'Mid-foot sprain' may hinder Baston

Michigan starting forward Maceo Baston is not expected to suffer any long-term effects from a foot injury he incurred during Saturday's loss to Minnesota.

X-rays yesterday on what Michigan assistant coach Scott Trost said was a "mid-foot sprain" turned up negative, Trost said.

"It shouldn't affect his status for (tomorrow) night," when Michigan hosts Ohio State, said Michigan Athletic Trainer Steve Stricker.

But a source close to the team said that Baston is doubtful for the game with the Buckeyes.

The 6-foot-9 Baston battled with the Gophers in the paint throughout the Wolverines' loss to Minnesota, and evidently came into harm's way late in the game.

WARREN ZINN/Daily Maceo Baston may not be slamming home his trademark dunks tomorrow night against Ohio State.

"Apparently, toward the end of the game, he took a shot in the lane," said Michigan Sports Information Director B.J. Sohn. "We'll see how he does in practice tomorrow."

Baston, a senior from Dallas, Tex., has started every game this season, playing a key role for the team.

He led all scorers with a career-high 27 points in the game against Minnesota, almost half of those points coming on a 13-of-14 performance from the free throw line.

Baston's 13.5 points per game are good enough for third on the team, while his 8.6 rebounds per game are second only to Traylor's 10.0.

Baston is also second on the team in blocks with 24.

The Wolverines, who came into the season with concerns about a lack of depth, have remained fairly healthy this season.

Co-captain Travis Conlan suffered the Wolverines' only serious injury so far, when he hurt his wrist diving for a loose ball in the first exhibition game of the season.

Conlan missed the first three regular-season games.

Michigan's other co-captain, Robert Traylor, was recently struck by the flu but missed just scattered minutes.

Baston started 28 of 32 contests two years ago as a sophomore, highlighted by a 26-point performance that keyed the Wolverines' victory over Duke.

Last season, as a junior, Baston missed Michigan's season opener with a strained muscle near his Achilles tendon.

He came off the bench as the Wolverines' sixth man for much of the 1996-97 season.

But Baston worked his way back into the starting lineup for the final nine games of the season.

02-10-98