After the Spanish soccer federation fired its national team coach just before the start of the World Cup, defender Gerard Pique cited an unlikely source for inspiration: The 1989 Michigan men’s basketball team.
Spain fired its coach, so Gerard Pique turned to Michigan basketball for World Cup inspiration
Obviously.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui announced Tuesday he accepted a job with Real Madrid that would begin after the World Cup. A day later, the Spanish federation fired him and announced that Fernando Hierro would replace him as coach for the team’s opening game on Friday.
Pique tweeted Thursday afternoon, “University of Michigan Basketball. 1989. NCAA Champion. It would not be the first time it happens. All united, now more than ever.”
The Wolverines have been there, won that.
Michigan head coach Bill Frieder announced he’d be leaving the program at the end of the season for Arizona just two days before the 1989 NCAA tournament began. According to The AP story from nearly three decades ago, Wolverines’ brass told him not to bother showing up for the tournament.
But that didn’t slow those fiery 1988-89 Michigan Wolverines down. Michigan had Glen Rice running amok for 25.6 points per game on better than 50 percent shooting from both the field and three-point range. Robinson led the Wolverines to a 24-7 record and eventual No. 10 seed in the NCAA tournament.
After ousting Frieder, Michigan tapped assistant coach Steve Fisher as the interim head coach, and the team went on a magical run. The Wolverines defeated Xavier, South Alabama, No. 5 North Carolina, Virginia, and No. 3 Illinois. And in the NCAA tournament championship game, they defeated No. 11 Seton Hall, 80-79, in overtime.
Now, it’s Spain’s turn.
Spain, who arrived in Russia as one of the pre-tournament favorites to win it all, takes on Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday in its opening group stage game. Will the leadership change hold them back? Or will they be the next ‘89 Wolverines?
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