By Alan Goldenbach
and Will McCahill
Daily Sports Editors
NEW YORK - Looks like Robert Traylor and Maceo Baston have been to the hardware store, because they're returning to Ann Arbor today with some additions to their trophy cases.
Traylor was named the NIT's Most Valuable Player after Michigan defeated Florida State, 82-73, last night to capture the tournament title.
Baston was named to the All-Tournament team, along with Connecticut's Richard Hamilton, Florida State's James Collins and Kerry Thompson and Arkansas' Pat Bradley.
Traylor equaled his career-high last night by scoring 26 points, a mark he had set in the NIT quarterfinal at Notre Dame, while adding 13 rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Baston followed a nine-point, 10-rebound effort against Arkansas in the semifinals with a 20-point, seven-board effort against the Seminoles.
Baston was shocked to hear his name called over the Madison Square Garden public-address system.
"When they said my name I was like, 'What do they want?,'" he said. "I ran up there and asked, 'What's up,' and they gave me this saucer, this offering-plate."
For his part, Traylor got to hoist the MVP trophy, having earned the right to have his name engraved alongside the likes of all-time greats like George Mikan, Lenny Wilkens and Walt Frazier.
Former Wolverine Tim McCormick also garnered the honor when the Wolverines won the tournament in 1984.
Traylor was modest, as usual, in discussing the achievement.
"It's a great honor, looking at the list of names (on the trophy)," Traylor said.
"It feels great (to win), but I'm just happy we got the victory. That's the biggest thing, that we won the game."
Florida State coach Pat Kennedy was full of praise for Traylor.
"If he dedicates his body and his skills to becoming a pro, he'll be an excellent pro," Kennedy said. "What I like about him is that he's learned to stay within his game."
Michigan coach Steve Fisher praised Traylor for his ability to deflect the spotlight from himself to his teammates.
"Robert is a winner," Fisher said. "Most people will say what he did - 'As long as Michigan wins, I don't care (about) points, minutes.' (But) Robert comes closer to feeling that way than anybody. He wants to win, he finds ways to win, and he helps everybody be a little better as a result of his presence."
Fisher said Traylor's improvement has been amazing to watch, and has grown in leaps and bounds since the beginning of the year.
"He is so much better now than he was in January, and a year ago and when he got out of high school," Fisher said.
Despite Kennedy's praise, Traylor said he has no intentions of even considering leaving Michigan for the pros.
"I'm still not thinking about the NBA," Traylor said. "My thing next year will be coming back to the University of Michigan, just playing basketball and getting an education."
And although it's been a long season, Traylor said he's going to be hitting the court and the weight room as soon as he gets back to Ann Arbor.
"I've got a lot of work to do," he said. "I can't wait 'til next week - I've got to start tomorrow."
SARA STILLMAN/Daily
NIT Most Valuable Player Robert Traylor was all hugs after the Wolverines defeated Florida State, 82-73, last night to win the NIT. Traylor tied his career high with 26 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in the win. He also forced a turnover and made a key block down the stretch to seal the game for the Wolverines.