Men's basketball returns from Maui Invitational with questions answered

Besides the side benefits of a Thanksgiving break trip to Hawai'i (read: Ingrid Ellerbe's Thanksgiving feast), the Michigan men's basketball team learned a little something on their trip.

First, the Wolverines learned that November in Hawai'i is a touch more mild than November in Michigan. But from a basketball point of view, they learned that they might not be as bad as everyone thought.

But they also learned that they've got a lot of work to do if they want to keep playing basketball in March. And a good test will be tonight's game against defensively tough Towson.

"We've answered some questions about what we could and couldn't do," Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe said. "We answered some questions about ourselves."

One of those questions was 'Why aren't these guys playing a zone defense?'

MARGARET MYERS/Daily The Michigan frontcourt wasn't productive over the three-game Maui Invitational last week, as the guards were called upon to provide much of the scoring.

One of the best answers for that, and one the Wolverines would probably rather have left undiscovered, was Utah's Jeremy Killion. On Wednesday, He chowed down on Michigan's zone as if it were stuffing and mashed potatoes.

"One thing about a zone," Michigan guard Louis Bullock said, "if you play it for the course of a game, you'll give up open shots."

Killion sank six of those shots, all 3-pointers, and his 18 points helped the Utes sink Michigan, 71-56.

"That guy did a great job," Bullock said.

Bullock said that of Killion, but he could have said it about Michigan's Leon Jones. The freshman guard's 33 points in the tournament answered any questions about his play this season.

The Wolverines also answered questions as to their ability to play on the same level as top-25 teams.

After beating No. 22 Clemson, Michigan stayed with No. 19 Syracuse and No. 18 Utah before succumbing in the closing minutes of each. And while they were losses, the games showed that Michigan is not the tomato can it seemed to be after losing to Ball State and Florida International.

But playing a zone defense, and playing it for three games in three days, is tiring. And when only about seven players are logging serious minutes, any team would be hard-pressed to hang with top-notch opponents.

"Defensive fatigue caught up with us," Ellerbe said.

And so did Utah and Syracuse. Michigan held a seven-point lead on the Utes, and found themselves within four of the Orangemen at one point. But down the stretch, the Wolverines found themselves outplayed.

"Our offense helped their defense," Ellerbe said.

Towson's defense might not need the help tonight.

11-30-98