Nerves to nirvana: U-M fans embrace national championship victory
Fans from Ann Arbor bars to Crisler Center celebrated Michigan basketball's first national title in decades.
Tension is a powerful force in sports. Too little can cause boredom, too much can break a fan base. But just the right amount makes a win that much sweeter.
It might not have been the same dominating performance Michigan fans enjoyed throughout the previous games of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. But that did not dampen the joy of Monday night's national championship for thousands of fans across Ann Arbor. "We were sweating, not going to lie," said Lindsey Ye, an 18-year-old U-M freshman from Ypsilanti moments after the game.
Holding up the "national champions" T-shirt she bought moments after the game, Ye could hardly control her excitement. "It was a huge moment. ...
We pulled it together in the end! " The 69-63 game was the culmination of hours — and in some cases, more than a day — of preparation and anticipation for Wolverine faithful. Yet that was nothing for many students and fans who hadn't seen a Michigan basketball championship in their lifetime.