It's not a prank, Michigan may secure themselves a Championship!
Yes! The Wolverines have made it out the Final Four and into the championships! After beating Loyola-Chicago in what seems like the last few seconds of the game, the boys pulled it off and sent the Ramblers, crushing their miracle, and their sweet Sister Jean back home after their 69-57 dub. The problem is not winning, however, but how Michigan can spare themselves from embarrassment by Villanueva.
Being from Michigan, you are either a Spartan or a Wolverine. Sometimes that works, and others times you cheer for whoever is playing. So, go Wolverines (most times we are for the Wolves anyways)! The first half of the game was hard for anybody going for Michigan to watch because; the team just was not playing at championship standards. Watching the game from a FaceTime call, my Michigan-raised family groaned in disappointment because Michigan was shooting only 29 percent, and unfortunately Michigan’s free throws are always off (averaging at least 15 percent last night). At most parts of the game, you would pray the TV just went out because all hope felt gone.
With every second of March Madness, these games feel like they are all or nothing. Here, you go big or go home. From tabloids and all the bets on Loyola-Chicago, there seemed little hope for Michigan. Nonetheless, the blue-and-yellow heroes came and took Michigan to their second national championship in six years. Despite being down by ten, the Wolves brought their game back in the final minutes of the second half, highlighting their dominating defense, and allowing players who are not often the targets of media after each game, shine.
We cannot forget about Villanueva though. Michigan plays Villanueva, and that has my mom saying “bye-bye” to the hopes of Michigan going any further and securing the championship. Villanueva tore Kansas up by 16 points; they pose as a threat indeed to Michigan. Since March Madness began, Michigan has barely escaped winning each game by more than sixty points while Villanueva was five points away from touching 100 yesterday. Let us not forget how they handled Duke when it came to three pointers last Saturday. The way these boys play seems to be untouchable and if we were being honest, they would crush Michigan.
Putting past us their stellar defense, I want to think Michigan has a chance, but let us be honest, do they really? They have made it this far, and in college basketball, miracles happen. I mean, who would have thought Loyola-Chicago and their Sister Jean would have made it that far? But, who would have bet on Michigan?
This will be a well-anticipated matchup, regardless of where all the hype is leaning toward (cough, cough, Villanueva), and both teams will be capable of putting up points that makes the other in one part of the game play even harder. Like our Detroit veteran, Tee Grizzley states, “These people praying on our downfall.” However, on all ten, Michigan will stand tall, Monday night playing hard against Villanueva.
