0 Wednesday January 15, 2003 michigandaily.com/sports sportsdesk@umich.edu POR TSe id ig a n a ilg 10 Cagers seek No. 10 in Columbus By Charles Paradis Daily Sports Writer The last time Michigan and Ohio State met on the hardcourt, the upstart 10th-seeded Wolverines were giving the second-seeded Buckeyes a run for their money in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan had been coming on of late, and LaVell Blanchard shined in the conference tournament last year, scoring 24 points against Ohio State. But the Wolverines could not push past the 21st-ranked Buckeyes, falling 75-68. Fast-forward to tonight and Ohio State is again facing a team that is coming on strong and is one of the hottest in the nation - having won nine games in a row. The nine-game win streak has insu- lated the Wolverines against any fear they may have had about going into Columbus and has them believing in Streaking through Since losing to Duke Dec. 7th Michigan has won nine games in a row. Its three top scorers have combined for 50 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists per game during the streak. Here are some of the other longest streaks inthe nation: Team Streak Record Duke 11 11-0 Oklahoma State 11 13-1 Syracuse 11 11-1 Florida 9 13-2 Louisville 9 10-1 Michigan 9 9.6 Wyoming 9 12-2 VALUE CITY ARENA Who: Michigan (2-0 Big Ten, 9-6 overall) vs. Ohio State (1-1, 8-5) When: 8 p.m. , ESPN-Plus Latest: The streaking Wolverines look for their first 10-game winning streak since 1993 when they visit the Buckeyes. each other. "I do not think we are going to be afraid," Michigan coach Tommy Amaker said. "The older kids espe- cially recognize how difficult it is to compete and win on the road in this conference." Ohio State also has loads of momentum coming off its 81-69 defeat of Indiana on Saturday. After starting 2-0 in the conference season, the Wolverines will face their first conference road test. But the Wolverines are no strangers to hostile environments. "(We had) an opportunity to win against a storied program such as UCLA," Amaker said. "I would hope it would at least give us a point of ref- erence that we have gone away from Crisler (Arena) and had some success against a great program. That is what we will be facing this week with the Buckeyes in Columbus." The Buckeyes have played with as many as three guards on the court at a time, but they could challenge the Wolverines with a larger lineup to exploit Michigan's much-noted lack of depth and experience inside. Whether the Buckeyes play big or small, much of their success will come from the play of senior point guard Brent Darby. In con- ference play, Darby is averaging G1 TOM FELDKAMP/Daily Unlike Frodo Baggins, senior John Shouneyla (left) and his companion Mike Cammalleri (dght) will not have to dispose of their CCHA Championship ings in the depths of Mordor. 'M' lers seekn ring to rule the m all TONY DING/Daily Daniel Horton has played a key role in Michigan's resurgence. During the nine- game winning streak, Horton has averaged 16.9 points and 5.6 assists. By Kyle O'Neill Daily Sports Writer Sometimes great inspiration can be found in the smallest thing. For the Michigan hockey team, inspi- ration is one of the things it needs to reclaim as it heads into the heart of its CCHA schedule. Luckily enough, the Wolverines received a tiny, but heavy, gift in the form of last year's champi- onship rings. The importance? Well, last year's team endured a 3-3-3 stretch at the end of December and early January, but yet, still won the CCHA (regular season and playoffs) and made it to the Frozen Four. That period of time mirrors the cur- rent 4-4 run the Wolverines are in now. One can't help but look at the five- pound behemoth of a ring and not be reminded of the, struggle that last year's team endured to get it - including a near disastrous first round in the CCHA Tournament when the Wolverines dropped the opener of a best-of-three series to last-place Lake Superior State. "We did a lot of work last year, and it's a reward for something that can't be taken away, senior John Shouneyia said. "For this year, it's something we can look back on and know how hard we had to work to get there. I think we know that's not the ultimate goal." That ultimate goal is to make it to the Frozen Four in Buffalo, N.Y. and to sur- pass last year's 3-2 loss to Minnesota in the semifinals. The Wolverines spotted the Golden Gophers a three-goal lead before they got on the board. But with April far enough away, and a week off before resuming action next Thursday against Lake Superior State, Michigan can sit back and enjoy the beauty that they now own. "In the middle they have some dia- monds ... or cubic zirconium ... I don't know what they are," sophomore Jason Ryznar said. "There's some emeralds on the side, they're real nice. It says your name, 'CCHA Champs' and 'Frozen Four' on the side, too." With all of that on one ring and given the not-so-sumo like fingers of the play- ers, it would be a wonder if anyone on campus saw those emeralds in public. "I'll probably just keep mine on my desk for something to look at," Ryznar said. Although it can't be showcased in front of everyone, the players are appre- ciative of getting something. "For high school we got a state cham- pionship ring, but it's not nearly as nice or as big as that one," Ryznar added The seniors on the team know what it's like to receive praise in ring form, having done so in 2000 by winning the CCHA regular season. So excuse them if they enjoy this year's gift, but are still not satisfied until they get their 'precious' that has been in the hands of other teams since the Wolverines last obtained it in 1998. "That's definitely the nicest one," Shouneyia said of this year's ring. "But we've seen the one that we want." 22 points a game and is Ohio State's leading scorer. While Darby will try to lead the Buckeyes tonight, Michigan's star point guard and diaper dandy extra- ordinaire, Daniel Horton, is nursing a sore wrist. Horton is listed as probable for the game, but without him, the Wolverines find them- selves with few options at the point. As far as continuing the team's new-found success, Amaker wants the players to play together and not try to do too much. He credits much of the team's success to Blan- chard, who for the fourth-straight season is leading the team in points with just over 17 points per game. "We need our players to play to their capabilities," Amaker said. "We have said it all along that if we could find a certain rhythm with our better players they could score better. I think Blanchard has been that catalyst. He has allowed every- one else to fit nicely in the roles that we have identified that are best for our ball club." ni Cook-in' thanks to big man's play By Chris Burke Daily Sports Writer Illinois entered this year's basketball season as one of the early favorites to compete for the Big Ten regu- lar season crown. That distinction was thanks mostly in part to the return of senior and 2002 second-team All-Big Ten center Brian Cook. Cook, this year's preseason BIG TEN Big Ten Player of the Year as Notebook selected by the media, has not ot failed to live up to the hype. In leading the Fighting Illini to a conference-best 12-1 record and a 2-0 start in the Big Ten, Cook has aver- aged a whopping 21.7 points per game, as well as 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists. "The biggest thing is that he just has more confi- dence - he's playing to succeed as opposed to not to fail," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "He's probably shown more confidence in the biggest games." The eighth-ranked Illini opened the Big Ten cam- paign by taking a pair of six-point decisions, 76-70 at Minnesota and 69-63 over Wisconsin. Cook led the way for the Illini in both games, posting 25 points and 11 rebounds in Minneapolis and then notching 31 points and nine boards against the Badgers. Illinois' next test in the Big Ten occurs tonight when the Illini head to Iowa. The Hawkeyes have received minimal contributions from their big men, so the matchup with Cook is one that could pose seri- ous problems to Iowa's perfect conference mark. "I think it's what happens a lot in this league when you get players who end up staying throughout the completion of their careers;' Iowa coach Steve Alford said. "He's benefited from staying, and he's matured from playing in this league. I think he's probably the hardest player in the league to guard." WHAT THE HAWK?: Speaking of the Hawkeyes, their 10-3 start (2-0 Big Ten) has been one of the biggest early surprises of the conference season. Iowa underachieved to the tune of a 19-16 record and a first-round exit from the NIT last year. After losing three of its top four scorers - Luke Recker and Reggie Evans to graduation and Pierre Pierce to a redshirt year - the Hawkeyes were not expected to approach last year's mark. But after a 68-64 win over Michigan State on Sat- urday, the surprising Hawkeyes are trying to put themselves in position for another postseason trip. "I think our guys have done a pretty nice job in the early season of working together and playing unselfishly,"Alford said. Alford took a great deal of heat last year when the Hawkeyes faltered, but, according to the Iowa coach, much of the fan base has stayed loyal gd is once again enjoying the team's success. "(Iowa) has always been a great environment," Alford said. "Winning always helps mend some problems - we've gotten out of the gate here and have been able to win some games, so you've got people doing some 360's, but that's part of the sport and part of the business." NOT TALKIN' THE TALK: Purdue coach Gene Keady had his team off to an impressive start heading into last night's game against Michigan State. But you won't hear anyone in West Lafayette bragging too much about it. "I hate trash-talking," Keady said. "The Big Ten probably does less of it than anyone in the country. I see so much of it in the pros, it about makes me puke." Tankers get visit from parents for home meet By Megan Kolodgy Daily Sports Writer They've unpacked their suitcases, attended their winter semester classes and are ready to enjoy 10 weeks of unadulterated home-pool advantage. Only one thing could make the men's swimming team feel more at ease - a visit from mom and dad. This weekend is parents' weekend for the Wolverines, and with that comes an opportunity to trounce Big Ten oppo- nent Purdue and have a nice dinner with the folks at the Michigan Golf Course. Most of the swimmers haven't seen their families since the team's training trip to Hawaii, which started prior to Christmas. Though they missed the chance to spend the holiday with their loved ones, the unity that was built up throughout the trip created a general feeling of closeness among the Wolvernies. "If I can't be with my parents at Christmas, there's no one else I'd rather spend the holiday with than my team- mates," said freshman Davis Tarwater. Despite the fact that he has grown closer with his team, Tarwater is eagerly anticipating his parents' arrival. "I'm just really excited to see them, he said. Some swimmers, like Tucson, Ariz. native and freshman Tyler DeBerry, will not see their parents this weekend because the journey is simply too long. "My parents can't come this week- end," DeBerry said. "But they did come to one of the meets in California, and they're going to Big Tens." Junior Tim Wera is also enthusiastic about the prospect of enjoying another parents' weekend with the team. .. T IS E CANHAM NATATORIUM Who: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Purdue, Indiana When: 6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday Latest: The Wolverines look to keep their Big Ten record perfect this weekend at Canham in their first home meet of the season. "It's always nice when the parents come up," Wera said. "We have a pretty good following, but it's great to see so many of them in one weekend." Coach Jon Urbanchek is looking for- ward to the event that has been a tradi- tion for several years. "This weekend will give the guys a chance to show off for their parents - or their orphanage, I guess, if they don't have any parents," Urbanchek said. And the currently-No. 1 Wolverines will certainly look good against No. 16 Purdue. Though Michigan will fall in the rankings as a result of last week- end's losses on the West Coast, their times should put them ahead of the Boilermakers in most events. Purdue has just one swimmer with a NCAA consideration time, whereas Michigan has eight. Urbanchek is eager to begin what should be an easier leg of the season. "We've already swam against the top schools," Urbanchek said. "Now we're up agianst Big Ten teams, which is a lit- tle less pressure for us." Travel no sweat for, swimmers By Steven Shears Daily Sports Writer Erin Abbey will never compete in Canham Natatorium again. For the senior captain and the rest of the Wolverines, last Friday's meet victo- ry against Toledo was only the second home meet of the season - it was also the last. The women's swimming and diving team's schedule contains one of the least amounts of home competitions out of any Michigan varsity team. The NCAA does not create schedules for women's swimming teams. The coaches must construct the schedules them- selves. Last year, most of Michigan's meets were at home. In order to com- pensate for that, Michigan offered to be the visiting team in most of its meets. But the Wolverines' No. 22 ranking proves that this traveling team has no problem with dealing with the pressures of the road. In fact, they thrive on it. TONY DING/Daily Michigan junior Lori Eberwein takes a breath as she swims the freestyle during the Wolverines' final home meet of the season last week versus Toledo Visit www.StudentUniverse.com for real travel deals anywhere, just for students and faculty. DO YOU FEEL .: THE HEAT? Fly roundtrip from Detroit Metro to:V "We do better when we travel,"junior captain Anne Weilbacher admitted. "It's something different. We come into Can- ham every day and see the same-things and we're used to being here. I'd rather go away, it makes it different; and you know you're at a meet." There are also valuable intangibles that can only be incurred by being on the road. Hotels and bus rides become important centers for developing togetherness and teamwork for the Wolverines. "It's fun to travel, and it's not that big of a deal;' Abbey said. "It's fun because it brings us closer together because we're together all of the time. We stay in the hotel together, eat together, and we get away from the stresses of school." Coach Jim Richardson agrees with nois. Being on the road just adds to the excitement "I wish this meet was tomorrow," Richardson said. "This meet is going to show us if we have that extra something, and if we're ready for the challenge. The question is: Can we get on a bus at 7:00 in the morning, take a six-and-a-half-hour bus ride, stretch out, listen up, go over and Fort Lauderdale $186rt 1 J .f ::: i m I