6B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - October 1, 2001 4 BADGERS Continued from Page1B front might have contributed to Michigan's inability to score until overtime. "You don't want to change your system of play so much that it's what we're not used to," said assis- tant coach Scott Forrester about the decision not to move the extra play- er on the forward line. "We tried to get more of a presence from 'one of our center midfielders to get in the attack." Michigan was led Friday by Abby Crumpton. Her leadership on the field was evident in her third game back from an injury. Her strong and energetic play from the first minute of the game led to several opportu- nities in the Wildcats' goal box. In one outstanding play in the first half, Crumpton had a break- away with only the goalie left between her and the net. Her shot was accurate, but the ball barely missed the right goal post after the goalie batted it away with her left hand. Crumpton aside, after Friday's win over the Wildcats, no smile on a Michigan player's face shone brighter than that of freshman Theresa Dwyer's. "Scoring my first goal for Michi- gan felt so good," Dwyer said. "I felt so relieved. "That was the first goal of the game and I can't even explain my feelings." The freshmen ruled Friday night, scoring both goals against North- western. Crumpton beat the North- western sweeper to set up a one-on-one with the goalie. She fired a low shot that beat the keeper but bounced off the near goal post. Dwyer came up the right side and caught the rebound for a clean shot on goal with 36:48 left in the sec- ond half. A little more than 10 minutes later, the Wolverines found the back of the net for the second goal of the game. Dwyer chalked up an assist, making a great pass from the side- lines to the center box, right in front of the goal. Stephanie Chavez received the pass but was unable to capitalize due to the difficulty of bringing the ball out of the air and getting the shot off with enough time. But Chavez made a great decision under pressure and passed to fresh- man Kate Morgan for the goal. "Theresa made a great run down the line and after Stephanie chested the ball to me I was surprised to see it right at my feet," Morgan said. "It was the perfect set-up." Rejuvenated and 'tight' Wolverines keep active By Joe Smith Daily Sports Editor The Michigan basketball team found out early on how much things have chan ged since Tommy Amaker was hired as the head coach. Early in the morning, that is. When players showed up for 6 a.m. workouts during the spring, they found Amaker waiting for them in the BASKETBALL weight room. Notebook Amaker's enthu-_ siasm to get started has spread throughout the entire team, and didn't end in the summer. While Michigan's first official practice with the coaches is Oct. 13, the Wolverines have been battling through rigorous workouts on their own several times a week. "The system now is intense," fifth- year senior Mike Gotfredson said. "There are a lot of workouts that are at a very high energy. There's also a posi- tiveness going around that everyone is excited to play and work out. It's been a fun feeling so far this fall." While the atmosphere is lighter, it doesn't make the workouts any less gru- eling. Gotfredson said the Wolverines scrimmage two days a week, lift weights three days, have conditioning two days and participate in individual workouts twice a week. Gotfredson, an important member of the "Soul Patrol" on Michigan's scout team two years ago, saw action in 13 games last season and even started three times. Gotfredson has been here for the past two frustrating seasons - includ- ing a 10-18 finish last year - but sees a light at the end of the tunnel with a fresh attitude from the Wolverines. And he said it stems from the new coaching staff. "I think it's basically a new energy of the coaches," Gotfredson said. "So I think the players were sort of waiting for that type of enthusiasm - and I think these coaches are really providing it." A 'TIGHT' SHIP: While the condition- ing and workouts prepare the players for the grind of the Big Ten schedule, the Wolverines are also trying to find a way to strengthen something almost as important -- team chemistry. "A lot of winning is knowing your teammates," said senior tri-captain Leon Jones. The players are learning more about each other by hanging out, working out and spending time at Amaker's house for cookouts. Having such good chem- istry is what can help teams through the tough times, especially the hardships that Michigan has dealt with the past few years with several off-court distrac- tions and a coaching change. To remedy this, Amaker and the Wolverines have implemented a few new things. The first innovation being more meetings between the coaches and players. "We have a lot of teammeetings just to make sure we're on the right track," Got- fredson said. "And if we feel there's any- one slipping off the track, we've already had some meetings to say 'Lets stay focused and get ready for the season.' " With six seniors, much of the focus in terms of chemistry has been on the three freshmen - Dommanic Ingerson, Mar- cus Bennett and Chuck Bailey. In past seasons, there have been issues with underclassmen having trouble adjusting to college life and the freedom that comes with it. Last year, then-sophomore Kevin Gaines was dismissed from the team prior to the first day of classes after being arrested for driving under the influence. Later in the year, Bernard Robinson and Avery Queen violated team rules dealing with curfew, and this season Maurice Searight was kicked off the team by Amaker after a tumultuous freshman campaign. To remedy the situation, the Wolver- ines have set into place a "big brother" system, where an upperclassman takes a younger player under his wing to help them along. "We kind of explain to him what it real- ly takes," Gotfredson said. "We tell them Senior guard Leon Jones will be one of three team captains this year. -, -- they can come to us if they need to." Amaker said that this year's freshman class has fit in well with the team, and shouldn't have a problem in the adjust- ment process. Not to be forgotten is that Michigan returns all but one player from last year's team, which is just one reason tri-captain Chris Young says that this year's Wolverines are even closer than before. "We're getting very tight," Young said. "So tight you won't be able to notice the difference between us by the end of the year." RECRUITING UPDATE: While one of the top recruiting targets on Michigan's wish list for the 2002 season - 6-foot- 11 power forward Chris Bosh - was nabbed by Georgia Tech this past week, the Wolverines have reportedly landed verbal committments from two big men that round out a solid first recruiting class for Amaker. Two power forwards, Chris Hunter (6- foot-lI, 205 pounds) from Gary, Ind. and Amadou Ba (6-foot-10, 240) were in town on an official visit this weekend. Rivals.com reported yesterday that both gave verbal committments by the time the weekend was over. Hunter, ranked No. 64 nationally by Prep Spotlight, reportedly is a good shot- blocker with a nice upside to his game. He picked Michigan over Ohio State and Seton Hall. Ba is the sleeper of the 2002 class that also includes highly-touted guard Daniel Horton, lanky swingman Lester Abram and power forward Graham Brown. With Michigan landing the two big men, it may have answered a lingering absence of a post-presence for next year - especially with the impending gradu- ation of senior Chris Young. While these committments round out the class of 2002, another contributor to the Wolverines may be Flint Northern's two-sport star Matt Trannon who also has Michigan high on his list. The only problem is that Michigan State is also recruiting Trannon. While it's more likely that Trannon, also a playrnaking wide receiver with great leaping ability, will receive a foot- ball scholarship, he is interested in play- ing basketball as well. WTKA reported late last week that Trannon was close to committing with Michigan, but nothing has been con- firmed yet. Trannon was spotted at the Michigan football game on Saturday and said that he was not on an official visit but just watching the game. He said that he hasn't made a final deci- sion yet. Even with Michigan State coach Tom Izzo's recruiting success in the basket- ball haven of Flint, national recruiting analyst Clint Jackson doesn't think Amaker is that far behind when it comes to in-state talent. "Izzo definitely has the more impres- sive resume, but Amaker has tremen- dous eye for talent and is a great relationship manager," said Jackson. "He knows how to.treat kids and kids love Amaker. He'll-give Izzo a run for his money." - ---------- -- -------- . .......... +. ......................... .. ..... .. ................ :=:v : ' :i":":"': :? :titi: : :ti : " '": K-K SSr: i to-: a ", : ........... PRACTICES Continued from Page 1B The third and final Friday will end with some fan appreciation festivities. Players will be available for photographs and autographs. Amaker also said the crowd may be addressed .by members of the team or himself. The practices will be run slightly different than when behind closed doors in that Amaker will have more scrimmaging and five-on-five play out on the court for the sake of entertain- ing the fans and giving them a first-hand pre- liminary look at the players' game skills. These practices may also benefit the Wolverines themselves. "I think there was some level of excitement from our kids,to see something new in the program," Amaker said. "I think it's a good thing, especiallyfor the freshmen. They'll understand what it means to perform in front of people. It's something important for our kids to exposed to." Fans are also excited about the new avail- ability of the team. "I think it's a.great way for coach Amaker to get students andthe community involved in the Michigan basketball family," said Aaron Ruh- lig, co-captain of Michigan student fan club Maize Rage. I MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily Center Josh Moore spent the summer working on his footwork. I /' __________________ The UM School of Music 2001 HALLOWEEN CONCERTS Sunday, October 28 at Hill Auditorium 4:30 PM & 8:00 PM 7 Number your preferences (from 1 to 6) so if your first choice is unavailable, we can fill your order with your next choice. If you do NOT indicate any other choices, your check will be returned to you if your first choice is not available. All ticket requests will be filled in order of receipt. Limit 10 tickets per order. Note: There is NO elevator in Hill Auditorium. 2 Make your check payable to the University of Michigan. One check or money order per order form, please. Sorry, no credit card orders. 3 Include a self-addressed STAMPED envelope so we can mail your tickets to you. If both concerts are sold out, we will use the envelope to return your check to you. 4 Mail your order form, payment, and self-addressed stamped envelope to: Halloween Tickets, League Ticket Office, 911 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1265. ONLY mail orders will be accepted. 5 Please allow TWO WEEKS to process your order. 6 In-person sales for any remaining tickets will begin on Monday, October 22 at 10 AM at the League Ticket Office. Orders will not be accepted by phone. 7 All tickets are reserved seating. No one will be admitted without a ticket, including all children, regardless of age! 0 mu id li This concert is presented with support from __eC pe new inta e S 2001 Halloween Concerts Mail Order Form Mail Orders will be accepted September 30 through October 12! Name a v Phone _ LIMIT 10 TICKETS PER ORDER FORM! PERFORMANCE LOCATION number in order of preference # TICKETS $ TOTAL SUNDAY Main Floor @ $8.00 MATINEE Oct. 28, 2000 1st Balcony @ $8.00 $ 4:30 PM 2nd Balcony @ $5.00 a m