Michigan basketball clinched a berth in the Sweet 16 with a win over Saint Louis on Saturday. We still don't know who the opponent will be, but we do know the time and the channel for the game on Friday night in Chicago.
That's when the Wolverines will take part in their Sweet 16 game. According to a release from the NCAA, Michigan basketball will play at 7:30 PM EST on Friday on TBS/TruTV.
The broadcast crew will be Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, and Evan Washburn. Iowa State and Tennessee are scheduled to play right after in the second Sweet 16 game for the Midwest Region. That game won't tip off until 12:00 PM EST.
That's why this early tip-off time is much more preferable, at least for Michigan basketball fans. That will also mean a quicker turnaround for the game on Sunday, which is usually in the afternoon.
Michigan's Sweet 16 opponent is likely Alabama
We still don't have the third-round opponent cemented for the Wolverines but Alabama is leading Texas Tech in the second round by a score of 49-25.
The Crimson Tide, despite missing Aden Holloway due to an arrest earlier this week, made 11 3-point shots in the first half against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders still have time to rally. We will update this post if they do, but it appears that Michigan and Alabama will meet on Friday night for a berth in the Elite 8.
Alabama has reached the Sweet 16 five times in six years, if the result holds. They have made the Elite 8 in consecutive tournaments and were in the Final Four back in 2024.
Michigan is the No. 1 seed, but with Alabama (No. 16 via Kenpom), Iowa State (No. 7), and Tennessee (No. 14) filling out the region, nothing is guaranteed, even though the Wolverines are the national title favorite.