(1b4e Alidiiiyan JL4,atigj Ann Arbor, Michigan Monday, March 5,2012 michigandaily.com * THREE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Under Beilein, giant of a program awakens STATE COLLEGE - They hopped a plane on Saturday afternoon, these Wolverines, and began the short journey to Happy Valley, dreams dancing through their heads uncontrol- lably, as if they were again the naive children they once were. They knew full well what lay ahead of them, what one more win - one final triumph in the long, dark alleyway otherwise known as the Big Ten confer- ence schedule, where street fights masquerade as basketball games - would give them. They knew there was a chance that the countless hours spent grunting through another mundane set in the weight room, the myriad windsprints that tore at their lungs and the endless film sessions that some- times left their heads spinning would end in their redemption. There was a chance it would end in the exoneration of the sometimes-ascetic life they had doomed themselves to as Divi- sion-I basketball players. Yet it was only that - a chance. These Michigan players could do their part by defeating Penn State, one of the confer- ence's ugly ducklings this season. But after that, they were power-, less, depen- dent on their school's mostB hated rival to BEN finish the job ESTES for them and elevate them to a place no Wolverine had been for more than a quarter of a century. It's a cruel fate, not being in control. Above all else, athletes crave the ability to settle matters themselves. They need to know that their See BEILEIN, Page 8A t BIG TEN =71\ AM* RALPH WILSON AND AL GOLDIS/AP The Michigan men's basketball team (top) finished the regular season in a tie for the Big Ten title with Ohio State (left) and Michigan State (right). Michigan wins first Big Ten title since'86 By LUKE PASCH State each came away with a Daily Sports Editors share of the Big Ten regular- L season title. With just a few ticks left After beating the Nittany against Michigan State on Sun- Lions earlier in the afternoon, day afternoon, Ohio State guard the Wolverines downplayed the William Buford dribbled right- significance of the Buckeye- to-left along the perimeter and Spartan matchup, noting that pulled up just inside the top of they did everything in their the arc for a last-second prayer. power and they couldn't worry He didn't get a good look at about what would happen. the basket, fading away with "I've got a five-page paper Spartan guard Keith Appling to write for tomorrow that I've in his face, but the shot was really got to start working on," pure. Buford, who was money senior guard Stu Douglass joked throughout the contest, found after the game. "I've got to find the bottom of the net to lift the my priorities, set them straight." Buckeyes to a 72-70 win over the But it was clear as soon as Spartans in East Lansing. Ohio State won what the title As the senior backpedaled meant to Michigan's players. with a nonchalant grin on his Senior guard and co-captain face, the team lounge at Michi- Zack Novak immediately took to gan's Player Development Cen- Twitter and typed out one word: ter in Ann Arbor erupted. The "Champs." Wolverines had just arrived "I think everybody was hold- home following their 71-65 vic- ing their breath - the room got tory at Penn State, and with quiet real quickly," said sopho- Buford's clutch bucket, Michi- more guard Tim Hardaway Jr. gan, Ohio State and Michigan See MICHIGAN, Page 7A ANN ARBOR PUBLIC [RANS|T City Council to decide on countywide transit plan BUS BACK TO REALITY Proposal would increase travel accessibility for students By TAYLOR WIZNER Daily StaffReporter An Ann Arbor City Council vote today to change the city's transit law and allow for the implementation of a county- wide transit system could make transportation for students in the Ann Arbor area more expansive and accessible. Last fall, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority created a financial task force composed of business lead- ers, public officials, Ann Arbor residents and community groups. The group worked for 18 months to form the 30-year mass transit plan, according to an AATA press release. The proposed plan will begin with a pilot five-year transit program with recommenda- tions from the task force. Such improvements and accessibil- * ity enhancements include bus replacements, local transit hubs, park and ride intercept lots and vanpool services. Councilmember Sabra Briere (D-Ward 1) said the group mas- tered most of what was needed to move forward with the mass transit system. "The financial task force was asked what they recommend for the first five years and then turn around and say how we are going to get there," Briere said. "They didn't quite achieve the last part, but they did achieve the first part, how many dol- lars they need over the first five years with 6 million a year." According to Briere, there was significant pressure from within the community to expand AATA's current ser- vices. In response to the input, AATA researched its legal scope of service and decided to make appropriate changes. "The (mass transit system) better fit the long-term goal for AATA of bus rapid transit," Bri- ere said. "An unincorporated board was formed that hired a firm, using grant dollars, to do the research." The mass transit plan grew out of the research conducted by the firm, the board and from information gathered during60 to 70 public meetings attended by more than 1,200 individuals, Briere said. Briere said that while AATA already provides free transpor- tation for students accessible, the changes include more fre- quent transportation that will allow more access around Ann See TRANSIT, Page 7A Students gather their luggage after returning to Ann Arbor using Air Bus services yesterday. ST AG Students unite with officials for medical amnesty Poijcy 'U RESEARCH Research team aids with strep throat treatment Discovery could kill bacteria resistant to antibiotics By JOSH QIAN Daily StaffReporter For students prone to viral infections, a group of Uni- versity researchers may have uncovered more effective treatment methods that avoid production of new, antibiotic- resistant bacteria. Specifically, the research team identified a collection of synthesized molecules from the University's Center for Chemical Genomics that might effectively treat Group A Streptococcus bacterial infection, commonly known as strep throat. The project, funded by the National Insti- tute of Health, the Innovation Partnership - an initiative of the University's Life Sciences Institute - and the How- ard Hughes Medical Insti- tute, could potentially help patients battling the illness in the future. The research team is co- headed by David Ginsburg, a professor of internal medi- cine and faculty member in the Life Sciences Institute, See TREATMENT, Page 7A State legislators, 'U' administrators share perspective on legislation By GIACOMO BOLOGNA Daily StaffReporter The implementation of a medi- cal amnesty program on cam- pus is taking on a two-pronged approach as University students commence discussions with Uni- versity administrators and state government leaders. A medical amnesty program at the University would prevent underage students who call for aid in cases of over-consumption of alcohol from receiving Minor in Possession of Alcohol citations. Proponents of medical amnesty believe the program will lead to fewer alcohol-related deaths and injuries and more calls for medi- cal attention. State Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) said he has been in con- tact with several students about this issue and is supportive of establishing a program at the University. "Ithink it's goingto save lives," Irwin said. "(It's) definitely going to make people more willing to come forward when they think that friend might be in trouble and might need some help." Though Irwin is not a spon- sor, he said he supports House Bill 4393, legislation that would amend the Michigan Liquor Con- trol Code of 1998 and implement a statewide medical amnesty program. Currently, the bill is on its third read and is waitingto be voted on by the state House. "It looks like it's goingto make it out of the house," Irwin said. "This idea has been around for a while. A number of other states (have medical amnesty) because it works." LSA junior Aditya Sathi, vice speaker of Central Student Gov- ernment's Student Assembly, introduced a passing resolution in January supporting a medical amnesty program. "(We're) coming at it from a top-down and a bottom-up approach," Sathi said. Currently, more than 800 Uni- versity students and faculty have signed an online petition in favor See POLICY, Page 7A WEATHER TOMORROW HI: 49 GOT A NEWS TIP? LO: 39 Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail news@michigandaily.com and let us know. NEW ON MICH1GANDAILY.COM Hear Me Out: Cheer for the rivals MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS/THE PODIUM INDEX NEW S.........................2A SUDO KU...................5A Vol. CXXiNo.101 OPINION.....................4A CLASSIFIEDS ...............6A C02TheMichiganDaily ARTS................ . 5A SPORTSMONDAY..........1B rrichigondaily. cam