5B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - February 11, 2002 Trash talk "It certainly wasn't a work of art." - Tommy Amaker on the ugly, turnover-plagued game on Saturday, which featured a combined 35 turnovers for both teams - including 14 in the first seven minutes. SATURDAY'S GAME Penn State 58 Michigan 65 Players of the Game LaVell Blanchard Michigan The junior forward didn't start, but he fin- ished the game strong - nailing his final five shots. He ended the game with 18 points and eight boards. Sharif Chambliss Penn State The streaky shooting guard knocked down 4-of-8 shots from behind the 3- point line, keeping the Nittany Lions close with a game-high 19 points. Sub-: 500 teams not in position to chose their wins Three minutes into the second half of Sat- urday's game against Penn State, Bernard Robinson threw up a long 3-pointer that failed to hit the rim. Fortu- _ nately for Michigan, Chris Young made a great play to retrieve the errant shot and drop it in for two before the shot clock expired. In many ways, that play defined the Wolverines' horrifically ugly but nonetheless crucial victory. STEVE Michigan started sloppy, JACKSON but found a way to make the _ game-changing plays down Time for the stretch. action Equating the game's first half to Robinson's air ball is really an insult - to the air ball. The first possession for each team ended with a turnover, and just like that, the tone was set. By the time play stopped for the first media timeout (16 minutes left), the Wolverines had Early start contributes to ugly game By Joe Smith Daily Sports Editor committed four turnovers and scored just five points. Then things got even sloppier. In a one- minute span, the two teams threw away five con- secutive opportunities. After Michigan freshman Dommanic Inger- son's pass was stolen for the game's 16th turnover in 10 minutes, Michigan called time- out. At that point, the comic bookstore guy from The Simpsons stood up and said: "Worst basket- ball game ever." Perhaps as a result of the 11 a.m. start, it took an honest effort to keep myself from dozing off, as the teams continued to trade traveling viola- tions like fifth graders. But the ugliness was not limited to just bad passes and sliding pivot feet. It appeared as if the Wolverines and Nittany Lions were going for the "turnover cycle." Offensive fouls, backcourt violations and five- second calls were as much a part of this game as jump shots and rebounds. But LaVell Blanchard and Young earned the Academy Award for "Most Original Loss of Possession." Both of them grabbed a defense rebound. But rather than allowing one player to receive the statistical credit, Blanchard and Young each held on tight and shuffled their feet till the official took their ball away and gave it to Penn State. Tommy Amaker said this game "wasn't a work of art." I'd go a bit further and say it was bad basket- ball. When the Wolverines came out of the gate sluggish and turnover-prone, they didn't deserve to win. But this game was against Penn State, which, despite its 81-62 win earlier this week against Purdue, is clearly one of the conference's worst teams. The Wolverines won in Happy Valley without playing their best basketball, and this game was no different. With six minutes left and the Nittany Lions leading by three, Michigan needed to find a way to win - and it did. The Wolverines may have thrown up an air ball with their horrible start, but in the end, they still scored with a "W". Michigan outscored Penn State 15-5 to close the game. Although point guard Avery Queen, Bltnchard and Robinson started on the bench, they made the big plays late in the game to give the Wolverines the victory they desperately needed. They used turnovers to generate fast-break chances, and they grabbed eight of the game's final nine boards. They were aggressive taking the ball to the hole, and they converted 5-of-6 from the line in the final minute to seal it. But let's be careful not to put too much stock in the final result. Remember, Michigan struggled to defeat a crummy team on its home floor. The game was ugly and boring. But when you're 10-11, every win feels good. Steve Jackson can be reached at sjackso@umich.edu. SATURDAY' SGAME Penn State (58) FG FT REB MIN M-A M-A 0T A F PTS Tate 22 3-6 0-0 0-0 3 5 7 Smith 31 3-7 2-6 0-4 1. 4 10 Jagla 24 2-5 1-2 1-3 3 5 6 Watkins 35 6-10 0-0 2-2 5 3 13 Chambliss 37 6-14 3-4 1-2 0 1 19 Tielsch 20 1-4 0-0 2-5 0 2 0 Krimmel 5 0.0 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 Egekeze 12 0-2 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 McDougald 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0Q 0 Fellows 10 0-2 0-0 1-1 0 1 0 Vossekuil .2 0-0 0-0 0-1 0 0 0 Totals 200 21-50 13-19153512 21 58 FG%: .420: FT%: .500. 3-point FG: 9-18, .500 (Chambliss 4-8, Smith 2-3, Tate 1-2, Jagla 1-2, Watkins 1-2, Tielsch 0-1). Blocks: 2 (Smith, McDougald). Steals: 5 (Davis 2, Mader, Owens, Wilkinson). Turnovers: 18 (Smith 4, Watkins 4, Teilsch 3, Jagla 2, Chambliss 2, Tate, Krimmel, Egekeze). Technical fouls: none. MICHIGAN (65) FG FT REB MIN M-A M-A 0-T A F PTS Gibson 10 0-0 0-0 1-2 1 1 0 Bailey 13 1-1 0-0 0-1 1 2 2 Young 36 6.10 2-4 5-10 0 1 14 Gotfredson 13 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Jones 35 3-6 3-4 0-3 2 4 10 Robinson Jr. 27 5-12 3.4 1-2 1 1 13 Blanchard 31 7-13 4-4 1-8 0 4 18 Queen 25 2-2 1-3 1-6 4 3 5 Ingerson 7 1-4 0-0 0-0 0 1 3 Groninger 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Totals 200 2548 13-1910.33 9 17 65 FG%: .521. FT%: .684 3-point FG: 2-7_.286 (Inger- son 1-4, Jones 1-2, Gotfredson 1-1, Ingerson 0-2 Gibson 0-1, Robinson 0-1). Blocks: 6 (Young 3, Gib- son, Jones, Blanchard). Steals: 7 (Queen 4, Robin- son, Young, Gibson). Turnovers: 17 (Queen 3, Young 3, Ingerson 2, Jones 2, Bailey 2, Robinson, Blan- chard, Gibson, Groninger, Team). Technical fouls: none. Penn State......................32 26 - 58 Michigan ........................30 35 - 65 At: Crisler Arena, Ann Arbor Attendance: 11,243 BIG TEN STANDINGS Call it sluggish, call it sloppy, call it sleep- walking. Or just call it ugly. Instead of trading baskets, Michigan and Penn State traded traveling violations, five-sec- ond calls and errant pass- es on Saturday - turning BASKETBALL a Big Ten basketball con- Notebook test into an intramural game. "It certainly wasn't'a work of art for either team," Michigan coach Tommy Amaker said. The two teams combined for 14 turnovers in the first seven minutes, with players from each team seemingly affected by the rare 11 a.m. tipoff. The Wolverines wanted to play early enough so that they could fly out early Saturday evening for their game tonight against Col- orado State. Due to television obligations, Michigan could only play at 11 a.m. or 8 p.m. Penn State finished with 18 turnovers and the Wolverines ended up with 17 - marking the fifth time this season Michigan has committed 17 or more turnovers. The last time such a feat occurred was against Duke on Dec. 8. Michigan senior tri-captain Chris Young said the numerous traveling violations were a result of the players getting "too excited and trying to move too fast and forcing things." But it was hard to overlook the awkward- ness during an early game. "It looked like we weren't even awake for the first couple minutes," Michigan guard Gavin Groninger said. The Wolverines even stayed at a hotel Fri- day night to stick with their routine, and Amaker said that there was "lights out, televi- sions off by 11:30 p.m." HIGH ALTITUDE: The Wolverine's next road trip is definitely out of the ordinary. Michigan continues its horrific stretch of four games in seven days, which began with Thursday night's game with Illinois. Tonight's nonconference DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily LaVell Blanchard, despite not starting to make room for freshman Chuck Bailey, came through big time, corifg eight points'In the-last four minutes. Li neup really matters at end By Steve Jackson Daily Sports Editor The message is clear: If you want to start for Tommy Amaker you must give the effort he expects - in practice and in the game. Finishing time, on the other hand, still appears to be root- ed in talent. Last year, LaVell Blanchard, Bernard Robinson and Avery Queen finished 1-2-3 in minutes played for Michigan. But Saturday, they all opened the game in warm-up jerseys. This is nothing new for Amaker, as he has chosen to start all three of those players together just five times this season. But this was just the fourth time in his career that Blan- chard, a preseason All-Big Ten selection, has come off the bench. Amaker has typically shied away from explaining the specifics of why he starts the players that he does. But in Blanchard's case, he was quick to provide clarity. "We didn't start Blanchard because I wasn't pleased with his effort defensively in our last game (against Illinois on Thursday night)," Amaker said. Whatever the reason for Blanchard's benching, the Wolverines' top scorer has been tremendous as a reserve, averaging 19 points and shooting better than 65 percent from the field in his last two bench games. "Ie brings tremendous energy when he comes in off the bench' said senior captain Chris Young of Blanchard. "He's been sitting there for a couple minutes, he's got that emotion built up, and it just explodes on the court." For most of the game, Amaker had been using a rapid-fire substitution pattern to get as many players involved as possi- ble. This was the second game of four in a seven-day stretch for the Wolverines. But with the game on the line, he left his super bench players - Robinson, Queen and Blanchard - on the court for the final 6:28. With starters Herb Gibson (0 points), Mike Gotfredson (0 points) and Chuck Bailey (2 points) riding the pine, Michi- gan's more athletic players made the plays to win the game. Blanchard was especially key in the Wolverines' 15-5 run at the end of the game. Over the last four minutes, he grabbed four rebounds and scored eight points, including four consecutive free throws in the final minute. The diminutive Queen (listed at 5-foot-7) picked up three of his season-best six rebounds in critical moments late in the game. He also picked off his fourth pass (a career high) and went coast to coast to give his team a four-point lead with 3:33 to play. But perhaps the most important play came on an unselfish pass from Robinson to Blanchard, which gave the Wolver- ines a six-point lead with 1:30 left. "I just thought Robinson's pass was such a critical and trusting play for our team," Amaker said. "We didn't force a shot. Robinson may have had one, but he found LaVell for a better one. I love that basketball play. And since it went in, I love it even more." Edge of his seat LaVell Blanchard came off the bench to lead the Wolverines to victory against Penn State. On the three occasions that Blan- chard has had to sit to begin the game he has entered play Team Indiana Ohio State Minnesota Wisconsin Illinois Michigan State Michigan Northwestern Iowa Purdue Penn State Last Saturday's results: Michigan 65, Penn State 58 Minnesota 86, Iowa 78 No. 21 Illinois 69, Purdue 67 Wisconsin 73, Northwestern 44 Indiana 77, Louisville 62 Yesterday's game: Michigan State 67, No. 16 Ohio State 64 Today's games: Michigan at COLORADO STATE, 9 P.M. Tomorrow's game: No. 21 Illinois at MICHIGAN STATE, 7 P.M. Wednesday's games: Michigan at PURDUE, 6 P.M. Wisconsin at INDIANA, 8 P.M. Minnesota at NORTHWESTERN, 8 P.M. Iowa at PENN STATE, 8 P.M. Conference Overall W L W L 8 2 16 7 8 3 17 5 7 3 14 7 7 5 14 11 6 5 17 7 5 5 14 9 5 6 10 11 4 6 13 9 4 7 15 10 3 8 11 14 2 9 6 16 battle with Colorado State was originally scheduled for winter break, but after Michigan committed to the Pete Newell Challenge in California on Dec. 29, it had to make adjust- ments to the next available time. Winning on the road is never easy for the Wolverines, as they have just two victories away from Crisler Arena in the last 382 days. Michigan has one day of preparation for tonight's game because it landed in the high altitude of Fort Collins, Colo. late Saturday night. After facing the Rams, the Wolverines will quickly leave for Purdue - they take on the Boilermakers at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. "I don't think I've ever been through a stretch like this," said Groninger, who men- tioned that practices have been shorter and less physical due to the packed schedule. The Wolverines will miss three days of class before returning on Thursday. SPARTY TIME: Michigan is due to play Michi- gan State just once next season. The two teams could arrange a nonconference meeting, but Continued from Page 1B ish the game - to provide wha describes as a "spark." Amaker started walk-ons Mike Gotfred and Herb Gibson, along with frt g man Chuck Bailey. But to finish the game again team Michigan was expected defeat, Amaker put junior forw LaVell Blanchard on the court v Queen, Robinson, Jones and Yoe Michigan went on a 15-5 run to the game -the result of a bala created by Queen and by theirc OCHKIND/Daily offensive smarts. Each of Mi4 n the gan's four top scorers ended the in double-digits. Michigan Associate Athletic Director Warde Manuel said that all but two nonconference games are slotted already. Michigan has two difficult road tests in the fall, with trips to UCLA and Duke. Another road game in the Breslin Center doesn't seem to be a high priori- ty. "We're not going to schedule it where we have to go back up (to East Lansing)," Manuel said. "It's not something we like. But from our standpoint, unless something different happens, we're not going to (schedule another game)." G MONEY: After not playing at all against Illinois on Thursday, Gavin Groninger saw just three minutes of action against Penn State. The junior was forced to watch emerging former walk-on Herb Gibson and freshman Domman- ic Ingerson take most of the minutes at the shooting guard position. "It is tough," said Groninger, who has made just four of his last 30 shots. "But other people have been playing pretty well. I just have to fight through it and I'm sure it will come back." "We found a way to win - we found a way to fight through and to dig it out," Amaker said. t he The win puts the Wolverines a had game away from a .500 record. But lson Amaker admitted that his players esh- were tired after the game. The Wolverines left Saturday afternoon st a for Fort Collins, Colo., where they d to play Colorado State tonight. yard with ung. FORT COLLINS, COLO. end once Who: Michigan (5-6 Big Ten, 10-11 overall) at Colorado State (1-7 Mountain West,813 over- own al Wh- en: 9 p.m. day Latest: Colorado in February? Great if you're a skier. What if you're trying to make the N.I.T? TODAY: COLORADO STATE In a rare nonconference game that was ' originally scheduled over winter break, the Wolverines travel to Fort Collins, Colo, to face the Rams, who hold a dismal 1-7 record in the Mountain West Conference. WEDNESDAY: like a bat out of hell. Date Opponent 12/1/01 Boston College 1/19/02 Minnesota 2/9/02 Penn State Minutes 33 27 27 FG% .400 .800 .538 FG% .422 Points 15 20 18 Rebounds 11 3 8 DAV IDRO Sophomore Bernard Robinson puts the pressure o Nittany Lions' Brandon Watkins. Blanchard's season averages: Minutes 29.2 Points Rebounds 14.7 7.1 WEEKEND NOTES No. 21 ILLINoIs 69, PURDUE 67: After falling behind at home by 18 points in the first half, the Fighting IlIlini went on a 17-0 run late in the game to pull out a victory. Illinois guard Frank Williams, the Big Ten Pre- season Play- er of the Year, scored eight points in that run, but N I wasA nowhere o The Illini, who fell behind Michigan by 13 points in their last game before coming back to win by eight, say they aren't sure why they continue to start slow. MICHIGAN STATE 67, No. 16 OHIo STATE 64: The Spartans will proba- bly not win a fifth straight Big Ten title this season, or advance to a fourth consecutive Final Four. But Michigan State is movingcl oser to a pos- sible NCA A Tournament bid desnite assorted Notre Dame 116, Georgetown 111:" After 60 minutes of action, the Fight- ing Irish finally ended the highest scoring game in Big East history, earning their fifth straight win. Notre Dame's Matt Carroll scored seven of his 30 points in the fourth overtime and Mike Sweetney of Georgetown had career-highs with 35 points and 20 rebounds despite being one of five Hoyas to foul out. Indiana 77, Louisville 62: The Hoosiers won easily despite playing 12 minutes in the first half without their ton dfensive Dlaver ,Dane Fife HOW THE AP Team Record 1. Duke 20-1 2. Kansas 19-2 3. Maryland 18-3 4. Oklahoma 17-3 5. Alabama 19-3 6. Cincinnati 20-2 7 Kentucky 15-5 8. Florida 16-4 9. Gonzaga 20-3 10. Virginia 14-5 11. Arizona 15-6 TOP 25 FARED This weeks results Beat Georgia Tech 95-63 Beat No. 25 Texas Tech 108-81 Beat North Carolina 92-77 Beat Texas A&M 68-64 Lost to Mississippi State 76-62 Beat No. 19 Wake Forest 103-94 Beat Louisiana State 68-56 Beat Vanderbilt 80-54 Beat San Diego 77-76 Beat Clemson 85-71, Beat Washington State 85-68 In an atypical season for Gene Keady's troops, the Boilermakers find themselves near the Big Ten basement with a disap- pointing 3-8 record. NEXT WEEKEND: kvA~.' - -wfi I