Frday February 14, 2003 michigandaily.com sportsdesk@umich.edu ReTSiditgunilp 10 Blue drops sixth straight after ill-advised 3-pointer Gajic brothers compete at dinner and on the ice By Gennaro Filce Daily Sports Writer Fresh.man play (fresh-man plae) n. 1. An error, mistake, or miscue that can be directly attributed to youthful inexperience. Example: With 39 seconds remaining in the game, Michigan freshman point guard Mie Burlin hits a 3-pointer, cutting Wisconsin's lead to 53- WISCONSIN 58 52. After being fouled, Wisconsin guard Shawna MICHIGAN 52 Nicols converts 1-of-2 free throws, giving Michigan the ball down by two with 36 seconds. Riding the exhilaration of her prior basket, Burlin jacks up an ill-advised three with 25 seconds left on the shot clock. Yesterday, Burlin's imprudent late-game attempt missed, ultimately killed off any hope of a late game comeback for the Michigan women's basketball team and gave meaning to an age-old college bas- ketball phrase. "I think that (Burlin) probably got a little excited because she hit the three before," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "It wasn't quite the shot we were looking for." The Wolverines (2-9 Big Ten, 11-11 overall) dropped their sixth straight Big Ten game to Wis- consin (5-7, 7-16), 58-52, in a heartbreaker. After a defensive-minded first half, Michigan led Wisconsin 25-20 at the break. Having showed limit- ed offensive prowess in the first half, the Badgers made some simple lockerroom adjustments. "(At halftime), we talked about the fact that we were not being very aggressive offensively," Wis- consin coach Jane Albright said. "And anytime you go into halftime, you don't have to be a brain sur- geon to figure out, (if) you haven't taken a free throw, and you have very good officials, which we did tonight, that we're not being aggressive." In the second half, the Badgers increased their offensive output and began to take control of the game. With 1:31 remaining, Wisconsin held a com- fortable seven-point advantage (53-46), but the Wolverines wouldn't quit. Helped by the Badgers' inability to make free throws, Michigan scored six unanswered points, set- ting up the aforementioned situation. After Burlin's questionable shot selection, Wisconsin finally start- ed to convert free throws and put the game in the books. This six-game skid is Michigan's worst losing streak since 1996. The Wolverines take on Michi- gan State at Crisler Arena on Sunday 2:15 p.m. LISA OSHINSKY/Daily Freshman Niki Reams (left) and sophomore Tabitha Pool (right) combined for 3-of45 shooting last night. Cagers look to bounce back against Ohio State By Courtney Lewis Daily Sports Editor It's kind of fitting that brothers Milan and Nenad Gajic are on opposite sides of one of the best rivalries in college hockey. After all, the Michigan sopho- more and the Michigan State freshman have been competing with each other their whole lives. "The way we grew up, with four boys in the house, all two years apart, you have to be (competitive) or you're going to die," Milan, the first- born, said. "Even when you go for dinner, if you're YOST Ic not there early, if you tell UsN I them to hold on, there's no W Michii holding on. And you either CC HA, 20-7 get up there, get your Michigan St chicken or your meat, or 16-10-2) you're not eating for the when: 7:351 night." 7:05 p.m. to The Burnaby, British Latest: Mic Columbia natives compet- Montoya tur ed in just about everything they did. "Even playing road hockey in front of the house, the games would start out laid back, and they'd end up breaking into fights," their mother, Helen Gajic, said. The two forwards were teammates in juniors, and Nenad talked to Michigan when he was choosing a college. But he decided that after years of following in Milan's footsteps, it was time to "try to get out of his shadow" Now, Nenad stands in Milan's path to the CCHA title. The brothers will skate. on opposite sides for the first time in their hockey careers when the Spartans and the Wolverines meet in a home-and- home series this weekend. Nenad has "been looking forward to it all year" and Milan already has a post-game plan. "If we - when we - take (the game) here, I'm not going to say anything that night," Milan said of today's matchup at Yost Ice Arena. "I'm going to wait until after the Saturday night game, just see how it goes." Both brothers said there hasn't been much trash talking between them this week. They're close friends - although they have different personalities. "I'm a lot more outgoing," the brother in the maize-and-blue jersey said. "I like to scream and yell and get things done. He's a video-game-type guy, and I just don't want to go anywhere near it. If I can win at it, I don't want to play it." So who's the better hockey player? CE ARENA, CE ARENA ian (145-1 7-1 Overall) vs. hate (12-7-1, p.m. tonight, omorrow higan goalie Al 'ns 18 today. expected to games to catch the Bull- dogs. Four of those, includ- ing the pair this weekend, are against the red-hot Spartans. Michigan State spent the first half of the season in the bottom half of the con- ference standings. "Frustrating is a good word for the first part of our year," Nenad said. "We were losing games we win. And I think that was "I'm going to say he is, because he's my older brother, and I've always looked up to him;' Nenad said, adding that hav- ing a brother who knows the ropes - even one that plays for his archrival - has been "a big help." Milan should soak up the compli- ments while he can, because they'll dis- appear once the Gajic boys hit the ice, especially with so much at stake. Michigan sits four points behind first- place Ferris State in the CCHA stand- ings, and it needs to win its last eight By Charles Paradis Daily Sports Writer * 9 S After dropping three of the last four games, the Michigan basketball team has the chance to come home and regroup before another tough road trip. Before the Wolverines go on the road to take on conference-leading Purdue and Wisconsin, they have a chance to remain undefeated at home, as they host a woeful Ohio State squad. With senior guard Brent Darby as the Buckeyes' only reliable scorer and a FOOD FOR THOUGHT Vietnam/Iraq Comparisons Protestors justified their actions with claims that the U.S. supported a "repressive" government. They chose to ignore the extent that North Vietnam repressed it's own people. See the next ad. Gary Lillie & Assoc., Realtors www.garylillie.com PRINTING LOWEST PRICES! * HIGHEST QUALITY H * FASTESTSERVICE I U 1002 PONTIAC TR. U * 994-1367 M ME No 0 g potent offensive threat for this year's team, Ohio State (5-6 Big Ten, 12-10 overall) has been ineffective on the offensive end all season long. Darby is the only Buckeye averaging double dig- its in conference play with 18.5 points per game, but the last time the two teams met, he was all but shut down by Michigan's swingman Bernard Robin- son. And, despite the poor showing against the Wolverines (7-3, 14-9) earli- er this season, Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien still has faith in Darby and knows the value of his senior guard. "He's been terrific. He's come a long way since he first got here." O'Brien said. "He has the weight of the world on his shoulders this year for our team. And he has kept his atti- CRISLER ARENA Who: Michigan (7-3 Big Ten,1 9overall) vs. Ohio State (5.6,12-10) When: 3 p.m. Latest: Michigan has lost three of its last four games and will hit the road for two straight fol- lowing its matchup with the Buckeyes. tude in great shape, and he has been a shining star for us." The Wolverines put on a lackluster performance Wednesday when they were, in coach Tommy Amaker's words, "embarrassed" by Indiana in a 63-49 loss. Michigan couldn't shoot, defend or rebound in the loss, and if it hopes for a different result tomorrow, these are the areas that will have to be improved. Michigan does have one advantage going into tomorrow's game, though. The Wolverines are undefeated at home in Big Ten play this season and much of that has to do with the pres- ence of the fans. "We've been very pleased with the support our team has gathered this year," Amaker said. "There is no ques- tion (the crowd) has been a big part help to us." Michigan's 61-50 win over the Buck- eyes on Jan. 15, helped legitimized its hot conference start, but it will need another such win if it hopes to legit- imize itself as a contender for the con- ference crown. the problem - we we're expecting to win just because we're Michigan State. We just weren't showing up early in the year. It came down to work ethic" Gradually, the Spartans adjusted to the departure of superstar goaltender Ryan Miller and the arrival of new coach Rick Comley, and a sweep of the Wolverines this weekend would tie the two teams at third in the CCHA. One group in the crowd won't be rooting for a Michigan State sweep - or a Michigan sweep. A crew of Gajic relatives are flying in from Britsh Columbia, and Helen Gajic said that, since both teams can't win, two ties would be ideal. She and her husband, Lazo, have never been to Yost or seen Nenad play for the Spartans. Helen Gajic said she is excited, despite her divided loyalties. Besides, she may have to get used to this. Ilija Gajic, who turns 18 next week, visited Michigan last year and was, according to his mother "blown away." Ilija has never been to Michigan State, but his 15-year-old brother, Alex, will go there with his family this weekend. Both boys play hockey. Maie Out The Michigan athletic depart- ment is encouraging fans to wear all maize to tonight's game for "Maize Out 2003." Specially- designed shirts can be purchased for $5 by calling (734) 615-2025, and, students will find Thunder- Stix waitingfor them at their seats. SCOREKEEPERS T 8 T E L M TANQUERAY SACKD 28 Taps! Full Menu! 75 cent BOTTLES 10AdESATURDAY 310 WAYARD. 995,0100(21 & OVER WITH PROPER IQ) REC SPORTS INTRAMURALS The University of Michigan Department of Recreational Sports Intramural Sports Program www.recsports.umich.edu 734-763-3562 REC SPORTS IN TRAM UR AL S I NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES I 11 11 _.r-"k . . j \. ". d -- '/:; i ' . Entries taken: Mon, 02/17 ONLY 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM IM Building Entry Fee: $80.00 per team Manager's Meeting: MANDATORY Wed, 02/19 6:00 PM IM Building Entries due: Tuesday, 02/18 5:00 PM IM Building Entry Fee: $25.00 per team Meet Date: Wednesday, 02/19 Indoor Track 4.. I V\XPlay begins: Mon, 03/03 IM Building VcIIeyball Entries taken: Mon, 02/17 ONLY 11:00AM - 5:30 PM Alt IM Building Entry Fee: $70.00 per team Manager's Meeting: MANDATORY Wed, 02/19 8:00 PM IM Building Play begins: Tues, 03/04 Sports Coliseum MinI-Soccer Frka, I ays 11 Entries taken: Mon, 02/17 ONLY . 11:0AM-5:30PM IM Building Co-rec; Womens & Sorority ONLY Entry Fee: $80.00 per team Manager's Meeting: MANDATORY Wed, 02/19 7:00 PM IM Building Play begins: Mon, 03/03 Yost Ice Arena Broomball I M. This Weekend in Michigan Athletics Women's Basketbalt Thursdav. Feb. 13 vs. Wisconsin @ 7 p.m- 7 Halftime entertainment: St. Francis Heartbeats Sunday. Feb.16 vs. Michigan State @ 2 p.m. Break the Attendance Record! - Halftime entertainment: The Zooperstars -Visit the Family Fun Zone Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children Et senior citizens. U-M students ;. Women's Gymnastics Friday, Feb. 14 vs. Northern Illinois 7 p.m. - Gymnastics Trading Cards Set #1 -2003 Calendars available Cliff Keen Arena Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children & senior citizens. U-M stu- 9 6 11 I I I . t-4.1artxatt±wrnavnai.