Michigan's Gavin Groninger needs 331 more 3-pointers to break Louis Bullock's Big Ten career record.
Something to think about, perhaps - but for now the freshman can take satisfaction in knowing he leads all Wolverines this season from behind the arc.
Groninger was 2-3 from downtown Saturday against Western, and is eight for 14 on the season. He also leads the Wolverines in 3-point percentage at .571, followed by surprise early-season standout Leon Jones, who is at an even .500.
"When Kevin (Gaines) and Jamal (Crawford) have good floor games, he'll continue to shoot the ball well," Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe said of his freshman marksman.
Groninger's shot does not conform to the traditional rainbow path to the hoop, but follows a relatively low trajectory - fooling would-be rebounders until it slings into the net. He also exhibits impressive versatility from the field, changing his m
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| DANA LINNANE/Daily Michigan guard Jamal Crawford is the Wolverines' high-point man through three games with 55. His classmate, Gavin Groninger, has eight 3-pointers on the season. |
Cutting to the hoop Saturday, he jumped for a pass intended for another dribble, but knowing that he'd be fouled if he landed, flipped the ball up on the glass and into the basket - something of a half-alley-oop.
"He's the only guy that's beat me in H.O.R.S.E since I've been here," Ellerbe said, "so he must be a pretty good shooter."
Go-To Guy network: Not to say that Michigan doesn't have several players on its young squad capable of taking "the last shot," but early on, go-to responsibilities have rested on the shoulders of freshman guard Jamal Crawford. Michigan's high point man with 55, Crawford has already been called on to win the Detroit game. He answered that call with a 13-foot tear-dropper from the lane and a Michigan victory.
In the last two games, Michigan has had the luxury of the final first-half possession, and in the last two games, Ellerbe has called Crawford's number to the hoop. He sunk neither attempt, although LaVell Blanchard helped the first with a tip in. Both times after the buzzer sounded and the rest of the team headed for the locker room, Ellerbe stayed briefly on the court to consult his clutch man.
"He just tells me to get my teammates involved a little more," Crawford said, summing the chats.
Don't blink: You might have missed it. But those paying close attention Saturday afternoon had a brief scare when center Josh Asselin winced in pain after a hard foul in the second half.
Apparently unaffected, Asselin swished both free throws and seemed to play normally the rest of the game.
But Michigan fans had reason for concern. Arguably the most valuable staple in a versatile offense, Asselin averages seven rebounds and 8.7 points per game, and has the hands to start every game at center.
His intangible presence was felt against Western Michigan in the first half, when with Asselin on the bench early the Broncos capitalized on turnovers and sloppy play down low to keep the game within a basket. A pair of Asselin free throws late in the half began an 11-0 pull-away for Michigan.
Le-land: Michigan freshman Leland Anderson got his first solid chunk of playing time at Crisler Arena on Saturday, and did not disappoint. The Massachusetts recruit was surrounded somewhat with questions upon arrival in Ann Arbor due to an injury that kept him on the bench much of his senior year.
But Saturday he demonstrated to Michigan faithful his good ability to take the feed down low, slamming home a pretty Crawford pass with both hands, and also showed the crowd his touch with two jumpers and a tip. He finished the night with eight points and seven rebounds.
11-29-99
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