Michigan basketball missing two players for NCAA Tournament

Michigan basketball is facing challenges as it begins the NCAA Tournament. The team will be without two key players, Sam Walters and Justin Pippen, for their first game in Denver. Walters, a forward known for his shooting, has been sidelined since February 8 due to a lower back injury. Pippen, a freshman guard, entered concussion protocol before the Big Ten Tournament and did not travel with the team. There is no timeline for their return to play. Walters had a successful season, shooting 39% from beyond the arc last year and 37% this season. Pippen provided valuable minutes, averaging 6.6 minutes over 28 games. Despite the absences, Michigan's coach, Dusty May, stated he does not plan to change his lineup significantly. He also mentioned the high altitude in Denver but doesn’t believe it will impact their performance greatly. The team will play UC San Diego on Thursday night, with the winner advancing to the next round.