The Detroit News writers predict the outcome of Thursday’s NCAA Tournament game between Michigan and UC San Diego.

James Hawkins of The Detroit News breaks down Michigan’s NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against UC San Diego. ▶ Tipoff: 10 p.m. Thursday, Ball Arena, Denver ▶ Records: Michigan 25-9, No. 5 seed; UC San Diego 30-4, No. 12 seed ▶ Next: Winner of the game between No. 4 Texas A&M (22-10) and No. 13 Yale (22-7).

Vladislav Goldin and Michigan proved a bit too much for UC San Diego when the Russian center scored 14 points and the fifth-seeded Wolverines overcame Tyler McGhie’s 25 points to escape with a 68-65 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Madness picks, predictions, odds for UC San Diego vs Michigan first-round South Region game on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

The first day of March Madness is winding down, but there are still some solid games to be played! One of the final showdowns of the day will be between No. 5 Michigan and No. 12 UC San Diego. Michigan punched their ticket to the big dance this season after missing the tournament in the past two.

Michigan will face UC San Diego in the NCAA Tournament First Round — here's the scoop on how to watch tonight's game.

Consider this: Michigan played three Quad 1 games in a row to win the Big Ten Tournament. That matches the number of Quad 1 games UC San Diego played all season. The Tritons split a pair of close games on the road against eventual NCAA Tournament teams, losing at play-in loser San Diego State and winning at 10 seed Utah State.

Michigan, the No. 5 seed coached by Dusty May and led by 7-footers Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf, advanced to this stage after defeating UC San Diego and Texas A&M last week.Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Set your alarm clocks, Michigan fans: The 5-seed Wolverines have a late-night start against 12-seed UC San Diego in the first round of March Madness in Denver on Thursday. And this is one you can ...