Ellerbe, Bullock go back to Baltimore to play Towson

Michigan plays in its first road game of the season tonight against a new non-conference opponent

Michigan-Duke, Michigan-Indiana, Michigan-Michigan State.

Michigan-Towson?

Even though tonight's game between the Michigan men's basketball team and the Tigers from Towson may not scream out, "rivalry," or even "good game," the Wolverines' visit to Towson, just outside of Baltimore, Md., will be special for both teams.

The obscure matchup came to be when Towson (1-0) was looking for a marquee opponent to christen its new hardwood floor. Michigan (1-1) agreed to make the trip, not knowing that it would turn into a coming home of sorts for its future coach.

SARA STILLMAN/Daily Maceo Baston, a Dallas native, will get to fight for the ball near the hometowns of Louis Bullock and coach Brian Ellerbe this weekend.

Both first-year coach Brian Ellerbe and Louis Bullock will be going home. Ellerbe hails from nearby Capitol Heights, Md., and Bullock, the junior guard, grew up in Temple Hills, Md.

Considering the chaotic events surrounding the Michigan program during the past few months, a trip home may be just what the doctor ordered for the two.

"I'd like to sink my teeth into some crab cakes," Ellerbe said.

Bullock would probably like to sink a 3-pointer, at least one. Normally deadly from long range, Bullock has missed on all 11 of his 3-point attempts in the first two games.

Ellerbe said he thinks that while opponents tend to key on "one of the leading returning 3-point shooters in the country," Bullock's main problem is that he's tired, which may sound strange considering the season is only two games old. But the Wolverines have only 10 players plus two walk-ons, and with such a small team, no one gets much of a break during practices.

"I think it's his legs right now," Ellerbe said. "I just think he's a little tired.

"Because we're so shorthanded on our team, it's really tough to get him a (break), not just in games, but in practice. And I think we need to be a little more conscious of that."

With guard Travis Conlan injured, it's been difficult to give anyone in the backcourt much of a breather during practice or games.

"People are going to try to wear our guards out," said Ellerbe, who coached at nearby Loyola (Md.) the past three seasons and has never won at Towson.

While the Wolverines are coming off their first victory of the season, a 77-59 win over Cleveland State, the Tigers will look to ride the momentum from Saturday's game, their first of the season. A strong second half against American earned first-year coach Mike Jaskulski's Tigers a 51-48 victory.

Behind, 28-14, at halftime, after going 6-for-20 from the field, the Tigers made 12 of 17 shots and forward Ralph Biggs scored 23 points in the second half as the Tigers pulled out the win.

Ellerbe said he is excited to be near home but that he is focusing on beating Towson.

Nevertheless, Ellerbe said he will take care of one matter. There have been no takers yet for his Maryland home, which has been on the selling block since Michigan hired him as an assistant coach over the summer.

"I'm going to have a few words for my realtor," Ellerbe said. "Realtors are like assistant coaches - they always tell you when they're going to sign somebody."

11-24-97