The Michigan Daily - Thursday, December 4, 1997 - 13A JIft 5 ames gone, here's wht we know O K, we're five games into the basketball season, five ames into the Brian Ellerbe era and only 25 games away from the end of the regular season (or maybe just the end of the season, period, if things don't pick up). , Perspective is everything these days. The fickle Michigan are suddenly worried because the Wolverines have strug- d against some small schools. But remember: A few short months ago, most people thought the only driving done by anyone in a Michigan basketball uniform would be done behind the wheel of a Ford Explorer. Things could be worse. Things could be better, yes, but things could be worse. A lot worse. The Wolverines are 4-1 (though they could just as easily be 3-2, 2-3 or suffering from the death penalty). And when it comes down to the end of the season, nobody remem- M bers the scores of the early games -- ROSE just the results. All things considered, it's been a fair- ly successful start, considering the coaching change, Travis Conlan's injury and Mo Taylor's departure for the pros. But what have we learned? More than you might think, con- sidering it's only been five games ... Robbie Reid hates making mistakes. Unfortunately, he's ben making them in bunches. ut let's be fair. Anyone who thought Reid would step in mmediately be the calm, guiding force of an offense that hpbeen erratic for years was either crazy or Reid's dad, Roger. The guy hasn't played for two whole years. Two years! Giye him some time. He beats himself up after every turnover -and every missed shot (yes, he's taken a beating thus far), so we know he's thinking about it. He works as hard as anyone op the floor, and he will get better. . Reid has improved with each outing, he's using his off-hand and going to his right more and more each game - last night he had three assists and just one turnover. He hasn't been at, but hold off on a final judgment for a couple months. 4f you're still not convinced, think of it this way: At least he's not Brandun Hughes. $ Brandon Smith is a player. Michigan's smoothest coibi- nation so far has been Conlan, Lou Bullock, Robert Traylor, Maceo Baston and Smith. He can run the floor as well as any- one, he can shoot, and he goes to the hoop with authority. But at times, he's still a little tentative. Ellerbe said of Smith last-night, "It was like he was thinking, 'Hey, I shouldn't be the leading scorer out here,"' - but that kind of attitude is to be expected from a freshman. With Smith and Conlan on the floor at the same time, Michigan has the ability to run the ball success. U Jerod Ward loves to shoot the ball. He does not, however, "appear to have an equal love of passing the ball - even, at times, if his teammates are open. But except for last night, he has shot the ball extremely well, which makes his launching habit a good thing. But when he is not shooting well (like his 1-for-8 performance last night), the temptation to continue to fire away can become a bad thing. Ward takes his share of criticism, however, and one thing you rarely hear about is his defense. That could be because it's never been great. This year, though, it has improved notice- ably. Although he's not blessed with the quickest feet in the world, Ward has been getting his hands in the passing lanes and generally picking up his effort on defense. Conlan is a better ball-handler - with a cast on - than anyone else with two healthy wrists. Without question, he is the one player who makes the team go. With no Conlan on the floor, the Wolverines are lost on offense. He won't score 30 points, but it's safe to say there Maceo Baston winces at the thought of getting <.by Florida international center Darius Cook. WARREN ZINN/ Daly aren't many people in the college game who see the floor as well as he does. Bullock's shooting will be just fine - unless Conlan gets hurt again. Nobody has suffered more than Bullock as a result of Conlan's absence, but unfortunately, nobody but Bullock could run the point effectively when Conlan got hurt. Bullock is not a point guard, but he's done an admirable job running the offense and handling the ball. Still, he struggles to find open looks when he's running the point, and with Conlan on the floor, he has an easier time getting open - both 3- pointers he hit last night came while Conlan was in the game. Bullock will be fine - when Conlan is back to normal. But what about the turnovers, you ask? Where has Traylor been? Will Michigan ever blow someone out? Good questions, all of them. Ask again in another five games. - Jim Rose can be reached via email atjwrose@umich.edu. A' cagers find aumliar home Andy Latack y Sports Writer RAND RAPIDS - It was designated on the sched- as a home game, but Gerald Ford Fieldhouse in nd Rapids is quite a trek from the friendly confines risler Arena. 'et for some on the Michigan women's basketball n, this truly was a home game. Senior captain Molly rray, sophomore Kenisha Walker and freshman Katie ids) in the past," Guevara said. "And hopefully, soie s who watched the game saw some bright spots." i entral Michigan coach Fran Voll, whose team is - ily made up of Michigan natives, views the neutir- as an equally valuable opportunity. We have kids that we're looking at here, ad :higan does, too," Voll said. "I'm glad (Michigan) ited to play this game, because the city of Grgd >ids has such outstanding support for girls' baskek oes in Vegas: "The expectations of the coaches and fans ae well founded," senior Bill Lacure (150) said. "As long as we can keep everything in perspective, we're capable of doing great things-especially ir this tournament." The Wolverines also have an advantage becaus of their practice schedule. For the past month, they have been practicing twice a day, and in the last week they have reduced to once a day at a higher level of intensity. "What has always separated us from other teans is our ability to peak at the right times," Ho said. "Because of the way our practice schedule s set up, we will have fresh legs going into the tout nament and we will wrestle well." The team morale at this point is running hig. The Wolverines are supportive of one another a41 are prepared to face the competition in Las Veg. "We are fired up to show the nation how goo our team really is," Howe said. "We sat down at the beginning of the season and listed our goats for the matches and for this tournament, it's t, three." 'M' grapplers to roll dice, f By Nita Srivastava Daily Sports Writer Somebody is going to pay, but it's not going to be for gambling debts. The Michigan wrestling team heads out to Nevada this weekend with a vengeance to take part in the Las Vegas Classic in which top wrestlers from 40 schools around the country will compete. Michigan has a history of performing well in this tournament, but there is some "unfinished business," according to the Wolverines, making this competition that much more important to set the tone for the rest of the season. "There is a lot of distraction because we are practically wrestling in a casino," senior Brandon Howe (126 pounds) said. "But we are going to take care of business." Last year, co-captain Jeff Catrabone (167) took first place in the tournament. Catrabone said he is now looking to end his career at Michigan on a high point. "Last year, I won. This year, I want to dominate. My goal is to pin everyone," Catrabone said. The seniors on the team are especially looking forward to the competition in Las Vegas. "We haven't performed to our ability in the past, and this is the season that the seniors especially want to make the most memorable in our career," co-captain heavyweight Airron Richardson said. Richardson will potentially compete against No. I Steve Neal of Cal State-Bakersfield who he lost to in the semifinals of the same tournament last year, 5-3. One of Michigan's biggest advantages going into the tournament is the depth and balance of the team. Michigan coach Dale Bahr commented on the importance of maturity on the team. "This is one of the best Michigan teams I have seen," Bahr said. "We've got quality, experience and balance. There is someone good in every weight class." As a result, the aspirations are particularly high this year for the Wolverines to do well, especially in this tournament. Michigan's Bill Lacure and the Wolverines won't be able to have much funIL Vegas this weekend. Michigan is focused on the competition at hand. GHIPPEWAS tInued from Page 11A ping defense without fouling the igan players. The Wolverines shot blee throws in the game, making 20 em. The 63 percent mark from the was a slight improvement. higan has struggled from the free line this year. Guevara was uraged by the number of times the verines went to the line. eah, I want to get to the free throw 'Guevara said. "We may not be the free-throw shooting team in the Big Sbut I want to get there. The more we get there, maybe the more we'll put in." Central Michigan was paced by sophomore center Shelly Woods, who scored 18 points. Ebony Rainge and freshman Joni Daniels each posted 11 points for the Chippewas. Next up for Michigan is Florida A&M 9 the Duke Tournament on Saturday. Guevara does not expect Michigan to come out as flat in its next game. "I told the team, 'hey, we gotta get ready for Florida A&M on Saturday,"' Guevara said. "If we play like that, we're going to get pounded." MICHIGAN (78) MIN . -A N-A 0-T A F PTS Lemire 35 5-12 3-5 0-2 4 2 15 Willard 24 3-5 4-6 3-9 0 3 10 Johns 35 8.12 6.9 3-8 2 2 22 Thomas 19 14 020 1-2 3 1'2 Thorius 30 3.7 1-3 1-4 5 2 7 Murray 26 3-7 2-4 1-5 0 2 8 Franklin 11 2-4 0-0 1-2 1 1 4 Dykhouse 2 11 2.3 12 0 0 4 Stowe 18 2-6 2-2 2-4 0 0 6 Totals 200 28.58 20-321s411513 78 FG%: 483, FT%: .625. 3oIntrF: 2-8 .250 . Lemire 2-3, Thorius 0-2, Murra 0-2). Blocks: 0. Steals: 10 (Willard 3, Johns 2, Thorius 2, Lemire, Murray, Thomas). Technical Fouls: none. CENTRAL MICHIGAN (66 MIN *A M-A O-T A F Nara 30 410 0.0 1-3 4 3 Rainge 28 5-13 1-1 4-8 2 3 Woods 28 9-20 01 2-5 0 4 !Rasch 34 3-10'0-0 3-6 4 2 Miller 31 2-5 0-0 1-3 3 5 Fambro 20 24 3-4 0-0 2 1 Culbertson 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 Daniels 24 5.7 1-4 3-8 1 4 Minaricova 2 0.0 0-0 0-0 0 0 Pigott 2 0.1 0.0 0-0 0 0 Totals 200 30.70 5-101891722 FG%: .429. FT%: .500. 3-point FG: 1-6, .167 (Fambro 1-3, Nora 0-2, Miller 0-1). Blocks: 1 (Rainge).FSteals: 5 (Nora 2, Daniels; Miller, Rasch). Technical Fouls: none. MICHIGAN (714 E MIN M-A U-A 0-T A F PIS Baston 35 8-11 7-8 5-13 3 2 23 Ward 17 1-8 0.0 -2 0 4 3 Traylor 30 6-13 04 2.12 2 3 12 Reid 27 2-5 0-0 0231 5 Bullock 34 3-10 0-0 0-3 2 1 8 Conlan 26 1-2 1-2 0-1 7 0 3 Oliver 2 0-0 0.0 0-0 0 0 0 Asselin 15 4.5 00 3.5 0 1 8 Smith 14 3.6 1-2 2-3 0 1 9 Totals 200 28.60 91613421713 71 FG%: .467. FT%: .563. 3jpolnt FG: 6.20, .300 (Smith 2-5, Bullock 2-6, Reid 1-4, Ward 1-4). Blocks: 4 (Smith 2, Traylor, Ward).,Steals: 4 (COnlian 3, Traylor). Technical Fouls: none. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (62) FO FT R1E3 MIN M-A M-A 0-T A F PIS Gamble 27 2-6 22 0.2 1 3 6 Bell 39 7-14 4.4 2-5 0 3 20 Cook 30 2-7 0.1 0.5 2 1 4 McKnight 24 3-4 3.3 0.1 1 0 11 Arroyo 27 2.6 2-3 0.2 4 2 6 Derkack 21 4-10 0-0 4-8 3 4 9 Fairweather 10 1-6 0-0 0.2 0 0 3 Carreno 14 1-3 0-0 1-1 2 0 3 Harris 8 0.2 0.001 01 0 Totals 200 22-58 1113 8-30 131462 FG%: .379. FT%: .846. 3pont Fa: 7-22, .318 (Bell 2-3, McKnight 2-3, arreno 1-3, Derkack 1-4 Fairweather 1-6, Arroyo 0-2, Gamble 0-1). Blocks: none. Steals: 9 (Gamble 3, Cook 2, Bell, Derkack, Harris). Technical Fouls: none. Michigan......26 45-71 Florida Int'I.27 35-62 At: Crisler Arena A: 11,236 P1T8 8 11 18 6 4 8 0 1 0 0 66 NCAAS Continued from Page IIA think.there are enough quality American players out there that we can recruit.' Despite their different philosophies in recruiting, both Giovanazzi and Temple coach Bob Bertucci share one thing in common - their teams are making their first foray into the NCAA tournament. While it took Giovanazzi six seasons to turn the trick, Bertucci has led the Owls into the tournament in just his third season at the helm. The Owls have made great strides under Bertucci, improving from a 17-13 record in his first season to this season's tournament berth. As the Wolverines draw closer to their first-ever tournament game, they are relaxing and allowing the last three months of competition to sink in. "We had regular practice Monday and Tuesday, and a light walk-through yes- terday" Giovanazzi said. "We will be ready to go." The winner of tonight's match plays the winner of the Hofstra-Texas A&M match tomorrow night. NEW YORK DQ PIZZA DEPOT 605 E. William St. Ann Arbor 669-6973 * 669-NYPD -e F.Del I~i EAT-IN TAKE-OUT' A CATERING* X-LARG E ILASGEM INCHg II,1190 + +224 camiksa uddufklo, ramfluriader) I I (ixdudms d**=a, f*W gsiAwf. dug) A u~lhn d~lMs0OLM5each §ci I I w e cemb lh isany other offer ; I Lmm -_ami-no- -- Michigan. 39 39-78 Central Mich F sG.31 35-66 At: Gerald Ford Fieldhouse, Grand Rapids A: 1,562 I Alk t mS lk as _. True or FalIe? VEnglish is, like, degenerating before our eyes 'Good grammar is a matter of self-discipline C ANCUN Cnk Free cn Ts Icudes: "*5 Breakfasts ."5 Dinners . 21 Hours of Drinks *dRound Trip Air .7 Nights Hotel 'inks Transfers/Taxes - aS - I