The University of Michigan is known for many different sports including football, hockey, and even field hockey, but sometimes basketball isn't always brought up. After getting into a small debate this morning with a coworker, I believe I encouraged him to consider the Wolverines as a Blue Blood NCAA Division 1 Basketball program.

When we think of Blue Blood Programs, they are programs that constantly get the best recruits and consistently make runs for titles in their perspective sport. We see that with football and hockey for U of M, but is the basketball team in the same respect but being overshadowed? I think so and the Wolverines' resume speaks for itself.

Blue Blood programs that currently exist when it comes to college basketball are in the likes of Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, and Michigan State but where does Michigan rank amongst these great programs? If you ask me, right along with them, and here's why.

Icon Sportswire/ Lance King/ Andy Lyons/ William Mancebo Getty Images
Icon Sportswire/ Lance King/ Andy Lyons/ William Mancebo Getty Images
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The University of Michigan back in the 80s and 90s was able to recruit many 4 and 5-star level recruits. including the fab five which led them to the national championship game more than once. This was the tone that was set for what is now the current state of the program.

John W. McDonough Getty Images
John W. McDonough Getty Images
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The Wolverines are a basketball team that is now coached by Juwuan Howard,  A member of the fab five, and is back to signing 4 and 5-star recruits onto the roster. They also are in the Elite 8 every other year and make it to the Final Four/Championship game every 4 to 5 years.

Rich Clarkson Getty Images
Rich Clarkson Getty Images
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If you ask me that's more than enough success to overlook their lack of NCAA national championships which they only have 1 in 1989, especially when you have lost in 6 national championship games and many other Final Four games. What are your opinions on what a Blue Blood Program is and are the Michigan Wolverines one of them?

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