W The Michigan Daily- Tuesday, January 15, 1991- Page 9 SOPHOMORE DOWNPLAYS HER KNACK FOR REJECTION Andrew by Albert Lin Daily Basketball Writer blocks historic shot The point guard slowly comes upcourt. Waiting for an opening, she then enters the ball into the post. The center waits, then puts on a move and lets fly ... only to have the ball rudely sent back in her direc- tion. This is a scene familiar to any fan of basketball, and over the week- end, Trish Andrew became the most prolific shot blocker in Michigan women's basketball history. At the 16:22 mark of the first half, with the second of her four blocks in Friday's game versus de- fending Big Ten champion Northwestern, Andrew passed Patrice Donovan for first place in the Michigan annals. No, the contest was not stopped, and Andrew did not receive the game ball, but it was an accomplishment nevertheless. The sophomore reached this plateau just 42 games into her career. Interestingly enough, Donovan her- self set the record in only two sea- sons. After adding one more block in Sunday's victory against Wisconsin, Andrew has increased her career total to 112 rejections. By the time she wraps up her four-year career as a Wolverine, Andrew - currently the nation's leading swatter - will have amassed approximately 300 blocks, increasing the Michigan record to a level that may never be surpassed. But with all her ability in this area, there's something you should know about Trish Andrew. She doesn't like shot blocking. "I don't think shot blocking is the most important aspect of the game, and I don't think it's a very important statistic at all," she said. "First of all, it gets me in a lot of foul trouble. Also, it shows a lack of my defense a lot of the time. I'll reach over and just try and block the shot, instead of moving my feet. So I'm developing bad habits from it." OK, but anything that helps the team that much - and let's just say that defense surely doesn't hurt - must be appreciated. Her teammates know the value of her intimidation, both in games and in practice. Andrew patrols the lane so well during scrimmages that fellow Wolverines are somewhat hesitant to take the ball down the middle, an- other reason that Andrew doesn't en- joy her skill as much as she should. "I know a lot of the time, when you're down on yourself about your shot not going in and then some- one's standing there blocking them - it's very, very frustrating, be- cause it's happened to me," she said. "And I don't want to be the cause of their frustrations." In the long run, though, she knows that that presence will only Basketball Association, changed the coarse of the game by making de- fense an art. And what was Russell's calling card? The block. Perhaps a Rejection Row, like there exists at Georgetown for Twin Towers Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo, would get the crowd and Andrew more excited about her talent. And with Michelle Hall, a 6-foot-3 center, now starting alongside Andrew in Michigan's frontcourt, this would be even more appropriate. Maybe the Wolverines could even borrow a defense from the Hoyas of the Patrick Ewing era - when of- fensive players were funnelled to- wards the big center. But both Andrew and VanDeWege doubt that this will happen in the near future because of an age-old problem. "That (setup) would just cause me more foul trouble," Andrew said. "I don't think at this point in my game - I mean, I'm getting into foul trouble in a lot of games, so I don't think that would help the situ- ation any." Michigan defender Patrick Neaton skates away from a Miami player. Saturday night. Neaton tallied the sixth Wolverine goal of the night. s:: d r .t D 0 c. a a :;{; CCHA demands that b hecking be up front vJnhn Niyo JOSE JUARE7ZDaily Daily Hockey Writer Central Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner Bill Bea- gan has unknowingly gained a new pen pal. Beagan sent a letter dated December 20th to the nine league teans. Now, after Saturday's Miami- Michigan contest, a fuming Red- tins coach George Gwozdecky said that Beagan should expect to receive a heartfelt response in the mail soon. Beagan's original letter detailed the enactment of a new rule change effective immediately for the league. In the letter Beagan expressed his concern, saying, "I don't feel that coaches are disciplining players who check from behind and players will ontinue to do this if they can do so ith impunity...." . The commissioner, who could not be reached for comment, and Dave Fisher, the CCHA coordinator of officials, detailed in the letter the revised penalties for both players who continue to check from behind and referees who fail to levy the penalties in games. Players now re- ceive a ten-minute misconduct in ad- fton to a two-minute minor. A second infraction in the same contest will result in a game misconduct. Referees will be suspended for one game if they fail to comply with the new rule. Meanwhile, Gwozdecky was openly bitter immediately following Saturday's game. "The referees and the officials in e league are going to have prob- Wms with this new rule," Gwozdecky said following Saturday's 8-2 loss to Michigan. "It is absolutely riJiculous. It's an em- barrassment to this league and an embarrassment to college hockey. I am going to send a letter to the commissioner and tell him that." Gwozdecky watched as his team collapsed defensively in the second riod Saturday night at Yost Ice Arena. Michigan (18-5-3 overall, 15- 4-3 CCHA) scored five goals in the period to blow open a slim 1-0 mar- gin and put- the game out of reach and finish their second sweep of Miami (4-18-3, 2-15-3) this season. The Wolverines benefitted from three consecutive penalties all whis- tled within a minute against Miami midway through the period. Already *ith a two men in the penalty box, hitting hockey game. But then they make that call. I just cannot handle a situation like that. "It's absolutely ridiculous. I told the referee I can respect his call but that it's totally ridiculous that I lose my best defenseman on a ten-minute misconduct. We lost our concentra- tion a little bit and the next thing you know they score two quick ones. We lost it right there. I thought we had played well up until that point. But Michigan is so tal- ented and they move the puck so well, you can't do that - especially since we're such a young team." However, Gwozdecky was alone in his criticism of the new rule. One of his players, sophomore left wing Terry Ouimet disagreed with him. "We like it," Ouimet said. "Of course when you get called for it you don't like it, but overall I think it's a good idea." In the Michigan lockerroom sup- port for the new rule was more em- phatic. According to Wolverine as- sistant coach Dave Shand, Michigan played an important part in causing the change. Shand said the team sent video- tape of a game against Lake Superior State earlier this season to the league office. In that game Michigan right wing Mike Helber was viciously checked from behind into the boards. "He could have broken his neck," Shand said. "It's the most dangerous play in hockey. The last thing we need is for someone, a college kid, to be permanently disabled. "Hopefully this will work. If it doesn't we may have to step it up to a game misconduct. One way or an- other, checking from behind is going to be out of the game." Michigan head coach Red Berenson agreed. "We're all going to take our lumps," Berenson said. "Everybody has to play by the same rules. You can't complain about it and I think in the end the desired effect of the new rule will be reached." Wolverine forward Trish Andrew shooting over a Wisconsin player this weekend. Andrew, a sophomore, moved into first place in career blocked shots in Michigan history. The Wolverines split their two contests, beating Wisconsin and losing to Northwestern. help the squad, because when the other players begin to consistently challenge opposing shot blockers, Michigan will be a better team. During the Northwestern game, when everyone was anticipating the breaking of the record, Andrew ad- mitted that the mark wasn't even on her mind. "The record hasn't been a goal, and it wasn't something I really thought about," she said. So how could someone with lit- tle or no interest in shot blocking be such a terror in the paint? Andrew said that she has been told she has great timing. But her greatest asset? "Long arms," she laughed. "I think the fact that she doesn't think about it shows how instinctive it is," Michigan coach Bud VanDeWege said. "She doesn't do it with great leaping ability - many times she doesn't even leave the ground to block a shot - so it's mostly the timing. It's a real gift to have." It is unfortunate that Andrew is almost ashamed of being a great shot blocker. Bill Russell, who in 1980 was voted the greatest player in the first 35 years of the National The Winnetka, Ill., native's shooting touch had fallen upon hard times as of late, but she regained her form this weekend, leading the team in scoring in both games while mak- ing 17 of her 24 field goal attempts. Possibly already possessing the teams best shot, she unveiled an in- side hook in Sunday's game to com- plement her bull's-eye jumper. "I practice it a lot when I'm, shooting on my own, but I don't in- corporate it into the five-on-five practice or anything like that," she said. "So I definitely don't do it (often) in the games, but it's com- ing. By my senior year, I'll be doing it a little more. "I'm starting to go back to play- ing the post a little more. I was just a perimeter player for a couple of, games there, now I'm developing both. I want to be more capable of going in and out, and not just have to rely on one." No matter how much Andrew improves her overall game, she will still undoubtedly be remembered as the greatest shot blocker in Michigan history. And you can ,ably figure out that she doesn't want to be."I'd rather be known for something positive, like 'team leader' or 'consistent player,' rather than 'shot blocker,"' she said. But she does give in a litte, say- ing that, "Twenty years from now, if anyone remembers me, I don't care what it's for." So maybe by then, when people speak of 'Trish Andrew - shot blocker,' she won't feel so bad. *S ice not so imet clan his last year of high school for Michigan. Mark has enjoyed great success since arriving at Michigan, and Terry has been successful as well. The two continue to give each other help now that they are apart. "He gave me an earful of advice Friday night after the game," Terry said. "He told me all sorts of things. He wanted me to be more aggressive and to go after things more. Actu- ally, what he told me was to 'be a kamikaze' on the ice." HOCKEY NOTEBOOK Reunion on nice for Ou by John Niyo Daily Hockey Writer If you noticed two opposing hockey players out on the ice that seemed to be avoiding each other in this past weekend's Michigan-Miami series, you weren't mistaken. The two are good friends, and they have been for quite some time. Mark Ouimet welcomed older brother, Terry, and his Miami teammates to Ann Arbor this week- end. It was the first time the two sophomores have met as opponents, and both were uncomfortable. In each of the six previous meetings between Michigan and Miami since the two left Poplar Hill, Ontario, to attend college, one of the two has been injured and unable to play. "Two years here now and it's the first time we've played against each other," Mark said. "I didn't really like it because I'm always watching him when I'm on the ice and always looking around for him and making sure he doesn't get hit or nailed, so I really don't like it." Those feelings are understandable since the two have been very close. Terry is a year older, but both are in their sophomore year of college since Mark decided to leave before Just as long as he didn't hit his brother. Mark had his fill with the rest of the Miami players. "I don't think they laid off him at all," Terry said. "I think they went after him even harder because they knew he was my brother." Mark Terry ;.. '- r1 m THE U-M TASK FORCE ON ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS Announces Discussion Groups to gather Sf,11lantrnnininn on igs1p'g hpinr considpred in develoDin a LJ Burnham Associates 543 Church Street (313) 761-1523 AAIq f i 1 -- -- 1 CLOSE TO CAMPUS WE PAY HEAT ! SECURITY BLDGS LAUNDRY FACILITIES III[- I i