8A - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.cam INDIANA 78, MICHIGAN 64 Sophomore DeShawn Sims was one of the bright spots in last night's loss to Indiana. He scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds. Wolverine duo shoulders load Cold touch continues in'M'loss By DAN FELDMAN Daily Sports Writer Slow doesn't even begin to describe Michigan's Big Ten start - both in the standings and within games. The Wolverines moved to 0-3 in conference play after last night's 78-64 home loss to No. 10 Indiana. It's Michigan's slowest Big Ten start since it lost its INDIANA 78 first four conference games MICHIGAN 64 in the 1990-91 season. Like in its other two league games, the Wolverines had a lengthy field-goal drought in the first half. Last night it was 9:07. At Purdue: 9:37. And at Wisconsin: 6:57. "I'm not sure," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "Probably may have been the lineup that we have in there, the chemistry that we have in there, that something's happening. I've got to continue to experiment. But I can't put my finger on it right now." It's understandable Beilein has trouble solving the Wolverines' miscues, In those spans, they've missed easy shots, forced tough shots, turned the ball over and generally taken themselves out of rhythm. After nine minutes without a field goal last night, the Wolverines scored 18 points in the first half's final six minutes, including a half-courtbank shot by DeShawn Sims at the buzzer. Still, Michigan trailed by six. "It can get discouraging at times," said freshman guard Manny Harris, who led the Wolverines with 19 points. "Sometimes whenthings aren't going your way, people get frustrated. It's something you've got to learn - keep your confidence no matter what hap- pens." Like in their other two conference games, the Wolverines never led after their cold streak. Indi- ana (2-0 Big Ten, 13-1 overall) went on a 22-5 run heading into the second media timeout of the second half. With the score 61-39, the game was clearly out of reach. Michigan couldn't contain the Hoosiers' danger- ous duo of D.J. White and Eric Gordon. White had 21 points and 22 rebounds while Gordon, the Big Ten's leading scorer, had 23 points despite playing just 28 minutes because of foul trouble. Michigan (0-3, 4-11) has its worst record through 15 games since 1981-82, when they were 2-13. "It starts with practice," freshman guard Kelvin Grady said. "If our guys aren't going hard all prac- tice, our guys aren't busting their butts all practice, giving it their all to the point we're going to fall out walking out of the gym, we're not going to be able to win. 6 6 By MARK GIANNOTTO Daily Sports Writer When sophomore DeShawn Sims and freshman Manny Harris first arrived on campus, both were con- sidered the prize pieces of their respec- tive recruit- NOTEBOOK ing classes. By donning the maize and blue, they became a beacon of hope in ending the Michi- gan men's basketball team's nine-year NCAA Tourna- ment drought. The duo hasn't saved the program just yet - the Wol- verines are off to their worst start since 1981-82 - but Sims and Harris have shown more than a few glimpses of achievingthe potential that made both highly-sought after out of high school. Against Indiana last night, Sims and Harris were at it again, combining for 35 points in the Wolverines' 78- 64 loss. Through 15 games, the pair has accounted for more than 46 percent of the team's total points. Harris is the team's lead- ing scorer, averaging 16.5 points per contest, and Sims is right behind with almost 14 per game. Their play has not gone unnoticed by Michigan coach John Beilein. With a young squad struggling mightily to make baskets, he is adjusting his offense to fit the two talents he inherited. "We're trying to push the buttons to get them open as much as we can," Beilein said. Both have produced offen- sively, thanks to a wide array of skills. Harris has shown he can consistently drive to the bas- ket and draw fouls. His drib- ble drive is hard to contain because opponents must also respect his mid-range and 3- point shooting abilities. Sims is adjusting well to his new perimeter role after battling in the paint much of his freshman campaign. Although he didn't make a single 3-pointer last year, the Detroit native has emerged as one of Michigan's best threats from the outside and leads the team with 21 tri- fectas. That doesn't mean he's abandoned his post moves, though. The multi-talented Sims can still score on the interior, and a smooth mid-range jump shot rounds out his game well. "There's some other things that I have to work on, but I feel I can always score.," Sims said. But with so many points and so few victories this season, both Harris and Sims realize their stats may have to suffer for the Wolver- ines to eventually succeed. The Hoosiers are a perfect example of a team with two stars complemented by those around them. . Senior All-American D.J. White and freshman sensa- tion Eric Gordon combined for 44 points last night. But unlike Michigan, they got help from guards Jordan Crawford and Jamarcus Ellis, who had 11 and seven points, respectively. "If it takes me cutting down some points with extra passes, and everybody knocking their shots down, I'll do it," Harris said. "I just want to win." COLEMAN INJURED: For a team that's already been rav- aged by suspensions, defec- tions and dismissals, the last thing Michigan needed was an in injury. But with 16:55 remaining in the second half, senior Ron Coleman dropped to the floor in pain, with what Beilein described afterwards as a "low ankle sprain." The Romulus native did not return and his status is uncertain for Saturday's con- test at Northwestern. "Although he hasn't shot the ball great, (Coleman) has been a staple influence out there as far as leadership," Beilein said. "We'll miss that, but we'll just adjust." If Coleman is unavailable Saturday, Beilein indicated the team would switch to a three-guard starting lineup, making freshman Kelvin Grady the likely candidate to fill that role. PAINT PUNISHMENT: The Wolverines' woes on the interior continued last night. White dominated with a career-high 22 rebounds, helping to give the Hoosiers a 51-33 advantage on the glass. Many of those rebounds led to Indiana's 34 points in the paint. Michigan had just 16. 9 Exhibition gives glimpse of future Wolverines MAX COLLINS/Daily Freshman Bryan Hogan rejected all 14 shots he faced in two periods before fellow freshman Shawn Hunwick replaced him in the third period. By ANDY REID With less than five minutes to Daily Sports Writer go and the game all but wrapped up, Czarnik took a pass from What the game lacked in ten- Wohlberg and snuck it past fresh- sion, it more than made up for in man third-string goalie Shawn exciting prospects. Hunwick to tally the team's only In front of a less-than-exu- goal of the contest. berant Michigan coach Red Berenson Yost Ice MICHIGAN 5 said after the game that he paid Arena USNTDP 1 little attentionto the two soon-to- crowd, be Wolverines during the game. the freshman-led Michigan hock- But he said he would break down ey team coasted to a 5-1 victory their performances on film. over the United States National "I was really excited," Cznarik Team Development Program last said about scoring against his night. future team. "We still lost, but I Michigan freshmen dominated guess it's all right." the scoring. Senior Chad Kolarik said the Two freshmen goalies turned two players used the opportunity in a stout performance. to trash talk some'of their future And, perhaps most intriguing, teammates. two future Wolverines account- "Some of the guys in the lock- ed for two thirds of USNTDP's er room were talking about how points. (Czarnik and Wohlberg) were Forwards Robbie Czarnik and chirping, giving them a hard David Wohlberg - who skate on time," Kolarik said. "They both the same line for the USNTDP played well. Czarnik had a nice - have already committed to goal. Good for him, and I'm sure Michigan. it was pretty exciting." Freshmen accounted for eight Michigan points, more than half of the team's final point total. Freshmen forwards Ben Winnett and Max Pacioretty each tallied a goal. Sophomores Brian Lebler and Anthony Ciraulo added to the scoring with a goal and an assist each. "It was good to get back into a game," Berenson said about the team's return from the Winter Break hiatus. "Get some players more ice time." Michigan's puck movement was outstanding through most of the night. The increased passing paid off, as every Michigan goal had two assists attached. Freshmen played a large role in this fluid offensive rotation, recording the majority of Michi- gan's assists. Forward Louie Caporusso - who played in just his third game since sitting out six weeks with a damaged medial collateral liga- ment - added two assists. The scoreboard wasn't the only place Michigan's youth shone through, either. In the net, fresh- men Bryan Hogan and Shawn Hunwick manned the Wolverine net and turned in a solid outing. Hogan was a veritable wall through the first two periods, deflecting every single USNTDP shot that came his way. In relief of usual starter Billy Sauer, Hogan made 14 total saves and furthered his case as a legitimate backup to Sauer. Hunwick was also impressive in his maize and blue debut, sav- ing 11-of-12 USA shots-on-goal in the final frame. "We got Hunwick some game time, which is good," Berenson said. "Overall, you hope to come out of the game with some good things and no injuries, and I think we did that.". The game might not have been a nail biter, but if it's any sign of times to come, Michigan fans have plenty to be excited about. Michigan men's swimming coach Bob Bowman is impressed with the progress of freshman Tyler Clary and believes the Wol verine will thrive on the international level. Freshman swimmer makes a splash in first Michigan meets By JASON KOHLER Daily Sports Writer Ever since the moment freshman Tyler Clary jumped into the pool in his first collegiate meet, he's been a winner. On Oct.12, Clary raced his way to victory in the 200-yard backstroke, 200-individual medley and 1,000- yard freestyle in a dual meet against Eastern Michigan. "When you're able to win three events in your first meet as a fresh- man, that's a good thing," Michigan coach Bob Bowman said. Clary entered Michigan as a highly touted swimmer from River- side, Calif. In high school, Clary had to drive an hour each way six days a week to swim for the Fullerton Aquatics Sports Team. Although he competed in an elite swimming program, Clary still stood out as a rare talent. "Back athome,there weren'treal- ly a lot of peopleI could race," Clary said. "But here, I'm often struggling to keep up." His workout regimen has been intensified since coming to Michi- gan. For the Wolverines, he works out six days a week at night and three days in the morning. He has also begun to lift weights, some- thing he never did in high school. "It's not only the competition level here, it's the expectation of the staff and the swimmers," Bowman said. "Even though he's one of the premiere swimmers in his class, he gets challenged on a daily basis." What initially drew Bowman to recruit Clary was Michigan's lack of depth in backstroke. Soon he learned that Clary was more than just a great backstroker, but a per- fect fit for the Wolverines. "I really thought Tyler was the No. 1 recruit in his class," Bowman said. "He is also someone that will compete on the international level. He really fit the bill of everything we're looking for here at Michigan." Before coming to Ann Arbor, Clary represented the United States in the Pan American games this summer, winning the silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke. Clary is one of five Wolverine swimmers who represent the United States on the international team. Clary has been an instant success at Michigan so far, leading the Wol- verines in scoringthis season. . "He's definitely somebody who you think will be at the top of the NCAAs at some point," Bowman said. "When that will be remains to be seen, but he's as good as any swimmer in college swimming." As a freshman, Clary still has much room to improve. For one, he stillhas to clean up hisbreaststroke. Once he does, Bowman said Clary's individual medley willbe fantastic. "He has great technique," Bow- man said. "He's a super-tough com- petitor in workouts and practice, and'he has definite goals that he knows he wants to achieve." Someday, Clary would like to win an NCAA individual title. For now, he's focused on qualifying a few more automatic NCAA times. He has already qualified in the 400- meter IM, 200-meter backstroke and 400-yard freestyle relay. He also wouldn't mind earning NCAA freshman of the year honors. "That would be really sweet," Clary said. Clary has just begun as a Wol- verine, but, in his short career, he's been nothing short of impressive. "I've always been competitive since I was a little kid," Clary said. "I just like beating people." So far, that's all he's been doing. :a a