Michigan
How Michigan football, hockey, and basketball compare over the last 50 years
The Michigan football season ended on a high note in 2024 with the signing of No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood and the takedown of No. 2 Ohio State on the road in Columbus. However, the 7-5 finish to the regular season was a disappointment given high expectations after a National Championship in January.
While the football season was a bit of a letdown, men’s basketball and hockey are off to great starts. The basketball team, led by first-year head coach Dusty May, just beat No. 11 Wisconsin on the road in Madison and took down a ranked Xavier in the Fort Myers Tip-Off Tournament to win it all. Hockey split the weekend taking on a ranked Western Michigan, but they were 10-3-1, sporting sweeps of No. 5 BU, No. 20 Notre Dame, and Penn State heading into last night’s game against No. 4 Minnesota.
It’s often joked in my family, and I’m sure in yours, that we sacrificed one program for the success of another. It’s a pretty common joke online, too. Over the last 50 years or so, each of the big three men’s programs has seen success and failure. So, is there any truth to the saying, “They can’t all be good.”
A few disclaimers:
First, the best and worst finishes for each program are subjective. For example, I listed the 1981-82 season as the worst for that decade. The team in 1982-83 had a worse conference finish (9th instead of 7th) but had a better overall record. Neither team had a postseason appearance, so I went with the better conference finish.
Next, this only covers the last 50 seasons or so. I have some time on my hands but not enough to go over the entire history of each program. If you want to do that, I’d love to hear what you find out!
1973 – 1982 | Michigan football and basketball find consistent success, Michigan hockey only has two postseason appearances
Michigan Football
Best Finish (1980); Rose Bowl win over Washington, the first postseason win after several losses for Schembechler; (10-2, 1st in Big Ten)
Worst Finish (1979); Loss in Gator Bowl; (8-4, 3rd in Big Ten)
Despite the struggles in bowl games, Bo Schembechler and the Michigan football team consistently finished at the top of the conference. They either won or shared the title with another team for most of this period.
Michigan Basketball
Best finish (1975-76); Lost Championship game to Indiana; (25-7, 2nd in Big Ten)
Worst finish (1981-82); No postseason appearance (8-19, 7th in Big Ten)
For basketball, Johnny Orr and Bill Frieder helped lead their teams to some impressive tournament appearances, including a National Championship appearance in 1975-96. The Wolverines lost to Indiana 86-68.
Michigan Hockey
Best finish (1976-77); Lost Championship game to Wisconsin (OT); (28-17-0, 3rd in WCHA)
Worst finish (1978-79); No postseason appearance; (8-27-1, 10th in WCHA)
Hockey struggled for most of this stretch. The main exception is the 1976-77, when the Wolverines lost in the Championship game to Wisconsin in overtime. Their only other postseason appearance came after the 1973-74 season where they got knocked out in the first round.
1983 – 1992 | Michigan football and basketball dominate, Michigan Hockey postseason appearances still limited
Michigan Football
Best finish (1989); Rose Bowl win over USC; (10-2, 1st in Big Ten)
Worst finish (1984); Loss in the Holiday Bowl (6-6, Tied for 6th in Big Ten)
Michigan football continued its conference dominance during this ten-year stretch, despite a 6-6 finish in 1984. Even when Bo Schembechler handed the reins to Gary Moeller, Michigan still finished at the top of the conference for his first three seasons.
Michigan Basketball
Best Finish (1988-89); NCAA Champion; (30-7, 3rd in Big Ten)
Worst Finish (1990-91); Lost NIT 1st Round; (14-15, 8th in Big Ten)
Basketball had an insane stretch of postseason appearances in this decade. Winning the NIT tournament in 1983-84 and the NCAA tournament in 1988-89. The Wolverines didn’t miss a postseason during these ten years but did have to vacate the 1991-92 Final Four appearance and the 1992-93 season, because, you know, Fab Five.
Michigan Hockey
Best finish (1991-92); NCAA Frozen Four; (32-9-3, 1st in CCHA)
Worst finish (1985-86); No postseason appearance; (12-26-0, 8th in CCHA)
For most of this decade, the Wolverines struggled to make the postseason but hired Red Berenson ahead of the 1984-85 season. It’s crazy to think back on Red’s early years with the Wolverines, not finishing with a winning record until his fourth season as head man, but by the end of the 1992-93 season, they had finished at the top of the CCHA and made back-to-back Frozen Four appearances.
1993 – 2002 | Michigan hockey becomes a program, Michigan basketball, and football start to take steps back
Michigan Football
Best Finish (1997); National Championship (12-0, 1st in Big Ten)
Worst Finish (1996); Outback Bowl loss to Alabama (8-4, Tied for 5th in Big Ten)
Listen, Michigan football was still winning games with Lloyd Carr and they won a freaking National Championship in 1997 for crying out loud! However, the early 90s came with some 8-4 seasons and less-than-stellar finishes in the Big Ten.
Michigan Basketball
Best Finish (1993-94); NCAA Elite Eight (24-8, 2nd in Big Ten)
Worst Finish (2000-2001); No tournament appearance (10-18, tied for 9th in Big Ten)
Even though you could argue Michigan’s best basketball season is “technically” the year they won the NIT or finished first in the Big Ten those seasons don’t really count anymore. By 2000, the Wolverines missed out on three straight postseasons.
Michigan Hockey
Best Finish (1995-96); NCAA Champion (34-7-2, 1st in CCHA)
Worst Finish (1999-2000); NCAA Quarterfinals (25-11-6, Tied for 3rd in CCHA)
Enter the best ten-year stretch of hockey for the Michigan Wolverines in the last fifty years. Red Berenson and Michigan made the postseason each season, including two National Championships, multiple Frozen Four appearances, and finishing regularly at the top of the CCHA.
2003 – 2012 | Michigan hockey continues postseason appearances, Michigan football has the worst stretch imaginable, Michigan basketball is smack in the middle
Michigan Football
Best Finish (2003); Rose Bowl loss to USC, (10-3, 1st in Big Ten)
Worst Finish (2008); No bowl trip (3-9, Tied for 9th in Big Ten)
Ugh, the decade of football I think we’d all like to forget about for the most part. The Wolverines had some of their worst overall records ever and lost to App State in 2007. When you thought it couldn’t get worse, Rich Rod and Brady Hoke happened. Despite a win over Ohio State in 2011, there’s not much to look back on in this stretch of football history.
Michigan Basketball
Best Finish (2012-13); NCAA runner-up (31-8, Tied for 4th in Big Ten)
Worst Finish (2004-05); No tournament appearance (13-18, 9th in Big Ten)
Michigan peaked in the John Beilein era with an appearance in the National Championship in 2012-13. While they didn’t win the game against Louisville, Michigan had consistent postseason appearances under head coach John Beilein.
Michigan Hockey
Best Finish (2010-11); NCAA Finalist (29-11-4, 1st in CCHA)
Worst Finish (2012-2013); No tournament appearance (18-19-3, 7th in CCHA)
When it comes to Hockey, it’s a tale of highs and lows. The early 2000s continued to see success in the postseason, appearing in the tournament each year until 2012-2013, when the Wolverines posted a sub .500 record and didn’t make the tournament for the first time in years.
2013 – 2023 | Michigan football started from the bottom, now we’re here! Michigan hockey and basketball have bright spots
Michigan Football
Best Finish (2023); Won CFP Championship, (15-0, 1st in Big Ten)
Worst Finish (2014); No bowl appearance (5-7, 5th in Big Ten)
It took some time, but Michigan football reached the top — Again! Jim Harbaugh, J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, Mike Sainristil, and the rest of Team 144 helped the Wolverines win the CFP National Championship at the end of the 2023 season. This stretch includes the 2020 sports seasons, but with all the Covid changes it’s easy to brush that off. While the Brady Hoke Sugar Bowl win didn’t hang around long, Jim Harbaugh couldn’t seem to beat the Buckeyes until 2021, when Aidan Hutchinson and Hassan Haskins helped the Wolverines get over that hump.
Michigan Basketball
Best Finish (2017-18); Won B1G tournament, NCAA runner-up, (33-8, T4th in Big Ten)
Worst Finish (2023-24); No tournament appearance (8-24, Last in Big Ten)
Michigan basketball had a few fun and surprisingly successful tournament runs. Including the year they won the Big Ten Tournament after a plane crash and went on a crazy run to the National Championship game. The hiring of Juwan Howard came with some things to celebrate, but that would fizzle out in the last few seasons, which paved the way for hiring Dusty May.
Michigan Hockey
Best Finish (2021-22); Won B1G tournament, NCAA Frozen Four, (31-10-1, 2nd in Big Ten)
Worst Finish (2016-17); No tournament appearance, (13-19-3, 5th in Big Ten)
Michigan hockey is going places, but had a tough stretch at the end of Red Berenson’s career, missing the NCAA Tournament three times, including his final season as head coach. The hiring of Mel Pearson seemed promising but he got fired by the University ahead of the 2022 season. Thankfully, Brandon Naurato kept the train moving in the right direction and has had two straight trips to the Frozen Four as head coach.
In the end, it looks like there’s some evidence to back up the idea that you can’t have three good teams at once. When football and basketball were winning, hockey struggled, when hockey turned it around, you started to see a decline in football or the basketball team had issues.
For some time, Michigan basketball helped comfort fans when football and hockey started to bottom out. Last season, who cared about the poor basketball performance? Football won the natty!! Even when one team is bad, we’ll always have another to fall back on.
It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine!
DETROIT — A man who spent nearly 21 years in prison for the deaths of two Michigan hunters agreed to a $5.25 million settlement after accusing police of failing to turn over evidence that could have helped him at trial, a lawyer said Monday.
Jeff Titus was released in 2023 and his murder convictions were erased at the request of prosecutors. The Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school and two investigators got authorities to acknowledge that an Ohio serial killer might have been the person who killed the hunters in 1990.
Titus had long declared his innocence.
“It’s been a long road for Jeff,” attorney Wolf Mueller said. “He’s 74. He lost two decades of his life. The money doesn’t make up for the loss of decades, but it allows him to put this part of his life behind him.”
An email seeking comment from the lawyer who defended a retired homicide detective in the lawsuit wasn’t immediately answered.
Doug Estes and Jim Bennett were fatally shot near Titus’ property in Kalamazoo County in 1990. Titus initially was cleared as a suspect, but murder charges were filed against him 12 years later. Prosecutors portrayed Titus as a hothead who didn’t like trespassers.
Students and staff at University of Michigan law school were trying to get him a new trial when a 30-page file from the original investigation was discovered at the county sheriff’s office. It was a blockbuster: It referred to an alternate suspect, Thomas Dillon of Magnolia, Ohio.
Jacinda Davis, at the TV network Investigation Discovery, and Susan Simpson, through the podcast “Undisclosed,” had raised doubts about Titus’ guilt and aired questions about Dillon’s possible role.
Dillon died in prison in 2011. He was arrested in 1993 and ultimately pleaded guilty to killing five people in Ohio who had been hunting, fishing or jogging.
The lawsuit that was settled Monday did not center on Dillon as an alternate suspect. Rather, police were accused of violating Titus’ rights by not sharing information that could have cast doubt on the trial testimony of a key witness, Mueller said.
Warm and humid air will remain in place across southeast Michigan today and Tuesday, creating favorable conditions for multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms. Stay weather aware with our 4Warn Weather app as storms may bring damaging winds, large hail, torrential rainfall, and isolated tornadoes. We have issued a 4Warn Weather alert for both afternoons and evenings.
Severe Weather Risk Today
A Slight Risk for severe weather covers nearly all of southeast Michigan today as an approaching disturbance interacts with unstable air and increasing humidity. Scattered thunderstorms could develop later this afternoon and evening. These storms will have the potential to produce:
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Damaging wind gusts
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Large hail
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Locally heavy rainfall
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Isolated tornadoes
The primary window for severe weather is expected between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., although a few isolated storms could develop earlier in the afternoon. Rain and thunderstorms may also linger into the late evening hours.
Another Round Possible Tuesday
The severe weather pattern is expected to continue Tuesday with another Slight Risk (Level 2 out 5) covering all of southeast Michigan. Warm, unstable conditions will clash with an approaching cold front and once again support thunderstorm development during the afternoon and evening hours, especially between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday’s storms may again be capable of producing:
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Damaging wind gusts
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Large hail
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Heavy downpours
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Isolated tornadoes
Make sure to monitor our forecasts closely and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings during both days.
Cooler Air Arrives Midweek
After the active weather pattern exits, a significant cooldown is expected across the region. Temperatures will fall nearly 20 degrees from Tuesday into Wednesday as cooler and drier air moves into the Great Lakes. High temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday are expected to remain in the 60s, bringing a refreshing break from the recent heat and humidity. Overnight lows will be in the 40s, so the cooldown doesn’t propose a threat for frost.
Memorial Day Weekend Outlook
Looking ahead, conditions appear much more comfortable for Memorial Day weekend. Forecast highs are expected to return to the 70s with seasonable late-May weather anticipated across southeast Michigan.
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NORMAN — Oklahoma softball is headed to its 16th consecutive Super Regional.
The No. 3 overall seeded Sooners defeated Michigan 8-1 in the NCAA Tournament Norman Regional final on Sunday afternoon in front of 3,947 at Love’s Field. OU will host Mississippi State or Saint Mary’s next weekend.
Speedy center fielder KaI Minor led the Sooners offensively, finishing 2 for 5 at the plate with a home run, a double and three runs scored. Isabela Emerling and Gabbie Garcia added two hits, while Ailana Agbayani recorded two hits and a solo homer.
In the circle, Audrey Lowry allowed just one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts and zero walks in 4 ⅔ innings. In relief, senior Kierston Deal struck out one in a full inning and Sydney Berzon tossed a hitless 1 ⅓ innings.
OU outhit Michigan 9-3 in the win.
The Sooners jumped out to an early three-run lead in the first inning after Minor ripped a double to left center, her third leadoff double in four games, while Ella Parker walked and Gabbie Garcia singled Minor in. Then, with the bases loaded, Isabela Emerling singled down the left field line to score Garcia and Kasidi Pickering, who was hit by a pitch.
OU added a run in the second and fourth, two in the fifth and one in the seventh to finish off the Wolverines. Minor crushed her 11th home run of the season 261 feet to deep left center field in the fourth.
The Sooners will begin Super Regional play on either Thursday or Friday. Mississippi State and Saint Mary’s meet in the Eugene Regional final at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Here’s a recap of the Sooners-Wolverines NCAA Tournament game:
Ailana Agbayani extended OU’s lead in the seventh with a solo homer to right field.
It was Agbayani’s second hit and second RBI of the day.
End 6: Oklahoma 7, Michigan 1 | Kierston Deal, Sydney Berzon handle Wolverines
Michigan was sat down in order in the sixth.
Sydney Berzon entered to record the third out of the inning after Kierston Deal ended her day with a strikeout in one full inning.
Kasidi Pickering popped up, Allyssa Parker fouled out and Abby Dayton grounded out in the sixth.
Audrey Lowry’s day is finished after she allowed just one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
Kierston Deal recorded the final out of the fifth.
OU added two runs to its lead in the fifth.
Ailana Agbyani doubled to center field, scoring Abby Dayton. Then, Ella Parker walked with the bases loaded to score Agbayani.
Jenissa Conway, Sydney Hastings and Erin Hoehn all grounded out for Michigan in the fourth.
Kai. Minor.
The Sooners’ freshman center fielder crushed a solo home run to center field to give OU a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning.
Audrey Lowry forced two groundouts and struck out Ella Stephenson in the third.
Lowry has allowed one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts through three.
Abby Dayton flew out, Isabela Emerling struck out and Ailana Agbayani grounded out in the third.
Erin Hoen, Michigan’s current pitcher, smacked a solo shot 229 feet to left center field to put the Wolverines on the board. It was the first run OU has given up this weekend in the Norman Regional.
Ella Parker ended the inning with a diving catch.
Kai Minor reached on a fielder’s choice and scored her second run of the day following an Ella Parker single and Gabbie Garcia flyout. The RBI was Garcia’s second of the day.
Michigan starter Gabby Ellis’ day ended after one time through OU’s lineup. She allowed three earned runs and two walks in a full inning.
Erin Hoehn, in the Wolverines’ lineup as designated player, took over in the circle and allowed a hit and walk.
Michigan left fielder Ella Stephenson singled but the Wolverines stranded her at first.
Kai Minor is inevitable. The Sooners’ speedy center fielder ripped a double to left center, her third leadoff double in four games before Ella Parker walked and Gabbie Garcia singled Minor in. It was Garcia’s 72nd RBI this season.
Then, with the bases loaded, Isabela Emerling singled down the left field line to score Garcia and Kasidi Pickering, who was hit by a pitch.
OU leads 3-0 early.
Oklahoma is starting sophomore left-hander Audrey Lowry against Michigan in the NCAA Tournament Norman Regional final on Sunday. Lowry started the Sooners’ 11-0 run-rule victory over Binghamton on Friday, allowing a leadoff single before retiring the next six batters she faced and striking out three across two innings.
Here’s OU’s starting lineup against the Wolverines:
- CF: Kai Minor
- RF: Ella Parker
- SS: Gabbie Garcia
- DP: Kasidi Pickering
- C: Kendall Wells
- LF: Abby Dayton
- 1B: Isabela Emerling
- 2B: Ailana Agbayani
- 3B: Sydney Barker
What time is Oklahoma vs Michigan today? When is OU softball game today?
- Date: Sunday, May 17
- Time: 2 p.m. CT
The Oklahoma vs Michigan game starts at 2 p.m. CT Sunday from Love’s Field in Norman. If OU loses, Game 2 will start about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
What channel is Oklahoma vs Michigan today? Where to watch OU softball on TV, streaming
Oklahoma vs Michigan will be broadcast on SEC Network and streamed on ESPN+.
How to listen to OU softball on the radio
Chris Plank (play-by-play) will have the OU radio call on The Franchise 2 (KEBC 1560 AM) and the Varsity Radio App.
Norman Regional schedule
Double elimination from Friday-Sunday (May 15-17) at Love’s Field.
Friday’s games
Game 1: No. 3 Oklahoma 11, Binghamton 0 (5)
Game 2: Kansas 1, Michigan 0 (8)
Saturday’s games
Game 3: No. 3 Oklahoma 9, Kansas 0 (5)
Game 4: Michigan 6, Binghamton 0
Game 5: Michigan 12, Kansas 10
Sunday’s games
Game 6: No. 3 Oklahoma (50-8) vs. Michigan (36-21), 2 p.m.
Game 7 (if necessary): Rematch Game 6, 4:30 p.m.
OU softball highlights vs. Michigan
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Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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