January 24, 2003 michigandaily. com sportsdesk@umich.edu Pe ORTS 8 0 TURNING THE TIDE .. Michigan vs. Michigan State Sunday, 1 p.m. Crisler Arena Wolverines hope the future of the instate rivalry will be different than the past The last time Michigan and Michigan State met in Crisler Arena was two years ago. The stands were filled with green and white as the cheers of "We own Crisler" drowned out the meager handfuls of Michigan fans in the arena. Michigan was humiliated on its own court while Jason Richardson, then a sophomore, and the rest of the Spartans tore the Wolverines to the tune of a 91-64 defeat. When the Spartans were up big in the second half, Richardson was bold enough to go for a 360 dunk on a fast break. The ball clanked off the front iron and Spartans coach Tom Izzo was irate with Richardson on the sidelines. But it didn't matter. The game was over, and it just added to the humiliation. So why are the Wolverines treating Sunday's rematch like it is just another game? Every player you talk to recites coach Tommy Amaker's mantra - that it is just one more game in the conference. "A win's a win in the Big Ten," they say. "The game's a little heightened because they are rivals, but we are just going to go out there and play it like another game' Michigan freshman Graham Brown said. WHO OWNS CRISLER? It was Jan. 10, 1998 the last time Michigan beat Michigan State. The Wolverines secured a 10-point victory at home against the Spartans. But in the last five years, Michigan State has handed Michigan eight consecutive losses. The pinnacle of the Spartans' domination came on March 4, 2000 when Michigan loft 114-63. The 51-point defeat was a complete degradation at the hands of its arch-rival. The Spartans have humiliated the Wolverines both in East Lansing and in Crisler. But cheers of "Go Green, Go White" were heard all too often when Michigan State traveled to Ann Arbor. "It is great to look up in the stands and see that cluster of Michigan State fans," Michigan State fifth-year senior Adam Ballinger said earlier this season. "They are usually pretty loud, too. That kind of support really helps a lot." The Wolverines' have had almost no home-court advan- tage, as Crisler has seemed more like a neutral site than Michigan's home arena. The Spartans have had everything they could wish for as their fans made the trip down to Ann Arbor. But this season things could be turning around. Sunday's game has been sold out for weeks now, and Wednesday's game against Minnesota saw almost 11,500 fans pack Crisler, as the lower bowl was packed with Maize Ragers standing in the aisles. SSunday could be an opportunity for Michigan to retake Crisler - if its fans show up like they have been recently. Izzo relishes the times he brought his team to Ann Arbor with a train of fans following the Spartans. But he knows the tide may be changing, and with it, the rivalry could be reborn. Having fans travel "is a dream come true," Izzo said. "I don't think you are going to see that happen anymore. I think they've figured out how to sell tickets down there the right way. "That was a period of time when they were in a down period. We did take advantage of that just like they would. I really think this rivalry is going to be back where all the fans and the media want to be because Tommy (Amaker) going right there." BREATH OF FRESHMAN AIR Earlier this season, Amaker's Wolverines found themselves 0-6 and off to their worst start in school history. Then came the well-documented turnaround. The Wolverines have not lost a game since then and hold the nation's second-longest win streak;, behind only Oklahoma State. A k it; this turnarotind was a bit of psychological manip- gtiklAiynaker. After the sixth loss; Amaker gathered his troops and told them they would put the, past behind them and start fresh. Michigan has an opportunity to do this again. The Wolverines start three freshmen, who have never played Michigan State, and as Amaker said, do not bear the scars of those losses. Michigan freshman Daniel Horton will see' his first Michi- gan-Michigan State game Sunday when he snits up. He's seen the Spartans play other teams, but has never watched a game betweq he two schools. To some people, it would be insane to say the Michigan State game is just like any other. But there is a certain method to the Wolverines' madness. They are staying close-lipped because that's the best thing they can do right now. This is not just because Michigan wants to avoid giving the Spartans bulletin-board material, it is also a good idea because, psychologically, it is better for them to think of it as just another game. Horton, when he was asked if the eight straight losses were weighing on his mind, said it best. g"It really doesn't matter to me, because if you come in thinking, 'We haven't beat them in eight games,' then you are gointo be pressing to do things you can't really do, (and) take shots.you aren't really supposed to be taking. You have to come in witelearmind and clear focus, that if we do what we've been doing in the past 12 games, then we will be suc- cessful," Horton said. Michigan fans are showing up to Crisler mi droves, the schools are in a fervor over the rivalry, the Wolverines have as good a team as they have had in years and the last time the Spartans traveled to Ann Arbor, they embarrassed Michigan. Think it is just another game? Last eight vs. State On Jan. 10, 1998, LeBron James was 13 years old, Barry Sanders was a Detroit Lion and the Wolverines defeated- Michigan State. Michigan's steight against the ry Date: Score: Loss by: Feb. 17, 1998 75-80 5 Jan. 1, 1999 . . 1 .y..... 14., Feb. 18, 1999 58-73 15 Jan. 1 2000 62-82 20 March 4, 2000 63-114 51 Jan. 30, 2001 64-91 27 March 3, 2001 57-78 21 Jan. 30, 2002 44-71 27 Average: 61-84 23 PHOTOS BY DAVID KATZ/Daily(teft)and FILE PHOTO The Michigan basketball team hopes that the new faces such as Daniel Horton can erase the old memories of State. is going to do a good job there. Yet when our fans fill that arena, that's as good as it gets." NARROWING THE GAPl The last half-decade of losing has not been indicative of1 the rest of the rivalry. Michigan is 88-64 against the Spar- tans in the history of their meetings, and the last time one team dominated the rivalry to such a degree, it was Michi- gan. The Wolverines won 12-straight meetings between the two in the 1920s.1 Even Izzo, who has had Michigan's number of late, tasted1 defeat at the hands of the Wolverines more than once.1 Because of the cyclical nature of the rivalry and the losses he; faced early on at Michigan State, Izzo believes the rivalry is getting closer.I "We've dominated recently, and I was dominated in my 1 first three years here," Izzo said earlier this season. "I don't usually forget where I came from. Everybody talks about the 20-25- point wins, but I was a part of about five 25-point loss-+ es. I see that rivalry getting better because they are going to be better. It is still a big game because it is your rival." The rivalry could indeed be getting better as Michigan is now the hot team. The Wolverines are sitting in first place in the conference at 5-0 and riding high on a 12-game win streak. Conversely, the Spartans are 2-3 in the Big Ten after an impressivenonconference-season thatinoluded a win over Kentucky in Lexington. The fact that Michigan is boasting one of its strongest teams in years and that the Spartans have struggled of late has to give the Wolverines confidence goinginto Sunday's game. - Izzo himself said the Wolverines are playing with confidence and admitted to how powerful a weapon that can be. For the upperclassmen, who have never beaten the Spar- tans, this season's matchup is as good an opportunity as they have had. "For me, I've never beaten Michigan State, and this will be a good chance for me to beat them for the first time in my career," swingman Bernard Robinson said. "That gets me Cagers overwhelm Wildcats with defense Icers return and bury Lakers in first period By Gennaro FlIce Daily Sports Writer In the last two months, the Michigan men's basketball team has produced a turnaround of remarkable proportions. Its relentless effort in running off 12 straight victories, after opening the year 0-6, has caught the attention of people around the country - especially a Attention Michigan Hockey fans, Tickets are still available for the COuLEGEHOCKEY Michigan vs. LSSU game at the Joel AT "THE JOE" s)udent 1Tickets c t. at Athlettick3e3t 7575._ Or ca\133)3 95'to group of basketball-obsessed ladies right here in Ann Arbor. "I think my players see what our guys have done," Michigan women's basketball coach Sue Guevara said. "The turnaround that the guys have gone through, ;going 12-0, (has occurred) because of their defense." L a s t night, Gue- NORTHWESTERN 50 vara's squad flexed its MICHIGAN 65 defensive muscle, defeating Northwestern (1-6 Big Ten, 6-12 overall) in a laugher, 65- 50. Michigan's suffocating defense accumulated 11 steals and caused 20 Wildcat turnovers. "Honestly that's my philosophy - it starts with the defense," Guevara said. "They are buying into and seeing the results of defense." The Wolverines (2-3, 11-5) mixed up their defensive looks throughout the game, having the most success with a 1- 3-1 zone. "We like the 1-3-1 because we feel like we are always out on shooters, and that it's a big zone, and we can rebound out of it." In the first half, Michigan's defense caused many turnovers that produced multiple fast break points and helped Michigan gain a commanding 33-17 lead at the break. Although the game was close for the first 10 minutes, the Wolverines took control with an 18-1 run late in the half. "We always talk about starting the first five minutes and finishing the last five minutes with intensity," junior Jen- nifer Smith said. "We knew Northwest- ern or any team can make their runs, so we wanted to continue to put pressure on them." The second half proved very anticli- mactic as the Wolverines consistently countered any Wildcat attempt to get back in the game. Junior Stephanie Gandy enjoyed a productive game, recording 15 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Gandy "has been consistent and that's what we need her to be," Guevara said. "She was able to knock down some jumpers, kept the ball alive by rebounding, and was all over the place defensively." Although Smith struggled in the first half, she had her way with the North- western defense in the final 20 minutes, finishing with 17 points and four boards. "I challenged (Smith) specifically at halftime," Guevara said. "She was 1-5 (in the first half) and she finishes 8-12. "She's getting back to where she was (before her injury earlier this year). She's not there yet, but it's coming." In two days, the Wolverines face one of their toughest tests of the season, as Penn State, the Big Ten's No. 1 team, makes a pit stop in Ann Arbor. SAULT STE. MARIE - One would have never known it was Michigan that had last week off, because it was Lake Superior State that was suffering from jet lag for most of the Wolverines' 4-1 win. Michigan, which had just two prac- tices with coaches in MICHIGAN 4 the past two w e e k s , LAKE SUPERIOR 1 attacked early and often in the first period. This set the tone for the entire 60 minutes. "That was the most important part of the game," Michigan coach Red Beren- son said. "One team is going to get the momentum and we were that team." With the Lakers managing just two shots from the blueline in the first five minutes - five shots total for the period - Michigan was able to keep the pres- sure on Lake Superior goalie Matt Vio- lin. Six minutes into the period, David Moss scooped up a loose puck and sent it through Violin's five-hole. Michigan's next two goals were even easier than the first. During a shift change, freshman Jeff Tambellini skated in unchallenged, shot from the left side of the blue line and scored between the legs of Violin for his 13th goal of the season. At 15:43 of the first, forward Eric Nystrom went from behind Lake By Kyle O'Neill Daily Sports Writer Superior's goal, skated around two defenders untouched and recorded a backhanded five-hole tally. "I'd say they were hard-worked goals, especially Nystrom's," Berenson said. "We worked hard down low and we attacked the net. Every goal ... put more pressure on them" Another plus was the amount of puck control the Wolverines had in their own zone at even strength. They avoided defenders and passed to one another as if on the powerplay. "We did some good things in the offensive zone, and we did some good cycling" Berenson said. "Did we get a lot out of it? At times we did." Without defensemen Eric Werner (ineligible) and Andy Burnes (strained groin), the defense relied on little-used Reilly Olson and forward-turned- defenseman David Wyzgowski. Wyz- gowski made a stop on a Mike Adamek breakaway, and Olson recorded his first point of the season with an assist on the Tambellini goal. "Overall, I thought they did a good job," Berenson said. "We're not expect- ing them to carry the team, we just expect them to fit in. There's one good thing about practicing every day with (their teammates), because there's nobody any better who's going to come down on you than Jeff Tambellini and (senior) Jed Ortmeyer." The first period's excitement was matched by the second period's lethargy. Lake Superior State had its best chance of the period three-quarters into it when Montoya took a fall in the right faceoff circle. None of the Lakers were in position for the wide-open shot, but the puck did manage to squirt from a scrum of Wolverines and Lakers toward the empty net. On his hands and knees, Montoya lunged at the puck from 10 Co ,,, -,.I i 4- A _ This Saturday! January 25 at 7:30pm Ss SCOREKEEPERS S~05'CALL> T B o E TANQUERAY JACK *IE F DY '0-M Ir m ., 0 -M -I FOOD FOR THOUGHT Protests "Anti-war" protestors claim they ended the Vietnam APRIAN'S Anti-War Bumper stickers - - I E IiEI,V iairifIfill& m I