It’s bound to be a heavyweight showdown on Saturday night between the pair of No. 1 seeds: Michigan vs. Arizona. Both teams are similar in style and build, and both teams have gone through their competition.

There will be plenty of stars on the court on Saturday night. For the Wolverines, the talk of Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Elliot Cadeau has filled the talk shows in recent days, but there is another player who could be Michigan’s X Factor against the Wildcats.

Despite a role decrease this season, fifth-year senior Nimari Burnett will take the court as a starter and could play a pivotal role in what happens on Saturday night.

Why Burnett is the X Factor

In Year 3 at Michigan, Burnett is playing his lowest minutes and scoring the least since he arrived in Ann Arbor — but this is also the most talented team the Chicago native has played with. Burnett is surrounded by stars and he has taken his role and run with it.

“What also makes it worth it is playing here at this stage right now,” Burnett said to the media regarding his role. “Playing with the most unselfish, the best players across the country and getting to this moment, playing in the NCAA Tournament, it means everything. And these are the goals that we set prior to the season.

“So any level of success will take a level of sacrifice. We all understand that, but we’re all committed to that one goal, which is to win a National Championship.”

While he is playing just under 20 minutes per game, and averaging 8.4 points per game — he is still one of the top shooters on the team. When taking a three-point shot, Burnett makes 38.1%, just under Trey McKenney on the team.

Arizona is going to put a lot of focus on stopping the other starting three in the game on Saturday night. But we’ve seen previously what happens when Burnett gets his footing under him and gets confident.

Burnett scored a career-high 31 points earlier this season to help Michigan beat Penn State. He has scored in double figures in three of Michigan’s four NCAA Tournament wins and the Maize and Blue will hope he can remain hot in this game on Saturday.

The 6’5″ veteran hasn’t shot the three particularly well this postseason, but playing in Indianapolis, with a spot in the national title on the line — this is where leaders emerge and unsung heroes shine.

Severe storms that could potentially produce a tornado are moving through Michigan.

Southeast Barry County and Eaton County are under a severe thunderstorm warning through 9:15 p.m. while nine counties in southwest Michigan are under a tornado watch until 11 p.m.

“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” the NWS said. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

The agency issued tornado warnings for parts of Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties, but those warnings have expired.

The storm system moving into southwest Michigan is bringing winds with gust up to 70 mph and a low chance for an isolated tornado west of U.S.-23.

The storm also could bring hail measuring a half-inch in diameter and brief, heavy downpours of rain. Minor flooding is possible in areas with poor drainage.

mreinhart@detroitnews.com

A water services provider and its president are accused of falsifying water safety and discharge tests for private water systems serving mobile home communities in Michigan, state officials said. 

Douglas Environmental is charged with six counts of forgery and one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. The firm’s president, Brian Powell, 57, of Brighton, is also charged with six counts of forgery and seven counts of safe drinking water violations.

According to authorities, Douglas Environmental provided private water systems for several mobile home communities throughout Michigan, including the following communities: 

• Moon Lake Mobile Home Park in Shiawassee County
• Thornapple Lake Estates in Barry County
• Fenton Harbor Condominiums in Genesee County
• Hickory Hills Mobile Homes in Calhoun County
• Green Brook Estates in Livingston County
• Western Pines in Kalamazoo County
• Victory Gardens in Genesee County
• North Bay Mobile Home Park in Genesee County

State prosecutors accuse Douglas Environmental of falsifying water test results at Moon Lake Mobile Home Park, Thornapple Lake Estates and Fenton Harbor Condominiums at least six times in 2023. Between 2020 and 2023, the company is also accused of failing to report water tests that exceeded maximum contaminant levels at Hickory Hills Mobile Homes, Green Brook Estates, North Bay Mobile Home Park, Fenton Harbor, Victory Gardens and Western Pines.

The Michigan DNR investigated Douglas Environmental after the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy discovered data discrepancies between reports and what the company submitted for review, state prosecutors say. 

“Safe drinking water relies on honest testing,” said Nessel in a statement. “Falsifying reports jeopardizes the well-being of residents, and I am grateful for EGLE’s and DNR’s work to uncover and investigate these extremely troubling allegations. My office will continue to prosecute those who put Michiganders’ health at risk.”

Authorities say that based on EGLE’s testing, the public was not harmed by the alleged scheme. 

“It’s deeply disappointing when individuals choose to falsify test results; they undermine the trust that communities place in the systems designed to safeguard them. Michigan residents deserve complete confidence that the water they rely on is safe,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. 

Powell will appear in the 55th District Court on May 5.