Kipping finished with Michigan By Raphael Goodstein Daily Sports Writer Even though sophomore Ruth Kipping is transferring from Michigan, she has visited her former teammates and coaches since leaving the team. Kipping's visit to the lockerroom after a practice may have lessened some of her animosity towards the program, but don't expect Michigan coach Sue Guevara to re-instate Kipping soon. "I think it's for the best interest of the program and Ruth that she not be a part of the program," Guevara said. "She told me she doesn't miss (playing)." Although there are rumors of animosity between the two, Guevara plans on helping Kipping find a new school. "She's going to look to transfer," Guevara said. "I told her, 'Let me know what schools you're thinking about transferring to, and I'll help you.'" Guevara said it looks like Kipping will leave the Big Ten. Missouri and No. 6 Iowa State are the two schools that Kipping - who was described to Guevara as "homesick and not happy" - voiced an interest in transferring to. Missouri is approximately a three-hour drive from Quincy, Ill. - Kipping's hometown, and Iowa State is close to a six-hour drive. Ann Arbor is nearly 10 hours away from Quincy. "She approached me earlier because she was homesick and wanted to be closer to home," Guevara said. "The team misses her, but (it) doesn't miss some things she was doing." Guevara would not specify what those things were. Kipping averaged 11 minutes per game in 17 games this season. Bies shines: With 12 minutes left in the first half of Sunday's game and Michigan ahead of Minnesota, 15-4, freshman center LeeAnn Bies found herself open from behind the 3-point line. Bies quickly squared up, and fired a line drive that appeared destined for the front of the rim - until the ball cleared it and swished through the hoop. On her way back down the floor, Bies made a 'why not?' gesture to the fans. Then, with eight minutes left in the half, Bies found herself open from behind the 3-point line, and without any hesitation, buried another 3-pointer. During the press conference, when Guevara described Bies as the team's "new 3-point shooter," Bies quipped, "I've been making those my whole life." The two shots marked the first 3-pointer of Bies' Michigan career. Bies has attempted only one other 3-point shot this season. NCAA Tournament bound?: Last year, the Wolverines lost to Minnesota at home and some Michigan observers, including Guevara, believed the loss prevented Michigan from going to the NCAA Tournament. But this year, the more experienced Wolverines appear to be waltzing into the Big Dance. Heading into Sunday's win, Michigan was ranked No. 25 in the Ratings Percentage Index, the ranking that the Tournament committee considers to make up the 64-team tournament. Many observers think the Wolverines will have to win four more games to make the tournament - a task Michigan is more than capable of accomplishing, with seven regular-season games and the Big Ten Tournament still to be played. But amid the "how-many-more-wins-will-it-take" game, sophomore guard Alayne Ingram is still thinking about the Big Ten title. "We can beat every team that we play (for the rest of the season)," Ingram said, envisioning a 7-0 finish. "It's important that we end the Big Ten with a bang." DANA LINNANE/Daily LeeAnn Bies soars above the Gophers in Michigan's 73-55 victory yesterday. Bies scored 13 points and nailed the first two 3-pointers of her career. Originally on page 5B in the 1-31-2000 issue of the Daily.