The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - February 5, 2001- 5B
Quote of the weekend
"When I'd get open, I'd look back for
my man - to see how open I was -
and he'd be half the 3-point line away."
- Wisconsin guard Kirk Penney
who scored 23 points.
SATURDAY'S GAME
Wisconsin
Michigan
60
41
Player of the game
Wisconsin guard Mike KeNey
Kelley held La Vell Blanchard to 10 points.
"This morning in our meeting Iasked Mike to
take a great player and neutralize him. Once
again he stepped up to the challenge,"
Wisconsin coach Brad Soderberg said.
I
Fundamentals key for Wisconsin
Badgers create open jump shots, easy baskets with motion offense
By Dan Williams
Daily Sports Editor
Reminiscent of the Badgers' Final Four
team from a year ago, Wisconsin played
without flash Saturday but steadily and
surely controlled Michigan. The Badgers
turned an eight-point halftime lead into a
19-point win with fundamentally infallible
basketball.
Like last year, Wisconsin exemplifies a
successful team without nationally distin-
guished personalities.
Before the game, the Michigan crowd
was likely unfamiliar with Wisconsin's
new coach, Brad Soderberg, who took over
this season after Dick Bennett decided to
throw in the towel.
And then there was the average looking
Kirk Penney, Wisconsin's leading scorer in
the game, who surprised many as he spoke
to the press following the game in a New
Zealand accent.
Even the Badgers' leading scorer, Roy
Boone, has scored over 13 points a game in
relative anonymity in the Big Ten.
But with this core of no-names,
Wisconsin was able to assemble a plan to
thwart the Wolverines both offensively and
defensively. With a motion offense and a
lockdown defense, the Badgers were able
to get wide open shots while taking away
Michigan's weapons.
The open looks allowed Wisconsin's
jumpshooters, Boone, Penney and Charlie
Wills, to convert eight 3-pointers.
Following the game, both sides said the
effectiveness of the Badgers' screens was a
difference-maker in the game.
"I was wide open," said Penney, who had
a game-high 23 points. "The big guys did
a great job of screening my man."
Wisconsin lost to Butler earlier last
week, and the Badgers said they rededicat-
ed themselves to the motion offense in
practice prior to Saturday's contest. The
work paid off - Michigan struggled all
day to get around the picks.
"Guys were trying to fight through the
screens, but when its two, three, four,
sometimes even five screens on one pos-
session, eventually your are going to get
caught on one and be a little slower getting
through the screens and getting to the
shot," Michigan junior Chris Young said.
This isn't the first time Michigan has
allowed a half-court offense oriented team
to find their outside shot. Just a week ear-
lier against Northwestern, the Wildcats
were able to set effective screens and
'knock down open looks. Northwestern
made 9-of-18 3-pointers in that game.
Despite repeated problems with defend-
ing 3-pointers, Michigan mostly gave cred-
it to Wisconsin after the game.
"There was no lack of effort (for
Michigan)," Michigan freshman Bernard
Robinson said. "They set very good
screens, and their players got open. They
made the open jumpshots."
"That's quite a compliment because
that's what we try to do," Soderberg said in
response to the praise from Robinson. "I'll
tell our guys he said that."
The Badgers' success behind the arc was
complimented by their bread and butter,
defense. Wisconsin strategically double-
teamed Michigan's big men, thwarting the
Wolverines' No. I offensive option.
"I thought it disrupted the flow of their
offense a little bit," Soderberg said of the
double team. "We got some turnovers and
a couple of easy baskets in the first half
that way. That helped us a lot."
For the game, Michigan committed 17
turnovers to Wisconsin's six.
Furthermore, Wisconsin used superstar
defender Mike Kelley to take Michigan's
top scorer, LaVell Blanchard, out of the
game.
Blanchard averages over 18 points per
game, but he was held to just 10 against
Wisconsin.
SATURDAY'S GAME
WISCONSIN (60) FT REB
MIN M-A MA O-T A F PTS
K~owske 30 2.7 1-2 5.10 0 3 5
Vershaw 28 1-5 0-0 2-6 4 2 2
Penney 32 7-19 5-5 0-3 1 2 23,
Kelley 32 1-4 0.1 0.1 0 3 2
Boone 29 6.13 0.1 123 7 3 15
Davis 7 0-00000100
Schmit 1 0-0 0-00-0000
Linton 14 1.4 0-0 2-4 2 1 2
Ukawuba 1 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 2
Bower 6 1-2 0-0 0.1 0 0 2
Grusczynski 1 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
Owens 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 01
Mader 1 0-0 0-0 0-00 0 0
Wills 17 3-4 0-0 0.0 0 3 7
Totals 200 2360 69 13-331617 60
FG%: .383. FT%:.667. 3-point F: 8-21, .381
(Penn ey 4-9, Boone 3-7, Wills 1-1, Bower 0.1,
Kelley 0.1, Linton 0-1, Vershaw 0-1). Blocks: 2
(Boone, Vershaw). Steals: 7 (Kelley 4, Boone 2,
Kowske) - Turnovers:6 (Boone 2, Kowske 2, Linton.
Wills). Technical fouls: none.
Michigan (41) FG FT REB
MIN M-A M-A O-TA F PTS
Asselin 29 0-3 0-1 1-9 3 2 0,
Blanchard 32 4-9 0.0 0.1 1 4 10
Young 33 2-4 0-0 1-4 0 3 4
Queen 26 0-3 0-0 0-2 3 1 0
Robinson 32 8-11 4-4 1-5 1 1 21.
Jones 14 124 1-2 0.1 0 1 3
Searight 12 1.1 0.2 0.4 1 1 2
Dill 1 0-0 0-0 0-1 00 0
Gonzales 3 0.1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
Gibson 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
Gotfredson 1 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
Groninger 10 0-2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0
Moore 5 0.0 1-2 0-0 0 1 1
Adebiyi 1 0-0 0-0 0-0, 0 0 0
Totals 200 16.39 6.11 4-30' 9 14 41.
FG%: 455. FT%: 410. 3pont FG: 3-13,.231
Blanchard 2-4, Robinson 1-3, Gonzales 0-1,
Gotfredson 0.1, Queen 0.1, Groninger 0.2). Blocks:
7 (Young 3, Assel in 2.Blanchard, Robinson).
Steals: 2 (Robinson, Young). Turnovers: 17
(Roinon , ssein4.anchard 2Moore 2,
Young 2, Groninger, Searight). Technical fouls
none.
DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily
h freshly-dyed hair, a more fancy-free Andy Kowske
iped Wisconsin outplay Michigan in the post.
Wolverines fall
by 19 to Badgers
BADGERS
Continued from Page 11B
scoring was. More specifically, finding a second scoring
threat was biggest reason for losing. Freshman Bernard
Robinson scored 21 points for Michigan.
After him, sophomore LaVell Blanchard and junior Chris
Young led the Wolverines with 10 and four points,
respectively.
But not even Robinson was satisfied with his perfor-
mance.
"I am not happy with my overall performance," he
Sd. "I didn't finish the job on the defensive end. We
lost and it wasn't close."
While 19 points is not close, it's one point closer than
Michigan's average loss this year.
"They had trouble fighting through screens,"
Wisconsin sophomore guard Kirk Penney said. "When
I'd get open, I'd look back for my man - to see how
open I was - and he'd be half the 3-point line away."
Penney scored 23 points, one shy of his career high.
Wisconsin pulled away from the Wolverines at the 16-
nute mark of the second half. Up only two points,
isconsin went on a 25-7 run to put the game out of
reach.
"The execution of the offense really clicked for us
Penney said. "I don't know if the defense tired or we
turned it up another level, but offensively we really
clicked."
Michigan coachBrian Ellerbe said that Wisconsin was
a tough matchup.
"They are arguably the second-best defensive team in
our league," Ellerbe said. "They have five seniors start-
ing and do not make very many mistakes. It's tough play-
g against them.
"They are patient and got a lot of good looks. The
turnovers they forced gave them even more opportunities
to score."
The patient Badgers used a similar style of game to
make a run to the Final Four last season. While
Wisconsin was the favorite to win the game, it was a
must-win for the Wolverines if they're going to have a
winning record and be eligible for the postseason.
"We are going to try to turn it around on the road and
e are going to try to win every last game," Robinson
id. "We aren't going to quit."
Young said Michigan quit in its 91-64 loss to Michigan
State Tuesday night, a comment that Ellerbe refuted by
saying Young did not mean what he said and that the
junior had just taken the loss badly. Saturday, Young
responded to Ellerbe's comment.
"I really meant what I said," Young said. "...Even
when we were at Duke down 34-2, we were still playing
hard and diving on loose balls."
Young was more impressed with the Wolverines' effort
against Wisconsin after addressing them in the locker-
room last Tuesday night. "I hope" they got the message
foung said.
Wisconsin...................29 31
Michigan....................22 19
- 60
- 41
At: Criser Arena
Attendance: 13,509
BIG TEN STANDINGS
How the times have changed
Saturday's marked the first time in 19
yearsthat Michigan has lost at home to
isconsin.A comparison between now
and 1982:
Conference
Overall
Team
Michigan State
Illinois
Iowa
Wisconsin
Purdue -
Indiana
Ohio State
Minnesota
Penn State
Michigan
Northwestern
W
7
7
6
5
5
5
3
3
3
3
0
2
2
2
3
4
4
4
6
6
6
9
17
1.7
14
13
14
15
15
13
9
8
L
2
5
4
5
7
9
5
7
7
14
14
Then:
Disco was in its last
days.
cal Ripken Jr. is an
infielder for the
Baltimore Orioles.
Michael Jackson makes
news with groundbreak-
ing album, Thriller.
The USFL attracts young
talent like Heisman
Trophy winner Herschel
Walker.
Star Wars sequels.
Teenage girls fawn over
Duran Duran
Michigan basketball team
finishes rebuilding year
with an 8-19 record after
a 1-10 stretch.
Now:'
Sisqo is in his last days.
Cal Ripken Jr. is an
infielder for the
Baltimore Orioles.
Michael Jackson makes
news by getting facial
hairplugs.
The XFL attracts old
has-beens like Heisman
Trophy winner Rashaan
Salaam.
Star Wars prequels.
Teenage girls fawn over
Backstreet Boys.
Michigan basketball team
faces an uphill
battle to make the NIT
after a 9.11 start.
DANNY MOLSHO K/Daily
By taking charge of the defensive glass, the fundamentally sound Badgers
held Michigan to just six offensive rebounds.
Penney is money for Badgers, scores 23
By Michael Kom
Daily Sports Editor
Saturday, for the second straight game, the
Michigan men's basketball team was victim-
ized by an opponent's perimeter shooting.
Much like Michigan State, Wisconsin used
multiple screens to
make room for its BASKETBALL.
shooters.
Last Tuesday, the Notebook
Spartans took advan-
tage of open looks around the arc, shooting 7-
for-16 on 3-pointers.
Saturday, the Badgers did much of the same,
wearing down the Wolverines with screens to
free up sharp-shooting sophomore Kirk
Penney.
Penney, who entered the game averaging
only 9.4 points per game, lit up the Wolverines
for 23 points, one short of his career high.
The guard took advantage of a number of
open looks thanks to series of three to four
screens to shoot 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
"I can't tell you how many times Penney
came off a screen and was wide open,"
Michigan forward Chris Young said. "That's
not just on the guy guarding him though. That's
also on the post for not sitting there and hedg-
ing for long enough to keep him from getting
the ball."
FRESH MAN: Redshirt freshman quarterback
Jermaine Gonzales saw his first action the bas-
ketball court for Michigan on Saturday.
Playing on the wing, Gonzales missed his
only shot, a ,3-pointer, in three minutes of
action at the end of the game.
The freshman only started practicing with
the team a week and a half ago but Michigan
coach Brian Ellerbe hopes that the Wolverines
can take advantage of his athleticism on
defense.
"It's a transition from high school to college.
You've got bigger, stronger, faster athletes,"
Gonzales said. "It's a big difference."
ACT II: Halftime of Saturday's game saw the
return of the ever-popular "mascot basketball"
to Cridler Arena. Competing mascots from
across the state and the country included
favorites like Big Boy, who lost his head, and
the Bell Tire guy along with newcomers like
Shooter the Whale of the IHL Plymouth
Whalers.
The Corporate Team led by Media Play mas-
cots Lowell and Media Man - who looks like
a robot with a book for a head - defeated
Slappy the K-Wing and his team of Phi
Slamma Jamma, 8-2.
Rocko, from the Detroit Rockers indoor soc-
cer team, stole the show. The energetic mascot,
who looked like an overgrown version of
Animal from the Muppets, regularly tackled
members of the other team, picked a fight with
and beat up the Bank One mascot and threw
the game ball into the Maize Rage.
The game was marred by violence, as sever-
al mascots lost portions of their costume in
frays for the ball. The Trix Rabbit lost his ears
and one of his feet and the Hostess Twinkie lost
his hat.
The difference in the game may have come
when the Bell Tire guy lost the top of his head,
allowing the Corporate team to stall the game
by stuffing the ball into his costume.
Media Man led all scorers with four points.
Last Saturday's results:
Wisconsin 60, MICHIGAN 41
ILuNOIS 84, Northwestern 59
Indiana 85, PENN STATE 78 (OT)
Ohio State 73, MINNESoTA 66
Yesterday's results:
MICHIGAN STATE 72, Purdue 55
Tuesday's games:
Michigan State at Illinois, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Northwestern, 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday's games:
Purdue at Wisconsin, 8 p.m.
Michigan at Penn State, 8 p.m.
Ohio State at Iowa, 8 p.m.
Saturday's games:
Wisconsin at Ohio State, 12:15 p.m.
Iowa at Northwestern, 2:30 p.m.
Illinois at Purdue, 4:30 p.m.
Michigan State at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Sunday's games:
Michigan at Indiana, I.p.m.
POSTSEASON CHANCES
Two home losses this past week
might have salted Michigan's dream
of qualifying for the postseason.
Michigan (&-6 Big Ten, 911overall)
will need to win five of its last seven
regular-season games to guarantee
post-season eligibility heading to the
Big Ten Tournament.
The Wolverines have qualified for the'
postseason in 16 of the last 17 sea-
sons, the one season they failed to
qualify was two seasons ago.
Michigan's next two games are on
the road, at Penn State on
Wednesday night and at Bloomington
Sunday afternoon. After struggling on
the road earlier this season,
Michigan has won its last two games
on the road, beating Iowa and
Northwestern in its last two outings
on the road.
Michigan avoided playing the Nittany
Lions at home and beat Indiana 70-
64 the first time the two teams met. -
This will mark the second time a
Mike Davis-led Indiana team has
played Michigan. Davis replaced
Hoosier legend Bobby Kright at the
beginning of this season.
TOP 25 FARED
This week's results
Lost to UCLA 79-73
Beat Florida State 100-58
Beat Texas 82-66
Beat Georgia Tech 82-69
Beat Purdue 72-55
Beat Northwestern 84-59
Beat Oregon State 6841
Beat Vanderbilt 72-50
Beat Clemson 69-54
Beat Michigan 60-41
Beat Wake Forest 82-71"
Beat North Carolina State 54-58
WEEKEND NOTES
BIG TEN ROUNDUP
UCLA 79, No. I STANFORD 73: For
the second straight season, UCLA
came to Stanford and beat the
Cardinal - this time, defeating the
nation's last unbeaten team.
Billy Knight had a career-high 22
points and the Bruins used an 11-0
run midway through the second
half to win 79-73 and end
Stanford's school-recorda20-game
winning streak.
Earl Watson added 20 points
and Jason Kapono had 14 points
and nine rebounds for UCLA (7-2
2 ' ,- -- tn aX
foe Georgia Tech, 82-69, for their
16th straight victory.
Two days after a dramatic}
two-point win at No. 2 Duke,
North Carolina overcame a>
sluggish first few minutes to
score 23 straight pointsr
and take a 30-13 lead
with 7:14 to play in the
first half. It never let the lead
dip below eight thereafter.
In the final minutes, the crowd
at the Smith Center broke into a
chant of "We're No. 1."
hI,. 4 9 Qw mA F' nR
No. 6 ILLINolS 84,
Northwestern 59: Backup
guard Sean Harrington hit
two 3-pointers to finish off a
20-0 run in the first half and
Illinois beat Northwestern
84-59 Saturday.
The Illini (7-2 Big Ten,-
;17-5 overall) made a
season-high 12 3-point-
ers in 22 tries, with
Harrington shooting 4-
for-5.
Brian Cook had 16
noints and Damir
then finished the job early against
Northwestern (0-9 Big Ten, 8-14
overall).
Indiana 85, PENN STATE 78 (OT):
Kirk Haston hit a 3-pointer with 3.9
seconds remaining in regulation then
scored seven of his 29 points in over-
time as Indiana defeated Penn State
85-78 Saturday.
The Hoosiers (5-4 Big Ten, 14-9
overall) blew a 20-point second half
lead as the Nittany Lions (3-6 Big
Ten, 13-7 overall)went on a 15-0 run
and held Indiana scoreless for more
than six minutes late in the second
HOW THE AP
Team Record
1. Stanford 20-1
2. Duke 20-2
3. Kansas 18-2
4. North Carolina 19-2
5. Michigan State 18-2
6. Illinois 17-5
7. Arizona 15-6
8. Tennessee 18-4
9. Maryland 15-6
10. Wisconsin 14-5
11. Virginia 16-4
12. Syracuse 18-3