The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 17 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Michigan lost L.J. Cason in February who was playing his best ball. Then the best player in the Final Four gets hurt in the first 10 minutes of the semifinal. These things are supposed to derail you, but guys stepped up and Michigan got stronger when it mat- tered most." — Former Michigan forward Ant Wright It's one of the better teams that I've played since I've been a college basketball coach. I've coached against some teams with a lot of good players. They're legit. They deserved to win the national cham- pionship. They're clearly the best team in the country this year." — UConn head coach Dan Hurley on Michigan I love you guys with all of my heart. You guys have been the best fans, supporters ever. If I could come back and play five more years, I would. The least we could have done is bring the national championship back home to you guys. You guys are ever so de- serving. This is the best university ever." — Forward Yaxel Lendeborg at Michigan's national championship celebration Everybody was wondering what they would say if we didn't win. I guess we'll never know!" — Guard NIMARI BURNETT at Michigan's national championship celebration The leaders and best reach college basketball's pinnacle for the second time! Michigan wins the national championship, 69-63, over the Huskies of Con- necticut, and Terry Mills, you and that 1989 team finally have company!" — Michigan radio play-by-play commentator Brian Boesch 312 The program-record number of wins for U-M women's basket- ball under head coach Kim Barnes Arico, which includes 13 20-win seasons, nine NCAA Tournament appearances, three Sweet 16s, two Elite Eights and three WNBA Draft picks. The all-time record for Michigan women's basketball now stands at two games under .500 (762-764), but when Barnes Arico took over in 2012-13, the Wolverines were 450-613, 163 games under .500. 42 NCAA Tournament appearances for Michi- gan hockey, tied with Minnesota for the most all time. The Wolverines have made the Fro- zen Four 29 times, the most in the sport, but have lost their last five and nine of their last 10 semifinal games. Michigan has nine national championships (1948, '51, '52, '53, '55, '56, '64, '96, '98). +39.70 Adjusted net rating for Michigan basketball per KenPom, the second-highest since the site began in 1996-97, behind only the 1998- 99 Duke Blue Devils (+43.01). The Wolverines finished the season No. 4 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 1 in adjusted defensive ef- ficiency for the first time ever. 1-50 Record for men's teams in the NCAA Tourna- ment when scoring under 70 points, shooting less than 40 percent from the field and making less than 15 percent of their threes on 15-plus attempts. The lone winner is Michigan in its 69-63 national championship game victory over UConn. 32 NCAA Tournament wins for Michigan basketball in the last 15 tournaments, tied with Kentucky. Duke (35), Kansas (33) and Gonzaga (33) are the only three schools with more. 29 Of Michigan basketball's 37 wins were by double digits, including 16 by 20 or more points, 11 by 30 or more and seven by 40 or more. A six-foot ball of muscle. He's tough, has great contact balance, a smart, smart young man who does a good job with pass protec- tion. He's still got some technique things to iron out, but he's not afraid. He sticks his nose right in there and has great hands. He's the whole package." — Head coach Kyle Whittingham on freshman running back SAVION HITER We finished the game the other night, we get back to the hotel at 2 a.m., there was a reception for friends and family and those that are associ- ated with the program. We have a couple pops and some food. I think I slept an hour and got up and do the whole morning show circuit. We flew back, and as we landed, my wife looked at me and said, 'Are you coming home?' And I gave her the side eye and said, 'No.' These next two weeks are our Super Bowl. If we want to have a chance — a chance — to play in Detroit 365 days from now, then we've got to hit these next two weeks and fill some holes." — Dusty May on "The Herd" PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND