DES MOINES, Ia. — It was only three games. But it was so much more than that. Michigan’s postgame locker room on…
DES MOINES, Ia. — It was only three games.
But it was so much more than that.
Michigan’s postgame locker room on Sunday in Chicago housed a team that looked like it had just played its final game of a long season.
The Wolverines had just lost their third game against Michigan State this year, a 65-60 defeat in the Big Ten title game. It was the second loss in an eight-day span with a championship on the line, and it happened by blowing a 13-point lead.
Michigan (28-6) started the year 17-0, has been ranked in the top 10 almost wire-to-wire and earned a No. 2 seed in this week’s NCAA tournament. In the days since that loss to the Spartans, some players have spent time reminding themselves to keep things in perspective.
“We lost, what, six games this season? And it felt like all hell broke loose, right?” sophomore guard Jordan Poole said Wednesday inside Wells Fargo Arena. “We’ve won 28 games. Come on, now.
“Welcome to college basketball.”
Michigan’s mentality this week in Iowa is the same as it was after the other MSU losses.
Yes, each of the defeats have defined the season. But the season hasn’t ended yet. And Michigan knows that.
In this sport, seasons are defined by whether you can get hot — and stay hot — for six games in March and early April.
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Michigan knows that, too.
The key parts of this team played in the national title game last season.
