The No. 14 Michigan Wolverines take on the UCSD Tritons in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Thursday's meeting is the first this season for the two teams.

DENVER — Michigan will be shorthanded for its NCAA Tournament opener and possibly beyond. Two reserves, Sam Walters and Justin Pippen, did not make the trip to Denver with the team. Michigan plays a first-round game against UC San Diego on Thursday night (10 p.m. ET, TBS). The winner will advance to Saturday’s second round.

Yet, Michigan basketball took the Big Ten conference tournament title and earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament beginning this week. On Thursday they get to play UC San Diego (30-4), which was one of the hottest-shooting teams in the country from the Big West Conference.