Wolverine TV: John Beilein, Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr., Nik Stauskas reflect on Michigan's 2013 run
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines basketball is holding its program-wide reunion this weekend and honoring the 2013 national runner-up team at Saturday night’s game against Michigan State (8:07 p.m. ET on FOX). Members of the 2013 squad — former head coach John Beilein, national player of the year winning guard Trey Burke, guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and guard Nik Stauskas — met with the media to look back on the run and discuss the program.
Burke was asked about his game-tying shot to force overtime in the Sweet 16 win over Kansas that sparked the run to the national championship game, as well as his controversial “foul” that everyone on the podium (and those with an objective set of eyes) believed was a clean block.
Hardaway and Stauskas discussed returning to Ann Arbor and just how different many of the buildings on the Michigan campus are. They both stumped for Burke’s jersey to be retired and hung in the rafters, too. Burke said it would be an “honor.”
Beilein said he frequently sees clips and highlights from the 2013 and other teams on Twitter and sends them along to his former Michigan players. Now that he’s no longer coaching the team, he says he’s able to enjoy those moments even more, without the stress and the worry.
The entire 2013 team that could make it back for the game will be honored at halftime.e
Fourth-year Michigan head coach Juwan Howard — a former player himself who attended the Final Four as a fan — talked Friday about his memories of the team and how important it is to recognize great teams and former players.
“I recall trying to find a flight from Miami to be there to support the team as they went on that amazing run, also get to the National Championship game,” Howard recalled. “Me personally, I know that’s very hard to do. That was a moment of excitement or those players and the coaches, as well as the Michigan support staff.
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“Being in that building in Atlanta, just watching and seeing those young men and the staff compete against Louisville, it was remarkable. It was a competitive game. Unfortunately, we did not come out on the winning side.”
But that Michigan team had an amazing run, which included a remarkable comeback against Kansas from 14 down in the final minutes. Burke hit a 30-foot triple to cap the comeback and send it to overtime, where the Wolverines pulled out the win.
Michigan crushed Florida to make it to the Final Four behind Nik Stauskas’ 6 triples. He is also expected to be there.
“I think that team should be recognized and supported for that amazing run that year,” Howard said. “That’s what Michigan family does. We’re always about that family as far as alumni and those that paved the way.”
Watch the full press conference below.
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