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LThe Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 12, 1998- 15A
-OM+~l EN S BASKETBALL
Murray makes last season
as a Wolverie special one
l
By Tracy Sandier
Daily Sports Writer
Molly Murray is feeling a lot of emo-
tion these days.
Besides the anticipation of playing in
her first NCAA Tournament tomorrow,
Michigan's senior forward will be partic-
ipating in each game with the knowledge
that it could be her last.
"I'm kind of nervous, actually, but at
the same time, I'm excited," Murray
said. "It kind of makes up for the first
two not-so-good years. It's weird to still
be practicing during this time of year.
Usually, we're done. It's like, 'We've
made it this far. Let's just keep going."'
After the women's Big Ten
Tournament, Murray was named to the
all-Tournament team.
During Michigan's two games,
Murray averaged 15.5 points, while
shooting 52.4 percent from the field and
54.5 percent from 3-point land.
Murray's most stellar performance in
the tournament came in the Wolverines'
semifinal game against Penn State.
Although Michigan lost, Murray had 25
points, three rebounds, one assist, one
block and two steals.
"Our team looks to Pollyanna Johns a
lot;' Murray said. "In the tournament, in
that game, it didn't happen - but she
was under the weather. I don't really
think that caused me to step my game
up.
Basically, once Muray got into a
rhythm, nothing was going to break her
stride.
"Once you ge into the flow of the
game, and your :hot. ar 'oing and
things are tfoing, it's eay just to roll
with it"' Murray said. "I'm just hoping
for another game like that."
Michigan coach Su Gueara has
coached Murray the p 1 two seasons,
and she has seen positive changes in the
senior from Grand Rapids
"Molly Murray is our most improved
player since last y ar:' Guevara said.
"She's much more aggressive going to
the basket. I also think she has expanded
her gam . Besides being 3poin hoot-
er, she is now pulling up,. or penetrating
and going to th bak4t. Sh is real lv been
a leader on this team, both vocally and
by example."
Guevara also notes Murray's increas-
ingly physical play this year.
"She's even become a bit of a
rebounder, which is a little bit of a
change for her. She is now initiating con-
tact, whereas before she didn't want to
be touched."
In terms of leadership, Murray leads
more by exampe than with her voic.
She exerts her presence most powerflily
during games, when the team is under
pressure.
"Ol the floor, it's easier to assert your-
self in certain situations - if people are
starting to bite into each other or things
are geting into high pressure - to calm
people down. I like to do that. I'm not
the most vocal person."
Another aspect of Murray's game that
hi: chnoed is her emotion. She has
been showing and feeling more of it in
her last season as a Wolverine.
"i used to not play with a whole lot of
emotion, but this year, it showed just a
little more' Murray said. "I lead by my
emotion and just by trying to get every-
one tocether"
For Guevara, Murray's future career
plans lie close to her heart, making her
one of Gueara's most prized students.
"She's a little bit special, because she
wants to be a Division I head coach
when she grows up' Guevara said.
"There aren't too many kids who want to
do that, so maybe I feel more of a
responsibility to mentor her the right
way."
Since Murray will be in school one
more year, she will still be working with
the Wolverines. But Guevara will miss
having Murray as a member of her team.
"I'm going to miss her humor,"
Guevara said. "She's a wisecrack. She's
good at making light of a situation. I'm
going to miss those points she's been
putting up.
She works hard, and Molly's fun to
coach. She's prtty coachable, and she's
sCar."
MALLORY S.E. FLOYD/Daily
Ichigan guard Molly Murray has emerged as an offensive spark and a team leader during her final season as a Wolverine.
urray, who plans on a future career as a Division I basketball coach, knows that each game she plays from this point on
afud'be the last of her college career.
i' faces mammoth foe in Bruins' Hubbard
dy Latack season for the Bruins. UCLA's Feb. 27 win over Washington said. "She has learned how to be active
>orts Writer "She's certainly a force inside, and State, and has become one of the Bruins' in the post without fouling, and when
higan center Pollyanna Johns has she's got a nice touch around the basket," primary scoring options. she's active, she's very effective."
her share of tough defensive chal- Guevara said. "I enjoy watching her "She is a go-to player, and we like to While Hubbard and Johns' playing
this year. The 6-foot-3, 175- play." get her the ball down low for high per- styles are polar opposites, they share one
senior has guarded athletic, UCLA coach Kathy Olivier echoed centage shots," Olivier said. "She has a very important advantage: They are sur-
players, and also has met up with Guevara's comparison, jokingly offering habit of being in the right place at the rounded by a potent perimeter attack.
ents who were massive and strong. Hubbard's services to UCLA's men's right time:' Michigan's guards, as they proved
nobody she has tangled with this team in the event of a second-round Hubbard's strength and size meeting when Johns struggled in the Big Ten
i will prepare Johns for her defen- matchup with Traylor's Wolverines. Johns' athleticism and quickness defi- Tournament, are capable of taking over
signment in the Wolverines' first- "I was just telling (UCLA men's nitely sets up an interesting matchup. the game with shooting and penetration.
NCAA Tournament matchup with coach Steve) Lavin that if they get by the While Hubbard is primarily stationary in UCLA's backcourt boasts similar abil-
tomorrow. first round, they need to borrow Janae to the paint, Johns gets many of her points ity, with sophomore guard Erica Gomez,
Bruins feature a proverbial simulate Traylor," she joked. by beating defenders to the ball, then a first-team all-Pac 10 selection, leading
gable object in the post - the 6-4, All kidding aside, Hubbard has maneuvering around them for layups. the way and dishing out 5.85 assists per
>und Janae Hubbard. emerged this season as a dominant force "Pollyanna is so active in the post, it game.
>bard is so remarkable that in the post and a perfect comoliment to makes me nervous." Olivier said. "She
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La ds & Lasses
C om e a nd Celebra te
St. Paddy's Day
Enjoy Green Beer
& Lots of Blarney
on March 17, 1998
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