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Video: Robert 'Tractor' Traylor Shatters Backboard During Michigan Game

Some of my first memories of Michigan basketball came in 1998 when Robert "Tractor" Traylor helped the Wolverines capture the first ever Big Ten tournament title. Michigan was a No. 3 seed in the 1998 NCAA tournament as a result, and although they were knocked out by UCLA in the second round, it was a memorable run.

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One season earlier, Traylor made a memorable run down the court of Crisler Arena during a game against Ball State. He slammed the basketball for a dunk and brought the rim down with him. The backboard shattered into pieces and glass rained down on Traylor, who proceeded to run back up court as if nothing happened.

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Back long before the days of YouTube, I remember having one video downloaded on my family's first computer, and it was the one you just watched. While I didn't see the play live (I was only six years old, after all), this has always been the play I associate with Traylor, who was found dead Wednesday at the age of 34. My first actual memories of watching Michigan basketball were in 1998, but I will always remember Traylor for shattering the glass at Crisler Arena.