S -ir The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Wednesday, February 13, 2013 - 7A WO MEN'S BASKETBAL Kim Barnes rico, breaker of streaks Still in cradle, lacrosse builds winning formula By DANIEL FELDMAN Daily Sports Writer The last time the Michigan women's basketball team played Michigan State, Feb. 4, the Wol- verines struggled, posting their second-lowest shooting percent- age from the field at 32.1 percent. While the men's basketball team has won three out of its last five games against the Spartans, the women's team cannot claim such success. In fact, the Wol- verines (7-4 Big Ten, 18-6 over- all) haven't won in EastLansing since Jan. 25, 2001 and haven't won at home against the Michi- gan State since Jan. 13, 2008. After falling 61-46 earlier this month, it was no surprise that a handful of postgame press con- ference questions circled around the lopsided rivarycthat has per- sisted over the past decade in favor of the Spartans. "Michigan State is a program that sets the bar, obviously, in the state of Michigan," said Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico. "They have a great fan base, a great following, a great program, a rich tradition and they win." The loss, which pushed Mich- igan's then-season-high losing streak to three games, revealed a lot about the Wolverines. For one, it showed the pres- sure and understanding sur- rounding the rivalry to Barnes Arico. "(Michigan State) is clearly the program that I look at and a program that's done a tremen- dous job in our state, and you know, that's something we're strivin "At m (was) about. ing in times, impor For ing te streak them, ated w On: and St cut's streak Harry Ti .1 sta In a just ti the H explai so mu adapte "Yo people ments how i Barne really. state, t one. F senior they c where cantly g for," Barnes Arico said. and the culture of the program y press conference, that has dramatically changed." something we talked Following the loss to Michi- We've lost to them (com- gan State, the Wolverines have to the season) 11 straight won two straight games, includ- and this is really an ing a signature 67-56 victory tant game for us." against then-No. 13 Purdue in the first-year coach, fac- West Lafayette. sams with long winning Another streak snapped: s and ultimately stopping Michigan hadn't beaten the is something she is associ- Boilermakers at Mackey Arena pith. since Feb. 8,1998. Feb.18, 2012, BarnesArico "We just got back to play- . John's halted Connecti- ing together and more as a 99-game home winning unit," said senior forward Kate with a 57-56 victory atthe Thompson. "We had everybody A. Gampel Pavilion. playing at their best and contrib- uting." The win marked the Wolver- ines' first victory over a ranked rying to top opponent this season as well, and in the long run, especially the state's in consideration for NCAA seed- ing, it could mean a lot. .ndard setter ""tthink it is a tremendous win for us," Barnes Arico said. "I think it is a great win, in terms of the NCAA Tournament too. This is like a super-quality win. Peo- ddition, St. John's became pie don't come in here and win at he fifth team to win at Purdue. Forustobe ableto come uskies since 1993, which in here and do that, especially ns why Barnes Arico puts after beating Illinois, and follow ich stress on her newly it up with this win, it says a lot d in-state rivalry. about our program and where ur first day on the job and we are now. I think it is a great are making these state- win, it is a ,quality win - it is an it made me appreciate NCAA win for sure." mportant this rivalry is," For Michigan to have the s Arico said. "I think it's chance to make history against important to the kids, the Michigan State on Saturday, :he community, just every- such consistent play will be nec- or our program and our essary. And for the Wolverines s, and our program when to continue their:positioning for same in, to where it was to the NCAA and Big Ten Tourna- it is now, we have signifi- ment, another streak must be significantly improved snapped. Young Wolverines taking lumps now, but youth creates strong foundation By DERICK HUTCHINSON For The Daily In just its second year as a varsity program, the Michigan lacrosse team started the regular season with an 11-6 loss at home to No.15 Penn State on Saturday. The Wolverines (0"1) lost to the Nittany Lions (1-0) for the second straight year, but there's no panic in the Michigan locker room. For a team that won just one game in its first season, the Wolverines know that this is just a part of the progression. "You have a year when you have trouble getting close, then a year when you learn to get it close, then you start learning how to win the close ones," said Michi- gan coach John Paul after the loss to Penn State. Paul knows a thing or two about making a transition. After coaching Michigan's club lacrosse team for14 years, Paulis in charge of turning one of the most domi- nant club teams in the country into a Division-I contender. On paper, last year's record might not have impressed many fans, but the team did begin to develop the culture necessary for success in college athletics. "If I had to point out one strength of this team and last year's team, it's that we never quit working," Paul said. "I like the resolve in the locker room, the BULLIED From Page 8A 0 ry - he's not himself - we were just looking for some type of energy to replace him right now. Mitch had some bad turnovers but he'll improve on it." " Perhaps most concerning for Michigan, though, is that McGary wasn't the only big man with a rough game Tuesday night. It wasn't just him; nobody else was ready either. As a unit, the Wolverines took a pounding from the Spartan for- wards and centers, routinely get- ting out-muscled and out-worked in the post. At the end of the first half, Michigan State had a 38-24 lead and had outscored Michigan, 24-8, in the paint. The Spartan frontcourt had scored 24 points and missed only three shots, while the Wolverine big men had scored just seven. The game was basically over at that point - Michigan's deficit continued to grow as its forwards and centers continued to get outplayed. By the end of the game, Michi- gan State's frontcourt scored 28 points, compared to eight for the Wolverines. The two backup cen- ters, Horford and Morgan, com- bined for only one point off the bench. The matchup of the night was guys were upset (after the loss), but there was a lot of talk about getting back to work the next day." The players were frustrated after their loss to Penn State, but they remain hungry to prove themselves against top-notch opponents. "With the program Michigan is trying to build, you want to play the best," said senior cap- tain Thomas Paras on Saturday. "We're not shying away from anyone; it's only going to make us better." Paras noted that with quality opponents like Penn State, Loyola (Md.), Ohio State and Denver on the schedule in just its second year, Michigan is already on the right track. Despite the inconsistencies Saturday, Michigan showed signs of the team that Paras and Paul are expecting in the future. It held Penn State to one goal in both the first and fourth quarters and ripped off three straight goals of its own near the end of the game. Michigan's coach, however, is not settling for moral victories. "I hate even saying, 'We kept it close,' "Paul said. "It doesn't mat- ter, you could lose by 20 or one, you still lost. We have to learn to finish games out - that's the first step." One of the reasons for the early inconsistency could be the abun- dance of youth. Freshmen and sophomores make up more than 60 percent of the roster. On the other hand, the youth is also cause for excitement around the program going forward. Freshman midfielder Kyle Jack- son burst onto the scene in his debut Saturday with two goals and an assist on Penn State's Aus- tin Kaut - one of the top goalies in the country. Jackson is one of the reasons Paul hasn't lost hope in an offense that struggled to score in the season opener. "Kyle is always going to make things happen," Paul said. "He's so good and so confident that he's going to create opportunities for. us." Freshman goalie Gerald Logan has also impressed his coaches and teammates. Aside from his performance on the field - like his 19-save per- formance against Penn State - teammates also say he has a great work ethic that is common to the rest of his class. "Gerry is always trying to get shot on during the middle of the day, calling us during class to see if we want to go shoot on him," Paras said. "Not only are (the freshmen) really talented players, but they are some of the hardest workers on the team." Added Paras: "He has poten- tial to be one of the greatest goalies in the country in a few years." Logan's work ethic and natu- ral ability have won over team- mates, coaches and fans around the Michigan program. Michigan's next test will be on Feb. 16 at Bellarmine. Playing with such a young team on the road might seem like a difficult task, but Paul isn't worried. "With a young team, in some ways it's easier," Paul said. "There really are no distrac- tions. Not having gone on the road in this way, it's a huge deal for them. They'll be focused." PATRICK BARRON/Daily Senior A.J. Treais (left) and the forwards haven'tforechecked well, creating workfor defensemen likejunior Mac Bennett. Beorenson: clean up forecheck Freshman forward Mitch McGary couldn't match the Spartans in the paint. Nix vs: whoever was trying to guard him. He finished the night with 14 points and didn't miss a shot until just under two minutes in the first half. His game wasn't flashy either - Nix is listed at 270 pounds and used every ounce of it to get positioning in the post against his Michigan counter- part. He made hook shots, fin- ished on spin moves and made a tip in off what looked like a vol- leyball tip. "He's a bigbody," Morgan said. "He just has a way of getting him- self deep in the paint, you can't let him get deep in the paint because he's got a good touch around the rim." It's hard to blame Morgan, because even though he said after the game that he felt good enough to play, without restrictions, Beilein disagreed and said his big man wasn't 100 percent. It's hard to blame McGary, because the Breslin Center is as tough as an arena there is to play in the country, especially against a very talented Spartan front- court. It's hard to blame anyone, and maybe that was the biggest prob- lem. If a whole unit falters, is it fair to blame each individual cog? After the game, Morgan slumped against a wall, his 6-foot- 8 frame shrinking into the con- crete below him. He was visibly frustrated and upset, almost in disbelief of what had just trans- pired in East Lansing. Looking down at the ground, he shook his head and muttered what could be the answer. "I don't think we were pre- pared for what they brought tonight." Despite changing didn't perform well. approaches, 'M' The Wolverines won fewer faceoffs than the Fighting Irish can't keep puck in in both games of last weekend, and of those, even fewer came in opposing zone the opposingzone. OnFridaythe Wolverines won just 29 faceoffs compared to Notre Dame's 35, By GREG GARNO while posting improved numbers Daily Sports Writer on Saturday, winning 35 faceoffs compared to their opponent's 36. The Michigan hockey team However, the forecheck isn't has a list of chores to finish this always applicable every time the week. puck is in the other zone, like It's a simple list, according to during a line shift. But an effi- Michigan coach Red Berenson, cient and consistent forecheck consisting of five items high- can help keep pressure off of an lighted by defensive-zone cover- ailing defense and inexperienced age, after the Wolverines were goaltenders. swept by No. 12 Notre Dame. But While faceoffs can bean indi- among the important issues is cator, the matter can be primar- Michigan's struggling forecheck. ily subjective. Berenson wasn't It's nearly impossible to quan- pleased with the performance tify how efficient a forecheck over the weekend and in recent is during a game, as turnovers weekends. aren't necessarily an indicator "There's afew times where we of the forecheck alone. Goals had a decent forecheck, but not a allowed don't solely fall on the compellingforecheck,"Berenson forward's forecheck, either. said. "A good forecheck keeps So how can you measure the them in their own zone and cre- forecheck? According to Beren- ates turnovers, and I diin't think son, it's assimple as faceoffs. we did that." "One indicator of the game is, The last time Michigan's fore- look at the faceoffs," Berenson check was noticeable and com- said. "If you see that we've got pelling in Berenson's eyes was twice as many faceoffs that we Jan. 18-19 in its series against took in our zone than their zone, Lake Superior State. In that then there's a pretty good indica- series, the Wolverines jumped tion that's where the game was out to early leads on both nights, played." overwhelming the defense and And if you base the forecheck forcing the Lakers to play at a off of faceoffs, then Michigan faster pace. But against Notre Dame, the Wolverines looked more relaxed, waiting in their own zone for the potent offense to attack. "(Our) forecheck kind of fell apart this weekend (against Notre Dame)," said senior for- ward A.J. Treais. "We've been trying out new systems ... but we tried a new forecheck against Lake (Superior) State, and ever since then it's been hit or miss." So, who is left to take charge and lead the forecheck to get a head start on the chores? Certainly, the older, more experienced forwards can take charge and use their physicality to help outtheir defense. But the forecheck is one of mahy interrelated parts that depend on simple playsBerenson says, like timing passes. "A little bit of (making plays) is experience," Berenson said.. "Some of it is just hoping, you're hoping and you're taking too many chances. Then, the other part is you're playing from behind. When you start playing from behind you take chances." Now, the bye week allows the Wolverines to focus on the chore of forechecking stronger. It will help the forecheck when Michi- gan takes on Ohio State - the 45th-ranked team nationally in goals scored - next weekend. Unless the forecheck improves, the Wolverines will have an even longer list of chores in their remaining weeks.