After a week of distractions, the best thing about Michigan's win yesterday was that the Wolverines finally got to get back on the court.
A 76-63 win over Miami (Fla.) got the Wolverines to the second round of the NIT, but it also gave Michigan players a chance to put behind them what has been a week of turmoil.
"The best thing for us was to get back on the court," said sophomore center Robert Traylor, whose relationship with a booster named Ed Martin and new Chevrolet Suburban have been the focal point of alleged NCAA rules violations.
"It felt good just to get back on the court and play and not worry about any thing else. As far as I'm concerned, all of that is over. We're here to win the NIT."
Since the Athletic Department admitted on Monday to committing two minor NCAA rules infractions, controversy has brewed as to what else exactly is going on with the basketball program.
While the Athletic Department adamantly denies any major NCAA violations, a story in yesterday's Detroit Free Press quoted two unnamed sources saying Martin had given money to current and former Wolverines and has been doing so for years.
So Michigan coach Steve Fisher had his hands full, preparing for the Hurricanes and weathering the stress of the tumultuous week.
"Probably I was effected more than anyone in terms of concentration," Fisher said. "We just tell our kids to control what they can.
"I'm sure the distractions won't disappear. It probably won't go away right away, but we can't let that affect our job on the court."
The Wolverines' (20-11) next assignment will be a second-round game on Tuesday at Crisler Arena with Oklahoma State (19-12), which knocked off Tulane last night.
The win over Miami (16-13) was the first postseason victory for any current Michigan player. The Wolverines have bowed out in the first round of the NCAA tournament each of the last two seasons.
Michigan drowned the Hurricanes in the second half, mostly due to hot shooting, but also with an aggressive defense. The Wolverines shot a spicy 63 percent in the second and held Miami to just 36-percent accuracy.
The Wolverines led by just one at halftime but used a 14-3 run early in the half to stake a 55-41 lead. The Hurricanes crept back within five, but Michigan went on a 19-9 run over the next eight minutes to put the game out of reach.
"In the first half it seemed like we were playing because we had to, not because we wanted to," Fisher said. "In the second half we had more enthusiasm defensively and that created more of an offensive flow."
The Hurricanes had trouble all night with Michigan's size. Although Miami out rebounded the Wolverines, no Hurricane could find much offense in the paint. It didn't help that All-Big East second-teamer Tim James, Miami's only real inside threat, fouled out midway through the second half. If it weren't for senior guard Clifton Clark's 25 points, the Hurricanes wouldn't have even been in the game.
Michigan forward Maceo Baston put together a personal highlight reel, with two ridiculously amazing slams in the second half on his way to 19 points. Baston was just one of four Wolverines in double-digits on the night.
MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily
After a messy week, Michigan center Robert Traylor is finally smiling. He has reason to: The Wolverines beat Miami (Fla.) last night in the first round of the NIT, the first postseason win for this group of Wolverines.