Moody Coliseum in Dallas was crawling with Secret Service, the former president was sitting courtside directly across from Michigan's bench, and George W. Bush even was introduced, to an ear-popping ovation, during the first media timeout.
And Michigan coach John Beilein didn't even know Bush was in the building until after the game.
Now that's some impressive focus.
"This is how focused I am on a game," Beilein said Thursday. "I heard he was gonna be there.
"I did not see him for one second that he was there.
"I'm not looking in the crowd.