Blast from the past Go online to relive Michigan's win over Arkansas in the 1999 Citrus Bowl. michigandaily.com/sports Ar 'm ft Akbk= zsrc)FLTS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13, 2000 Absolute Citrus BRANDON SEDLOFFi/DI Jed Ortmeyer takes a faceoff against Brian McConnell in yesterday's 4-2 win over the U.S. Under-18 National Team Development Program. Awestruck Under-18 no mlatc for icers By Joe Smith Daily Sports Writer Just 20 seconds into the Michigan hockey team's exhibition game against the U.S. Under-18 National team, future Wolverine and current Team USA cap- tain Jason Ryznar (6-foot-4, 202 pounds) was given a little taste of what it's like at the next level. Michigan All-American defenseman Jeff Jillson (6- foot-3, 225) met him head on, crushing U.S.A. HX:'sa 2 into the g MilliAN 4 boards. "At first I didn't think he was as tough as he was," Ryznar said. "But then I real- ized how tough he is." Ryznar got his revenge against Jillson 10 minutes later in another head-on con- frontation, but it was already too late. The Wolverines jumped on the awe- struck Under-18 team early svith two quick goals and coasted to a 4-2 victory at Yost Ice Arena last night. "We were definitely on our heels in the beginning of the game," said Eric Nystrom, who will also be wearing the Maize and Blue next season. "Thev scored real quick and they were up 2-0 before we even knew it. As the game went on we got in a groove, but it was too late by then" A childhood friend ofMichigan fresh- man Mike Komisarek, Nystrom was also Komisarek's teammate on the Under-18 team last year. Last night, the two were reacquainted early and often by wav of battles in the corners, which is indicative of the unusually chippy style of play that marked this exhibition game. "We went at it a little bit, it was fuim" Komisarek said with a grin. "We're Long Island boys that go way back I guess. I wanted to give him a little taste of what to expect next year." After Michigan senior Josh Langfeld tallied a power play goal just five min- utes into the contest, sophomore J.J. Swistak took advantage of a 'Team USA turnover. Swistak went on a shorthand- ed, two-on-one breakaway with cam captain Geoff Koch before putting a wrist shot past goalie Travis Weber at 6:16 of the first. See TEAM USA, Page 17 A familiar scene: Blue in abowl By Stephanie Offen Daily Sports Editor The Michigan football team is used to this scenario: Spend New Year's Day playing in a bowl game. The year 2001 will begin no differently. With an 8-3 record and a co-Big Ten championship already under their belts, the Wolverines will face Auburn in the Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 1 The last time that the Wolverines fin- ished the season before the new year was 1995. Five years ago, Michigan, plagued with three losses, headed to the Dec. 28 Alamo Bowl and lost to Texas A&M. After a devastating 54-51 loss to Northwestern this season, the Alamo Bowl looked like a distinct possibilty once again for Michigan. But late-season upsets suffered by the Wildcats and Purdue and a victory over Ohio State put Michigan back on familiar ground - etding the season on Jan. 1. The year 1995 meant something very different for Auburn. That was the last time the Tigers competed in a New Year's Day bowl. In fact, Auburn has not even t made the postseason since the 1997 sea- Its all eyes on OrI son when it faced Clemson in the Peach Florida Citrus Bowl Bowl. Something that seems to come for granted to thtr Wolverines came as a U pleasant surprise for a team that turned things around this season. Two vears ago, Tommv Tuberville By Chris Duprey took over a 3-8 Auburn squad from for- Daily Sports Editor mer coach Terrv Bowden. It took Tuberville just those two seasons to flip It's not a flashy that record. There's not qu Tuberville exceeded expectations Michigan-Alabar when his team won the Western Division there's enough at SEC title earning the Tigers a chance to their eyes on the face Florida in the conference's champi- A loss to Aub onship game. A 28-6 loss to the Gators in Year's Day woulr that game did not damper Auburn's son, harkeningr excitement about its comeback season. days, when such "We're excited about what has hap- The Jan. I bo petted. except for last night's gatme" Mtchtgan's 14s Tuberville said after the loss. "We have a should yield the votng team with great chemistrv. all their seniors t Injuries have not been a problem this MlICHIGAN RI year and Rudi Johnson has had a physi- DEFENSE: Of the cal impact on the team." faced this season Johnson has been the team's savior. In These weren't gri his first year with the squad, the running Two of those fi back was selected as the Associated Florida. Press' SEC Offensive Player of the Year The Tigers' ru See AUBURN, Page 15 SEC, a reputatio LOUISBROWN ando for Anthony Thomas and the Wolverines New Year's Day. Michigan will face Auburn in the Urn can't stop offense Watch ti -With the term coming to an end, The Michigan Daily will be put on hold until the start of classes in 2001. As a result, important events in Michigan sports will occur without our extensive cov- drage. But the Daily sports sec- tion will not leave you completely in the dark. Here is a look ahead for what will be happening over winter break: * MEN'S BASKETBALL: Four unranked opponents for Michigan give the Wolverines a chance to lick their wounds before starting confer- ence play with Purdue. O WONIEN'S BASKETBALL: The Big Ten season starts,hincluding a game on CBS as Michigan hosts powerhouse No. 6 Purdue. ICE IOCKEY: Michigan heads into the annual Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Since winning nine in a row, is the Wolverines have dropped the past three tournaments to Michigan State. . WomiN's swvtmt"n: Michigan spends its break in Hawaii for competition with Texas A&M. GYNtNASTICs: Both the men's and women's teams have intrasquad meets. MEN'S TENNIS: Michigan begins play in the Milwaukee Tennis Classic. Bosvt, G kstrs: If you have satellite TV, at least three televisions and an unhealthy desire for football, you might be able to squeeze in all 26 bowl games. B Dl y matchup, but it will have to do. ite the excitement that last year's ma Orange Bowl presented. But stake for the Wolverines to keep prize. 'urn in the Citrus Bowl on New d be Michigan's fourth of the sea- nemories of the pre-national title a fate had become routine. wl also serves as one final go for eniors. An overmatched Auburn Wolverines an opportunity to get time on the field. L:SHING vs. ALBURN RUSHING five ranked teams the Tigers have , four rushed for over 100 yards. eat running teams, either. ve games were against pass-happy ish defense ranks second in the n the Wolverines will test. As he does in every bowl game, Michigan coach Llot Carr will see if this squad can hang with his bru ing backs for four quarters. Carr is betting the Tigers will tire from battlit Michigan's offensive line all day. As the four quarter stretches on, Anthony Thomas will break bi" play that seals the deal for the Wolverines. Advantage: Michigan MICtIG.AN PASSING vs. AUBURN PASSIN IEFENSE: The Wolverines, without cxaggeratio have been able to do whatever they've wished opponents in the passing game. It's the one part this 2000 season that can unquestionably be ruled success. Surrendering 200 yards a game passing, Auburn has done this season, is fairly decent. But the Tigers average below two sacks a gam See MATCHUPS, Page 1 Falcons up first i next phase of cagers' season By Dan Williams Then in act two, Michigan floundered uly Sports Writer to four consecutive defeats at the hands of Live music, qreat food, fan people, and incredible art. It'Friday-it's whatyou've been waiting for all week! 1sDecember 15th * Winter Holiday Celebration, 6-1o P.M. * FREE tour: The American West: Out of Myth, Into Reality, 6:45 P.M. * FREE Graphic Arts Tour: Lewis Wickes Hine: The Final Years, 7:30 P.M. Openevery Friday,6-o P.m. 419-255-000 2445Monroe Street Toledo,OH 43620 Madepossible by FifthThird Bank - If Michigan carved its season into quadrants, grouping collections of simi- lar opponents on the schedule, tonight's bout with Bowling Green (3-2) would begin act three. Michigan (2-5) will host four consec- utive unranked opponents from smaller schools before the Big Ten season begins Jan. 3 at Purdue. In act one, Michigan went 2-1 against three physically overmatched teams. A season-opening loss at Oakland over- shadowed wins against Western Michigan and Wagner. four ranked opponents. The nadir in the young season came Saturday, when the Wolverines fell to No. 1 Duke, 104-61. Michigan's next four-game stretch will likely determine whether postsea- son hopes remain when Big.Ten play commences, or if the entire year will be a tale of suffering. "I think we can come back, we just have to build from these losses," senior Josh Asselin said. Bowling Green presents another physi- cally subordinate opponent for Michigan. The Wolverines will get to See FALCONS Page 16 Men's basketball honae"es in bald Date Opponent Time Dec. 13 Bowling Green 7pm. Dec. 23 Morris Brown 12 p.m. Dec. 27 Towson 7 p.m. Dec. 30 Eastem Michigan7 p.m Jan. 3 Purdue (ESPN 8 p.m. ~ - MARSHALL/Daily SEDLOFF/Dail Women's basketball Date Oponent Time Dec. 16 Toledo 2 p.m.' Dec. 28 Illinois 7 p.m. Dec. 30 Purdue (CBS) 2 p.m. t itll l ! ALIIAAAA 1 ua r+rNw rlrous .,.ok..m we smww =man^ Big Ten play get underwd By David Hom 11aiy'Sports Witer The Michigan women's bast team will not be opening such git new DVD player, Playstation 2 or i front teeth for Christmas. Inste opens its Big Ten season against 4 and No. 6 Purdue, who are both v under the tree in the week after th< day. But, before that, the Wolv conclude their nonconference sc Dec. 17 against Toledo. Michigan (6-3) had been flyinl until last Sunday, when a 67-58 1 Marquette ended its five-game wi streak. The Wolverines had avera 24.6 point margin of victory duri stretch. "I don't think we've been wi ugly," coach Sue Guevara said last before the Marquette loss. "Our tion has improved - setting and screens. Assistant coach "Ron Mott w a game tape, and he says, 'This i we're going to exploit them.' He bringing up to me and the staff th have to be like surgeons - we h be precise and take a team apart sively." That offense will have to she Dec. 30, when Michigan plays at against Purdue - a game that w broadcast nationally on CBS. Wolverines managed to shoot jus percent from the field in a 74-59 1 Purdue in last year's Big Tournament semifinals. But, - the perennially See PURDUE, Be Tempted! The Original Cottage Inn Invites you to treat yourself to our delicious lunch buffet 11:00am-2:00pm. Mon-Thurs Buffet $7.95 Enjoy assorted delicious pizzas, pastas and fresh salads Friday Buffet S7.95 Our House favorites- " H " " ' 1 ' " ^4'A Homemade mac & cheese Lightly battered fish - Vegetarian & meat calzones 51 2. Wiliam (734643-3379 Fresh salad n $1.00 Off Lunch Buffet with this Coupon only expires 12/31/00 The Original Cottage Inn Restaurant t