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Big Ten fans to Michigan, save us Wolverines, you’re our only hope

By Sravan Gannavarapu

Michigan Wolverines guard Chaundee Brown (15) reacts after the game in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament against the Louisiana State Tigers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines guard Chaundee Brown (15) reacts after the game in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament against the Louisiana State Tigers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Big Ten has essentially joined forces and are donning the Maize and Blue in hopes of saving their tournament credibility. 

If you didn’t think this year could get any crazier, try watching the Big Ten conference essentially beg Michigan to restore hope in the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines’ 86-78 win over the LSU Tigers ensures that at least one team from the conference will be playing in the Sweet 16. Whether or not Maryland joins the party remains to be seen.

The Wolverines looked like a team that could go far, and despite a bad call working out in their favor, they played quite admirably. Led by Eli Brooks, the Wolverines had four players in double figures, including Chaundee Brown, who registered 21 off the bench.

In contrast, LSU’s Cameron Thomas dropped 30 points, and Javonte Smart scored 27 points. The Tigers bench? A measly two points.

The entire Big Ten is rooting for Michigan? Welcome to 2021

We’ve come to expect the unexpected in this day and age, and that includes the Big Ten falling flat on their face in this year’s NCAA tournament, with the exception of the Maize and Blue of Michigan. The pre-Tournament expectations were high for what was thought to be the best conference in the land, with both Illinois and Michigan receiving 1-seeds and Ohio State getting a 2-seed.

It didn’t have to be this way. Everyone else could have simply done their job like, say, Ohio State. Yet, as the Buckeyes would be quick to point out, perhaps Michigan is a basketball school now. Juwan Howard and Co. have an argument, to say the least.

It’s 2021, and maybe, just maybe, Maryland could be the last team standing. But Michigan winning would probably help the conference reputation stay intact for a while, especially as the regular season champion. Nevertheless, if this tournament has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.

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