LOS ANGELES — “Come on!” Michigan coach John Beilein said.
Both rims were left naked. The nets were long gone, cut into life-long souvenirs from this unforgettable moment, after Michigan advanced to the Final Four. Confetti drifted lazily across the court and most of Michigan's basketball team huddled in the locker room. The stands were emptying out in Staples Center, this huge Maize-and-Blue crowd spilling out into the buzzing, Uber-carrying California night.
And it was time for a truly special moment.
Perhaps, the greatest Christmas card picture ever taken, at least for an extended basketball family.