Ann Arbor preparing for Michigan’s Final Four game
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WLNS) — The city of Ann Arbor is getting ready for the University of Michigan’s Final Four game Saturday — with both the fans and the local police are counting down the hours to tip-off. From campus hangouts to local bars, Michiganders are feeling the buzz of anticipation.
Customers perusing University of Michigan merchandise. (WLNS) While it’s only been eight years since the Michigan men’s basketball team made it to the Final Four, it’s been 37 since they brought a championship back to Ann Arbor, and fans are eager to celebrate with friends and family if the Wolverines bring it home. Michigan head basketball coach Dusty May.
(FILE) “It’s just going to be a long time coming. I mean, ’89 was the last championship, and we’re there right now,” said U-M student Doug Styles. “We’re knocking on the door, and I think the university and the school will all come together, and it’ll be an incredible moment.
” Fans like Styles are wasting no time in grabbing the school’s newest Final Four merchandise, and local businesses say they’ve had non-stop foot traffic all week — and having a chance at a national title doesn’t happen every day. A Wolverine fan checking out some of the school’s new Final Four merchandise. (WLNS) Final Four merchandise.
(WLNS) “We try to create a really party atmosphere when the customers are coming in,” said General Manager at Rally House Ann Arbor Dearron Haygood. “The fact that we’re going to the Final Four, and I know we’re going to make it to the national championship, we’re just really expressing that excitement to the customers, just having a really good time with it. ” Haygood says the city will be buzzing win or lose Saturday night and for him, it’s more than just a game — it’s a celebration of pride and tradition within the community.