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Players disciplined following crash

Michigan men's basketball coach Steve Fisher issued a statement yesterday afternoon in response to Friday morning's car accident involving five Michigan players and one recruit.

In a press conference last Saturday afternoon, Fisher said that he would not suspend any of the five players involved in the accident, which occurred at approximately 4:50 a.m. Feb. 17 on Michigan highway 14. Michigan's Robert Traylor sustained the only serious injury in the one-car accident -- a broken arm.

Yesterday, Fisher made no mention of suspensions but hinted that other disciplinary measures have been taken.

"The results of that evening have created concerns about critical decision-making," Fisher said in the released statement. "As a consequence, I have taken actions that will include placing the student-athletes involved on probation and have established significant restrictions that will last at least until the end of the school year."

Fisher did not comment on the nature of the restrictions or the length of probation.

Fisher also addressed other issues concerning the incident, including possible NCAA violations and the question of whether or not drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident.

"Based on all accounts, including those provided by the players, law enforcement representatives, and hospital emergency room personnel," Fisher said, "neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor prior to, or during the accident."

Michigan may be in violation of an NCAA rule concerning the sixth member of the vehicle -- Flint Northern senior Mateen Cleaves. The NCAA has a "30-mile radius rule" in which schools are forbidden to take a recruit who is on an official visit outside of a 30-mile radius from the school.

The five Michigan players and Cleaves might have been further than 30 miles from the University when they traveled to Detroit last Friday night.

"The student-athletes stated that they were aware of the 30 mile radius stipulation," Fisher said. "However, they believed they were within the 30 mile radius when they traveled to the Detroit area.