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In Michigan basketball's coach search, winning shouldn't be top priority

Free Press sports writers Orion Sang and Vince Ellis are in Chicago attending the 2019 NBA draft combine, May 15-19. Vince Ellis and Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel isn’t just trying to replace a winning basketball coach. He’s trying to find a coach who will keep the program’s established culture intact.

Winning, obviously, is important. But sleeping is more important.

For many U-M alumni and for much of the school’s basketball community — including many former players — the best part of John Beilein’s tenure was that it afforded restful nights.