Ecstatic Michigan fans bizarrely set their furniture and hay bales alight on Monday night as they wildly celebrated the Wolverines’ national championship victory.
MLive has reported that fire crews had to put out more than 40 fires across Ann Arbor overnight and two people were arrested, including one for arson.
Footage on social media shows the wild scenes in Ann Arbor as fans flooded the streets to celebrate Michigan’s first national title since 1989.
Hundreds of students and fans gathered on South University Avenue just after 11pm and set off a number of fireworks. They were filmed climbing on street lights, trees and fences. A number of street signs were also damaged.
Cheers and car honking filled the air as the celebrations spilled into the nearby residential neighborhoods and quickly firefighters were needed to dampen the celebrations.
By 1:30am, the Ann Arbor Fire Department had tackled more than 40 fires as fans set pieces of their furniture alight.
Michigan fans set couches and hay bales alight as they celebrated the Wolverines’ win
Hundreds of students and fans gathered on South University Avenue just after 11pm
Michigan fans at Good Time Charley’s in Ann Arbor react with joy after the win over UConn
Of the two people arrested, one was for disorderly conduct, resisting and obstruction and assaulting a police officer. The other was arrested for arson.
Head coach Dusty May led the Wolverines to the title in just his second season in charge after they claimed a 69-63 win over UConn in Indianapolis.
Michigan superfan Dave Portnoy couldn’t hold back his excitement as he celebrated the Wolverines’ success with a hilarious video on social media.
Barstool Sports boss Portnoy was in attendance on the night and posted regularly as he nervously watched the Wolverines hold onto the lead, despite a nervy ending.
Once the game had ended and Michigan were crowned champions, he took to social media to share a jubilant, celebratory message to his followers.
Taking to X, Portnoy said: ‘This school… I tried to tell people! It doesn’t matter [what] the sport [is]. Basketball, football, it’s the best sports program in the country!
‘UConn played their hearts out, [they] wouldn’t die. But not against the block M. You can pull that s*** against Duke but not against us! It’s Michigan, Michigan, Michigan.
‘Now get some sleep, we’ve got to go win the pucks next weekend. It’s 24/7, 365. It never ends when you go to Michigan. Who has it better than us? Nobody!’
Continuing his social media tirade, Portnoy shared videos of himself video calling a number of his UConn-supporting friends and poked fun at them over the game.
Along with Portnoy, former US President Barack Obama was among those who offered their congratulations to the Wolverines shortly after the championship game.
Michigan won its first men’s basketball national championship since 1989 in Indianapolis
Michigan fan and Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy celebrated the Wolverines’ national championship win with a passionate video message which he posted on social media
Taking to X, he wrote: ‘Congratulations to @CoachDustyMay, Elliot Cadeau, and @UMichBBall on winning their first title since 1989!
‘This team dominated the tournament from start to finish. Well deserved. Go Blue!’
Elliot Cadeau led the way for Michigan on the night with 19 points, two assists and three rebounds from just 30 minutes on the court.
Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed did their best to claw UConn back into the game, scoring 17 points and 13 points respectively, but in the end it wasn’t enough.
