Kobe Bufkin's dunk contest steals the show for Michigan basketball at 'Michigan Madness'
The men and women of Michigan basketball players griddy'd, dougie'd and Gangnam Style'd their way onto the court for "Michigan Madness" and just like that, the 2022-23 season had arrived.
The Wolverines hosted the preseason hype event to introduce their teams as one of just three schools in the nation (along with Iowa State and North Carolina) to have Sweet 16 teams in both the men's and women's NCAA tournaments last season.
Juwan Howard is set to enter his fourth year in charge of the men; his teams made the second weekend of the NCAA tournament in each of the past two seasons. (2020's tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.)
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On Friday night, Howard took the microphone and hyped up each of his players.
Among the notables were Hunter Dickinson — "Big Hunt" as Howard called him — his other two captains, Jace Howard and Terrance Williams, transfers Joey Baker and Jaelin Llewellyn and international signee Youssef "YoYo" Khayat.
He also made sure to "embarrass" one the team's newest members — Jett Howard, his son and a freshman on the team — by saying, "I know his mom."
Then, Howard got a bit more serious and discussed the potential upside of his team while highlighting the chemistry that grew during the trip his program took to France and Greece this summer.
"It’s always a blessing to have a great group of young men to be able to coach, develop, teach and grow with," Howard said. "We’ve had a lot of success folks, but, yes, we have to always embrace the pressure, the competition, but I trust in this group that you will see some special things from this team right here.
"We’re honored to wear that Michigan jersey. We look forward to you coming back as the season progresses. Go Blue."
Women's coach Kim Barnes Arico, beginning her 11th season in Ann Arbor, also addressed the crowd. Her Wolverines are coming off the best season in program history, with a first-ever Elite Eight berth. She reminded those in the crowd how instrumental they were in last year's run, including hosting two NCAA games in front of sellout crowds at Crisler Center.
"We have an unbelievable crew returning," she said. "A phenomenal group, two fifth-year seniors as well as our senior class that has led us to new heights. Practices are going great, really can’t wait to get started.
"We hope to see you at our games and as always, go Blue."
The highlights of the event included a 3-point competition; Joey Baker beat Maddie Nolan in Round 1, Will Tschetter took out Greta Kampschroeder in Round 2 and then Tschetter topped Baker in the championship.
The women's team stole the show in the dance competition when they brought out members of the dance team and did a choreographed routine, completed by Kampschroeder and Nolan doing the worm.
But the loudest cheer came via Kobe Bufkin in the dunk contest. The sophomore threw an alley-oop to himself off the backboard, brought the ball between his legs and windmilled the dunk home to get the crowd on its feet.
Bufkin then took down Jett Howard in the finals when he brought a crowd member out to hold the ball above his head; Bufkin lept over him and brought the ball between his legs for another windmill dunk before running through the tunnel and off the court.
"For the second dunk, I'd say Blake Griffin (was my inspiration)," he joked, referencing the former Piston's win in the 2011 NBA All-Star dunk contest . "But I can't jump over a car."
The men's season tips off with an exhibition against Ferris State on Nov. 4 before the season opener against Wayne State on Nov. 7. The women have an exhibition against Division II Daemen University on Nov. 5 before their season opener against Delaware State on Nov. 9.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball's Kobe Bufkin, Will Tschetter wow the crowd
