Field hockey awards
te'r a fine season, the Michigtan field
:Pokey temn has earned some honors.
'Ab check out a recap of Ferris State's
N over Oakland in men's haskethall.
minchigandaily.com/sports
IPORTS
9
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 22, 2000
cers showcase talents
against WCHA teams
By Ryan C. Moloney
Daily Sports Writer THIS WEEKEND
Wolverines rebound
crush Western, 92-78
The annual College Hockey
Showcase tournament always means
itle more to the Michigan hockey
am for two reasons. For starters,
Michigan's annual adversaries,
Wisconsin and Minnesota, are equal-
ly prominent college hockey pro-
crams and worthy challengers. In
addition, the Big Ten animosity
shared by the three schools' other
sports teams tends to spill into the
rink.
The Wolverines are reeling after
ing three out of their last five
games, making a successful weekend
not only a goal, but a necessity.
"We're not as good as maybe we
think we are," Michigan coach Red
Berenson said. "In the games we
lost; our team wasn't ready to play.
Half of our team was, but their were
four or five guys who didn't have
good games and it cost us."
Michigan's Thanksgiving Day
o ponent, No. 12 Wisconsin, can
npathize with the Wolverines'
misfortunes.
The Badgers, have fallen on tough
times after starting the season with
seven straight wins. Wisconsin cur-
reitly stands at 8-6-0 after losing six
of its last seven.
Wisconsin is led by sophomore
forward Danv Heatley, the No. 2
overall pick in last June's NHL entry
aft by the Atlanta' Thrashers.
atley enjoyed a dynamite fresh-
man season, scoring 28 goals and
a ing 28 assists.
This season, Heatley has 16 points
i;14 games, but the rest of the
Waconsin team has struggled offen-
s t1y.
,.'tst year, Michigan handled
Wisconsin at Yost Ice Arena, rackinig
up" an impressive 4-1 victory.
On Saturday, the Wolverines face a
* nesota team Berenson described
as "better this year." An eyebrow-
raising remark -- the second-ranked
Golden Gophers beat Michigan last
season, 6-1.
"They came into Yost and spanked
us," Berenson said.
Forward Erik Westrum is on an
offensive tear. netting nine goals and
21 points in 12 games. Defenseman
dan Leopold has complemented
strum well on the Gophers' 34.8
MAnisON & MINNEAPOLIS
Who: Michigan at Wisconsin, at Minnesota
When: 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Latest: These two games are part of the annual
College Hockey Showcase. Michigan State is
also taking part in the Showcase.
USCHO Poll
November 20, 2000
Team Red Pts Last
1. Michigan State (20) 7-1-2 565 1
2. Minnesota (18) 9-1-2 561 3
3. North Dakota (2) 8-2-4 496 4
4. Boston College 9-3-0 468 2'
5. New Hampshire 83-1 405 9
6. Western Michigan 8-1-2 361 8
7. Michigan 8-3-2 353 5
8. Providence 7-2-1 304 13
9. Colorado College 7-3-0 289 7
10. St. Cloud 6-3-1 238 6
percent power play. tallying 13
assists and 18 points.
"I think Erik is one of the premier
players in college hockey."
Minnesota coach Don Lucia said.
"Jordan has really gone to another
level this year he's good offen-
sively and he shuts the door defen-
sivelyi
Miiesota goaltender Adam
Hauser has played every minute of
the seasoni and sports a 9-1-2 record.
with a 2.47 coals against averace.
Defensively, the Wolverines are
trying to plug some holes after los-
ing Dave Huntzicker and Brad Fraser
to MCL injuries for six weeks.
Seldom-used Bob Gassoff will get a
guarded opportunity according to
Berenson, who is also contemplating
using five defensemen or moving
Jed Ortmever to the blue line.
"Playing five defensemen, our
defense might be better, everybody
plays a little more and gets into the
game," Berenson said. Ortmeyer "is
a good defenseman but he's also a
good forward. You hope you don't
have to go to him."
Regardless of Michigan's strategy,
the minutes for each defensive pair-
ing are likely to increase. More min-
utes at this point in the season are
not ideal, so the Michigan blueliners
could be exploited by Minnesota's
power play juggernaut.
"You really have no choice. you
just have to be prepared to play a lot
of minutes." defenseman Jeff Jillson
said. "You've to spot your shifts, try
not to get too involved too early or it
will catch tip to you later in the
game."
By Raphael Goodstein
Daily Sports Writer
The Michigan mcn's basketball
team (1-1) had no trouble taking
Western Michigan seriously. After
last Friday's 97-90 loss to Oakland.
the Wolverines came out and pound-
ed the Broncos 92-78 in their home
opener.
sensed it 11MR HNVN 97
F r i d a yv. W M1c:111o,,N 71i
W e
we r e nt
ready," said sophomore Gavin
Groninger who had a career-high 20
points. "It was a wake-up call for us.
People realized we have to be ready
for every single game."
The game may have marked a
stepping stone in the development
of junior Chris Young.
The center has had trouble offen-
sively in his first two seasons, but
scored 14 points, one shy of his
career high last night. }le also
snagged a career-high 13 rebounds.
Young avoided the foul trouble that
has plagued him throughout much
of his short career.
"I decided Friday niphtt hat I
wanted to be a leader." Young said.
"Coach (Brian Ellerbe) challened
us that we don't have a leader and I
want to be that leader."
Young's teammates noticed the
improvement in his overall game.
"He's a lot tougher," Groningcer
said. "There's been some talk that
the upperclassmen are soft. f i
proved that he's not soft."
Said Ellerbe: "Chris has made up
MICHiGAN (92)
FG FT REB
MIN M-A M-A O-T A F PTS
Blanchard 28 7-12 1-2 1-2 1 4 19
Young 30 4.5 6-7 5-13 0 3 14
Moore 22 46 1-1 2-6 0 4 9
Queen 18 0-2 0-0 0-3 3 3 0
Robinson, Jr, 28 411 8-9 1-4 3 1 16
Jones 18 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 1 0
Searight 20 35 1-2 0-1 6 2 7
Dill 1 1-1 0-0 0-1 0 1 2
Gibson 1 0-0 00 0-0 0 0 0
Gotfredson 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
Garber 1 0-0 0-0 0-1 0 0 0
Groninger 13 5-6 79 0-0 0 2 20
Asselin 18 0-2 5-8 3-7 1 0
Adebiyi 1 0 0-0 00 0 0 0 0
Totals 200 28-52 28-38 12-39 14 21 92°
FG%: .538 FT%:.7633-point FG 7.14 .500 (Blanchard
4-7 Groninger 3-3, Jones 0-2, Rnbinson, Jr 0-1, Queen
Ii.Blocks: (Yoquon2, Moore, Seanght, Garber}.
Steals: 7 (Queen 2. iobinson, Jr 2, Searight 2
Blanchard) Turnovers: 22 (Youn0 6, Robinsor Jr 4
Searight 3, Groninger 2, Jones ZGotfrelson 2, Assetin,.
Queen Moore, Blanchard) Technical fouls: none.
WESTERN MICHIGAN (78)
FG FT REB
MIN MA M-A OT A F PTS
Reynolds 34 10 21 44 3-6 2 4 26
Powell 18 3-7 1-1 1-2 0 5 7
Bro 17 2-4 0-i 1-5 0 4 4
Cavette 29 3-6 1-2 0-3 6 4 9
Berry 35 5-12 3-4 45 3 3 16
Stater 16 3-6 0-0 1 3 0 4 7
Carter 21 0-0 23 1-1 2 4 2
Richie 1 0-2 0-0 1-1 0 0 0
Cleland 10 1-3 0-0 0-0 1 1.2
Zusack 1 0-0 0.2 0-0 0 0. _,I ,
Totals 200 28-65 14-21 15-32 15 30 78
FGt: .431 FTi: .667 3-point FG: 8-22. .364 (Berry 3-
5 Reynolds 2-5 Cavette 2-2, Slater 1 -3, Powell 0-3.
Cleland 0.2 Richie 0-1, Zusack 0-1). Blocks: 1 (Slater).
Steals: 11 (geni 3, Cavette 2 Cleland 2 Reynolds 2,-
Kann, Powell). Turnovers: 19(keynolds 6, Powell 3,'Bro
3, Berry 3, Cavette, Carter, Cleland). Technical fouls:
none.
Western Michigan-...31 47 -- 78
Michigan .......47 45 -92
At: Crisler Arena
Attendance: 9,102
his mind that he wsants to be as good.
a layer as lie can be."
The game f natured a new look for
the Wolverines. The tougher Young
started alongside fellow center Josh
Moore, who was making the first
start of his two-game career.
It was clear from the opening-
tipoff that the Wolverines intended
to utilize the size advantage.
See BRONCOS, Page 10
IL[Fi HUlR ITZ r oi-
Michigan forward Chris Young had a monster game last night against the
Broncos. Young tallied a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
women hula over to Honolulu for Classic
By Jeff Phillips
DailY Sports4" 'riu
If n011 IeXleryoine could be there.
The Miichwian women's basketball
team departed yesterday for Honol ulu
preseason WN IT title -- the
Woverines fell to unranked
Washington oii Sunday.
"As high as the team was after beat-
ing Louisiana Teh, we were that low
to catch some rays and
prepare for the Asahi
Rainbow Classic, which
is being hosted by
lawvaii.
The trip won't be all
fuli in the sun for the
Wolvcrines. though.
They are arriving early
to adjus# to the timiic
change and to try to get
some of the kinks
THIS WEEKEND
HONOLULU
Who: Michigan (1-1)vs.
Arkansas (0-2)
When: 3:10 p.m. Thursday
Latest: Depending on the out-
comes.the Wolverines will
either playN.C. Stateor
Northern Illinois on Friday at
1 p.m.
Oil Sunday. " i uevara
said. "Anne (Thorius)
xwas embarrassed walk-
in off the floor after
(Sunday's) loss."
The Wolverines must
regain the same compet-
itive edge that they had
against the Lady
Tlchsters.
'They take a lot of
pride as a team and I
Gjuevara said that the Lady
Razorbacks play a style of defense
much like the "40 minutes of hell"
employed by Arkansas' men's team.
"Thev are a very athletic team,"
Guevara said. "They pressure the bas-
ketball and cause a lot of havoc."
Arkansas has seen its share of suc-
cess the past three years. ' The
Razorbacks advanced to the Final
Four in 1998, won the WNIT in 1999,
and advanced to the WNIT semifinals
last season. But this year's squad has
had trouble early in the season, losing
its first two games to Memphis and
Missouri.
Senior Lonniya Brag-- who is
the team leader in both scoring and
rebounding - leads the Razorbacks'
deep, youthful lineup. Arkansas starts
freshman Shanna Harmon along with
sophomores Lakisha Harper and
Dana Cherry.
The Razorbacks also return senior
Wendi Willits, who received second-
team All-SEC honors last year.
In addition to Michigan. Arkansas
and I-Hawaii. the tournament also fea-
tures No. 22 North Carolina State:
Northern Illinois, Stephen F. Austin.
Arizona State and California-Irvine.
"The competition at this tourna-
ment is very good," Guevara said.
Despite being in -awaii over
Thanksgiving, many of the
Wolverines will feel at home as over
30 family and friends will be travel-
ing with the team. Hawaii offers the
eight participating teams a large
Thanksgiving platter.
"The dinner is very nice," Guevara
said. "Everyone just hangs loose and
is laid back."
The Wolverines last competed in
the Rainbow Classic four years ago.
They advanced to the final, where
they nearly defeated then-No. I
Stanford.
worked oLIt on hothi ends of the floor.
"We need to XXork on defense and
oLir medium-range jumpe.r Michiigan
coach Sue Guevara said.
After upsetting then No. 9
Louisiana Tech - a team that went on
to defeat No. 4 Purdue and win the
think they will be ready and focused.''
( GuCvara said. "'The flame was low on
Sundav. but I think the fire is back"
Michigan will have to rebound
quickly -- it faces fierce competition
against Arkansas in its first game oii
Friday.
BRENDAN O ONNELL/Daily
Alaska-Fairbanks center Blaine Bablitz hits Michigan's Bill Trainor last weekend. The
Wolverines split the series with the Nanooks.
jlackchecking needs
to improve for Blue
Thanksgiving football highlights
Thursday
NFL New England at DETRoIT 12:30 p.m.
Minnesota at DAuAs 4:05 p.m.
Friday
NCAA: Texas A&M at TEXAS 3:30 p.m.
Saturday
NCAA: Georgia Tech at GEORGIA 12:30 p.m.
Sundayf
NFL Miami at INDIANAPOUS 4:15 p.m.
Also in Michigan sports.
Volleyball vs. Wisconsin)
Friday 7 p.m.. vs. Nwestern .:
7 p.m. Saturday
A Wrestlingintrasquad meet, The turkey says: 'Read SportsMonday
7 p.m. Wednesday for full coverage.'
Drop In!! U-Move Fitness'Finals Fitness Frenzy
Monday and Wednesday, Dec. 11 &13
12:00 am Super Circuits
5:30 pm Step Aerobics
6:30 pm Kickboxing
Tuesday, Dec. 12
5:30 pm Butts & Guts
6:40 pm Hip Hop
All classes in 3275 CCRB except Super Circuits in 1250 CCRB.
$2 per class. For more information call 764-1342.
By Arun Gopal
Daily Sports Writer
For anyone who has seen the
Michigan hockey team in action, the
*lowing scene will be familiar:
three Michigan forwards and a
defenseman, zooming towards the
opposing net at breakneck speed in
the midst of yet another odd-man
rush.
The Wolverines are known
one of the more overlooked aspects
of hockey --- backchecking.
"Taking a bigger role defensively
and playing well in our zone transi-
tions into offensive chances," senior
forward Scott Matzka said. "That's
the biggest thing - two games out
of three now we've given up five
goals, and you're not going to win
too many games like that."
In the two games Matzka is refer-
rin to -a defeat at Ferris State two
'; tir ;v5a') .an'~ti the hnoeloss toi
I