As the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament approaches, all eyes are on the Michigan Wolverines, who are set to kick off March Madness on March 20, 2025, against UC San Diego. Following a triumphant campaign in the Big Ten tournament, where they secured the championship, Michigan carries considerable momentum into the tournament.
With a three-game winning streak against ranked opponents under their belt, the Wolverines are feeling confident. Their recent performance has positioned them as a five-seed for this year's tournament, and many fans share that confidence, especially former player Jalen Rose. He boldly predicts Michigan will not only defeat UC San Diego but will also go all the way to claim the national championship.
"The Big Ten champions, No. 1, are a five-seed? What are we doing here, first and foremost?" Rose questioned during a broadcast on TruTV prior to the first play-in game. His faith in the Wolverines is palpable, stating, "I know y’all saw Tre Donaldson go coast-to-coast and finish with the left. I know y’all was watching. Remind me of Tyus Edney and UCLA. Gave me all confidence in my Wolverines.”
In his analysis, Rose notes the unique advantage that Michigan holds with its roster composition, particularly featuring two seven-foot players, an uncommon sight in college basketball. "When you watch the Wolverines play, call an archaeologist. You don’t normally see two seven-footers actually perform in the way they do. You see (Danny) Wolf dribble, passing and shooting, making people around him better. You see (Vladislav) Goldin doing old-school post-ups on the block, doing actual jump hooks over both shoulders. Teams that aren’t in our conference aren’t used to seeing that," he explained.
The confident prediction comes in light of Michigan's solid season, having finished 25-9 overall and secured second place in the regular-season standings of the Big Ten. Rose's historical experience adds weight to his assertions; he was part of Michigan's success in the early '90s when they made back-to-back national title games.
Looking at the overall picture, Michigan's road through March Madness might also draw history. Jalen Rose expressed his anticipation: "I mean where my scissors? Why not?" This enthusiasm encapsulates the hope of both the players and their fans as they prepare to cut down the nets by the tournament's conclusion.
As pundits eagerly make their tournament picks, "bracketology" buzzes around casual fans and hard-core analysts alike. Interestingly, there’s speculation about broader impacts on viewership trends surrounding this iconic event. In recent years, the NCAA tournament has faced plummeting viewership, particularly during championship games.
Despite low recent numbers, CBS has made strategic changes to enhance viewer experience. For this year's national championship game, slated for April 7 in San Antonio, CBS, along with TNT Sports, decided to move the starting time up by 30 minutes to 8:50 PM ET. CBS Sports CEO David Berson noted that later start times often hinder viewership. "The reality is later start times often help with viewership," Berson stated. "If the game’s close at the end, the viewership is going to be there. Often times the later you go, the more you have the viewers to start at the beginning of the telecast."
The move has received widespread approval from those covering the sport, with hopes that the adjustment will rejuvenate interest across all demographics.
Furthermore, comprehensive coverage of all 67 tournament games will be provided across CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV. This year marks the 43rd occasion CBS has carried the men’s tournament. The network will broadcast 24 games total, covering all key phases such as the Final Four and championship match.
With basketball season culminating to this point, the eagerness among fans and analysts is palpable, especially with the beginning of tournament play. The First Four commenced on March 18, featuring matchups like No. 16-seeded St. Francis against Alabama State and No. 11-seeds North Carolina versus San Diego State. These games set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament.
In a fitting tribute to the legacy of sports journalism, CBS will also honor long-time contributor Greg Gumbel, who passed away in December 2024. His contributions to the tournament’s narrative were significant, and tributes are expected throughout coverage this year.
The anticipation extends beyond just the games themselves; with a resurgence of college basketball viewership being a hot topic, many hope that this tournament will capture the attention of fans both old and new. Whether Michigan lives up to Rose’s predictions or if another team surprises, this year's tournament promises excitement and unpredictability as the dance begins.
