The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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16 THE WOLVERINE ❱ FEBRUARY 2026 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS No. 1 Seed in the Midwest Re- gion is where The Athletic placed Michigan men's basketball in its bracketology released Jan. 6, with a first-round matchup against either Vermont or Howard and a potential second-round meeting with Clemson or LSU in Buffalo, N.Y. The regional will be held at the United Center in Chicago, the site of the Big Ten Tournament. 4-9 Record against the spread for Michigan football in 2025, according to Oddshark. The Wolverines covered against Central Michigan (28-point favorite), Nebraska (1-point favorite), Washington (4-point favorite) and Maryland (14-point favorite). 5 Class of 2026 signees have been re- leased from their agreements with Michigan since former head coach Sherrone Moore was fired — wide receiver Brady Marchese, tight end Matt Ludwig, cor- nerback Andre Clarke Jr., offensive lineman Bear McWhorter and long snapper Colton Dermer. 52 Division I college basketball teams have started the season 14-0 since 2004-05, including this year's Michigan squad, per The Athletic. Of those 52, 44 went on to be top-four seeds, and 23 were No. 1 seeds. Fourteen made the Final Four, and five won the national championship. Only two missed the NCAA Tournament, and 13 weirdly lost their 15th game, including Michigan. 2020 2020 Was the last time Michigan didn't have a consensus or unanimous All-American un- til this season. The Wolverines had at least one consensus honoree each of the previous four years — defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (unanimous) and kicker Jake Moody in 2021, running back Blake Corum (unanimous) and offensive lineman Olusegun Oluwatimi (con- sensus) in 2022, offensive lineman Zak Zinter (unanimous) in 2023 and defensive lineman Mason Graham (unanimous) in 2024. They're definitely deeper overall than any team. I think it starts in practice with them. They've got enough guys that when you divide those teams up, you've got some competitive practices. That's no average pickup basket- ball there. You've got some guys who can challenge each other. Whenever you have a team like that, and it's not just that five, you've got another group over here who can challenge you. That's how we were with the '89 team. You've got [Sean] Higgins over there. You've got Mark Hughes over there. You have got guys who can really battle over on that other side. You come into prac- tice unprepared and it could be a problem. It's the same way with these guys." — Michigan radio analyst Terry Mills NUMBERS AND QUOTES BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Human behavior is conta- gious, so if everyone's being unselfish, it's very easy to fall in line. If everyone's working and spending extra time in the gym and busting it in the weight room and in- tentional about the film sessions, then that is contagious also." — Head coach DUSTY MAY To our players, their families and our coaches and staff. We Know. Only we know. 'TO US, TO MEN LIKE US, DAMN FEW' Forevermore in each other's hearts. Go Blue. So very proud of you and love each and every one of you. Full hearts." — Interim head coach Biff Poggi on Twitter/X after Michigan's season ended He's been a godsend. He's one of my favorite play- ers I've ever coached, in such a short period. He's as much the opposite from me personality-wise off the floor as probably anybody in our pro- gram, and I appreciate him as much as anyone." — Head coach Dusty May on sophomore forward MOREZ JOHNSON JR. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL