SERVING UP ACES Living up to its undefeated regular-season record, the Michigan women's tennis team Wednesday won the Big Ten championship. See page 17. S PMay 7, 1997 16 Traylor plans for NBA, changes mind two days later By Mark Snyder Daily Sports lEditor The biggest man on the Michigan basketball team almost made the biggest decision of his life. One month after the season ended, Michigan sophomore Robert Traylor decided Wednesday of last week that it was time to declare himself for the NBA Draft. Then, Friday morning - the day of the scheduled announcement - he changed his mind. Traylor canceled the press confer- ence, which was slated to take place at his alma mater, Detroit Murray-Wright High School, and decided to return to Michigan next year. "He thought it would be in his best interests to stay in school," Murray-Wright athletic director Robert Glenn said. One of Traylor's coaches at Murray- Wright, Earl Moore, said he didn't know about Traylor the decision until Thursday and immediately wanted more details. "I was trying to see why he wanted to go to the NBA," Moore said. One possible reason for Traylor's departure could have been the intense scrutiny he is under for possible NCAA violations. Moore said the pressure may have played a role, but he wasn't sure. Because Traylor recently finished his second year at Michigan, Moore emphasized academics when he dis- cussed the future with Traylor. "I told him he's not too far away from getting his degree," Moore said. "So another year wouldn't hurt." For Traylor, whose 6-foot-8, 300- pound frame is one of the largest in the nation, the prospect of another year will most likely improve his draft sta- tus. "He would go in a higher round if he stayed another year," Moore said. "Everybody would like to play in the NBA." The instant Traylor canceled his press conference, the prospects of the Michigan basketball team improved dramatically. This past season, Traylor and junior forward Maurice Taylor (who declared for the draft April Ill) accounted for the bulk of the production of Michigan's front line. The two forwards combined for 34 percent of Michigan's scoring and 38 percent of the team's output on th boards, so the prospect of losing both players to the NBA would have been a huge blow to the Wolverines. Traylor, who started all 35 games for Michigan, was one of the most consis- tent Wolverines last season. He averaged 13.1 points and a team- leading 7.7 rebounds per game while guiding Michigan to the NIT Championship. Traylor also was named the tournament's Most Valuable Plaver 'M' baseball remains in first with one weekend to play By Kevin Kasiborski Daily Sports Writer LANSING - Ray Fisher Stadium will be no place for a nervous person this weekend, as the Michigan baseball team will battle Ohio State in four games to close the regular season. At stake - the Big Ten title. The first-place Wolverines took three of four games from Michigan State this past weekend, raising their Big Ten record to 15-7. That gives a lead by mere percentage points over second-place Ohio State (16-8). The Buckeyes won three of four over Penn State last week- end. The Big Ten champion hosts the top four conference teams in the Big Ten tournament. But while only Michigan or Ohio State can finish first, neither has clinched a playoff berth. Third-place Purdue (17-1 1) holds the' tiebreaker over Illinois (17-11), and both teams are finished with regular season play. The Boilermakers are the only team guaranteed to be in the tournament. Minnesota (12-9) is currently fifth, but the Gophers host ninth-place Northwestern (8-15) this weekend, which will probably translate into a few wins for the Gophers. If Minnesota wins three of four over the Wildcats, a sweep by either Michigan or Ohio State would knock the other team into fifth, and out of the playoffs. If Minnesota sweeps, and either the Wolverines or Buckeyes witl only one game this weekend, that team is eliminated. Confused? All the scenarios boil down to one simple fact for the Wolverines - two wins or better this weekend and they are Big Ten champs. "Anytime you can play the team that is in second place, and you control your own destiny, that is what you want:' Michigan coach Geoff Zahn said. "What I tell our guys, this is the time you are going to remember for the rest of your lives." The Buckeyes are a formidable oppo- nent. They have a 36-14 overall record and are ranked No. 22 in the USA Today poll. Leftfielder Jason Trott is leading the conference with a .424 batting aver- age. First baseman Dan Seimetz leads See BASEBALL, Page 19 120x . Unverity. StL20 W10 1220 $. University, $te.208 Above McDonald's Ann Arbor TeL : 313-998-0200 JOE WESTRATE/Daily Behind Derek Besco, the Michigan baseball team has maintained its first-place standing in the Big Ten after taking three of four from Michigan State. Holmes leads softball charge to Iowa City By B.J. Luria Daily Sports Writer In any other year, the Big Ten softball race would have been a dogfight. But this is not just any year. For the first time in the histo- Up next ry of Big Ten What: Big Ten conference play. softball champi- one team has fin- onship ished the season Who: Michigan. u n d e fe a ted. Michigan State. Un fortunately Iowa and Purdue for the Michigan When: Friday and softball team, the Saturday glory goes to Where: Iowa City lowa. Micligan (18-4 BigTen, 48-13-1 over- all) has won 13 straight games in the Big Ten and enters the conference tourna- ment this weekend in Iowa City. Michigan has been successful over the last three weeks of the Big Ten season sweeping Minnesota, Michigan State Indiana and Ohio State. Michigan's last loss came at Northwestern on April 13. The outstanding pitching of senior Kelly Holmes allowed Michigan to take second place in the Big Ten, behind only lowa's undefeated mark. "We think that we've had one of our best Big Ten seasons," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "We lost our pre- mier player - Sara Griffin. And our team regrouped, found it's new identit4 and found a new leader in Kelly HolmeaA See SOFTBALL, Page 19 -a4i i o :