14A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 12, 1998 Sky's the limit for peaking Blue STI LLMAN Continued from Page 13A blowout of then-No. 19 Syracuse, the Wolverines' victims included no- names Chattanooga, Murray State and American (Puerto Rico). it looked like Michigan finally had decided to approach every game as if it was against a "Duke." For all the emphasis the Wolverines were placing on their opponents, however, the key to Michigan's success has been focus- ing on themselves. "When we take care of us, we do all right," Ellerbe likes to say. It turns out "taking care of us" means not just an emphasis on intensi- ty, but also on their collective skills and capabilities based on pure talent and hard work. Ironically, the moment of realiza- tion for the Wolverines may have come the last time they lost. Despite falling short against Michigan State on Feb. 17, the Wolverines used an inspired comeback to cut the Spartans' 15-point halftime lead to just three, 78-75, with seven seconds remaining. Much of that comeback was made with an injured Maceo Baston on the bench and without Robert Traylor, who fouled out with over six minutes still left in the game. "Without Mace, we realized we could play with any team with the five guys we had," Conlan said. "From that point, we realized we could get on a roll like we did in Puerto Rico. "We've got a lot of weapons. Everybody's playing together. Nobody's looking just to take over the game." So, finally, the Wolverines believe what their fans have known for the last three years - the sky is the limit when Michigan plays to its potential. And that's why the Wolverines and those who have watched .them know - know that Michigan is capable of anything and everything, no matter how difficult the bracket or how intimidating the teams standing in the middle of Michigan's road to the Final Four. - Dan Stillman can be reached via e-mail at dns@umich.edu. GRADUATE PROGRAM AT SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Want to make a difference in the lives of young people? Do you have an undergraduate degree or will you have one by June 1998? Looking for a 12 month Masters' Degree AND certification to teach elementary school? School of Education is now accepting applications for its program, Elementary MAC, which begins in July 1998. Clinical portion takes place during 1998-99 school year in two urban Detroit public elementary schools; academic courses integrated with each other and clinical experience. Some fellowship support is expected for qualified participants. For applications, contact Office of Student Services, SoE, email soe.oss@umich.edu or phone 764-7563.; For further information, contact Professor Stuart Rankin, email srankin@umich.edu or phone 647-4723. (Mention you saw this ad in The Daily.) SARA STILLMAN/Dally Michigan State point guard Mateen Cleaves leads the Spartans into one of the most anticipated first-round games In the NCAA Tournament - a meeting tonight with Eastern Michigan. Which een machine will win? 'M' guard Bullock may have idea DETROIT (AP) - Eastern Michigan's Earl Boykins wanted to get the inside secret on Michigan State, so he called the Spartans' biggest rival for help. Michigan guard Louis Bullock gave his buddy the goods. "I told him to keep doing what he's doing now, to make them adjust to his game,'" Bullock said Tuesday of the 5- foot-5 Boykins, averaging 26 points per game as the nation's second-leading scorer. Whether Bullock's advice about the Wolverines' in-state rival helps Boykins could become clearer tonight, when the 13th-seeded Eagles face the 16th- ranked, fourth-seeded Spartans in Hartford. Bullock insisted the call Monday night wasn't the product of insecurity by Boykins, who has amassed 45, 30, 35 and 29 points in his past four games and stands 27 points shy of his school's scoring title. To Bullock, Boykins has no reason for self-doubt. "Anything in-state is big," Bullock said. "What's at stake now makes it big- ger. "He just wanted as much information as he could get. That's just him. He's a competitor, all business." Boykins took that knowledge with him Tuesday when the Eagles left for Hartford for a showdown against the Spartans and a premier guard of their own: Mateen Cleaves, the Big Ten's player of the year. "Mateen's a good player," Boykins told The Ann Arbor News of Cleaves, a sophomore named Monday to the AP All-America second team. "We'll have to see what happens." Cleaves was equally complimentary. "I've got a lot of respect for Earl Boykins' game," he said, convinced the game's outcome won't be decided : individuals. "It's a team game, andI need my team to win, just like he does." It will be the second trip to the NCAA Tournament for Eastern's ive seniors. "The experience factor is going to help us a great deal, Boykins said. K-zoo NEWS: Western Michigan (20-8) figures to have its hands full as the Midwest Region's 11th seed facinr sixth-seeded, taller Clemson (18-1 tomorrow in Chicago. I Tale of the tape cleaves Bovkins Height Weigmt Points Assists 6-foot-2 190 pounds 15.5 7.6 5-foot-5 145 pounds 26 5.7 ,i al Recent Big Ten award Player of the Year MAC Tournament MVP ,;. Home Year Flint Sophomore Cleveland Senior * All statlstics are per game averages 7 Summer Camp Staff Wanted!,! Indian Trails Camp, a resi- dential summer camp pro- gram for children and adults with physical disabilities, seeks staff for the dates of June 6 to August 15. Positions available include female and male counselors aquatics staff, activity lead- ers, nurses, kitchen, and maintenance. Salary is between $1600 and $1800 for the entire summer, depending on position. Please call for additional information or an applica- tion. (616) 677-5251. Northwestern University is looking for college sophomores, juniors and seniors to work as counselors in the College Preparation Prog-am, a sununer program for academically talented high school students. Counselors serve as writing fl