Maybe it was the announcement Tuesday afternoon that classes had been canceled Wednesday and Thursday. Maybe it was the extra time for the students to lubricate before the 9:00 tip. Maybe it was the chance for a little revenge against the Buckeyes.
Whatever the reason -- and it was likely all three -- the fans at Crisler Center were especially hyped up Tuesday night to watch Michigan take on Ohio State. One chant started early and continued throughout the night: "F**k Ohio!!"
As Michigan pulled away in the second half on the way to a 65-49 win, it only got louder.
The fans reached a fever pitch during a skirmish on the floor with about eight minutes remaining and Michigan up by 12. After coaches from both teams separated a crowd of players, that chant nearly drowned out the music on the arena loud speakers.
"-- Ohio!!" They've been chanting it all night at Crisler, never louder than after this skirmish midway thru 2nd half with #Michigan up 12. pic.twitter.com/0yznU7eTjC
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) January 30, 2019By the end of the game, giveaway glow sticks were raining down from the upper sections.
The atmosphere was so rowdy it was the first thing John Beilein commented on at his post game press conference.
"Just a great crowd on such a cold night. ... Just amazing to have that type of energy in the building when it's below zero," he said. "Just really proud that we can have that type of culture at the university right now that people love athletics, they love basketball.
"To be able to have a 9 p.m. game on a Tuesday night and have that energy in the building, I'm sure it had something to do with the opponent. At the same time, I think it has a lot to do with what these kids have accomplished so far this year."
The win pushed No. 5 Michigan to 20-1 (9-1, Big Ten) on the season and dropped Ohio State to 13-7 (3-6).
It was the first big matchup between the two rivals since the Buckeyes embarrassed the Wolverines on the gridiron back in November. From the sound of things Tuesday night, Michigan fans had some venting to do.
If Beilein took note of the energy and noise, so did the players. Both Jordan Poole and Isaiah Livers said Crisler Center was on a different level.
"How we felt about playing Ohio State is how the fans felt about coming out to see us beat Ohio State," Poole said. "Shoutout Maize Rage, shoutout fans."
