The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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70 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2023 MICHIGAN BASKETBALL MICHIGAN BASKETBALL HONORS 2013 TEAM Michigan men's basketball held its program-wide reunion and honored the 2013 national runner-up team at the Feb. 18 game against Michigan State. Head coach John Beilein and players Eso Akunne, Spike Albrecht, Josh Bartel- stein, Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jon Horford and Nik Stauskas all returned to campus and, along with other staff members, took the floor at halftime to huge applause from the Maize and Blue faithful. Ten years ago, the breakthrough Wol- verines made the Final Four for the first time since 1993, led by Burke, the na- tional player of the year. "This team is thrilled," Beilein said of his 2013 squad, speaking with the media pregame. "We had dinner with a lot of them last night, and a lot of memories." "Lot of memories, like Coach said. It's great to be back," Burke added. "Any time I get a chance to come back, it brings back all the memories. In just the two years that I was here, there was so much that I remembered, but it happened so fast. So, just being able to be recognized for such a legendary run that we had … it's not just about me, Coach Beilein, Tim, it's about a group of guys that really believed." Michigan's season ended with heart- break — such is life in college basket- ball, where few teams finish the year on a high note — losing to Louisville in the final, 82-76. It's the fond memories that Beilein and Co. think about most, though, even if they're often reminded of bad calls from the championship game, or that the Cardinals were forced to va- cate the title due to recruiting violations. "Getting to the Final Four, getting to that game, I still believe I am a champion, and I still believe we are champions, honestly," Burke stated. "In my heart, that's how I feel. So even though we lost that game, those were great memories for sure." — Clayton Sayfie TREY BURKE: 'IT WOULD MEAN THE WORLD' TO HAVE JERSEY HANGING IN CRISLER CENTER RAFTERS Among the many championship ban- ners hanging in the Crisler Center raf- ters, there are five jerseys — one "retired" and four "honored." Cazzie Russell's No. 33 can't be worn by Michigan players, and his banner is joined by No. 22 Bill Buntin, No. 35 Phil Hubbard, No. 41 Glen Rice and No. 45 Rudy Tomjanovich. There's a notable absence, too: Trey Burke's No. 3. The 2013 national player of the year and a consensus All-American, Burke returned to campus for his NCAA Tour- nament runner-up team's 10-year re- union Feb. 18 and was asked what it would mean to one day have his name up there with those other greats. "That would mean the world," Burke said. "That's something you dream about as a kid. Growing up, I loved college bas- ketball, I watched college basketball. I was one of those kids that was running around with a little rubber basketball, dreaming of making big shots. "Just to leave your legacy on some- thing like that at such a great university like Michigan, that would be great for me. I would love that." His teammates agree. Nik Staus- kas and Tim Hardaway Jr. stumped for Burke, as well, with the former saying that his point guard's impact was one of the greatest the program has seen. Burke hit clutch shots, made winning Michigan's national runner-up 2012-13 team was honored at Crisler Center Feb. 18 for the 10th anniversary of its memorable run to the NCAA title game. From left to right: coach John Beilein, Spike Albrecht, Trey Burke, Nik Stauskas, Max Bielfeldt, Jon Horford, Tim Hardaway Jr., Blake McLimans (back), Corey Person, Josh Bartelstein, Travis Conlan (back), Eso Akunne, Brandon Verlinden (back), Jon Sanderson (back), Danny Ackerman, Greg Harden, Juan Matthews (back), David Merritt, Brian Townsend (back) and Matt Shepard. PHOTO BY CLAYTON SAYFIE