INDIANAPOLIS — Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin is back in Indiana, where he made his name and has spent much of his life.
Martin, who worked eight years as an assistant at Purdue (2000-08), also played for the Boilermakers (1991-95), alongside roommate and friend Glenn Robinson, the future No. 1 overall pick in the NBA.
“Probably the best I’ve ever played with and against,” Martin said. “I have a good relationship with Glenn … just a good man.”
Twenty years ago Martin and Robinson led Purdue to the Elite Eight, with the “Big Dog’s” two-month-old son — Glenn Robinson III — too young to see his father and friend nearly make history.
Now, the Michigan sophomore will try to stop his family friend from getting past the Sweet 16 again, when the No. 2 Wolverines (27-8) play No. 11 Tennessee (24-12) in the undercard of Friday night’s regional semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“We’ve had a relationship through the years,” Robinson III said on Thursday. “I know my mom and my grandma are all close with him and his family. He recruited me. Great guy. It’s just funny how things work out and now we’re playing him in the Sweet 16.”
Having known Robinson since he was born, Martin said he takes a special pride in watching him play.
“It will be fun playing against him,” Martin said. “Of course we’d like to get the win, but I’m happy to see how far he’s come as a basketball player. He’s a great kid and I watched him grow up, so I’m happy for him.”
It wasn’t long ago that it seemed neither team could get this far.
Michigan had lost its two best players (Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr.) from last year’s national runner-up team, then lost its best returning player (Mitch McGary) to a back injury during the season.
But Nik Stauskas wouldn’t let the season sink, evolving from a sweet-shooting role player to the Big Ten Player of the Year, keeping the Wolverines offense among the nation’s most explosive.
“Michigan’s offense pretty much flows through him,” said Tennessee’s Josh Richardson, who will start the game defending Staukas. “He is their best perimeter scorer, probably their best passer, and I think it will be critical to run him off the 3-point line.”
Martin had become one of the least popular people in Knoxville midway through another mediocre season, after missing the NCAA Tournament in his first two seasons — following six consecutive appearances under previous coach Bruce Pearl.
But after winning five of their final six games, the Volunteers squeezed into one of the tournament’s final spots, winning their first three games by an average of more than 17 points, with an overwhelming frontline controlling the glass.
“I think the length they have is very unique and it’s going to pose some problems,” Stauskas said. “They’re going to be no joke. We’ve got to take them very seriously.
“Obviously they can do some things to maybe blow a few plays up, but I feel like if we play out basketball and stick to our main concepts we’ll be all right.”