L Page Thurs November 2,1$ Blue sti thletes in first exbition game By Brent McIntosh Daily Sports Editor As the Michigan Wolverines tipped off their 1995-96 basketball season last night, they confirmed two sneaking suspicions of Wolverine watchers ev- erywhere. Yes, Jerod Ward can actually play this game. Yes, Robert Traylor is huge. Other than that, not much was clear, mostly because the Wolverines will need to face a stronger opponentbefore they can answer the questions that face them. The Wolverines out-jumped, out- muscled and out-shot Athletes in Ac- tion-whichwastobeexpected-and prevailed, 101-90. AIA, made up of former college also-rans, is part of the sports ministry of the Campus Crusade for Christ and is a perennial college exhibition opponent. There is a reason the athletes of Ath- letes in Action aren't seeing action in the NBA. These guys aren't great. The big name on their team is Rod Foster, who started for UCLA's national run- ner-up squad in 1980 and saw some time in the NBA in the mid-80s. So it was no wonder that Michigan had little trouble in dispatching them. Ward led the Wolverines and looked much like the player observers had ex- pected him to be last year after a cel- ebrated high school career. The sopho- more swingman had 15 points in the first half, as the Wolverines seizedcon- trol of the game from the outset. Michigan grabbed an 11-4 lead and "What can you say? He's a horse." - Scott Highmar Athletes in Action forward, on Michigan's Robert Trayl led athalftime, 47-40. AIA managed to close the gap to three points early in the second half, but Michigan built its lead back to a maximum of 14 behind 19 of 31 second-half shooting. "This is the kind of game I'm hoping Jerod will deliver with some consis- tency this year," Michigan coach Steve Fisher said. "Last year's last year; last yearisnomore. I like whathe's doing." Ward hit four of his seven three- pointers on his way to a 24-point, five- rebound performance on only fifteen shots. "Every time we got it down to seven or eight, Ward was going to hit the jumper,"AIA coach Sharm Scheuerman said. "Then on the boards, (Maceo) Baston was awfully tough." Baston's 19 points were overshad- owed by his domination on the boards. The sophomore forward hauled down 19 rebounds, eight of them offensive. However, it was Traylor, the man- mountain, that many of the fans had come to see. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound freshman center didn't disappoint, scoring 12 points on five dunks and miserable 2- 11 free throw shooting in his debut. Three of those jams left the backboard swaying like a drunk in a tornado. "What can you say?" said forward Scott Highmark, who led AIA with points. "He's a horse. He's going to a force in the Big Ten." Traylor nearly created a little p playing time for himself when blocked a shot in the first hlfJ landed straddling Baston, who I drawn a charge on Highmark.,;al foot either way and the already-t Baston was a little thinner. "I was scared," Baston said. '' scared when he's around me abou fall. I don't want to get any btol bones. Threehundredpounds,youJk Traylor's fellow freshman,:All White,looked alittle confused at i but he also showed off the smooth that brought him accolades last yea a senior at Inkster. The freshman five of 10 shots and grabbed six boa without appearing to break a sweit; his most spectacular play addednc ing to his point total. - With 6:25 to go in the game, WI broke to the elbow and got an entry;p from Travis Conlan, which heimin ately dumped back over his head - look - to a cutting Traylor, whops a two-handed dunk that had more thority than many cabinet position See CAGERS, Page Michigan freshman forward Albert White dunks for two of his 11 points yesterday against Athletes in Action. JONATHAN LURIE/Daily GRIDIES1 sc ate pr staer 1, Mich, atMth. St. 2, ll. at Iow 3.Penn St. at N'etr 4. Wis, at Purdue 5. Ohio St. at Minn. Wildcats could take tumble this weeken O Ls Q~- VrIj 11 Thursday, November 2 Noon - 4:00pm Michigan Union Graduate and Professional School Day *Meet with representatives or simply pick up packets from schools across the country. *Graduate programs represented include: MBA, Liberal Arts, Public Health, Social Work, International Affairs, Journalism, Industrial Relations, Education, Public Policy, Psychology and more! *Uncover admissions requirements, financial aid"- procedures d& internships. *Checkoutprogramco*- Pre-Cc ' Success St s r Tuesday,C " c11; ExploringG J0 . Poliical scie 0 Wednesday, 1 Pychogy o 's s Public Health Wednesday, No.mber 1.6:10-7:30 pm Conference Briefing Books review participating institutions' October 9 - November 9 By Chaim Nyman Daily Sports Writer To say the least, this Big Ten season is going to be one to remember. Sure, the Michigan-Ohio State game will once again determine the confer- encerepresentativeinPasadenaonNew Year's Day,butNorthwesternhasjoined the Wolverines and Buckeyes as con- tenders. The Wildcats, who have not won Aroun the conference since 1949, have made it clear that they are no longer content with being the Big Ten's punchingbag. With surprising wins over Notre Dame " (wow!), Michigan (huh?), and Wis- consin (gee,maybe these guys reallyI are good!), North- western has not only established itself on top of the conference standings, but also holds the No. 6 ranking in each of college football's various polls. If the Wildcats can continue their unbeaten conference streak, only Ohio State will be able to deny them a berth in the most prestigious of all bowls, the Rose (actually, this year it's the Fiesta Bowl, but around the Big Ten, things don't change much). The Buckeyes have also been im- pressive. After plowing through an ex- tremely tough schedule, Ohio State is a nationalchampionshipcontender. How- ever, the Buckeyes are ranked No.4- behind every other undefeated team. This wouldn't be the first time the Big Ten was robbed of a national champi- onship. With three teams in the top ten, this weekend's Big Ten games will be more exciting than years past when one or two teams domi- id the nated the rest. The run forthe Rosesis still wide open! Penn State (3-2 Big Ten, 6-2 over- all) at Northwest- ern (5-0, 7-1) After facing ev- ery other Big Ten powerhouse except Ohio Stateplaying a down Penn State team in. Evanston probably doesn't scare the Wildcats - but it should. The Nittany Lions have never lost to Northwestern, even if the rivalry only covers two games. Joe Paterno is the most experienced coach in the Big Ten and arguably the best in the country. Experience doesn't translate into an- other fluky upset at the hands of the Wildcats. Nittany Lion quarterback Wally Richardson should have no problem finding All-American receiver Bobby Engram and tailback Mike Archie See BIG TEN, Page 9A . . ............. ...... .. For more information inquire at CP&P's Information Desk The Usemstoi Midchgan Career Plannmg Plac4ent Dion ofStAfa,, Northwestern running back Darnell Autry gained 171 yards against Penn last season. .,, , Sunday specia Wolverines score, You save. 50/0 off EVERY TOUCHDOWN, f up to 30/o on all UIVERSITY OF MCH lGfN items. I GuatMMlactif 2 ToIlvvSa Mekiand Da oar,UaE $ ishuunesh~uri $719 40.umn ud~e anBdfm oitpia t a5B,.i r Cllt today for elba' woeldwht.destinaf nots "Votd 19WaaBe TmWisw~~n Aflar, 122,S.UfIve9Il) i#204 8-20" Michan Book and Supply S. State Street. Ann 6rbor, Ml 48104 Corner of State and M. University ome game hours: onday-Fd 946 Saturday 30-7 Sunday af - o Wilid Sunday after game only I I 1 i