Swiss cheese

Blue pokes holes in Swiss

High in the Alps somewhere, there probably are some teams with whom the Swiss National women's basketball team matches up well. Michigan is neither high in the Alps nor fair competition for the short Swiss.

Though the Wolverines weren't flawless, they were dominant in last night's matchup. At the buzzer, Michigan walked off the court with an 84-47 victory over the hapless Swiss at Crisler Arena yesterday.

"I think that what this game did was that it gave the (young players) time, it gave them some experience," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "It's only one game, but it was something that they need.

"The competition wasn't the best, but I can't help that."

WARREN ZINN/Daily Michigan guard Stacey Thomas avoided several double-teams en route to a 15-point, 70-percent shooting performance against the Swiss National Team last night.

In fact, there really wasn't much competition at all. Midway through the first half, the game was essentially over. The Wolverines had a 23-7 lead and there was no sign of the momentum letting up.

The Swiss jumped out to an early lead, but Michigan freshman Ruth Kipping quickly put an end to that, converting a 3-point opportunity.

Kipping's initial spark was indicative of the presence of Michigan's freshmen.

In last night's game, the Wolverines started an experienced backcourt composed of sophomore Anne Thorius and junior Stacey Thomas. But, the frontcourt was an entirely different story.

Raina Goodlow, Heather Oesterle and Kipping got the call to start in their first game.

But though to the casual spectator Michigan may have appeared experienced, Michigan coach Sue Guevara didn't think so.

"I didn't like the way our offense looked tonight," Guevara said. "It doesn't matter who our post players are, they're thinking too much. And because of that, it's almost like they're telegraphing our offense."

The inexperience of the Wolverines also showed in the turnover statistics. Michigan committed 23 turnovers. But, versus the Swiss team, which committed 39 turnovers, that figure didn't make much of a difference.

It is one aspect of its game the team will concentrate on in practice, however.

"Twenty-three turnovers isn't going to cut it," Guevara said. "... We're not going to be shooting 60 percent every game."

A noticeable absence on Michigan's roster last night was senior guard Ann Lemire. Lemire - who is suspended for a team violation - factors largely into the offense.

Lemire is an offensive threat from 3-point land. Without her, the Wolverines took only five 3-pointers.

"I told her after the game that with her we could have had 100 points," Guevara said.

Michigan also showed its youthful side on the defensive end. It committed 25 fouls sending the Swiss to the line 34 times. The three freshman starters each had two personal fouls early in the first half.

"What you saw tonight was that we did pressure them defensively," Guevara said. "Our three freshman who started the game didn't play a whole lot, because all of a sudden it's 'welcome to college basketball.'"

11-04-98