USCHO RPI
9 the season's fit release of USCHO's
RM rankings, Nlichigm's hockey tem
came in eighth. Go online to see the
rest of the top 1I.
michigandaily.com /sports

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THURSDAY
JANUARY 11, 2001

5A


Linemates add more than goals

Women's hoops strives
for defensive fortitude

No luxury
0 #0---m
season for
' hoops
Is almost unfair. The Michigan
football team can lose to
UCLA, Purdue and
Northwestern, but as long as it
defeats Ohio State at the end of the
season, it is considered a successful
year.
I n 1995, the Wolverines went 9-4
s~tffering a 22-20 loss to Texas
A&M in the Alamo Bowl. On the
rface, this looks like a mediocre
season, not one for the history
books.
But a 31-23 win over an undefcat-
ed Ohio State squad made it a year
to remember. Ohio State went from
a Rose Bowl berth and possible
national championship to an unsuc-
cessful Citrus Bowl trip that capped
off what will be remembered as a
ilure of a season for the Buckeyes.
The next season, Michigan
repeated as victors over undefeated
Ohio State. Even though the
Wolverines again went into the
game with three losses and would
finish the season with another loss
at a lower-tier bowl, their defeat of
the No. 2 team in the count rV is
what will be remembered.
The importance of that single
game was confirmed a week ago
0th the firing of Ohio State coach
1hn Cooper.
Cooper admitted that a 2-10- 1
record against his archrival was a
large factor in his dismissal.
Cooper held a 111-41-4 overall
record in his 13 years as Ohio
State's head coach. Ile was the fifth-
winningest coach ii Big Ten history.
He was the second-w inningest
ach in Ohio State history, behind
e coach who defined the rivalry,.
Woody Haves.
But none of that mattered. Cooper
couldn't win one specific game --
the one that matters the most. The
upsets of Ohio State defined the
Michigan seasons of the mid-90s.
They did the same for the Buckeves.
Two seasons that could have been
remembered as two of the best in
Ohio State history went down as
disappointments and reasons for an
*herwise impressive coach to be
fired.
It's interesting that one game can
have that much impact on a football
team's season. And it's too bad the
same statement can't be made
across the board for all sports
learns.
Tuesday night, the Michigan bas-
ketball team defeated Indiana. An
chrival of sorts, Indiana is a game
t tat year-in and year-out Michigan
fans and players always get up for.
When Dugan Fife's brother Dane
became a Hoosier, Michigan fans
called for his head,
During the victory, ESPN aired
clips of numerous Michigan-Indiana
cgames that came down to the last
shot.
But unfortunately for Michigan,
Tuesday night's win can't define its
mason. Even though Indiana defeat-
d Michian State two nights earli-

er, proving there was life after
Bobby Knight for the Hoosiers.
Michigan can't salvage its season
just by defeating Indiana.
Unfortunately for this set of
Wolverines, one win will not be
enough.
One win can't make fans forget
Se disasters at Duke or at Oakland.
)le win can't earn Michigan a spot
in the NCAA Tournament. All this
one win can do is give a struggling
team some confidence - but the
WMolverines can only ride that confi-
dence until their next loss.
I'm sure the basketball team
v.hs i could end its season ri ht

By Ryan C. Moloney
Daly Sports Writer
Late in the first period of Sunday's
game against Lake Superior,
Michigan's Andy Hilbert circled the
outskirts of the offensive zone with the
puck, weaving around Lakers players
like they were parking cones. Hilbert
proceeded to set up in the left cornet;
hoping to draw some physical atten-
tion.
Nothing too unusual,. but this was a
five-on-five situation. Two Lake
Superior forwards moved in to oblige
Hilbert, while the three remaining
Lakers stood still back on their heels.
looking right, then left in confusion of
their roles.
No scoring opportunity arose from
the play, but even more than the three-
goal offensive explosion Hilbert and
linemate Mike Cammalleri brought to
the Wolverines with their return from
Moscow, the sequence epitomized
exactly what the team was missing -
the intangibles each possess as com-
plete players.
Intangibles, as in the daring to try
and work the puck around the offen-
sive zone in an even-strength situation
- five-on-five goals often come from
offensive breakouts, not powerplay-
style setups. Intangibles, as in
Hilbert's willingness to absorb the
punishment down low to generate a
chance from the point or the front of
the net.
"They're both skill players," coach
Red Berenson said. "They're smart
with the puck, they know how to move
it. When you have the puck in another
team's zone, it takes a lot of pressure
off of your own defense. Whether you
score or not, it's a benefit to your
team."
Berenson put Hilbert and

By David Horn
Daily Sport Writtr
Bo Schembechler said that defense
wins championships. Coach Sue
Guevara and the women's basketball
team are hoping that it
wins games, too -To
immediatelv.
Michigan (1-3 BiT Ten, CRISLE
8-6 oxerall) has lost three Who: Michig
86 overall)v
straight cames since State (31,1
opening the BiT Ten sea- when: 7 p.m
son with a Dec. 28 win at tatest: The '
Illinois, and Guevara is themselves i
desperately waiting for three consec
one of her players -- any digit losses i
of her players -- to lead play.
the team out of its slump.
Three straigoht losses have left the
Wolverines questioning their potential.
Lazy and effortless play have been
recutrrtin themes in those uames.
Guevara wants to see a strongu defen-
sive performance against Penn State
(3-1,I 11-4) tonight at Crisler Arena to
change the tide of the Big Ten season.
Oppotents have averaged a 52.9 shoot-
in" percentace against the Wolverines
o\er the losinc streak.
"I'm not sure how this team can't cet
psyched to play Penn State," Guevara
said.
"We are going to work our tails oft
defensively. We are going to be the
blue-collared basketball team that's
going to work and work and create our
own opportunities defensixelv."
In this past Sunday's game against
Iowa, Michigan shot 35.5 percent from

the floor, compared to the Hawkeyes'
§1.5 percent. Guevara sees it fit to
lower the opponent's number rather
than raise her own team's.
"If ou look at that lowa stat sheet,

everyfthing


NIGHT
ER ARENA
an (1-3 Big Ten,
vs. No. 12 Penn
1-4
n.
Wolverines find
n a tailspin with
ut ive double-
n conference


Was pretty much the same
rebounding, assists.
turnovers, field goal
(attempts)," Guevara
said. "The field-goal
percentage was the worst
thing. If xve're going to
shoot 32 percent frot
the floor, the other team
needs to shoot 31. .That's
defense."
That will be a x othv
Challenge against Penn
State. The twelfth-ranked


DAVI ATZ,"Di>r
As linemates, sophomores Andy Hilbert (19) and Mike Cammalleri (13) have
been tearing opponents to shreds. They are both in the top 10 in scoring.

Caimmalleri on the same line shortly
after the season started and their con-
nection has been nothing short of intu-
itive.
Their statistics, 37 points f'or Hilbert
and 31 for Cammalleri, might prompt
the uninformed to call them "floaters,"'
or players who shy away from physical
and defensive responsibilities. An
erroneous assumption, to say the least.
"Hilbert plays this game like a
man," Berenson said when asked
about the sophomore's physical game.
For Hilbert, using the b --doesn't
indicate lesser skill, just an aggressive
approach.
"If you Let into a scrum down low

and make some picks, you can make
son plays.' Hilbert said.
Cammalleri is one of Michigan's
smaller forwards, but his style of play
is illustrated in the Way he wins most
of his faceoffs. The sophomore chal-
lenges the dtop of the puck. then
swins his body around to muscle his
opponent on the draw. Often, a team-
mate will sWOop in and scoop up the
loose puck.
When Cammal leri returned to the
team, he sparked the air in the dressing
room, Berenson said.
"Cammalleri is so outgoing and
jovial he is an important part ofthe
chemistry of the team.' Berenson said.

Nittanv Lions are sporting a 44.9 per-
cent field-goal percentage on the sea-
son. Freshman guard Kelly Mazzan e
and senior guard Lisa Shepard are
posting 18.1 and 16.3 points per gam e,
respectively. Penn State is the No. I
scorinug offense in the Big Ten, and the
sharpest team from behind the are,
shooting an impressive 39.1 percent
This week's practices have focusd
on defense and defensive rebounding.
Guevara's greatest hope for tonight is
that her backcourt will be able to
defend Penn State around the pentime-
ter.
."I think this team always responds
better to a challenuge of a ranked team,
Guevara said. "I don't think they're
afraid of Penn State. I don't believe
that at all. This could be the best thInIz
that could happen to us.

Runners host Hoosiers


Freshman grapplers
performing like vets

By Job Singer
LYiily Sports Wnter

The Michigan wrestlers were conclud-
ing a practice so difficult, a spectator
said watching them made him tired.
Then coach Joe McFarland told the
team how satisfied lie was with its dom-
inating performance over the weekend
and said that he got compliments from
opposing teams' fans on his wrestlers'
outstanding condition and aggressive-
ness. On the left side of the team's hud-
dIe were two of the weekend's top per-
formers-redshirt fireshmen 133-pound
Foley Dowd and 141-pound Clark
Forward, both of whom have taken
McFarland's conditioning lectures to
heart.
"They are both great competitors,"
McFarland said. "They expect a lot from
themselves."
Even great high-school wrestlers need
time to adjust their bodies and wrestling
style for- college. Dowd and Forward
have had to make minimal changes
because they have ideal wrestling
physiques.
"I have the build to go hard for seven
minutes and brawl," Forward said.
Both wrestlers had outstanding high-
school careers that included Asics All-
America honors. But it was their desire
that attracted McFarland when lie
I'ecruited them two years ago.
"When you coach motivated athletes,
it makes it so much better," McFarland
said. "These two guys are great
wrestlers."They've proven themselves on
the national level in high school.

Wrestling means a lot to them.'
Dowvd and Forward have an extremelv
tight relationship. The two were recruited
together, roomed together their first year
and are striving for certain goals togeth-
er. But they separate their friendship
from their competition in the practice
room.
"Everyone is friends off the mat:'
Dowd said. "When we are in here, it is
war. If punches are thrown, no one takes
it personally
Part of being a great wrestler is prepa-
ration and motivation.
"We are both competitive," Forward
said. "We know that when we get after
each other, it is the best fbr both of us."
Both should increase their win totals
at this weekend's Wendy's Classic in
Ashland, Ohio. But all the dual meets
and early tournaments are mer'ely
buildups for Big Tens and NCAAs.
"It all comes down to wvhat is going on
in March" Dowd said. "Rankings go up
and down. To me every match is presea-
son until the tourinameints.,
An All-America season for the fresh-
men would be extra special.
"There are not too many foul-tiime
All-Americans or national champions"
Forward said. "That is where the men are
separated from the boys."
Their coach. former Wolverine and
one of the few four-time All-Americans,
knows what it takes.
"Both those guys have sights set ott
being an All-American this year,"
McFarland said. "Neither wants to wait
until next year to do it. And they don't
need to"

SATURDAY
ASHLAND, OHIO
Who: Michigan (40) at the Wendy's Classic
dual-meet tournament vs. Binghamton.
Marquette and Cleveland State
When: Binghamton, noon; Marquette, 2 p.m.;
Cleveland State, 4 p.m.
Latest: The Wolverines are on a roll, opening
their season with four straight wins. This
week shoujld be a welcome break from a
tough dual-meet schedule. The main cha-
lenge wIll be sustaining an intense level of
wrestlng for three matches in a row. 125-
pound AJ. Grant. 165-pound Charles
Marteli. 174-poundoOtto Olson, 189-pound
Andy Hrovat and heavyweight Matt Brink (4-
0) all are undefeated in dual meets. 133-
pound Foley Dowd, 141-pound Clark Forward
and 149-pound Mike Kulczycki have just one
loss.

By Rhonda Gilmer
Dauly Spors Write
Michigtan hosts its only dual
the season -- a rarity in
track and field --- when
Indiana comes to town this N
Saturday.
Michigan might have an w
edge after competing head- L
to-head against five other or
schools in last week's Jack
I lartey Inivitational. whereas Ind
vet to rit against another team.
Tie Wolverines surprised the
by winning all the field events att
tational. Michigan did not expe
strong in those competitions,
boosting its confidence for this W
"We're capable of beating"
Michigan coach .ames Henry sai
though the season is barely under

going to be a veirv close meet. I think it.s
going to go down to the mile relay
Last yean, Indiana defeated Michigan
meet of in the Indiana Dual and later went on to
win the Big Ten champi-
SATURDAY onship.
DOOR TRACK BUILDING Returitg ftom t11
Vho: Michigan vs. Indiana cross-country sason,
Vhen: Saturday. 10:30 a.m. many distance runners are
atest: This is Michigan's mt preparation for the mtet.
nly home meet this year. Senior Katie Jazwinski's
status for Saturday is qucs-
iana has tionable because of a back inj ury. The
two-time All-Anierican in cross-countrv
-mselves is also M ichigali's top distance runi.e, for
the invi- track.
et be so With Jazwitski's possible absence,
further others will have te fill the void.
eekend. "Youmng neople have to figure out i:
Indiana, they want to be pretty good, or if they arr:
d. "Even pretty good," assistant coach M ike
rwa.y, it's McGuire said.

I ...............H..,

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