May 9
The Michigan fiasco is finally over.

When I say over, this program now knows where it stands. The NCAA announced its penalties Thursday, banning the Wolverines from postseason play in 2003-04. There will also be a scholarship reduction (one taken away each season) over a four-year span beginning in 2004-05.

One punishment option would be to put a big-time financial burden on the athletic department rather than penalize the current team.

Another part of the penalty is that the school must disassociate itself from the athletes who were involved with the late Ed Martin, the onetime Michigan booster who said he paid players, including Fab Five headliner Chris Webber.

The bottom line is that coach Tommy Amaker and his kids know where they stand. But is this fair?

I've said many times that it's unfortunate that innocent people get hurt -- people like Amaker, his current staff and players, who had nothing to do with the past indiscretions. The big question facing the NCAA right now is simple: What can we do to make sure our universities operate in a proper, legal manner?

It's difficult to come up with penalties that don't hurt the current team. One punishment option, though, would be to put a big-time financial burden on the athletic department rather than penalize the current roster.

At least the kids coming in now know that for the 2004-05 season, they will be eligible for postseason play.

	Amaker

Michigan will have to gut it out during the 2003-04 season. This past season, the Wolverines showed pride and heart when they could have fallen big-time after opening the campaign 0-6.

Amaker's kids competed every night when they could have easily folded and been selfish. It says a lot about the character of Amaker, who was an assistant at Duke.

My gut feeling is that within five years Michigan will be a steady contender for Big Ten honors. It's tough right now, but tough people survive tough times.

With its greatness in athletics and academics, and the prestige it enjoys, Michigan will survive this adversity.