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Wolverine Fans Praise Team After Loss

ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - University of Michigan basketball fans in Ann Arbor took the heartbreaking loss as well as could be expected.

Inside the M Den, the crowd was in high spirits, and just like their home team -- fans tried every trick in the book to bring home the title game.

From hat tricks to Hail Marys, students like Thomas Stephenson remained hopeful up until the last seconds that U-M had a fighting chance.

"Trey Burke needs to start heating up, that's why we've got the rally caps on," he said.

And while the prayers did seem to help bring the score up in the final half, all the spirit fingers in the room weren't enough to bring home the victory. Louisville rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat Michigan 82-76 in the NCAA championship game Monday night.

Outside, fans began to trickle out and tell their tale of sadness. Student Daniel Cohen said he's coping, but it's tough.

"We had a great run, though. I'm not depressed by their effort, they made a great run, I mean, no one expected this, I didn't expect this," he said.

The bittersweet ending for some students carried over to the campus' Diag. Ann Arbor police made three arrests and responded to a handful of furniture fires, but otherwise said it was just a typical night.

For many students, however, it was a night to remember.

"We're on hunger strike until we win the championship. It's about the ring, it's about that championship. We've got to get that 'W,' you know what I'm saying," said sophomore Connor Anderson.

MORE: Louisville Beats Michigan 82-76 For NCAA Title

Fans Celebrate Tourney Run, Look Forward To Next Year

A Great Night For Michigan Basketball

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