For the second year in a row, the Michigan Wolverines are heading to the Sweet 16, but the job isn't finished. After taking down a Saint Louis team that hung 102 points on the Georgia Bulldogs, the Wolverines got to celebrate a big 95- 72 win that has them packing their bags and heading to Chicago.
The Michigan faithful certainly travelled well to Buffalo, New York, where the Wolverines played their first two games of the NCAA Tournament, but now they get to head to Chicago, a less than four-hour drive from Ann Arbor, for their second Sweet 16 under head coach Dusty May.
Dusty May hopes for a sea of Maize and Blue in Chicago for the Sweet 16
May made it clear after the game that this is exactly where the Wolverines planned to be at this point in the season, and he is hoping for a good showing of Michigan fans in Chicago.
"We went into this offseason thinking if we can do our work throughout - we need to be better earlier so we have a chance to earn some form of home court,” May said. “So, we’ve earned the right to go to Chicago and hopefully pack that thing with Michigan fans and see where it goes."
The Wolverines absolutely could have a home court advantage if the Michigan faithful show up for their team, which they have all year long. May knows that this team has the crowd on its side, which can give them the extra boost they need.
When Michigan lost to Auburn in the Sweet 16 last season, the Tigers had the crowd behind them, and May alluded to it making a difference. However, May also knows he has a different team this year that has certainly put in the work.
"We’re just a better team, we’re better coaches, and we’re better players (compared to last year). That’s just part of the growth process," May said.
The Sweet 16 Midwest Region will have games on March 27 and March 29, and while the Wolverines wait to get their date, game time, and opponents, May will be preparing his team for anything.