Michigan to honor 2013 Final Four team Sat. night vs. MSU
Michigan will take steps to honor and remember the shooting victims from the Michigan State University tragedy last week in a sign of support during Saturday night’s basketball game. The game itself almost seems inconsequential in the wake of the mass shooting that took three MSU students’ lives and left five others in critical condition.
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But it will go on, as will the plans put in place long ago to honor the 2013 Final Four team on the 10th anniversary of its run to the national championship game. The Wolverines beat Syracuse in the Final Four before dropping a controversial, 82-76 decision to Louisville in the title game, finishing as national runners-up.
Former coach John Beilein, who left 4 years ago for a shot to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers, will be on hand and will address the crowd at halftime. The stars from that team, including Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr., are expected in. So is guard Spike Albrecht, who as a freshman scored 17 points in the first half to stun the college basketball world.
Michigan coach Juwan Howard, whose Fab Five team played in two title games, was on hand and sitting with teammates Jimmy King, Ray Jackson, and Jalen Rose. Chris Webber was also in the building.
“I recall trying to find a flight from Miami to be there to support the team as they went on that amazing run, also get to the National Championship game,” Howard recalled. “Me personally, I know that’s very hard to do. That was a moment of excitement or those players and the coaches, as well as the Michigan support staff.
“Being in that building in Atlanta, just watching and seeing those young men and the staff compete against Louisville, it was remarkable. It was a competitive game. Unfortunately, we did not come out on the winning side.”
But that Michigan team had an amazing run, which included a remarkable comeback against Kansas from 14 down in the final minutes. Burke hit a 30-foot triple to cap the comeback and send it to overtime, where the Wolverines pulled out the win.
Michigan crushed Florida to make it to the Final Four behind Nik Stauskas’ 6 triples. He is also expected to be there.
“I think that team should be recognized and supported for that amazing run that year,” Howard said. “That’s what Michigan family does. We’re always about that family as far as alumni and those that paved the way. “
