While losing a star player can hurt even an experienced team, losing focus can cause even greater problems.
Last night, playing without injured forward Maceo Baston, Michigan's attention span dissolved against the Big Ten's doormat, Ohio State, but the Wolverines managed to survive after nearly turning the game over in the second half.
Bucking the system: Michigan holds off late Ohio State rally to secure victory
Grapplers poised for Gophers
Jeff Catrabone and Airron Richardson - the co-captains of the Michigan wrestling team's - don't lose too often. Richardson is undefeated in dual meet competition this season and Catrabone has only one loss to No. 1 Mark Smith of Oklahoma State. Neither wrestler has failed to secure a victory against a Big Ten foe.
All around campus, people are whining because they are "sooo" busy this week with exams, papers and parties.
Quit complaining.
Tennessee has first serve for Michigan's intense weekend
Ohio State freshman Michael Redd hung his head between his knees as he sighed aloud and tore the tape from his ankles.
"Man, we shoulda' beat that team tonight," he said.Redd nearly stymies Blue, keys 20-4 run in second half
Crisler Arena fans last witnessed Maceo Baston not soaring in for a dunk, not swatting an opposing player's shot into the seats, but on the free-throw line in the waning minutes of Michigan's game last week against Northwestern.
Baston converted free throws following two consecutive fallaway, turnaround jumpers - not dunks, not putbacks - to seal the Wolverines' seven-point comeback victory against the Wildcats.Without Baston, 'M' might be hurting
The title 'Big Ten freshman of the year' can bring lots of pressure. It's commonly referred to as the "sophomore jinx." But Michigan basketball player Stacey Thomas has been able to avoid the dreaded curse.
"I didn't feel any pressure," Thomas said. "I just wanted to come in and contribute as much as I could."Year after freshman award, Thomas hasn't slowed a step
It's housekeeping time.
The Michigan men's swimming and diving team will tidy up this weekend, as three swimmers will compete in the Michigan Open.
Three swimmers aim for looming Big Tens with three-day Michigan Open
The Michigan women's swimming team has only one thing on its mind - to swim fast, really fast.
For 22 members of the team that chance will come in the form of the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships next weekend at Indiana. Four 'M' women's swimmers will gear up for Michigan Open this weekend
Throughout the season, the Michigan women's track and field team has displayed impressive consistency and depth - as a whole team.
This weekend, the Wolverines will show just how deep they are by splitting themselves between two meets.
Women's track tries divide-and-conquer approach
Although Saturday's Central Collegiate Championships are one of the most prestigious indoor track meets, Michigan's men's track team will not double-up in most events. The Wolverines will use the Central Collegiates as a practice meet.Men's track takes an easy weekend
(U-WIRE) PRINCETON, N.J. - Keeping focus through hours and hours of grueling practice. Pushing your body through fatigue and frustration to perfect every move. Putting every aspect of life on hold to pursue a goal that only a handful of people in the world will ever accomplish.
Former Princeton coach is in Nagano
No victories, four losses and ranked No. 10 in the country?
Sounds a little far-fetched, but that's where the Michigan men's gymnastics team finds itself. 
Michigan tumblers look for first victory against Gophers
Judge's ruling allows Martin to use cart in PGA Tour events
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - A judge ruled yesterday that Casey Martin can use a golf cart on the pro tour, a landmark victory in the first case invoking federal disabilities laws to compete in a major sport.
When U.S. Magistrate Thomas Coffin announced his ruling, Martin smiled slightly, nodded his head while looking at his parents, then turned to his lawyers and said: "We won."
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Senior guard Greg Jones, making the first start of his career, scored 18 points to lead No. 16 West Virginia to an 80-62 victory over No. 6 Connecticut yesterday.
The victory puts West Virginia (10-4, 20-4 overall) back in the chase for first place in the Big East 6. The Mountaineers are tied with St. John's, one-half game behind Connecticut (10-3, 21-4). The winners of each of the Big East's two divisions and the second-place team with the best winning percentage receive first-round byes in the conference tournament.Huskies upset by East rival
Street wins surprise gold in closest-ever women's super-G
HAKUBA, Japan (AP) - Picabo Street, the master of the unexpected, pulled off her biggest surprise yet - an Olympic gold medal in an oh-so-close women's super-G.
Street, a downhill specialist coming back from knee surgery and a crash in late January, was the second racer to come down the hill yesterday and then watched in amazement as the world's top super-G skiers failed to catch her.
Snowboarder tests positive for marijuana
TORONTO (AP) - Ten years after the Ben Johnson scandal, the Nagano Games were supposed to be Canada's best Olympics ever.
But dismay replaced pride when news broke that the country's new snowboarding hero faced losing his gold medal after drug tests turned up traces of marijuana in his system.
02-12-98
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