Steve Fisher and members of 1989 Michigan title team return for 30-year celebration

It has been reported Steve Fisher will be returning to Ann Arbor on Sunday, Feb. 24 with members of the Michigan basketball team he led to the 1989 National Championship.

It is the 30-year celebration of the Wolverines’ first-ever championship, and happens to be the day No. 7 Michigan takes on No. 10 Michigan State.

That ‘89 run was rather unexpected, as the Wolverines took down South Alabama, Xavier, North Carolina, Virginia, Illinois and then Seton Hall to win it all. U-M won the title game with two free throws in overtime from Rumeal Robinson with just two seconds left.

Fisher retired from college basketball two years ago after coaching San Diego State from 1999-2017. He started his coaching career at Rich East High School (1971-79) before becoming an assistant for Western Michigan from 1979-82 and then joining the Wolverines as an assistant a year later. He spent one year in the NBA (1998-99) with the Sacramento Kings.

Fisher was replaced at U-M following the Ed Martin recruiting scandal that occurred in October 1997. His assistant coach Brian Ellerbe took over. Regardless of Fisher denying he knew of the loans Martin gave to his U-M players, the NCAA made Fisher responsible for allowing Martin access to his players.

Former Michigan standout and radio color commentator Terry Mills, Glen Rice and many other Wolverine standouts are expected to be in attendance. According to The Wolverine, Robinson will not be in attendance. Robinson did return for the 20-year reunion.

The Wolverines (23-3, 12-3 Big Ten) and Spartans (21-5, 12-3) will tip-off at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday from the Crisler Center. The game will be aired on CBS.