Game #4
11/27/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
vs.
WAKE FOREST demon deacons (4-0, 0-0 ACC)
ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Tuesday, November 28, 2000, 7:05 p.m.
Crisler Arena (13,562), Ann Arbor, Mich.
Complete Release in PDF (14 pages, 193 KB)
Radio Coverage: WJR (760 AM Detroit) will originate the game on the Michigan Basketball Network. Frank Beckmann handles play-by-play and Dugan Fife is the color analyst for Wolverines.
Television Coverage: The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Mike Tirico will handle the play-by-play and Len Elmore is the color analyst.
Tickets: Available. Tickets prices for single-game tickets are $18 for the blue section and $14 for the gold section. For further Michigan basketball ticket information call the Michigan Ticket Office at (734) 764-0247.
Coaches: Brian Ellerbe is in his fourth season with the Wolverines and has an 88-90 career coaching record with a 54-43 record at Michigan. Wake Forest is coached by Dave Odom, who is in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach. He carries 225-121 record in his 12 years with Wake Forest.
Rankings: Michigan is not ranked. Wake Forest is ranked 12th by the Associated Press and 12th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
Officials: Ted Hillary, Tom Clark, Ted Valentine
Wake Forest Website: www.wakeforestsports.com
ACC/Big Ten Challenge Comes to Crisler
For the second straight year, the ACC and Big Ten will play the nine-game challenge series for the Commissioner's Cup. Michigan will host Wake Forest Tuesday, Nov. 28, in the day's prime match-up.
2000 ACC/Big Ten Challenge Schedule (Times EST)
| Tuesday, Nov. 28 | ||
| Wake Forest at Michigan | ESPN | 7:00 p.m. |
| Northwestern at Clemson | ESPN2 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Illinois vs. Duke | ESPN | 9:00 p.m. |
| Georgia Tech at Iowa | ESPN2 | 9:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday, Nov. 29 | ||
| Purdue at Virginia | ESPN | 7:00 p.m. |
| North Carolina at Michigan State | ESPN2 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Minnesota at Florida State | ESPN-R | 8:00 p.m. |
| Maryland vs. Wisconsin | ESPN | 9:00 p.m. |
| Penn State at North Carolina State | ESPN2 | 9:30 p.m. |
ACC Claims First Commissioner's Cup
The inaugural ACC/Big Ten Challenge lived up to its billing as the Commissioner's Cup was decided on the last game of the series. With a Florida State 60-46 win over Northwestern, the ACC claimed the first Cup, 5-4.
1999 ACC/Big Ten Challenge Results
| Date | Challenge Games |
| Nov. 30 | Wake Forest 67, Wisconsin 48 |
| | Maryland 83, Iowa 65 |
| | Duke 72, Illinois 69 @ |
| | Minnesota 74, Virginia 62 |
| Dec. 1 | Michigan 80, Georgia Tech 77 # |
| | North Carolina State 61, Purdue 59 |
| | Penn State 85, Clemson 75 |
| | Michigan State 88, North Carolina 76 |
| | Florida State 60, Northwestern 46 |
@ played at United Center, Chicago, Ill.
# played at Philips Arena, Atlanta, Ga.
New Hampton Prep Reunion Set for Crisler Arena
Michigan freshman Bernard Robinson Jr. (2000) and Wake Forest junior Rafael Vidaurreta (1998) and sophomore Darius Songaila (1999) all attended New Hampton Prep School in New Hampshire before heading their respective schools. Although the three did not play together, they all played for head coach Jamie Arsenault.
Michigan and the ACC
The University of Michigan carries a 30-24 overall record against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents. The Wolverines have played every school in the conference except one -- Wake Forest. The ACC/Big Ten Challenge game against the Demon Deacons will complete the conference for the Maize and Blue.
Michigan vs. the Atlantic Coast Conference
| Team | W | L | Pct. | | First Meeting |
| Clemson | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | 1987 | |
| Duke | 7 | 14 | .333 | 1964 | |
| Florida | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1997 | |
| Georgia Tech | 3 | 3 | .500 | 1967 | |
| Maryland | 3 | 1 | .750 | 1927 | |
| North Carolina | 2 | 3 | .400 | 1986 | |
| North Carolina State | 1 | 2 | .333 | 1950 | |
| Virginia | 2 | 1 | .667 | 1952 | |
| Totals | 30 | 24 | .556 |
Last Year at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Led by the strong performances of freshmen LaVell Blanchard and Gavin Groninger, Michigan held off a late Georgia Tech charge to win 80-77 on Dec. 1, 1999, at Philips Arena in Atlanta as part of the inaugural ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Blanchard and Groninger each netted a team-high 18 points, while Jamal Crawford recorded 14 points, five assists and four blocks to pace Michigan. Blanchard, who finished 7-of-11 from the field, also pulled in a team-high 13 rebounds to go with four assists, while Groninger connected on six of his nine three-point attempts.
After Georgia Tech cut Michigan's 16-point lead down to six, 76-73, Groninger drained a three-pointer, his sixth of the game, on the right wing to push the lead to 79-73 with 1:19 to play. Crawford hit one of two free throws sandwiched by a pair of Tech hoops to bring the score to 80-77.
Georgia Tech's Alvin Jones was called for an illegal screen with 5.1 seconds and Groninger had a chance to close the game, but he missed the free throw, giving Georgia Tech one final chance. Again the Yellow Jackets failed to get off a shot, turning the ball over as time expired.
Blanchard Does it Again
Sophomore LaVell Blanchard recorded his 11th career double-double with 24 points and a career-high-tying 13 rebounds against Wagner College (Nov. 25). He now has collected 13 rebounds four times in his Michigan career, including twice in three games this season (at Oakland, Nov. 17). He currently leads the team with 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds a game.
Blanchard's Double-Dips
| Date | Opponent | Points | Rebounds |
| Dec. 1, 1999 | vs. Georgia Tech | 18 | 13* |
| Dec. 19, 1999 | at Boston College | 25* | 10 |
| Dec. 23, 1999 | Duquesne | 16 | 10 |
| Jan. 2, 2000 | Colorado State | 11 | 11 |
| Jan. 8, 2000 | at Purdue | 21 | 10 |
| Jan. 25, 2000 | at Indiana | 19 | 13* |
| Feb. 13, 2000 | Indiana | 23 | 12 |
| Feb. 19, 2000 | Penn State | 16 | 11 |
| Mar. 1, 2000 | Iowa | 15 | 11 |
| Nov. 17, 2000 | at Oakland | 19 | 13* |
| Nov. 25, 2000 | Wagner | 24 | 13* |
* career highs
Wolverines Put Up the Numbers Against Wagner
Six Wolverines scored in double figures in the Wolverines' 98-83 defeat of Wagner College (Nov. 25). LaVell Blanchard led the way for the Wolverines, collecting his 11th career double-double with a 24 points and a career-high-tying 13 rebounds. Bernard Robinson Jr. followed with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Josh Asselin had 12 points, four rebounds and four blocks; Chris Young had 12 points and five rebounds; Avery Queen had 10 points, five rebounds and five assists; and Josh Moore had 10 points and nine rebounds.
The last time Michigan had six players score in double figures was eight years ago (Jan. 25, 1992) vs. Wisconsin. The last Wolverines to accomplish that feat were Chris Webber (25), Jimmy King (15), Jalen Rose (13), Juwan Howard (12), Michael Talley (12) and Eric Riley (10).
Make That Three Straight for the Wolverine Offense
The Wolverines have scored 90 or more points in the first three games of the season. The Wolverines hit for 90 points at Oakland (Nov. 17), 92 against Western Michigan (Nov. 21) and 98 against Wagner (Nov. 25). The last time the Wolverines had three straight 90-plus performances was during the 1993-94 season -- in a 102-81 win vs. Auburn (Dec. 28, 1993), a 119-95 loss vs. Arizona (Dec. 30, 1993) and a 111-84 victory vs. Boston University (Jan. 3, 1994). For the season, Michigan is averaging 93.3 points a game, while its opponents are averaging 86.0 points a game.
Young Continues Strong Play
Junior Chris Young has continued with his breakout junior season. He has started and scored in double figures in each of the first three games this season and is averaging 13.7 points and 7.0 rebounds a game. In addition to nearly doubling his career averages, Young is shooting an amazing 85 percent from the field as he is 17-of-20 on the season. He recorded his first career double-double against Western Michigan (Nov. 21) with his 14-point, 13-rebound performance. Young's 13 boards destroyed his career best of nine recorded at Northwestern (Feb. 26, 2000).
Add Another to the List of Marathoners
Senior Josh Asselin has played in 95 consecutive games for the Wolverines and has played in 96 total career games, missing only one game due to illness during his freshman season at Towson (Nov. 24, 1997). Juniors Leon Jones and Chris Young have played in every game in their Michigan careers, a stretch of 63 consecutive games. Now, the Wolverines add sophomore Gavin Groninger to that list as he has not missed a game in his young career, playing in 32 consecutive.
Carbon Copies
Sophomore LaVell Blanchard and freshman Bernard Robinson Jr. have become a dangerous duo for the Wolverines. Both have almost identical stat lines as they have led the Wolverines all season long. Blanchard leads the team with 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds, with Robinson Jr. right behind with 17.3 points and 5.7 rebounds a game. Blanchard is shooting 43.2 percent from the field and Robinson Jr. is shooting 41.7 percent. Both are shooting 80 percent on free throws.
Carbon Copies II
The Wolverines' new backcourt, freshmen Avery Queen and Maurice Searight have been gaining experience running the Maize and Blue offense, and the continual adjustments have paid dividends for the Wolverines. So far this season the two have been neck-and-neck in each statistical category. Searight leads the team with 15 assists (5.0 apg), while Queen has 14 (4.6 apg). Searight is averaging 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds and Queen is averaging 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds a game. They both have six steals on the season.
Asselin Shakes Slump
Senior Josh Asselin shook off a two-game slump as he exploded in the second half against Wagner College (Nov. 25). He used his experience and interior defense to cause the Seahawk offense fits as he collected four blocks and broke up several Wagner plays. He also finished the game with 12 points on 3-of-4 shooting (all dunks) and 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
Searight and Queen Find the Cracks
Freshmen Maurice Searight and Avery Queen have been able to find the cracks in the opponent's defense as they have distributed the ball for easy baskets in the first three games of the year. Searight had a career-best seven assists against Wagner (Nov. 25), while Queen had five against the Seahawks. For the season, Searight is averaging 5.0 assists a game, while Queen is right behind with 4.6 a game.
Moore Continues to Shake the Rust
Freshman Josh Moore continues to shake the rust after missing a year of basketball. Against Wagner College (Nov. 25), Moore had another strong night, finishing with career highs of 10 points and nine rebounds. He also collected his first collegiate assist and steal and had two blocks in 21 minutes of action. For the season, he is averaging 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds a game.
The Defensive Weapon
Freshman Maurice Searight has proven that his 4.2 speed (40-yard dash) is for real. The Wolverines' defensive "glove" is using his speed and agility to cause havoc and pressure against U-M's opposition guards. He has collected at least one steal in each of his first three collegiate games and is tied for the team's lead with six, along with backcourt mate Avery Queen.
Junior Quietly Producing
Freshman Bernard Robinson Jr. has quietly been producing as he adjusts to the college level. In his first three collegiate games, his stat lines have mirrored each other as he has been doing it all -- both offensively and defensively. He is averaging 17.3 points a game as he has done it from all angles of the court -- from deep, from in the lane, from putbacks to dunks. He is also averaging 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and steals a game. In addition he is shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 80 percent on free throws.
Getting to the Line
The duo of Bernard Robinson Jr. and LaVell Blanchard has made a habit of getting to the free throw line in the first three games of the season. Both are shooting 80 percent from the charity stripe, as Robinson Jr. is 20-of-25 on the year, while Blanchard is 16-of-20. But senior Josh Asselin leads the team with an 81.3 percent mark as he is 13-of-16 on the young season. As a team the Wolverines are 72-of-97 for a .742 free throw percentage.
Charge It to the Wolverines
In Michigan's win over Wagner College (Nov. 25) and for the second straight game, the Wolverines played solid defense around the basket as they drew two charging calls by Chris Young. In the win over Western Michigan (Nov. 21) the Wolverines drew four charges on Bronco drives to the basket. Young picked up two, while Bernard Robinson Jr. and Avery Queen each collected one. The Wolverines collected 10 total charging calls last season, with Young leading the way with five. This season the total is already six.
Groninger Raises Bar
Sophomore Gavin Groninger poured in a career-high 20 points coming off the bench against Western Michigan (Nov. 21). He eclipsed the old mark of 19 he had against Purdue (Feb. 24, 2000). The interesting part was that Groninger had those 20 points in just 13 minutes of action against the Broncos. For the season, Groninger is averaging 10.0 points and is 4-of-7 from long range.
The Tall and the Short of It
Freshmen Josh Moore and Avery Queen have already made an impact in the Michigan history books. Moore comes to Ann Arbor one of the tallest players in Michigan history. The 7-2 Moore ties Jon Antonides (1981, '83-84) as the tallest player in history. Conversely, Queen comes to Ann Arbor as the shortest player ever. His 5-7 frame beat out 5-8 Dave Hart (1971-72) for the honor.
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
