The Wolverines' world has been turned upside down.

Amid all the variables in the basketball universe, Michigan could always count on three things.

The sun would always rise, the sky would always be blue and senior Lester Abram would always score in double digits.

But now one of those certainties isn't so certain anymore. And it isn't the sun or the sky.

Up until this season, Abram had been the model of consistency. Last year, in the 13 games he started before he injured his ankle against Minnesota on Jan 21., Abram scored 10 or more points in all but two games. In the 2003-04 campaign, his last full season, Abram broke into double digits in all but seven of the 24 games he started.

But through eight contests this year, the Pontiac native has notched just three double-digit performances and is averaging 7.8 points per game.

"I think it was obvious for us that the two kids who didn't play well . were Abram and (senior Courtney) Sims," Michigan coach Tommy Amaker said following Michigan's 74-67 defeat at North Carolina State on Monday night.

Much has been made of Sims's yearly battle to produce consistently on the offensive end, but Abram has never struggled when healthy.

And as much as he wants to say that he's mentally recovered from his injury problems, any onlooker can't help but notice how hesitant Abram looks with the ball in his hands.

Against the Wolfpack, the Wolverines stormed out to a 7-0 lead, and had a chance to make it even larger. Abram came off a screen at the top of the three-point arc and received a pass from junior Ron Coleman in perfect rhythm. But as he went up for the open trifecta, he started to question himself midair.

Instead of shooting, Abram threw a wild pass in the direction of Coleman while still in flight. The ball was completely off-target and rolled out of bounds. North Carolina State scored on its ensuing possession. The Wolverines could have gone up 10-0 against a frazzled Wolfpack squad, but Abram's poor decision had gotten North Carolina State on the scoreboard. From then on, the Wolfpack played with more confidence and poise, finishing the half with a 35-28 lead.

His lack of production doesn't have Abram concerned - yet.

"My offense will come," he said. "I'm not worried about that."

Without a productive Abram, Michigan puts up offensive numbers like it did on Monday night. The Maize and Blue shot just 38 percent from the floor and became a one-dimensional team when its fast break was unsuccessful. Senior Courtney Sims was unable to muster much of anything on the interior, which left the offensive burden squarely on the shoulders of guard Dion Harris.

Although he scored 24 points, Harris missed 10 three-pointers and had to take 20 shots overall to lead the team in scoring.

Somehow, Abram needs to revert back to the player the Wolverines learned to count on in the direst of situations. With him at his best, they know the sky is the limit.

"He's struggling (right now)," Amaker said following Abram's four-point output against the Wolfpack. "I think Lester is out of sync, and . for us to become the kind of team we aspire to be this season, we're going to need Lester to play up to his potential. And right now it's not there."