Michigan is in alittle trouble...

Travis · November 7, 2002

wow, hate to be in there shoes... GO MEAN GREEN

Michigan bans itself from postseason for one year

By LARRY LAGE

AP Sports Writer

November 7, 2002

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan punished its men's basketball program Thursday, imposing a postseason ban for 2003 and forfeiting all victories from four seasons because of a scandal involving a former booster.

Michigan also will remove banners from Crisler Arena for the 1992-93 season, as well as the three between 1995 and 1999.

The school announced the penalties in a letter to the NCAA on Thursday. By imposing the sanctions, Michigan hopes to head off more severe action by the NCAA.

The Wolverines won't be able to participate in the NCAA tournament or the National Invitation Tournament after the upcoming season. The team went 11-18 last season.

Michigan also said it would return to the NCAA $450,000 -- money it earned for appearing in the postseason.

The scandal centers on former booster Ed Martin, who pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money. Martin has said he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent it to former Michigan star Chris Webber and other players, as well as their families.

``There is no excuse for what happened. It was wrong -- plain and simple,'' university president Mary Sue Coleman said. ``This is a day of great shame.''

The university received a formal letter of inquiry from the NCAA on Oct. 19.

``We have worked closely with NCAA at every stage,'' said Michigan athletic director Bill Martin. ``We will now ask to get on the schedule for a hearing with the infractions committee as soon as possible. We hope it will be very soon.''

The NCAA does not comment on pending investigations, spokesman Wally Renfro said.

The scandal originated in the ``Fab Five'' era, when Webber and four other freshmen made the program into a national sensation. With their baggy shorts and black socks, Webber and future NBA players Juwan Howard and Jalen Rose led the Wolverines to consecutive NCAA finals in 1992 and 1993.

Webber, along with his father, Mayce Webber Jr., and aunt, Charlene Johnson, are charged with lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice in Martin's case. They have pleaded innocent, and their trials are not expected to begin until next year.

Martin said he gave Webber and his family $280,000 in cash and gifts while the player was in high school and college. Webber has denied receiving any money, accusing Martin of ``preying'' on the naivete of him and other youngsters.

Martin's name first surfaced after former Michigan standout Maurice Taylor lost control of his car on Feb. 17, 1996. He was returning from a party in Detroit with four teammates who were entertaining Mateen Cleaves on his official recruiting visit. Cleaves later signed with Michigan State and led that team to the 2000 NCAA title.

The well-publicized crash led to the first of three investigations and the firing of head coach Steve Fisher, casting a cloud that has hovered over the Michigan program ever since.

Second-year coach Tommy Amaker has tried to turn around the program, despite the possibility of NCAA sanctions.

Amaker signed five freshmen -- including two of the best prospects in the country -- for this season and also has received commitments from three high school seniors for next year, including two marquee players: shooting guard Dion Harris of Detroit and center Courtney Sims of Boston.

Last year, during Amaker's first season, the Wolverines continued to struggle, going just 5-11 in the Big Ten.