The SportsWednesday column

David Den Herder

One step forward, two steps back?

Kevin Gaines had a limp. Saturday, that is, after the football game. He was favoring his right leg, though trying to conceal it.

In perfect honesty, my memory sucks. I'll forget somebody's name in the process of being introduced. I'll print a paper twice in 30 seconds, simply forgetting about the first time I clicked "print."

But I remember Gaines was hobbling ever so slightly. And I remember the wry look he cracked on my mentioning it to a colleague.

Because on Saturday it mattered. Every little thing that Gaines did or said mattered to a whole lot of people on this campus. Maybe those people were living vicariously through him on the court every Saturday or maybe they just wanted Michigan held in high esteem. I don't claim to know.

What I do know is that after today, Gaines means very little to them. That in itself is interesting social commentary. It's also interesting that Ellerbe expressed such concern for Gaines' well being even after he was cut. It's also interesting that his DUI is such a big deal, when so many other students can do it without fanfare.

All of that social injustice is very interesting.

But for the Michigan hoops, it just doesn't matter right now.

The most pressing concerns at Crisler Arena these days, not necessarily in order:

A) Has the new floor varnish completely dried?

B) Will there be anybody left to play on it when it does?

If the Wolverines keep losing players at the rate they have been all summer, they might not even qualify for the Big Ten Tournament at season's end.

Before Gaines got the heave-ho, Brandon Smith left, Leland Anderson transferred, and Jamal Crawford went in the NBA Draft - as a lottery pick.

Michigan can't even keep players around long enough to print replica jerseys. Who bought a No. 34 last winter?

Michigan has lost its starting backcourt from last season. The next candidate for point guard is incoming freshman Avery Queen, who is on a double probation of sorts - both the legal variety and the Ellerbe brand.

If your money is on him to go next, that's fair enough - but let's assume he'll play. Here's how the lineup is shaking down:

Queen will start at point guard. He's shorter than Gaines, but quick and a good ball handler.

He'll likely play next to Maurice Searight, the late-edition shooting guard from Orchard Lake - but expect Leon Jones to have the start early in the season.

With 7-2 freshman Josh Moore a lock at center, senior Josh Asselin will probably play power forward. Of course LaVell Blanchard, Michigan's only true ace-in-the-hole, will no doubt perform well at small forward.

That puts freshmen in three slots by midseason, which usually indicates a team with great potential.

But as it stands now, Ellerbe is getting only a 40 percent return on each recruiting class.

The trick to rebuilding is filling the voids of the present with the promise of the future.

For Michigan, it almost feels like every stroke to the shore is met with a riptide twice as strong.

Whether or not Kevin Gaines is still limping, I don't really know.

But unlike an annoyed player walking to his car, Michigan won't be able to conceal a limp this season - especially once the Big Ten schedule rolls around. Can this latest injury heal in time?

- David Den Herder can be reached at dden@umich.edu