Friday October 1 1, 2002 michigandai y com sportsdesk@umich.edu Oe gRTS 11A Ba's absence leaves 'M' short in the paint By Charles Paradis Daily Sports Writer ' After the graduation of Chris Young last spring, it was clear the Michigan basketball team would be inexperienced in the post this season. After inking a trio of freshman centers comprised of Chris Hunter, Graham Brown and Amadou Ba, it looked like coach Tommy Amaker had enough boides to fill the whole. But now it's down to just Hunter and Brown. "I'm going to redshirt this year," Ba said. "Talking to coach Amaker, the best thing for me is to redshirt this season" Ba will still be able to practice with the team, and the coaching staff hopes the extra year will help to develop the young center. An inexperienced player, Ba has only played organized basketball for four years, and he BASKETBALL will be able to use his redshirt season to learn what the coaching Notebook staff expects from him on the court and to better adjust to the pace of Big Ten play. Ba will still have a significant role in practice though. "Talking to the coaching staff and Amaker, I think my role on this team is too rebound, play defense and to make some shots," Ba said. "My main role is to rebound, play defense and help people get open." Ba, a native of Mauritania (in western Africa), moved to the United States just two years ago. The freshman speaks five languages, including Arabic, French and English, but according to Amaker, his English has held him back at times. Despite the challenges he will face, Ba remains confident, and the coaching staff has faith in him and his abilities. "I think his future is very bright. He's a hard worker, obviously a bright youngster and very mature kid," Amaker said. "'His sights and thoughts are a little bit larger and higher maybe than the average kid his age." If you ask him why he is redshirting this year, Ba responds that it is for his own good. Forgoing the opportunity to play now for a chance at developing in to a better player one day, Ba's sights are clearly on the future.I While Ba may not play this season, the coaching staff has every intention of preparing Hunter and DAVID KATZ/Daily Michigan will badly miss the defensive presence that was six-foot-nine center Chris Young. Young graduated last year, and it will be up to freshmen Chris Hunter and Graham Brown to fill his very large shoes. Brown for immediate action on the court. It would be naive to think that the two will be able to jump right in and fill the hole left by Young, but the coaching staff will do the best it can to prepare them. "We're going to work with them, develop them and help them go through the process," Amaker said. "It would help us greatly if they can be a little better than we anticipate." ROOM FOR ONE MORE: The Michigan basketball team has already added one walk-on, freshman Sher- rod Harrell to the squad. The 6-foot-3 guard was a three-sport athlete in high school, playing basketball as well as football and track and field. The recruited walk-on gives the Wolverines even more depth at the Football Saturday No. 13 Mkhigan x No. 15 Penn State Afte a wek ff, ichian 1 -OBigTena 4 oval) is prepred or is fist hme2gme o tes Bi Tesa anc at lliois ' ss ea Butaftr ahug wi atWisonsnThe Nittany Lions (1-1-1) knws tha a vicory a th t i Housewil Y ra fAfter a week off, Michigan (1-0 Big Ten, 4-1 overall) is prepared for its first home ame of the Bi Ten sea- son, looking to successfully follow up a solid perform- ance at Ilinois. But after a huge win at Wisconsin, The Nittany Lions (1-1, 4-1) knows that a victory at the Big House will give them a boost in the Big Ten title chase and the national rankings. Inside this edition of Football Saturday, you will find: . Old man's stillgot it - Joe Patemo may be getting up there in years, but the legendary Penn State coach hasn't lost his zest for life or passion for football. Ten years in the club - Since its arrival in 1993, Penn State has brought loads of competition and recognition to the Big Ten conference, with plenty of success of its own. Penn State trio coming into its own - Senior mem- bers of the Penn State defensive line are a force to be reckoned with - and they know it. "M" secondary smells Nittany Lions' blood - The self-titled 'Wolf Pack" is as aggressive as they come - a tendency Penn State will attempt to exploit. guard position. "My role is to get in when I get in," Harrell said. "I'll basically be a defensive player. That's what coach Amaker expressed that he wanted out of me and if he asks for it, I'll give it to him." A native of Kalamzoo, Harrell has been a fan of the Wolverines for years. He values his educa- tion at Michigan and is enrolled in the College of Engineering. "I had a few other options, just smaller schools," Harrell said. "As far as coming here, it was for the academic background that the school has. Secondly, I've always wanted to play here - since the Fab Five or so I guess, I've wanted to come play here." . Search for Shouneyia' s replacement begins By Courtney Lewis Daily Sports Writer Michigan will open the 2002-03 hockey season tonight in the same place it hopes to end it. Buffalo's HSBC Arena not only hosts the Xerox College Hock- ey Showcase this weekend, but it is also the site of the Frozen Four April 10-12. Michigan matches up with Niagara tonight, and after falling one game short of the national championship match last season, the Wolverines acknowledge the symbolism of the venue. "I think it's definitely going to be in the minds of a few that realize the sig- nificance of that," alternate captain John Shouneyia said. "We'd love to start there son with two wins there." But Michigan will have to start with- out Shouneyia. The senior center had surgery on his right wrist this week and is expected to miss four to eight weeks. Shouneyia had a pin inserted into the wrist, which he jammed against Toronto last weekend. Michigan coach Red Berenson said it was a simple procedure that went well. Shouneyia's absence will be felt both on the ice, where he was the Wolverines' leading scorer last season, and in the lockerroom, where he is one of the team's leaders. "It's a good test for us to see what type of team we really are, what we're made of," sophomore Eric Nystrom of heart we have." But Nystrom, who had been playing on Shouneyia's wing, said pressuring himself to make up for Shouneyia's absence would be counter-productive. "When you work too hard to try and score, it seems to be the goalie saves everything, you shoot the puck wide or hit the post," the winger said. "You have to keep working hard the way you always do, and the puck just seems to drop in." Dwight Helminen will try to'help Nystrom fill the void when he steps into Shouneyia's spot between Nystrom and freshman Jeff Tambellini. Helminen and Nystrom were linemates when they played for the U.S. National Team BUFFALO, N.Y. Who: No. 3 Michigan (0-0) vs. Niagra (0-0) or Canisius or No. 13 North Dakota. When: 7:30 p.m. today, 4 or 7 p.m. tomorrow Latest: The Wolverines will drop the puck on their 81st season tonight. together. The coaching staff said Helminen looked solid in his new position, even though he brings a different style than Shouneyia. "Dwight's more of a speed guy," asso- ciate head coach Mel Pearson said, adding that Shouneyia plays a puck con- trol game. Nystrom "has really had to work hard to stay up with Tambellini See NIAGRA, Page 12A -1 and end there - start with two wins said. "John's a big part of our team and Development Program before coming to there and hopefully we can end the sea- we need to step it up and see what kind Michigan, and are comfortable playing Stickers look to continue streak 7 By Brian Steere Daily Sports Writer Times have certainly changed for the Michigan field hockey team. Three years ago, the Wolverines were the new kids on the block, tal- ented young girls who were eager to prove themselves and challenge any opponent. That intensity propelled Michigan within one win of the national championship and sent a powerful message that there was a new force in NCAA field hockey. Now the second-ranked Wolverines (2-0 Big Ten, 10-1 overall) are the established leaders, looking to flatten any competition and win their second straight national title. "We definitely embrace the chal- lenge," Michigan forward April Fron- zoni said. "Our team works well under pressure, and we love knowing that everyone is going to bring their "A" game to us." Her teammate Kristi Gannon also knows that it can be beneficial when every team is gunning for you. "You know that everyone's after you, and everyone's practicing to beat you because you're on top," Gannon said. "We realize that, and that's how we push ourselves harder because we know everyone's out there to beat us." This weekend, No. 11 Iowa (2-0, 7- 3) and Southwest Missouri State (1-2 Northern Pacific, 3-6 Overall) will be next in line trying to end Michigan's nation-best 10-game win streak as the Wolverines leave the friendly con- fines of Ocker Field for the first time , in over a month. said. "They're a very strong team. They're deceptively good. We have to really pay attention to our tactics and not be undisciplined." One area where Michigan will look to break open the game is in its offensive attack. With explosive speed up front, the Wolverines should have an opportunity for odd- man rushes against the Hawkeyes' defense. "Our offense changes from game to game to work to our advantage against the defenses of other teams," Fronzoni said. "We're going to work the ball around and hopefully use our speed to create two-on-ones all day with them. We're going to use our speed to our advantage." Even if the offense can only put up a few scores, it will be anchored by a IOWA CITY Who: No. 2 Michigan (2-0 Big Ten, 10-1 over- all) will face No. 13 Iowa (1-0, 6-3) and Southwest Missouri State (1-2 Northern Pacific, 3-6 overall,) When: 4 p.m. today, 1 p.m. Saturday Latest: Michigan hits the road for the first time since opening weekend, looking for its 10th consecutive victory. smothering defense, which has helped produce three shutouts in the last five games. "We have a lot of returnees this year," Gannon said. "Each game we build confidence and experience in the backfield. I think that's the most important thing when you're playing defense - it's all about communica- tion and working together." I