CHICAGO — Two years ago, Michigan’s season ended in a somber nine-point defeat on the last Wednesday slot of the Big Ten Tournament. Will Tschetter, Nimari Burnett, Harrison Hochberg and the Wolverines’ program couldn’t have been further from a Final Four.
“Coach Mike (Boynton Jr.) came up to me during the celebration and said, ‘Two years ago when you guys lost in the Big Ten Tournament, did you ever think you would get here?’ ” Harrison Hochberg said. “And I was like, ‘Man it seemed impossible.’ I thought I knew how hard high-major Division I ball is, but that season really humbled me. And Will, Nimari and I were the three guys that stuck together, stuck by the Block ‘M’.”
Now, Tschetter, Burnett and Hochberg’s season extends into April for the first time in their collegiate careers. The three holdovers from Juwan Howard’s tenure are now two games away from a national championship, just two seasons removed from setting the program record for losses.
The disastrous 2023-24 campaign included a loss to McNeese State and two to Rutgers. The Wolverines’ NCAA Tournament chances died months before Selection Sunday. Then Dusty May came in, and his plans included keeping around some players he felt were winners despite a desolate season.
“It means the world,” Tschetter said. “Super, super cool opportunity for the ones who stayed. Obviously, it’s one of our sayings of our school: ‘Those who stay will be champions.’ (It’s) just an ultimate blessing.”
There was instant gratification for the bunch: a Big Ten Tournament Title and an exciting Sweet Sixteen run that almost included an upset over No. 1 Auburn. But last year proved to be just a stepping stone for a near-complete revival of the program — and vindication for Burnett and Tschetter’s decision to stay.
As May has talked about ad nauseam, both have made sacrifices. Burnett and Tschetter’s minutes per game peaked two seasons ago and have declined over the past two years. But neither would trade a couple extra shots and minutes in meaningless games for an opportunity to play in a Final Four.
“Just the moment, sharing it with my teammates, the fans, my family. It’s no better feeling,” Burnett said. “A bunch of smiles. I feel like my adrenaline is going to be pumping until 1:00 a.m.”
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