8A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 13, 2003 Luckily, Wright and Wildcats have speed By Kyle O'Neill Daily Sports Editor Speed kills. In the case of Northwestern, though, speed is what keeps it afloat. In a league full of Apollo Creeds - very large teams with above-average speed - the Wildcats are the Rocky Balboa of the Big Ten. They're quick, which is a good thing, because besides their linemen, Northwestern isn't boasting much in size. "When I'm lined up across the other teams, they're a lot bigger than the guys we see in prac- tice," Northwestern running back Jason Wright said. "College football, in general, is more of a speed game anyway. There's always been a size dif- ference between us and everyone else, but we're bigger and ready to go." But do the Wildcats have the greasy, fast speed that Balboa had in order to get the top chickens ... or rather goals that the team had set? "Our team speed?" Wright said. "Very, very good. It's very good, it's on par with anybody else. We have extremely fast athletes on both sides of the ball ... I'm not one of them." Wright laughed at himself when he said this during the Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon in July. The joke, how- ever, is on anyone who actually believes the senior tailback is not fast. Last season alone is reason enough to prove otherwise. Finishing with 1,234 rushing. yards, Wright also was fourth in the nation on kickoff returns and in total all-purpose yards. This season has been no different for him, as Wright - one of three starting seniors on the underclassman- driven Wildcats - has already accumulated 866 yards. While his average is actually down from last season, it's only because Wright has had to endure some recent injuries and had to split time with emerging star Noah Herron. Herron - a year younger and 20 pounds heavier than Wright - has accumulated 320 of his 481 rushing yards over the past three weeks. "I'm improving every week, and I feel like I'm stronger this week, and hopefully that will mean I'm effective this weekend," Wright said. "Noah is a huge weapon for us regardless if I'm healthy or not, he'll be getting his touches and hopefully, I'll be good enough to do the same." The only difference between the two is that Herron will have another year to get Northwestern back into the top echelon of the Big Ten. Wright and the rest of the Wildcats' seniors have two games to get one win to become bowl eligible. "It's huge for us, in all reality we need to win the last two games to make a bowl game," Wright said. "We have to focus on this game, if we don't do that, we'll get shellacked on Saturday by a Michigan team that's as talented as any we've seen all year." But even if the Wildcats do make a bowl game, their real success is more than likely to.come in the next two years. Sophomore quarterback Brett Basanez will be back next year, as will the entire offensive line (including backups). "It's tough knowing we won't be a championship team," senior wideout Kunle Patrick said. "But we'll be watching them closely in the future." Even without a Big Ten title, though, you shouldn't feel too sorry for the seniors. Wright is a pre-med at Northwestern and plans to become a team doctor or go into family practice if his career doesn't involve the NFL. "We wouldn't be here if we didn't want to compete at that highest level or football," Wright said. "I'd love to if that opportunity affords itself. If it doesn't, I might go on to med school or ... I might change my mind. I'm kind of fickle like that." Michigan center Andrew Ebbett was a late addition to last year's Michigan recruiting class. He scored 27 points In his freshman year and already has 10 in the 2003- 04 campaign. CURTIS HILLER/Daily Late deci~sionpaying off for EbbettM Coleman signs letter to Michigan, Crawford next? By Daniel Bremnw Daily Sports Writer ROMULUS - The Michigan basketball program received an official commitment from one recruit yes- terday. But it's today's expected announcement from another that is expected to make the most noise. Ronald Coleman, a 6-foot-5 forward from Romulus High School, signed an official letter of intent to attend Michigan and play basketball for the Wolver- ines next season. Now, Michigan is waiting on word from highly- prized recruit Joe Crawford of Detroit Renaissance, who is expected to decide between Michigan and Kentucky as early as today. "He's still got Michigan on his mind," Coleman said. "Michigan and Kentucky are the only two, and he's supposed to sign this week." Coleman, who led the Eagles by averaging 18 points per game last year, is regarded as the No. 13 small forward recruit nationally by rivalshoops.com. He will play wing at Michigan and should make the biggest impact scoring and rebounding. "He fits into our scheme of being blue collar," said sophomore Lester Abram, who played on the AAU team "The Family" with Coleman. "That's the type of player (Michigan) coach (Tommy) Amaker likes. He's real versatile." For Coleman - who knew he wanted to go to Michigan since the days of the Fab Five and had ver- bally committed to the Wolverines during his sopho- more year - signing a letter of intent during the early signing period (Nov. 12-19) will allow him to focus on his upcoming high school season. "I'm glad to get it over with;' said Coleman, don- ning a new Michigan hat, tags still attached. By Gennaro Flilce Daily Sports Writer By July 2002, the Michigan hockey team had established another banner recruiting class. Marquee names Jeff Tambellini, Al Montoya and Danny Richmond joined Brandon Kaleniecki and Noah Ruden, giving the Wolver- ines a plethora of talented fresh faces. But in the last week of July, Mike Cammalleri and Mike Komisarek unex- pectedly left the team early for the NHL. With Cammalleri lost and the ensuing season growing closer by the second, Michigan needed another center. The coaching staff knew just where to go. "We didn't know in July that Andrew Ebbett was coming in in Sep- tember; we didn't know until we lost Cammalleri," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "And then when we lost Cammalleri, then we called Ebbett" Ebbett, a Vernon, British Columbia, native, had agreed earlier in the year that he would play one more season on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League and then enroll at Michigan for the 2003- 04 campaign. "But when Cammalleri left we called him and said, 'Do you think you're ready to handle a spot and be ready in the next month?'" Berenson said. "And he thought about it and said, 'Yeah. Absolutely."' Although Ebbett's addition to the team came late, the 5-foot-9, 160- pounder made his presence felt. Ebbett played in all 43 games and finished sixth on the team in scoring with 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists). "That was the thing that really impressed me is that when he came in, he adjusted quickly to the whole idea of being here and getting in on the scheme" Berenson said. This year, Ebbett has continued to improve. The sophomore currently ranks third on Michigan in scoring with 10 points (four, six). Ebbett feels as though he's really found his niche on the team. "Since the start of the season, I came in and things have just been working for me," Ebbett said. "Last year I got down on myself at times, and this year I'm not going to worry about the downs. I'm just kind of keeping a positive attitude, and it seems to be working." "He makes players around him bet- ter," Berenson said. "I think that's the secret if you're a good centerman, you're creating scoring chances for wingers, and you're smart with the puck and you can score yourself." A complete player, Ebbett handles faceoffs and is a regular on both the powerplay and the penalty kill. "He's become a real important play- er on this team," Berenson said. During his time at Michigan, Ebbett has formed a tight bond with fellow sophomore Brandon Kaleniec- ki. Roommates as well as linemates, Ebbett and Kaleniecki form one of Michigan's finest combinations. "Since we're good friends off the ice, it makes things easier on the ice," Kaleniecki said. "We're both on the same page on the ice." But the duo has had trouble finding a right wing to fill out their line. This weekend, Michael Woodford will take on that role. "Kal (a left winger) and I were talking about it last night, and I've never had a right winger," Ebbett said. "I've always had a left winger, and hopefully Woodford's the one this weekend and we'll stick together:' Ohio State hosts the Wolverines for two games this weekend. Last year Michigan and Ohio State tied twice in Columbus. In the first game between the two teams, Ebbett evened the score at four with one second left in the third period, forcing overtime and the even- tual tie. "Yeah, I kind of like that place," Ebbett said. "It brings back good memories. I'm looking forward to going back down there." Liberty is Unleashing the Power of Emerging Entrepreneurs Liberty's YES (Your Entrepreneurial Start-Up) Fund is designed for people with the will, but not the capital to start their own business. You show us your willingness to follow a proven operating system, Liberty will give you full capital, support, leadership, and training. {.. . 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