The Michigan Daily - Thursday, October 25, 2001- 9A Blackburn aims for return to prior form JOE SMITH By Steve Jackson Daily Sports Writer The Michigan hockey team has allowed three goals in each of its first five games. A number of forces have been blamed for the defensive woes, including penalty -killing, 12 freshmen and careless passing in the defensive zone. But despite all these other prob- lems, senior goaltender Josh Black- burn's performances have not lived up to his typically high standard as a fourth-year starter for the Wolverines. During his first three years between the pipes, Blackburn stopped over 90 percent of the opponents' shots, while posting a goals-against average of 2.30. So far this season, Blackburn has allowed 2.98 goals per game, and his save percentage has fallen below 86 percent. After Saturday's 5-3 over Western Michigan Blackburn had a long meet- ing with Michigan goalie coach Stan Matwijiw. "I didn't know what was wrong, but I knew something was wrong," Black- burn said. Despite the victory, Matwijiw knew that something had to be done. "He hasn't gotten off to a great start this year," Matwijiw said. "Last week- end wasn't one of his best series of the year." This week, Blackburn has gone back to the basics. Matwijiw has been a much more visible presence in practice this week, and Blackburn has worked really hard to build his confidence through repe- tition and mechanics. "We've identified some things and worked hard on those," Blackburn said. "I'm getting back to where I was last year, getting out of some bad habits. It's the little things that we've worked on." Matwijiw's biggest change was moving Blackburn an extra step away from the net. "I was back a little too far," Black- burn said. "I just need to be more patient and hold my ground just a split second longer. After extra coaching and extra practice this week, Blackburn's coach expects to see a better performance in goal. "I can pretty much assure you that you are going to see a different Josh In his fourth season as a starter, Josh Blackburn hasn't quite played up to his standards. But, by no means is he the only reason for Michigan's defensive woes. Blackburn this weekend," Matwijiw said. Despite his early struggles in the net, the Wolverines still believe in their senior netminder. "We know that he is one of the best goalies in the league," captain Jed Ortmeyer said. "We shoot on him every day and we know that he can stop all the pucks we need him to." "He gives us a chance to win every. night," alternate captain Mike Cam- malleri added. Michigan coach Red Berenson was quick to point out that solving the Wolverines' goals against problems will involve much more than Black- burn. "Our overall defensive play this year has been average," Berenson said. "And average isn't going to be good enough." Womens ho best season' t Crisler Arena, it costs less than $3 per game for a women's bas- etball season ticket. The price hasn't gone up since last year, but the quality of the team has. Maybe the attendance finally will, too if the team gets the respect it deserves. Two years ago, the Wolverines set school records with 22 victories and 13 conference wins, finishing second in the Big Ten. Michigan cracked the Top 25 for the first time in its history and ended the year ranked No. 25. But it received no respect. Last yeah, there was no preseason recognition, and Michigan wasn't even predicted to fin- ish in the top three in the conference. Michigan answered with another solid performance on the court, going 19-12 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in school history. The Wolverines completed the "most successful four-year run for the pro- gram," according to Michigan coach Sue Guevara. But while the season was .a year of firsts for the Wolverines- including their first victory over a top 10 team in a 69-66 upset of perennial power Louisiana Tech in Michigan's home opener - one discouraging thing remained the same. The paid attendance for that Louisiana Tech game, a landmark win in the program's history, was 1,572. Sure, the newly created student section, M Hoopla, rushed the Crisler Arena floor, but it could hardly fill it up. "You never want to walk into Crisler and see empty seats," Guevara said. "It's discouraging. Especially when you go into Columbus and play in front of 10,000 people - you can get a high off that. "The crowd is supposed to be the sixth player. It's disheartening, (the fans) just don't understand." What the fans may not realize yet is that this year's Wolverines will be even better. They return eight of their top nine players from last season, who accounted for more than 75 percent of the points and rebounds. Plus, Guevara added blue-chip recruit Tabitha Pool, who was one of the top ops seeks hrespect players in the nation a year ago. With the inside presence of Jennifer Smith, LeeAnn Bies and Raina Goodlow, com- bined with the slashing ability of Pool, Purdue coach Kristy Curry says that Michigan has an overpowering inside- outside combination. It's a situation that many teams would drool over. As a result, others are finally starting to recognize a growing power in Ann Arbor. "Several years ago, you didn't worry about Michigan (on a national.level)," said Louisiana Tech coach Leon Bar- more, whose Lady Techsters will host Michigan this fall when the Wolverines play nine of their first 10 games on the road. "But you sure do now. Sue's brought the program a long way. No question that their program is on the up and up and is even going to get better." A top 10 caliber team with aspira- tions for a conference crown and a Sweet Sixteen appearance? I know of another team playing at Crisler which would swap its Nike sneakers for a situ- ation like that. But will anyone be there to watch history in the making? Michigan finally garnered some respect from the media and coaches around the nation. Now it's the fans' turn. Sure, there won't be any dazzling dunks and high-wire acts, but there will be something that fans should care equally about - a winning team out on the floor that can make Michigan proud. And it costs nothing - if you're a stu- dent - to get in. If you're anyone else, it costs no more than a Jimmy John's sandwich. "It's 30 dollars for 11 home games - you can't even take a family of four to the movies and have pop and popcorn for that type of money," Guevara said. "It's the most affordable entertainment ticket in town and I think they'll see one of the best basketball teams in the coun- try out on the floor." Let's hope that more of those tickets get sold. Joe Smith can be reached at josephms@umich.qdu. Powerful Illini want more than Big Ten title By David Horn Daily Sports Writer Despite an injury to key forward Lucas Johnson, Illinois is still one of the best teams in the country and begins this season with the realistic expectation of ' repeating as Big Ten champions. Last year, the Illini shared the title with Michigan State, but this year, Illinois will be in position to take sole possession of the Big Ten crown if it is able to replace the toughness that Johnson brings to the floor. Johnson, a 6-8 senior, will be sidelined for at least half of the season with a knee injury. Two other sen- iors, 6-11 Robert Archibald and 6-9 Damir Krupalija, will have to step up for the Illini until their fallen team- mate can return. Inside the paint ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI 2000-01 RECORD: 28-5 Overall (13-3 Big Ten), No. 3 RETURNING STARTERS: Pos. NAME 2000 STAT G Frank Williams 14.9 PPG G Corey Bradford 9.9 PPG F Brian Cook 6.1 RPG KEY ADDITIONS: Pos. NAME G Luther Head F Blandon Ferguson KEY LoSSES: C Marcus Griffin - graduation F Sergio McClain - graduation BIG TEN PREVIEWS As the college basketball season approaches, the Daily bas- ketball writers will give you the inside scoop on every Big Ten ' team as they count down the days until they release their spe- Ii cial section "Tipoff" in November. CONFERENCE Last year, after losing by two to Indiana in the semi- finals of the Big Ten Tournament, the Illini fared well in the Big Dance. Illinois received the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region and advanced to the Elite Eight before being knocked off by Arizona. This year, the boys ii Champaign want more. "Last year ended on a very positive note," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "(But) we weren't satisfied with the way it ended." The majority of last season's roster will be returning, including leading scorer Frank Williams, a 6-2 junior who is considered by many to be one of the best point guards in the nation. Williams, who played this past summer with Michael Jordan, knows that opposing defenses are going to be targeting him. "I think everyone's going to be coming for me, just the same as we're going to be gunning for other guards," Williams said. "I just have to prepare myself in practice to deal with it." The Illini also return one of the top shooters in the conference, 6-3 senior guard Corey Bradford. While Williams and Bradford will be the core of Illinois' offense, the effectiveness of the supporting cast will determine just how far this team will be able to go in March, especially if Johnson is unable to return. One key contributor will have to be 6-10 junior Brian Cook, one of the more versatile players in the conference. Cook averaged 11.2 points per game last season while leading the team in rebounds with 6.1 per game. "If we keep all the pieces in place then there's no question this team has a chance to be pretty good," Self said. "I don't know if we're deserving of all the presea- son predictions of all the so-called experts, but I do think this: We're in the game." Other important pieces of the puzzle are Luther Head - who is one of four freshmen joining the Illini this year - as well as transfer Blandon Ferguson. "Blandon is probably the second-best athlete, behind Luther, on our team" Self said. With nonconference games against the likes of Gon- zaga, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Arizona and Arkansas in addition to the Big Ten slate, the Illini will once again face one of the toughest schedules in the country and will be tested early and often. Though the loss of Johnson will be a severe imposi- tion to Illinois' early-season success, Self is optimistic. "If we do our job and players play like they're capa- ble of playing, there's no question that this team has 'M' hopes to keep ticking at Rolex Regional T00 The Michigan Spa Daily Dispa Team_____ o t he week. o fo icaeSoI sACUtE6 by D'Amato's Italian Restaurant By Melanie Kebler Daily Sports Writer With the return of several key players from last year and the strength of this year's entering class, the Michigan men's tennis team is set to improve on last season's third-place Big Ten finish. This weekend, the Wolverines will get a chance to see how they stack up against the entire Midwest at the Rolex Region- al Championships in East Lansing. Unlike the ITA All-American Cham- pionships earlier this month, the Rolex * Regional Championships will include all Big Ten teams as well as teams from around the Midwest. Although no team scores will be kept this 'weekend, Michigan will still get a good look at its Big Ten rivals. "We will see who the strong teams are likely to be," said assistant coach Dan Goldberg. "There's a certain amount of rivalry involved, but probably not as much as in a team event." Even with their rivalries on the back burner, the Wolverines still plan to make a strong showing. Michigan will send five singles play- ers and two doubles teafns to East Lans- ing. The Rolex Championships are single elimination, so the Wolverines will have to step up and win from the beginning in order to keep advancing. Both the singles and doubles sides of the tournament will be open draw, meaning players will be matched up ran- domly rather than by previous rankings. "This tournament gives players that may be in the middle or lower part of the lineup a chance to play against other No. 1 and No. 2 players," Goldberg said.. Michigan's top players are expecting to give good performances. Senior Henry Beam - who is currently ranked No. 42 in the nation - broke out at the Rolex Regionals last year, reaching the semifinals, and is expected to finish in the tnn eight this var EAST LANSING Who: Michigan at Rolex Regional Championships When: All day, tomorrow through Monday Latest: The Wolverines will be facing a number of top teams from around the Midwest, including defending Big Ten champion Ohio State. Corner of lst and Huron St. Downtown AA (734) 623-7400 www.damatos.com TOM FELDKAMP/Daily Henry Beam has his sights set on a good showing at the Rolex Regional. BASKETBALL October 2001 advancing and possible pulling some upsets," Goldberg added. Along with Beam, Cox and Lockin, senior Greg Novak and sophomore Anthony Jackson will also play singles for the Wolverines. Novak went 2-1 at the regional tournament last year. On the doubles side, Michigan will send its No. I doubles team of Chris Shaya and Chris Rolf. Lockin and Novak will make up Michigan's second doubles team. Dear Students, Faculty and Staff: With the start of our season approaching, we would like to extend to all of you a special invitation to join our Michigan Basketball team for several open practices. We invite you to join us on the following Friday afternoons: Friday, October 19 Friday, October 26 Friday, November 2 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Open Practice Open Practice Open Practice and Fan Night For the open practices, the Crisler Arena doors will open at 3 p.m., and open seating will be on a first come- first served basis. Following our November 2 practice, we will host our first Fan Night, an opportunity for you (and your family) to meet our team. Our players will gladly pose for photos and sign autographs on that evening. We are so excited about our first season together, and WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!! Please join us on these dates and throughout the season at Crisler Arena. This is a very special time in the life of Michigan Basketball. Please be a part of it with us.