SportsMonday - January 31, 2000 - The Michigan Daily - 5B rpping finished with Michigan By Raphael Goodstein Daily Sports Writer Even though sophomore Ruth Kipping is transferring from Michigan, she has visited her former teammates and coaches since leaving the team. Kipping's visit to- the lockerroom after W ctice may have lessened some of her a osity towards the program, but don't expect Michigan coach Sue Guevara to re-instate Kipping soon. "I think it's for the best interest of the program and Ruth that she not be a part of the program," Guevara said. "She BASKETBALL told me she doesn't Notebook miss (playing)." Although there are rumors of animosity between the t Guevara plans on helping Kipping fV a new school. "She's going to look to transfer," Guevara said. "I told her, 'Let me know what schools you're thinking about transferring to, and I'll help you.' Guevara said it looks like Kipping will leave the Big Ten. Missouri and No. 6 Iowa State are the two schools that Kipping - who was described to Guevara as "homesick and not happy" oiced an interest in transferring to. Missouri is approximately a three- hour drive from Quincy, Ill. - Kipping's hometown, and Iowa State is close to a six-hour drive. Ann Arbor is nearly 10 hours-away from Quincy. "She approached me earlier because she was homesick and wanted to be clos- er to home" Guevara said. "The team misses her, but (it) doesn't miss some things she was doing." Guevara would not specifv what those things were. Kipping averaged II minutes per game in 17 games this season. BIEs SHINES: With 12 minutes left in the first half of Sunday's game and Michigan ahead of Minnesota, 15-4, freshman center LeeAnn Bies found her- self open from behind the 3-point line. Bies quickly squared up, and fired a line drive that appeared destined for the front of the rim - until the ball cleared it and swished through the hoop. On her way back down the floor, Bies made a 'why not?' gesture to the fans. Then, with eight minutes left in the half, Bies found herself open from behind the 3-point line, and without any hesitation, buried another 3-pointer. During the press conference, when Guevara described Bies as the team's "new 3-point shooter;" Bies quipped, "I've been making those my whole life." The two shots marked the first 3- pointer of Bies' Michigan career. Bies has attempted only one other 3-point shot this season. NCAA TOURNAMENT BOUND?: Last year, the Wolverines lost to Minnesota at home and some Michigan observers, including Guevara, believed the loss pre- vented Michigan from going to the NCAA Tournament. But this year, the more experienced Wolverines appear to be waltzing into the Big Dance. Heading into Sunday's win, Michigan was ranked No. 25 in the Ratings Percentage Index, the ranking that the Tournament committee considers to make up the 64-team tournament. Many observers think the Wolverines will have to win four- more games to make the tournament -a task Michigan MICHIGAN (73) FG FT RE8 MIN M-A M-A MOT A F PTS Thomas 38 6-14 0-0 3-6 2 2 14 Goodlow 24 4-8 2-2 2-8 0 3 it Miller 18 3-4 0-0 03 1 3 6 Thodus 35 4-8 2-2 0-5 7 1 12 Ingram 26 3-11 4-6 0-4 3 2 10 Jara 2 0-1 1-2 1-1 0 0 11 Walker 18 0.0 0-0 1-3 2 1 0{ Oesterie 14 2-3 0-0 1-1 3 0 4 Robinson 5 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 [ykhouse S 0-0 0-0 0-3 0 2 0 Bes 23 3-6 5-6 2-3 1 1 13 Totals 200 26-56 14-1813-44 19 17 73 FG%: .464 FT%: .778 3-point FG: 7-16, .438 (Bies 2-2, Thorius 2-3, Thomas 2-6, Goodlow i1-1, Oesterle 0-i, Ingram 0-3). Blocks: 1 (Walker) Steals: 5 (Thomas, Miller, Thorius, Ingram, Oesterle), Turnovers: 15 (Thomas 2, Miller 2, Thoius 2, Walker 2, Robinson 2, Dykhouse 2, Ingram, Jara, Bies). Technical Fouls: none. MINNESOTA (55) FG FT RES3 MIN M-A M-A O- A F PTS Bowden 27 415 5-6 2-4 0 2 13 Pickens 36 2-7 1-3 4-10 0 4 5 Olson 38 3-11 6-6 1-4 3 2 13 VanderHeyden 28 4-13 2-2 0-3 1 3 12 ieser 23 3-9 0-0 1-3 0 2 8 Harris 8 0-0 0-0 2-3 1 3 0 Prince 3 00 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Tate 23 1-3 0-0 2-4 2 1 2 Bell 14 1-4 0-0 1-1 1 0 2 Totals 200 18-62 14-1715-35 8 17 55 FG%: .290 FT%:.824 3-point FG: 5-19, .263 (Lieser 2- 7, Vander~eden 2-9, Olson 1-2, Tate 0.1). Blocks: 2 (Olson 2). Steals: 6 (Lieser 2, VanderHeyden 2, Olson, Bell). Turnovers: 14 (Pickens 3, Olson 3, VanderHeyden 3, Harris 2, Lieser, Tate, Bell). Technical Fouls: none. PHYSICAL Continued from Page 11B Everytime Minnesota ran the shot-clock down to the last second and made the "air-ball" a prominent feature of the game, Michigan picked up one of its 23 first-half rebounds and went the other way - ready to expand the lead. But low and behold, something unfor- tunate - foul, a traveling call or just a bump to the elbow of the shooter - forced the Wolverines to play with high- er intensity than they're used to. Still, after holding the Gophers to only six points in the first 10 minutes, Michigan left the half with a comfortable 12-point lead. And then it happened. Perhaps it came from Ingram when she said "We want to punish them:' Perhaps it was to avenge Michigan's loss to Minnesota last year at Crisler. Perhaps it was to make up for the statistically meager first half. Or perhaps it was to simply make a statement. "Everybody's dangerous (in the Big Ten),' Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "We wanted to come out with some intensity and set the tone right away - the first five minutes of the second half are critical. That's when you're going to make the run or that's where you're going to bury them." And as the Gophers descended into the hole they'd dug for themselves, Michigan went on to shoot 58.3-percent from the floor in the second half. The Wolverines went into the second half the same way they wanted to go into the second half of the Big Ten season - with the intensity to beat the teams they're supposed to beat, and demoralize those that think that they're better. "We can beat every team that we play," Ingram said. "It's important that we end the Big Ten with a bang." Michigan-... . 32 Minnesota.-,...20 41 -73 35 -s55 At: Criser Arena Attendance: 2,758 is more than capable of accomplishing, with seven regular-season games and the Big Ten Tournament still to be played. But amid the "how-many-more-wins- will-it-take" game, sophomore guard Alavne Ingram is still thinking about the Big Ten title. "We can beat every team that we play (for the resf of the season)," Ingram said, envisioning a 7-0 finish. "It's important that we end the Big Ten with a bang." DANA UNNANE/Daiy LeeAnn Bies soars above the Gophers In Michigan's 73-55 victory yesterday. Bies scored 13 points and nailed the first two 3-pointers of her career. Here comes Arlk -MAMIL 0 WW I4SCL State m Spartans ready for Michigan after Illinois blowout By Jacob Wheeler Daily Sports Editor EAST LANSING - Look out Big Ten, look out world. Mateen Cleaves and the Spartans are racing at full speed. After sneaking through a less-than- stellar non-conference performance, No. 8 Michigan State (6-1 Big Ten, 15- 5 overall) remained atop the conference standings with Ohio State, with an 87- 53 victory over Illinois yesterday. The contest was never close, as the rejuvenated Spartans jumped out to a 10-point lead less than seven minutes into the first half. Michigan State led by 19 at the half, and opened the second on an 18-1 run that sealed the victory. "That first half was as good as we've played in a long time,:" Spartan coach Tom Izzo said. "This is the first time I've seen Mateen's skills completely re- emerge this season, the way he's seeing the court and passing the ball around." Cleaves, the senior point guard and unquestionable team leader, missed the season's first 13 games due to a stress fracture in his right foot. Meanwhile the Spartans limped along without him, as inexperienced swingman David Thomas filled in. The team, which reached the Final Four last season and the Sweet Sixteen two years ago, lost its No. 2 pre-season ranking and briefly Jiil out of the top ten as cleaves slowly retu rnd to tip-top form. Ile looked like the best point guard in the country yesterday. (eaes plaxed 30 minutes more than any other Spartan -- dishing out 12 assists and picking off four steals while forcing countless turnove-s. The All-American also scored 13 points, though that's not his main job. Michigan State's primary finishers, Morris Peterson, Andre Hutson and Charlie Bell, scored 52 of the team's 91 points. Peterson hit five-of-seven 3- pointers and Bell connected on three- of-four long range bombs. "I couldn't say that my defense is completely back,' said Cleaves, who has gradually improved his play since returning. "But I feel better. "I think this is the best game we've played since I've been back. Credit that to team defense." Michigan State's backcourt held Illinois sharpshooter Corey Bradford, who has carried the team on his shoul- ders at times this season, to a mortal 13 points. He converted only one-of-five 3- point attempts. . "We limited Bradford's shots because we have a good defender in Charlie Bell."Izzo said, in praise of his shooting guard. "We did a good job of trailing him off the ball and stepping up" Feared most for their rebounding prowess in the past three years, the Spartans grabbed 41 boards yesterday, compared to 16 for Illinois. In fact, Michigan State grabbed 17 rebounds on the offensive end alone. Those second chances fueled the 25-point blowout. The Spartans scored 25 points after offensive rebounds, compared to only eight for the Illini. Credit forward Andre Hutson for much of the disparage. Hutson pulled down II boards - five of them offensive -and scored 14 points, as the Michigan State guards found little adversity lobbing passes into the low post toward him. "Mentally, more than physically, it was important for Hutson to get the brace off," said Izzo, referring to nag- ging injuries which his big man has faced. "I told him 'you're going to have to play banged up."' Yesterday's victory was lopsided, but it could have been worse for Illinois. The Spartans actually led by 36 points with II minutes remaining in the game, before Izzo inserted his bench players. Yet he was quick to note that the lop- sided victory didn't guarantee anything tomorrow - when Michigan State faces archrival Michigan in Ann Arbor. "You (reporters),talk about (the past three years) being a dynasty for Michigan State," Izzo said. "But this was only one good game. "It was one of those days for Illinois. I wouldn't read into it too much" AP PHOTO Michigan State guard Charlie Bell scored 20 points as lIlinois' marquee player Corey Bradford helplessly looks on. The Spartans held Bradford to 13 points. Conference OveraNl Team WL WL Michigan State 6 1 15 5 hio State 5 1 14 3 diana 5 2 15 3 Penn State 4 3 12 6 Purdue 4 3 13 7 Michigan 3 3 12 5 Illinois 3 4 11 7 Minnesota 3 5 11 7 Wisconsin 3 5 11 9 Iowa 3 5 9 10 Northwestern 0 7 4 15 terd' resu/s MICHIGAN STATE 91, Illinois 66 Saturday's results:I OHIOSTATE 68, Purdue 59 Friday's results: MICHIGAN STATE 59, Northwestern 29 Tomorow' oaes: Michigan State at Indiana, 7 p.m. (ESPN) Tomorrow Michigan nMichigan State. Cfster Arena, 7 p.m. Coming off a bruising, 35-point loss at Indiana last week, the Wolverines badly need to play a quality game against their hated rivals from up 1-96. But the Spartans are playing their best basketball off the season, after manhandling Illinois - a team that almost beat Michigan in Ann Arbor. Sunday, Feb. 6 Michigan vs Ohio State, Cris/er Arena, 1 p.m. (CBS) A two-game homestand in the midst of the Big Ten season, sound pretty good right? No. As soon as Mateen Cleaves and Charlie Bell leave town, in come a couple of different, yet equally-dangerous guards from Columbus: Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd. Ohio State currently sits atop the Big Ten standings with Michigan State. State's success is a headache for Ellerbe By Chris Duprey Daily Sports Editor EAST LANSING ---- Damned if they did, damned if they didn't. There are two ways to look at Michigan State's 91-66 disposal of Illinois yesterday. Most would say it's bad news for Michigan, which squares off against the Spartans tomorrow night at Crisler Arena, because Michigan State is hot at just the wrong time. Or, it's good news for the Wolverines, since the State train will roll into Ann Arbor unassuming and confident, per- BASKETBALL haps ignoring the Notebook possibility of a let-_Ntebook _ down. Had the Spartans lost, they would most likely be an irritated bunch, and the prospect of catching them by surprise would be almost impossible. Yesterday's end result will be debated both ways, but the videotape will con- firm two of Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe's defensive concerns about the Spartans - they shoot very well from the outside (I 0-for-22 from 3-point land against the Illini yesterday), and they possess multiple weapons and the role players necessary to complement them (four of Michigan State's starters scored in double figures, in addition to 25 points from the bench). "I think we're getting a little bit more in sync, slowly but surely" Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "I thought we played awfully well, and yet I still think Illinois is a very good team. Still, Michigan holds one key card heading into tomorrow's matchup. For all the complaining Ellerbe did about his early Big Ten road schedule - opening up with four of the first six conference games on the road includ- ing the first two away from home - it's coming back to help him now. The Wolverines will have had a full week to recover from their Indiana learning experience by the time tipoff rolls around. Michigan State, mean- while, will be finishing a rough stretch of three games in six days, albeit that two of those games were against Big Ten urinal Northwestern. "Last year, we had five games in I1I da'vs. If we get beat (tomorrow), that won't be the reason," Izzo said. "If you have fatigue when you're playing Michigan, you shouldn't be wearing the uniform. We'll be ready to play" EN GXUARD: As if the Wolverines did- n't have enough of a challenge ahead, they have to deal with a Michigan State guard tandem that's just come off of possibly its best game of the season. Mateen Cleaves and Charlie Bell combined for 33 points, but it was their AP PHOTO Forward Al Anagoyne (right) and Michigan State had a ball, yesterday, against Illinois. The Spartans blew out the llini, 91-66. Team 1. Cincinnati 2. Stanford 3. Duke 4. Syracuse 5. Arizona Connecticut .Aubumn 8. Ohio State 9. Michigan State 10. Florida 11. Tennessee 12. Kansas Rec. 17-1 15-1 15-2 15-0 16-3 13-3 16-2 13-3 13-5 14-3 16-2 15-3 This weekend's results Beat South Florida, 89-72 Beat Washington State, 63-38 Beat Clemson, 93-59 Beat Boston College, 73-65 Lost to LSU, 86-60 Beat Seton Hall, 66-56 Beat Mississippi State 73-57 Beat Purdue, 68-59 Beat Illinois, 91-66 Beat Vanderbilt, 89-63 Beat South Carolina, 73-66 Lost to Iowa State, 74-66 14 total assists (12 by Cleaves) that opened up the interior game for team- mates Andre Hutson and Morris Peterson. The result was quite a few easy layups and a corresponding open- ing of the perimeter. "Mateen looked the best that he's looked since he's been back," said Bell, modestly overshadowing his own 20- point afternoon. "It's just a matter of getting games under his belt" Defensively, that's trouble for Michigan, which currently stands last in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 78.6 points per game. Bell said the Spartans will attack Michigan's young guards early, and continue to test them all evening. "When you're playing against young guys, you want to go out there and get physica) with them, let them know that we're the defending Big Ten champs," Bell said. "People did the same thing to me when I was a Buckeyes hold steady in Big Ten's top spot ,E