Classy Bullock a true leader for 'M'

You can't blame him. The box score from Michigan's loss to Michigan State last week was not a pretty sight.

The Spartans handed Michigan a 15-point loss, and notched their first victory in Crisler Arena since Bullock arrived in Ann Arbor.

Even more discouraging was the fact that Bullock's first home loss to the hated Spartans seemed like it was played in East Lansing, with Michigan State fans packing the upper reaches of Crisler Arena.

The soft-spoken captain was diplomatic after the game, thanking the Michigan fans for their support. A nice gesture, considering they sat idle while chants of "C-B-A" from the Michigan State fans rained down upon Bullock in his own building.

But such gratitude is no surprise. Bullock has been a class act all season.

He spends the entire game battling defenders who grab, push and check him - before he even gets the ball. Everyone in the building knows that Bullock is the Michigan offense, and he nevertheless manages to get open and score over 20 points per game.

Still, the most impressive thing about Bullock cannot be seen from the stands. It takes place in tiny rooms, far removed from the court, in Crisler and places like Assembly Hall and Cameron Indoor Stadium.

This is where Bullock patiently endures questions about each Michigan loss, from Sunday's two-point heartbreaker against Indiana to December's 44-point drubbing by Duke.

Just once, you want to see him vent some anger. Blast his teammates. Criticize the officiating. Snap at a reporter.

You or I would have done it long ago.

Yet Bullock never loses his cool. No matter how disappointing the loss, the team leader finds cause to be optimistic.

And so he talks about what the Wolverines did well. He compliments his teammates.

Even when he admits that a loss is discouraging - as he did after the Michigan State game - he does with a composure that could be mistaken for indifference.

But Bullock cares, deeply, about this team. It would be so easy for him to take a rest from being the go-to-guy, even for just a game. With the way opposing teams zero in on him, he could just chalk it up to good defense.

Instead, Bullock works so hard to get open that by the time he does get the ball, its a wonder he can do anything with it.

After the game, Bullock's attitude is equally impressive. He admits that this isn't how he envisioned his final days as a Wolverine, yet still he keeps his chin up.

And forgotten amidst the disappointment of this year is the fact that Michigan is losing a truly great player.

So Crisler fans take note: Tonight is Bullock's last home game. He has given himself to Michigan basketball for four years, and never more so than in this tumultuous season.

Unless you're a diehard, this is your last chance to see him play. You don't want the disaster against the Spartans to be his final memory of Crisler Arena.

Got a midterm tomorrow? Lou has midterms, too. In fact, this season Lou's had papers, exams and CRISP appointments, just like all the rest of you.

The difference is that he hasn't given up on the season, even though everyone else has. Even though he won't tell you himself, you owe it to Sweet Lou to show up and say goodbye tonight.

- Andy Latack can be reached

via e-mail at latack@umich.edu.

ANDY LATACK

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Latack

02-24-99