Michigan Basketball is Back

It was 1998. Stu Douglass was seven years old. Richmond pulled of an upset over 3^rd seeded South Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. John Beilein coached Richmond. Michigan lost a heartbreaker to UCLA in the second round. Michigan has not been in the tournament since. Eleven years later, John Beilein and Michigan are both in the tournament again—together.

Growing up a Michigan fan, words can’t truly express my excitement upon hearing Greg Gumbel’s words: “Coming out of Ann Arbor…the seventh Big Ten team… the Michigan Wolverines!” My initial reaction was disbelief. Sure, I felt like Michigan was a lock to get into the tournament. But, after eleven years of absence and at least two years of heartbreak, Michigan fans had to be anxious. Especially after being skipped over in the first three regions. But, once Michigan’s name was called the anxiety, the heartbreak, and the dispair was all replaced with joy.

After last year’s 10-22 showing, no one expected Michigan to make the NCAA Tournament. I, for one, was hoping for above .500 basketball. As a result, John Beilein, Manny Harris, and DeShawn Sims are going to get all of the credit. They deserve a lot of it. They coached and played inspired basketball all year. But, this tournament bid is about so much more than three people.

The long and winding road began on February 17, 1996. Prized recruit Mateen Cleaves was on his official visit to Michigan when the car he was riding in crashed… and changed everything. Upon investigation, it was found that Cleaves and his host players had made it to Michigan booster Ed Martin’s house that night. Cleaves went to Michigan State, Michigan went on probation, and Michigan’s basketball program went into a downward spiral.

The on-the-court trouble all started with Brian Ellerbe. Taking over for Steve Fisher, Ellerbe stepped into an impossible situation. Still, watching Brian Ellerbe coach basketball is something that no one should have to endure. Despite a terrible coaches and impending sanctions, Michigan brought in a great recruiting class for the 1999-2000 basketball season. Jamal Crawford stayed for a year and went to the NBA. Kevin Gaines played for a year and was eventually kicked off the team. Only LaVell Blanchard lasted all four years. He didn’t take Michigan to the tournament, but LaVell proved himself to be a true Michigan Man when Michigan needed it the most. Other players in the Ellerbe era that Michigan fans will remember include Avery Queen, Bernard Robinson Jr., Gavin Groninger, and Josh Asselin.

In 2001, many thought that Michigan was ready to go to the next level. Up-and-coming Seton Hall coach Tommy Amaker was hired. Like Ellerbe, the start of Amaker’s time at Michigan was sparked by a great recruiting class. Daniel Horton, Lester Abram, and Chris Hunter gave Michigan fans something to get excited about. The following year, Dion Harris became the first Mr. Basketball in the state of Michigan to choose Michigan in nine years. Tommy Amaker’s teams consistently got close, but never close enough to get into the tournament. In fact, the one year that Michigan was likely “in,” they were serving their one year self-imposed probation for the actions of Ed Martin. Names that Michigan fans may remember from the TA era include Graham Brown, Amadou Ba, Ron Coleman, Courtney Sims, Brent Petway, Reed Baker, and Jerret Smith.

And, as much as I hated Tommy Amaker as a coach, I must say… he deserves a lot of credit for what happened yesterday. Amaker walked into Michigan the year before they went on probation. The Michigan basketball program desperately needed stability as well as a clean-run program. Tommy Amaker provided that. He brought Michigan back into respectability. He wasn’t a great coach. He probably would not have this year’s team into the tournament. But, he served the University of Michigan to the best of his ability for six years. He loved the players, the school, the fans. Tommy Amaker is a true Michigan Man. His efforts will not be forgotten anytime soon. Thanks TA, hope you were cheering along yesterday, you deserve a lot of credit for what has happened.

Thanks to Amaker’s efforts, Michigan was able to get a high-profile coach like John Beilein. Beilein has done more in less time than can possibly be expected of him. And, to his credit, he has not lost sight of the significance of yesterday’s events. Before and after the selection show, Beilein was consistent in his appreciation of one group—the fans. More than anything, Greg Gumbel’s words yesterday justified the actions of those of us Michigan Basketball fans who have been with the team for the last eleven years. We have seen bad and worse. Yet, we have stuck with the team, the program, the school. It wasn’t always easy, but it was necessary. I, for one, had chills yesterday following the announcement. It’s a feeling that I will never forget. Finally, the time has come. The last eleven years have been worth it. Michigan Basketball is back.