As far as ceremonies go, this one was pretty standard. Before the tipoff against Northwestern yesterday, the Michigan women's basketball team recognized its four seniors at mid-court, honoring them with flowers and applause.
Yet, when the usually mediocre Wildcats forced the game into overtime, and the Wolverines were in danger of a disastrous loss, the term "Senior Day" took on a whole new meaning.
Led by center Pollyanna Johns, Michigan's graduating class - also consisting of Molly Murray, Tiffany Willard and Akisha Franklin - refused to lose its last game in Crisler Arena.
Johns, who scored seven of Michigan's eight overtime points, was nostalgic about the last home game of her career.
"I can't put it into words," Johns said. "For me, this really meant a lot."
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| WARREN ZINN/Daily Michigan center Pollyanna Johns grabs a rebound from Northwestern's Mary Connolly. Johns had 21 points and 15 rebounds yesterday. |
While the season-high crowd of 4,246 did its best to make the seniors' last home game a special one, the group remained focused on the basketball that is yet to be played - two road dates at Minnesota and Ohio State and the crucial Big Ten Tournament.
Defeating the conference-doormat Gophers and repaying the Buckeyes for an earlier home loss are likely musts if the Wolverines want to nail down an NCAA Tournament bid. The same can be said about making some noise in the conference tournament.
So please excuse the Wolverines if the tears aren't flowing right now - they've got more important things to worry about.
"I'm sure when we have our banquet (at the end of the season), then the emotion will show more," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "Right now, we still have business to do."
Murray also downplayed the meaning of the gritty victory, during which the Wolverines couldn't put the Wildcats away.
"It really hasn't hit me yet," Murray said. "The game was kind of symbolic of how the four years have gone for us seniors, because it was so up and down."
Johns attached more meaning to the final home win because it came against her hometown rival.
"This game was big to me because it's Northwestern, and I'm from Evanston, so we really wanted to beat them."
Johns also wanted the win for more personal reasons.
"My first two years here were absolutely horrible, with the way I played and a bunch of other stuff. That's why this one means a lot."
Johns suffered a season-ending knee injury in her freshman year, and also struggled with then-coach Trish Roberts, who departed after Johns' sophomore year.
But don't expect Johns and the rest of the Wolverines to dwell on this game - not with their future still to be decided in the coming weeks.
"Like Molly said, I don't really feel that much different now," Johns said. "I won't really be emotional until the season's over, and I know I won't be coming back."
02-16-98
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