A w* 3Jbe [dligun ail PORTS michigandaily.com/sports sportsdesk@umich.edu WEDNESDAY JANUARY 30, 2002 8 A Best chance Michigan at Michigan State Tonight, 8 p.m. Breslin Center m ESPN-Plus Amaker treading in, unfamiliar territory Depleted front lines battle in renewed rivalry By David Hon Daily Sports Writer By Joe Smith Daily Sports Editor Michigan coach Tommy Amaker doesn't like horror films - at least none featuring Michigan and Michi- gan State. The new coach hasn't watched the Spartans' 91-64 drubbing of Michigan at Crisler Arena last year, or the painful sequel (78-57) at the Breslin Center. In fact, he's only seen bits and pieces of previous games between the two rivals. But Amaker doesn't need to watch. Everyone from administrators, coach- es and players to the neighborhood mailman have helped the new coach learn about the state of the rivalry. "We haven't faired too well," Amak- er said yesterday with a shy grin. "It hasn't been much of a rivalry as of late." Quite an understatement consider- ing the fact that the Spartans have won the past seven games - with the last six Michigan State wins coming by an average margin of 25 points. The com- petitiveness of the once-storied rivalry has more closely resembled Duke- Davidson barnburners. But Amaker also knows that a win tonight can be a huge statement for the team and the program, a step in the right direction toward making a trip to Breslin something to be excited about - instead of feared. "We're confident that we're going to make this a competitive rivalry," Amaker said. Amaker talks about the important first step of gaining respect and credi- bility. He has gained the respect from Michigan State coaches with his recruiting success and relationship- building within the state. But a lot of credibility is gained on the hardwood, and another blowout loss could be costly - while a win could be price- less. And this time, Michigan players actually believe that a win is possible, and that turning the tide on the rivalry isn't that far away. Michigan State (2-4 Big Ten, 11-8 overall) lost stars Jason Richardson and Zach Randolph to the NBA Draft over the summer, and the wheels have just kept falling off this season for the defending Big Ten champions. "We've lost three Big Ten games in the last 30 to 40 seconds," Izzo said. "We've found some ways to lose, and in past years we found ways to win. "I think we're just one step off from being a very good team."' But injuries haven't helped the cause. Sophomore Adam Wolfe is out for the season, and junior forward Adam Ballinger will be playing at 85 percent. But if Jason Andreas can't go due to a heavily bruised pelvic bone, Michigan State will be heading into battle with just six healthy scholarship players - with freshmen playing a bulk of the minutes. "I think we have a much better chance than last year," sophomore guard Bernard Robinson said. "There was almost nothing you can do about their talent last year, but I think our talent level this year is comparable. "It's about all the small things like turnovers and foul trouble and who can make their free throws." Even the Spartans agree. "The energy is different this time," Ballinger said. "It's pretty obvious that the teams are more even, and that gets people excited." This time around, there will only be a few certainties: Forward Aloy- sius Anagonye will commit nearly a foul-a-minute, Amaker will get an earful from the "Izzone," the Wolverines will have problems on the boards, and Izzo will celebrate his 47th birthday. Whether Izzo receives another gift-wrapped birthday victory like he did last year will be determined by which team is tougher and if Michigan (3-4, 8-9) can stay poised in a tough road environment - even when the Spartans make their inevitable run. Robinson, a Washington D.C. native, said it didn't take him long to become immersed in the Michi- gan-Michigan State rivalry. In fact, he said it only took a "friendly" bump from the 6-foot-8, 255-pound Anagonye in the teams' first meet- ing last year. It won't take Amaker very long either. But he'll find out a lot about his team - and his progress - tonight. "For us to do better, it could show that this could possibly be the rivalry everyone wants it to be," Amaker said. And not another scary movie. How many departed Spartans does it take for Michi- gan to get a rebound? In two games against the Spartans last year (both loss- es; 91-64 at Crisler and 78-57 in East Lansing) the Michigan frontline was outscored and outrebounded by an obviously superior and more athletic Michigan State team. The Wolverines were outrebounded 83-47, and their starting frontline was outscored by their Michigan State counterparts 90-59. Foul trouble was another con- cern for Michigan, especially in the second loss. But oh, how times have changed. Those three post players who dominated the inside last year - Jason Richardson, Andre Hutson and Zach Randolph - all bolted from Spartanland for the NBA. What was already going to be a difficult rebuilding year for Michigan State coach Tom Izzo became ever harder as his remaining players started dropping like flies. When sophomore for- ward Adam Wolfe (9.4 points and five rebounds per game) went down against Penn State on Jan. 19, Izzo was left with a frontcourt that lacks as much depth as nearly any team in the Big Ten - except maybe Michi- gan. So who's left to play down low tonight? Izzo, like Michigan coach Tommy Amaker, will be playing an undersized lineup. The key matchup will focus on the two legitimate big men: Michigan State's Aloysius Anagonye and Michigan's Chris Young. Anagonye has been steady for the Spartans in the midst of rebuilding, averaging 8.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this season, good enough for sixth in the Big Ten. But Anagonye has been finding himself in foul trouble nearly every game, especially against teams with strong frontcourts; he fouled out against Minnesota, Iowa, Stanford and Florida. "That's going to be a key factor - which team is able to stay out of foul trouble on the frontline," Amaker said. "That could be one of the biggest fac- tors in the game." For his own part, Young has improved since the beginning of the season, when he couldn't seem to avoid picking up unnecessary fouls. Physically, Young has an inch on Anagonye, but gives up nearly 40 pounds to the gargantuan Spartan. It will be diffi- cult for Young to stay clean if Anagonye has him in isolation down low. Anagonye will be helped by 6-foot-9 Adam Ballinger (9.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg) who has a two-inch and 50-pound advantage on Young's wingman, LaVell Blanchard (14.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg). The matchups tonight are obviously closer than last year's, but the Wolverines - still undersized - will still need to out-hustle and out-think the Michigan State frontline. "I'm sure it's going to be one of their strategies - to attack me," Young said. "To see who can foul out, who's the smarter post player, who's not going to pick up the cheap little fouls." Michigan sophomore guard Bernard Robinson said that both teams' talent level is nearly even. Inside the paint Series: Michigan leads overall series 88-63 Streak: The Spartans have won the past seven games, including the past six by an average of 25 points. Last time M' won in Breslin: Jan. 25, 1997 - Michigan's front line of Robert "Tractor" Traylor and Maurice Taylor com- bined for 32 points, leading the Wolverines to a 74,61 victory. Quick facts: Michigan State handed Michi- gan its worst loss in school history in March 2000, 114-63, at Breslin ... Despite a 2-4 Big Ten record, the Spartans are among the top three in the conference in defensivex rebounding, free-throw percentage and 3- point shooting. Latest: Freshman quarterback Aaron Alexander is practicing with the Spartans. Chs Young Keys to victory Avoid foul trouble: Chris Young and LaVell Blanchard must be smart and selective defensively. A solid start: Michigan can't afford. another poor start and dismal shoot- ing, especially in another tough road environment. Contain penetration: If Marcus Tay- f or has his way, the Spartans will have Stoo many easy buckets - and Michi- gan's big men will have too many fouls. Get a body on someone: Rebound- " ing is the staple of Michigan State pro- gram, and Michigan's Achilles Heel. ALYSSA wooD/Daily Are you thinking about law school? Do you want to collect tips from admissions deans? Plan to attend... Students of Color Law Day . ............................ - Meet with over 40 law schools from across the country - Collect application information and explore law education options - Visit CP&P's homepage for a list of schools scheduled to attend (available mid-January) Sparty statue painted under cover of night By Steve Jackson Daily Sports Writer Yesterday was not a gobd day for Sparty. The famous sculpture of Michigan State's mascot was covered in maize and blue paint early in the morning. The damage was so severe that despite cleanup efforts, some blue paint was still visible at 8 p.m. last night.. The colors and timing have led most people to the conclusion that Michigan students are responsible. Michigan and Michigan State have a basketball game tonight at 8 p.m. at the Breslin Center. "It's childish that Michigan students chose to paint Sparty," Michigan State freshman Brian Hamm said. "They know as well as we do, that regardless of Sparty's color, the Wolverines will lose the game (tonight)." - See SPARTY, Page 9 F,