I michigadai'ygc/sports sportsdesk@umich.edu M' season starting with high hopes By Chris Buke Daily Sports Writer 'M' faces Wisconsin in critical Big Ten tilt When last year's women's basketball season started, there were high expecta- tions for Michigan, coming off of a 22- 11 season in 1999-2000. It took just one game for the Wolverines' to gain some momentum to go along with those expectations. In the opening game of the year, the Wolverines pounced on a major upset opportunity and knocked off then-No. 8 Louisiana Tech, 69-66 at Crisler Arena. It was Michigan's first win over a top- 10 team and it sparked a season that concluded with a 19-12 record and its first victory in an NCAA Tournament since 1990. Now jump ahead to 200 1-02. The expectations from the beginning of last year pale in comparison to the hopes the Wolverines are expected to meet this year. For the first time in its history, Michigan is ranked in the preseason Top 25 -- No. 17 in the AP poll. M Seven experienced play- RUSTc ers return to don the Who: No. 17 Michigan uniform and an vs. No. 6 Lou impressive four-member (0.0) recruiting class will give when: 7 p.m the Wolverines talent that latest: The W coach Sue Guevara has look to upset1 dreamed of having since Techsters fort being named coach in straight seas 1996. 66 victory Ia And as this season begins, a familiar foe awaits the Wolverines. Tonight, Michigan will be in Ruston, La. to once against battle with No. 6 Louisiana Tech. "We literally have to get this team redy.to - I'm dead serious - go to -war because we're going to be in a very hostile environment against some big aggressive post players," Guevara said. In the preseason, Guevara has stressed the importance of her inside players being as big of a factor as possible. B 'ON Mi isi . Wol th th on ist y BRANDON SEDLOFF/Daily Heather Oesterle (30) and the Wolverines begin their season tonight. Centers LeeAnn Bies and Jennifer Smith combine with forward Raina Goodlow and freshmen Katrina Mason and Brianne McPhilamy to give Michi- gan one of the most intimidating front- courts in the Big Ten. But Louisiana Tech also prides itself on playing well in the paint. The Lady Techsters return all five starters from last year's s, LA. 31-5 team, and in last chigan(0-0) year's game, the two ana Tech teams tied with 40 rebounds apiece. "I think it'll be a real verines will good evaluation of where e Lady we are," Guevara said. "I e second think our post players are after a 69- pretty tough but I think year they're really going to be challenged." The Wolverines will conclude the weekend by traveling to Detroit on Sun- day afternoon. But for now, Michigan's attention is on Louisiana Tech. "I don't even know anything about Detroit yetThe focus is on Louisiana Tech," Guevara said. "I want to see how we react under pressure - under the stress of being in another environment with a hostile crowd against a pretty good basketball team - because that's exactly what happens in the NCAA Tournament." By Jon Schwartz Daily Sports Editor Things never get easy in the Big Ten; nothing is predictable. Michigan (5-1 Big Ten, 7-2 overall) has seen the truth of this notion countless times since the begin- ning of the season. Who could have expected that John Navarre would perform as one of the Big Ten's top passers for the first few weeks? And once he showed his potential, who could have expected him to fall back to earth recently? Who could have thought that Michigan State's T.J. Duckett would run for 212 yards against the best rush defense in the nation? Wisconsin (3-3, 5-5) is a perfect example of the notion that unexpected does not mean impossible. The Badgers boast the Big Ten's second best run- ning back in freshman Anthony Davis and the con- ference's best wide receiver in junior Iee Evans -- who is averaging nearly 30 more yards per game than his nearest competitor, Michigan's Marquise Walker. But the Badgers are still putting up just 26.5 points per game, while they allow 28.4. "Statistically, it is not a great defense," said, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. "However, when I looked at the film last night and this morning I see a team that is well coached, disciplined and plays hard." No doubt, this has been a disappointing season for Wisconsin. But that doesn't make the game any eas- ier for Michigan - the Badgers may be surprising people with their poor record to date, but they can just as easily surprise Michigan with an upset victo- ry. The Badgers' weak defense still has weapons, the most prominent of which is lineman Wendell Bryant. Michigan State's defense is injury-depleted and weak this year, but it had no trouble stopping Michigan's offense. Wisconsin can do the same. "Wendell Bryant is a threat on the defensive line because he plays the one-technique, defensive tackle and defensive end at different times in the game," said Michigan offensive lineman Tony Pape. "We need to keep an eye out for him and you have to be ready to perform at your highest level when you are lined up across from an All-American." If Ohio State beats Illinois tomorrow and Michi- gan wins, the Wolverines will clinch at least a share of the Big Ten title. If such a situation should arise, then next week's rivalry matchup with Ohio State would be for the Big Ten's BCS bowl berth. Should Illinois win out, Michigan will get a share of the title and the BCS trip if it wins its last two games, as well. DAiVID KATZI/Daily Victor Hobson's eyes - and those of the entire Michigan team - are focused on the Big Ten championship it can secure this weekend with a win and an Illinois loss. - ----- Wolverines, Badgers make for an even match WHbN YOUI THINK "SERVICE" THINK "KOLOSSOS". At Kolossos your business is important to us. so we llwork hard to make sure its done right. Think of us iwhen you need disseritioiis, black aid white or color copies, oset printing, color laserprintng. binding, over-size inkjet printing. xii' signs and banners. scanning. peseting and design. even 1-hour photo processing and passport photos. We do it all ith a smile because were Real Big On enice. DWTOWN ANN ARBOR: 2CONVENIENT LOCATIONS IENIY73.g4044 wSHINGTON:734-994 54Q0 1214So om kn 31t .W WWW.KLOSSOSPR N tGG ". -Real on service: P R i N ( By Arun Gopal Daily Sports Writer With two games left in the season, Michigan can see the light at the end of the tunnel. If the Wolverines (5-1 Big Ten, 7-2 overall) can win their final two games, they will claim the Big Ten champi- onship. But Michigan has a few big roadblocks standing in its way, starting with tomorrow's game at Wisconsin. For the last four years, Wisconsin (3- 3, 5-3) has been one of the elite teams in the Big Ten, winning a pair of confer- ence titles. But the Badgers still have many detractors who all point to one thing - Wisconsin has lost four straight games to Michigan and hasn't looked especial- ly good in any of those losses. MICHIGAN RUSH OFFENSE VS. WIScON- SIN RUSH DEFENSE: Heading into last week's "Little Brown Jug" game against Minnesota, there were a lot of questions about Michigan's "iffy" running game. The Wolverines responded by piling up 300 yards on the ground. Tomorrow's contest presents another opportunity for Michigan to post impressive rushing totals, because Wis- consin's run defense has been porous. Despite the presence of All-America defensive tackle Wendell Bryant, the Badgers have surrendered 172 rushing yards per game. Edge: Michigan MICHIGAN PASS OFFENSE VS. WISCON- SIN PASS DEFENSE: It seems like Mike Echols has been around forever, doesn't i .- a -17 FREE DELIVERY 741-2567 113 E. Liberty St. FREE 6" SUB With The Purchase Of Any Sub Of Equal Or Greater Value & A32-oz Drink Please present this coupon betore ordering. One coupon per customer per visit. Customer must pay any sales tax due. Not good in combination with any other otfer. Not valid with Value Menu or Combo Meals. No cash value. Offer expires 12131/01. ---- ---- - SAT. & SUN. Buy One Footiong Get One FREE! With Purchase Of 32-oz Drink CATERING SPECIAL |$5.00OFF ANY $30.00 MINIMUM ORDER '$10.00 OFF I ANY $60.00 MINIMUM ORDER IPlease present this coupon before ordering. One t opnprcustomer per visit. Customer must pay Iany sales tax due. Not good in combination with any 'other offer. 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