Michigan Basketball Vs. Villanova: Thursday's Sweet 16 Preview

MICHIGAN — For the fifth straight time, the Michigan Wolverines advanced to the NCAA Men's Tournament Sweet 16 as an eleven seed. They will take on the second seeded Villanova Wildcats, who are making their third Sweet 16 appearance in the last five years. Tipoff is at 7:29 EST p.m. on TBS.

Michigan comes off arguably the most impressive victory in the tournament so far with a 76-68 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in the Round of 32.

The Volunteers' impressive run to capture the school's first SEC tournament title in over forty years had many thinking they would make a Final Four run.

However, Michigan's Eli Brooks led the Wolverines with 23 points and a clutch old-school hook shot late in the second-half to lead the Wolverines to the upset victory.

Although the eleven-seeded Wolverines' victory is highly regarded as upset, they are hardly a conventional "Cinderella" team, given the team's depth and the fact they played one of the toughest schedules in the country.

In addition, you only have to go back to last year to find a more dangerous eleven-seeded team, where the UCLA Bruins defeated the Michigan Wolverines to get to the Final Four.

Meanwhile, Villanova and Collin Gillespie lead an impressive victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Round 32.

Gillespie, a name that should familiar to Wolverines fans as he was a freshman on the Villanova team that knock-off the Wolverines in the 2018 title game, is a two-time Big East Player of the Year and the unquestioned leader of team.

Gillespie's 20 points, four assists and steal greatly contributed to the Wildcats holding off a furious Buckeye comeback in the second half, where the Buckeyes trimmed a 15 point deficit to just two.

While Villanova may have the edge in senior leadership and outside shooting, Michigan has the 7-foot Hunter Dickinson, who will certainly create mismatch problems for the Wildcats down low.

Michigan is just one of two Big Ten teams left in the tournament, along with Purdue. The conference was often cited as the best in the country throughout the year. The last time a Big Ten team won the national championship was in 2000, when the Michigan State Spartans defeated the Florida Gators.

Top seeds Gonzaga and Arizona are also playing Thursday, along with the Duke Blue Devils.