Michigan basketball team sets school tournament record for worst-seeded loss

Michigan senior Zack Novak dismissed his team's piece of infamy, though, citing the growing parity in the sport.

"It doesn't bother me, because I think this (Ohio) team is pretty good," Novak said. "I don't even think they're the worst team we've played in the tournament since we've been here. I think that you just got to give them credit.

"Yeah, we didn't make the Sweet 16, but I know I'll leave here without any regrets because I went out there every time and played my ass off."

Ohio, champion of the Mid-American Conference, is no stranger to tournament upsets. The Bobcats, under coach John Groce, thumped No. 3-seed Georgetown in their last appearance two years ago.

Michigan is the first No. 4 seed to go down in this tournament, although two No. 2 seeds — Missouri and Duke — also were dispatched Friday. It is the first time in tournament history three teams seeded as low as 13th won on the same day.

The Blue Devils went down just as the Wolverines' locker room was being opened to the media. Novak said the result confirms his point.

"Every year is different," he said. "The seeding, it's such that it really is just for TV. There's very little difference — yeah, the 1-seeds are better, the 2s, but 3 and 6 are probably the same now.

"Anyone can win. Anyone can lose. Just look at Duke. It's sounds cliche, but there's parity. It happens."

Michigan had been 8-0 against teams seeded 12th or worse in the tournament.

This was its first matchup against a 13-seed.