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PAUL SHERMAN/D
The Michigan football team needs one win to be bowl eligible. As for what happens after that would be anyone's guess.
they might be a good get for a
middling bowl.
Regardless of the record, bowl
officials know the Wolverines
could draw more fans than, say,
Iowa.
In terms of fan support,
New York is certainly a
popular holiday destination.
But watching a football game
in frigid weather with the
sightlines of Yankee Stadium
isn't allthat attractive.'
The Heart of Dallas Bowl:
Big Ten vs. Conference USA;
Dec.26:
Fun fact: In 1981, Michigan
played its first postseason game
ih the state of Texas. It beat
UCLA, 33-14, in the Bluebonnet
Bowl.
If the Wolverines accept a
bid to the Heart of Dallas Bowl,
it could face an intriguing
matchup against Marshall, one
of the nation's three remaining
undefeated programs.
But other than that, there's
nothing intrinsically exciting
about facing a Conference USA
team.
The Quick Lane Bowl: ACC
vs. Big Ten; Dec.26:'
The Wolverines have never
played a bowl game in Detroit.
And while it would almost
certainly feel like a home game
at Ford Field, many in-state
fans would be reluctant to
spend money and time watching
Michigan again - after all,
tickets have been readily
available for games at the Big
House all year.
The Quick Lane Bowl's
website already has a picture
of Devin Gardner on the home
page. The image is probably a
placeholder, but if it transpires,
at least it's a short drive.
Staying home:
With a win last Saturday, the
Wolverines clinched back-to-
back victories for the first time
all year. They'll likely need one
against Maryland to qualify for
the postseason, and that's no
small task.
The Terrapins have just three
losses: blowouts to Ohio State
and Wisconsin, and a narrow
defeat to West Virginia. They
also boast wins over Iowa and
an impressive road triumph over
Penn State.
If Michigan loses, fans will
be treated to an iteration of The
Game where the Wolverines
are fighting for any sort of
postseason berth, while the
Buckeyes continue to compete
for a spot in the very first College
Football Playoff.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Wolverines set for Detroit*
By MINH DOAN against her sister, Haleigh, who
Daily Sports Writer plays guard for the Titans.
Last season, the Wolverines
When the doors swing open for played Detroit on the road.
the first time at Crisler Center this Michigan went on a 11-2 run early
season, the stands will fill up, the in the first half and never looked
jumbotron will be turned back on, back, running away with a win.
and maize and blue jerseys will After a 6-24 season, Detroit
once again be seen on the court. is looking to bounce back from a
The Michigan women's season marred by injuries. The
basketball team will be back - Titans return guards Ellisha
and with some lofty expectations Crosby and Rosanna Reynolds,
- when it opens up its season - who both missed a significant
this weekend with games against portion of last season due to
Detroit Mercy and Bucknell. injury, with Reynolds playing in
For a programthathas lost only just three games.
one key starter and adds the No. But Detroit will be without
23 recruiting class in the nation, last year's team MVP in guard
expectations may be higher than Senee Shearer, who had a school-
they've ever been in Michigan record 97 3-pointers last season.
coach Kim Barnes Arico's three- But Crosby scored 17.5 points per
year tenure. game before her injury, and Titan
And it all begins Friday against coach Autumn Rademacher will
Detroit. rely on her once again for scoring.
Not only is it the season opener After Friday's bout, the
for both teams, it also gives Wolverines will get one day off
Michigan junior guard Madison before they hit the court again
Ristovski another matchun against Bucknell - the first
meeting between the two teams.
Bucknell went to the Women's
College Basketball Invitation
last season and returns Patriot
League Rookie of the Year
forward Claire DeBoer, who is
from Grosse Pointe and will be
playing in Michigan for the first
time in her NCAA career.
DeBoer led Bucknell in
rebounds last season and will
provide tough competition down
low for Michigan senior forwards
CyeshaGoreeandNicoleElmblad.
The Bison also return last
season's leadingscorer in forward
AudreyDotson,whowillcertainly
make it tough for the Michigan
forwards to operate inside.
But what the Wolverines lack
in size, they make up for with
their guard play.
While the first two games of the
season won't exactly determine
how Michigan does the rest of the
year, a good start could go a long
way in foreshadowing its fate this
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