Smith busy rehabilitating knee after offseason surgery

Ellerbe calls junior 'ahead of schedule,' but redshirting still a possibility if reconstructive surgery is slow to heal

After almost three months of rehabilitation, Michigan forward Brandon Smith looks on track to be back with the Wolverines before the Big Ten season begins.

The 6-foot-8 junior, who averaged 8.3 points and 29 minutes last season, hasn't left Ann Arbor since he underwent reconstructive surgery to repair a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Smith began rehab June 24, the day after his surgery, and has followed on a strict five or six-day schedule ever since.

The hard work could pay off by allowing Smith an earlier return to the team.

LOUIS BROWN/Daily Michigan basketball coach Brian Ellerbe and trainer Steve Stricker expect Brandon Smith to return from reconstructive knee surgery by the Wolverines' Big Ten opener against Minnesota on Jan. 5.

"His rehab is ahead of schedule," Ellerbe said. "It's still premature to make an assessment as to if he'll play or be redshirted. He's not a machine."
For now, the Wolverines will have to play a three-month waiting game before Smith and the coaching staff can assess whether he should play or redshirt.

Trainer Steve Stricker, who exclusively worked with Smith through his rehab said he is about seven-to-10 days away from running on the track and beginning to shoot jump shots.

"He's at a stage where he's about halfway through," Stricker said. "We've looked for him to return at the end of December, beginning of January all along."

A return around the start of the new year would put Smith on track for the Big Ten season, which begins Jan. 5 at Minnesota. And barring a future complications, Stricker expects Smith back at practice no matter what.

"Obviously if there is a setback a redshirt might become a decision, but I fully expect him to ready," Stricker said. "Even if he and coach Ellerbe decides that a redshirt is the right thing, he needs to practice."

The Rage Begins: With the deadline for hockey tickets tomorrow, the basketball deadline is also creeping up on students.

Those who want to purchase a student-season ticket package need to turn in their applications along with $100 to the Michigan Ticket Office by Friday, Sept. 24.

Ellerbe and the Michigan staff have worked extensively in the offseason to turn around the decline in student ticket sales since the Fab Five era.

Students "are the most important link, in my estimation," Ellerbe said. "We need to have a strong student presence."

The Maize Rage, a group of students who come to basketball games dressed in yellow "Maize Rage" T-shirts began to carve a noisy niche in the student section this past year.

"We want it to be a full force this season," Ellerbe said. "They were a real presence at a few games last year."

Michigan will be putting the Maize Rage information on their Website. Students can also learn more about the group at the Maize and Blue scrimmage on Nov. 6.

Ellerbe said this season will also feature a new pep band director and a dance team to assist the Michigan cheerleaders. Students can also expect more contests and prizes like the car giveaway last season.

Scheduling Switch: What would a new Michigan schedule be without some of the games changing?

The Sunday, Nov. 14, exhibition game against the Cuban National Team has been replaced with Team Prestige. Cuba has suspended participation in international competition for an indefinite period of time. Michigan will battle Colorado State instead of Saint Peter's College on Sunday, Jan. 2.

No Madness: Michigan has decided to forego a Midnight Madness ceremony to celebrate the beginning of practice on Oct. 16. Fans will get their first look at the team at the Maize & Blue Scrimmage, starting approximately a half-hour after the completion of the home football game against Northwestern on Nov. 6.

Community Service: Michigan women's basketball coach Sue Guevera will join Ellerbe and Michigan players for the Ann Arbor Memory Walk on Oct. 10.

The ninth annual walk, will benefit the South Central Michigan Alzheimer's Association. All are invited to participate - call 1-800-337-3827 for more information.

09-15-99