Cagers found sun fun

Shopping is a traditional activity over the Thanksgiving weekend. But most people don't get to mix shopping with swimming in the ocean, banana boating and going on a "jungle tour." That's a three-hour jet ski trip to a coral reef.

But then again, most people aren't on the Michigan women's basketball team.

The team's Thanksgiving trip to Cancun, Mexico, can be described in one word: fun. And it was more than just the other experiences that made it enjoyable - the basketball helped, too.

The trip "was fun first of all because we won," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "Winning helps. But then I think it's great for the kids to get to another part of the world ... and gain an appreciation for how lucky we are here.

"I think they also get an appreciation for what basketball does for (them)."

WARREN ZINN/Daily Michigan's Stacey Thomas and her teammates got to enjoy many tropical pleasures while in Mexico, where the won the Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol.

With their two victories in Mexico, the Wolverines are carrying some momentum heading into a four-games-in-nine-days stretch that includes a three-game road trip through the Midwest.

But before it hits the road, the team will face Central Michigan tomorrow at Crisler Arena. The Chippewas went 10-17 last season.

Though they boast a highly touted freshman class, the Chippewas are still off to a measly 1-3 start.

"They're bigger than we are," Guevara said. "But then most teams are. They've been struggling a little bit taking care of the ball, but hopefully with our pressure and our press, our defense will spur our offense."

After the Chips, the schedule gets a little tougher - the Wolverines will take on Cincinnati and Bowling Green on the road. Both teams had winning seasons last year and saw postseason play.

But the Wolverines are starting to gel. In its exhibition game against the Swiss National team, Michigan committed 23 turnovers. And it had been averaging 22 per game until last weekend.

In Sunday's championship game against Alabama-Birmingham, the team committed only nine turnovers while rolling to victory. Sunday's game was perhaps the prettiest basketball the Wolverines have played all season.

"Against UAB we hit four out of our five goals that we have every single game," Guevara said. "Our free throw shooting was better, we did a good job on the boards.

"I told our kids down there that it's not about Coppin State or UAB, but it's about Michigan and what we need to do to execute to get better as a team.

"Our minimum standard was what we did last year, so that's what we're working towards."

Though the weekend's scores suggest the Wolverines were comfortable in Cancun's Kuchil Bazal Arena, they will enjoy the one game in their real home. It's the last time they will be home this school year.

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