Ask i AL 0 0 F 10B - The Michigan Daily - Tipoff'99 - Thursday, November 11, 1999 o Leon ones Sophomore, Guard 6-foot-4, 195 pounds Battle Creek Will they be good? A first look at new Wolverines, new strategy and the real question on everyone's mind 10 Darius Taylor Senior, Forward 6-foot-4, 195 pounds Chicago ' 21 Ramal Hunter Sophomore, Guard 6-foot-3, 160 pounds Ann Arbor 22 Herb Gibson Sophomore, Forward 6-foot-4, 189 pounds Taylor By Mark Francescutti Daily Sports Writer It has a weird ring to it: 12-19. Last season, Michigan stumbled to its worst record in 18 years as a lack of depth tired out the aging Wolverines. Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe will try to return his team back above .500 and prove that last year was an aberration, as he begins his third year with the Wolverines. Michigan adds five talented fresh- men, all of whom can make an instant contribution. The group led by Ann Arbor prep star LaVell Blanchard, marks Ellerbe's first recruiting class. But the new faces aren't the only addition to the Wolverines this sea- son. New uniforms and a new style of play give Michigan a look never seen by the nation. Ready to run - the motto devel- oped for this season - will give Ellerbe's quick freshmen the oppor- tunity to run the floor and transform Michigan games to a faster pace. "We feel like we want to play up- tempo basketball," Ellerbe said. "By no stretch of our imagination are we a power basketball team. We'd like to extend our defense and our offense, play a more of an up-tempo style, because it's more conducive for the personnel we have." Blanchard will probably start, because of the loss of junior Brandon Smith to injury. With last year's starting backcourt duo of Robbie Reid and Louis Bullock gone, freshmen guards Jamal. Crawford and Kevin Gaines - both Michigan Coach: Brian Ellerbe (third season) Last season: 5-11 Big Ten (T-9th), 12-19 overall Key returners: Sr. C Peter Vignier, Jr. F Josh Asselin Losses: G Louis Bullock, G Robbie Reid (52.6 percent of offense) Nonconference tests: at Georgia Tech Dec. 3, Duke Dec. 11 Make or break: Can five fresh- men lift 'M' to a NCAA berth? interchangeable at the one and two positions - might also see a starring role. Three freshmen in the starting lineup might remind fans of the last time so many freshmen got the start- ing lineup nod - when the Fab Five ruled Crisler Arena. But while that era of Michigan basketball is history, youth will again highlight the Wolverines. "We definitely lost two great play- ers (in Bullock and Reid) last year," senior Peter Vignier said. "But the freshmen have so much talent and great skills for (guys) coming in." The newcomers will have plenty of help, especially in the frontcourt, as the Wolverines return Vignier and iradition UANNY IALIU\/Ualy Even Chris Young is looking for a an answer as to whether the Wolverines will return to prominence this season. forwards Josh Asselin and Chris Young. Asselin broke out last year, adding almost nine points and six rebounds a game. Vignier will start at center with Young providing the spark off the bench. After struggling through the toughest schedule in the nation last season, the Wolverines take a bit of a break, facing only a handful of tough non-conference opponents. Michigan still plays Duke and goes on the road to battle Georgia Tech. Michigan also has more depth than in past years. Freshman guard Gavin Groniriger has a tremendous three-point shot. The 6-5 guard, along with the 6-6 Crawford and 6-4 Gaines, gives the backcourt a tremendous height advantage over smaller Big Ten rivals. The Wolverines also can use Leon Jones on the wing, especially with Smith out until the Big Ten season. Freshman Leland Anderson, a strong 6-8, 245-pound forward, will back up the frontcourt. New is the word for Michigan, but whether or not new is the answer will only be seen on the court. ' ' 25 Josh Asseltn 0@ 0$ G treat III Basket Items Available ! Hats T's Practice Gear Balls & Souvenir Items! ball 00000000 0ND 0" 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Web Site www.wolverinegear.con or send e-mail to moesports@aol.com Junior, Forward 6-foot-11, 230 pounds Caro 34 Brandon Smith Junior, Forward 6-foot-7, 200 pounds Amarillo, Texas Smith hopes to return for Big Ten campaign A'm isk *%-k Mk 41-,, A A I NO 45 Chris Young Sophomore, Forward 6-foot-9, 220 pounds Plymouth By Jacob Wheeler Daily Sports Writer Michigan basketball fans hope that Brandon Smith's modeling appearance before the Maize and Blue scrimmage this past Saturday wasn't a career move. While the 6-foot-7 forward certainly looked like he was enjoying himself as he strutted through a tunnel of cheerleaders to unveil Michigan's brand-spanking new uniforms, his natural role in Crisler Arena is on the court, playing basketball. Unfortunately for Michigan, an injured right knee suffered during a pick- up game over the summer will keep Smith out of action at least until January. "I definitely want to play," rather than redshirt, said the junior, who enjoyed a breakthrough year last season. "That's the bottom line. As soon as they release tie, I'll be ready to go. The knee won't be a big problem, it's the question of how I'll be able to contribute." Smith may return for, or early in the all-important Big Ten season, which begins on the road against the Minnesota on Jan. 5. But he may not be capable of playing at full strength right away. And that's a concern for this young, inexperi- enced and guard-dominated Michigan squad. Until Smith returns, big men Josh Asselin and Peter Vignier and reserve Darius Taylor are the only players with more than a year of experience in a Michigan uniform. So his leadership on the court will be clearly missed. There is a small chance that, if Smith's right knee doesn't recover in time to sal- vage a substantial portion of the season, he will redshirt his junior year and come back healthy next season. But Ellerbe and the coaching staff have Jan. 1 circled in their calendars as the return date for Smith. He is not yet play- ing at full speed. but the Michigan brain- trust is confident his recovery is moving according to schedule. "It's getting better," said Smith, with optimism in his voice. "I've started sprinting and shooting, and I go to the football field to run because of the soft surface there. I can slow down without coming to a complete stop." 57t4 he JOA# isuK "appwtet Anm.. VrFWVA1.~ b Cotton Exchange &BUCK 2 Central Canm locations On "The Diag. 711 JV. University a 668-6 Mon. - Sort. 91-4W-10A4 Sun.. 10/ O acme Day Weekends Open till 9: FNear the. Athletic mar 902 S. State - 668-72 Mon. -Sat 101-7)-6PfW."Suan. 10, 55 Peter Vignier Senior, Center 6-foot-11, 255 pounds Teaneck, N.J. LOUIS BROWN/Daily Brandon Smith's knee injury this past summer left Michigan with only three bonafide veterans on an inexperienced team.