Page 6-The Michigan Daily - Sports Monday - January 21, 1991 BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK Deja vu all over Wisconsin choke by Phil Green Naily Basketball Writer MADISON - They might not share the fame of Duke's "Cam- bron Crazies", but "Buckey's Bleacher Creatures" own a unique reputation of their own. Even though Wisconsin's students weren't back from winter break, Wisconsin Fieldhouse was sold out and jumping with excitement. Throughout the game, the students rocked with the pep band songs made famous during Madison's football "Fifth Quar- ters." The Budweiser theme song and "On Wisconsin," among others, frequently erupted from the stands. Their excitement also found its way into jeers of the Wolverines. The crowd greeted Michigan forward Chris Seter with the obligatory cut downs of his hair - no pun intended. After Michigan's Eric Riley and ,Freddie Hunter each fouled out, the creatures helped direct them toward the bench. "RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT ... SIT DOWN YOU BUM," echoed through the "building. "SIT DOWN SCRUBS," the crowd repeatedly bellowed to the 'standing Wolverine bench during overtime. However, once Michigan took the lead, the fouled-out "scrub" Riley retaliated with a loud ovation in the fans' direction. DEJA VU: No, the concluding moments of Saturday's game did not remind Michigan coach Steve Fisher of Rumeal Robinson's free throws during the 1989 National Championship in Seattle. Instead, he thought back to his high school days in Herrin, IL. "We got beat by Metropolis, JL, in the super sectionals in the same way," Fisher reminisced. "We were one point ahead and got beat by one." At Wisconsin Fieldhouse earlier in Michigan's National Championship season, Robinson faced a situation similar to Larry Hisle's. Robinson also missed, and the Badgers defeated Michigan, 71-68. GULF: Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney issued a press release announcing the conference's concern over the situation. "With respect to this serious matter, the conference encourages open communication anr understanding among and between the students, faculty and administration on each of our campuses," the release read. The Big Ten plans to continue its regular schedule. B-SCHOOL BOUND?: Chris Seter didn't accompany the team to Wisconsin Fieldhouse. He arrived on his own, following the completion of the GMAT exam- inations. Mike Griffin, the last Wolve- rine to attend business school, now averages 40 points per game in Japan. Could the 6-9 Brookfield, Wi. native repeat this transition as well? ARE THESE WORTH 10 CENTS ALSO?: Recycling buckets are scattered throughout Wisconsin Fieldhouse - but not for aluminum cans. Instead, the athletic department recycles the plastic soft drink cups distributed at athletic events. Seter Who knows, maybe Hisle will sink two last second free throws in Indianapolis to give the Badgers the national title. Then again ... DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN: February 22 last year, Hisle experienced a similar game ending circumstance in Minneapolis against the Golden Gophers. The Badgers trailed by two with no time remaining. He connected on the first shot, but his second wouldn't fall. After that miss, his teammates rushed the floor in consolation. Saturday, they went for a different approach. They gave him some time to himself. NOT QUITE DEJA VU: Last week in Michigan's 79-78 loss against Iowa, forward James Voskuil attempted a three-point basket during the game's closing moments only to see it carom away. Saturday, he took the opportunity to redeem himself. With less than one minute remaining, and the Wolverines trailing, 66-64, he hoisted a three- pointer up from the right side. NOW TO THE PERSIAN JOSE JUAREZIDair Michigan celebrates Saturday's victory as Wisconsin sophomore Larry Hisle Jr. misses two free throws off a Michael Talley foul that would have given Wisconsin the victory or have sent the game into a second overtime. Missed practice causes lineup changes by Theodore Cox Daily Basketball Writer MADISON - The biggest surprise in Michigan's 69-68, victory was the starting line-up coach Steve Fisher used. In Fisher's sixth different starting line-up this year, he put in Tony Tolbert, Freddie Hunter, James Voskuil, Demetrius Calip, and Michael Talley. Tolbert had been used sparingly as of late, and Hunter played in his first game only a week ago. Voskuil was the tallest player for Michigan at 6-foot-7, the rest of the squad was 6-5 or less. This change left regular starters Eric Riley and Kirk Taylor on the bench. Neither was hurt, so what was the problem? Well, it seems Fisher moved up a Friday practice time from 3:15 to 2:30. Apparently Sam Mitchell, Taylor and Riley missed the mes- sage and subsequently were late. Fisher decided to use their error to chew out his team, which had been playing horribly. "It wasn't a major issue, but I made it a big deal," Fisher said. "I let that lead me into a tirade about why we were 1-4 (in the Big Ten), because of them not paying atten- tion to details. They said they didn't know practice was early. Everybody else was there, so I didn't buy it." As a result, the trio received lit- tle playing time in the first half. But in the second half, both Riley and Taylor came out strong and played well. The starting line-up Fisher went with certainly wasn't effective, as Wisconsin dominated the smaller squad. But the change gave new life to Tolbert. The struggling guard scored four quick points, all on drives to the basket. The change also showed off the talent of Hunter. The walk-on played over 37 minutes in the game, and it looks like he has the potential to be the fifth starter Fisher has been searching for all season. "It can't get any better," Hunter said. "I mean we were down 14 at the half. We came in determined: We said we've got to go out and be aggressive. And I worked, I hus-. tled. Everyone was playing to- gether, playing smart." 9) F ULL COURT, Continued from page 1 "We're not used to not having success," Michigan basketball coach Steve Fisher said. "And when we opened 0-4 (in the Big Ten), it's hard. It's hard on you physically. It's hard on you mentally. And even when you think you're trying as hard as you can, sometimes you're not." Over on the Wisconsin side, the team was searching for excuses to explain the sudden turn- around in the game. "I think the biggest disappointment is that we didn't put two halves together," Badger forward Willie Simms said. "I don't think we panicked. It was a situation where they didn't quit. They won a national championship a couple of years ago... They're a good team." Well, this is far from the team that won the na- tional championship in 1989, but members of this team were around to pick up what it takes to win. And although this team doesn't have much talent, it is knowledgeable enough to put it together to beat the mediocre schools. The biggest problem this year has been putting this knowledge into practice. Michigan couldn't pull -it, out against Texas earlier in the year. Over a week ago the Wolverines lost by a point to Iowa. But yes- terday was the first time several players made the key shots. Voskuil airballed a three-pointer against Iowa late in the game that would have given Michigan a vic- tory. This time, with 38 seconds left in overtime, the forward swished it. For Tony Tolbert, his final basket, which won the game, was the biggest bucket of his career at Michi- gan. He was a starter at the beginning of the season, but after committing numerous turnovers, his playing time slowly decreased. But Tolbert didn't pout. "Even when I wasn't playing, it always starts with yourself," Tolbert said. "You've got to keep your heart and determination. I'm always going to stay confident and positive." That probably is the first rule of winning: never give up. Case in point - Freddie Hunter. Hunter has been at college for four years. He has not played on a varsity team since high school. This fall, he made the team as a walk-on. Yesterday, he started for the first time. The 6-foot-5 forward plays with the heart of Den- nis Rodman. All day long he defended guys bigger than him. When Riley fouled out, he was responsible for guarding 255-pound center Patrick Tompkins. For the second straight game, Hunter had eight rebounds. Fisher has been begging for a rebounder all season. "They're big. I was giving up some pounds and sometimes I felt myself getting pushed in, but I just boxed out my men and just went for the ball as strong as I could," Hunter said. As I walked into the press room after the game, I was once again greeted by the Badger Herald writer. "Don't even say anything," he said. But this time I had a response, one whose expression needed no words, because the grin on my face said it all. WISCONSIN Continued from page 1 11,400 in attendance probably couldn't recognize their rejuve- nated opponents. Michigan's defensive intensity picked up, as did its offensive fire- power. The Badgers could no longer drive the ball inside. Their entry passes got batted away, and their outside shots just wouldn't fall. And as the ball bounded away each time, Riley and Freddie Hunter consistently swiped the re- bound. "We were covering their guards a little better. If you can cover the guards tight, they're not going to have as good passing," Wolverine sophomore forward James Voskuil said. In addition, Michigan finally deciphered Wisconsin's defense. The guards, led by Michael Talley (team high 18 points), repeatedly sliced inside for lay-ups and short jumpers. "I thought that Talley showed some poise and gumption," Fisher said. While the Wolverines couldn't pull even with the Badgers, Wis- consin couldn't shake free either. Sloppy play and wasted opportu- nities haunted both teams as over a minute went by at times without a basket. Finally, with :11 re- maining, Talley went coast-to- coast for a lay-up to tie the score, 59-59, and send the game into overtime. During the extra session, Michigan traded field goals with Badger free throws. All of Wis- consin's points came from the line, while the Wolverines stayed even with clutch three-point shooting by Taylor and Voskuil. "That probably was my biggest shot ever," Voskuil, playing for a fouled-out Riley, said. Tony Tolbert's 10-footer from the middle of the lane put Mich- igan up by one with :04 left and apparently gave the Wolverines a tremendous come from behind vic- tory. However, their celebration quickly ceased as Talley was called for a foul with no time re- maining - thus setting the stage for Hisle and a Badger victory that just wasn't meant to be. MICHIGAN (69) Player TWG FT R A PF T3Z Tolbert 6-11 0-0 3 1 3 12, flwer 0.1 3-4 8 2 5 3 Vosua 2.2 0-0 1 0 2 6.. Calip 5-15 1-2 0 5 1 11 Taley 7-12 2-2 0 3 4 1' Taylor 4-8 1-1 0 2 4 Is Riey 4-5 0-0 10 0 5 8 " Pelika 0-2 0-0" 1 0 2 0~. Mitel 0.1 0-0 2 0 1 O, McIver 0-0 0-1 2 0 0 0' Setar 0-1 0-0 0 0 1 0 Totals 28-58 7-10 28 13 28 69 3-pt goals: 6-11 (Tolbert 0- 1,Voskuil 2-2, CaiipO0-2, 1 Talley 2.3, Taylz2-3) FG%- .483, 3-pt FG%- .545, FrW' .700. Blks: 2 (Riley 2). Turnovers: 15. Steals: 6 ( Tolbec 1, Calip 2, Talley2, Riley 1). WISCON Pi"er SIN (68) TFG FF 4'#d R A PP T I TFG ~r R A PP T~ Sinns Ellenson Tompkins Douglass [*"C'"l L xw Peters Flisle Mc~ee H-arrell 6-10 2-7 5-9 1-3 0.2 0-1 2-4 1-2 2-2 5-6 1-2 9-13 4-4 2-2 0-0 7-10 0-1 0-1 0 5 4 18+ 4 2 0 -V" 4~ 8 1 2 1& 0 2 3 6 2 1 2 , 2 1 0 0, 7 1 3 1 1 0 1 1" 1 1 1 4*1 28 14 16-68, Totlas 19-40 28-39 3-pt. goals: 2-7 (Simms 1-1, Ellenson (-3, Locum" 0-1, Ilisle 1-2). FG%-.475. 3-pt %FG-.286. F%, .718. Blks: 2 (Tompkins 1, Douglass 1). Turn -" oves: 17. Steals: 7 (Simms 1, Tompkins 2, Douglass 2, Locum 1, Ilisle 1). ; Technical Fouls: None Attendance: 11,400 NCAA Continued from page 1 volunteer coach who makes less than $12,000. This includes graduate assistants as well. That is a problem for Fisher. Presently., he has two assistant coaches along with a graduate assistant and a volunteer coach. Fisher said firmly last Thursday that he still plans to hire another assistant coach in the spring. That means two coaches are out of a position a year from now. "I'm praying and hoping that they change that rule where by 1992 we can still someway have that extra person," Fisher said. "If we don't, we're going to investigate what can be done." This rule change hurts graduate assis- tants the most. Often, they either go on to get their advanced degree, or go into coaching as a profession. Since they are usually the least committed staffer, they will be the first to be dropped. "It will keep the younger guys from their chosen profession," Fisher said. Ice hockey coach Red Berenson is just as upset. He will only be allowed one as- sistant coach and one restricted earnings coach. Right now, Berenson has three as- sistant coaches. "It really stretches the coaching staff," centage is down to 50 percent. However, most of the coaches classified as re- stricted earnings are female. It is often hard for women to break into the coaching ranks, and this change only makes it harder. "I have a little bit of anxiety about the changes," Bradley-Doppes said. "Wom- en's athletics has come so far. This might take us a little bit back. Hopefully, it will effect women's and men's athletics the same. Yet, that remains to be seen." Women's basketball coach Bud Van- DeWege looked at the coaching cuts from a financial stand-point. He feels the estab- lishment of the restricted earnings coach will prevent some wealthier schools from hiring more full time coaches than other universities can afford. "Maybe this was a rule women's bas- ketball needed maybe a few years down the road, but I don't think it's needed right now," VanDeWege said. "I don't think it's a problem because the money really hasn't been there in women's athletics to abuse that position, although I think it's capable of being. I think it's unfortunate to reduce the opportunity." VanDeWege has only two assistant coaches, so the rule change will not affect him. But women's athletics wasn't alone in The biggest change that seemed to bother the coaches the least was the ten percent cut in scholarships. Many Michi- gan teams, like the men's basketball team, don't even use all their scholarships anyway. "I think the scholarship reduction is fine," VanDeWege said. "I feel I can op- erate at 13 very well. There's less margin for error when you're making recruiting decisions, but I think it is realistic. You just create more walk-on opportunities." The reduction of playing time to 20 hours a week was of little concern as well to coaches. However, to players it was a different story. Several swimmers, including Michi- gan's Mike Barrowman, who has a GPA of over 3.5, claim the reduction shouldn't in- clude athletes who are maintaining their grades. His reasoning is simple. He needs to train for the Olympics and other meets. Thus, he needs more attention from his coaches. "It doesn't prevent the student-athlete from working out," Michigan Athletic Di- rector Jack Weidenbach countered. "The intent of this whole movement is to do something for the student-athlete. What that does is it allows the student-athlete more time to be a part of the overall aca- demic and social climate in the univer- NCAA reforms could force Wells to depart Michigan by Josh Dubow Daily Sports Writer Results from the NCAA convention two weeks ago in Nashville Tenn., greatly af- fected the Michigan wrestling team as well as the entire state of American wrestling. Coaching reductions would have left schools with only one part-time and one full-time coach, so wrestling coaches made an amendment to allow for two full- time and one part-time coaches because of safety reasons. The previous amendment was defeated, 190-111, which was one of the closer votes of the convention. "People seem to think that because of the safety factors with 40 kids on a team, that they will change the rule before it goes into effect," Michigan coach Dale Bahr said. "It takes more than two coaches to work with 40 kids." Michigan currently has two full-time and four part-time coaches. Three of the part-time coaches, Kirk Trost, John Fisher, and Joe Pantaleo, are bidding for berths in the 1992 Olympic Games. These three coaches are paid $5000 a year from the high school level. "Our coaches go to the World Champi' onships and learn the latest techniques in wrestling," Bahr said. "Then they come back here and teach our kids, who in turn teach high school kids in the summer camps, who in turn, teaca the junior high kids. If they cut out the graduate assis- tants, it will destroy the filtering process of teaching." Perhaps the man affected most at Michigan will be 12-yct& assistant coach, Joe Wells. Bahr considers Wells, one of the four finalists for the Olympic coaching job, his equal. "I want to protect Joe," Bahr said. "I give him as much credit as I can because he is instrumental in developing our kids." Wells is also worried about the upcom- ing reductions as he may be forced to leave Michigan and find a new job. "It's a little disconcerting," Wells said. "We don't know exactly what the legisla- tion is. Hopefully they will fine tune it at future conventions. But there definitely will be some cuts and dramatic changes in 0I sI