Weekly Release #5
12/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Thursday, Dec. 7 -- vs. Syracuse (Crisler Arena), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 10 -- at Marquette (Milwaukee, Wis.), 4 p.m. CST
Saturday, Dec. 16 -- vs. Toledo (Crisler Arena), 2 p.m.
| MICHIGAN (5-2) vs. SYRACUSE (4-2) | |
| When | Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000 (7 p.m.) |
| Site | Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena/13,562) |
| Television | None |
| Radio | WTKA-1050 AM |
| Series Record | U-M leads, 1-0 |
| Last Meeting | U-M, 83-81 (12/30/82 in Ann Arbor, Mich.) |
| Coaches | Michigan -- Sue Guevara (Saginaw Valley, 1982) Overall: 79-43 (5th year); at U-M: same Syracuse -- Marianna Freeman (Cheyney State, 1979) Overall: 89-157 (10th year); at SU: 68-130 (8th year) |
| | |
| MICHIGAN (5-2) vs. MARQUETTE (3-3) | |
| When | Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000 (4 p.m. CST) |
| Site | Milwaukee, Wis. (U.S. Cellular Arena/8,946) |
| Television | None |
| Radio | WISN-1130 AM (in Milwaukee) |
| Series Record | Tied, 1-1 |
| Last Meeting | Michigan, 65-60 (11/26/95 in Milwaukee, Wis.) |
| Coaches | Michigan -- Sue Guevara (Saginaw Valley, 1982) Overall: 79-43 (5th year); at U-M: same Marquette -- Terri Mitchell (Duquesne, 1989) Overall: 89-35 (5th year); at MU: same |
Opening Tip
The University of Michigan women's basketball team, which is 5-2 overall and has won four straight, continues non-conference play this week with a pair of tilts. The Wolverines host Syracuse (4-2) of the Big East Conference on Thursday (Dec. 7, 7 p.m.) at Crisler Arena before going on the road to face Marquette (3-3) of Conference USA on Sunday (Dec. 10, 4 p.m. CST) at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee, Wis. Syracuse's marquee win this season was an 85-84 overtime win at Old Dominion, which is currently ranked 25th in the country, in the season opener on Nov. 17. One of Marquette's bigger wins this season was a home victory over Syracuse, 65-59 on Nov. 28.
On the Air
The Michigan-Syracuse contest will be broadcast live on WTKA-1050 AM on Thursday (Dec. 7) at 7 p.m. with Doug Karsch providing play-by-play. The live radio broadcast will also be available for fans through MGoBlue.com. Marquette's radio broadcast of Sunday's game will be available through broadcast.com.
Scouting the Opponents
Syracuse: Syracuse (4-2) is 2-1 on the road this season ... Syracuse was 10-18 overall and 3-13 in the Big East in 1999-2000 ... The Orangewomen return all five starters from a year ago ... Syracuse head coach Marianna Freeman was Rutgers head coach Vivian Stringer's top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Iowa from 1984-94 ... Syracuse on the Internet: www.suathletics.com.
Marquette: Marquette (3-3) has won two straight Conference USA regular-season titles ... Marquette has been to four straight NCAA Tournaments ... The Golden Eagles are 2-1 at home this season ... Marquette is 0-1 this season vs. the Big Ten after a 70-57 loss at Iowa in the season opener ... Marquette on the Internet: www.gomarquette.com.
Michigan vs. the Big East
Michigan's game vs. Syracuse on Thursday (Dec. 7) will be the Wolverines' first contest vs. a Big East opponent since dumping Providence 79-66 at Crisler Arena on Nov. 30, 1999. Current junior forward Raina Goodlow (Detroit, Mich./Dominican HS) came off the bench to score 14 points, while Anne Thorius (Horsholm, Denmark/Rungsted Gymnasium) chipped in with 10. In addition, current junior Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS) dished out a career-best seven assists. Michigan's only other game vs. a Big East opponent during the Sue Guevara era was also a 72-55 victory over St. John's on Nov. 21, 1997, in the 1997-98 season opener.
First Road Game
Although the Wolverines will be eight games into their 2000-01 season when they travel to Marquette on Sunday (Dec. 10), it will mark the Wolverines' first road game of the season. Michigan has played four neutral-site contests this season -- losing to Arkansas (67-78) and beating Northern Illinois (78-57) and Stephen F. Austin (74-49) at the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, while beating Western Michigan (84-56) at the Women's College Basketball Showcase in Grand Rapids, Mich. The Wolverines were 9-5 on the road last season.
Michigan vs. 2000 NCAA Tournament Field
Marquette marks the third Michigan opponent this season that participated in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Michigan is 2-0 vs. 2000 NCAA Tournament opponents.
| 11/17 | vs. Louisiana Tech | W 69-66 |
| 11/26 | vs. Stephen F. Austin | W 74-49 |
Wolverines Cruise to Pair of Wins
The Wolverine offense exploded this past week in wins over New Hampshire (81-49) on Friday (Dec. 1) and Western Michigan (84-56) on Sunday (Dec. 3). The two straight 80+ point efforts offensively were the first for a Wolverine team since Michigan scored 82 and 86 in wins over Bowling Green and Illinois State, respectively, on Dec. 9-12 in 1998. Five Wolverines scored in double figures as Michigan outscored New Hampshire 52-26 in the second half to turn a 29-23 halftime lead into a rout. Junior Heather Oesterle (Mason, Mich./Mason HS) came off the bench to lead the Wolverines with 15 points, including 3-4 from beyond the arc. Senior Anne Thorius also dished out a team season-best eight assists in the win. Michigan defeated Western Michigan in similar fashion as the Maize and Blue outscored the Broncos 46-23 in the second half to turn a 38-33 halftime lead into a 28-point victory. Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS) led the Wolverines with 20 points.
Freshmen Influence
Since head coach Sue Guevara replaced junior Heather Oesterle and sophomore LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS) in the starting lineup with freshmen Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Gandy (Detroit, Mich./Northern HS), the Wolverines have rattled off four straight wins by an average margin of 26.5 points per game. Smith is averaging 11.3 ppg and 6.0 rpg and is shooting .667 (20-30) from the floor since being inserted into the starting lineup. Gandy has averaged 9.8 ppg and 5.0 rpg and is shooting .516 (16-31) from the floor since entering the starting lineup.
Double Trouble
For the first time this season both Michigan centers, Jennifer Smith and LeeAnn Bies, registered double-doubles in points and rebounds in the Wolverines' win over Western Michigan. Smith set career highs with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Bies collected 14 points and a personal season-best 10 boards. It was Bies' fifth career double-double after recording four as a freshman last season.
Second Half Nightmare
During their current four-game win streak, the Wolverines have been at their best coming out of the locker room in the second half. Michigan has outscored its opponents by an average of 42.3-25.0 in the second half during the win streak, including doubling up the second-half outputs of New Hampshire (52-26) and Western Michigan (46-23).
Dishing It Out
Michigan set a team season best in assists with 23 in the win over Western Michigan. In addition, the Wolverines' 12 turnovers were the second fewest of the season. The only game Michigan had fewer turnovers was in its win over New Hampshire, with eight. The Wolverines collected 42 assists, while turning the ball over just 20 times in their last two wins over New Hampshire and Western Michigan, giving Michigan a 2.1-1 assist-to-turnover ratio during that time.
Ingram Moves into Top Five
Junior guard Alayne Ingram leads the Wolverines with 10 three-point field goals this season and has moved up to No. 4 on Michigan's career three-point field goals list. Ingram now has 91 career three-point field goals.
U-M's Career Three-Point Field Goals Leaders
| 1. | Molly Murray (1994-98) | 134 |
| 2. | Jennifer Keifer (1993-94, 1995-97) | 102 |
| | Amy Johnson (1993-97) | 102 |
| 4. | Alayne Ingram (1998-current) | 91 |
| 5. | Jen Nuanes (1989-93) | 85 |
Thorius Sets School Record
Anne Thorius collected six assists in the win over Northern Illinois on Nov. 25 at the 2000 Asahi Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, to become the new Michigan career assists leader. Thorius broke the old mark of 402, which was set by Lori Gnatkowski from 1980-84. Thorius leads the Wolverines with 33 assists (4.71 apg) this season and now has 422 assists for her career. Thorius needs 78 more assists this season to become just the 12th player in Big Ten history to reach the 500-assist plateau.
Wolverines Place Fifth at Wahine Classic
Michigan went 2-1 and placed fifth at the 2000 Asahi Rainbow Wahine Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, from Nov. 24-26. Michigan opened up with a 78-67 loss to Arkansas, before earning wins over Northern Illinois 78-57 and Stephen F. Austin 74-49 to garner fifth place. Junior guard Alayne Ingram led Michigan with a team season-best 21 points in the loss to Arkansas. Michigan was outscored 24-3 in three-pointers in the loss. Four Wolverines scored in double figures, led by 15 from Raina Goodlow on 7-7 shooting, in the win over Northern Illinois. Freshman Stephanie Gandy led Michigan with 17 points to go with a career-best eight rebounds in the win over Stephen F. Austin.
All-Tournament Recognition
Junior shooting guard Alayne Ingram was the lone Wolverine representative on the 22nd Annual Asahi Rainbow Wahine Classic All-Tournament Team. Ingram led the Wolverines in scoring (14.0 ppg) in the three-game tournament, while also shooting .400 (4-10) from the three-point line. In addition, Ingram was second in assists (3.66 apg) for the tournament.
Block Party
Michigan's 11 blocks recorded in the win over Stephen F. Austin is a season best and is tied for the sixth most ever collected by a Wolverine team in a single game. Sophomore center LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS) led the Wolverines with a team season-best four blocks. Here are Michigan's top six team block performances:
| 16 vs. New Mexico State | 12/3/99 |
| 14 vs. Indiana | 1/13/79 |
| 13 vs. Old Dominion | 12/30/92 |
| 13 vs. Adrian | 12/18/78 |
| 12 vs. Wayne State | 1/30/82 |
| 11 vs. Notre Dame | 1/20/79 |
| 11 vs. Stephen F. Austin | 11/26/00 |
First-Ever Win Over Top-10 Opponent
Michigan opened its 2000-01 season with its first-ever win over a Top-10 opponent as the Wolverines took down then-No. 8 Louisiana Tech on Nov. 17 in front of the home crowd at Crisler Arena. The Michigan win was paced by junior forward Raina Goodlow, who led the Wolverines with 17 points. Michigan' victory was also aided by a double-double in points (14) and rebounds (10) from senior point guard Anne Thorius. The Wolverines outshot La. Tech 28-14 from the free throw line and held the Lady Techsters to just .385 (25-65) shooting from the field. The highest ranked team Michigan had defeated prior to La. Tech was No. 12 and defending national champion Purdue 74-67 at Crisler on Jan. 8, 2000.
Another Ranked Foe Goes Down
In addition to Michigan's win over Louisiana Tech being its first ever over a Top-10 opponent, it also marked the 10th time Michigan has defeated a ranked opponent in its history. Eight of Michigan's 10 wins over ranked teams have come under coach Sue Guevara and since 1998, her second season at Michigan.
Michigan's All-Time Wins Over Ranked Foes
| 1/19/86 | 58-56 | vs. Iowa (17) |
| 2/18/90 | 70-68 (ot) | at Northwestern (15) |
| 1/9/98 | 67-59 | vs. Purdue (23) |
| 2/8/98 | 62-60 | at Purdue (23) |
| 2/28/98 | 79-70 | vs. Wisconsin (24) |
| 1/29/99 | 85-71 | vs. Ohio State (19) |
| 1/8/2000 | 74-67 | vs. Purdue (12) |
| 1/17/2000 | 86-69 | at Illinois (13) |
| 2/3/2000 | 70-59 | vs. Illinois (23) |
| 11/17/2000 | 69-66 | vs. Louisiana Tech (8) |
Career Best
Anne Thorius's 10 boards recorded in the win over Louisiana Tech was a career high for the senior point guard. Her previous best was eight, which she recorded in Michigan's 81-74 loss to Stanford in the first round of last season's NCAA Tournament. Thorius is third on the team with 4.0 rpg through the first seven games this season.
Preseason Recognition
Michigan received votes in both the AP Preseason Top 25 poll as well as in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Preseason Top 25 poll. The Wolverines received 35 points in the AP poll, which was the 36th highest total of the teams receiving votes. In the ESPN/USA Today poll, Michigan received 18 points, which was the 41st highest total of teams receiving votes in the coaches poll. "I like the fact that we are gaining some recognition on a national level, but I am more anxious to see where we finish in March," said head coach Sue Guevara.
Big Ten Preseason Stuff
Despite finishing runner-up in the Big Ten with a school record 13-3 conference mark in 2000 and returning four players with starting experience, Michigan was left out of the Big Ten preseason poll by both the coaches and the media. Both polls, which include only the top three teams, had Purdue as the preseason Big Ten favorite, followed by Penn State in second and Illinois and Wisconsin tying for third. The Wolverines were not represented on either Big Ten preseason All-Conference team, while Purdue senior Katie Douglas was the pick for preseason Player of the Year by both the media and the coaches.
Guevara Enters Fifth Season
Head coach Sue Guevara is in her fifth season at the helm of the Wolverine program. In her first four years, Guevara compiled a 74-41 overall mark. The 74 wins rank second all-time in school history, while her 64.3 winning percentage ranks first. Guevara opened the 2000-01 campaign needing 20 wins to become the winningest coach in Michigan women's basketball history. Bud VanDeWege (1984-92) won 93 games as U-M coach.
The media honored Guevara as the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1999-2000 after she led the Wolverines to a school-record 13 Big Ten victories and a second-place finish in the league, the team's best-ever showing. U-M advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament and made the NCAA Tournament field for the second time under Guevara.
In the Role
Sue Guevara is joined on the bench by fifth-year assistants Yvette Harris and Eileen Shea, and first-year assistant coach Ron Mott. Yulonda Wimbish-Gay, who previously served as an assistant coach, moves over to the Director of Basketball Operations position.
The Schedule
Michigan faces a challenging and demanding schedule in 2000-01, playing 13 opponents that made postseason appearances in either the NCAA Tournament or the WNIT. Included is NCAA Final Four participant Penn State, WNIT champion Wisconsin and NCAA Elite Eight finisher Louisiana Tech.
Michigan begins Big Ten play on Dec. 28 with a road game at Illinois. The Wolverines will not have to travel far for the 2001 Big Ten Tournament, which will be held March 1-4 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Big Ten Standings (through Dec. 3)
Big Ten Overall Ohio State 0-0 .000 5-0 1.000 Indiana 0-0 .000 7-1 .875 Purdue 0-0 .000 7-1 .875 MICHIGAN 0-0 .000 5-2 .714 Iowa 0-0 .000 4-3 .571 Northwestern 0-0 .000 3-2 .600 Minnesota 0-0 .000 3-3 .500 Penn State 0-0 .000 3-3 .500 Michigan State 0-0 .000 3-3 .500 Wisconsin 0-0 .000 3-3 .500 Illinois 0-0 .000 2-3 .400
WOLVERINE ROSTER (2000-01 Stats)
POSSIBLE STARTERS Yr. Ht. PPG RPG Other F 33 Stephanie Gandy Fr. 5-10 6.9 3.7 .541 FG F 32 Raina Goodlow Jr. 6-2 13.3 4.0 .655 FG C 54 Jennifer Smith Fr. 6-3 7.9 4.7 .605 FG G 24 Anne Thorius Sr. 5-11 7.0 4.4 4.7 apg G 40 Alayne Ingram Jr. 5-7 12.4 3.0 3.7 apg
OFF THE BENCH F 10 Christie Schumacher Fr. 5-11 0.7 1.7 4.9 min. F 30 Heather Oesterle Jr. 6-0 8.3 4.0 2.9 apg G 5 Michaela Leary Fr. 5-8 2.4 2.1 8.4 min. G 31 Infini Robinson So. 5-9 2.9 0.6 9.6 min. C 44 LeAnn Bies So. 6-3 9.9 6.7 1.1 bpg
ALSO AVAILABLE OFF THE BENCH F 42 Katie Dykhouse Sr. 6-2 1.4 0.6 2.4 min. G 4 Susana Jara Jr. 5-7 0.0 0.5 4.0 min.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
