Facing Michigan State, Guevara faces former team, boss

3 Wolverines make All-Tournament Team

Teacher versus student always presents an interesting dynamic, especially when talking about coaching.

Michigan women's basketball coach Sue Guevara was an assistant under Michigan State coach Karen Langeland for 10 years. Last season, Guevara coached against her former team and lost.

At this weekend's 1997 MSU-Felpausch Tournament, the Wolverines played the Spartans in the championship game, giving Guevara another chance at victory. She and the Wolverines succeeded, winning the game, 89-72.

"I learned a lot from (Karen) Langeland," Guevara said. "Thank God, I only have to play them one more time, because it's tough. I'm glad we won. I'm glad my team performed. I know the next time that we play them, they'll be better, and so will we."<

MALLORY S.E. FLOYD/Daily Pollyanna Johns and two of her teammates - Stacey Thomas and Anne Thorius - made the All-Tournament Team this weekend at Michigan State.

p> No matter what, Guevara does admit that beating the Spartans does provide some sense of satisfaction.

"It feels pretty good," Guevara said. "It feels pretty good to come back and beat State, because they have a great record against Michigan. I told Karen yesterday, 'You're the defending Big Ten champs. It's my job to catch you.' We have to take steps, and today, we took a big step."

All-Tournament Team: The Wolverines accounted for three of the five members of the weekend's All-Tournament Team - Stacey Thomas, Anne Thorius and Pollyanna Johns. The other two members of the team are Fresno State's Connie Krueger and Michigan State's Jamie Wesley. The Most Valuable Player award went to Michigan State's Kristen Rasmussen.

Sweet Revenge: When the Wolverines and Spartans meet again on Jan. 18, be prepared for a hard-fought game. Langeland warns of maybe looking for a little revenge.

"The bottom line is Michigan played very well," Langeland said. "We did not."

But, as Langeland told reporters, "I would be there though, for the rematch, if I were you." By the way, those were Guevara's exact words after losing to the Spartans last year.

11-24-97