The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 7A The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom Thursday, January14, 2010 - 7A Michigan to take on Indiana By AMY SCARANO Daily Sports Writer The Michigan women's basket- ball heads to Bloomington tonight for its first matchup of the season with Indiana. It won't be a walk in the park, and the Wolverines know that by now. Six games into Big Ten season, they have realized that every game demands energy, rhythm, con- fidence, concentration, defense, baskets, communication and a lot more. And even when Michigan brings all of those things onto the court, it still hasn't always come out on top. The Hoosiers (2-3 Big Ten, 9-7 overall) are coming off four straight years of postseason action, and last year, Indiana coach Feli- sha Legette-Jack led her team to a school-record 21 wins. But the Hoosiers are just eighth in the standings, one ahead of Northwest- ern (2-4, 1-6). The Wolverines lost to the same Wildcats at home last month, breaking a five-game win- ning streak after shoting a measly 30 percent and being outrebounded by their opponents for the first time in three games. With a .500 record in confer- ence, Michigan (2-4 Big Ten, 10-6 overall) hasn't even faced most of the top contenders yet. They did almost beat undefeated No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus - almost. Despite a late-game breakdown against the Buckeyes, the Wolver- ines have come up huge in crucial moments this season. The squad came out victorious in their conference opener in Iowa City when they were up 52-51 with two seconds remaining before freshman guard Dayeesha Hollins sealed the game with a layup for a 54-51 victory. Down by one with 14 seconds left against then No. 8 Xavier in Cincinnati, Hollins made a layup for a 72-71 victory. But Xavier was exactly a month ago and since then, Michigan hasn't beaten any team they weren't sup- posed to beat. Their lone wins are against Detroit, who is 2-9 in non- conference games this season, and Iowa, ranked dead last in the Big Ten. Michigan hasn't won two con- secutive games for nearly a month. And the task of proving they wont collapse after a solid start is a daunting one. Last season, Michigan started out strong before losing 13 of their last 14 games. But at that point junior center Krista Phillips wasn't putting up the numbers and soph- omore Veronica Hicks was still solidifying her starting spot in the line-up. And the promising fresh- men duo, starting guards Jenny Ryan and Dayeesha Hollins, were still in high school. But this year is different. Phil- lips registered a double-double last month against Northwestern and is a weapon down low for the Wolverines. Hicks and Hollins are tied with 13 points per game apiece, leading the team. And Ryan plays extremely aggressively for a fresh- man, leading the team in rebounds, averaging seven per game. Michi- gan's scoring differential this sea- son is plus-eight, and that number was a Ion higher going into confer- ence play. Before beating Iowa on Jan. 7 and breaking their three-game los- ing streak to solidify their first con- ference sweep of the season, the Wolverines insisted they had not lost confidence, even though their play was leaving a lot to be desired. "Basically, our confidence is still high," Hicks said at practice last week. "We still feel like we are good. We just went and played Ohio State at their place, and I don't know the last time they lost there, but we were mighty close to beat- ing them." "They smashed every other team that they've played in conference so far and we really had a chance to beat them at their home court," Hicks said. "Why wouldn't we be confident right now?" Borseth continues to emphasize that every game is its own and that one performance doesn't affect the next - and that's no different against the Hoosiers tonight. But if Michigan plays at all like they did in last week's 20-point road loss to a mediocre Wiscon- sin team, the Wolverines are in trouble. So when Michigan steps onto the court tonight in Bloomington, they better not leave anything behind - that is, if they want to climb the rungs of the conference ladder and see postseason action any time soon. Blue's penalty kill strategy pays dividends ARIEL BOND/Daly Redshirt sophomore Laval Lucas-Perry has been inconsistent for the Wolverines this season. Lucas-Perry led the Wolverines' victory against Penn State last Thursday with a 16-point effort in the comeback win. He hit four 3-pointers in the second half. o overines desperate for consistent play in conference matchup By JOE STAPLETON Daily SportsEditor As the Michigan men's bas- ketball team prepares to take on Indiana tonight, the Wolverines Indiana at without a doubt have their last Michigan game against Matchup: the Hoosiers on Indiana 7-8; their minds. Michigan 8-7 The loss in When: Tonight Bloomington at9 P.M. only 15 days-ago Where: remains one of Crisler Arena the team's worst TV/Radio: performances ESPN so far this sea- son. Michigan lost to a team playing its first game without its leading scorer, freshman Maurice Creek, who will be out for the remainder of the season. Of course, Michigan (2-2 Big Ten, 8-7 overall) came out the very next game like gangbusters at Crisler Arena and beat then- No. 15 Ohio State in what was perhaps their most impressive win of the season. So the question is, which Michigan will show up for the game tonight? "I think our whole team has been inconsistent," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "That's what's been the most frustrating. You don't know what to expect from each player right now." He's right. The team's incon- sistency from game to game stems from every player not named Manny struggling to per- form at a high level every night. Senior DeShawn Sims has come on strong of late, earning Big Ten Player of the Week hon- ors while averaging 21 points and seven rebounds per game in that span. But he hasn't exactly been a beacon of consistency throughout the season, laying eggs against Boston College and at Utah. Redshirt sophomore Laval Lucas-Perry had trouble against Kansas and in Michigan's first game against Indiana (1-2, 7-8), but exploded against Penn State, tallying 16 points and leading the comeback effort. Sophomore Stu Douglass, meanwhile, lit up Indiana in Bloomington, notching 16 points. But in Michigan's last two games against Penn State and North- western, he has scored just two and six points, respectively. And since the Wolverines' defense usually mirrors their offense, defensive effort has been just as inconsistent as individual offensive output. "When things aren't going well offensively, you got to play even better defense," Beilein said. "From an individual level, that's the most important thing." So what can Michigan do to make sure it comes out with equal effort, game in and game out? Sims said it's not a matter of playing harder, but playing smarter. "I definitely think we're play- ing hard," Sims said. "Smart? In all aspects of the game? Not real- ly throughout the 40 minutes of the game, but I definitely think this team plays hard." Sims especially will need to play hard on the defensive end if he's going to stop Hoosier fresh- man Christian Watford, a 6-foot- 8 forward who scored 19 points in Bloomington, and most of his production came from the post. Another key to tonight's game will be the ability of Michigan's guards to box out. While junior Manny Harris is probably the best pure rebounder on the team, Douglass, Lucas-Perry and freshman Darius Morris all will also need to make sure to get a body on the Indiana guards,- sophomore Verdell Jones III and redshirt junior Jeremiah Rivers racked up a total of 17 rebounds in the two teams' last meeting. The game tonight kicks off a hellacious stretch of basket- ball for the Wolverines. After Indiana, the Wolverines play Connecticut, at Wisconsin, at Purdue, and Michigan State. It would be nice for Michigan to start off that stretch with a win. "I know this stretch is very important, probably the most important stretch of the season thus far," Sims said. "We're look- ing down the road for any type of hope." Wolverines have the third-best penalty kill in the nation By MICHAEL FLOREK Daily Sports Writer It's working. Whether it is killing off two and a half minutes of a five-on- three to change the game against Michigan Tech, scoring a short- handed goal to put away Min- nesota, scoring another one the following night to take the lead for good against No. 4 Wiscon- sin, or taking a civil gathering of 6,921 people at Yost and turning the place into a frenzy without even lighting the lamp, Michi- gan coach Red Berenson's system seems to be working. "It" is the penalty kill. The unit kills off penalties at an 89 percent success rate, just two tenths of a pointoff of its all time mark set in 2002-2003 and good enough for third in the country. Michigan's penalty killers have been perfect in 12 games this season, includ- ing a streak of 25 straight during which it won five of six games during that stretch. Much of that has to do with the personnel. As Jed Ortmeyer and Dwight Helminen paced the record-setting unit seven years ago, sophomore Luke Glenden- ing and junior Carl Hagelin do the same for the current bunch of penalty killers. "We've identified some play- ers that have really embraced the role," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "It's not a glamor- ous role, it doesn't show up on the stats. You might be our best pen- alty killer but someone else is get- ting all the attention because he's our leading scorer. In the mean time, you might be more impor- tant than he is." Also important to success is practice, something the Wolver- ines' penalty kill unit has had a lot of this season. The Wolver- ines are ninth in the country in penalty minutes and have had to kill off four major penalties so far this season. "Our goal at the start of the year is to be the least penal- ized team," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "We can play a physical game but you don't be penalized. ... Penalties are like goals, they're important parts of the game." Despite being unhappy about the penalties, it has provided Michiganwithachancetochange the momentum of the game. The coaching staff teaches an aggressive and unusual system: players attack the opposing ath- letes on the outskirts of the zone even if they have strong posses- sion. The method leads to increased turnovers and short-handed opportunities, but increases the chance that Michigan players end up out of position in their own zone. Still, because they see the penalty kill as an oppor- tunity to change the game, the coaching staff is willing to take that risk. They see this gambling strat- egy as a necessary risk, allowing the penalty kill a chance to steal momentum. "It's hard to play a passive sys- tem and we don't do that, fortu- nately," Glendening said. "It's fun to go out there and you're really doing your best to work hard. That's kind of our PK's theme, is hard work is what is going to do it for us." That effort has changed the tone of games all season, culmi- nating with its performance in the second period last Saturday against Western Michigan. The Yost crowd collectively held its breath. With a 3-1 lead Michigan faced a five-on-three disadvantage. Of the thirteen goals given up this season by the penalty kill, six have come with two men down. The Wolverines needed to kill the penalties to save the game. Western Michigan set up the power play and had a goal - but senior Chris Summers made it impossible for the Broncos to come any closer. With goalten- der Bryan Hogan on the other side of the net, Summers broke up a play in the slot and then battled to chip the puck off the glass and out of the zone as fans exhaled. Glendening found the puck and drove to the net with a shot that almost trickled past West- ern's Riley Gill. During the play, those exhales turned into screams and a standing ovation - the loudest Yost has been all season. "Penalties can kind of work in your favor if you kill them," Summers said after the game. "Especially when you have 7,000 people behind you screaming and yelling, so that was a big boost for our team. I think that was a definite turning point in the game." www.varistymanagement.com Varsity 625 Church St. (734) 668 -1100 Studios - 4 bedroom All are Central Campus Locations Heat, water, & furnishings included Most incl. parking, some ind Internet New kitchens w/ dishwashers, new bathroom vanities and nice furn Great prices and great locations Call to schedule an appointment GREAT CAMPUS APTS.! 608 Monroe - Behind S. Quad Eff., Bi-level 1 and 2 Bdrm. apts. Call Amanda at 231.633.7143 or email 608MonroeManagers@umich.edu 815 S. State - Between Arbor & Hill Lg. 2 Bdrm. apts (over 1100 sqft. each) Call David at 248.935.2159 or email 815SouthStateManagers@umich.edu 420 S. Division #2 5 BDRM $2700 SEPT 2010 COPI PROPERTIES (734) 663-5609 FALL 2010 EXCELLENT 2 bdrm apt. 528 S. Fifth Ave. Furn, disposal, dwshr, Indry, prkg. Walkout balcony. $1175 + elec. 734-662-7121 or email gpmiles@aol.com FOR MAY/SEPTEMBER 2010 lease. 1, 2, 3 bdrm apts at 408 Hill, 908 Sybil 910 Packard, 1026 Vaughn, etc. 734- 222-9033. jmsprop@sbcglobal.net or visit www.jmsprop.com IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY. LARGE one and two bedrooms apart- ments on Central and North Campus, www.michcomrealty.com or 734-662-5500 for appointment. HELP WANTED JANITOR/CUSTODIAN: PART TIME day positions available in Ann Arbor. A valid Michigan driver's li- cense and social security card are re- qaited to apply. Please call today for additional information. 586-759-3700. THESIS EDITING- LANGUAGE, organization, format. 25 yrs. U-M exp. 996-0566 or writeon@iserv.net CHILDCARE EARLY MORNING 2-3 days a week. Older child, Responsibile references' and Own Transportation. 734-769-1462 Spring Break comes to life... Live Concerts Awesome VIP Parties Beautiful Beaches Scenic Cliff Jumping Spectacular Sunsets Book Your Trip Today! Contact: sER1RCES 1.800.648.4849 www.ststravel.com 1.800.426.7710 For Friday, Jan.'15, 2010 ARIES (March 21 to April 19) The delays dealing with bosses, par- ets, teachers and VIPs definitely will begin to lessen as of today. Looks like things are returning to normal. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) For several weeks now, delays and interruptions regarding travel and higher education have been frustrating. Finally, all of this will diminish considerably. Whew!, GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Mercury is your ruler, and it's been retrograde for the past month, causing havoc. Today this will start to reduce, and things wilt begin to return to normal. CANCEk (June 21 toJuly 22) Recently, ex-partners have been back in your world. As of today, you can start to move forward with a more positive attitude. (Leave the past in the past.) LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) Everything having to do with your work has been aggravated by silly errors, lost items and delays. As of today, things will start to return to normal! VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Old flames and es-lovers have been on the scene lately. You'll have a stronger sense of what to expect starting today. LIBRA (23 to Oct. 22) Some of you have had relatives camped on your doorstep. Starting today, this energy will leave, and, hopefully, so will they! SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) You have suffered from transportation delays and communication mix-ups for weeks now. It will be a relief to learn that these delays will hugely diminish - finally. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22to Dec. 21) Confusion and mix-ups with cash- flow situations, banking and even your earnings have plagued you lately. As of today, all of this will begin to disappear into the past. Things will be back tonor- mal soon. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22to Jan. 19) Mercury has been retrograde in your sign for weeks now. You might have thought you were losing it. It makes you forgetful and confused, and it's easier to lose things as well as to make silly errors. That's over as of today. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20to Feb. 18) A general feeling of restlessness and uncertainty might have plagued you in the past month. You'll be glad to know that the cause ofthis is now fading away. Good! PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) Although it's been interesting running into old friends, dealing with past issues and hearing old gossip, it's time to get your show back on the road. Starting today, it's all systems go. YOU BORN TODAY You're amaz- ingly persistent and dedicated to your goals. You have high ideals, and are able to inspire others to your own levels of excellence.In this way, you are often a teacher or guide for people. You enjoy the company of others; you love a good time. This year is the beginning of a new cycle for you. Open any door! Birthdate of: Martin Luther King Jr., Nobel laureate; Chad Lowe, actor; Gene Krupa, drummer. 711 Arch - Between State & Packard !!BARTENDING!!! $300 /day poten- 1, 2, 3 Bdrm. apts. tial. No exp. nec., training provided. Call Phil at 734.662.5270 AGE 18+ OK. 800-965-6520 x 125. Call above numbers or email for INSIDE SALES CONSULTANT showings or please stop by! Part time (32 hours per week) CRAWFORD HOUSE Luxury 5 bedroom 2 bath apt available Responsibilities include making out- Prime Location! Free parking! bound calls to prospective clients to $3699/mo, 734-665-8825 support and build the business as well www.campusrealty.com as developing an existing account base. Must be able to meet goals and objec- FIND YOUR NEXT HOUSE OR tives. APARTMENT at michigandaily.com/classifieds See great places on an interactive map or Classified listings with full descrip- tions, features, and prices Requirements include previous sales ex- perience and comfort working on the In- ternet. Must be highly organized with exceptional attention to detail. $15/hour. Please submit resume to: _ barbaramontgomery@annarbor.com APPLY NOW! FUNDRAISE for the U: Michigan Telefund, $9.25/hr. NEW campus location! Students apply @ www.telefund.umich.edu or 763-8773 2010 King Features Syndicate, Inc.