Dave Portnoy (Image Via Getty)
The moment the final buzzer rang, it wasn’t just the players celebrating. One of Michigan’s most famous fans completely lost it too. Dave Portnoy went wild as Michigan sealed a 69-63 win over UConn to lift the national championship.
It happened on Monday night, ending a title drought that had lasted since 1989.Portnoy was inside the arena watching every second. He looked tense during the closing minutes as UConn kept pushing back. But the second Michigan confirmed the win, his mood flipped instantly. Within minutes, he was online, shouting, celebrating, and making sure everyone knew how big this moment was for Michigan fans.
Dave Portnoy celebrates Michigan Wolverines win while Elliot Cadeau leads the charge and Barack Obama reacts
Portnoy jumped onto X and shared his emotions without holding back.
He said, “This school… I tried to tell people! It does not matter what the sport is. Basketball, football, it is the best sports program in the country! UConn played their hearts out, they would not go away. But not against Michigan.”He didn’t stop there. In another video, he added, “Now get some sleep, we have to go win hockey next weekend. It never stops when you are part of Michigan. Who has it better than us? Nobody.”At the same time, celebrations were not limited to him. Videos from Ann Arbor showed fans flooding the streets, cheering loudly and celebrating a long-awaited title.
On the court, Michigan had strong performances. Elliot Cadeau stood out with 19 points, along with two assists and three rebounds. He controlled the game when it mattered the most. UConn tried to fight back through Alex Karaban, who scored 17 points, and Tarris Reed, who added 13. But Michigan held its ground.Yaxel Lendeborg had a tough night. He was dealing with a foot injury and even said during halftime, “I feel awful.
I feel super weak right now. I cannot make anything. I am trying to push through because it is a championship game.” Still, he managed to contribute after the break and helped his team close out the win.This victory also made history. Michigan became the first team to win the title while starting five transfer players. It also marked the first championship for a Big Ten team since 2000.Even former US President Barack Obama joined in. He posted, “Congratulations to Coach Dusty May, Elliot Cadeau, and Michigan Basketball on winning their first title since 1989. This team dominated the tournament from start to finish. Well deserved.”
