UZfr *id~igm an T $ir tSnmeto APs MAJOR LEAGUE PH LADLIA 3. BASEBALL Pittsburgh 1 Cleveland 5, Tarm Ba a4, BALTIMORE 4 CHICAGO 3 Series tied 1-1 ST. LOUIS 3, Los Angeles 2 PRO N.Y. Rangers 1 HOCKEY CALGARY 1 BUFFALO 5, COLORADO 3, Washington 2 San Jose 2 loronth at V~ANCOJVER, inc. COLLEGE FOOTBALL SYRACUSE 50. Rutgers 3 Friday October 10, 1997 11 N Toss has to take reigns ofFisker s future 'ter seven months of intense investigation and rampant specu- ation, the mess that is the Michigan basketball program has fallen into the lap of one man: Tom Goss. The decisions sure to face him in coming days are why, we must assume, *liversity President Lee Bollinger selected Goss as the man ultimately responsible for leading the much- maligned Athletic Department to higher moral ground. This is why Goss was hired to be Michigan's Athletic Director. The highly anticipated report investi- gating the alleged wrongdoing of the Michigan basketball program and Ann Arbor's least favorite booster, Eddie Martin, was released yesterday to a u omful of antsy reporters. But pre- tably, the hectic press conference pro- duced far more questions than answers, and most impor- tantly, did nothing to quell rumors about coach Steve Fisher's future. Now, in light of the commissioned law firm's inabili- ty to substantiate pSE claims of major violations against Rose the program, the Beef decision of what to do next falls to Goss. Yesterday's media feeding frenzy revealed that nothing "major" arose from the investigation - nothing, Goss and Bollinger suggested, that would lead the NCAA to level harsh measures *unst the program or its coach. The violations that were substantiated there were three were termed (repeatedly, it might be added) no more than "minor'' People expecting earth- shattering news from the report will likely be disappointed with the findings. But here's where this gets interesting: Despite Goss's repeated and vigorous announcements that the "minor" viola- ns are unlikely to result in serious ion by the NCAA against Fisher, Goss refused to say that Fisher's job was safe. When asked whether the lack of major violations served to solidify Fisher's position, Goss tiptoed around the question oh-so-carefully. "I'll be going over this for the next few days, and doing it with Coach Fisher" Goss said. "Then we will try to come to a better understanding of some of the things in the report." Goss did not stand up and say, "Fisher 'rimy man" Nor, however, did he imply that Fisher's days are numbered. But it sure seems peculiar. On one hand, Goss was trumpeting the absence of "major" violations, saying they pro- vided reason for optimism. But on the other hand, he was cautious not to vindi- cate Fisher because of it; rather, he made certain to avoid giving the impression that Fisher's job is safe just because a firm could not persuade a sufficient number of witnesses to talk. Curiously, Steve Fisher was not around for what was supposed to be the biggest day for his program in quite some time (he was on vacation). If everything was as peachy-keen as a cou- pie of minor violations, you'd think he'd be shouting from the rooftops -- espe- cially after the attention this case has gotten. Perhaps Fisher's absence has some- See ROSE, Page 12 Third time a charm? Declawed 'Cats . . still 'M' nemesis By John Leroi Daily Sports Editor Once the easy team on Purdue's schedule and the pur ple creampuff the Big Ten's better teams used to beat up' on, Northwestern has turned its program around. In the process of winning or sharing the conference title each of the past two years, the Wildcats have' become something even more unthinkable than Big Tewi champions: the Wolverines' nemesis. Twice Michigan has entered the Northwestern game with an unblemished record and a No. 6 ranking. Both times the Wolverines were favored. Both games ended in 4 Michigan losses. In 1995, it was a 19-13 shocker in Michigan Stadiut that proved that the Wildcats were for real. Last year, it 4Mwas a 17-16 miracle win after Michigan blew a 16-01 lead in the fourth quarter. Tomorrow, the picture is eerily similar. Michigan (1-0 Big Ten, 4-0 overall) will host Northwestern again unde- feated and with a No. 6 ranking. For the third-straight time, the Wolverines are favored to win - and to wir big "Certainly, because of what has happened in the past. this game has a lot of meaning for us," Michigan coach; Lloyd Carr said. "We're playing the Big Ten champions, and I expect them to play like the Big Ten champions." The only problem is the Wildcats (0-2, 2-4) haven't ...played anything like Big Ten champions so far. They don't even resemble them. Gone are tailback Darnell Autry, linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, guard Justin Chabot and quarterback Steve Schnur - all All-Big Ten selec- tions. To make matters worse, All-Big Ten receiver D'Wayne Bates suffered a season-ending injury before the Wildcats' season even began. So Northwestern coach Gary Barnett, still known as the savior of football in Evanston, has had little to wort with and little to show for it. Barnett incited such a rev', FILE PHOTO olution in Northwestern football that the school rend own cut the See WILDCATS, Page 11 .A '~. L Michigan tailback Chris Howard fumbles the ball on the first play of the first drive after a fourth-quarter Northwestern touchd Wolverines' lead to 16-8 in last year's game. Minnesota shares Blue's ineXperience By Sharat Raju Daily Sports Writer When the Michigan hockey team takes the ice tonight at thelTarget Center in Minneapolis for the Hfall of Fame Game. it should see something rather familiar. No. 4 Minnesota - No. 9 Michigan's first opponent in the young season - is in a similar state of affairs as the Wolverines. Both teams are entering the season after the departure of marquee players, and both have ros- ters with an abundance of youth. "We feel we're kind of a little bit like Michigan," Minnesota coach Doug Woog said. "Almost all of our guys are 18-year-old freshmen when they came in. They are still blossoming, and we feel that some of the kids are still mak- ing some improvements." The Golden Gophers are in an unfor- tunate situation this season. With only a short time before official practices began, Woog lost two of his best players to the professional ranks. Mike Crowley, a two-time All- America and a Hobey Baker finalist last season, left Minnesota to play IHL, hockey for the Cincinnati Cyclones. The departure of one of the top defensemen in the country and last sea- son's WCH A most valuable player has left large gaps in the Minnesota defense. "On defense this year, we might have some problems," Woog said. The other standout Gopher to make an exodus from Minnesota was Erik Rasmussen. Rasmussen -- the highest American-born player picked in the 1996 NHL. Draft at seventh - might be best remembered by Michigan for his performance against the Wolverines in last season's College Hockey Showcase. He scored three goals and dominated the ice in a performance considered one of Minnesota's best ever. While the Gophers have lost two key players, however, the Wolverines have lost nine since last season. The much talked-about departure of Michigan's best class of players has caused a lot of speculation about M ichigan's ability to further the legacy left behind by last year's seniors. Finally, this weekend will give people an opportunity to see the 10 heralded freshman. "We think Minnesota will be in the same situation as us, trying to find out what combinations work," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. The Wolverines will be unveiling their new-look team. Unlike previous seasons, when everyone expected tremendous blow-out victories by the potent Wolverines, this season is a little more uncertain. Michigan does feature the leading career point-scorer in the NCAA, Bill Muckalt, with 159. The senior right wing will have to spearhead the Michigan offense, along with the help of senior captain Matt Herr, who scored 29 goals last season. "Muckalt will definitely be what the See GOPHERS, Page 12 FILE PHOTO Michigan's Bill Muckalt will try to lead the inexperienced Wolverines in their season opener tonight in Minnesota. Faced with) the loss of last year's star seniors, Michigan features a lineup loaded with 10 freshmen. Ky Struggles continue for M' women s golf By David Stern For the Daily After finishing a disappointing ninth place last weekend at the Wolverine Invitational, the Michigan women's golf team will try to finish its fall season on an upbeat note this weekend, at the Lady Kat If Michigan is to be successful, it will once again have to rely on the play of junior Sharon Park, who will be returning to her home state - where she was named "Ms. Golf" her senior year in high school. Park has led the Wolverines in scoring in every tournament this year. A ,ver 'in f~ DispioY t 'ecudve illlll, . The University of Michigan BASKETBALL BAND AUDITIONS Auditions will consist of scales and sight-reading. Rehearsals for the Men's and Women's Basketball Bands will be on Tuesday evenings. Positions open for: Drum Set Piccolo Clarinet Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone -ri .,rn I