Bryce Pope spent four years building UC San Diego and transferred to USC. We watched the Tritons' first-round heartbreaker with him.

Michigan guard Tre Donaldson, center, reacts after scoring a basket as UC San Diego guards Tyler McGhie, back, and Hayden Gray drop back on offense during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) AP

After three days off, Michigan basketball took its show on the road. It went from the Big Ten Tournament, where the Wolverines won the championship, to the NCAA Tournament, where the 5-seed faced No.