BLOOMINGTON - It had all the ingredients of an upset. Muddy, sloppy weather conditions; the dropping out of one of Michigan cross country's most consistent runners; and Wisconsin, the longtime nemesis of the Wolverines, trying hard to snatch victory out of Michigan's hands.
Sullivan, Mortimer lead 'M' to title
BLOOMINGTON - The Michigan women's cross country team fought through bitter temperatures and muddy conditions in Bloomington on Saturday to earn a bid to next week's national championship in Greenville, S.C.
The temperature did not make it out of the low 30s during Saturday's District IV regional championships, and a blistering wind-chill created a hostile environment. The Wolverines ran with "monster spikes," according to fifth-place finisher Julie Froud, to compensate for the saturated ground.Kampfe, McGregor finish 1-2 in region
On Thursday, Robert Traylor proclaimed Michigan would be a "Final Four team."
By the end of the evening Saturday, the AlamoDome in San Antonio - the site of this season's Final Four - seemed light years away. 
Men's basketball off to shaky start
MADISON - As Lloyd Carr made his way from the barrage of television cameras and headed for the lockerroom of Camp Randall Stadium, he and rookie defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann spotted one another. The two embraced proudly and congratulated themselves in front of the raucous Wisconsin crowd as Michigan had just clinched a share of its first Big Ten title since 1992. 
Next game is still The Big One for Blue
GRAND RAPIDS - No one can say that Michigan hockey games aren't exciting this season.
In two overtime games this weekend, the Wolverines (4-2-1 CCHA, 7-3-1 overall) came away with a 3-2 home victory on Friday night, but gave up a three-goal lead and had to settle for a 3-3 tie in yesterday's game against Ferris State (3-4-2, 3-7-2) in Grand Rapids.
Icers take three points from Ferris
Even the best dreams come to an end sooner or later.
But the Michigan soccer team's 5-1 first-round NCAA tournament loss to Nebraska yesterday did little to diminish Michigan's dream season.
Dream season ends in first round
FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) - Brian McBride's two goals yesterday may win him a trip to soccer's World Cup with the rest of the Americans. They didn't hurt U.S. coach Steve Sampson's chances either, but they ruined El Salvador's.
The United States, which last week clinched a berth in next summer's tournament in France, held on for a 4-2 win without its best players and ended the qualifying round in second place with a 4-1-5 record. U.S. nixes El Salvador
As the Michigan football team is fighting for a trip to the Rose Bowl, let's remember the Wolverines' last trip to Pasadena. It was Jan 1, 1993, and Michigan was to face the PAC-10 champion Washington Huskies. Just one year earlier, the Wolverines fell to that same Huskies team, 34-14, in the "Granddaddy of them all," but the '93 matchup was different. It was different because Michigan sophomore running back Tyrone Wheatley ran wild - bringing the roses home to Ann Arbor. Wheatley chalked up 235 rushing yards and three touchdowns, on runs of 56, 88 and 24 yards. 
Wheatley: Former Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley reflects on the 'Michigan experience,' his life in the NFL and why he did not run the Naked Mile
There's a reason why Ohio State coach John Cooper has a problem, perhaps even a jinx, when it comes to playing Michigan. Fans, the media, players and everyone else have been banging their heads against the wall trying to figure out why Cooper, who has won at all three of his collegiate head coaching jobs in 21 years (stints at Tulsa and Arizona State preceded his tenure at the Horseshoe), can't beat Michigan. Cooper, Boston just haven't learned yet
At least they're consistent.
Going into the weekend's home matches against Iowa and Minnesota, the Michigan volleyball team had completed five consecutive weekend splits. Well, this weekend was no different. 
Loss leaves 'M' spikers on NCAA bubble
Saturday night, Crisler Arena felt the same as it always has.
Brian Dutcher sat on the Michigan bench as an assistant coach, screaming instructions at the players on the floor, as he has for the past 10 seasons.Same old Crisler, same old team
In a ceremony preceding Saturday's exhibition game with Sporitelna Bratislava, the Michigan women's basketball team exchanged gifts with its European opponent.
That was about all the Wolverines did to strengthen foreign relations.'M' women hoops cruises past Slovakia in exhibition, 95-67
MADISON - Ron Dayne stood out on the Wisconsin sideline Saturday, his imposing 5-foot-10, 261-pound frame clad in bright red with his helmet hanging helplessly by his side. Here was the nation's third-ranked rusher, stuck watching his teammates challenge the nation's top defense without him - and doing it well.McCullough finds spotlight again with Dayne on sideline
MADISON - Apparently, a 10-point victory over a ranked opponent on the road is good enough for pollsters. Despite blowouts from Florida State and Nebraska, Michigan held onto its No. 1 ranking after a gutsy 26-16 victory over No. 23 Wisconsin in Madison.Wolverines still No. 1 but Rose Bowl plans on hold
COLUMBUS (AP) - Pepe Pearson ran for two touchdowns in his final home game and Ahmed Plummer returned an interception 83 yards for a score as No. 4 Ohio State set the stage for next week's showdown with No. 1 Michigan by beating Illinois, 41-6.Buckeyes roll, prepare for battle with 'M'; Lions rebound after loss
MADISON - For nine games, Michigan has won because of its No. 1 defense. Saturday, the Wolverines needed their offense to topple No. 23 Wisconsin, 26-16.
Michigan's defense wasn't horrendous by any stretch of the imagination, but it didn't live up to its own lofty standards. The offense, meanwhile, rolled up 486 total yards.Michigan finds it easy to get Streets back in offense
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