These are troubled times in Ann Arbor. Small forward Brandon Smith transferred to San Diego State in the offseason, and Ellerbe booted sophomore guard Kevin Gaines because of a Labor Day alcohol-related incident. Sophomore small forward LaVell Blanchard missed the game against Grand Rapids with a sprained left ankle, but he should be fine. The Wolverines will need him in top-notch shape in one month, when they play at Duke. Most important, William C. Martin has replaced Tom Goss, who promoted Ellerbe after firing Steve Fisher in 1997, as the Wolverines' athletic director.
ADs tend to want familiar faces guiding their highest-profile sports programs.
Ellerbe sits squarely, and uncomfortably, on our hot seat. No need to say much about the Blue Devils' rich history, loaded squad or premier coach. The Volunteers will need a low-post defender to emerge, and junior forward Vincent Yarbrough must play better in the postseason than the regular season. Says here both will happen. As for the Wildcats, coach Lute Olson has the ingredients to turn Tucson into West Durham, too.