F

or the first time since 
2015, the Michigan men’s 
basketball team will miss 
the Big Dance. 
After a disappointing season 
filled with potential but a lack of 
follow through, the Wolverines 
missed the NCAA Tournament. 
Instead, they will participate 
in 
the 
National 
Invitational 
Tournament (NIT). Michigan 
earned a No. 3 seed in the 
Clemson region. It will kick off 
its postseason against Toledo 
on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Crisler 
Center. The appearance is the 
first NIT bid for the Wolverines 
since 2007.
This likely isn’t what Michigan 

was hoping to hear on Selection 
Sunday, but it only has itself to 
blame. 
“At the beginning of each 
season, we have goals,” junior 
guard Jace Howard said. “Yes, 
we did not reach them, but we 
have a chance to change that. 
Some teams don’t have that 
chance. We do. We are still 
hungry.”
That hunger is something the 
Wolverines seemed to lack late in 
the season, though.
Following 
their 
win 
over 
Wisconsin 
two 
weeks 
ago, 
making the NCAA Tournament 
seemed well within their sights. 
With two road games remaining 
in 
the 
regular 
season 
and 
opportunities in the Big Ten 
Tournament as well, Michigan 
had a path to March Madness 

laid out nicely if it strung 
together a couple wins.
But just like the Wolverines did 
all season, they squandered their 
chances. A double-overtime loss 
in Illinois, in which Michigan 
blew a seven-point lead in the 
first 
overtime, 
whisked 
one 
opportunity out of reach. Then 
an overtime loss to Indiana to 
end the regular season — after 
leading by 12 points midway 
through the second half — took 
away another. 
The Wolverines entered their 
matchup against the Hoosiers 
with 
the 
chance 
to 
finish 
anywhere between a No. 2 seed 
and a No. 8 seed in the Big Ten. 
Unfortunately 
for 
Michigan, 
everything that could go against 
its favor did, and the Wolverines 
ended up as the No. 8 seed, facing 

Rutgers in the second round of 
the Big Ten Tournament. 
Despite beating the Scarlet 
Knights earlier this season on 
the road — a notoriously tough 
environment for opposing teams 
— Michigan lacked any urgency 
on the neutral court of United 
Center and blew any chance of 
worming its way onto the right 
side of the bubble. After shooting 
4-for-21 in the second half, 
the Wolverines fell to Rutgers, 
ending any hopes of turning 
their season around.
“We weren’t able to reach 
one of our goals and play in the 
NCAA Tournament; however, 
we have another chance to get 
out there,” junior center Hunter 
Dickinson 
said. 
“So 
many 
different things have happened 
to us this year, but we never put 

our heads down. The guys in that 
locker room are special and they 
know how much this means.”
Michigan 
had 
opportunity 
after 
opportunity 
to 
work 
themselves out of the hole it 
dug 
throughout 
the 
season. 
And while the Wolverines have 
shown glimpses of growth — 
stringing 
together 
a 
couple 
three-game win streaks and 
losing in overtime instead of 
regulation — it wasn’t enough 
down the stretch.
On a three-game losing streak, 
Michigan will look to turn 
things around in the postseason. 
But it can’t do it in the NCAA 
Tournament this year. Instead 
the Wolverines have to do so in 
the subpar NIT.
Nonetheless, Michigan is still 
taking a positive outlook, and 

focusing on the opportunity 
ahead of it.
“Being able to coach this 
team again means a great deal,” 
Michigan coach Juwan Howard 
said.
“We get a chance to play for 
a championship. That means 
something. These guys have put 
their hearts and souls into this 
year despite all the adversity. 
This team has grown throughout 
the year, and we are looking 
forward to the opportunity to 
suit up and compete again.”
And that first opportunity 
comes 
this 
Tuesday 
against 
Toledo, when the Wolverines 
have a chance to get back into the 
win column.

ANNA FUDER/Daily

LINDSAY BUDIN
Daily Sports Writer

Design by Lys Goldman

SPORTSWEDNESDAY

Michigan heads to NIT for first time since 2007, earns No. 3 seed
NOT IN TOURNAMENT

The Michigan Daily — Page 12
March 15, 2023

