A Blue wall of silence: Hoops prep for Bucks

Will Crawford be reinstated?

By David Den Herder

Daily Sports Editor

Michigan could be in a one-down position before the Buckeyes even take the floor this Sunday at Crisler Arena.

In the next installment of a brutal Big Ten stretch, the Wolverines will face their third top-10 opponent in as many meetings - this time in the form of No. 5 Ohio State.

But strength of schedule is the least of concerns on South Campus. As of last night, the Athletic Department was silent on whether Michigan's leading scorer, Jamal Crawford, will be reinstated in time for Sunday's 1 p.m. tipoff - or even at all this season.

Athletic officials refused to comment yesterday on anything pertaining to Crawford's eligiblity or his status for the Ohio State game. Crawford was rendered ineligible by the Athletic Department last Friday, but officials did not say so until after the tipoff of Tuesday's Michigan State game, when Crawford was seated on the Michigan bench in street clothes.

At a halftime press conference during the Michigan State game, University professor Percy Bates, faculty representative on the Board in Control of Intercollegiate Athletics, said he expected the Crawford matter to be cleared up by the next day, which was Wednesday.

But the athletic department's continued silence on the issue further proliferated an air of confusion over when and if Crawford will be allowed to play again for Michigan.

NCAA public information coordinater Jane Jankowski said the NCAA cannot comment on individual cases, but that it is common for the reinstatement committee to reach decisons on eligibilty concerns within a 24-hour period.

"If we have sufficient information, there are certainly times where we can turn a request around in one day," Jankowski said. She added that the NCAA usually takes special care to expedite the process if there are upcoming games on an athlete's schedule.

Yet the NCAA has been aware of this case for a week, and still no word from Michigan officials.

If Crawford misses a second game, the Wolverines will be forced to face arguably the nation's best backcourt Sunday without their star shooting guard.

The weight of the Wolverines will likely be placed on freshman Kevin Gaines, who will have the task of defending a potential All-American for the third straight game in Ohio State's Scoonie Penn.

Tuesday against Mateen Cleaves, Gaines scored eight points, playing the entire game in Crawford's absence.

In place of Crawford, sophomore Leon Jones will likely start across from the Buckeyes' other backcourt threat, night, Redd outscored the more heralded Penn, 14-13, in Ohio State's victory over Wisconsin.

Michigan may have more of a chance to outplay the Bucks inside. Although Ohio State center Ken Johnson was recently named Big Ten player of the week and was important in the Buckeyes' victory over Michigan State, junior center Josh Asselin has always had his number.

Last year at Crisler Arena, Asselin had a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double against Johnson as the overmatched Wolverines steamrolled the Final Four-bound Bucks, 84-74.

"We were able to exploit some matchups last year," assistaint coach Scott Trost said. "Asselin played very well last year, as did Brandon Smith."

Michigan's trip to Indiana, where it scored only 50 points to the Hoosiers' 85, may have been the first tough defense the young team faced. But as Brian Ellerbe foreshadowed then, Michigan State (since a 20-point loss) and Ohio State may have the most stringent defensive players in the league.

"I've heard a lot of other coaches say it takes two years to teach kids college defense," Trost said.

Sunday

Who: Ohio State (6-1 Big Ten, 14-3 overall) at Michigan (3-4, 12-6)

When: 1 p.m. EST

TV/Radio: CBS (Channel 13), WTKA 1050 AM, WJR 760 AM

Latest: No. 5 Ohio State squeaked by Wisconsin, 51-48 Tuesday night

Jan. 16, 1999: Michigan 84, Ohio State 74

On the back of 22 points and 10 rebounds by Josh Asselin, the Wolverines stunned No. 21 Ohio State. Michigan scored 53 points in the second half and shot 11-for-19 from 3-point range in the game.

Feb. 11, 1998: Michigan 76, Ohio State 68

One wouldn't have known that Ohio State was winless in the conference the way they played the Wolverines. Without Maceo Baston, Michigan was tied at 62 with the Buckeyes before pulling ahead down the stretch.

Jan. 2, 1997: Ohio State 73, Michigan 71

Still tuckered out after returning from the Maui Invitational just two nights earlier, the Wolverines came out flat in their Big Ten opener. Brandun Hughes missed a 3-pointer with three seconds left that would've won it. Michael Redd. Tuesday night, Redd outscored the more heralded Penn, 14-13, in Ohio State's victory over Wisconsin.

Michigan might have more of a chance to outplay the Bucks inside. Although Ohio State center Ken Johnson was recently named Big Ten player of the week and was important in the Buckeyes' victory over Michigan State, junior center Josh Asselin has always had his number.

Last year at Crisler Arena, Asselin had a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double against Johnson as the overmatched Wolverines steamrolled the Final Four-bound Bucks, 84-74.

"We were able to exploit some matchups last year," assistant coach Scott Trost said. "Asselin played very well last year, as did Brandon Smith."

Michigan's trip to Indiana, where it scored only 50 points to the Hoosiers' 85, may have been the first tough defense the young team faced. But as Brian Ellerbe foreshadowed then, Michigan State (which defeated a Crawford-less Michigan by 20) and Ohio State may have the most stringent defensive players in the league.

"I've heard a lot of other coaches say it takes two years to teach kids college defense," Trost said.