6A - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Michigan Daily - michigandaily~o

fiA~~. ..ensa,.ac.4 01 h ihia al ...a..hiea.,n.. ailv..com .


Connections abound in Ohi

By DANIEL WASSERMAN
Daily Sports Writer
When Ohio's name popped up
on CBS's Selection Show in the
space below Michigan, Wolverine
fans came up with an abundance
of jokes surroundingthe irony of a
real Michigan-Ohio matchup.
Since Michigan football coach
Brady Hoke coined the term at
his introductory press confer-
ence, fans and even members of
the Wolverines' athletic depart-
ment - including Athletic Direc-
tor Dave Brandon and basketball
coach John Beilein - have delib-
erately left the "State" out of the
school's name.
It even prompted a comment
from Bobcat men's basketball
coach John Groce.
"It is kind of disrespectful, but
it is what it is," Groce told USA
Today in February. "You can't
control what other people say.
You can only control what you're
doing on a daily basis. That's how
we operate here."
But the connections between
the Michigan and Ohio basketball
programs run deeper than a jab at
the Wolverines' rival.
The two programs have many
links, but perhaps none more
important - strategically speak-
ing - than Michigan assistant
coach Bacari Alexander.
Alexander spent one season,
2007-2008, as a Bobcat assistant.
He left Athens, Ohio, when Groce
replaced former head coach Tim
O'Shea.
Though none of the current
players on Ohio's roster were in
college when O'Shea departed,
Alexander moved on to coach at
Western Michigan. For two years,
as MAC rivals, Alexander's Bron-
cos dropped two of their three
games against the Bobcats.
But the experience of going
head-to-head against Groce and
Ohio will give Alexander, who
will likely handle game-planning
duties leading up to Friday, a leg
up.
Alexander's link isn't the only
connection among Michigan's
staff. As a head coach at Rich-
mond, Beilein coached against
conference foe Xavier, where
Groce was serving as an assis-
tant under current Ohio State
coach That Matta - one of
Groce's mentors.
Groce is also a friend of Michi-

Freshman guard Trey Burke turned down Michigan's first-round opponent, Ohio, to play in Ann Arbor. He'll face several clos

gan assistant Jeff Meyer. Both are
graduates of Taylor University,
and despite graduating 22 years
apart, each played basketball for
Taylor coach Paul Patterson.
And Groce's connections to
Michigan don't stop there. Dur-
ing the one year Groce spent as
an assistant at Butler in 2001,
Wolverine assistant LaVall Jor-
dan was an all-conference senior
guard for the Bulldogs.
Some Michigan players are
familiar with current Bobcats,
too.
Senior guard Zack Novak
remains close friends with red-
shirt junior guard Walter Offutt.
Offutt, who transferred to Ohio
from Ohio State, was an AAU
teammate of Novak on the Indi-
ana Elite.
Novak stays in regular com-
munication with Offutt, and

moments after finding out his
tournament fate, he texted his
friend.
"I actually congratulated him
when they won (the MAC Cham-
pionship) the other day - sent
him a text saying, 'Way to get
in,'" Novak said. "I already have
texted him since it came up (on
the Selection Show). We talked a
little bit."
Their pleasantries Sunday
evening began on a light mat-
ter - exchanging jokes from the
movie Talladega Nights - but
then things got down to busi-
ness.
"(I) just told him congrats,"
Novak said. "Personally, for him,
he's been through a lot. He's
gone through two knee surger-
ies, so I was just happy for him
that he got to experience that. I
just said, 'See you in Nashville

and let's get after it.'"
Freshman point guard Trey
Burke, an Ohio native, was heav-
ily recruited by Ohio, and early
in his high school career, he con-
sidered becoming a Bobcat. He
took an unofficial visit to Ath-
ens, where he became acquaint-
ed with several current Ohio
players, including Nick Kellogg
- the son of basketball analyst
Clark Kellog - and the Bobcats'
best player, DJ Cooper.
"I was considering them early
on in my recruiting process,"
Burke said. "The players were
cool. ... It was a nice campus. It
was much smaller than here, but
the coaches were cool."
He's also close friends with
Bobcat freshman point guard
Stevie Taylor, dating back to
their elementary-school days.
The two battled on the same

C
c
T
{
c
t
T
f
t
c
t
t
r
f
J
t
c

) game O'Neill
hits slump
for Blue
By LIZ NAGLE
Daily Sports Writer
Ray Fisher Stadium echoed
with baseball game jargon on
Tuesday during practice.
"Hey, whad-
da ya got?" NOTEBOOK
yelled Michi-
gan coach Rich Maloney as he
pitched to freshman left fielder
Will Drake.
"Atta boy Zotty," someone
shouted as freshman outfielder
Zach Zott made strong contact.
"Way to hustle, Donnie," after
freshman outfielder Donnie
Eaton rounded the bases.
"Gotta git 'er done," said
Michigan volunteer coach
Wayne Welton, as he fed a ball
through the pitching machine to
a ready bunter.
The sun was nearly blinding,
but it only seemed to boost the
Wolverines' morale. Maloney
was grateful for the spring-like
weather, but he was even more
pleased with the team's improve-
ment and play.
Each sector of the team
seemed to be pulling its own
weight, to say the least. The
pitching staff has thrown a com-
ERIN KLRKLAND/ODiy bined 97 strikeouts, the fielders
e friends on Friday in Nashville. led the conference with 423 put-
outs and the batters led the Big
court together throughout high Ten with 29 doubles and 13 home
schools - sometimes as team- runs.
mates, and other times as rivals. Maloney is satisfied.
They competed against each But it appears sophomore
other several times in high right fielder .Michael O'Neill is
school, but on the AAU circuit, not. After his 10-game hitting
they were teammates on the All- streak was snapped against No.
Ohio Red team. 13 LSU last weekend, O'Neill
Taylor tweeted on Sunday hasn't recovered.
night that he and Burke had He went 2-for-16 in the tour-
already talked on the phone, nament and it still seemed to
and even Burke's mom, Ronda, be in his head. O'Neill looked
chimed in. defeated at practice, muttering
"You two knuckleheads can't under his breath after a less-
get away from each other, huh??" than-perfect at-bat.
she tweeted at Taylor. "It's going His head hunglow, but he gave
to be nice to see you both on the it another swing. Maybe Malo-
court." ney wanted to getO'Neill fired
"Needless to say there is a up and get him angry enough to
mutual respect with so much hit.
familiarity between all of us," "Take it," Maloney said. "Do
Jordan tweeted. "Our guys know your job."
they can PLAY & WE know they If O'Neill falls into a dry spell,
can coach!" the timing isn't the worst - the
Wolverines still have a handful
of non-conference games.
Michigan posts a 7-9 record -
not ideal, but manageable. And
734-418-4115 Maloney is not too concerned
with the weight of the recent
dailydisplay@gmail.com losses. Instead, he's looking for-
ward to the Big Ten matchups,
and remains hopeful for the vic-
tories that matter most.
ARBOR PROPERTIES. DISTINC- After a promising start to the
TIVE Award-Wming rentals in Kerry-sea
town, Central Campus, Old West Side, son, Michigan has had just
Burns Park. Now Renting for 2012. two wins in its last nine games.
734-994-3157. www.arborprops.com Something isn't clicking. Never-
theless, Maloney reflects on all
AVAILABLE FALL. STUDIOS, One the what ifs and what could've
& Two bedroom apartments loctaed been t t
on UM Campus. Call Michigan
Commercial Realty. 734-662-5500. He felt that the Wolverines
www.michcomrealty.com deserved to win three of the

four games against the Tigers
IAand Notre Dame, though they
only recorded one. Maloney
described the proximity for a
winning weekend as just "inches
ONE YEAR LEGAL internship posi- away."
tion available at Birmingham Michigan "There's hope," Maloney said.
law firm starting Aug. 2012. Perfect for "There's a lot of hope."
bighly motivated graduating senior. INJURIES WEAR FAIRLY
Email resume /cover letter/transcriptno
h.immigration.s@gmail.com for EXPENSIVE PRICETAG: Michi-
consideration. gan is still rehabilitating from
PART TIME & FULL TIME last season's bumps and bruises.
SEASONAL GRILL, BANQUET, Fifth-year senior right-hand-
BEER Cart Servers. Stonebridge Golf ers Kolby Wood and Travis
ClubAA. 734-429-8383. Smith are still recovering from a
PART TIME & FULL TIME bicep tendon injury and Tommy
SEASONAL PRO SHOP Staff. Johns surgery, respectively.
Stonebridge Golf ClubAA. Both of those occurrences
734-429-8303. plagued the Wolverines in Feb-
PART TIME GROUNDS MAINTE- ruary last year, and they've seen
NANCE CREW. Stonebridge Golf less than two innings of action
Club AA. Cult Jim 734-323-8790. since. But while healthy pitchers
STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM were recruited to fill the void,
Paid survey takers need in A2. other unexpected injuries arose.
100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys. Junior shortstop Derek Dennis
SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE! CAM suffered a thumb injury early
WAYNE FOR GIRLS -Children's this season and isn't expected to
summer camp, Pocono Mountains, return until May.
Pennsylvania 6/16-8/12. If you love "That really threw a wrench
children and want a caring, fun environ- to us," Maloney said,
ment we need Counselors, Instructors
and other staff for our summer camp. Dennis maybe prone to injury.
Interviews on UM campus March 21st. Or maybe it's just bad luck. Last
Select The Camp That Selects The Best.t.
Staff! Call 1.215.944.3069 or apply on- year, he saw lmited playnime
line at www.campwaynegirls.com after enduring an ankle injury in
the middle of the season.
WORK ON MACKINAC Island This Fortunately, freshman infield-
Summer - Make lifelong friends. The er Dylan Delaney stepped in.
Island House Hotel and Ryba's Fudge Though his .160 batting average
Shops are looking for help in all areas:
Front Desk, Bell Staff, Wait Staff, isn't ideal, Delaney has made
Sales Clerks, Kitchen, Baristas. Hous- consistent starts at shortstop and
ing, bonus, and discounted meals.(906) has already recorded 48 assists
847-7196. www.theistandhouse.com
this season.

0'

4

4

Email:
ANNOUNCEMENT
_ppAly
TODAY

RELEASE DATE- Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
ACROSS DOWN 31 'Rensen, 48 Put pn tB paper
1 Diamond-studded 1 Goodyear flier Reuben"actor 9E tntySoiet
tooth caps, e.g. 2 Crossbred big cat Tom leader
6 "High Voltage" 3 Parquetry design 32 Yet to be paid 50 Former Montana
band 4 Modernists, 33 Crabvariety copper-mining
10 Valence lead-in informally 34 Pear choice city
14 Smash over the 5 "I have had a 38 Mil. installations 51 Clothing rack
infield, say perfectly 40 Wrath, in a classic array
15"TherBig Sleep" wonderfui hymn 52 Vogue
genre evening, but mis 41 Checks carefully, 54 Hurdle for a jr.
16 Noanndyncity wasn't it'speaker as a contract 55 Cruise stopover
17 Arctin digs 6 Atress 4 akpmdu 6Ti ai
18 Refuse to grant, MacDowell 4 Backup medium 5 Trg ratio
as access 7 Either'True Grit 43 Prvisional h7 Csst--living stat
19 Big hike (2010) director ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
20 Standard of 8 "Correct answer!"
comparison sound T H A T U P CS A L L A N
23Be auinsky 9 Formal glamsware OAT H G I RBIL 5 E E T 0
24iComeropening? 10WhenJslieswCr H UR C H K E Y A M T 0 0
25 Saved towatch drinksthe potion K A B U L M L K 0 I L S
later 1113th-century M I C K E Y M A N T L E
27 Oldies refrain - gleobetrotter
syllable 12 One whoe N I B 0 L E S U 5
28 oone's woklaneisall E RI C A B C S T O L L S
homework,soto abuzz M I G H T Y A P H R O'D I T E
speak 13Printer's purchase O S S I E B R IG0 ADD A
30 Casserole morel 21 Piner's P L E A ESC E S T
31 Like anme kichen purchase
cainets 22 Add a little color F I E L D M A R S H A L
35ttupurl to L 0 H S I C E L 0HA N
36__closeto 26Calendarentries A N D O R E E K A M 0 U S E
schedule 27Cellosect. T I E U P I S I S P R I X
37'Enry's 'Ouse 28PowerCatsoccer T A R T S T E A K S L A T
38 Escape cleats,e.g.
39 Bad check letters 29 In_-of: replacing xwordeditor@aol.com 03/1412
40 Gov.woser s a s e 7 8 a 10 11 12 13
concernedwith
retun 14 15 16
44Asian feshial
45 Hi-spinners:Abbr. 17 1819
46 Convenient 20 z1l
connections
47 ighting words 242 2e
49 WWII USN carrier
50 Connon college 27 2 a iso
degs
53 Itinuddesavest 31 32 3 34 5
.and whalcan
e found in each 37 iS
set of circles in
the long answers
57 Nile queen, 4 4 4e
familiarly
58 PTA part: Abbr. a as 9 505152
59 tke a five-star
hotel5354 5 6
60 Hide from a
trapper 7 s 9
61 Spanish surrealist
tchip maker 61 62
63 Notbusy64 6
64 WWIIBritish gun
65"With Reagan" y .B
memoirist (e)22riune Media services, inc. 03/14/12

US - EPA will provide the owner of a
non-hybrid vehicle having a
manufacturer's PZEV sticker or badge
an incentive of $50 per day to leave
their vehicle at EPA's Ann Arbor test
facility while techs measure tailpipe
emissions. The testing may last up to
six weeks (test period could extend to
eight weeks). The vehicle will be
driven 300-400 miles, both over local
roads and in an indoor emission test
cell. Your vehicle will be returned
washed and with a full tank of
gasoline.
Contact URS Federal Services (EPA
contractor) at 734-214-4879 between 9
AM and 5 PM M-F for more
information or to participate in the
program. Please be ready t0provide
your vehicle's VIN #registration so
that URS may verify eligibility, The
offer is not open to employees of the
US-FEPA, 2500 Plymouth Rd or its
contractor, URS Federal Services.
!NORTH CAMPUS 1-2 Bdrm. !
! Riverfront/Heat/Water/Parking. !
! www.HRPAA.com 996-4992!
! STERLING 411 LOFTS - Reserve
now for 2012 (Spring or Fall). U-M's
IlEST housing sold out early for 2010
and 2011, reserve your space for 2012
today. Sign a lease on or before Febru-
ary 29, 2012 and play to win for one of
the following: $50, $100, $150, $200,
no money down until April 2012 or
FREE laundry for a year (value of
$312). 2 blocks from Central Campus
and downtown. i1to4 bedroom, private
baths available. Rates from $660.
734-998-4400 www.4elevenlofts.com
4 BEDROOM HOUSE Available fall.
827 Brookwood. Washer Dryer. 4 prkg
spaces $2300 + utils. 734-996-1991

PAL 2A012

close to U of M North Campus
affordabie rates
great location to everything
MICHSTUDENTHOUSING.COM
STERLING 411 LOFTS - Reserve
a summer only bed space at U-M's
Best housing. Leases will run from
April 30, 2012 - August 13, 2012. 2
blocks from Central Campusand down-
town. Private baths available. Rates
starting at $660.
734-998-440 www.4elevenlofts.com
WWW.800FULLER.COM
(734) 769-7520
1 & 2 bdrm., modern, clean, quiet
5 mm. walk. Free Wi-Fl.
AVAILABLE FALL, 6 bedroom
houses near central and north campus.
Call Michigan Realty at 734-662-5500
or www.michcomrealty.com
AVAILABLE FALL. FOUR and five
bedroom duplex in a quiet neighbor-
hood. Walk to football games and
Kroger. Call Michigan Commercial
Realty. 734-662-5500.
www.michcomrealty.com
MARCH ON IN TO THE BEST
LOCATION ON CAMPUS!
University Towers & The 2nd Floor
are righton Central Campus with
the Best amenities,
the Best service and the Best prices!
Call us for a tour today
734-761-2680
www.UniversityTowers-Ml.com

{A

?'*

A 4 A