ANN ARBOR, Mich.– It wasn’t the ending Wolverine’s fans wanted to see, but nonetheless the University of Michigan men’s basketball team made them proud.
Michigan came within one win of being the NCAA champions, but lost to the Louisville Cardinals in Atlanta on Monday night.
The Crisler Center, located on U of M’s campus, opened its doors to students and the community so folks could watch the big game on the big screen.
“This is a once in a lifetime moment.” said Robert Couchman. He brought his two young daughters down to watch the game. “I was debating whether to bring them, but it’s a good time to bring them. And they can say they were here.”
With thousands watching the game on the jumbotron, it was easy to see how Michigan’s appeal stretched beyond state lines. Ohio resident Tom Knight and his adult son are big Michigan fans and could barely stay seated.
“The best player on the team is from Ohio, and he chose the right school,” Knight exclaimed.
But the Wolverines just couldn’t keep the lead they established against Louisville. And as fans took to the street, quiet from the defeat, Ann Arbor police and fire crews were busy responding to and putting out small street fires scattered throughout the city.
But the most bizarre scene of the night was when a Chevy Impala drove right into a first floor apartment bedroom.
“We were watching TV, having a bottle of wine, and we see headlights coming strangely close to the building,” said Meghan O’Leary. She lives in the unit. “Then, the worst sound I’ve ever heard in my life,” O’Leary said, describing the scene just moments after it happened. She quickly called her roommate at work.
“I didn’t think she was lying but I couldn’t believe it until I saw it,” said roommate Tanya Lorincz.
The car came to rest on top of O’Leary’s bed, with her sitting just in the next room.
“I have a queen size bed, and I don’t see it. I’m assuming it’s under the car.”
