LaVell Blanchard talked of making a run in the Big Ten Tournament. So did Jamal Crawford, scheduled to return from his six-game suspension on Thursday. They're bright kids who appear toughened, not scarred, by the distractions. Ellerbe can be suspicious if he chooses. Barring a total collapse, he certainly deserves more time to build his program.
Basketball can still be fun, no matter how difficult the circumstances.
U-M's basketball players proved it Saturday. Hopefully, Ellerbe will learn from them.