32 THE WOLVERINE
❱
MAY 2025
BY CHRIS BALAS
M
i c h i ga n h a d b a re ly
celebrated an improb-
able run to the Big Ten
Tournament champi-
onship, its players and coaches still wet
from the locker room celebration and in
uniform when they turned the NCAA
Tournament Selection Show on at
Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
It took only a few minutes more to learn
their fate — a No. 5 seed in Denver with
one of the most dangerous first-round
games in UC San Diego on the docket.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin — a team the
Wolverines had beaten twice, includ-
ing in the Big Ten Tournament cham-
pionship game — earned a three seed
and Purdue (two losses in three games
versus U-M) a four, with what most be-
lieved was a much better draw.
It was fair to assume it would catch
head coach Dusty May's attention, and
he was quickly asked about it outside
the postgame locker room.
"The level of confidence our guys
have down the stretch gives me even
SWEET
SEASON
Michigan Advances To NCAA Sweet 16
And Achieves Top-10 Finish Under Dusty May
