Michigan Basketball: A national title would mean everything to UM fans
Michigan basketball is on an extraordinary run. From a fans perspective, here is why it means so much and how a national title would mean the world.
There was a time, not too many years ago, that as a Michigan basketball fan, I wondered if the Wolverines would ever reach another Final Four. Hell, I wondered if they would ever get back to the NCAA Tournament.
Of course, that was during a 10-year NCAA Tournament drought for Michigan basketball. That was also before John Beilein came around. Not only has he saved the program, he transformed the Wolverines into national contenders again.
It might be a stretch to say Michigan is a blue blood of college basketball, but it’s getting close. The Wolverines have four Sweet 16 appearances in the last six years. In the same time, they have been to three Elite 8’s and now to Final Fours. Hopefully, by Monday, UM will be in another national championship game.
Not only have the Wolverines had success in the tournament, but under Beilein, they have also won Big Ten titles. UM has captured two regular-season crowns and two tournament championships. That alone makes Beilein a memorable coach. But his 17 NCAA tournament wins make him a legend, especially if he can get the one thing that has eluded major Michigan sports for 20 years — a national championship.
The Michigan football team won a national title in 1997. Since then, nothing. The 2013 Michigan basketball team was close. And in all reality, should have beaten Louisville, having led by 16 points. However, that team led by Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mitch McGary fell short.
It was still a memorable run and one of my favorite seasons as a Michigan basketball fan. Yet, that loss still hurts to this day.
Michigan Wolverines Basketball
Part of the reason it hurt so much, was that I didn’t know when my Wolverines would get back. In 2014, UM got close to the Final Four, losing in the Elite 8 to Kentucky. After that, Michigan missed the tourney in 2015 and after a mediocre 2016 and a rough start to 2017, the Final Four seemed light years away.
Now, Michigan basketball is back. Beilein stayed the course. He stuck with his recruiting style and gave up control of his defense, which was clearly an issue. Because of that, the Wolverines come into the Final Four with the best defense of the four teams remaining, maybe even the best in the country.
Beilein doesn’t get 5-star recruits, but he finds players and develops them. He found Moe Wagner in Germany and helped D.J. Wilson, a four-star recruit, turn into a first-round pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
The 2018 season turned magical when UM won a second straight Big Ten championship. Those things don’t happen all the time, especially in Michigan sports. But when Jordan Poole hit that game-winning 3-pointer against Houston, it felt like Burke and 2013 all over again.
The Sweet 16 saw Michigan make 14 3’s and reminded me of the 2013 Elite 8 vs Florida, when Nik Stauskas made six in a blowout win. As a fan, this 13-game run is right up there with the best in Michigan basketball history, even alongside the 2013 team and both Fab Five squads.
The question is, can this team take the next step? Can this team do what only the 1989 basketball team and 1997 football team have done in the last 29 years and that’s win a national championship in a major sport.
After a 21-year drought Michigan fans are desperate for one. For me personally, it would mean the world and I know others share that same sentiment.
No matter what happens, this team will always have its place in Michigan history. Only eight teams have reached the Final Four and none have done it after a Big Ten Tournament championship. It has also won 32 games, more than any other team in the school’s history.
But winning a national title would make this team immortal to Michigan fans. At one time, I didn’t think it was possible and now, the dream season is just wins away from happening. We will see if it does, but either way, it’s been a helluva ride.