That season, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson made it to the national championship game for the second straight year.
Jackson now lives in Texas, but he roots for the Wolverines from afar.
''I'm
excited about it and I'm very proud of those boys,'' Jackson said in a
telephone interview Monday. ''I'm really excited and pleased about what
Coach (John) Beilein has done to turn the program around.''
Robinson averaged 12 points and eight rebounds in Michigan's wins over Purdue and Illinois, playing 75 of a possible 80 minutes. Robinson, who also has earned praise for his defensive skills, is averaging 12.1 points and 6.0 rebounds in 20 games, playing more than 30 minutes a game.
The Wolverines have won six Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards this season — three by Nik Stauskas, two by Robinson and one by Mitch McGary. Last year, Michigan won seven, all by Trey Burke.
With No. 1 Duke getting routed at Miami, the Wolverines cleared the path to the top ranking with double-digit victories over the Boilermakers and Illini. After that, it was just a nervous wait — for the fans, because Beilein and the players rightly claim not to care — for the AP poll to be released on Monday.
''Our goal at Michigan is to be No. 1 in the Big Ten. When you
achieve that honor, you will have a chance at the national
championship,'' Beilein said. ''All through the year polls will spark
great interest among college basketball fans everywhere and that is
always good. Our coaches and players, however, will remain focused on
our goals of improving daily and competing for the championship within
our conference.''
