Searight confused on bench

By Raphael Goodstein

Daily Sports Writer

Maurice Searight thought he would join the Michigan basketball team (1-2 Big Ten, 7-7 overall) and make an immediate impact. Those thoughts have not come to fruition, as the freshman has averaged less than five minutes a game in Michigan's last five games, down from the 14 minutes a game he averaged after nine games.

Against Eastern Michigan, Searight sat out the game for "undisclosed reasons," Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe said.

Searight said he thought he would come to Michigan and play a big role.

"It's been real tough sitting on the bench. I'm not used to that," he said.

Searight starred on the 28-0 Orchard Lake St. Mary's team that won the Michigan state title a year ago. He began the season expecting major minutes on a team that lost Jamal Crawford and Kevin Gaines, last year's starting guards.

But that hasn't happened.

"There's a reason for (not playing him)," Ellerbe said. Playing him "doesn't help our team win basketball games."

Instead Searight is trying to play well when the opportunity presents itself in order to impress the coaching staff. This forced play has often resulted in missed shots and turnovers.

Searight said he's been trying to impress the coaching staff when he gets an opportunity to play. "I just want to go out there and be the leader every time I'm out there on the court," he said.

Since Searight has seen less playing time, freshman guard Avery Queen has seen most of the minutes, though he too is a freshman and has struggled at times.

Searight said that he's played more tentatively because of the meager gametime time and that if he makes a mistake Ellerbe will "put Avery back in there."

Searight's lack of playing time may have stunted his maturation. He said that playing-wise, he's unhappy and wishes the coaching staff would tell him what he needs to do to get more playing time.

"Things aren't going the way I planned," Searight said.

Yesterday in practice, Searight ran some formations with the "Soul Patrol," the third-string unit composed mainly of walk-ons.

"Maurice has to earn playing time," Ellerbe said. "He's got to earn it every day and he hasn't done that. His learning curve has been a little more difficult than some of the other players'."

Searight is not alone in feeling confused about his role. Junior guard Leon Jones said: "Everybody's trying to press and everybody's a little tight. I don't think my role on this team has been defined - I don't think anybody's role on this team has been defined."

JEFF HURVITZ/Daily

Freshman Maurice Searight has averaged 12.3-minutes-per-game as a backup to fellow freshman point guard Avery Queen.