Michigan notes

New opponent for women's hoops

The schedule was set, the officials were picked and the starters were warmed up and ready to take the court.

The Michigan women's basketball team was ready to grace Crisler Arena, playing its second exhibition game on Nov. 13 against Austria's Gustino Powerbasket Wels. A game is still planned, but, due to a schedule change, the Wolverines will face a different opponent.

At 7 p.m. on the same date, coach Sue Guevara and the Wolverines will face the Houston Jaguars in Ann Arbor.

Michigan, which finished as Big Ten runner-up in 2000 (13-3 Big Ten, 22-8 overall), looks to follow its most impressive season to date without the help of its most glamorized player. Stacey Thomas led the Big Ten in scoring throughout the 2000 season. This time around, Michigan looks to its younger players for strength.

The Wolverines open their 2000-01 season in Crisler Arena with an exhibition game this Sunday against The Family Inc. Michigan's regular season is scheduled to begin on Friday, Nov. 17, against Louisana Tech.

- Staff reports

Women's recruit needs ACL surgery

One of the state's frontrunners for Miss Basketball of Michigan, Tabitha Pool, verbally committed to the Wolverines on Oct. 20. The senior from Ann Arbor Huron tore her anterior cruciate ligament in a game against Bellville on Oct. 17 ending her season, but is optimistic that she will be ready for Michigan next year.

Pool is having surgery this upcoming Monday. She said Medsport told her she will need 6-8 months of rehab.

"It's just a lot of hard work," Pool said.

Pool made her decision to attend Michigan after what she found to be an unimpressive visit to Michigan State before her trip to Michigan. Playing with and against many of the Wolverines in AAU games swayed her towards Michigan as well.

"I wanted to go where I knew I would fit in," Pool said.

Huron coach Pat Battani said the 6-foot-1 forward is capable of playing any position.

"If she played point guard, she'd be the best point guard in the state," Battani said. "If she played center, she'd be the best center in the state."

She averaged 22 points, 17.6 rebounds, 6.2 steals and 4.3 assists this year before her injury.

Including his AAU players, Battani has coached over 100 players that have gone on to Division I basketball, but said Pool may be the best talent yet.

"She can do what everyone else does, just at a higher speed," Battani said. "That's what sets her apart."

- Staff reports