Michigan defeated Toledo by a score of 90-80 in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament on Tuesday night. Thirteen 3-pointers, including five from Joey Baker, propelled the Wolverines to victory.
Four Wolverines scored at least 16 points, and Michigan advanced to the Round of 16 with the win.
However, there was much speculation as to whether or not Michigan would play in the NIT. Eventually, 2022 national runner-up and preseason No. 1 North Carolina opted not to play.
After making five straight Sweet 16 appearances, some wondered whether the NIT was considered “not good enough” for a Michigan team that had found much recent success in the NCAA tournament.
After a 90–80 win over Toledo, Michigan head coach Juwan Howard laid out his philosophy as it relates to his team’s decision to play in the NIT.
“I look at it this way: We were a team that brought basketball to the park,” Howard said. “The other two teams didn’t have basketballs. We brought basketballs, and it’s time to play. So what are we going to do? Are we going to take our basketballs and go home because they didn’t pick us to play In the first game?”
Howard said, “So, we’re not going to cry over spilled milk.” “We’re not going to act like we’re entitled. We’re not going to act like it’s beneath us … We’re not going to be a team that takes our basketball and doesn’t let other teams play.” Give.”
Michigan acted like no other game on Tuesday night, as he drilled 13 3-pointers, which was a season high. Joey Baker dropped a Michigan career-high 21 points in the win.
The Wolverines will face the winner of Vanderbilt and Yale in the second round of the NIT as Michigan looks to continue its NIT run and win the championship.
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