If you take a look up at the rafters in Crisler Center, you’ll see a bunch of banners celebrating the success of Michigan men’s basketball over the years. There are banners for Big Ten titles, Final Four appearances, and even NIT championships. But there’s one banner that stands out from the rest. It proudly displays the words “National Champions” in bold maize print. And it has been there for 35 seasons.
The 1989 championship season holds a special place in the hearts of Michigan fans. It was a season filled with ups and downs, obstacles and triumphs. The team faced adversity and came out on top, proving that anything is possible with determination and teamwork.
The journey to the national championship was not an easy one for the Wolverines. They entered the final game of the regular season with high hopes, but suffered a tough loss to Illinois. Little did they know, this loss would be the first of many challenges they would face.
Shortly after the loss, news broke that their head coach, Bill Frieder, would be leaving for Arizona State. Athletic director Bo Schembechler wasted no time in appointing assistant coach Steve Fisher as the interim head coach. With little time to adjust, the Wolverines found themselves in the NCAA Tournament, facing Xavier in the first round.
Despite the sudden change in leadership, the team rallied together and found motivation in playing for their new coach. Led by senior forward Glen Rice, who would go on to become one of the program’s all-time greats, the Wolverines won their first two tournament games and advanced to the Sweet 16.
In the Sweet 16, they faced a familiar foe in North Carolina. Having been defeated by the Tar Heels in the previous two seasons, the Wolverines were determined to seek revenge. Behind Rice’s incredible shooting performance, they finally defeated North Carolina and advanced to the Elite Eight.
The road to the Final Four was not an easy one, but the Wolverines continued to defy the odds. In the regional final, they dominated Virginia with a near 40-point victory, showcasing their talent and determination.
In the Final Four, they faced Illinois, a team that had handed them two losses earlier in the season. But this time, the Wolverines were prepared. Coach Fisher made adjustments to their game plan, focusing on rebounding, and it paid off. In a game that came down to the wire, the Wolverines emerged victorious and secured their spot in the national championship game.
The championship game against Seton Hall was a nail-biter. With the game tied in overtime and less than a minute remaining, Terry Mills made a clutch shot to bring the Wolverines within one point. And with three seconds left on the clock, Rumeal Robinson calmly sank two free throws to seal the victory.
The Wolverines had done it. They had achieved their ultimate goal and became national champions. The banner that hangs in Crisler Center is a testament to their hard work and perseverance.
Thirty-five seasons have passed since that historic victory, but the memories and the pride still remain. The 1989 championship team will always be remembered as a group of players who overcame adversity and achieved greatness.
So the next time you look up at the rafters in Crisler Center, take a moment to appreciate the banner that represents Michigan’s only national championship. It’s a symbol of triumph and redemption, and a reminder that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and work together as a team.