Ann Arbor — As Michigan continued to dominate Arizona late in the second half of the Final Four game, Ann Arbor police blocked off traffic on South University Avenue, where bars were packed with fans.
Police blocked off connecting streets to a section of South University Avenue, which features Good Time Charley’s and the Brown Jug. Both watering holes were packed throughout the game Saturday night — with lines stretching out on the street — and South University has been a gathering spot for past post-game celebrations after major University of Michigan sports events.
As the game ended, hundreds of fans quickly gathered at the intersection of South University Avenue and Church Street as dozens of cops stood nearby. More students were rushing to the scene, quickly swelling the crowd.
Shortly after midnight, the crowd began dispersing, and there didn’t appear to be any arrests as police began reopening the street.
Michigan fans in ‘Maize Rage’ section react to 18-point win over Arizona
After the game, with Michigan winning by 18 points, 91-73, students in the “Maize Rage” section at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis were screaming and jumping with excitement.
“We’re so hyped, this is awesome,” said Zach Newman. “I almost don’t know what to say.”
“It’s a great day to be a Michigan Wolverine,” said the student sitting next to him, Bode Cooper.
Both thought the team had what it took to go all the way.
“We’ll be back for Monday,” Newman said.
Other students were a little more laid back in their reactions but still excited to see their team succeed. Five members of the women’s rowing team said they weren’t surprised to see the team go all the way.
“We have full confidence in the team,” said Jana Peachey.
And what made the team work so well?
“Easily their chemistry,” student Bella Pimentel said. “They work really well together. … I feel like they know how to play off each other, no one outshines anyone, everyone has their moment.”
Michigan game attracts alums to Ann Arbor
On Main Street, less than one hour before tipoff between Michigan and Arizona in the Final Four, there was relative calm for a Saturday night, though there were plenty of Maize and Blue apparel being worn in this campus town.
Among those proudly wearing the University of Michigan’s school colors were Sebastian and Tiffany Crowley, both University of Michigan alumni who live in Minneapolis.
“Being in Ann Arbor is the next best thing from being there,” in Indianapolis, said Sebastian Crowley, 48.
The Crowleys had dinner in downtown Ann Arbor but were going to watch the game at the nearby home of a fellow alumnus. The couple said they were in Ann Arbor back in 2018, the last time the men’s basketball team made it to the Final Four.
“We can handle small, excited crowds, but maybe we are too old to be in big, very excited crowds,” said Tiffany Crowley, 45.
Sports bars like The Grotto Watering Hole already had every seat filled well before game time, but there were also crowds in the many cafes, restaurants, and bookstores downtown — a typical early Saturday evening in this Big Ten college town.
Four UM undergraduate students were among the crowd at Moka & Co. cafe. They were planning to go back to their apartments to watch the game. “It’s going to be a long night. We just want to pace ourselves,” he said. Kim and his friends said they didn’t drink alcohol but were prepared for a celebratory night.
The Ann Arbor Police Department posted a message on its website that it’s preparing for a busy night and the dangers that may follow.
“Large crowds provide convenient cover for criminal behavior, so stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings,” the Ann Arbor police said in its message.
At Good Time Charley’s near the corner of South University Avenue and Church Street, the line to get in had formed hours before game time, and there were still about 30 people waiting in line just before starting tip-off. At least two other bars nearby had similar lines.
“We’re just bar hopping, we’ll get in somewhere,” said Terry Morrison, as he waited in line with friends.
“I really think they have what it takes,” he added.
Michigan fans worried about injured star Yaxel Lendeborg
At halftime in Indianapolis, students in the “Maize Rage” section were feeling great about Michigan being up by 18.
“We’re a little worried about injuries, but I think we’ll be okay,” Kolbe Watson, 25, said.
Watson said he was worried about Michigan star forward Yaxel Lendeborg’s ankle, which he appeared to roll during the first half, but by the second half, he was back on the court.
Better than the 1989 championship team?
In Indianapolis, UM interim president Domenico Grasso said he felt basketball coach Dusty May was the best coach in the country, backed by the nation’s best squad.
Maybe, even better than the 1989 team that won the NCAA championship game.
“That’s a tough question because the Fab Five is here,” said Grasso, who describes himself as a longtime UM basketball fan. “I’ll be more sure if they win tonight — but I’m leaning towards yes.
“This is a great time for UM overall, we’re firing on all cylinders … it makes me very sad to be leaving.”
Grasso’s last day as UM’s interim president is May 8. The university’s incoming president, Kent Syverud, will take the reins in Ann Arbor the second week in May.
Michigan fans — and at least one Spartan — gear up for Final Four showdown
Sixty-two years later, Tom Ludwig was back at a University of Michigan Final Four, wearing the watch he got the first time they played in the national semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Ludwig, 82, played on the 1964 team that made it to UM’s first appearance (and a loss to Duke), said he was really proud of how far the team has come under head coach Dusty May.
The Michigan Wolverines face another No. 1 seed, the Arizona Wildcats, on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis for a chance to play UConn on Monday night in the national championship game. Tipoff for UM and Arizona is estimated for 9:19 p.m.
Ludwig, who coached basketball at Ferris State University from 1979 to 1996, said he believed May was the right choice at the right time to bring the team together.
“Dusty is doing a great job,” he said at the alumni party at The Hangar, a bar owned by a UM alum. “The university is doing a great job supporting him and the team.”
Ludwig and his wife, Sue Abbey-Ludwig, said they were looking forward to seeing the team clinch the championship.
Abbey-Ludwig, a Michigan State University alum, wore a Spartan green sweater (UConn eliminated MSU from the Big Dance in the Sweet Sixteen). She stood out in the sea of Maize and Blue, but said she was willing to be a “pretend Wolverine” to support her husband.
‘Dusty led us to believe’
The 2026 Final Four was long-awaited for fans like Pat Gadola, 61, who attended the university’s appearances in the 1990s.
Gadola, of Lansing, said at the NCAA Fan Fest he was never in doubt of the team’s chances to make it to the Final Four and beyond.
“Dusty led us to believe,” he said.
Gadola and his son, Carter, said they were confident in the team’s ability to beat Arizona. The team had had a better margin of victory than Carter was expecting, and although the men agreed Arizona was “better on the inside,” they believed UM’s ability to shoot three pointers would be the determining factor.
“Elliot Cadeau will decide the game,” Gadola said of UM’s point guard, who had a nut allergy scare earlier in the week.
Brad Jeddis, a 36-year-old UM alum, said he came from New York to watch his alma mater play in the Final Four.
“We feel pretty good about the game,” he said. “It’s been a tremendous season.”
Jeddis wouldn’t say UM was destined for the championship game — not wanting to jinx it — but he said he booked his hotel room through Monday night.
A ‘home run hire’
Regent Jordan Acker was in line for Final Four merchandise with his daughter. He said they planned to sit where the other regents and school leaders were seated in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Acker, a Southfield personal injury attorney, called May a “home run hire,” and said he was thrilled to see the team play later that evening.
UM Regent Sarah Hubbard, a vocal supporter of the university’s athletic programs, said she was “feeling great” about the team’s chances Saturday evening.
“Our team looks healthy,” she said. “I know Arizona is a great team too, but we’re clearly the better team.”
Hubbard, a multi-client lobbyist in Lansing, said she arrived in Indianapolis on Friday and was really happy with the welcome the team received.
“The fans have been great, the city is great,” she said.
She’s ready for the Wolverines to prevail Saturday night and face UConn, which knocked off Illinois in the Final Four game before the Michigan-Arizona matchup.
“I’m booked through Monday,” Hubbard said. “I’m excited to see how it goes.”
satwood@detroitnews.com
laguilar@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Crowd celebrating Michigan’s Final Four victory in Ann Arbor disperses
Reporting by Sarah Atwood and Louis Aguilar, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
