Michigan basketball forced to wear practice jerseys during game after plane accident

WASHINGTON – The Michigan basketball team finally made it to Washington, D.C., Thursday morning after a scare with the team's plane at Willow Run, but they did so without their game jerseys.

The Wolverines walked onto the court Thursday in their practice uniforms because their game jerseys are still on the team plane amid an investigation into an accident Wednesday afternoon.

When Michigan players, coaches, band members and cheerleaders tired to leave Willow Run, the team plane had to abort takeoff due to severe winds in southeast Michigan.

After strong braking, the plane slid off the runway, the university said. The plane was severely damaged, but school officials said everyone in the travel party is safe.

Michigan arranged alternative travel plans and the Wolverines tipped off against Illinois at 12:28 p.m. Thursday, just 28 minutes later than the original start time.

But they did so wearing maize practice pinnies and blue practice shorts. They're also wearing different shoes during the game.

It's likely that the team was left without jerseys because all three uniform options -- maize, white and blue -- were on the plane in preparation for a potential Big Ten Tournament run. If the Wolverines advance this weekend, they might need multiple different uniforms depending on which teams they meet along the way.

For now, the only jerseys available are the ones in the tweets below:

Who knows? Maybe if Michigan plays well this weekend, the practice uniforms will have to tag along for the NCAA Tournament.