 7-2, in Tuesday's preliminary game. Ohio State fin- ished the CCHA regular season 3-22-2 in the conference, while Michigan racked up a 22-4-1 record against league opponents. However, while Sunday should provide the Wolverines with an opportunity to catch up on their studies, the team is aware that regular season records are virtually meaning- less in the playoffs. "It's a new season," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "They're not a 10th-place team Wolverines in new season anymore, and we're not a first-place teamany- more. "We have to start all over again proving our- selves." Recently, the Wolverines have had little trouble with Ohio State. Michigan swept a three-game set with the Buckeyes this season and extended its winning streak against them to 23 games. The last time the Wolverines lost to the Buckeyes was early in the 1989-90 season when Ohio State knocked them off, 7-3. "(The streak) doesn't mean a thing," Berenson said. "Now that they're in the play- offs they've got a chance to do some damage. If I'm them, I'm thinking upset, and I'm sure we'll see their best shot, especially in the first couple of periods." With a pair of wins, Michigan would advance to next weekend's semifinals at Joe Louis Arena. Last year, the Wolverines came away with their first ever CCHA playoff title when they defeated Lake Superior State, 3-0. "It's tough to get on top and win the champi- onship, but it's just as tough to stay there," sopho- more forward Brendan Morrison said. "We want to prove to everybody in our league and in the nation that we're going to be a team to be reck- oned with in the playoffs." DOUGLAS KANTER/Daily Mike Knuble and the Wolverines battle the Buckeyes tonight in the first round of CCHA playoff action. Moeller looking for quarterback as spring practice starts By Darren Everson Daily Sports Editor Perhaps none of Gary Moeller's teams have needed spring football prac- tice as much as this one. When the 1995 Wolverines begin practicing tomorrow, they'll be starting theirdrive to recapture the Big Ten title, just like last year's team. However, Michigan didn't have to look far to find a leader on offense then. Under Moeller, the Wolverines never have had to search for a quarterback; or at least, not until now. "The big question mark is finding a quarterback," Moeller said. "Four guys will be working in there." Jason Carr, Scott Loeffler, Brian Griese and Scott Driesbach are the can- didates for the starting job vacated by Todd Collins, the No. 1 quarterback the last two years. Carr, the only senior, has had the most snaps and the most experience. Griese should benefit from getting "more snaps last year than he's ever had," according to Moeller, but Loeffler and Driesbach are still mysteries. "We have to check to see how (Loeffler's) arm is," Moeller said. "That's the key thing with him. Driesbach (a redshirt freshman) is the youngest kid. We just have to see what he can do." Moeller would like to pick his sig- nal-caller this spring, but not if one doesn't distinguish himself "We're not going to make a choice just to make one," Moeller said. "If we have to wait until the fall, we will." The defensive backfield is Michigan's next biggest concern. Woodrow Hankins and Tyrone Noble figure to take over the cornerback posi- tions Ty Law and Deon Johnson used to own, but freshman Andre Weathers could also be a factor. Clarence Th- ompson and Chuck Winters return at the safety spots. Moeller said that his Wolverines may "play more defense like we did at the end of the year," when Michigan used a setup resembling a 4-3 align- ment. Damon Denson was a part of the defense last season, but he won't be this year. Moeller, whose Wolverines had their problems on the offensive line last year, hopes the junior lineman can pro- vide some help at offensive guard. "We're going to find that out," said Moeller, who hinted thatDenson would probably be a starter. "If he's not going to play there, I'm going to move him back to defense." Perhaps one reason for the move could be Michigan's injury problems on the offensive line. Tackle Jon Runyan is on the shelf because ofafoot injury and center Rod Payne had sur- gery on his shoulder. The Blue-White scrimmage con- cludes spring practice April 8 at Michi- gan Stadium. Track teams race to hdy for NCAAs Sullivan to compete in two events By Chaim Hyman Daily Sports Writer With a season full of triumphs, disappointments, injuries and losses almost behind it, the Michigan men's track team heads to Indianapolis today to compete in the NCAA Cham- pionships. Although many runners qualified provisionally, the Wolverines qualified nationally in only four events. Michi- gan will be represented in the high jump, 4000-meter dis- tance medley, 55-meter hurdles and 1600-meter run. Despite the fact that only a few of his runners will be competing, Wolverine head coach Jack Harvey isn't disappointed with his team's performance so far this season. "All in all, I'm pleased," Harvey said. Sophomore All-America Kevin Sullivan will be the only member of the Michigan squad to be competing in two events; the mile and the distance medley. "Our best bet is with Kevin in the mile," Harvey said. "The distance medley teams' performance will also depend largely on how Kevin feels after running the mile." Other Wolverine competitors include Neil Gardner, who is seeded 16th in the 55-meter hurdles, and Jon Royce, who will compete in the high jump. Royce is seeded second in the event and feels his performance will be based on how he is feeling at the time. "If I feel good, I should do well," Royce said. "It will be a fun race no matter how I do." Such sentiments are felt by Harvey as well, who is looking at this most prestigious meet as a way for at least part of his team to compete at ahigher level than they often get the chance to do. "This should be an interesting meet," Harvey said. "No matter how it turns out for us." Four women head to championships By Dan Stillman Daily Sports writer While the Michigan women's indoor track and field team has performed well as a group, what is most fascinat- ing about the four Wolverines who will make the trip to Indianapolis for this weekend's NCAA Championships are the individual stories. Senior distance runner Karen Harvey will run in the 3000-meter preliminaries this afternoon. Whether or not the 13th-seeded Harvey places in today's race will not make or break her indoor season. "Harvey has had an outstanding season and is the most competitive athlete on the team," Michigan coach James Henry said. Next, the story of the Arnill twins who have surpassed expectations in qualifying for NCAAs as freshmen. Al- though Henry still has difficulty distinguishing between Pauline and Deanna, he is sure of one thing. "(The Arnills) have shown veteran performances in rookie bodies," Henry said. Deanna will join Harvey in the 3000-meter prelimi- naries and Pauline will compete in the mile run pre- liminaries tonight. Neither has run since Big Ten Championships due to knee injuries. "It's been a tough few weeks for them, emotionally and physically, not being able to run," Harvey said. "Just qualifying (for NCAAs) as freshmen is a contribution to how good they are," Henry said. The final story is of Wolverine high jumper Monika Black. She represents Michigan's best chance of winning an event, as she has dominated the conference this season. "She's due to improve on her six-foot performance," Henry said. "If she tops six feet, she'll probably finish in the top three or four." TONYA BROAD/Daily Four members of the women's track and field team will compete this weekend at the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis. London $379 Paris $419 Firankf ut $419 Madrid $309 Fumer rund&0from D dtdosthW byMNOi 31. Ratlc- *MA ty~asveot Kdandtu*cdwg. kd toe dxowtU.S ts&otwwod WEck m. 1220 S. University Dr., Suite 208 (Above McDonalds) I I ONLY ON 'M9NN ! 7 A Ii0 C KEY TauRN"EJNT [rs+ R°U-d i clay "19:3O-t23O; h2:30-3:30 I - r i L i Emmm M m