The Michigan basketball teams ability to rally around a plane accident and rattle off four-straight wins in the Big Ten tournament has captured national attention.
Miami's Jim Larranga is using his first round opponents biggest rival, as a rallying point for his young team, when he was asked about his young players playing through adversity in the tournament.
“One of the things you can observe around the country is how different coaches and different teams respond to adversity,” Larrañaga said. “I’m so impressed with what John Beilein and the University of Michigan basketball team did after a near fatal accident. They came off of an airplane that could have ended all their lives. … They had to play their first-round game in their practice gear. And not only did they play, but they played great and won by 20 points. Then they go on and win the tournament," Larranaga said.
“You know, young kids are very resilient and I think when their mental approach and emotional approach is connected, you can accomplish great things and I think that’s what Michigan did in the Big Ten Tournament. I hope we can be that well-connected for the NCAA Tournament, I just hope we don’t have to go through a near-fatal accident to get there.”
The Hurricanes and Spartans tip-off Friday from Tulsa, Oklahoma at 9:20 on TNT.
