Michigan shooters go cold, but Illinois has chilly streak of its own

CHAMPAIGN - After shooting at least 45 percent from the field in each of its past five games, Michigan shot just 36 percent yesterday against Illinois.

The Fighting Illini fared only slightly better, hitting on 40 percent of their shots. Michigan's defense was at least partly responsible for the Illini's shooting woes.

"God, I watched Illinois up the wazoo and they penetrate, penetrate, penetrate," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "Tauja Catchings, 1-for-7. How is she going to score? Off the dribble. So we're going to play off of her and try to make her hit the outside jumper or at least look to take some charges."

Spreading it around: When opposing coaches think of the Michigan scoring attack, Pollyanna Johns is usually the first person that comes to mind. The center is averaging more than 20 points per game, third best in the Big Ten.

Johns also leads the conference in rebounding. But, if Michigan's opponents only concentrate on Johns, they're going to get burned by the Wolverines' balanced scoring attack.

In addition to Johns (20.4 ppg), Michigan has had at least four players score in double figures in five straight games. All of the Wolverines' starters average at least nine points per game and Tiffany Willard comes off the bench to average eight.

Walker returns: Sophomore forward Kenisha Walker had her most productive game since returning on Dec. 30 from injury against Minnesota. Walker pulled down seven rebounds, including four offensive boards, all in the first half against the Fighting Illini.

Walker, who was named the most improved player on the Wolverines last season, played 22 minutes against Illinois, giving Michigan quality time off the bench.

She added a steal and a block in her fifth game back.

Sheeler loves Michigan: Illinois center Alicia Sheeler averages 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. But, against Michigan the last two years, Sheeler has boosted both her scoring and her rebounding.

In last year's contest in Ann Arbor, a Michigan victory, Sheeler poured in 22 points and pulled down 14 boards. On Sunday, Sheeler again scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

A long time coming: A lot has happened since Michigan last beat the Boilermakers.

The New York Mets won a World Series. The U.S. won the Cold War. The Berlin Wall fell. Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson both won the Heisman.

On Jan. 12, 1986, the Wolverines squeaked out a 71-68 victory. Since then, Purdue has taken 21 straight against Michigan.

But all that ended Friday.

"It's a good feeling," Guevara said. "I'm very happy for this team. But you know what? We get to enjoy it for less than 24 hours.

Acting Lessons: Guevara is upset with the Big Ten's officiating. So she's teaching her team to act.

"God knows, I don't know the difference between a charge and a block," Guevara said. "I'm saying to my kids, 'If they're going to go up and you're between there, you need to fall. You fall and grunt, yell, whatever so we can get an offensive charge.'"

Guevara took her cause up with the supervisor of Big Ten officials.

- Daily Sports Writer Josh Kleinbaum contributed to this report.

01-12-98