According to Michigan coach Tommy Amaker, Leon Jones could see significant time at the point guard spot against Northwestern tomorrow.

Avery Queen, who has logged the vast majority of the minutes at the point this season, has not practiced this week because of a bruised knee he suffered on Saturday against Ohio State.

"I don't know that he had ever missed a practice this year," Amaker said of Queen. "He's a pretty tough kid, so when he sits out I know he's hurt."

Queen wore a brace on his left knee and rode a stationary bicycle while his teammates practiced yesterday, but he remains confident that he will be able to play tomorrow.

"We aren't as concerned (about not having a true point guard on the floor), because they aren't a team that is going to fast break you as much or dribble drive you as much," Amaker said. "So, there will be an opportunity for Leon to play more at (point guard), but that is contingent on Avery's health."

And the winner is: The Big Ten coaches and media announced their choices for the all-conference team yesterday. Michigan forward LaVell Blanchard was named to the third team by the media, and no other Wolverine received recognition.

"It's an honor, but it's not where I want to be," said Blanchard, who made the second team last year and the third team as a freshman.

Blanchard was a preseason candidate for Player of the Year in the Big Ten. But despite leading the team in scoring for the third straight season, his numbers in conference play are down dramatically

After posting 17.6 points and nearly eight rebounds per game last season, Blanchard has tallied just 13.4 points and 6.3 boards in Amaker's new offense.

"Anytime you have transition, things can happen sooner than you predict or they can happen a little later," Amaker said. "If you look at Bill Carmody (who is in his second year at Northwestern), I don't know what people said about his offensive system last year, but I'm sure they don't have problems with it today."

Whatever the reason for Blanchard's statistical decline, the Wolverines' 10-17 record certainly didn't help his cause.