'' A Arrn tdEtasn~ l CAPS COLLEGE temple at BASKETBALL (24) U. MASS, inc. *(21) Iowa 79, PRO WISCONSIN 76 BASKETBALL (nr) South Carolina at Phoenix 110, VANDERBILT, inc. TORONTO 105 (15) W. VIRGINIA 90, CHARLOTTE 93 Pittsburgh 72 Boston 89 (23) RHODE ISLAND 94 Vancouver at St' Joseph's 76 HOUSTON, inc. ORLANDO 91, Atlanta 90 PRO HOCKEY Detroit 1, FLORIDA 1 LA Kings at CALGARY, inc. Chicago at PHOENIX, inc. Ulbe Siclulia JdT Tracing 'MI teams The Michigan men's basketball team hosts Northwestern tomorrow night. Read all about it in Daily Sports tomorrow. Wednesday February 4, 1998 9 JEschmeyer back on feet for 'Cats The pain in Evan Eschmeyer's foot would not subside. Four years ago, he would dress with his teammates, grit his teeth and return to the battleground for another ago- nizing trip up and down the floor. As the ache grew stronger, the coaches, the doctors, the k iners - they all said: "Keep going, it'll go away." But pain as insufficient for these medical men and physical evidence was required to prove the injury's severity. When the bones in his foot swirled around as he stood still, Eschmeyer began to worry. His feet, so finely tuned just a few months earlier, had reached the point of no return and his bas- ketball career was ready to follow suit. So he visited the doctor, who diagnosed tendinitis and a stress fracture. "It was a very frustrating time," Eschmeyer said. "The first year was really tough because I was fresh out of high school and really gung-ho about the (college) thing. You have to keep that hope that you're going t to go back and play again." That attitude would prove crucial as Eschmeyer began the road to recovery. MARK Under then-coach Ricky Byrdsong's rock-hard regime, little went as planned SNYDER and even injuries were uncertain. Mark My The center's next visit to the doctor Words - with the same foot problem as before - brought about a different 9agnosis. The tendinitis became a nerve problem and Eschmeyer's season ended in an instant - but only at his request. "I told them, 'this is it, it hurts too much,"' he said. The Northwestern athletic curse raged on and Eschmeyer was trapped in a situation he didn't deserve. After surgery and a year of rehab in which Eschmeyer's hunger to compete grew ever larger, Byrdsong forced the cen- ter back onto the court in the fall of 1994, Eschmeyer's second season at the school. Once again, no dice. Too much pain overrode his system and what would have been his sophomore season became another wash with anoth- er surgery. His dreams remained locked away. The adjustment would take time and Eschmeyer knew it. The third season's attempt to play for the Wildcats - his junior year academically - proved successful, as he compiled solid numbers, improving as the seaosn progressed. Then, last season, he broke through, finishing among the conference leaders in three categories, and was named just the eighth first-team all-Big Ten player in the school's long and ~mal hoops history. Fast forward to today. As he stands before tomorrow night's game against Michigan - strong in body as well as spirit -- he can take solace in individual victories as he stands on the verge of his- tory. Eschmeyer is bidding to join Glenn Robinson as the only other single-season conference leader in both points and rebounds in the past 20 years. He is in impressive company, for sure, but Eschmeyer's goals are true to his story. "It's a great thing, but we also have (just) one win in the nlerence - which isn't a great feat," he said. "That's more where my concerns lie at this point." And so, trying to keep his head above the sinking ship, he tries to contribute however he can. On Saturday, Eschmeyer nearly carried the Wildcats to vic- tory over first-place Michigan State by himself. But around Evanston, his dominance is hardly unusual. While he pours in 21.9 points per game, Northwestern's second-leading scorer, Sean Wink, resides a significant nine points behind. "Trying to make the best of Northwestern's 1-7 conference record, Eschmeyer muddles along. All the while, he's petition- ing the NCAA for a special-clause sixth year of eligibility Ocause, despite the horrible records and turnovers in coaches 4aid athletic administrations, he is the constant on the campus. Next season will mark the sixth fall in which Eschmeyer has watched the leaves drop around Lake Michigan, and then - finally - it will be time to depart the campus where he has spent so much time. "I've seen a lot of things that have come and gone in my five years," he said. "I've outlasted two ADs and three coach- es. I do feel like an old man sometimes." But true to his everlasting optimism. Eschmeyer has turned extra time into a positive. U"It's a lot of experience and I still believe that this program -- this team - can win," he said, "That's the hardest thing that I find. We don't have a lot of talent, but we have enough talent to win. Next year we have a chance to do real things. aI think we can win four or five games." Finally, after five years, Eschmeyer has learned the way of the Wildcats - keep your goals realistic. - Mark Snyder can he reached via e-mail at mnsnvder&urnich.edu. Do you know sports? Nead the Daily for the information that you really NEED to know. M' wrestlers prepare to take on rival State By Jordan Field Daily Spor ts Writer There's nothing better than a backyard brawl - especially when both teams are nationally ranked. The No. 12 Michigan wrestling team will travel to East Lansing tonight to battle intrastate rival No. 9 Michigan State. "We have a nice rivalry with them -- this is for the pride of the state," Michigan coach Dale Bahr said. "I think everyone gets excited for a match like this. We' e had a good w eek of practice and this is what it's all about. It %till be fun and we are excited about it." Fun, however, may not be the appropriate word. Michigan State boasts four ranked starters, including senior David Morgan, who is ranked No. 1 in the country at 118 pounds. In the other corner. Michigan starts six ranked wrestlers - creating the potential for a heated dual meet. "Morgan is outstanding, no question," Bahr said. "But we have some guys who are great as well and will be heavily favored at their weight." Michigan junior Chris Viola, who is ranked No. 16. will face Morgan, but Viola is not intimidated at all by Morgan's ranking. "On paper, I give him all the credit in the world," Viola said. "But when we get out there, it's just two guys that want to win. I don't see him any different than anyone else. I've never gone out just trying to keep it close - when I wrestle I always want to win regardless of who my opponent is." The next two weight classes will also feature two ranked opponents. At 1 26, eighth-ranked Pat McNamara of Michigan State will face Michigan's 14th-ranked Joe Warren. And at 134 pounds, No. 18 Isaac Miller will battle with Michigan's Damion Logan, ranked No. 20. If the Wolverines can escape from the first three rounds with some points on the board, they can begin to feel confident. Michigan State does not field a ranked opponent until No. 10 Will Hill at the 167 weight class --and even then the Wolverines can remain confi- dent. At the 167 weight class, Michigan starts No. 3 Jeff Catrabone, who just returned from Buffalo where he and teammate Airroh Richardson competed in the Coachs' All Star Classic. "My guy is no slouch, and this is a match that I need to be careful," Catrabone said. "But I'm always confident and hopefully with the intensity of the match and rivalry, I'll come through with a win for us." Aside from the matches that feature ranked wrestlers, Bahr is focusing on the "toss-up" weight classes. These matches - 142 and 177, for example - could mean the difference in the match. "I believe that the team that wins two of three between the 126, 142 and 177 weight classes will win the match," Bahr said. The 177 match, specifically, could be a major factor in the meet, as Michigan's Joe Degain will face Michigan State's James Brimm. Brimm is 0-11 on the season, and a win in this class could put the Wolverines in a good position and help build Degain's confi- dence. At 190, neither wrestler is ranked. At heavy- weight, Michigan's Richardson is ranked No. 2 in the nation. "DeGain has struggled a little this year, but this match could be great for him," Bahr said. "Grimm has struggled even more, and I think he has probably lost some confidence through- out the season. If Joe can get a win here then we can hopefully leave with a win with Airron finishing it out." Michigan hopes that after a week and a half without competition, the team will come out fresh against Michigan State and again this weekend at home against No. 10 Purdue and Ohio State. "We have had very good practices, arid I think everyone is ready for this week. We know FILE PHOTO Michigan 118-pounder Chris Viola and his 12th-ranked wrestling teammates are preparing for a battle with the No. 9 Spartans tonight in East Lansing. Last year, the Wolverines upset Michigan State at Jenison Field House. Tonight's meet include Michigan State's eighth-ranked Pat Who: Michigan at Michigan State McNamara (126 pounds) against 4th-ranked Where: Jenison Field House Joe Warren, while at 134 pounds, Michigan When: 7:30 p.m. State's No. 18 Issac Miller will batle No. 20 Notables: The 12th-tanked Wolverines will face Danion Logan. Also at 167 poundsMichigan's No. 9 Michig an State for the p~ire of the state. No. 3 All-American, Jeff'Catrabone., will face Each team features several ranked wrestlers. At Michigan State's No. 10 Will Hill. 1I8 pounds, Michigan's Chris Viola will face No. I David Morgan. Other showcase matches Men's senior tankers conclude home careers Laskowski, von Richter, Buyunkuncu, Papa and Williams say sweet farewell to Canham By Jacob R. Wheeler They'vef Daily Spoits Writer could give There won't be a lot of glamour or cele- Last y bration at Canham Natatorium this Friday, points of even though the seniors on the Michigan conferenc swimming team will say goodbye to its was a dee friendly confines for the last time. squad. The Wolverines will take on a considerably Ohio S weaker Michigan State team and could very advantag well win every event for the second meet in a depth. 01 row. most oth But there won't be any champagne show- schools c ers. Michigan has to get on a bus early ters of 2 Saturday morning and travel to Columbus for for the dt what could be a more than just a day in the season. B pool. The matchup with Ohio State is the Title IX a Wolverines' last before the Big Ten on Mich Championships three weeks later. the Wo] "This is the last chance for us to establish only 26 d time standards before the Big Ten "It mad Championships," Michigan coach Jon champion Urbanchek said. "So I think we're going to swimmer see some pretty good swims. win it wii "But we cannot overlook Ohio State. Urban If you love the Daily, then we love you. Come feel the love. Wrte for Daily Sports. got a real good lineup and they e us a tough time down there." ear the Buckeyes came within I l handing the Wolverines their first ce loss since 1989 - and last year's points, either. Ohio State should dominate a weak group of Wolverines on the spring- board. The only Michigan diver who scored last week was Brett Wilmot, who won the one-meter event and took second place in the three. per Michigan tate's biggest e might be its hio State and her Big Ten arry full ros- 28 swimmers uration of the ut because of and its impact igan sports; lverines are eep. Friday's meet Who: Michigan vs.Michigan State Where: Canham Natatorium When: 7:00 p.m. Notables: Last home meet for Michigan's seniors. Saturday's meet Who: Michigan at Ohio State Where: Columbus When: 1 pin. Notables: A rematch of Michigan's narrow victory over the Buckeyes last year, 146.5-135. As usual Michigan boasts the best swim- mers in the conference - and those with inter- national experience should be the favorites. Senior Owen von Richter and junior Tom Malchow are on fire. The veterans won two events in each of their last two meets and nei- ther one shows any signs down," senior Ryan Papa said. "They're doing less work, preparing for the Big Ten Championships. But others are still doing th6 heavy work." Papa also came away with two victories against the Hoosiers. He expects to do the same in his final home meet at Michigan along with fellow seniors Derya Buyukuncu, Steven Williams and captains von Richter and Chris Laskowski. Their good-byes wilI be casual, though. They won't walk out on s carpet of flowers. "This is the last chance for our seniors to represent Michigan here at home," Urbanchek said. "But as far as ceremonies go, we just introduce them. "Because of NCAA regulations, I don't even think we can give them anything other than a handshake. At one time we were able to give them a T-shirt or a ball-point pen with 'Michigan' written on it. "The guy's been here for years and won all these medals for you and all you can say s, 'Thanks Tom, here's a handshake, see ya " kes it tougher - especially at the ship - to win meets with less s," Urbanchek said. "We have to th performances at the top." chek can't rely on many diving of slowing. Malchow and von Richter continue to work at full strength, but some other Wolverines have slowed their pace a bit. "Some of the guys have started to taper U I 4 LIKE NORTH CAMPUS? YOU'LL st 01aRY hiring for th Feb. 5th. Sc Don't pa GLaCieR fatiofRaL PaR montana LODG 6 Res Rt, Glacier Park's finest now e 1998 summer season. We will be on campus Thursday, hedule an interview by calling 1-800-368-3689. ss up the opportunity of a lifetime! Cadet Kevin Janicki Junior, College of Engineering 2 year scholarship recipient ARMY ROTC SALUTES OUR CVLulT Pn u QTTPUrruI1I' Dru~lwAl. AufINnayn