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