cbe lMidigan Dalig SPORTS January 27, 2003 SECTIONB MICHIGAN 60, Monumental victory proves gap is closing Michigan's and Michigan State's campuses have always been 65 miles apart. But the gap that exists between the two schools' basket- ball programs has been ever-changing. With eight consecutive wins, Michigan State had thoroughly dominated the Wolverines in all facets of the game over the past five seasons. But yesterday afternoon, the Wolver- ines not only extended their current win- ning streak to 13, they put an end to, years of frustration for fans and players who have been waiting for this moment, and this moment only, for a long time. "It's exceptional," Michigan Athletic Director Bill Mar- tin said. "Tommy (Amaker) has done exactly what we wanted him to do, NAWEED and a lot sooner SIKORA than I expected. And to have the Blowin' rivalry with (Michi- smoke gan) State, it's very exciting." But looking back over the games in the past few seasons, it's hard to believe a turnaround like this happened so soon. On March 4,2000, Michigan was embarrassed by Michigan State, losing 114-63 at the Breslin Center. The Wolverines had lost four straight to the Spartans prior to that game, but the 51- point loss margin was, and still is, the largest in Michigan basketball history. A season later, on Jan. 30, 2001, Michigan State beat Michigan 91-64 in a game that felt like a Spartans' home game in Ann Arbor. Green and white filled every corner of Crisler Arena, and they were the only colors left by the final buzzer, as most Michigan fans left early. Even last season, with Amaker at the helm, it still wasn't the time for a Michi- gan revival, as the Wolverines were beat- en 71-44 in East Lansing. But all that is now forgotten. All the bad memories this rivalry has given Michigan basketball fans were washed away with yesterday's win, and, more importantly, with the thought of what this team can do in the next few sea- sons. All people could see was Daniel Horton being hoisted up at center court following the buzzer, one finger pointed straight into the air, as fans rushed toward him to celebrate what seems to be a changing of the guard. Going into the Michigan State game last season, the Wolverines were just 3-4 in the Big Ten. The Spartans were only 2- 4 in the conference at the time, but pos- sessed a sizable mental edge over the Wolverines. Michigan went to East Lans- ing wanting to play well, but not expect- ing to win. But this year, Michigan not only went into the Michigan State game at 5-0 in the Big Ten, it went in overflowing with confidence. The Wolverines weren't just hoping to play well, they went in think- ing victory. They were also playing in front of a completely different crowd. Two years ago, Michigan State fans had that field day in Ann Arbor. But yesterday, the Maize Rage student section wouldn't allow that to happen, as their energy and enthusiasm created an intimidating atmosphere most thought was impossible to create at Crisler. "It was the first time I've seen so many people in Crisler Arena," freshman Lester Abram said. "When I walked out, I was nervous." For seniors LaVell Blanchard, Gavin Groninger and Rotolu Adebiyi, they finally got their chance to celebrate a victory over the Spartans. It didn't matter that Adebiyi was injured. It didn't matter that Groninger only hit one 3-pointer, or that Blanchard scored his only two points on free throws. All that mattered was they finished their careers with Michi- gan, at least for the moment, above Michigan State. For Daniel Horton, Abram and the rest of Michigan's freshmen, this game was a statement - it was a preview of what's to come. Whether they care about the rivalry or not, they certainly respect it, and they have proved that losing is unacceptable no matter who you are playing. Michigan is back. If its first 12 wins of the season weren't convincing enough, this win certainly puts it over the hump. "Has the gap been closed? I think that it has," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "(Amaker) has done a hell of job as we have done a hell of a job in East Lansing. This should be a rivalry for many, many years. I have been saying that when we were winning by 30, and I said it when we were losing by 30." Said Amaker: "(Michigan State) is a championship program, and that is cer- tainly the direction that we are aspiring to go." Yesterday's win was certainly a major step in that direction. After all, you can't be the best team in the Big Ten if you're not the best team in the state. Naweed Sikora can be reached at nsikora@umich.edu DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily Michigan freshman Daniel Horton is hoisted above the crowd at center court following Michigan's first win over Michigan State since 1997-98. Buccaneers sail away with Pirate Bowl I SAN DIEGO (AP) - Just defense, baby! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't need much more - for most of the Super Bowl, anyway. Coach Jon Gruden and his Bucs eo won their first NFL championship yes-, terday, routing the Oakland Raiders 48- y . 21 in the first matchup of best offense vs. best defense. The Tampa Bay defense won by a mile, returning three of a record five 'Al interceptions for touchdowns and shutting down any hope the Raiders had of a late comeback. It was the first Super Bowl victory for the for- mer NFL lauhingstock a team that lost its first 26 ish orange uniforms. "I want to thank Coach Gruden for what he did," said Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer, who a year ago C41! F v V q9 i t 'A R Y 16 was the butt of jokes for his revolving coach search that finally brought Gru- den from the Raiders. "He came from heaven and he brought us to heaven. We were waiting for the right man and the right man came - Jon Gruden." Dungy. Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson had two inter- ceptions, as did Dwight Smith, who returned both of his picks for touchdowns, including a 50-yarder to finish off the scoring with two seconds left in the game. Derrick Brooks also returned an inter- ception for a touchdown. Simeon Rice had two of the Bucs' five sacks as Tampa Bay romped to a 20-3 halftime lead then scored two quick third-quarter touchdowns. That rendered futile a late comeback by the Raiders that included a touchdown on a blocked punt and 48-yard TD pass from league MVP Rich Gannon to Jerry Rice.. DAVID KATZ/Daily Gruden, who at 39 became the youngest coach ever to win a Super Bowl, is known as an offensive guru. This win was with a defense run by Monte Kif- i I