Page 10- The Michigan Daily-Thursday, March 7,1991 Theodore Cox Ted's Excellent Adventure Everyone acts childish . over Webber's decision "Just one question, where's Chris Webber going?" It is something I am often asked, but I have no answer. "What do you mean you have no clue, you should find these things out." It's as if people expect Webber, the top high school basketball recruit in the nation at Detroit Country Day, to call me up and say, "Hey, Ted, because I've talked to thousands of reporters this year, don't know who the hell you are, but that doesn't matter. My friends sW you're the best. I just wanted to let you know first, because after all, if it's printed in the Daily, everyone will take it as fact. I'm going to Slippery Rock." Well, for all of you who've asked us at the Daily, no one is going to find out until he holds a press conference. And for all of you who've heard reports that he's going to Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State, or Michigan, well: "All the reporters that say I'm going there are liars," Webber said. Believe it or not, Webber has no idea where he's going. Hes narrowed it down to three schools: Michigan, Michigan State, and tI& University of Detroit. After the state playoffs conclude March 24, he going to sit down, think it out, and decide. So let's all sit back, relax, and wait a couple of weeks. In my first year of covering college recruiting, I finally understand why faces cringe anytime the word is mentioned. The whole process is based on greed, and not one party is innocent. THE MEDIA: First, there were the reports from a Kentucky radio station that Webber was going to Duke. Then, after Webber's first trip to Duke a month ago, an East Lansing station seconded the report. Last week, Webber called Duke and told them, "sorry." Over spring break last week, Jim Spadafore of The Detroit Ne4 quoted an unnamed source saying Webber was coming to Michigan. Of course, Webber denied it the next day. So as not to look like an idiot, Spadafore wrote in his column this Monday, "Believe it, Webber will be a Wolverine next season. If he isn't, I'll clean every bathroom at Crisler Arena.... Anyone who thinks Southwestern Coach Perry Watson is my source obviously has no connections. ... My source is much better." Who is this great source, Madame Zora? I don't know which I'd rather see, Webber at Michigan or Spadafore cleaning the bathrooms for such self-aggrandizement. However, the worst media exhibition took place at the Michigari Purdue game at Crisler. At halftime, Dick Vitale of ESPN sent someone to bring him over so he could say, "You're awesome baby!!!!!" After Webber finished being hugged by Vitale, he put on some of his best moves trying to avoid the deluge of scribes. A security guard and then a friend of his set picks allowing him to glide by the reporters. Unfortunately, there was no one to watch his back side. So for the billionth time, he said, "No, I don't know where I'm going to college." Then, the media hounds asked, "Do you get sick of people always bugging you about this?" THE FANS: Everywhere I go, I hear it said, "If Fisher gets Webbe. he must be a great coach." Last year, when coach Steve Fisher lost ou on top recruit Eric Montross, people said, "Fisher can't recruit, and he sucks as a coach." Furthermore, the often-heard chants of "Webber" from fans at various college arenas are just as pathetic. Webber got more applause than any Michigan player the night he was here. Wolverine players who've worked hard deserve better. At Duke, the student paper formulated letters for students to sign and send to Webber - like he needs more mail, not to mention it was very close to violating NCAA rules. THE COACHES: Webber gets hundreds of calls and letters weekly. 1 is ridiculous. Every coach knows the remaining schools he's interested in, so why keep pestering him? The coaches are just as bad as the media in following him everywhere. Major college coaches have even been known to attend his pick-up games. Hold on, I hear the phone ringing... "Hello, Ted Cox's line. Oh, hi Chris. Hey, I hear you're going to Slippery Rock? ... Cool!" 'M' pulls together for NU* by Robert Siegel Daily Sports Writer The Wolverines (5-2) are coming off F V rr O ISSUE 250 COUNT LIMIT 1--COUPON EXP. 3/17/91 1 39 MEN'S OR WOMEN'S UMBRELLAS ASSORTED COLORS "LIMIT 1-COUPON EXP. 3/17191 2. I. m mmmmmmm inmmmmmmmmmmmmm o oo IJ3..5fl~ InLh ILm DUUIfi) "h. *NO. 5512 " NO. 5510 WIDE OR NARROW RULED1 I : I LIMIT 2-COUPON EXP. 3/17/ 2ER1 MEADENVELOPES. YOUR CHOICE " LETTER 100 CT " LEGAL 50 CT1 envelopes 41Ri2E 1 I LIMIT 2-COUPON EXP. 3/17/912 mmmm inminmm o o inm.. i. .m oo d CDs ON l If you think about it, the term 'tennis team' is really an oxymoron. After all, tennis is an individual-ori- ented sport. But according to Eliza- beth Ritt, coach of the Michigan women's tennis team, there is no contradiction in terms here. "We can't just rely on our num- ber one player," Ritt said. "In team tennis, every player is equally im- portant." As it kicks off their Big Ten season tomorrow at Northwestern, Michigan will need a total team ef- fort. The Wildcats are currently ranked fourth in the ITCA Midwest Rankings. But an even greater effort may be required of Northwestern, who face a talented and hungry Michigan squad. a disappointing 7-2 loss to Florida State last weekend. Apparently, the loss has only served to motivate the team. "Tennis is such a mental game," Ritt said. "The players are now re;- ally psyched to play Northwestern." Among the Michigan players hoping for a big match against tl Wildcats is No. 1 singles player Christie:Schmeidel. An NCAA qual- ifier and all-Big Ten player, Schmei- del lost last weekend in three sets. Ironically, all three of Michigan's doubles teams, the only players who actually have to work together, lost against Florida State. As a result, the team is especially counting on its doubles players for contributions against Northwestern. INNUENDO The Black Crowes SHAKE YOURMONEYMAKER Chris Isaarkd 10.99 . SALE PRICE EXP. 3/17/91 CHECK OUT THESE TITLES PICTURED FROM WARNER * ELEKTRA * ATLANTIC AND MORE IN-STORE!!! INo> U " Michael Barry e Jodi Blick e Joe Cytron . 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