'Hard to believe': 3 members of Michigan's worst team now in title game
· Yahoo Sports
INDIANAPOLIS − Had somebody told them at this time two years ago where they'd be on the final day of the 2025-26 season, it would’ve been impossible to believe.
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Will Tschetter, Nimari Burnett and Tarris Reed Jr. had just finished the worst modern season in Michigan basketball history. They were three of the top six players in minutes on Michigan basketball’s 2023-24 team that finished 8-24 overall and last in the Big Ten at 3-17.
They floundered down the stretch, going 2-19 in their final 21 games as the season ended with nine consecutive losses, and 14 of the last 15, which included opening night of the Big Ten Tournament. There was no postseason, but instead, a program overhaul. Former coach Juwan Howard was fired and each U-M player had a decision to make about their future.
Burnett and Tschetter each opted to stay in Ann Arbor while Reed transferred to the two-time defending champion UConn Huskies. It’s worked out for all three parties, who will meet in the national championship on Monday, April 6 (8:50 pm, TBS) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Michigan beat Arizona 91-73 in its Final Four matchup shortly after UConn beat Illinois 71-62 to set up the finale.
"Yeah, very hard to believe," Reed said. "We were talking about it a couple days ago, I saw them out at fan fest, just talking for a little bit. But yeah, a crazy position that I'm in, we're seeing each other in the national championship game, knowing how tough and ugly that season was.
"It's pretty cool, it's pretty special."
Tschetter and Burnett have already proclaimed they're making shirts that read "from 8-24 to Final Four" but they may need to amend them should the Wolverines win it all against the Huskies. This moment was one they all dreamed of, but each needed their own path.
For Reed, there were discussions with May and the incoming staff about what a return to Michigan could look like. After mulling it over, with his name already in the portal, Reed felt the best decision for himself was to write an entirely new chapter.
It didn't go well initially. UConn, which came off consecutive national titles before Reed arrived, went 24-11 (more losses than the two years combined) and fell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Reed had never even been to March Madness when he arrived in Storrs. Now, he's finishing his college career, playing for the ultimate prize against the team where his career began.
"You have to go out with everything you have," he said. "Go out, swing for the fences and throw as many punches as you can, you're trying to fight for the win."
May praised Reed and the development he's seen in his game the past two years. He also explained how he got away from the program. Reed met with the staff a few weeks after they came on and he'd already heard word from the basketball rumor mill it was likely Vladislav Goldin would follow May from FAU to Ann Arbor.
Naturally, he had questions about the two coexisting, when May told him it would be hard, he'd have to expand his game, but May felt there was a possibility it could work. However, once Danny Wolf also entered the picture, "the writing was on the wall" as far as the feasibility of three 7-footers all working together.
"It would've been fun to try in hindsight, but, yeah at that point it was well known that he was going to look at something different," May said. "We've maintained a relationship with him. The guys on our team, they all speak highly of him.
"He deserves the success. It's been fun to watch. He's put on a show in this tournament."
Reed has averaged 22.5 points and 11 rebounds through UConn's five games.
It's been enjoyable for Tschetter and Burnett to watch Reed, given their relationship that's continued beyond their time as teammates. U-M's two remaining holdovers (in addition to redshirt forward Harrison Hochberg) want nothing but good things for Reed.
That is, with one exception.
"T-Reed is the light that you want to see in the world," Tschetter said. "He's always been a bright spot, whether he's been in this program or at UConn. It's been great to follow his journey and see his development, how he's stayed true to himself. I wish him all the best, except for tomorrow."
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 3 members of Michigan's worst team now in title game