Around 1.30 on March 10th, Michigan men's basketball walked through the back hallways of the

Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a somber locker room. The Wolverines had to cope with a gut-wrenching

loss. It was a 17-point Michigan lead that evaporated during a turnover-heavy complete 180 that

was shell-shocking to players, coaches, and fans alike.

In the minutes after that game, leaders on this ball club, like Hunter Dickinson, like

Devante Jones, had to answer difficult questions from the media, including,

simply, does Michigan deserve a spot in the NCAA tournament?

Of course, they were going to say yes, but there truly was some doubt,

both within and outside of the program. The Wolverines were constantly seesawing right on

the pivot point of the bubble. Win a game? All right, Michigan's in. Lose a game, and uh-oh,

Michigan's on the outside looking at. Sure enough, three days later, after that tough loss to Indiana, Michigan not only got into

the big dance, but a committee of individuals granted the Wolverines a buy to the round of 64,

the last buy to the round of 64.

Let's bring it back to the here and now.

Nine days after your shrug your shoulders, wonder what could have been type of a loss.

The Wolverines hugged, skipped, floated down that same hallway.

They celebrated in that very same locker room.

Michigan completed a much different and much longer trip down to Indy.

And while some things drastically changed, of course, in that lengthy visit the second time around,

other things remain the same.

That's Michigan's last three victories have been in come from behind fashion,

down seven at the half in Columbus against Ohio State, six point win.

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