WASHINGTON D.C. — Strong winds forced U-M’s team plane off the runway at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich., Wednesday as it was getting ready to fly to Washington D.C. for the Big Ten Tournament. Brendan Quinn of MLive reported the airport was under a high wind advisory and gusts were reported of up to 60 mph.
All 109 of plane’s passengers, including players, coaches, cheerleaders, and band members were all safe and no injuries were reported, but it was problematic for the team to get to the Verizon Center to play Illinois Thursday. Tipoff was set for noon, but was pushed back to 12:20 p.m. and the game wasn’t officially underway until 12:29 p.m.
According to Quinn, the team didn’t leave for Detroit Metro Airport until 6:00 a.m. Thursday and the plane didn’t leave until 7:30 a.m. and the team arrived at the nation’s capital at 8:45 a.m. and bussed directly to the Verizon Center. Per U-M’s Twitter account, the team touched down just before 9:00 a.m.
Verizon Center. Here comes the Wolverines #GoBlue 〽 pic.twitter.com/u57ogXCRks
— Michigan Basketball (@umichbball) March 9, 2017
Quinn also reported the Wolverines arrived at the Verizon Center at 10:41 a.m. The team had to wear their practice jerseys for the game against the Illini.
Fans have been asking. Yes, our game uniforms did not make the trip. Today we wear:
— Michigan Basketball (@umichbball) March 9, 2017
Tops -
Shorts -
Shoes -
Let's go to work! #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/qGR06Oe9BD
