The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/106890
1984-85 — Coach Bill Frieder's Wolverines finished the season No. 2 nationally after losing only two conference games and four total. Unfortunately, one of them was a second-round NCAA tournament setback to eventual national champion Villanova. The squad had six players drafted by NBA teams, including two first-rounders in point guard Gary Grant and center Roy Tarpley. 1985-86 — The second of two straight outright Big Ten championship teams started the season with 16 straight victories and finished fifth in the final AP poll, losing only four conference games. Four players spent time in the NBA — Grant, Tarpley, Rice and Mark Hughes — and seven were drafted. 2012-13 — Time will tell what NBA fate awaits this group, though sophomore point guard Trey Burke is already a projected lottery pick for next year. Junior guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and freshman wing Glenn Robinson III are also showing up on several draft lists, as well. — Chris Balas '85) and current college basketball analyst Tim McCormick insists he never saw a better collection of collegiate talent when he scrimmaged with the squad during his NBA offseasons. "That was some of the most intense competition I've ever been involved in," he said. "I remember covering Terry Mills, Loy Vaught and Glen Rice and then going to training camp 10 days later, feeling the workouts didn't compare to what I experienced at Crisler with those guys. They played so hard and were so talented. "The 1989 squad was the best because they finished the deal and brought back a trophy and a banner. Their talent level was immense. They defended well, and they were well coached. Until somebody else wins a championship, they are the best ever." Chasing History With NBA Talent Hughes, for one, has high hopes that the 2012-13 group can duplicate the feat. Though young — this year's Wolverines averaged 105.5 minutes per game from freshmen and redshirt freshmen through five Big Ten games, by far the most in the league (Purdue was second with 92.6) — they ranked No. 2 nationally behind Duke as of Jan. 22, with only one loss. "That's a talented group, and they are just really fun to watch," Hughes said. "They are athletic, long, they can shoot the ball and they have a great leader — a guy where you put the ball in his hands and he makes plays [in sophomore point guard Trey Burke]. They get out and run. Coach Beilein has done a terrific job with those guys. "I'm hoping for another Big Ten run and maybe a national title. I'm rooting for them to win it all, but the Big Ten with Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio State and all, that's a tough league. I think it's the best conference in basketball." The Wolverines aren't facing the gauntlet with a pocketknife, though, Fife added. There are plenty of weap-