The No. 14 Michigan Wolverines take on the UCSD Tritons in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Thursday's meeting is the first this season for the two teams.

Michigan guard Rubin Jones (15) reacts with the bench to a three-point basket against Wisconsin during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) AP

The final college basketball game before the NCAA Tournament bracket unveiled up to the hype. No. 3 seed Michigan defeated No. 5 seed Wisconsin 59-53 to capture the Big Ten Tournament Championship on Sunday.

DENVER – UC San Diego will walk onto the floor at Ball Arena, home of the NBA champion Denver Nuggets, for the first Division I men’s NCAA Tournament game in school history on Thursday night. Standing across from them at the center circle will be the Michigan Wolverines, playing their 97th game in their 32nd tournament.

Tony and Andrew breakdown the tough first-round challenge for the Wolverine basketball program in the NCAA tournament

UC San Diego wasn’t even allowed in the NCAA Tournament until this season, has four Division II transfers in the starting lineup, and is led by a young man who only played rugby and soccer until he was 14.