Fab Five

Over the years there have been many great teams that have been put together in college basketball. The 1990's featured the great Duke, UCLA, and Kentucky teams that were able to transcend the sport. These teams helped to form the framework of many of the modern teams today. These teams drew record crowds and revolutionized the culture and tradition of college basketball. One team that I feel had the most significant impact on college basketball is the Fab Five. The Fab Five will be embedded into the memory of college basketball forever. The Fab Five was the infamous Michigan team that consisted of five freshman named Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson, and Jimmy King. According to Steve Weiberg of USA today the Fab Five won 56 games and reached the NCAA finals in each of their two seasons together. As a result the Fab Five became the face of college basketball because no group of players that young had ever accomplished what they had done. The Fab Five set the tone for future generations in that they were the first to go against the cultural norms. They wore baggy-style shorts, were big trash talkers and played with a style no one had ever seen before. These 5 started the fashion trends and the hip-hop style that is seen throughout college basketball today. The problem that the Fab Five has today is the scandal that they were involved in at Michigan. Jemele Hill of ESPN.com said that former Michigan booster Ed Martin illegally lent more than 600,000 to four Michigan basketball players, including 280,000 to Webber. Webber denied the accusations, but later pled guilty in federal court in 2002. Jemele Hill also reported that in 2002 Michigan had to forfeit games that they won, take down banners, and give back tournament money. Also, Webber was not allowed to associate with Michigan for 10 years. The question that I have to ask is was the punishment for the players appropriate? In my opinion, I think it was the wrong decision. The Fab Five was a once in a lifetime type team and to not acknowledge their accomplishments is wrong. Michigan should accept these players and even though they made a mistake I think that they should reconcile. Those five players were young and didn't think about the consequences of their actions. They have grown older and I am sure that they are sorry for the negative publicity that the university received. The Fab Five changed the culture of college basketball and will always be remembered. I think that their jersey's should be retired and both parties should put their past behind them. It would be a shame to not honor this great legacy.