8- Tuesday, November 18, 2014 The Michigan Daily -- michigandaily.cam 8 - Tuesday, November18, 2014 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom MEN'S BASKETBALL 'M' rolls Bucknell behind quick start Bielfeldt leads way in win By SIMON KAUFMAN Daily Sports Writer If the Hillsdale game was the subpar appetizer required before the good stuff comes out, then the Michigan men's basketball team's game against Bucknell on Monday night was the bottomless breadsticks, entree and dessert all at once. The Wolverines took no time digging in against the Bison, devouring them, 77-53. Unlike the first regular-season game against the Chargers, in which the offense struggled to find a rhythm early on, Michigan didn't wait long to satisfy its appetite against Bucknell, scoring the first 10 points of the game. "Last game, losing the first four-minute war, we wanted to come out (tonight) and make the first punch,notplay frombehind," said sophomore guard Derrick Walton Jr. "So before the game, we talked amongst ourselves and made it a personal goal to just win the first four minutes." Redshirt freshman Mark Donnal started the game for the Wolverines at the '5,' but Michigan coach John Beilein opted to sub in senior forward Max Bielfeldt just three minutes into the first half. Beilein said Bielfeldt had a great practice on Sunday, so he decided the senior would be the first big man off the bench against Bucknell. And Bielfeldt didn't disappoint. In his first four minutes on the floor, he knocked down two 3-pointers; the first from straightaway, and when junior guard Spike Albrecht drove baseline and drew Bielfeldt's defender away, Albrecht dished a pass to Bielfeldt setting the big man up for an easy dunk. Bielfeldt finished the game with 18 points. His previous career-high was four. "I got in a rhythm and that's beenone ofthekeys,"Bielfeldtsaid. "I haven't quite gotten in a rhythm most of my career, and when I got there they set (me) at the top of the key, and the opportunity was there and I took it." Bielfeldt, who missed Michigan's summer activities due to hip surgery, said his body is "feeling better than it has all of college." Noticeably absent from the scoring feast was junior guard Caris LeVert, who scored just two points in the first half - both on free throws - and was 0-for-4 from the floor. The preseason All- Big Ten selection didn't knock down a shot from the field until the 11:45 mark in the second half and finished with just six points. Despite not being able to find his shooting rhythm, LeVert was able to find teammates who had the hot hand, collectingsix assists on the night - all in the first half. Sophomore forward Zak Irvin went 6-of-8 shooting in the first half, draining three shots from deep for 16 points in the first frame to help Michigan carry a 48-19 lead into the locker room. Irvin finished the game with 23 points, leading all scorers. Walton Jr. also picked up slack for LeVert. He went 5-of-9 from the field, finishing with 15 points. The sophomore also collected eight boards for the Wolverines. On the defensive end, Michigan's help-side defense stymied the Bison in the first frame, forcing them to rely on outside shooting. Bucknell shot just 7-of-22 from the field in the half and 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. In the second half, the Bison knocked down four 3-pointers in a four-minute span, forcing Beilein to call a timeout so his team could regroup. And it was enough to hold off the late scoringsurge. By JAKE LOURIM Daily Sports Editor It all started with Max Bielfeldt getting into the game, which he had done 38 times in his career. But then he knocked down a 3-pointer, which he has done just three times in nine attempts. Then he hit another, and he was in previously uncharted territory. He wasn't done there, though. Bielfeldt entered with 38 career points - only one per game. He had scored more than one-third of that in the first half and had finished with 18 points Monday night in the Wolverines' 77-53 win over Bucknell. And then he led the fight song in the locker room after the game for what he recalled was his first time. "I'm happy for Moose," said sophomore guard Derrick Walton Jr. "He does that every day in practice, believe it or not. He gives us problems every day, on the scout teamsometimes. For him to be able to hit those shots that he hits in practice in the game, I'm really happy for him." Though Michigan won comfortably - and likely still would have without the career night from its unheralded center - Bielfeldt provided an immediate spark. The .I 4 Senior center Max Blelfeldt had scored 38 career points in 38 games, but Monday, he scored 18 off the bench. along the baseline and drew a double team, then dished to Bielfeldt under the basket for an easy dunk. But he still wasn't done. He came back in with 4:54 left in the first half and scored five points Wolverines before the end already led of the half, 7-0 when he "He's virtually totaling more entered at the than one point 17:01 mark been a m anchild per minute in in the first the first frame half. But then playing w ith - best on the he hit two team. 3-pointers, our guys. At the break, helping the Wolverines to combat were ahead seven quick comfortably, Bucknellpoints.Atthat point,the 48-19, and his career-best senior already had a career-high performance was securely in in points, besting his previous hand. mark of four. But Bielfeldt still wasn't done. Just 90 seconds later, junior He returned from the bench guard Spike Albrecht dribbled just 1:24 into the second half, and before the first media timeout, he swished another 3-pointer. An April hip surgery prevented Bielfeldt from playing in the team's summer trip to Europe. Then, the team made the decision to reclassify him from A redshirt junior to a senior, making this his last year of eligibility. Until Monday, he was largely an afterthought in the competitionfor playingtime. He wasn't even in shape to do sprints until about eight days ago, according to Beilein. He didn't play at all in Saturday's game against Hillsdale and gave Beilein the OK to allow freshman big men Ricky Doyle and D.J. Wilson more minutes. "And then the last couple days of practice, he's virtually been a manchild playing with our guys," Beilein said. The Bielfeldt-led scout team outplayed the first team in practice Sunday, and the senior became the first big man off the bench. In the grand scheme, the competition could be more open now. "We'll wait and see how it plays out," Beilein said. "I won't be making any knee-jerk (reactions), but I would assume he'd be in the game against Detroit." One last time, Bielfeldt came into the game, with 5:19 left and a 24-point lead - when he usually enters for the first time. Immediately, Walton fed him again, just as his teammates had all night. Then he was finally done for the night. But in terms of this season? Don't be so sure. "It's a long season ahead of us, lot of games. I don't want that to be the highlight." 4 I FOOTBALL RECRUITING Crucial week for recruits Clark dismissed from program after arrest By JUSTIN STERN Daily Sports Writer As Michigan football looks ahead to its final two games, many recruits are also eyeing the program's final push, as they weigh their options for next season. Michigan has already seen three players decommit this season and any coaching change could further put the 2015 recruiting class in jeopardy. Here is a wrap-up of how the remaining recruits performed last weekend. Chris Clark, tight end: Avon Old Farms (Conn.) at Choate Rosemary Hall (Conn.); Rank- ing: ESPN (111) Scout (23) In its firstgame without Clark, the Avon Old Farms season came to anend, asitwasdefeated49-20 in the playoffs. Last week, Clark injured his medial collateral liga- ment in his team's final regular season game. However, he noted, surgery will not be needed. Now Clark must focus on two important tasks duringthe offsea- son. He must physically prepare himself for college-level football, as well as choose which school he will attend. Clark has been com- mitted to Michigan since June 2014, but has scheduled official visits at other schools, including North Carolina, Southern Califor- nia and Texas. Brian Cole, athlete: Saginaw Heritage (Mich.); Ranking: ESPN (142) Scout (39) Saginaw Heritage finished its season on Oct. 24 with a 2-7 record. Many have become speculative over Cole's commitment due to quotes in the last few months. According to Rivais.com's Mike Farrell, Cole has not planned an official visit to Ann Arbor and writes, "At this point, it is very unlikely that he sticks with Michigan. And to make things worse, if the visit situation works out for the Buckeyes, there is a solid chance he may end up in Columbus." Michael Weber, running back: Cass Tech (Mich.) vs Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (Mich.); Ranking: ESPN (169) Scout (99) During a week of Big Ten college football that was highlighted by Melvin Gordon's record-breaking 408-yard game, Weber produced similar stats, rushing for 404 yards and five touchdowns on 32 carries. Cass Tech reached the semifinals of the playoffs with a 48-35 victory over Clinton Township Chippewa Valley. The Technicians will face Saline on Saturday for a chance to reach the state finals, By ALEXA DETTELBACH Daily Sports Editor As the saying goes, when it rains it pours, and the Michigan football team has put that on full display throughout this year's never-ending campaign. Before the team's second bye week, there was little that could drag the Wolverines down further. But the arrest of senior defensive end Frank Clark for alleged domestic abuse Saturday and his subsequent dismissal from the team by coach Brady Hoke on Monday managed to do that. "Frank Clark has been dismissed for violating team rules from the Michigan football program,"Hokesaidinastatement released Monday morning. "This "The harsh reality of it is I did the right thing today," Hoke said. "Domestic abuse is tragic and it's tragic on a national scale. It's tragic in our society and we all need to do something about it. "It's a message I send strongly to our football team, what we (do) and how we will handle ourselves with women." Clark appeared in Sandusky Municipal Court Monday at 10:30 a.m. via teleconference where he pled not guilty to domestic violence charges. He was released on bail shortly after. "(Hoke) has expectations for everyone on this team and if you don't follow them, if rules are broken, stuff will happen," said senior middle linebacker Jake Ryan. "He has talked about domestic violence with us, that's one ofthe things you can't do. And it's unfortunate this happened." On the field, Clark's position will be filled by junior defensive end Mario Ojemudia with sophomore Taco Charlton moving over to back him. Redshirt freshman Henry Poggi will move behind senior Brennen Beyer on the'strong side. All of those moving players received high praise from Hoke and Mattison as both coaches feel the position is in good hands. Moving forward, Clark's tale will be one in a long list of controversies that has filled the 2014 season. "It's pretty amazing so many things keep coming up," said fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner. "But it's preparing us to deal with stuff in life. You're going to have a lot of adversity. Things are going to come that you don't expect. "And (there's) a lot of things we've dealt with it and I think that we've dealt with it well. We need to continue to stay grounded and continue to work. That's what you're going to have to do as a citizen in the world and that's what we're learning to do right now." is a tragic situationOur student- TT I AG AZ71NTE 1ACS athletes will be held accountable when their actions fail to meet the standard we have at Michigan. There is a legal process that will occur and we respect that process." FASH~ N SEAKSHoke stood by the statement Monday during his weekly meet- ing with the media when he said he found out about the incident Sunday morning. Once he learned all the surrounding information was legitimate there wasn't much of a decision to make on Clark. MARLY GRAUBARD LINDSEY KILBRIDE "What was reported ... is oxecuti'e Director of Fashion and I/ead of Sales at frnInk Club, lies unacceptable," Hoke said. "It is Beanty at 14 I Jagazine Outfitters not what we want here associated with our program. ... I have told MATTHEW GUTHARTZ theguysfromdayonethatitwon't Presid/ent of Stcev'en lladden L.1d. be tolerated in this program." Added defensive coordinator CELESTE NORTHERN JAIME SZTOSER Greg Mattison: "They're young kids that make mistakes. ... Do I Detail events Assistant lanager at Fashion liedia Staffing lianager a condone it? No, I'm disappoint- IDa/id lartan ( /hone Personal i/c. ed. I've never been more disap- pointed. But am I alwavs there for Noc 18th Rackh am Amphitheatre Speakers begin prompthj at 5: 1.5 g I pUILU .U lllt4WyLliLU them? Yeah, we always are and that's the way we'll always be." Hoke said the subject of domes- tic violence is discussed multiple times a year with his team and as a husband with a daughter and two sisters, the issue hit home with the fourth-year coach. Senior Frank Clark will miss Michigan's final two games after his dismissal.