Women's basketball poll
Despite finishing second in the Big Ten
last season, Michigan is unranked in
the AP preseason Top 25. Check out
the rankings online.
michigandaily.com/sports
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 8, 2000
11
. ..
M' hoops
falters to
CBA team
By Dan Williams
Daily Sports Writer
While most men's basketball exhibition
games reveal little about the impending sea-
son, Michigan's contest with the CBA's
Grand Rapids
ARAM) RAPIDS 71 Hoops at
Crisler Arena
?V M' IIAN 70 should serve as
an important
building block.
The Wolverines fell to irand Rapids, 71-
70, after junior Leon Jones missed a free
throw to tie the game with less than two sec-
onds remaining. Jones missed the third and
final free throw, after he was fouled by on a
three-point attempt.
"It kind of stuck to my hand," Jones said
Soccer points to NCAAs
JEFF HURViTZ/Dady
Michigan forward Bernard Robinson scored 28 points in his first performance as a Wolverine.
about the final miss.
Michigan fell behind from the opening
and stumbled to a 41-30 half deficit. But the
Wolverines charged back in the second half
behind the scoring potency of freshman
Bernard Robinson.
Robinson hit for 28 points on 10-of-18
shooting, with 16 points coming in the sec-
ond half Robinson also knocked down four
of seven 3-pointers.
"Today I felt like I had to step up,"
Robinson said. "I wasn't surprised. Today I
showed I can score.'
Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe said he
felt strongly that Robinson's scoring pres
See HOOPS, Page 12
Challen es remain for Big Ten best
Blue hosts Miami in first-
round matchup today
By Sam Duwe
Daily Sports Writer
It has been a season blessed with grace.
After a mediocre regular season, Michigan had an
opportunity to regain everything in the Big Ten
Championships, to prove the critics wrong, and to show
that the Wolverines were the champions of the Big Ten.
A second chance.
But in the tournament final, Penn State beat the
Wolverines 1-0 in a triple-overtime heartbreaker. The
team's future hung in the balance.
And when all looked bleak, the NCAA smiled its
benevolent smile and gave Michigan a berth in their tour-
nament.
A third chance.
And to make things a little sweeter, Ann Arbor is the
host for the first-round action.
The opponent is Miami (Ohio), the powerhouse of the
Mid-American Conference. Winning its spot in the tour-
nament by coming out on top in the MAC Chaipionship
by beating Bowling Green in double overtime, 1-0.
The Redflawks (13-7) have never played Michigan
(12-8-1), and the Wolverines have only had the last cou-
ple frantic days to figure out a game plan.
"We don't know much about their team" coach
Debbie Belkin-Rademacher said. "We know they play a
three front offense, and that they have their key players in
that offense.
"But we do know that thev're going to try their hard-
est to upset us - beating Michigan is a big deal."
That means the Michigan defense has to be on its toes.
something that was executed almost perfectly this past
Sunday -- until the lone game winning goal.
"This past weekend was ,reat," Rademacher said.
"The loss on Sunday was heartbreaking, but no one left
the field knowing that they didn't play their hearts out."
Sunday night, the college soccer world held its collec-
tive breath for the NCAA Tournament schedule.
The fact that Michigan received a bid was a elating
experience, one that even a confident coach couldn't
mask.
"It was so relieving to know that we got an at-large
bid," Rademacher said. "But how we played this past
weekend, I think we deserved it."
Michigan is one of four teams in the tournament,
which includes Big Ten season and tournament champi-
on Penn State, and Wisconsin and Illinois.
This is the fourth-consecutive year that Michigan has
participated in the NCAA Tournament. Last season,
Michigan advanced to the second round, being eliminat-
ed at Wake Forest.
By Chris Duprey
I'aily Sports Editor
Iowa City and East Lansing are unlikely venues for competitive
football this weekend, given the home teams' position in the Big
Zen standings.
Interest is in the air because the Big Ten's co-leaders each face a
road test this weekend. Purdue travels to Michigan State and
orthwestern faces Iowa.
Michigan State and Iowa are buried in the conference standings.
The Hawkeyes will not be playing in a bowl game, and Michigan
State would need wins this week and next to become bowl-eligi-
ble.
But Saturday is Senior Day for both teams, and with the quality
of the opponent serving as motivation, no victory is guaranteed
no matter who's favored.
Both Purdue and Northwestern have second-tier opponents in
:iheir final games. Purdue draws Indiana in the Old Oaken Bucket
tame in West Lafayette on Nov. 18, while Northwestern returns
,home to face rival Illinois.
S "I'm so strong and so adamant with our team about av oiding
looking ahead that I guess I've conv inced myself not to do it too,"
4jurdue coach Joe Tiller said.
As for this weekend, the Spartans are ranked second in the
nation in pass defense, making them the best group Put'duc has
(Pone against so far this season.
"Michigan State is a big concern to Purdue because of the way
they play pass defense," Tiller said. "It's no secret to anyone --if
we have a choice of how we're going to move the football, we
would prefer to move it throwing the ball."
Over in Evanston. Northwestern coach Randy Walker said that
he woke up at 5 a.m. this past Sunday - not to reflect on his
shootout *victory over Michican. but to think about Iowa.
"They're making pretty good progress," Walker said of second-
year coach Kirk Ferentz's work at Iowa. "I think they're playing
their best football right now.
"I've always said there's not a lot of difference anymore between
teams in any conference, let alone the Bi-g Ten. I believe Iowa's real
close to being right there."
DoN'T FORGTIr ANTrN %aN: Lost in the football netherworld that
is Bloomington, Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle IE has occa-
sionally suffered from a lack of appreciation for his efforts.
The Hoosiers (2-4 Big Tn. 3-6 overall) will miss out on the
bowl season again after another lackluster year. The lack ofteles i-
sion interest in Indiana football has affected Randle El's
See HORN, Page 12
DANNY MOLO 0 /Oad
Carissa Stewart and the Wolverines took second in the
Big Ten Tournament.
TODAY
MICHIGAN SOCCER FIELD
Who: Michigan (12-81) vs. Miami (OH) (13-7)
When: 1:00 p.m. .
Latest:The Wolverines will face Miami for the
first time ever in the first round of the NCAAs.
The winner faces No. 1 Notre Dame.
The 'old
cliche. "take
every gameat
a time' is the
battle cry
amongst the
team. It has to
be, because
Ioo kin g
toward the future is too overwhelming.
The winner of today's game will advance to the second
round - -against top-ranked Notre Dame in South Bend.
"We have to focus on beating Miami;' Rademacher
said."There will be no talk about Notre Dame"
The Irish destroyed Michigan earlier this year in a 5-1
ictory.
But the second round is the holy grail, and if and when
the Wolverines reach that point in their journey, it will be
their chance to make their name in the soccer world.
One last chance.
Goalie coach invaluable to Icers
B Joe Smith the Monday after it was announced that the Bandits Goaltending School - where
;iig Sports Writer Blackburn would be out forthree months he tutors goalies fIrom ages 8-22 on his
due to torn ligaments in his left foot. "six basic ftndamentals of goaltending"
Steve Shields. Marty Turco. Matwijiw worked with the two that Matwijiw feels are valuable at any
Both are former Michigan goaltenders Michigan backup goalics, Kevin level. He welcomes all of his students into
with tremendous talent who helped bring O'Malle\ and L Scarpacc who had a kind of fraternity in which each goalie
the Wolverines to national prominence started a combined one game the previ- helps the other in any problem.
before moving on to NHL careers. ous season and together they produced "i like to pull them in to my own little
"But they had one more thing in com- inmpressive results. family:' Matwijiw said. "If one guy has a
il- that was instrumental in their devel- The goalies platooned in net to notch a problem. we can all figure things out
op nient - an experienced goalie coach. 1 3-6 record in Blackburn's absence, together
In fact, the first thing Michigan coach including a key victory over No. 3 Players not only respond well to
Red Berenson did when he took the reins Wisconsin, keeping the Wolverines alive Matwijiw's personality, but also to the
of the Wolverines in 1984 was to find a during their quest for the CCHA title. fact that he's 27. Being nearly the same
0vofunteer mentor who could specialize "We were behind the eight-ball." age as his pupils helps Matwijiw relate on
)n guiding his netminders so he could Matwijiw said. After Blackburn went more than one level - what he calls
focus on other aspects of the team. down. "If you would have told anyone ii becoming the "middle man" between the
Last seasons goalie coach and Turco's the CCH A that Michigan would win the head coaches and players
mentor Mike Liut, became an agent fore- CCHA title they would have told you "While we respect him on the ice as
rng Michigan to "cut the cord" and find a were nuts" bcing our coach, he can also be our
replacement. Winninu the title is a "testament to friend:' Scarpace said. "Sometimes we
Ironically, the week Michigan's start- those two. can feel comfortable talking to him on a
ing goalie Josh Blackburn went down Matwijiw's experience as an NHL different level
9,ih an injurv, Stan Matwijiw made the goaltender - a member of the Toronto MIissIN EN mA(i ioN: Berenson wtill
fall to Berenson after being recommend- Maple Leafs in the 1993-94 season miss Fridav's 2ame against Ferris State to
(I by Liut. After impressing Berenson helps him relate with the Michigan net- reunite with his old teammates from the
with his approach and how he carried minders and gives him extra credibility. 1972 Team Canada at the Hockey Hall of
himself. Matwijiw was welcomed into "He just makes it simple with us:" Fame in Toronto to be honored as
the Michigan family -and hasn't disap- O'Malley said. "Sometimes you just "Canada's Team of the Centurv"
pointed since. need a goalie to talk to." Associate coach Mel Pearson and
"He's been really perfect for this pro- This includes during games, where assistant coach Billy Powers will take
gram," Berenson said. "It's good to have Matwijiw can communicate with the over Berenson's responsibilities until he
someone like that to talk to and give sub- other coaches from the press box via returns for Saturday's game.
tlc coaching. I think it's invaluable for the radio to give extra pointers to the goalies. TE:Ct coACH OU: Michigan Tech
goalies " The simple method in which Matwijiw coach Tim Watters stepped down yester-
Matwijiw's presence became especial- advises the goalies stems from his owning day. Former Minnesota-Duluth coach
K iuiportant beginning on his first day and running of the Michigan division of Mike Sertich will replace him.
oleyball rvalry reaches crucial point
r -
We, The Following
University of
Michigan Athletes,
'-4
-"C
A-', '.4..'
Agree
With S cott...
Brandon Jominy
John Navarre
Philip Brabbs
John Spytek
Baseball
Football
Football
Football
Christin Plunkett
Lisa Leenhouts
Molly Maloney
Stephanie Bezilla
Scott Carlton
Nicole Johnson
Crew
Crew
Field Hockey
Golf
Golf
Track & Field
Maurice Williams Football
Andrew Balazer
By Kristen Fldh
DlJy Sports Writer
-The rivalry is not just about a logo-
decorated banner and numbers in the
record book. It ranges from athletics to
-ademics -- which school lies in the
etter partvtown and which campus is the
most photogenic. The Michigani-
Michigan State rivalry, on all levels, is
about pride.
Today, the Michigan volleyball team
,5-9 Big Ten, 15-10 overall) battles the
12th-ranked Spartans forthe second time
Sept. 20, Michigan State was victorious,
but the Wolverines await the brawl as
they still have a chance to win.
"The girls are pretty excited and fired
up for this competition," Michigan coach
Mark Rosen said. "We really hope to
have a lot of fIan support at this match."
Although Michigan State sits two
places above the Wolverines in the Big
Ten, who is tied for fifth, the Spartans
have lost four of their past six matches.
This past weekend, the Wolverines
swept both Purdue and Illinois at home.
The win snapped Michigan's four-iMatch
TONIGHT
CLIFF KEEN ARENA
Who: Michigan vs. Michigan State
When: 7:00 p.m. tonight
Latest: Phillips Co. is sponsoring the "State Pride
Series" by awarding DVD and MP3 payers. clock
radios, portable televisions throughout the match.
goood competition against Michigan
State, but we really hope to get the place
rocking
Sponsored by the Phillips
Corporation, the rivalry will offer some-
thing more than usually expected on a
Soccer
DO YOU AGREE WITH SCOTT?
Come Hear Scott and Decide!