10 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, November 20, 2002 Hensick and Hunwick headline hockey signees By Kyle O'Neill Daily Sports Writer Michigan hockey play-by-play men beware. The Wolverines announced five recruits that have signed letters of intent to play for Michigan next fall, and among them are forward T.J. Hen- sick and defenseman Matt Hunwick. The thought of, "Hensick to Hunwick, back to Hensick who passes it to Hunwick for the one- timer goal!" is a tongue-twister waiting to happen. And given the talent level of this incoming freshman class, Michigan fans are likely to hear that statement called many times. Hensick, Hunwick and forward Mike Brown all come in from the U.S. National Development Under-18 Team. Both defensemen Tim Cook and Jason Dest are playing for the River City Lancers (USHL) in Omaha. Michigan associate head coach Mel Pearson was the one primarily responsible for keeping in contact with the three US-NTDP players, and thus far he's liked what he's seen. "T.J. Hensick is more of a finesse player," Pear- son said. "He's a lot like (senior) John Shouneyia. Not that I like comparing people to other players, but he's going to bring that finesse play to our team. "Mike Brown is more of an honest, physical, grinding player - very strong, very good CCHA player. And Hunwick is just a solid defensive defenseman and a great character player who will play anywhere, anytime." Head coach Red Berenson went on to say that Brown reminded him of captain Jed Ortmeyer because of his tough play around the net - inter- esting comparisons given the four-year success of both Shouneyia and Ortmeyer. Another positive about next year's class was that the Wolverines' coaching staff got the five players that they wanted. Last year, they went after sensations Zach Parise and Jeff Tambellini. The Wolverines got Tambellini, who has pro- duced nine points in 10 games, but lost Parise to North Dakota. Parise made the Wolverines Fresh faces Michigan recruited Mike Brown, T. J. Hensick and Matt Hunwick from the U.S. National Team Development Pro- gram and Jason Dest and Tim Cook from the USHL's River City Lancers. Here's a look at their 2002-03 stats to date. Goals Assists Points Games T.J. Hensick 11 10 21 24 Mike Brown 3 5 8 20 Tim Cook 2 5 7 17 Matt Hunwick 1 3 4 15 Jason Dest 0 3 3 17 pay in October, when he recorded two goals and assisted on the game-winner in the Sioux's 5-4 overtime win. "We talked to a couple other people, but pretty much we've had these guys for awhile," Pearson said. "We're really happy with them all, and I know we're only losing one defender (Mike Roe- mensky), but we're bringing in three. Those kids who are coming, they'll give us something we lack this year in a little bit of size and physical presence on the blue line." Though there may not be a Parise or Tambellini in next year's group - Hensick is probably the closest - there are many role players to fill the void from this year's departing senior class, which includes captains Ortmeyer and Shouneyia. "They'll just contribute in their own ways, and not have a real high-impact player," Pearson said. "T.J. has that type of skill, but I don't want to put that kind of pressure on him. Overall, I think this is a real solid class and will be a good group." The three US-NTDP members that have already played in Yost this year will have a chip on their shoulders, as none of the three had games they would like to remember against the Wolverines. "Hensick hurt his hand in the first period, it was Mike Brown's first game back from a long-lasting shoulder injury and Hunwick didn't play," Pearson said. "It wasn't a great game for those kids, but they played in other college games and played very well from our reports. I think their games here will be much better in the future." M tankers to depend on freshmen in Chapel Hill By Gina Adduci Daily Sports Writer This season, the Michigan women's swimming and diving team has high hopes for its freshmen. The Wolverines' 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays are both expected to be fierce challengers for the other nine teams competing in this weekend's Nike Cup, despite the fact that each of those relays includes one or two freshman. "It will be interesting to see how they respond to the pres- sure," Michigan coach Jim CHAPEL Richardson said. Wa:NkC The Nike Cup will be an When:Thurs excellent place for the Wolver- Saturday ine freshmen to showcase their Latest: Junioi talents and prepare for the and sophomc NCAA Championships. Like McCullough,b the NCAAs, there will be three of Michigan's individual events and three freestyle rela relays on the first day, five indi- tionable duet vidual events and two relays on the second, and five individual events and one relay on the third. This presents the Michigan freshmen with a chance to famil- iarize themselves with the NCAA format. "It will provide a good opportunity for some growth from our freshmen," Richard- son said. The Wolverines' veteran 800-yard freestyle relay team may have to race with- es. Although these swimmers will travel with the team to Chapel Hill, N.C., their sta- tus for the weekend is unknown. Even if Johnson and McCullough are able to partici- pate, Richardson said the relay "will not be in full force." Fortunately, the remaining healthy Wolver- ines are already familiar with the meet's facil- ities, after traveling there earlier this month for a meet against North Carolina. While most of the teams competing in the Nike Cup pose little threat to the Wolverines, 0 HILL, N.C. Cup day through r Sara Johnson ore Amy both members s 800-yard y, are ques- to illness. No. 11 North Carolina will be an especially strong opponent. After already competing in three other meets, it will be fas- cinating to observe the improve- ments the team has achieved through the new training tech- niques. Three long weeks have passed since Michigan's 238- 132 loss in the meet against North Carolina, providing the team with plenty of time to make any needed corrections. JASON COOPER/Daily Mike Brown is one of three Michigan recruits playing for the US-NTDP Under-18 team this year. The invitational is the ideal place for the Wolverines to exhibit the adjustments that have been made in their practice regimen. This season, Richardson has reduced the volume of in-water training and amplified the amount of dry-dock training. Initially, these changes will slow the Wolverines' times, but as the season progresses, the times will become increasingly faster. "There is a great attitude on the team," Richardson said. "Their training habits are really terrific." out two Johnson; who are of its key swimmers, junior Sara and sophomore Amy McCullough, recovering from respiratory illness- 1 The University Musical Society, The University of Michigan & The Ann Arbor District Library present a free lecture by Michael Boyd Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company Thursday, November 21 7:00 - 8:30 pm Main Library Multi-Purpose Room 7 /~a Why Shakespeare Matters To Me Boyd was the winner of Britain's prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director for his productions of Shakespeare's 1,2,3 Henry VI and Richard III, which appeared in Ann Arbor in 2001. Join him for this special appearance as he shares his thoughts and reflections on Shakespeare and Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company. The Royal Shakespeare Company will return to Ann Arbor for a March 2003 residency with productions of Shakespeare's Coriolanus and The Merry Wives of Windsor and Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children. Please contact The University Musical Society box office by phone at 734.764.2538 or on the web at www.ums.org for more details. BCS Continued from Page 9 total score (the lower the score, the bet- ter). Miami does not have any quality wins, although its BCS score was helped this past week, despite remain- ing idle, when several of its opponents won tough games. That has a direct effect on the Hurricanes' strength of schedule ranking, which has a direct effect on their BCS positioning. Indeed, The New York Times poll, which saw Ohio State and Miami swap positions this week, features strength of schedule prominently. That swap resulted in Miami having a higher computer aver- age than Ohio State, and was the pri- mary cause of its ascendance to the top of the BCS. If Ohio State defeats Michigan, it will still have to answer a criticism that has existed now for months: The Buck- eyes did not have to play Iowa, so their Big Ten supremacy is suspect. Iowa has been not just the Cinderella team of this year's national title race, but the Big Ten juggernaut that Ohio State isn't. Where the Buckeyes have been keeping their heads above water down the stretch, the Hawkeyes have been, in keeping with the metaphor, a predatory shark that has swallowed everything in its path. They have won their last four games by an average of 30 points, and boast the most explosive offense in the country. Should Ohio State end its season in the Fiesta Bowl, the BCS will have once again failed in the eyes of many. The difficulty that the Buckeyes have had lately against lesser teams, and their avoidance of Iowa in the Big Ten sea- son, are enough to question their legiti- macy. That being said, the numbers don't lie: 12-0 is 12-0, and much of the BCS (primarily The Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls) is based on reputation and perception. Thus, the BCS will suffer yet another year of sec- ond-guessing, unless Ohio State loses on Saturday and Miami is the only undefeated team left standing. But that, of course, raises a whole new set of questions. o w s w s w s ums MMMMMMOMMMIJ S m V / [G J 4 l/ i. ! // 4i/ !.1 1. / L.