Only two schools will end the 1996-97 season as national champions. Michigan is one of them.
The Wolverines didn't win THE tournament, but they won the only one they were invited to.Robert Traylor had 26 points and 13 rebounds Thursday night as Michigan won its second NIT title with an 82-73 victory over Florida State.
Following an enigmatic regular season, the Wolverines (23-11) failed to receive an NCAA bid. But the NIT was glad to have the perennial Big Ten power in its field, and Michigan made the most of the opportunity to close its 1996-97 season on a positive note.
Maceo Baston scored 20 points and Louis Bullock 17 for Michigan (23-11), which outrebounded Florida State 47-28.
Following an 8-0 start this season, the Wolverines were ranked No. 9 in the national polls. But a five-game losing skid in a stretch of six losses in seven games cost Michigan a trip to the NCAAs.
Overrated was a common label used to assess the team, and reminders of the Fab Five's failures to win any national or Big Ten titles gave Michigan a choker's tag.
The first-ever basketball game between schools better known for football accomplishments was fittingly dominated by the one player on the floor who looks like a defensive tackle.
Traylor, a 6-foot-8, 300-pound sophomore nicknamed "Tractor," used his massive body to help Michigan control the boards and thwart a dramatic Florida State comeback in the second half.
Traylor, who had 33 points and 19 rebounds in Michigan's two victories at Madison Square Garden, was named the tournament's MVP.
Florida State (20-12) was led by James Collins' 20 points, and LaMarr Greer had 15. With former FSU point guards Charlie Ward and Sam Cassell among the 15,849 on hand, the Seminoles rallied from 18 down and closed to 68-66 with 4:46 to go.
In the third-place game, Richard Hamilton's two straight 3-pointers turned back an Arkansas rally in the second half as Connecticut defeated the Razorbacks 74-64.
Hamilton scored 19 points and Monquencio Hardnett 17 for UConn (18-14), which outrebounded Arkansas 43-26.