1OA - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 5, 1998 football recruits Doylestown, Penn./Central Bucks West RECRUITS Continued from Page 9A reminded him of the goals from when he came in here last summer (to visit). "I reminded him of the things he told me a week ago." A state track champion in the 100- meter dash last spring in California. it is Fargas' speed that had coaches pounding down his door. "He has tremendous speed," Carr said. "I told (Michigan defensive coordinator Jim) Herrmann, I said, 'With Fargas, the defense will be on the field a lot quicker because when he scores, he scores fast."' Michigan's backfield already contains sophomore Anthony Thomas and senior Clarence Williams, but that didn't stop Carr from recruiting running backs. His relentless pursuit of ballcarriers has Walter Cross, a Maryland native, off to the races in the competition for carries in the Michigan backfield. But it's not Cross' natural ability that sets him apart from the other backs. "Walter Cross - he doesn't care who's here," Carr said. "Someone told him, 'You won't play,' and he said, Yes I will.' It's that kind of confidence you like in an athlete." The legendary Michigan defense, which is losing Charles Woodson to the NFL and fifth-year lineman Glen Steele to graduation, was replenished with a wealth of freshmen. Among the most notable additions is linebacker Larry Foote from Detroit Pershing. Foote's status remained in jeopardy until late Tuesday when he was forced to choose between national champions Michigan and Nebraska. HFs final deci- sion will keep him close to his Detroit home - despite Carr's intent to change Foote's position. "Larry was a defensive back in high school," Carr said. "He's probably 215 pounds and he's only going to get bigger. From a position standpoint, it is a tcrnsi- tion. He will play early and we're expect- ing great things from him. He fits very we lL" Last season, Jay Feely and Kraig Baker split kickoffs and field goals, while Jason Vinson handled the punting duties. In one fell swoop, Carr improved upon both situations. Hayden Epstein, a kicker and punter from Cardiff, Calif., gives Michigan a consistency his predecessors did not pro- vide. "Epstein has a great leg," Carr said. "This guy is really something. We went down to see Hayden the day after the Rose Bowl. He's got tremendous confi- dence." "He's going to be a great kicker," he said. While many recruiting rankings list Michigan No. 1, Carr is reluctant to place his faith in outside sources. "The truth is, there's a lot of really good recruiting classes out there," Carr said. "The results will be shown on the field three or four years from now. It's the nature of college football that fresh- men are going to play." Carr remained true to his values regarding the Fargas situation, and he offered a little commentary on the recruiting practices of other schools. "The worst thing a guy can do is make a commitment and then change it," Carr said. "What we try to do is, if a guy is committed, we leave him alone." SPRING ON THE SIDELINE: While many of the current Wolverines will return to the practice field after spring break, there are a few players who will have to maintain the hands-off policy. Mark Campbell, Clint Copenhaver and William Peterson all will undergo procedures or surgeries to repair various ailments and will miss spring practice. Offensive linemen Chris Ziemann and Steve Hutchinson also are doubtful to return before the fall. 'Must-win' is most vital cliche for 'M' cagers B0 Josh Kleinbaum Daly Sports Writer It's cliche time for the Michigan women's basket- ball team. The Wolverines' backs are against a wall. It's a must win situation. They don't have any room to breathe. Take your pick. Choose either one. With just five games left, a 6-5 Big Ten record and a 14-7 overall record, Michigan's season-long goal of making its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance is hanging on by a thread. Just four days ago, those hopes were alive and kicking. All the Wolverines needed to give them- -.--------- selves a comfortable cushion Basketball was a home victory over Indiana - a team they had iommentary already beaten on the road. ------------ Pollyanna Johns, Michigan's star center, was healthy again after missing one game and sitting out most of two others with a knee injury. Things were looking good for the Wolverines. Then came the debacle in Crisler on Sunday. You know, the one where the Hoosiers came to Ann Arbor and, on the Wolverines' home court, dominated every facet of the game in the first half. The Wolverines were outrebounded, outshot, outmuscled, out-lucked, and, most importantly, out-hearted. The Hoosiers came out knowing they had to win the game, knowing how important it was for their NCAA tournament chances - something the Wolverines should have realized themselves. By they time Michigan woke up, it was too late. Michigan coach Sue Guevara took the blame, say- ing it was her fault for not preparing her team. But she shouldn't be held solely responsible. The blame lies on Stacey Thomas, the sophomore guard who shot just 2-of-8 from the floor and com- mitted three turnovers. It lies on Anne Thorius, the freshman guard who missed all six of her shots and committed four turnovers. It lies on Tiffany Willard, the forward who shot just I-of-5, including two poorly-chosen 3- pointers that came closer to hitting me on press row than any part of the basket. Maybe the loss wasn't too disastrous. Maybe the Wolverines learned something from the Hoosiers. Maybe they saw the desire in Quacy Barnes' eyes as she hit free throw after free throw. Maybe they saw the sense of urgency painted on Kameelah Morgan's face as she hit 3-pointer after 3- pointer. And maybe, just maybe, Michigan will play with that sense of urgency for the rest of the season. So here they are. The Wolverines, down but not out, are in desperate need of victories. And to make matters worse, their remaining schedule is not kind. The Wolverines face Purdue on Sunday. Forget the fact that Michigan has already beaten Purdue, 67-59. Forget the fact that Purdue, ranked in the top 25 all season, just dropped out of the rankings for the first time. This is the Wolverines' toughest game left this season, and a victory could be the lift this team needs. A loss could be the cue to call in the CPR units. It doesn't get much easier after Sunday, either. Of the last four games, three are on the road - includ- ing one at Penn State and one at Ohio State, two teams that beat the Wolverines in Ann Arbor earlier this year. Should Michigan lose to Purdue, they might have to win all four of those games to make the tourna- ment. To be considered for the NCAA tournament, the Wolverines need 18 wins overall. They have 14, with five games and the Big Ten tournament remaining. But the last thing Guevara wants is to rely on the tournament for victories. And 18 wins still might not be enough. Normally, a team coming out of a conference as strong as the Big Ten with that many victories should make the tournament, but because of a lack of quality victo- ries, that might not do it for the Wolverines. The Wolverines have come too close, too often. A one point loss to Duke, a two point loss to Florida International, a three point loss to Illinois. The only top 25 team they've beaten is Purdue, and the Boilermakers aren't ranked any more. So take your pick. Choose your cliche. I've chosen mine. The clock is ticking. It's now or never. w a i U SPRIN BlEAK SUPE SALEIII Sex o# z1e S'eae6 A 6l4muua ?ae 7aead4y d4a4a I CHECK OUT GUEVARA'S TEAM IN SPORTSMONDAY C 7 \ t 0 X%50 d Zfe4 333 "The l Pac "Wide Sele "Con fir Ti IE%" Best Party kage" est H vtel ection" med Flight Imes" '~WITH THIS AD. DIRECT BOOKINGS ONLY. BASED ON QUAD OCCUPANCY FOR FEB 28 AND MARCH 7TH DEPARTURES ONLY. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. I , wi : s m I SUNBREAK STUDENT VACATIONS 800-446-8355 :vfFSURF OUR BEACHES @ WWWSUNBREAKS.COM I1 WARREN ZINN/Dadiy With just one home game remaining, Anne Thorius and the rest of the Wolverines must get some key road victories if they want a chance to play in the postseason. r ome one misses you.