ANN ARBOR -- The Z-Rex is extinct at Crisler Center.
The inflatable dinosaurs debuted debuted during Michigan's win over UCLA on Dec. 9, dancing around the Maize Rage during warmups, their open jaws giving the impression of endless roaring.
Even in a student section that included maize and blue Power Rangers and Beilein's Bee Line, at 8-feet tall, the Z-Rexes stood out.
But much like real dinosaurs, they were not long for this world.
"Just before tipoff we were informed that because the costumes were so tall and obstructed the view of some general admission seats, they would have to be deflated," says Maize Rage leader and U-M senior Carmine Finelli.