Women's hoops learns from losses

Wednesday night's victory against Michigan State was a "monster win." But for the Michigan women's basketball team, this weekend will determine whether the Wolverines' triumph over the Spartans was a fluke or a turnaround.

The Wolverines put a halt to their horrific six-game losing streak with an emotional overtime victory on Wednesday. But the question now is, can their emotion propel them to victory this upcoming weekend?

Although they face mediocre teams in Iowa and Northwestern on the road, Michigan (2-4 Big Ten, 10-6 overall) must show that they are not the 11th team in the Big Ten.

"You can say they are a last-place team," Michigan State coach Karen Langeland said after losing on Wednesday. "But you have to look at the losses that they have had consecutively and I do not think that they are a last place team, nor do I think that they will end up there when the season ends."

Michigan's first test will come from the Hawkeyes. Like Michigan, Iowa has struggled recently. The Hawkeyes (3-4, 8-9) are riding a three-game losing streak.

The Hawkeyes are also struggling with inexperience. Iowa presents a roster consisting of eight freshmen, who, for the most part, have done their job.

Even though the Big Ten season is still young, Iowa knows that beating Michigan will provide a big boost of confidence for their freshmen.

"This week against Michigan is a must-win," Iowa coach Angie Lee said. "We're fighting for a bye. It's a goal of ours."

Michigan shares that goal and knocking off Iowa on the road would add fuel to the argument that the victory over Michigan State was not a fluke, but rather a turnaround.

"I know that our win against State was an emotional lift," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "Can I say that it was a turnaround? I am not really sure yet."

Michigan's biggest concern will be trying to contain Iowa's 6-foot-4 center Amy Herrig. In Iowa's last game, Herrig scored 27 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.

For Michigan to be successful, freshman Ruth Kipping and sophomore Alison Miller will have to play aggressive defense in order to shut down a talented and imposing Herrig.

Before returning to Ann Arbor, the Wolverines stop in Evanston to face a team in a similar situation.

Northwestern - just like Iowa and Michigan - is mired at the bottom of the conference (2-4, 8-8). And like Michigan, Northwestern recently snapped a four-game losing streak - with a victory over No. 17 Ohio State, 48-41.

The Wildcats, playing ferocious defense, limited Ohio State to a season-low 18 field goals. They held Ohio State to a season-low .290 field-goal percentage (18-of-62).

While the Wildcats don't feature any dominant individual player, they play an aggressive team game, which could muffle Michigan's offensive flow.

Michigan must be fluid in the passing game, and make wise decisions in their shot selection. Look for the turnovers to be a deciding factor in this game.

01-22-99