Maurice Searight"s days as a Wolverine are over.

Yesterday, Michigan basketball coach Tommy Amaker announced that the freshman guard had been dismissed from the program. The action was taken in response to a "violation of team policies."

Amaker was both kind and brief when discussing Searight.

"We certainly appreciate Maurice"s efforts here at the University," Amaker said in a released statement. "We would like to wish him well and assist him with any help and direction he needs to further his collegiate basketball career. There will be no further comment on this matter."

Searight"s career ended after just 19 games. During that time he averaged 2.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 13.2 minutes per game.

Before coming to Michigan, Searight was an outstanding football and basketball player. He led Orchard Lake St. Mary"s basketball to the Michigan state title in 2000 with an undefeated season. Averaging 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists as a senior, Searight was rated by Preps Spotlight as the No. 3 prospect in Michigan upon his departure.

When he arrived in Ann Arbor, Searight started strong. In his first game against Oakland, the 6-foot-2 freshmen hit all seven of his shots to finish with a career-high 14 points.

But the good days quickly turned sour for Searight. His playing time dropped substantially and his behavior began to cause his team additional headaches.

On December 30th Searight was suspended for the game against Eastern Michigan for violating unspecified team rules.

It appeared as though the problems might have ended when Searight posted six points in 22 minutes against Ohio State on January 18th.

But on February 10th, Searight skipped a team practice and never played for Michigan again.

"He"s suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules. He"s suspended until I change my mind, and right now I have not changed it," Brian Ellerbe, then Michigan"s coach, said in his Monday press conference that week. "We"re definitely trying to teach him life lessons, just like any other kid."

If Searight wants to learn his lessons at another Division I school, he will have to sit out for a year before returning to the court.

NEW RIGHT HAND MAN

Local papers have reported that the Wolverines have hired a new assistant coach, Chuck Swenson. The veteran Swenson served under both Bobby Knight and Mike Krzyzewski earlier in his career. He will join former Seton Hall assistant Billy Schmidt and director of basketball operations Kristen Green on Amaker"s staff, who have reportedly been hired as well.

Michigan has one more assistant coaching spot to fill and will not comment on any hirings until the entire staff is completed.