Five years ago, Michigan found themselves out of the NCAA Tournament, despondent in the Revel and Roll bowling alley that had been prepared for a party. It was, for Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico and the program, one of the darkest days in her tenure.
Now, five years later and after losing four of their last six games and putting their chance at hosting the first weekend, the program didn’t take the risk of a public celebration again. Sitting in Barnes Arico’s living room, the team huddled around the television until they were the final No. 3 seed to be announced.
Instead of public despair, the Wolverines had private exultation.
Michigan will host American in the first round on Saturday, with the winner of BYU/Villanova awaiting in the second round on Monday.
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