SportsPulse: Michigan reflected on making the Final Four, and outed themselves as not knowing much about March Madness sensation and Loyola-Chicago team chaplain Sister Jean. USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES — The Michigan Wolverines know they’re playing Loyola-Chicago in the Final Four, but not all of the players are familiar with the Ramblers’ 98-year-old team chaplain.
Michigan’s Charles Matthews, voted Most Outstanding Player of the West Region, drew a blank when asked what he knew about Sister Jean. He looked to Michigan head basketball coach John Beilein for help.
“If you don't know who she is, say you don't know who she is,’’ Beilein said.
Matthews turned back to the microphone in front of him.
“I don't really know who she is,’’ he said after helping lead Michigan to a 58-54 victory over Florida State on Saturday. “I don't know who Sister Jean is, no disrespect.’’
Moritz Wagner, Michigan’s 6-11 forward, fared better at the same news conference.
“I know that she didn't have Loyola-Chicago in the Elite Eight,’’ Wagner said, referring to the bracket Sister Jean filled out before the tournament began. “I know that. She was on my Instagram a lot in the last days.’’
Added Michigan senior guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, "I mean, that's about it. I just know you see her all over social media. But I don't know too much."
The celebrity of Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt has soared as has that of the 11th-seeded Ramblers. The nun’s name appeared to register for Michigan’s Jordan Poole, whose 30-foot buzzer beat lifted Michigan over Houston in a second-round thriller that turned him into an NCAA tournament sensation.
With a grin, Poole said, “I just know that people have been talking about her more than they were talking about my shot."