The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - October 16, 2000 - 3 'Added depth to help 'M' hoops DAVID DEN HERDER B I By Dan Williams Daily Sports Writer Weary of answering questions surrounding one of the most tumultuous offseasons in history, the Michigan men's basketball team seemed relieved that most of the talk returned to on-the-court expectations for the upcoming season at Friday's basketball media day. While coach Brian Ellerbe and his players acknowl- edged issuesof the last nine months, including the Jamal Crawford saga, Kevin Gaines's dismissal from the pro- gram and the transfers of Brandon Smith and Leland Anderson, the team spoke mostly of optimism. The Wolverines assembled a diverse lineup, considering the major personnel losses, for the 2000-01 season. The foci for Michigan will be highly touted sophomore swingman LaVell Blanchard, who led the team in scoring a year ago, and steadily improving senior leader Josh Asselin. "The strengths of our basketball team are going to be LaVell Blanchard and Josh Asselin," Ellerbe said. But the key to a potential run at an NCAA tournament berth is likely the success of four freshmen, differing greatly in size but all beaming with athletic potential. Literally at the center of the strong recruiting class is mammoth 7-2, 295-pound center Josh Moore. His team- mates were careful not to create immediately oversized expectations for the green big man. Moore himself would- n't project to far into his role in the upcoming year, but he was careful to illustrate that he was a team player. "Whatever it takes to win, I'll do," Moore said. "If I get 20 and we lose I'll be unhappy. If I get four and we win, that might be as happy as you'll ever see me after the game. I'm here to enhance what we can do." On the other end of the scale, Michigan's point guard spot will most likely be manned by a freshman for the sec- ond straight year. Two short speedy newcomers, Avery Queen and Maurice Searight, are expected to compete for the starting point job. With those five as well as freshman swingman Bernard Robinson, junior Leon Jones and junior Chris Young, Ellerbe has size options that will allow him to use a vari- ety of strategies. Potential exists for a twin towers lineup with Asselin and Moore or a fast-paced lineup featuring Searight and Queen. Plus the versatility of Blanchard and Robinson may allow Michigan to further exploit matchup advan- tages. "I'd like to see (Moore and Asselin) play together an awful lot," Ellerbe said. "I'd also like to see bigger wings with LaVell and Bernard." Ellerbe maintains that starting positions will be earned over the next few weeks of practice. He hopes for the team to run eight-deep. A.D Careful what you wish for Confession number two: I am apparently oblivious to cur- rent events. This little "reno- vation" they're pulling on, oh, ALL of central campus? I had no idea what was going on until some guy in a yel- low hard hat broke out the brick and mortar in the middle of the Fish Bowl. Clearly, the majority of people real- ized sometime last winter that this would be taking place. I must have missed the Higher Ed Note in The Daily that read: "U. Michigan to turn Michigan's tallest and shortest players go back to back. On the left is Josh Moore (34), who stands 7-foot-2. Avery Queen (1), stands 5-7. ife after Thomas begins for M' women By Benjamin Singer Daily Sports Writer Following the winningest season in Michigan women's basketball history, the Wolverines have to prove them- selves again to the NCAA to regain respect. Michigan set school records with 22 victories and 13 conference wins. finishing second in the Big Ten. Michigan cracked the top 25 for the first time in its history and ended the year ranked No. 25. But now last year's star, Stacey Thomas, has graduated. As she left, so did the country's expectations for Michigan. "I'm over it," Michigan coach Sue Guevara told reporters last Friday at Media Day about Michigan's absence from the preseason polls. "You talk about respect - it's hard to earn." "I think we definitely have the capability to surprise everyone," senior co-captain Anne Thorius said. The loss of Thomas, last year's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, means Michigan has to find new ways o stop other teams from scoring. Guevara said how the Wolverines will play defense is "the question of the year." "We lost a lot of defense," Guevara said. "There's not one player who's going to come in and take Stacey Thomas's place. It's going to be a total team effort." Guevara mentioned she might employ more zone defense this sea- son. Michigan may also find that the best defense is a good offense. "I think this team is going to score a lot of points," Guevara said. Again, the departure of Thomas hurts, but unlike the defense, replac- ing the scoring is likely an easier task. The junior class returns two starters in Alavne Ineram and Pni Goodlow, who averaged 12.4 and 9.6 points per game, respectively. "I definitely feel like the junior class is looked up to, and that's a role we enjoy," Ingram said. Guevara also praised the juniors, adding that Heather Oesterle could be on the verge of a breakout year. "I almost had to pull her teeth out to get her to shoot," Guevara said. "Now she's shooting and scoring." Michigan has some proven weapons from other classes. Thorius needs just 14 assists to become the Wolverines all-time leader. Sophomore LeAnn Bies was named to the Big Ten Coaches All- Freshman team after averaging 10.1 points per game coming off the bench last season. Bies "was a surprise to the rest of the Big Ten and not to us," Guevara said. Guevara mentioned all four freshmen -- Stephanie Gandy, Jennifer Smith, Christie Schumacher and Michacla Leary - as potential contributors. "I like having these freshmen that are a big surprise to the Big Ten," Guevara said. Women's basketbal roster 4 Susana Jara Jr G 5 Michaela Leary Fr G 24 Anne Thorius Sr G 30 Heather Oesterle Jr. F 31 Infini Robinson So G 32 Raina Goodlow Jr F 33 Stephanie Gandy Fr F 40 Alayne Ingram Jr G 41 Christie Schumacher Fr F 42 Katie Dykhouse Sr F 44 LeeAnn Bies So C 54 Jennifer Smith Fr C Coach: Sue Guevara (fifth season) HOPES Continued from Page 1B desperation, the home crowd began to make some noise, and the young Wolverines picked up their play and made one last run at victory. "We pushed into a three-forward front to attack more," Rademacher said. "We were able to get the ball into the box." With 14 minutes remaining, Kacy Beitel headed a ball in the box to Amber Wilson. Wilson buried the scoring chance, bringing Michigan to within one goal. Unfortunately for Michigan, the offen- sive assault came much too late. Penn State spent much of the game on the attack with their three-forward front. Forward Heidi Drummond repeatedly burned the Michigan defense, eventually scoring with 13 minutes left in the first half. The Lions' second goal came on a mys- tifying corner kick by Penn State's Bonnie Young. The banana kick arched high over the near post, then sharply spun around a stunned Carissa Stewart and into the net. In the past... Since Sue Guevara took over as head coach, the Michigan women's basketball program has steadily improved. Here's their record these past five seasons:, *1995-'96: 1-15 Big Ten, 7-20 overall 1996-'97: 7-9 Big Ten, 15-11 overall 1997-98: 10-6 Big Ten, 19-11 overall 1998-'99: 8-8 Big Ten, 18-12 overall 1999-'00: 13-3 Big Ten, 22-8 overall *Trish Roberts' final season at Michigan Young "has a very good leg - she is known for shooting from the outside," Stewart said. Michigan's biggest frustration came from their inability to attack Penn State's defense all game. Their primary offensive weapon, the long ball to forwards Abby Crumpton and Stephanie Chavez, continu- ally fizzled. Penn State's tall defenders headed away any long pass attempts, and mugged Crumpton and the diminutive Chavez whenever they touched the ball. Penn State's defenders "are big, strong girls. They're going to win balls in the air;' Rademacher said. While Michigan's victory over Ohio State did not aid their Big Ten hopes, the Wolverines' NCAA tournament chances remain afloat. Michigan can still point to an Oct. 24 matchup against No. 1 Notre Dame as a chance for vindication and as a boost for their tournament chances. In addition, the Wolverines could earn a berth by defend- ing their Big Ten tournament champi- onship. Let's first establish that keeping University facilities in tip-top shape is essential and should be supported by everybody. As Facilities spokes- woman Diane Brown said, "If we don't continue to build and renovate and maintain, we'll fall apart" After all, thousands of feet stomp on every square inch of these University buildings every day for eight months a year. They're bound to wear down and technology is bound to advance. But what about a facility that is used only six times a year, for a span of about three hours? You'd think it could last for a while. It's a nice dose of tradition to know you're standing on the same cement that has housed every great game you can remember. Used so infrequently, there has really been no reason to overhaul these great rocks of college football for decades. I'll never forget the friendly reminder taped above the press box sink at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette: "Please leave water run- ning to prevent freezing. But, for better or worse, it seems that many of the Midwest's old col- lege stadiums are reaching face-lift age. Ohio Stadium in Columbus has just completed major construction. Notre Dame Stadium built an entirely new press box and added thousands of seats three years ago. Even Purdue will replace the Ross-Ade press box at season's end. And who can forget the renovation to Michigan Stadium in 1998? The campus into de-milita- rized zone for next three years. For thlose of you thlat were prepared for this fall's jack-hammer fun, you needn't read on. But if the fences caught you off guard, take a knee. Have you the Las renovatic Michi Stadiu University added 5,000 seats to the Big House and constructed two giant video boards. Split-season packages for students are no more, and we are. all treated to "Memorable Moments" now during television timeouts. But here's the big question: Have you seen the last of renovations to Michigan Stadium'? Probably not. First off, the press box (no, it is not air-conditioned) has seen better days, and there have been rumblings for several years that it will soon be replaced. Second, when Bill seen Martin took the full-time Sof position of athletic director this sumlmnei; a goal hle Ofwsto mentioned was to bring gan. suites to the Big House, tm Controversial? Potentially.- There are few things that can com- pare to standing in the top row of seats at Michigan Stadium and look- ing out over the scape of colorful autumn trees. The Big House is a unique and special place. Because no matter who you are or how much you paid for that ticket, nobody gets a seatback, nobody gets an armrest. . We're all in it together- 110,000 of us, and no one person in the crowd is too significant. I'll never forget my days in the mlarching band, stopping in front of the tunnel to play Let's Co Blue before the game. The best part was looking up to see some eight-year-old watching, wide-eyed, his arms draped over the upper rim of the stadium. It was one of the 1,001 things that make college football better than the pros - and one of the things that makes Michigan Stadium my favorite place to be on Saturday aftemoons. Yes, a stadium renovation is com- ing in the near future. Whether future students will look across to rolling trees and the Ann Arbor skyline, or rather to big reflective panes of glass.. housing John and Jane VIP, I don't claim to know. Will you be as oblivious to a Michigan Stadium renovation as I was to the construction on central camlpus? Probably ilot. But you knew they were renovating' two years ago, also. I'm not a foreman, but I think VIP suites are a lot harder to reverse than yellow paint and ugly block letters. - DavidDen Hereder canbe reached' atit dden(iunicbe.du. RE .C The University of Michigan Department of Recreational Sports INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM WHAT'S HAPPENING Ev. I REC SPORTS INTRAMURALS The University of Michigan Department of Recreational Sports INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM WHAT'S HAPPENING INTRAMURALS Intramural Ice Hockey Officials Needed!! Intramural Flag Football Officials Needed!! H n n I * No Experience *4 Necessary REC SPORTS . Officials are INTRAMURALS " Paid for All Games Worked Get a Free Shirt * No Experie Necessary - Officials Paid for A Games Wo i 7nce -4 R1WC Get a Free =Shirt I %W L./%. Flexible Tours SPORTS are INTRAMURALS 11 1 rked Flexible Hours I Training Clinics Begin. r "I ie rp IO ar 7- - 7-A L"/d/1'If"! d 7,WUU