Wednesday, July 23, 1997 - The Michigan Daily - 15 The Sporting Views: Allegations may be bad, but backcourt might be worse By Chris Farah Daily Sports Editor Did any money change hands? What about the cars? What about the birthday cakes? What about the boosters? So many technical questions are being tossed around about possible ethical improprieties of Steve Fisher and his program that one basic issue - in fact, the central issue - often seems to be forgotten. Basketball. College basketball - the simple love of the game itself - is, of course, whatq all this is really about. Or at least what it's suppsed to be about. There is, however, one problem with this obvious assumption: Even if Fisher and the Michigan men's basketball team weather the storm of controversy, there won't be much of a team remaining when the new season rolls around. Sanctions or no sanctions, the Michigan men's basketball team is not in a position to thrive next year. Michigan's starting five seems decep- tively promising at first glance. A front- court featuring Robert Traylor and Maceo Baston, and a backcourt consist- ing of Louis Bullock and Travis Conlan is nothing to be ashamed of. Then there's Jerod Ward. We just won't dwell on that. But aside from the starters, Michigan is in trouble. Particularly in the backcourt. The dismissal of Brndun Hughes not only leaves a lack of reliable backcourt substitutes, but it also effectively nulli- fies one of Michigan's surprisingly suc- cessful tactics of last year - the three- guard lineup., Who will take his place in the three- guard lineup, and who will come in for Bullock or Conlan when they inevitably tire? Ron Oliver? Oliver proved he could handle the rock - and increased minutes - com- petently last year, but he didn't prove much else. Often, he appeared timid with the ball, deferring to Bullock, Conlan or Hughes - which, as a walk- on, is exactly what he should have done. A leadership role, however, seems well beyond Oliver's current level of skill. One possible development involves a former Brigham Young guard. It is rumored that Robbie Reid could transfer to Michigan this year. Reid will still have two years of colle- giate eligibility remaining - but don't expect the problems of another Brandun Hughes. Reid is transferring from Brigham Young, not for disciplinary rea- sons, but because his father, Roger, was fired last year as the Brigham Young men's basketball coach. Reid would be a welcome addition to the Wolverines, but he's not a lock yet. Illinois is also recruiting him, Illinois men's basketball coach Lon Kruger said. Without the addition of Reid - and with the shallow bench Michigan will undoubtedly possess-good basketball, and not NCAA allegations, could quick- ly become Fisher's biggest worry. MichIgan guard Travis Conlan will have to deal with a lot of responsi- bility next year. A shallow back- court should keep Conlan on 1 the floor for longer stretches of time. SARA STILLMAN /Daily momm No matter how it's spelled, Michigan spikers get no respect from Big Ten By Shara* Raju Daily Sports Editor The preseason volleyball polls are in, and someone isn't altogether pleased - namely, Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi. The Big Ten coaches voted on where teams will finish after the upcoming volleyball season. Their choice: Penn tate in first ... and Michigan in sev- th place. "I think we'll finish higher than that" Giovanazzi said. "I think we'll go to the NCAA tournament this year. I would be surprised if we're not in the top four in the conference this year." Although he might have a somewhat biased opinion, Giovanazzi does have reason to believe that his team can per- form better than expected. "We have a good veteran group and we only lost one starter," Giovanazzi said. "I think we'll surprise some peo- ple." The Wolverines lost outside hitters Shareen Luze and Kristen Rushiensky to graduation, but their departure shouldn't hurt the team too much. The backbone of the team - middle blocker Sarah Jackson and setter Linnea Mendoza - still remains. Jackson, a senior, was selected by coaches to the preseason all-Big Ten team. "She's just a really consistent attack- er," Giovanazzi said. "She just plays the whole game very well. I think her con- sistency is what defines her. y J Jeanine { ~Szczesniak (left) and Sarah Jackson (right) will try to lead leyball team high- er than Its sev- enth-place pre- season predic- tion. Jackson was voted a presea- son all-Big Ten selection by the coaches. JOE WEsTRATEr/aly "But she'd be the first to tell you that she'd be nowhere without Linnea." Which leads to the other aspect of the preseason picks that Giovanazzi didn't care for too much ... "I think (Mendoza's omission) is glaring, to tell you the truth," Giovanazzi said. "She's one of the two premier setters in the conference." Last season Mendoza became the all- time Michigan assists leader, and she shows no signs of slowing down. "That battery of Linnea and Sarah is something we're really relying on for this upcoming season," Giovanazzi said. The campaign to disprove the polls begins Aug. 29 at the Washington Husky tournament. INTRAMURAL r SPORTS PROGRAM UPCOMING ACTIVITIES GOLF Entries Taken: until Weds 7/30 2:00pm IMSB (Main Office) Entry Fee: $15.00 per team (excluding Course Fee) Tee Times: 11:00am - 1:00pm [Two-person team scramble] Tournament Date: Friday August 1 at U of M Golf Course FALL TERM IM ACTIVITIES It is not too early to start planning for the 1997 Fall Term activities offered by the INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM! Soccer Softball Ice Hockey Team Tennis 3-on-3 Basketball Track & Field Golf - Two Person Scramble Tennis - Sgls & Dbls Pre-Season Flag Football Flag Football Walleyball Cross Country Run Wrestling Pre-Season Broomball Pre-Season Basketball OFFICIATING OPPORTUNITIES Officials will be needed throughout the Fall and Winter terms. If you are interested in sports and would like to earn some extra spending money, attend the clinics and become an IM Official! FALL TERM IM OFFICIATED SPORTS Soccer Softball Ice Hockey Pre-Season Flag Football Flag Football Pre-Season Broomball Pre-Season Basketball For Additional Information Contact: Intramural Sports Program IMSB 606 E. Hoover 763-3562 http:/Awww.recsports.umich.edu s > . g ;.: ?.