DETROIT, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- It looks like, in men's basketball, the University of Michigan is back in business.
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the school has received word that its appeal of a postseason ban has been lifted, and that a news conference will be held some time Thursday.
It cited a source at the school familiar with the situation as saying the infractions appeals committee overturned part of a May 8 ruling banning the school from the postseason for a second straight year. The ruling also called for scholarship reductions in the wake of a seven-year investigation into rules violations committed when former booster Ed Martin paid men's basketball players $616,000.
Martin died in February. He had admitted loaning money to several former players, including NBA star Chris Webber.
Michigan officials conceded guilt regarding Martin on Nov. 7, 2002, and announced several self-imposed penalties.
The school asked a judge to order Webber to reimburse money lost in this matter, which he told USA Today he will not do.
