WASHINGTON _ Michigan's basketball team celebrated twice on national television on Sunday.
The Wolverines were elated after winning the Big Ten tournament at the Verizon Center, less than a half hour before their name popped up as the Midwest Region's No. 7 seed for the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan was an easy television target during Sunday's NCAA selection show because CBS already was on site for the Wolverines' 71-56 win over Wisconsin, U-M's first Big Ten tournament title since 1998.
The seeding spurred a roar from U-M players, with D.J. Wilson's long frame filling the middle of the screen. As the whirlwind died down, the Wolverines admitted they didn't know much about their opening NCAA opponent on Friday, 10th-seeded Oklahoma State (12:15 p.m., CBS).
"Very little right now, but we'll be on it," U-M coach John Beilein said. "I know their (offensive) numbers are high but I don't watch a lot of basketball if it's not Michigan or the next opponent. But I've got a lot of respect for the Big 12 and all the coaches in that league. A 7-10 game, it's like the same two teams."
As impressive as U-M has been on offense, rating as the fifth-most efficient according to Kenpom.com, Oklahoma State has been more effective, ranking first in offensive efficiency.
The Cowboys (20-12), led by Jawun Evans (19 points per game) and Jeffrey Carroll (17), rank eighth nationally in scoring, averaging 85.5 points per game.
Michigan welcomes the challenge.
"Absolutely," U-M point guard Derrick Walton Jr. said. "We talk about it all the time. Our conference, we don't get enough credit enough and we aren't known for running a lot. Playing against guys that get up and down, I think that plays to our strength. With guys like D.J. (Wilson), Moe (Wagner) and Duncan (Robinson), who can space the floor and D.J. who's the jack of all trades. We've got a lot of dynamic weapons so we can get out in the open court."
The biggest factor playing against Michigan might be fatigue. The Wolverines played four games in four days this weekend to win the title and flew home Sunday evening. Oklahoma State has been off since losing its Big 12 tournament opener to Iowa State on Thursday.
"One of the things I took note of, I know it's a very good Oklahoma State team, is I wanted to (know) are we playing Thursday or Friday?" Beilein said. "Here we are, the last team probably playing right now. All of a sudden, we're turning around Thursday afternoon at noon. That would have been a little bit different. The Friday gives us _ these first two days, we're not going to do very much. We need two days' rest. We played Sunday night. Our kids need to rest."
That was Walton's plan for the ride home, unwinding for the first time in five days.
"This plane ride is so easy, I'll probably eat a little junk food, take a nap and watch a little movie or something," Walton said. "Get the legs back under us and get ready for Friday."
