Duke's (gulp) next

'Earplugs' might be best defense

As the undisputed leader of the Michigan men's basketball team, Louis Bullock has a responsibility. He has been a starter since arriving at Michigan and, on a team full of youngsters, is looked at for guidance. And while the soft-spoken senior captain often leads by example, he's always around to offer advice.

As Bullock and forward Brandon Smith sat at a press conference after Wednesday's victory over Eastern Michigan, Bullock imparted some of this sage advice to the sophomore sitting by his side.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Robbie Reid and the Wolverines shocked Duke and Steve Wojciechowski last season in Crisler Arena. Cameron Indoor Stadium will likely be a different type of atmosphere when the teams play tomorrow.

The Wolverines were lively after the convincing win over the Eagles, but a hush fell over the room when talk turned to Michigan's game against Duke tomorrow.

Bullock was asked what advice he would give Smith for surviving the trip down to Tobacco Road.

He paused for a second, and then turned to his understudy.

"Bring earplugs," he said, breaking into a wry smile.

Laughter erupted in the room, because Bullock's statement was funny, but - unfortunately for the Wolverines - also because it was true.

As Michigan (5-5 overall) meets No. 3 Duke (8-1) tomorrow, the Blue Devils will have a sixth man as good as any in the country. Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke's home court is the toughest place to play in college basketball, and Michigan knows it.

Only some Wolverines know it better than others. Bullock is the only current Michigan player to have set foot on the floor of Cameron, as a sophomore starter two years ago when Michigan played Duke in Durham.

In that game, Michigan escaped with a 62-61 victory behind a last-second jam from Robert Traylor. It would be a rare home loss for Duke, currently an astounding 117-2 against nonconference opponents in the storied hall.

In addition to Bullock, center Peter Vignier and a few other reserves were on the bench for that game. But none of Michigan's other current starters have ever witnessed Duke's rabid fans - the infamous "Cameron Crazies."

Smith and most of the Wolverines' starting lineup were still in high school the last time Michigan played in Cameron.

"I really don't know what to expect going into Cameron," Smith said. "Lou and other guys that have played there have told me that there's no place like it that you'll ever play in. I'm really anxious to see it."

But while Smith and the rest of the young Wolverines may not know what to expect, the Duke players definitely do.

"Nothing compares to Cameron," Duke forward Shane Battier said. "As a freshman last year, I couldn't imagine coming in and trying to play in front of the most raucous crowd in college basketball."

But that's just what the inexperienced Wolverines have to do. And coach Brian Ellerbe knows that the crowd won't be a factor unless Michigan allows it to be.

"We have to execute and control the tempo on the offensive end," Ellerbe said. "The noise doesn't have a whole lot to do with what you do with the ball."

At the same time, Ellerbe used to be an assistant coach at Virginia, which meant a trip to Cameron every year. So the coach knows how the Crazies can fuel a Duke run.

"The crowd makes a big difference," Ellerbe said. "These guys aren't professionals. Adrenaline and excitement make a big difference."

Such a difference that Battier is glad he isn't in Michigan's shoes tomorrow.

"I wouldn't want to play against the Cameron Crazies on any day," he said.

And you thought Michigan was playing Duke tomorrow.

12-11-98