Ellerbe hopes fouls will subside

By Dan Williams

Daily Sports Writer

When Michigan attempts to avenge its 80-51 loss to Illinois Thursday, basketball coach Brian Ellerbe hopes his players aren't the only ones that improve.

In the Jan. 13 game in Champaign, Michigan was whistled for a remarkable 27 fouls. Michigan's top-three big men, Josh Moore, Josh Asselin and Chris Young, all fouled out in the contest.

"We probably didn't foul 27 times," Ellerbe said. "We did make some inquiries to the Big Ten office after (the game)."

The NCAA warned teams prior to the season that they planned to crack down on rough play. Michigan will bring officials to practice three times this week as the players continue adapting to the stricter rule enforcement.

If Michigan has been knee-deep in foul trouble this season, Moore has been completely buried. The freshman has fouled out in three of five Big Ten games this season, and he is averaging a foul every two minutes in conference play.

"When you're 7-2, you've got guys draped all over you," Moore said. "Any movement that you make looks like you're dislodging somebody. Every time I move, a guy falls.

"I'm not going to be like Rasheed Wallace here and say it's all on the refs. I have to take a little accountability here."

Ingerson's status with Michigan unchanged: Ellerbe said that Michigan is not having second thoughts about Dommanic Ingerson, one of next year's recruits.

Ingerson was suspended indefinitely from his Santa Barbara, Calif. high school team last Wednesday by his coach, Jeff Lavender, for poor behavior on the court. Ingerson reportedly wiped sweat on a ball before handing it to the referee following a call he disagreed with.

"I think Jeff Lavender is handling it as well as he can possibly handle it. You have to hold your kids accountable," Ellerbe said. "There's not a whole lot we can do, he's not a part of our program right now."

Ellerbe is unconcerned that time away from the court will leave Ingerson at a basketball disadvantage.

"Playing another month of high school is not going to change what type of player he is," Ellerbe said. "A lot of it has to do with him growing up."

Switch hitter: Michigan freshman quarterback Jermaine Gonzales is now officially a member of the men's basketball team, having practiced with the squad since Monday.

The 6-foot-4 Gonzales teamed up with fellow Michigan freshman Maurice Searight at Orchard Lake St. Mary's High School, where the pair won a state championship.

"There's no indication that we would ever even play him," Ellerbe said. "It's a hard thing to judge - he hasn't been on the floor at all. We may be able to use him defensively at some point."