Never take title game appearances for granted

Submitted by UMxWolverines on
Divincinczinscnzio was on fire and the rest of their team made their 3's any time we tried to make a run. It was gonna have to be a perfect game to beat them, but it wasn't meant to be. I still hate how touchy the refs called it, though. But no shame in losing in the title game. Villanova was clearly the best overall team this year without a doubt. Those of you who saw a basketball national title, football national title, and 2 hockey national titles should remmeber how good you had it. Some of us who were only in diapers when those NC's were won haven't seen us win one in a major sport. But it'll happen soon enough. Just remember how bad things were in 2014, no postseason for either of the 3. I'll take losing in the championship over being an also ran any day. This was a fantastic season, and we'll hang 2 banners! GO BLUE

michmaiku

April 3rd, 2018 at 12:02 AM ^

... for himself.  I obviously don't know the man personally, but he seems to have a joy and perspective on life that allow him to be highly, but not overly, competitive.  A winner who doesn't need to win to succeed or find victories.  

That's a model this late 40s still sometimes man-child benefits from. Take the fun of the run to heart, and don't take the losses personally. 

MWolverine7

April 2nd, 2018 at 11:53 PM ^

Hats off to this team - it’s amazing why they accomplished this year given they were an afterthought in the pre-season. Hail to the Victors! Hope the hockey team can beat ND!

American Hotel

April 2nd, 2018 at 11:54 PM ^

when you think about our shooting struggles all season (from the line, from beyond the arc, from practically all points in between), it's remarkable how far they were able to go.

1817

April 2nd, 2018 at 11:56 PM ^

Wouldn't trade this run for anything else right now as it was great fun the last month. In the future we'll have a lotta respect due to '13 and this squad.  We'll get one soon. 

mackbru

April 2nd, 2018 at 11:58 PM ^

Has any team ever lost as many finals as Michigan? It’s like seven out of 8. This was like Indiana in ‘76. Stay close for a half, then roadkill.

Mich fan in AZ

April 2nd, 2018 at 11:58 PM ^

Yes, I'm sad like all of us are. But what an a-MAIZE-ing group of kids that still put something special together and overachieved for the season. Beilein's got a great thing going. Not taking anything for granted when I say this, but we'll be back again soon! GO BLUE!!!

WindyCityWolverine

April 3rd, 2018 at 12:03 AM ^

Obviously carried them to the title.

The rest of their team only made 17 shots, including only 5 from 20 on 3 pointers. 

He hit 15 against Kansas, 12 vs. Texas Tech, 7 vs. West Virginia.

He averaged 10 PPG over his last 9 games. 

Take anyone of those and we would have been in this one to the end. 

 

 

Durham Blue

April 3rd, 2018 at 12:04 AM ^

The X factpr DiVincenzo burned us but I have to think if it wasn't him it would've been someone else.  They were the best team all season and they proved it tonight.  No shame.  We had an incredible run.  Congrats, Villanova.

P.S. At least we have a football team.  And a hockey team.  Those are two facets where they have no shot against us!

charblue.

April 3rd, 2018 at 12:01 AM ^

because it was so unexpected.  As far as I am concerned, getting there is such an incredible achievement. But winning that last game puts you in a different dimension. Disappointing only from the possibility of greater achievement, not from the work effort, which was magnificent. So proud of this program and team.

ppudge

April 3rd, 2018 at 12:02 AM ^

Michigan is 1-6 in he championship game. Kind of feels like Bo’s bowl game record. Snakebit. Still, to get there 7 times as a football school is crazy to think about. Just heard we have the most championship game appearances of any Big Ten team. Crazy!

A Lot of Milk

April 3rd, 2018 at 12:05 AM ^

I got my transfer acceptance letter to this amazing university on Wednesday. I watched us come from behind to topple Loyola on Saturday. And I got to watch this spectacular team play in the final game of the season tonight. A game that over three hundred schools in the country didn't get to play in. The future is bright and Michigan is here to stay!

DHughes5218

April 3rd, 2018 at 12:06 AM ^

Villanova was by far the best team this year and they got once in a lifetime game from a bench player. There’s not another college out there that could have beaten them tonight. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, but I imagine there will be a lot of talk about how we got every break imaginable with our bracket and we didn’t belong. Hope I’m wrong and all the talking heads give credit where it’s due.

UM Griff

April 3rd, 2018 at 12:09 AM ^

Them develop into a BTT champion and NCAA finalist. Too bad the shots did not fall for us - I am disappointed but excited for next year’s team.

goblue16

April 3rd, 2018 at 12:17 AM ^

So close but hey I’ll take it. Great season and to put it in perspective how would we feel if football had a similar season? We would be ecstatic. We should be more than ecstatic with this team considering what they had and how far they got exceeded all expectations. GO BLUE!!

M_Born M_Believer

April 3rd, 2018 at 2:06 AM ^

Brunson, Booth, Spellman, and Pachel to 10-30 shooting (2-13 from 3). I would have believed we would have won hands down. But Donte was on fire and a tip of the cap to him. We couldn’t hit a 3 and Donte just nailed it. That’s how the game goes sometimes. Still thrilled about this season and proud of this team. Come back next year with a mix of veterans and a great group of Freshmen. This team is going nowhere and be ready for another tourney run.

bacon

April 3rd, 2018 at 6:18 AM ^

Just enjoy that we got to see Michigan in the finals again. There's a reason why we recognize NCAA teams that make the sweet 16 and final four. It's hard to make the finals. We were this year's Cinderella, but our run started in the BTT. We had a lot of dominos fall help us to the finals, but Villanova was loaded with talent and played like it. Still it was great to see Michigan in the final game and hopefully this helps the program recruit talent going forward.

MMB 82

April 3rd, 2018 at 9:59 AM ^

in National Championship games. But then again, we are 7-0 in National Semifinals. Just keep pounding on that door until it splinters...

goblueram

April 3rd, 2018 at 11:04 AM ^

I've now gone to 3 of these things between hockey and basketball, and hoping to add 1 to the list this weekend.  Maybe someday I will see a win.  But I am absolutely thankful to even have the opportunity to support these Michigan teams in championship situations.